The Deer

The Deer

Year of the Lilies

Torrid Season

Unknown Place

Unknown Place

Isla

I PERSONALLY PREFER THE FRIGID Season. At least I won't have to deal with all this heat plus the pain I'm already suffering. I woke up when the sun was high up in the sky and burning the Earth mercilessly with its rays. 

Everything is blurry and the air is punctuated by the irking smell of unwashed bodies. My arm is aching dully, I turn my eyes to scrutinize it, the image of the protruding arrow fills my mind but I'm very surprised to find my arm heavily bandaged with a damp foul-smelling cloth. I remember the smell of the herb too well, mother used to use it on our wounds when we were much younger. I'm shocked that our captors had the heart to treat our wounds. They will probably want us in good shape for the life of slavery they have in store for us.

I begin to feel very lightheaded and the world seems to be spinning at great speed. Beside me, someone coughs but I don't care enough to turn. My cage is at the middle of the cart and at the very bottom so there's little ventilation. I'm suffocating with the heat and stench. I'm very surprised I haven't passed out.

My thoughts travel back home, the fallen Kingdom of Kintil. I wonder if my parents are safe or in cages like me. I draw my legs closer to my chest and rest my forehead on my knees. I need to find Mavli and together, we will find our parents.

The thump in my head increases, I don't think I'll survive through this heat and pain and hunger any longer. People surrounding me begin to cry and groan out in pain. I don't raise my head, I don't want to see the looks on their faces, I don't want to break down too.

Instead, I permit my thoughts to travel, to temporarily free me from the shackles of this turmoil and take me some place else.

~•~•~

"Come Al", my father urges me deeper into the forest with him he's voice is a whisper and his eyes are bland," hurry up."

My short, scrawny body tries to keep up with my towering father. I struggle to match my short steps to his lengthy strides and at the same time trying to be cautious and silent. We walk deeper and deeper into the wild forest and I cling to my father for fear of being attacked or bitten. I cautiously check the ground before stepping; I've heard too much about snakes and I don't want to be a victim. 

"Father," I tug at his hand in attempt to get his attention. His eyes rest on me and I'm filled with happiness. "If we shoot down a deer, will you let me carry it home?"

He smiles. His smile is wide and reaches his eyes, crinkling the corners of his bronze eyes. He kneels and looks me in the eyes. "Of course Al, I'll let you carry it." He strokes my hair back fondly as he says this and I can't be more cheerful.

We take a few steps before he halts in his tracks and turns to me with his index finger pressed to his lips. I nod and he smiles. 

Like the skilled hunter he is, he pulls out an arrow from the bag he carries at his back and kneels on one knee. His eyes and hands are quick and he never misses. The air whooshes as the arrow slices through it and sinks itself into his target. The squirrel falls down with a faint rustling of leaves. 

Dad takes a few tentative steps then picks up the carcass and reclaims his arrow. "Keep your eyes peeled, Al. We are going for the big one." A deer.

Dad holds the squirrel by the bushy tail and we continue our hunt. The squirrel scares me so I try as much as possible to avoid it and I switch to father's other hand. 

The sounds of the jungle becomes louder, more vibrant as we push ahead. I can hear monkeys and the sweet songs of birds. On my last hunt with father, we caught a lot of bats and a snake. Mother was very proud of us and our dinner was filling. 

I can't wait to eat the squirrel's tasty meat. Father said we are going for the big one, a deer. I pray we find it and shoot it down and take it home with us. I want mother to be proud and I want to have a very satisfying dinner like last time.

We walk on for what seems like hours, I'm glad we are in the Floral Season so there isn't much heat and the scent of wild flowers cheers me up.

Father stops abruptly in his path and turns to me with a very wide smile.

We found it, I'm so glad I can dance. 

Dad pulls out another arrow, sits it on his handmade bow and aims for the graceful target. 

My heart sings with anticipation. I try not to get too happy or I might cause something and chase the deer away. I busy myself by staring at the stagnant pond of water the deer is standing by. To my absolute dismay, the water makes a mini-wave. My father turns to me, I look away, I don't want to mess this up for him.

Father draws the arrow towards him, to his chest and makes to release it. A thin line of pain courses up my left leg and I can't suppress the scream that breaks free. 

Father releases the arrow suddenly and it bounces off the bark of a tree, missing its target - the deer completely. The animal races off and is lost from our sight.

I'm so stupid. I've messed the hunt up for father. I begin to sob but father holds me to his chest and wipes my tears.

"What's the matter?" His face is etched with deep concern.

"My leg," I say amidst sobs," it's hurts, father."

Father examines my leg and he's features grow dark with what? Anger? 

"It's a snake bite, Al." He looks at me," I know this snake, it's not poisonous but you'd need some herbs for the pain." And ripping off a long portion of his shirt, he bandages my leg. Then, he carries me home on his back, deer and all forgotten.

Mother's face falls when she sees us. "You came back empty handed?" She stands with hands akimbo, her favourite calico scarf crossed at her shoulders and covering her head and Mavli has a handful of mother's dress in her fist while she sucks her thumb.

Father takes me into the hut and lies me on the mat at the corner. 

Mother eyes me carefully, and Mavli stares at me with wide eyes.

"What is wrong with her?" Mother demands.

Father sighs,"she got bitten. She'll need some painkillers._

Mother's eyes rest on the bloodstained cloth wrapped around my leg and her hand flies to her mouth. "My poor Al, I'll get the painkillers right away."

Father sits on the mat with me while mother brews the foul-smelling herbs. She unties the bloody bandage from my leg then soaks a clean piece of cloth in a bowl that holds the hot murky liquid, she massages my wound with it. The pain is too much to bear and I cry out in loud sobs. And Mavli cries with me.