Chapter Six
The village was about two and half-hours away from Tooligie’s farm and they pasted five other farms that dotted the road along the way. It had been built on the top of a knoll and was encompassed by a protective rock wall about three metres high. Behind it stood black slate shingled roofs with dormer windows that sloped at an angle of around sixty degrees.
In the centre of town rose a tall dominating tower that stood some six stories high and from the top, Hanna guessed, you could see quite some distance of the surrounding area. He considered it to be a very pretty little town. Outside the city walls people gathered about doing business. Merchant’s tended stalls and farmer’s milled about with livestock. Men sat at tables under the trees and pavilions as they played board games while women congregated in groups, gossiping. Children kicked balls while others jostled in sparring sessions. As they approached, people stopped what they were doing and walked to intercept their path as they greeted them.
‘Who’s the friend, Tooligie’? One called out.
‘Is that the stranger?’
‘Where is he from?’
‘What’s your name stranger?
‘His name is Hanna York and he visits from the lands of the north, past the open seas,’ she replied.
The crowd erupted with a huge gasp. Loud discussions began amongst them, they had never heard of such a thing. More voices called out for explanations while others protested their disbelief. Hanna composed himself as he began to feel uncomfortable in amongst the chattering crowd. Tooligie ignored them until she reached the gates were she stopped her horse and turned to look.
‘That’s what I said,’ she called. She repeated her original statement and added.
‘The people’s council is waiting on our arrival.’ They turned and entered the city.
Inside, the streets were clean, the buildings were tidy, the roads were paved and everything was well maintained. Children that were playing suddenly stopped and ran to see. People continued to follow from outside the city walls. As they made their way to the main tower, Hanna allowed Tooligie to take the lead. She gave him an encouraging glance, as she remained focused on their path.
Her head held high, she comfortably exhibited the pride and dignity of an ambassador of the town of Androssan. Hanna was struck at how beautiful she looked and could see that there was more than curiosity in the eyes of the men that watched.
Finally, they reached the base of a grand stairway. It lead to a platform in front of the main entrance of the tower that over looked a central courtyard. Someone took charge of their horses. As they strode up a staircase, people began filing into the area; Tooligie entered the building without looking back. Inside was a large hall, it was filled with bench seats that faced a stage. Men began sitting at the table in its centre. As they approached, others filed into the room after them and sat in the stalls.
The man seated at the centre of the table indicated for them to sit and ushered an attendant to offer Tooligie and her associate a mug of water. He drank heavily from one himself and Hanna wondered if water was what the man was really thirsting for. When the hall had filled to capacity, the man at the centre of the table tapped a hollow twisting metal cylinder that hung from a frame.
‘Ting! Ting! Ting! Ting!’
‘Call to order, call to order!’ he shouted. The crowd hushed, and then the man addressed them.
‘This special meeting of the people’s council is now in session. Tooligie Yeelanna will now address the people.’ He said authoritatively.
Tooligie stood gracefully and spoke confidently.
‘Yesterday at mid sun, this man, Hanna York, a traveller from the north arrived at the farm Yeelanna. He tells a tale of high adventure in a craft of wood that floats on the ocean surface.’
The crowd murmured amongst themselves.
‘Ting! Ting! Ting! Ting!’
All was silent again and Tooligie continued.
‘This craft was swamped by the surging seas during the storm of two suns past. There he last saw his six companions and afloat a piece of driftwood, he swam to the shore alone. Now my son Icno leads a group of nine ardent young men in a search of the coastline in the hope of finding more survivors.’
The crowd was still hushed but exchanging expressions as they absorbed Tooligie’s revelation. The man at the centre of the table looked at Hanna intently and said.
‘In your experience as a traveller of the ocean’s surface, what are the chances of your companions surviving?’
Hanna was relieved that the man’s was showing concern for his crew and not casting doubt on Tooligie’s story, as the crowd seemed to be doing. As Hanna stood, he gave the chairperson a polite grin and bowed his head respectfully. He spoke as a captain of a ship, without emotional attachment to the basic facts and figures, as his training had taught him. He was surprised by what he said.
‘Considering the resent experience and training of my crew, I would give them a very good chance of survival. But if the searchers don’t find them by three days’ time, then I must give them up as lost,’ he said
‘I think the people’s council of the town of Androssan would agree to help in this search for the lost men of the northlands.’
