The New World (The Last Delar) Read Online Free PDF Page A

together on each side of the Tree.  The Sun shines above the Meno, and the Moon above the Salali, their arms encircling the tree signifying the unity of the races. Two guards approach Black Claw and bow.  He quickly signals for them to allow Mia-Koda to enter the hall.  The guards exchange a quick glance of distrust, but obey their Captain and allow Mia-Koda to pass.  Mia-Koda, walks confidently down the main aisle of the hall. The hall is quiet this morning, with only a few Meno and Salali inside.  Incense made from leaves and tree cones burn, filling the room with a pungent aroma.  The dome-shaped ceiling has two windows, allowing light to shine on the thrones of the Chiefs.  The path to the Chiefs' thrones is lined with fresh leaves and flower petals.  Each throne is carved into the shape of a forest deer.  The deer rest on the floor with their legs folded under their bellies, staring down at whoever stands before the Chiefs.  The horns of the deer form the Chiefs’ thrones.
    Both Chiefs are widely known to be wise, proud, and respected by their people.  Grey Back, the Chief of the Salali, is a thick-bodied glider with silver fur.  Grey Back sits proudly, wearing the hide of a Feather Runner, the natural enemy of the Salali; he also wears a Feather Runner's upper jaw as his crown.  He has become blind in his old age, but his sense of smell is very keen, and to the Salali, this is a sense more trusted than sight.
    The Chief of the Meno is Red Fist.  The little hair he has left is white, stringy, and long.  His chest is stout and bare.  He wears only a pouch filled with crushed smoking root around his neck.  His pants are made of animal skin and bone, and his body is covered in tattoos of red and black.  On his head he wears a crown of feathers that drapes to the ground.  He is a man of few words and stern action, and he is a great commander of men.  Knowing this, Mia-Koda has sought out his counsel several times.  Always honest and true, Red Fist's solemn words have proven to solve many issues.
    "I thank the great Chiefs for their warm welcome," Mia-Koda says.
    Closing his blind eyes, Grey Back inhales deeply before returning the woman's greeting.  "Long has it been since that scent has filled these halls."
    Red Fist stares at Mia-Koda in silence.  Black Claw leaves Mia-Koda's side and walks to Grey Back.  He speaks into his ear.  Red Fist leans in their direction, trying to pick up their conversation, never taking his eyes from the small child resting peacefully in Mia-Koda's arms.
    "My Captain tells me you bring a child with you.  Is this true?"
    "Yes, Grey Back, you have not been misinformed," says Mia-Koda.
    "What happened to his family that you bring him into our borders?"
    "The child was brought to me in the night by an Uluani."
    Red Fist nods his head towards a man in a far corner of the room.  His eyes then return to the child.
    "I know nothing of his family, but I assume they are dead.  I come to look for a foster family to raise him until he begins to walk the path of a man."
    "Why, I wonder, do you not take the child?" says Grey Back.  "My Captain has told me what that child did to your Wicker.  Why should I permit this outlander with abilities unknown into the care and protection of our city?"
    "The child is special, but a danger to you he is not . . . of this I am sure.  I will come back for him when the time is right and his powers start to grow.  A good and stable home is what young children need, and that I cannot give."
    Grey Back points his finger, exposing his worn claws to Mia-Koda.  "Why should I believe that his boy brings no danger to our people?"
    Red Fist snaps his fingers, and a man brings him a long wooden pipe decorated with Salali claws and various feathers.  He takes the smoking root from the pouch around his neck and packs the pipe.  He takes a long puff from the pipe and signals for Mia-Koda to also take a puff.  She walks up to Red Fist and hands him the