Soyala's Saga: Volume 2 of 2

By Richard Donahue

Author House Review: The Sixth Coming is set within an original mythology to fascinating results. It combines vividly realized characters with spiritual themes and elements of Aztec lore. There is an incredible array of exciting sequences that could provide great material for adapting this work into another medium.

Due to the nontraditional structure and storytelling style, live theater could be an interesting option. Film is another option; perhaps animation could make the most of the impressive locations, creatures, and spectacles.

There are several elements that are very well suited for a film or theater piece. Because both these mediums usually feature the interactions between characters, the strong personalities of The Sixth Coming are essential to capture. Soyala is a great heroinefrom her borderline petulance over the Builders gift to her reluctant and confused acceptance of her destiny. She isnt perfect, which makes her all the more compelling as she overcomes overwhelming odds.

Kajika, Burilgi, and the Minstrel are wonderful supporting characters.

Each of these brothers has his own distinct personality, and their squabbling provides comic relief. Burilgi and the Minstrel in particular provide humor. Kajika could bring in sex appeal for female audiences while Soyala and Xochiquetzal could do so for males.

Xochiquetzal/Tona-teootl is a fascinating villain. Her sinister sexuality when welcoming Soyala and Kajika could play very well in a film. The later scenes on the Barge are thrilling due to Tona-teootls increasingly evident madness. These scenes would provide terrific moments for an actor to really chew up the scenery.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Mar 31, 2015
• ISBN: 9781496955470

Richard Donahue

Rich has been interested in reading and writing ever since the day he was born. Finally, after an intensive labor of fifteen years, he is now the proud author of a fantasy trilogy presented in two volumes. Having been born in a time when television sets were a novelty and neither the cell phone nor the Internet had yet been invented, he has seen a vast transformation in society moving all too hastily away from nature to embrace technology, losing a large part of our spirituality in the process. This is the overall message of his book: the loss of our bonds with nature and the loss of our bonds of friendship and kinsmanship. His childhood world of 2.5 billion persons has now exploded into a world with an unsustainable seven billion individuals. Being the only car on the road on Sunday afternoon drives has now become as extinct a species as our Passenger Pigeon. Rich currently lives in Whetstone, Arizona, far away from traffic jams and overcrowded malls, where he can enjoy the serenity of wildlife and starlit skies undimmed by light pollution. He would much rather share a quiet afternoon entertained with the daring-dos of a tree lizard or the springing antics of a spotted ground squirrel than being bruised by a crowd of rude and noisy shoppers at the local mall. Please take this simple work with you and, on some quiet Sunday afternoon when the rain is gently drizzling upon some tin roof or pattering upon some forgotten windowpane, open a bottle of your most gentle wine and reflect upon the most precious world in which we live. Thank you for having taken the time to join with us on this simple journey.

Book preview

SOYALA’S SAGA

VOLUME 2 OF 2

WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED BY

RICHARD DONAHUE

AuthorHouse™

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.authorhouse.com

Phone: [phone]

©

2015 Richard Donahue. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

This book completes the trilogy:

The Sixth Coming – Author House – 09 Sep 2010

The Spirit Chaser – Author House – 12 March 2012

Image Page 124 The Spirit Chaser detail carving by Robert Miscione of We Frame It (Sierra Vista AZ) – Design & Abalone Inlay by Author

Published by AuthorHouse 03/30/2015

ISBN: 978-1-4969-5549-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-5547-0 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