He looked about the as they were shaking their head in agreement.
‘Are their more of these craft carrying your people on their way to visit our land?’ The chairperson asked.
Hanna sensed there was more to this question as the crowd murmured their approval.
‘We only have one vessel sir and this was her first voyage. We come to explore new lands and to meet new people in the wish to study the ancient texts, exchange new ideas, and share our cultural heritage. We come in peace and respect.’
Hanna bowed his head humbly. Again, a murmur rippled through the crowd.
‘We welcome you to our home Hanna York and as we wish to pursue a friendly and peaceful coexistence with the inhabitants of the north lands, we will work with you in this honourable pursuit. But first we will assist you in the search for your companions.’
The committee gathered at the table, momentarily spoke amongst themselves. Then the chairperson addressed Hanna.
‘As there are already nine men in the south covering that coastline, we will dispatch two parties of five to the northern coastline. They should take ropes to descend the cliffs if need be. If we leave within the hour, we will have some sunlight left. Are we agreed?’ ‘Agreed!’ The other men seated responded.
‘This meeting will now adjourn to the councils camber.’
The crowd began to talk amongst themselves as they slowly started to disperse.
**********
Tooligie and Hanna stood and followed the chairperson through the door at the side of the stage. A short distance down a hall the he stalled his pace to stand next to Hanna as they turned to climb some stairs.
‘This is something we have never considered, this… ocean travel. It isn’t mentioned in the books of the Ancients.’
He addressed an old man dressed in a long robe that followed behind.
‘Am I mistaken, Keeper of the Books?’
‘I recall a small mention in the second book of Sheringa. It recommends against it for obvious reasons.’
His words were slow and calculated.
‘Yes, yes, quite so,’ he responded.
They entered a room with a large table that seated about ten people. The council took their places.
‘Welcome again Hanna York,’ he began.
‘Here, here.’ The others chorused.
‘My name is Kernewek. I am the elected spokesperson of the people’s council. And this is Kooringal, ‘Keeper of the Books’. The ‘Captain at Arm’s’ you will meet later, his named Yurla. He will be leading the search parties to the north.’
The introductions went on around the table. There were six members of council present and two were women. Hanna told them that he was from a village in the north as he thought it prudent not to tell them where he really came from. They were amazed to hear that there were no Perlumblie or any other threat, for that matter, to the people of the north. He also refrained from explaining how primitive and innocent the lifestyle of northerners was.
‘Are there other towns and people other than the Androssan’s?’ He asked.
Kernewek turned to Kooringal and said.
‘There are stories in the books of the Ancients that I am unfamiliar about. The ‘Keeper of the Books’ would be of more help in this curiosity.’
‘I am more than happy to spend some time with a man who is interested in the study of the ‘Ancients’. The answer to your question is complicated as there is no way east or south of our homeland that does not cross the path of the barbarian hoards of the Perlumblie. There are stories in the texts of strange peoples to the east but where or if they exist, is a question I cannot answer. We have never met a stranger from another land,’ said the Keeper of the Books.
Together, they ate a late lunch and after, they met with the councillor’s wives, husbands and more of the town’s people. The political pleasantries over, it was time to leave to beat the sun. Before they journeyed back to the farm, Hanna arranged to return and begin his studies of the books of the ‘Ancients’. As they approached the farmhouse, a rider came to greet them. It was Icno; he rode with confidence and skill as he galloped towards them. Reining his horse in, he wheeled around to pull up alongside them.
‘We have found only one more northerner, mother.’
He regarded Hanna.
‘His name is Warooka, he is resting, but I believe he will recover.’
Relieved that there was some news, Hanna urged old Tangles into a gentle gallop towards the cottage. The other’s followed in pursuit.
‘Thank you Icno and you too Tooligie,’
He said as they caught up.
**********
Warooka was asleep when Hanna arrived at the cottage. Although he could think of a hundred reasons to wake him, there was no justification to do so. He would need his rest. As night cast its veil over the cloudless sky, Icno explained the day’s events. He had left four members of the search party to camp out overnight and tend a beacon fire at the headland.
