Chapter Fifteen: Caravan

Oren was waiting for Master Anoka to return from the shipyards. After the pirate attack, they had to depart from the merchant ship quickly. They were dropped off at the nearest port, which was very small.

"There aren't any ships leaving here anytime soon, and none expected." Master Anoka said as he came back.

"So what does that mean?" Oren asked.

"Well, we can wait in this small port town and hope a ship will arrive and take us somewhere, or…." Anoka froze in thought.

"Or?" Oren prompted.

"Or we hike through the countryside and find a bigger port and find ships there."

"What else?" Oren asked, hoping for other options.

"That's it. Anoka conceded.

"That's all we have? Wait and hope, or get lost in the woods, hoping it will lead to better things."

"Yep, that's about right." Master Anoka smiled.

Oren's face was puckered as if he tasted something sour.

"I say we walk. Do you know how far the nearest town is that would have ships?" Oren queried.

"A guy at the harbor said that our best bet was to walk South and head to Tiare."

"But we just came from that direction."

"He said it's closer than any city to the North."

"Do you know anything about Tiare Master?"

"It's a big city and the Capitol of the State of Ioserfu, which we are currently in. It's mostly small fishing villages along the coast until you enter the State of Anaru, where we were going."

"Let's get going already," Oren said, anxious.

"We have a small problem. We hardly have any supplies. We'll have to camp out and sleep under the sky, exposed to rain. We have little food and will have to hunt. We are vegetarians; you might have to kill and eat meat." Anoka warned.

"We have little choice; maybe we should have stayed on the ship," Oren admitted.

"You said it."

Master Anoka and Oren took deep breaths and headed to the Southern trail out of town.

———-

Master Anoka and Oren had little with them and quickly found themselves in a bad situation as they walked the Southern Coastal trail. They didn't see much game and only managed to scrounge a few leaves and berries along the way.

Their tremendous powers did them little use out there. They hadn't seen sight of a town or person, and regrets set in. Master Anoka didn't want to seem as worried as he was before Oren so as not to make him all the more frightened.

Oren watched migratory birds fly overhead and felt jealous that he could not be amongst their flocks. Flying would be a useful remedy. Though Oren wasn't familiar with the world enough to know in what direction salvation would be procured, he could entrust Master Anoka to lead.

Oren felt the cold gaze of the vultures and birds of prey as they sneered and salivated at them. Birds weren't the only creatures lining up for a meal. Lions, Leopards, and wild dogs lurked in the shadows.

Master Anoka said that Elephants and hippopotamuses were just as dangerous, even more so, despite their not wanting to eat us. He said it wasn't a good sign that we saw so many hooved creatures in big herds, as predators would surely follow them.

Buffalo, Giant Eland, Waterbuck, Duiker, and Roan Antelope all pranced and grazed just far enough away from the two strangers. Master Anoka warned Oren to be watchful for a stir in the patterns of these herds, as this was a surefire way to know if a predator lurked.

Master Anoka and Oren were deep in the woodland savannah, covered by a light tree canopy. Periodically, it would open to sporadic tree cover, but everywhere, water was scarce. There were plenty of green cliffs and hills to their right and the sea out of sight to the left.

Master Anoka and Oren were running out of daylight.

"We should camp near one of the taller trees." Master Anoka said.

"Why does it matter?" Oren questioned.

"It probably doesn't, but it will make me feel better to think we can crawl up a tree if a predator comes in the night."

"That's not entirely comforting."

"Was I supposed to?"

"Yes, and you did a terrible job of it," Oren said.

"If it helps, I don't feel at all comforted."

"No, it doesn't help at all."

"We'll build a fire out of some dry wood and stay close to it. We might have to take turns sleeping." Master Anoka warned.

"You can go first. I won't sleep much now."

As the night became so black that one struggled to see one's hand, the stars came out to bring some light. Oren had to walk away from the fire to escape the light pollution. He stood looking up with his mouth open and gasped at the wonder of the nightscape.

He had seen many starry nights in the monastery but had taken them for granted. Oren could hear the mooing of the buffalo in the distance, but he was too focused on the stars. For the first time in Oren's life, he wondered what lay beyond the stars. Oren felt so insignificant.

All of a sudden, Oren heard the snapping of a branch, and his survival instincts kicked in. Something was out there in the shadows. Oren's instincts told him to move to the right and duck, and something significant flew over him as he did.

Even in the starry light, Oren could tell it was a leopard. Its big feline eyes selected the light, making it look even more sinister. The Leopard made a low growl that chilled Oren to the bone. The big cat moved slowly, deliberately toward Oren as if it were to strike again. This time, it was determined to take its mark.

Master Anoka was up on his feet.

"I will kill it with my staff. Duck out of the way." Anoka said.

"No. Give me a chance to connect with it." Oren countered.

Oren relaxed and focused. He lifted his hand and got an immediate response. The Leopard moved its head back as if in shock and confusion. Oren tried to communicate, but the Leopard was frightened by the encounter. It hadn't gone how Oren wanted, but the Leopard had run off.