& Golem Dreams &

&& Banquet &&

&& Bodyguards &&

&& Seating Arrangements &&

&& The Huntmaster &&

&& Battle Across The Table &&

&& Let The Hunt Begin &&

&& A Hawk Amongst the Vultures &&

&& The Girl Child &&

&& The Silver Necklace &&

&& Here My Sweet Child &&

&& Shorty &&

& Path to Adventure &

&& The Wayward Inn &&

&& Scuttlebutt and Idle Chatter &&

&& Prattle and Gossip &&

&& Vendetta &&

&& Chance Meeting &&

&& Golem Secrets &&

&& Sibling Rivalry &&

&& War Paint &&

& Four Hands &

&& The Procession of Dung Gatherers &&

&& Stealing Biscuits &&

&& You are So Beautiful &&

&& Smelting of the Royal Lineage &&

&& The Cloak of a Prince &&

&& Willing Captive &&

&& Four Hands &&

&& Shrouds and Toenail Polishes &&

&& The Bowharp &&

&& Strings and Bows &&

&& The Emerald Empresses Poem Remembered &&

&& The Ivory Key &&

&& A Day of Celebration &&

&& Stringing the Bowharp &&

&& Aurora Borealis – Present &&

&& Aurora Borealis – Past &&

& Council of Golems &

&& Dusty Plumes &&

&& Sings and Songs &&

&& The Sausage Song &&

&& Stout or Pout &&

&& The Flayed Flute &&

&& The Porcelain Plain &&

&& The Knapper &&

&& The Bone Flute &&

&& Harmonics &&

&& The Child’s Song &&

&& The Poet’s Prophesy &&

&& Naught but the Whispering Winds Answer &&

& Golem Dreams &

&& Brown Golem Dreams &&

&& Ravaging of the Riverside Cliffs &&

&& Smelting of the Seven Sisters &&

& The Ancient Ones &

&& Alone Again &&

&& Crannog on the Sea &&

&& Walking on Water &&

&& The Lake Long Path &&

&& The Red Cedar Canoe &&

&& The Red Hummingbird &&

&& Bloodsisterhood &&

&& Glancing Backward &&

&& Looking Forward &&

& The Warrior &

&& Dragged to Safety &&

&& Feast of Frogs and Snails &&

& Portage &

&& Reflections &&

&& The Last Glacier &&

& Reunion &

&& Blood Sausages and Bot Flies &&

&& Folk of the Mountain Clan &&

&& The Village &&

&& What is Good for the Goose &&

& The Third Ring of the Necropolis &

&& Hoatzin &&

&& A Jug of Wine &&

&& Tales to be Told &&

&& Leg Bone of the Troodon &&

&& Breath of the Troodon &&

&& Spirit Chaser &&

& Golem Dreams &

&& The Red Golem &&

&& The Sloughboy’s Teeth &&

& Claw of the Jaguar &

&& Running Battle &&

&& Decoy &&

&& Screams in the Night &&

&& Poet’s Prophesy &&

&& Lover’s Embrace &&

& Parting &

&& Hoatzin &&

& Hoar Frost &

& The Golem and the Edelweiss &

&& The Last Flower &&

& Breakfast &&

& Drowning &

&& The Emerald Empress &&

& Council of Golems &

& A Woman’s Wit &

&& Giving Thanks &&

&& Impetuousness of Youth &&

&& Red Trout Blued &&

&& Starshine &&

& Mrs. Shorty Remembers &

&& Memories and Remembrances &&

&& Leaf Lizards &&

& Rings of the Necropolis &

&& Sky Palace &&

&& The Earthen Hut &&

& Tracking the Humans &

& The Icen Mirror &

&& Glaze Ice &&

& The Dry Creek Bed &

& Encampment &

&& While the Golem Sleeps &&

& The Wisdom of Youth &

&& The Lone Note of the Flute &&

&& The Porcelain Plain &&

&& The Flayed Flute &&

&& Harmonics &&

&& The Bone Church &&

&& The Porcelain Maker’s Lament &&

&& The Hillside Barrow &&

&& Black Sun Rising Recounted &&

&& The Red Queen’s Tale &&

&& Adieu &&

& Trekking the Dry Creek Bed &

&& Tale of The Salmon People &&

& The Geode Cavern &

&& Winktje Shares a Secret &&

&& The Weeping Maiden tells her Tale &&

&& The Weeping Maiden’s Tale &&

&& Winktje Speaks &&

& Valley of The Hissing SSSsssss &

&& Sage &&

&& The Cistern &&

&& Garden of Sage &&

&& War Council &&

&& Shield Maiden &&

& The Fellowship Falters &

&& A Traveling Companion &&

&& Companionship &&

&& The Claw of the Jaguar &&