Later that evening around an outdoor fire pit, Hanna told stories of Warooka’s village in the north. He stared into the flames and heard the joy in his own voice as he told stories of the summer solace festivities. He could see the interest in the eyes of the young men that had gathered around. They would look at each other and stir restlessly as the flame of curiosity ignited in their souls.
Tooligie, also sensing the excitement amongst the young men, broke up the gathering, demanding they would all need sleep if they were to continue with the search in the morning. Hanna said his good nights and joined them as they waited their turn to climb the ladder into the barn loft. As he lay on his bed of straw, he pulled the warm blanket around his neck and reflected on the positives that the day had brought. He slept well that night, confident that tomorrow would bring more good news.
Before sunrise, roosters crowing, Hanna headed to the house to find Warooka awake and being fussed over by Tooligie. He struggled to stand as he warmly greeted Hanna in a bear like hug. Tears of joy welled up in his eyes and unashamedly ran down his face. Hanna was surprised at how hard he found it not to be caught up in the emotion of their reunion.
Warooka told of how he and Kielpa had shared a body board together after being swept into the turbulent sea and how they were separated when a large wave crashed down upon them, washing Kielpa away. He hadn’t seen him since. Warooka had drifted for hours, looking and calling, and then, as night fell, he saw the flames of fire on a headland and kicked towards the shore. Hanna knew that without anything to help Kielpa float, he really didn’t stand much chance of survival. Again, Warooka’s tears flowed and as Hanna embraced him reassuringly, he too felt the warm moisture form in the corner of his own eyes.
Hanna left with the search party as the sun rose above the horizon. It’s burnt, orange glow penetrated the clouds, and spread across the valley as gentle clumps of mist escaped from the trees that covered the hills to the south, a chill filled the air. Hanna spent much of the day fine tuning his language and horse riding skills.
Warooka stayed behind with Tooligie to regain his strength. She watched as this man from the north magically interacted with all the domesticated animals. He took to the horses with great enthusiasm. They would follow him around where ever he went. By mid-morning, he was learning to ride. By day’s end, he rode as if he had been riding his whole life.
**********
That evening, the searchers returned with their prize. They called triumphantly, sitting tall in their saddles as the entered the far paddock.
‘We’ve found two more!’
As they rode nearer, Warooka yelled with joy, recognising Kielpa and Yaninie as they waved enthusiastically from the back of two riders. When they arrived, they told an amazing story of how they had survived.
After Kielpa was washed away from Warooka, he struggled to stay afloat. Just as he was about to give up, a lone dolphin had surfaced beside him. He held onto its dorsal fin as they swam to join the rest of the pod.
‘I couldn’t believe it when Yaninie appeared on the back of another dolphin beside me.’ Kielpa laughed.
‘The dolphins took it in turns in carrying us to shore,’ agreed Yaninie.
Both men had spent the next day foraging and slept the night on the beach. They had been walking south when the search party rode up behind them.
‘Scared us to death, seeing men riding beasts!’
There had been no sign of the others. Hanna took solace in the fact that there was now real hope. If the dolphins managed to save these two and no wreckage had washed up on the beach, then the others would have survived with the boat. There was the fresh sense of relief in the air. The joy Warooka and his village brothers generated at being reunited created such energy that it swept through the whole group as they all celebrated the ambience of the evening.
Hanna helped Tooligie prepare food for the large group that had now gathered and were now staying at her residence. The young men stood around an impaled beast they were rotating above a large bed of hot coals.
Kielpa and Yaninie had dug a pit and were showing their new friends a different way of cooking by wrapping the meat in large leaves, burying them and then placing hot coals over them. They had caught four wild mammals that lived in the forests of the foothills that bordered the farm. Kielpa had spotted them grazing on the edge of a paddock early that morning. There was no stopping them after that. They were happy for what they called ‘Gifts from the forest sprits’. Tooligie had produced a keg of ale, stories were told, songs were sung, and finally, late that night, they all settled down to sleep.
The next day, the search party left late, Warooka stayed behind to help with the long list of duties to perform on the farm. It had become apparent to Tooligie that he had no experience of domesticated farm life. She had questioned Hanna the night before, as it was easy to see that Hanna was different from the others.
‘I am a traveller from a different country and I have been living with these men of the north for quite a while now. There is also another man from my country on the boat that we came here in and a third who chose to stay behind. The three of us were ship wrecked and lost in their lands,’ he explained.