"You took too big of a chance." Anoka scolded him.

"Yes, but killing every time our life is threatened doesn't seem to work either. Tomorrow, we will have to kill one of those animals in the herds to have food. So I can't blame the Leopard for trying to do the same." Oren reasoned.

"Well, either way, it's your turn to sleep. I'll try not to kill everything that comes to kill us." Master Anoka joked.

———

Oren woke up with a hungry belly, and his eyes were full of wonders. The dangers that snuck in shadow were now bathed in glorious sunlight. It struck Oren how beautiful the world can be.

"Morning." Master Anoka greeted.

Even though Oren had slept on the ground, he had got a decent rest. His body was so exhausted that he passed out more than he slept. Sleep didn't solve their other problem. They needed water and food.

"With all this grassland, there must be water nearby," Anoka said.

"Hopefully, we don't have to walk too far to find it. Do we have to hunt one of those creatures today?" Oren asked.

"Only if we need to. Let's find that water first."

Not long after, they both saw a lot of dust in the air back the way they came.

"Do you think it's the herd kicking it up?" Oren pondered.

"It is a lot of dust. It's big, whatever it is. Be ready to move; if it's a stampede, we're in trouble." Anoka guided

The dust cloud almost reached them, and the suspense was nearly too much to bear when Oren and Anoka saw it was a caravan of people. They had covered wagons, people on horseback, and cattle. There were ten or so wagons and a dozen riding horses. Oren and Anoka waited for them to catch up as they might have food and water.

The caravan slowed down and approached them. The men riding horses kept the cattle back.

"Greetings, are you lost?" A man in the lead-covered wagon asked.

"Not lost, but we could use a little help." Master. Anoka said.

"How'd you two get all the way out here with no horses?" The man continued to question.

"It's a long story. Would it be possible for us to ride along and tell you about it?" Anoka practically begged.

The man thought long and hard, "I suppose I've got room on my wagon. Where are you heading?"

"We're going to Tiare and find a ship there," Anoka said honestly.

"You're lucky day. We're heading for Tiare as well. We're bringing these cattle to be sold there. These cattle might find their way on a ship as well. People all over the globe are interested in their meat," the man said. Well, hop on in; I'll introduce you to everyone at the next camp. There is food and water in the back of my wagon that you're welcome to."

"That's very generous of you. Is there anything we need to do in return for this kindness?" Anoka asked apprehensively.

"If you know any good stories, I love a good story. It might cure my boredom on this journey."

"I have stories; I hope they're worth the price."

——

The caravan stopped for the night, and Oren and Master Anoka were introduced to the rest of the company. Everyone was sitting around a campfire as the skies darkened and the mosquitoes worsened. Food was being handled out, and Oren didn't question what it was; he was just grateful he was eating.

"It was mighty strange to see you and your boy out in the middle of nowhere with no supplies." Lotsee started. He was the unofficial leader and the man who allowed them to tag along. "I don't think you would have made it to Tiare. I didn't hear any lions or vultures complaining about your situation, though." The rest of the group laughed at Lotsee's joke.

Lotsee was a middle-aged man. Oren thought he wore a silly hat, but he seemed kind enough. Like the rest of the group, he wore raggedy clothing. Nothing among them looked in perfect order.

Lotsee continued, "Some might get to thinking you were running from something, as you seemed kind of desperate." Silence filled the air as everyone was curious to hear the answer. Master Anoka and Oren had ignored the implied question.

"We are only somewhat welcome in most places. We're outcasts like you," Lotsee finished.

"What makes you think we're outcasts?" Anoka questioned.

"Most of us have made stupid mistakes in the past, but that doesn't make us stupid."

"Why are you outcasts?" Oren asked, now curious.

"Many reasons, to each their own. I, myself, used to be a thief. I seem to be cured of the affliction now, but I was a pretty good one, if I may say so myself." Lotsee said. Others here were convicted or wanted for murders and serious crimes at one time or another. But we all have our sins, and we all have a new trade." Lotsee pointed at the woman spooning some food onto Oren's plate. "Na'ura used to be a prostitute, amongst other things. So you see, you have nothing to hide here."

Oren looked annoyed, "Aren't you ashamed of what you've done? You don't seem to be."

Oren meant to ask it more broadly, but it looked like he was speaking directly to Na'ura. Na'ura placed the food down and ran away in embarrassment. Since they had arrived, she had been extra attentive to Oren. It had made Oren slightly uncomfortable; perhaps he had lashed out at her unconsciously.

"I am sorry for my boy. Please forgive his callousness." Master Anoka said.

"It is nothing." Lotsee waved it off. "You see, Na'ura was a prostitute, but it wasn't always by her choice. She had got out of it once because she had a child. She cleaned up her life for her son. Then, her son died young, and she slid back into old ways. That's when we found her, and she's been on the mend since. That's what we do: try to make amends for what we have done." Lotsee explained.