&& The Rock Face &&

&& Rumors &&

& The Golden Garden &

&& The First One &&

&& A Brief Conversation &&

&& Reflections &&

&& The Warming Stones &&

&& Legend of The Golden Bough &&

&& The Child’s Dream &&

& Once there were Glaciers Here &

& The Sleeping Chamber &

&& The Whispering Priest &&

&& Uninvited Guest &&

& Alarm Raised &

& Prison of Stone &

& Riddle of the Rolled Parchments &

& Spawn of Stone &

&& The Dire Wolf Howls &&

&& The Bronze Blade &&

& Enough of Riddles &

&& Bisj Poles &&

&& The Parchments Speak &&

&& The Riddle Recited &&

&& The Parchments’ Tale &&

& Unexpected Encounter &

&& Winu &&

&& The Long Way Around &&

&& The Cliffside People &&

&& Up the Cliffside Walls &&

& The Basilica &

&& The Light Box &&

&& The Stone Flowers &&

&& The Beginning of Time &&

& The Final Battle &

&& Face to Face &&

&& Khangard &&

& Sarcophagi &

&& The Jeweled Skeletons Speak &&

&& Familiar Places &&

&& Puzzle Box &&

&& Of Spider Webs and Moldy Bread &&

&& The Spirit Catcher &&

&& The Doors are Barred &&

& Secret of The Sarcophagi &

&& One Spirit United &&

&& They were scattered to the Four Winds &&

&& Maidens of the Shield &&

& Winter Solstice &

&& From the Mouth of the Writhing Serpent &&

&& Behind the Mask &&

&& The Green Golem’s Revenge &&

&& Welcomed Interloper &&

&& Victory Kiss &&

&& Wishes Fulfilled &&

&& What about Me &&

& The Sixth Coming &

& The Journey &

&& Fletch me with the Wings of the Pleiades &&

Main Characters

Critters

Objects & Places

Concepts

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

First and foremost - I’d like to thank my friend and neighbor – Maxine - for having patiently listened to my ten plus years’ worth of near incessant ramblings about Lionkillers and Leaf Lizards. In fact – my favorite moment of all time occurred several years ago when – while reading a draft of my first book – the chapter titled The Great Herd - Maxine exclaimed: Horses don’t eat meat!

Secondly – I’d like to most sincerely thank Wikipedia – without whose resources I would never have been to complete my book – since - the majority of definitions and references you will find in the Glossary –(except for those persons and creatures of my creation) - have come from Wikipedia.

Therefore – I respectfully encourage each of you to make whatever contribution you can – no matter how small - to help keep Wikipedia free and available to each and every one of us.

As an explanation for the origins of my book – I’d like to state that – as a youngster - I enjoyed strolls through the woods – watching birds and critters – usually working my way so deep into a blackberry patch that I feared that I might never be able to escape.

Thinking back - I truly wish that we all could somehow – enjoy those days of innocence and picnics - comfortably situated - somewhere in a forest glade - nestled comfortably amongst the trees and wildflowers – picnic lunch in hand - being serenaded by a chorus of warbles and tanagers – and - not crammed into a shopping mall squeezed in between fast food franchises – being mercilessly hammered by the latest hit song. How wonderful and soothing it would be to be once again entertained by dancing butterflies and darting damselflies rather than assaulted by the latest explosive video game.

I have to dig deeply into my memories – to – recreate - at least in part - a much more simple but elegant world of spectacular colors and sounds - a world steeped in the wonders and mysteries of nature - which is sadly disappearing at an ever increasing rate before our very eyes.

