121
THE BLUE FEATHER
“Zorin, we sent you to bring the Giants to help us protect our
city. Where are they?” said the regal woman, looking sternly at
Bardala.
“Kiya, my Queen, I have good news for our people. We did go
to the Giants’ home, and met with both of them. They could not
come, but they sent two brave warriors to help us defend
ourselves.” When Zorin said this, the boisterous crowd began to
noisily talk among themselves. Then suddenly, the young man
standing at the Queen’s side pounded with a wooden hammer on
a large copper gong.
“B0000NNNNNGGGG! B0000NNNNNGGGG!”
“Silence!” the young man who had golden metallic snakes
coiled around each bicep yelled to the unruly crowd of
bystanders. “My mother, the Queen, needs to be heard,” said
Ronú with authority.
“Zocam and Tabracan are not coming to help us?” Queen Kiya
questioned, looking around in hopes that they still might have
come.
“No, my Queen,” Zorin said, trying to stay positive. “Bardala
and Tital are strong warriors. They come from a faraway place
just to help us in our struggle against King Barha.”
“Zorin, I see them. They look very young, like my son Ronú. I
do not see the look of a warrior on them. They have no sharp
spears with telling signs of their kills. Can you tell me how many
warriors they have killed? They are not big and powerful like the
Tzultach,” said Queen Kiya, obviously shaken at the change in
plans.
Tital knew it was time to say something, so he waved his
hands above his head and said loudly, “People of Tonga, good
Queen Kiya, my name is Tital Almanza, and this woman is Bardala