"You've been honest with us, so we should be honest with you." Master Anoka started. "I am Anoka. I am a Master of the Oracle. Oren and I came from a monastery far away. Powerful people are looking for us, and there is probably a reward. Once we got to Tiare, you'd probably find this out eventually. We were on board a ship, but we didn't trust the crew not to turn us in. We head to Tiare to seek a ship to take us to foreign ports and hopefully from danger. Now you know everything. Our presence amongst you could put you in danger if we run into Imperial soldiers."

The group whispered amongst themselves; some even voiced concerns about Oren and Anoka staying.

The group said nothing to Oren but kept glancing at him. Master Anoka came closer to Oren.

"In the time that I have known you, Oren, I have often been proud of you, astonished by you, and even afraid of you. I have never been ashamed of you until now."

"I'm sorry, Master."

"I am not the one you need to apologize to. These people are going to let us continue with them for now. You should say something to them, in particular Na'ula."

"But Master, didn't we learn about the wickedness of people who commit such crimes? Should we associate with such?"

"We have never taught you anything of the sort, Oren. If you were put on this Earth to be a savior or to help people, do you need to save those who can save themselves?"

"No, I suppose not; they can do it," Oren said, wondering where he was going with this.

"If you are to save people, they are people exactly like this—people who need help. They don't need your judgments, as they have judged themselves more harshly than even you. You only seem to want to add to their suffering. We taught you that good and bad are only moments in time. These are not permanent things. We all do both. If all we do is condemn, then there is no salvation, no chance to better yourself. We told you of redemption here and now."

"Yes, Master," Oren said in a quiet, mournful voice. "I will apologize."

Oren looked for Na'ura and found her sobbing inside of her covered wagon. Oren knocked to get her attention. She tried to hide her tears and greeted him with a warm smile.

"Is it OK if we talk?" Oren asked. Nature gestured for him to come up. He found a spot next to her. She tried to offer him some snacks, but he politely declined.

"I'm sorry." She tried to interrupt him, but he continued, "You see, I judged all of you in a moment of weakness. I didn't mean to hurt you. I am the one who is ashamed."

Na'ura smiled, "it's fine. I'm fine now."

"It's not fine. Everyone here saved us and has been nothing but kind to us. You have been very kind to me, even though I don't deserve it." Oren said

"You remind me of my boy; that's why I…" She averted her eyes from him.

"I am sorry about your son."

"Everyone always is."

"My Master reminded me that with every day comes new beginnings. We wake up, and everything is possible again. It isn't that the world has forgotten what came before. It's like a field. It gets constantly tilled up and replanted with new crops. There were good crops and bad crops, but what matters is the crop you're growing today."

"You're wise for a little boy."

"Not always. Today, I proved to be rather foolish. I hope the others will think better of me in the coming days. That is if you let us stay."

"You'll always have a place to stay with me."

"Thank you, Na'ura. Your kindness may have helped me in ways you'll never know."

——

The caravan approached Tiare and was met by a garrison of soldiers.

"Stop." A Tribune said. "Are you taking these cattle to market?"

"Yes," Lotsee said

It had been raining for hours, and the roads had become difficult to traverse in the mud. The soldiers couldn't have been enjoying their days' work.

"We'll have to search your wagons."

"They have never before; besides, it's raining." Lotsee tried to negotiate out of it.

"I wasn't asking for permission. We are looking for someone. We must check everyone. There are no exceptions," The Tribune scolded.

"Who are you looking for?" Lotsee asked.

"It is not your concern."

"We've been on the roads; we might have seen this person."

The Tribune seemed to consider Lotsee's words.

"Alright, we are looking for an old man in monk's clothes traveling with a young boy." The Tribune said.

"Oh, I think we passed them. Where was that?" Lotsee feigned as if he was thinking hard.

"There is a great reward if you can remember. And if you lie to me, your only reward will be death, so think carefully."

"Ah yes, we passed them two days ride to the North. Said they were heading for the mountains. We thought they were crazy." Lotsee deceived.

"I'll have some soldiers look into it. Meanwhile, we still have to search you." The Tribune warned.

The soldiers looked determinedly through the caravan until they got to Na'ura's wagon.

"Who is this boy?" The Tribune asked.

"This is my husband and our son," Na'ura answered.

Oren and Anoka had changed into spare clothing from the others. They try to keep a low profile.

"Don't mind my son; he's had a touch of fever lately," Na'ura said.

The Tribune wasn't convinced of what she said, but he was eventually satisfied enough to continue. They were allowed to continue on. Oren and Anoka were to go their separate ways to find a ship, and the caravan was heading to sell their goods at the market.

"I guess this is goodbye," Oren said to Na'ura.

"I guess. You be good and take good care of your Master." She said.

"I'll never forget all your kindness, especially you, Na'ura. I will remember you always and hope our paths cross again." Oren said, almost with a tear forming.

"I have a feeling that we will hear of your deeds someday, Oren."

Oren and Master Anoka stood and waved to all the caravan members. They smiled, thanked Lotsee, and went on their way. If luck would have it and they could find more generous people, they might just make it out of Viracocha after all.