What we have gained in technological prowess over the last three or four generations – we have lost in spirituality and communion with nature. When my father was born (circa 1900) the population of our planet was only 1.5 billion people. When I was born the population had already swelled to 2.5 billion. Now we are at the explosive and unsustainable level of 7.0 billion individuals.

In spite of all - I trust that you all will enjoy my most simple effort to entertain – and – hopefully in some small way present a glimpse of some of nature’s wonders to you. So - perhaps for an hour or two – preferably - on some rainy Sunday afternoon - please join with me in walking through the pages of a delicate and beautiful world which once was - and - very easily could be again.

Plant one flower – or – Plant one acorn – or – Feed even one or two Song Birds during the long winter months. Make a Difference – for – by doing so – and – with a bit of persistence - we all might cause to come to past - the beginnings of The Sixth Coming in our lifetimes.

In closing - I’d like to thank my loving wife for having patiently proofread six hundred plus pages of an original fantasy – the totality of which – until this printing – has existed only in my mind.

Lastly I’d like to thank AuthorHouse – for – without their professionalism and guidance – I would never have been able to translate my vision onto the printed page.

Thank you.

& GOLEM DREAMS &

(GREEN GOLEM BACK STORY – KAJIKA - DREAMING OF THE DAY OF HIS CAPTURE)

It was the morning of Soyala’s awakening from her long journey to The Land of the Sun - - - and - - - Kajika - - - Soyala - - - Xochiquetzal and Shorty were all enjoying a very pleasant breakfast together - - -

When - - -

A burning red vermillion flame shot across the room - - - branding a Vermillion Hummingbird Tattoo deep into Xochiquetzal’s cheek - - -

Well - - - I guess that that ends our breakfast - - - said Shorty - - - Come Kajika - - - they’re unloading a ship full of breakfast beers down at the docks - - - don’t you want to try some? They’re opening and testing a wagon load of kegs right now - - - testing for the banquet this afternoon - - - and - - - I’m sure that they’d welcome an extra Taste Tester or two - - - said Shorty with a wink - - -

Had Shorty been a head or two taller - - - he would have been able to give Kajika a sharp gentle jab in the ribs - - - but - - - as things stood - - - (pun intended) - - - Shorty only succeeded in jabbing him lightly in his kneecap. As Shorty grabbed hold of Kajika’s coat - - - and - - - tugged - - - Kajika acquiesced and followed his animated Foster Brother out of the door and in the direction of the wagon loads of delicious and varied breakfast beers - - -

&& BANQUET &&

(GREEN GOLEM BACK STORY – KAJIKA - DREAMING OF THE DAY OF HIS CAPTURE)

As - - -

All were waiting to be seated around the Great Banquet Tables - - - Tona-Teootl entered the Banquet Hall - - - to the applause of all in attendance - - - smiling at the love and generosity of his people - - -

Or - - -

Perhaps it is better and more accurately stated that we can most certainly surmise that Tona-Teootl smiled - - - for - - - he wore a mask - - - pure Golden Mask - - - Red Ruby and Green Emerald Flares - - - radiating forth as if from the very sun himself - - -

&& BODYGUARDS &&

(GREEN GOLEM BACK STORY – KAJIKA - DREAMING OF THE DAY OF HIS CAPTURE)

Accompanying Tona-Teootl as Bodyguard was a Huge Warrior - - -

   Albino - - -

      Towhead - - -

         Tattooed - - -

Tattoos running the length of his legs and his arms - - - Tattoos swirling round and round on his face and hands - - -

   Tattoos - - - Dark - - - Blue - - - Menacing - - -

      Tattoos - - - Standing stark against his massive albino body - - -

         Tattoos - - - Thin Ribbons - - - outlining his massively chiseled body - - -

&& SEATING ARRANGEMENTS &&

(GREEN GOLEM BACK STORY – KAJIKA - DREAMING OF THE DAY OF HIS CAPTURE)

Kajika - - - Still tasting of the delicious beers of the morning far into the evening - - - was seated next to his foster sister - - - Soyala - - - talking lightly of affairs back home - - -

