43 (First Part)

The leader's house stands two storeys high, each more spacious than any other house in La Cuna. But while the interior details and comforts indicate the glitter of privilege, it is far from a palace of Versailles or a sidereal castle. It does not detract from the fact that Neddin, with that expression that seems never to have known laughter, looks ready to cling to his post, even if hot water is poured on him.

A low, wide, circular stone table sits in the centre of the dining room. Sitting cross-legged on thick hides are Chester and Neddin at 6 and 12 respectively. To Chester's left is Ash, and to the right is Erika. Zell remains standing behind Neddin, his eyes not leaving the muskite... Just as Erika's eyes do not leave the champion.

Chester want to be diplomatic with Zell. He assumes the archer took the comment he made when he came in the door the wrong way. Not that Chester meant to be offensive, he just gave him a couple of tips on how to draw a bow. Having clumsy fingers with that kind of weapon is dangerous, and what happened to Tashala proves it.

Nadjela takes a well-deserved place on her father's right. Gaita remains on the left, from where she blows kisses and licks the lion's lips. Chester is repulsed, he feels like standing up and shouting: "Sexual harassment, I am not an object! But being a princess, and being a guest in a house that is not his own, he decides to behave himself. The bad experience leads him to think that maybe the controversies in Plutowood are true, and not just the inventions of crazy people.

A heavy silence dominates the atmosphere.

"You have a very homely house, Mr. Neddin" Chester says to break the ice.

The village chieftain blinks slowly, and his red-painted face doesn't twitch a single feature as he replies.

"I could not be less. This place has been in my family for countless generations, and I trust it will remain so for many centuries to come. It's more than a big house, it's our identity"

Chester's smile twists, that man sounded just like Krause, his dad.

The maids bring dinner. It takes five of them to carry the wide wooden plate that holds the feast. They place it on the table, almost covering the entire table. The dining room fills with the aroma of salty fats and cloying perfumes. Chester's stomach growls, and he reaches for an ostrich leg bigger than his head. But under the ensuing silence, and with the thigh between his teeth, he realises that no one else is eating.

Neddin remains stone-faced. Gaita lets out a chuckle. Nadjela leans towards her father and seeks to soften the offence.

"They are unfamiliar with our customs.... Considering that, wouldn't this meeting be an invaluable opportunity for cultural exchange?" She clasps her hands together, cocks her head, and flashes her most tender smile.

Neddin sees her out of the corner of his eye, and a single glance is enough to wipe Nadjela's grimace off her face.

"It seems the days in the open have unsettled you. Nothing from outside is meant for us. As a future heiress, you of all people should be clear on that" He turns his attention to Chester and chides him. "In this house, the leader is the one who opens dinner"

"Oh, sorry"

"Well...?"

"Well what, mister?"

"Let go of that thigh!"

"Ah, excuse me"

He licks it before returning it to the table so that everyone knows it belongs to him.

Neddin grants permission to eat. Without cutlery, they help themselves to El-nido-de-todas-las-plantas leaves to take the sauces, meats, fruits, and vegetables. Drinks, milk and fermented fruits, are served in ostrich eggshells. As they enjoy their dinner, Gaita decides to open a chat.

"I'm curious, how did you meet my sister? When the giant took her away, with all the pain in the world I thought he would devour her. Did they get too intimate? Should I call him "Dear Brother-in-law" from now on?"

Nadjela spits milk up her nose. Erika laughs. Chester wipes the grease from his mouth with his forearm, ready to respond, but Neddin's firm voice cuts him off again.

"The affairs of your sister and her... Benefactors, are not subjects for this table. Be glad she was returned safe and sound. Besides, Nadjela's husband is not yet chosen... Who knows? Maybe Zell is the one"

Gaita lowers her head and apologises for her impertinence, looking sombre. Nadjela is still recovering from the milk. Ash and Erika exchange looks of doubt. Chester says:

"I really don't mind telling you. It's a great story and..."

Neddin raises his hand for him to stop.

"I stated my point of view" he says as if his point of view is the law of the world. "Aren't you a man who knows the value of words?"

Chester nods. They've got him pegged on the value of words.

From the doorway a maid attracts Zell's attention. The champion goes, bows, hears the news with an inscrutable countenance, and returns to the patron's side to whisper the news. Neddin arches an eyebrow.

"Tell them to return to the temple. This is no time or place for questions. We've had more than enough of all the hubbub today"

But the order stands at the point of departure. From the threshold appear a dozen hooded elders in long robes, marked on their chests and backs by traces of red dye that outline the wings of a great bird. Zell goes over and grabs the first of the procession by the arm, who breaks free with a swipe of his witch's claws.

"Venerable Zakary, come with-"

"Take your claws off me, vulture, I'm still alive!" The fierce woman with the lank grey hair and the piercing smile advances to the table. The other elders are also emboldened and join her. They stare wild-eyed at Chester. Half of them fall to their knees and plant their foreheads on the floor. Zakary frames the Lancaster's head in his hands. "The legends were true... In a time of crisis and pain, a giant would come to the village and bring salvation... Who would have guessed that salvation would be condensed into a body of flesh and blood? Or am I wrong?"

Chester, not knowing how to react, tilts his eyes to Nadjela waiting for her to clarify if this is another tradition of the tribe. The venerable Zakary also looks at the princess waiting for confirmation. Nadjela, hand clenching the orb on her necklace, nods.

"Chester Lancaster is a hero and a saviour.... He proved his courage, strength, and wisdom, all along our journey"

"Wisdom?" Erika murmurs.

"Wisdom?" Chester murmurs.

"I was a witness, and I put my hands in the fire for him" concludes the young woman.

With that statement, the rest of the elders fall prostrate. Zakary steps back and casts a contemplative glance at the confused man.

"In that case, we, the wise ones, who peer out over the frontiers of life from our temple on high..."

Ash leans over Erika and whispers.

"By temple, you mean the Boeing 777-200 that crashed on top?"

Erika shrugs, and whispers back that she doesn't know about ancient commercial aircraft.

The old woman continues her plea.

"We beg you... Save our people, save La Cuna!"

And she kneels with the others.

Neddin rolls his eyes.

Chester shows his palms for calm. He was close to telling them that, although a man's determination can achieve many things, it is no guarantee of being able to make it rain. But then he notices Nadjela, and at the sight of her sweet countenance, the Lancasterian's chest swells with readiness and a strong sense of duty. He wants to help her! And if will is not enough, he will make use of wit and technology.

"I pledged myself, old woman. I will help you, or else my name is not Chester Lancaster. So come on, get up off the floor or your back will be fucked"

"Blessed are you!" Zakary is the first to stand up. "If I were 40 years younger, I'd offer my body in your bed as thanks"

"No, God, that's not necessary!" Chester blanches at the thought.

"But I sense that bed is already out of the way... "Zakary gives Nadjela a sly smile.

The princess hides her face behind a pile of fruit. Erika falls to the ground, hugging her stomach with laughter. The venerables leave.