The Silver Arrow Read Online Free PDF Page B

brown, red, or black, which was the
highest rank or position within the Council. In these parts,
members of the Council were revered as spiritual leaders and
judges. However, they rarely meddled in civil affairs, even though
they had that right.
    “We seek the names of all
mothers that were delivered here today,” the woman with the red
broach said as she stepped forward. She was short and stocky with
her hair pulled back, revealing her round face. The two behind her
also stepped forward so that they were less than an arm’s length
from her. Her tone was direct, leaving no room for question.
    “Of course,” Alicia said
without hesitating.
    She leaned to her side,
stretching her hand underneath her counter to grab a note, which
she placed on the counter. Once they had the information they came
for, she curtsied and they turned and left without saying another
word. Alicia stood there for a minute, marveled by what just
happened. She knew with Council business you do what you are told
to honor your house, and that meant everything.
    The following morning, Alicia
checked on Archena and the babe, making sure they were fit for
travel.
    “Take two spoonfuls of this for
seven days,” Alicia said, handing Archena a small jar. She then
gave her some advice on feeding, cleaning, and generally taking
care of her babe.
    She wrapped a cloth that hung
loosely just below Archena’s bust, with both ends of the cloth tied
in a knot over her left shoulder, creating a cradle. She placed the
child in the makeshift carrier in the front, and when they were
ready, Alicia saw her to the door.
    Dew was still on the trees in
the cool morning air when Archena left with her son. It was going
to be another hot day, with the sun already lighting the sky with
its presence.
    Archena was beaming like every
new mother as she walked home. She was looking forward to showing
her new pride and joy to her family, relatives, and the people in
the surrounding area of her village.
    She knew, though, that parading
her son would mean listening to the unwelcomed advice of every
mother who knew this was her first. “No matter,” she thought, still
in awe of the child she carried in front of her. The roads had the
normal stream of people this early in the morning as she walked,
checking on her son regularly. Passersby occasionally exchanged
greetings, and as it got warmer in the day, most people walked by
the side of the dirt road, using the trees for shade as the sun
licked the remaining moisture from the ground, leaving the red dirt
road flaky.
    By midday she was on the
stretch of road that led to her village, and from her vantage she
could make out the position of her house. It was a modest home,
built on a platform that stood a foot from the ground, made from
clay mixed with straw. It was light brown outside and gray on the
inside, so it was cooler during the dry season, which was the
hottest time of the year. Most homes had a garden, which separated
the houses, but Archena’s had trees that stood high above her
straw-roofed home.
    As she drew closer to her
house, the back of the building now in sight, there was no
welcoming party, which was strange. It was customary that family
and close friends checked frequently for the arrival of the new
mother. The child is introduced by the father to the family and
given a name.
    Music and celebration normally
followed the brief ceremony. The women would have people watching
for her arrival. She started wondering what could have happened to
everyone. Observing her surroundings more closely for sign of
disturbance or trouble, nothing stood out, but it did not feel
right. Something obviously had happened while she was gone.
    As she turned the corner, the
entrance to her home now visible, she suddenly felt her heart
drop.
    Members of the Council stood at
her doorway next to her husband, Hammond.
    “What would members of the
Council want with us? Are they waiting for me?” She thought, hoping
her fear was