Then - - -

Tona-Teootl raised his hands - - - as - - - even whispers disappeared to the point where one could hear the proverbial pin drop - - -

"Friends - - - I welcome you - - - I welcome you all to our banquet - - - for - - - Today is a very special day for me - - - as - - - you will soon see. In addition to lords of our land - - - we have as our guests - - - emissaries - - - friends - - - from the kingdom to the north - - - who have brought with them the most generous offers of friendship and trade. So - - - please - - - let us share with them our generous bounty of riches which we all see before us spread upon these tables.

The bounty was indeed generous: Whole Roasted Oxen - - - Calf Livers grilled to perfection - - - Roasted Barleys transmuted to delicious stouts and ales - - - Unbeknownst to all but a few - - - off to a corner of the table - - - alone - - - frightfully alone - - - Braised Baby Sloth Tongue - - -

&& THE HUNTMASTER &&

(GREEN GOLEM BACK STORY – KAJIKA - DREAMING OF THE DAY OF HIS CAPTURE)

Yayauhqui - - - Black Obsidian Mirror - - -

He was obsidian black - - - with a massively chiseled physique - - - as if he had been torn from the heart of a fiery volcano and fashioned into the shape of man - - - bright yellow tattoos outlined his entire body - - - his head was decorated with a plumed headdress - - - his teeth had been filed to sharp spear-like points - - -

&& BATTLE ACROSS THE TABLE &&

(GREEN GOLEM BACK STORY – KAJIKA - DREAMING OF THE DAY OF HIS CAPTURE)

As - - -

The Banquet began - - - Kajika found himself sitting across from The Hunt Master - - - for - - - it had been said that - - - that the one pastime which Tona-teootl enjoyed even more than sloth baiting was man baiting - - - so - - - with a nod of his head - - - Tona-teootl gave the signal that the games should begin.

Hello - - - said The Huntmaster - - - Hello - - - Xochipolli - - - My Little Flower Prince - - - grinned The Huntmaster - - - how I’ve longed to meet you - - - and - - - met you I have - - - my little flower prince - - -

As - - -

Those seated around the table - - - laughed - - - laughing at Kajika - - - even pausing with food raised halfway to their mouths - - - waiting with anticipation for the inevitable response - - -

Little Flower - - - flustered Kajika - - - immediately sober - - - Why - - - why - - - he said pausing - - - gathering his thoughts - - - gathering his composure - - - "Why - - - I’ve been waiting to meet with you too - - - since - - - I’ve heard of your bravery in that you fear to hunt the giant beast but prefer to sit on some quiet river bank with your fish hook dangling in some quiet pond - - - so that you might catch a minnow or two to feed to your Troodon.

"For - - -

Continued Kajika - - - sniffing the air - - - "I’ve noticed that you carry around the stench of rotted fish with you - - - unless - - - said Kajika smiling - - - that is your stench.

This time there was no laughter - - - for - - - to laugh at The Huntmaster - - - was to ensure that one was to become the Troodon’s next meal - - -

But - - - continued Kajika - - - reaching for his beaker of wine - - - I must forgive you - - - for - - - to live as a fish is to smell as a fish.

As - - -

The tattooed face of the Troodon Master flushed with an uncontrollable rage - - - and - - - as his body began to shake with uncontrollable fury - - - Kajika calmly continued - - - "Yes - - - rotted fish - - - not even caught by you - - - but - - - by nets - - - for - - - I’ve heard that you are far too clumsy to spear a fish - - - plus - - - the sight of a wet wriggling worm on a hook terrifies you - - -

As - - -

The Huntmaster began to reach for his dagger - - - a commanding voice yelled:

Image%2001%20-%20Stop%20-%20Page%2015.tif

Stop - - -

   Stop - - - Commanded Tona-Teootl - - -

      Stop - - - Pleaded Tona-teootl gently - - -

Smiling - - - gently smiling - - - that is - - - if only we could see beneath his mask - - - for - - - he had - - - indeed - - - succeeded in baiting the man-hunter - - -

"Stop - - - Let us enjoy our food and our company - - - and - - - our guests - - - and - - - forget about our small differences - - - for - - - tomorrow - - - we begin our hunt.

