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

the hut of his brother and calls to him, "Brother!"
    There is a rustling, and a man walks out of the hut.  He is a stout man with broad shoulders and thick arms. "What brings you to my home, brother?" Dirty Hands says in his soft voice.
    "I do, Dirty Hands," Mia-Koda says as she steps forward.  "I come to ask you a favor."
    Dirty Hands looks at Black Claw, and Black Claw speaks, "She has a child that has been abandoned and needs a foster home.  Since your son did not survive the winter, the Chiefs thought you would be kind enough to take him in."
    As soon as Black Claw mentions the child, Dirty Hands's wife, Meadow, comes out of the hut.  She is a short, thin woman with long, tangled hair.  Her clothes are worn, and her eyes have sunk into the darkness of her face.
    "Is it a boy or a girl?" she asks in a quivering voice.
    "The child is a healthy baby boy who needs a loving home," Mia-Koda says.
    Meadow walks past Dirty Hands and Black Claw and takes the child into her arms.  Her eyes tear as she smiles down at the baby's face. "We will take him and love him as if he were our own," she says with a happiness she thought had long vanished from her heart.
    "Now hold on,” says Dirty Hands, “I am the man.  This is my decision to make." Meadow gives him a glare that makes him take a step back.  "Well . . . I mean, if you want the child I will allow it."
    Patting Dirty Hands on the back, Mia-Koda speaks, "Good! Then all is well . . . but there are some things that have to be said.  First, when the child begins to walk the path of a man, I will be back for him, and he will have to leave with me.  Also, the child bears a necklace that is very special-never take it off or hold it for too long.  This child possesses powers that must be dealt with later.  You must hide this knowledge from him and others." Meadow nods her head in agreement, and quickly rushes back into the hut with the baby.
    Dirty Hands mutters to his brother upon his wife's departure.  "Maybe now she will have reason to smile again."
    "I am glad for you, brother.  I will have my wife come visit to see if she can help her in any way."
    "We would both be thankful for that, brother.  It has been too long since we all have been together for a meal."
    "I must go back to the council."
    "I understand . . . we both thank you for this gift for which there is no repayment." Dirty Hands bows to both his brother and Mia-Koda before turning back to his hut.
    Mia-Koda grabs his arm, "Remember, Dirty Hands, I will be back for him when he begins to walk the path of a man.  Treat him well and tell others only what they need to know about the child." Mia-Koda and Black Claw turn and leave.
    When Dirty Hands enters his hut he sees his wife running around with energy and excitement.  He grabs her before she makes her way across the room to make a warm bottle and looks into her eyes.
    "Are you sure this is what you want?"
    Meadow looks up at him, "This is all I have ever wanted, my love." They embrace briefly before going to the baby.  Together, they look down at the child who is lying on some furs. They both laugh as he chews on his feet and coos.  Meadow wraps her body around her Dirty Hand’s large arms and looks up at him.
    "This is your son, so it is your right to give him his name.  What should we call him?" Dirty Hands looks down at his new son before answering his wife.  "Taeau, that will be his name.  Taeau, 'a gift from others.' "
    ---
    “Always remember, Oskeau, love is why you lived.”
                  These were the last words Oskeau heard before his mother, whom he loved above all things, abandoned him into the dark unknown world.  Her last gifts to him were some furs to keep him warm.  Unlike his brother, Oskeau was awake when his mother released him into the wild. He watched the one person he loved most fade into darkness. 
    Now, hours after his mother released him, Oskeau is unaware of where he is or where he is going.  He remains