115
THE BLUE FEATHER
“I have lost my eldest son. He was killed in the first raid. He
gave up his life defending my younger children,” Zorin told
Bardala, as he looked into her strange eyes. “I have never had to
ask a woman to fight for me, for we are a peaceful people. We
work the soil to provide food for our people. We have no slaves.
We all work together, even our chief, Raan, when he was alive,
worked every day at our sides. In our villages, all our women are
beautiful. They take care of our children, and have had no
troubles or worries. But now, many are slaves to the Tarawan
king, Barha. If you know how to fight, we need your help. I need
your help. We have no one else to turn to.”
Bardala chewed on a piece of meat before saying, “Tital, you
must promise me first if the time comes when we need to leave
and return to the time and place where Viviana and Jonathan are
sleeping, that we will leave no matter what is happening around
us.”
“I promise,” Tital said solemnly.
“Then, Zorin, finish eating, and we will leave for your village. I
do believe you. I do want to see with my own eyes what these
evil warriors and the Tarawan king, Barha, have done to your
people. My family will help your family,” Bardala said, while
looking at Tital’s eyes. “We have the power to help you.”
“I think we are going to need more supplies,” Tital said,
“Bardala, we need Ah Tabai, our weapons master. We are also
going to need some more horses. Do you think Viviana and
Jonathan would mind if we use their horses?”
“They are asleep, so they won’t mind as long as we take care
of them,” Bardala said before shouting out, “Manzana and
Mañoso come to this place and time. Spirits, I need one more
animal, Brilloso, to come and be with us.” Tital smiled at Bardala,