"Should the two of you still wish to prove your mettle before me - - - you can easily do so during our hunt. Whomever brings in the largest beast will receive a chest full of silver.

"Agree?

"Good - - -

"Till tomorrow.

&& LET THE HUNT BEGIN &&

(GREEN GOLEM BACK STORY – KAJIKA - DREAMING OF THE DAY OF HIS CAPTURE)

As - - -

The Huntsmen rode out to their assigned sectors - - - Kajika and The Huntmaster found themselves riding toward the bluff s overlooking a great sea - - - for here - - - was the place that the prized mountain goat called home - - -

Although - - -

A horse might be able to scale the peak - - - no horse could leap from peak to peak in pursuit of the elusive prey - - - but - - - here - - - although they were born of the plains where the footing was sure and the chase was swift - - - both - - - Troodon and Lionkiller found it no difficult matter to set forth stubby wing and to jump and glide across crevice and from peak to peak - - -

The chase was long and merry - - - moving further and further out from the main party - - - until - - - On top of the highest peak - - - Kajika found himself suddenly surrounded by a group of nine riders - - - all astride Troodons - - - as - - - The Huntmaster barked an order to his lieutenant to Take him alive - - - for - - - Tona-teootl wants him alive and unharmed for some secret pleasure - - -

As - - -

The Lieutenant signaled for two riders to approach Kajika - - - Kajika let loose two arrows so quickly that they seemed as one - - - each striking a rider in the throat so that each was dead before he hit the ground - - -

Ahhhhh - - - My Little Flower Prince is playing hard-to-get - - - said The Huntmaster - - - Take Him - - - and - - - be quick about it!!!

Thus - - -

Ensued a battle - - - Man against man - - - Lionkiller against Troodon - - - until - - - Four Troodon lay dead and dying and with them their riders - - - as - - - Kajika found himself pressed against the edge of the cliff - - - a cliff even too high for even Thunder Cloud to be able to soar to safety - - -

Well - - - my little flower prince - - - chided The Huntmaster - - - It appears to me as if you’ve spent your last arrow - - - so - - - you should just come quietly with us - - -

Never - - - said Kajika - - - Never - - - even as he eyed the cliff - - - preferring one small chance of life and even death - - - over dishonor - - -

"As The Huntsman saw that one resolute spark of desperation in Kajika’s eyes - - - he motioned to one of the riders - - - as a bola - - - thrown by the rider wrapped around Kajika - - - knocking him from Thunder Cloud - - - even as Thunder Cloud tore and bit and dragged four Troodon with him - - - over the cliff - - - to their deaths - - -

&& A HAWK AMONGST THE VULTURES &&

(GREEN GOLEM BACK STORY – KAJIKA - DREAMING OF THE DAY OF HIS CAPTURE)

Shorty gritted his teeth - - -

Breathing heavily as sweat streamed down his face - - -

Scaling a sheer rock cliff was not his pastime of choice - - - but - - - had in the last few hours become a task of the most urgent necessity - - -

Kajika - - -

He must save Kajika - - -

Warn him - - - save him - - - sacrifice himself if he must - - - but - - - above all - - - he must save Kajika - - - and - - - take swift and terrible revenge on all those who threatened his mistress - - - Even now Mrs. Shorty’s words echoed in his ears: "You - - - Husband - - - My Dearest and most Beloved Husband - - - will be as a hawk soaring amongst the vultures - - - disguised as a scavenger - - - a scavenger of copper coins - - - you will bide your time until you are ready to strike - - - We’ve heard their plans - - - their treacheries - - - now we must strike - - - before it is too late - - - too late for us - - - too late for the Misses - - - Go - - - Go Now - - - Save Kajika while I look after the Misses - - - Hawk amongst the Vultures - - -