‘And now your ship wrecked here?’ exclaimed Tooligie.
Hanna smiled shaking his head, seeing the irony.
‘Because the story was complicated, I didn’t explain all the facts. It was never my intention to deceive or trick anyone,’ he looked Tooligie in the firmly in the eye.
‘Yes Hanna, I can see that you meant no harm, but I must confess that the difference is plain to see now that the others have arrived.’ she urged.
She stared at him intently as he realised that she was reassessing her opinion of him now. It wouldn’t seem too bright to continually be making it a habit to be ship wreaked. At least, he wasn’t lying now. That night the search party returned empty handed.
**********
The tides were now starting to be low during the sunlight hours allowing them comfortable access to the long beaches. Hanna decided to start preparations to broaden the search. He would take provisions and travel south for a few days. His investigation into these books of the Ancient’s would just have to wait.
After further discussions with Tooligie and Icno, they decided that the northerners, Warooka, Kielpa and Yaninie would remain at the farm with her sons, Arno and Urno to help with the chores and learn how a farm works. Hanna and Icno would lead a search party and travel the coastline on an eight day journey south. They spent the next day preparing while the other riders continued their daily search.
Tooligie suggested that while he was gone the northerners should also be instructed in the way of the sword. Hanna agreed. He already suspected the boys had been planning a sparring session with their new friends. Warooka wanted desperately to join the search but Hanna convinced him that he would be better off staying and learning some of these new skills.
During the day, word came from Androssan that nothing had been found north of the village. Hanna wasn’t surprised but the others were disappointed.
‘If the boat survived, then the sails would be the only effective means of powering the craft. Three oarsmen would be ineffective against the wind and current. If they came to shore, it would be in the south. It’s possible they’re a couple of hundred kilometres away by now.’
The next morning Hanna left the valley and journeyed southwest to the coast. For four days, they travelled the beach in search of debris or some sign of the boat and crew. Headland followed beach and beach followed headland and with each headland was the threat of a continuous rock face as was the coastline to the north. Yet, as they rode over each rocky outcrop, they were rewarded with another long golden ribbon of sand, waves peeled mechanically around each point as the ground swell continued unabated.
They did come across some familiar items on the second day of the search. They found two body boards and some other small items from the boat. They had searched the high water mark for hours with each find, backtracking and looking for tell tale footprints, but found nothing. Hanna suspected they belonged to Kielpa and Yaninie.
That night they found a swift flowing creek that flowed into the ocean. Hanna bathed and relaxed in the cool refreshing water. He ate and retired to a restless night’s sleep. He had nightmares of being thrown about in the surf. He rolled along the beach, unable to move, as wave after wave tore at his body. Paralysed, he was suddenly trapped under the surface, watching the sunlight filter down into the now still, calm waters that engulfed him. He floated in silence, as the peaceful serenity that surrounded him took over and as he relaxed, about to take that much-needed breath, he woke gasping for air.
He sat up, composed himself and announced to the others that they would spend one more day searching. They would travel half a day out and return to camp here again that night. That way they had no need to pack up the camp.
The next day, they rode along the beach until the sun hung directly above them. He split the group by sending two of the party back to base camp to prepare dinner. He and Icno continued on as they rode to the top of a highest sand dune to see as far south as they possibly could before they abandoned their search. Still the day brought nothing.
Hanna had to come to terms with the fact that he had lost contact with his good friend Ray. Thoughts crowded his mind. He may never see Ray or George again, or Koonaida and Unow for that matter. However, in his heart he knew, Ray and the crew were all right.
Determined not to let any self-doubt or negativity interfere with his purpose, he resolved to return to the village and simply wait for Ray to turn up. If Ray had survived then he would make his way back up the coast as the wind turned to search for his lost companions. This was the best course of action, wait and see what time will bring.
They arrived back at the camp after dark. Hanna watched as the smoke of their fire drifted gently out across the ocean. As the sun had disappeared behind the hills, the water looked like liquid silver. The reflecting waves lifted into the air and then peeling left and right as they turned into pure white snow. It’s pulsating, crashing rhythms descending into a crisp sparkling effervescence.
The fading light transformed the sky from pink to purple to gunmetal grey. One by one, the stars appeared in the sky and as they reached camp, the night had chased the last of the sunlight away.
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