Mingling and Carousing with the scavenging hordes at the base of the mountain - - - Shorty had been as a Hawk amongst Vultures - - - Circling Around - - - waiting for a copper coin to drop from some beggar’s pocket - - - appearing as a scavenger - - - but - - - in reality - - - a predator - - - a predator waiting for the unwary to drop their guard - - - As they - - - waited for their booty - - - He - - - He - - - had mingled and scuffled with the best of them for a copper coin - - - allowing himself to be tossed aside - - - further and further away from the booty - - - as the horde pressed each other ever closer - - - scrambling after copper coins and scraps of bread - - - Scrambling - - - they had only eyes for the copper - - - and - - - he had been able to slip away unnoticed - - - past the watch posts - - - to the base of the mountain where the broken body of Thunder Cloud laid shattered amongst the rocks - - - With but a pause - - - and - - - a resolute more than doubled - - - Shorty began his climb - - - short length of rope coiled tightly about his shoulder - - - Small hands made grasping handholds easier - - - but - - - short legs and arms - - - made reaching those selfsame handholds much more difficult - - - with Shorty sometimes finding himself forced to move three feet sideways before being able to move one foot upwards - - - Climbing - - - higher and higher - - - not daring - - - never daring - - - to look downward for fear of losing his grip - - - Vultures Circling Below - - - searching for scrapes of copper - - - Hawk Soaring High Above - - - searching for his unwary prey - - - Vultures - - - Not like the Noble Khangard - - - freeing the spirit form the mortal flesh - - - then bearing the spirit upon feathered wing to the immortal mountain top - - -

But - - -

Creatures of the Baser Sort - - - Like the Hawk Mime - - - circling with the baser sort - - - lulling his prey into a false sense of security - - -

Shorty - - -

Had mingled with the drunken crowd - - - Scrabbling and Scuffling over scraps of copper as would a flock of ravens scrabble over scraps of meat - - - Shorty had scrabbled and scuffled - - - then - - - let himself be tossed aside - - - so that he could - - - unnoticed - - - make the climb - - - up the shear face of this mountain - - - while the wagons - - - made the slow laborious trek up the switchback on the far side of the mountain - - -

For - - -

Shorty would save Kajika - - - warn him - - - then - - - He and Kajika would save the misses - - -

&& THE GIRL CHILD &&

(GREEN GOLEM BACK STORY – KAJIKA - DREAMING OF THE DAY OF HIS CAPTURE)

The Troodon Master - - - lazily lay upon the grass - - - bent saplings holding taut the colored cloth stretched between them - - - shading him from the midday sun - - -

The Troodon Master - - - lazily laying in the shade - - - living Saplings holding taut the colored cloth stretched around them - - - sheltering him from the gusty winds and curious eyes - - -

   Colored Cloth - - -

      Colored Tent - - -

         Colored Pavilion - - -

Colored Cloth - - - sheltering from sun and sight - - -

Colored Pavilion - - - allowing the soft breezes to dance nimbly about his body - - -

Stretched lazily upon the grass - - - empty wine flask by his side - - - head nestled comfortably upon a soft red pillow - - - he smiled - - - drunkenly - - - crookedly - - - unevenly - - - smiling at the girl children dancing before him - - - for - - - above all else - - - he loved girl children - - -

Of all the Girl Children - - - one - - - especially caught his eye - - - smiling at him - - - then giggling - - - tossing her curls in a childish coquettishly way - - - Was she looking for a treat? He fervently hoped so - - - for - - - he had a basket full of treats for the children - - - sugar treats of honeyed colored candies.

Then - - -

She raised up her arms and performed an awkward childish pirouette - - - hands over her head - - - awkwardly spinning around and around in a circle - - - golden locks flying - - -

But - - -

Despite her childish clumsiness - - - she was somehow - - - more lithe - - - more agile - - - more

appealing - - - then the others - - - More willing - - - yes - - - she would be more willing - - - for - - - the candies and all else that he had to offer - - -

   Golden Curls Bouncing - - -

      Bright Blue Eyes Sparkling - - -

         Enticing Lips Smiling - - -

&& THE SILVER NECKLACE &&

(GREEN GOLEM BACK STORY – KAJIKA - DREAMING OF THE DAY OF HIS CAPTURE)

Here - - - My Lord Master - - - spoke a tiny voice - - - Let me slip this shiny necklace around your neck - - - it is so pretty - - - and - - - you are so pretty - - - spoke the girl child as she slipped one of the Huntmaster’s Heavy Silver Necklaces around his neck - - -

Guard - - - spoke The Huntmaster - - - beaming - - - smiling - - - salivating - - - barely controlling himself - - - Guard - - - Take the other children away - - - for - - - I’d like to spend the night with this one - - - alone - - - not to be disturbed for anything - - - nothing - - - until morning - - - Let no one close to this place - - - until the morning - - -

With no other words - - - no other gestures - - - no other thoughts - - - The Guards - - - rounded up the children and ushered the children out of the enclosure - - - as they happily carried their baskets full of candies and treats between them - - -

Alone - - -

Encircled by a brightly colored cloth enclosure - - - the Huntmaster smiled in drunken anticipation - - - for the day had been wonderful - - - most wonderful - - - Not only had he rid himself of that pest of a fool from the North - - -

But - - -

Now - - -

Wine - - - and - - - Song - - - and - - - a - - - Girl Child - - - What day could be more perfect?

As - - -

He gazed around him - - - raising himself slightly upon one elbow - - - gazing round at the pavilion curtains hiding him from prying eyes and curious gossiping lips - - - he smiled - - -

He was alone - - - finally alone - - - with - - - a - - - Girl Child - - -

&& HERE MY SWEET CHILD &&

(GREEN GOLEM BACK STORY – KAJIKA - DREAMING OF THE DAY OF HIS CAPTURE)

"Here - - - My Sweet Child - - - Come here - - - My Sweet Child - - - Here - - - Have some sweet wine - - - some - - - sweet - - - sweet - - - wine - - - candied wine - - - It is candy - - - sweet like candy - - - here - - - have some - - - said the Huntmaster - - -

"MMMmmm - - - said the girl child - - - it is sweet - - - like candy - - - it tickles my nose - - -

"Have some more my sweet - - - have some more - - - said - - - The Huntmaster - - -

"It’s making me dizzy - - - sleepy - - - said the girl child taking another childlike sip - - - rubbing away the tickle from her nose - - -

As - - -

The Huntmaster smiled - - - and - - - laid his head upon the pillow - - - he spoke - - - Dance for me my child - - - Dance some more - - - before we go to sleep together - - - Dance around me - - - Child - - - Dance around me - - - be as the breeze - - - dancing around me - - -

"Okay - - - said the girl child - - - slowly moving with childlike steps and with a childlike waving of hands and arms in the air - - - giggling - - - childlike at the motions - - -

"Some more sweet wine - - - please - - - asked the child - - - giggling - - -

As - - -

The Huntmaster - - - being all too willing to oblige - - - poured a cup for the child - - - the child took another childlike sip and handed the cup back to the Huntmaster - - - who downed the whole cup in one gulp - - -

"Dance - - - child - - - Dance - - -

Dancing all around the Huntmaster - - - the girl child - - - tied one end of a cord to one end of a bent sapling - - - and - - - the other end to the silver chain necklace - - - then - - - cut the cords staking the sapling to the ground - - -

The Hunt Master - - -

   Full of wine and dizzying dance - - -

      Full of mirth and anticipation - - -

         Full of lust and fantastic visions - - -

Drunken Brain never comprehending - - - was jerked to his feet and then some three feet further into the air as the girl child stood back and smiled - -