Clanless (Nameless #2)(19)
It took all of Gryphon’s self-control not to fight back. Striking a chief was the surest way to foul the situation. Gabe stepped in and slowly rested a hand on the Raven leader’s arm. “Please, Chief. You must listen to us. For the sake of your children and clan.”
“My brother is dead.” For an elderly man, the chief’s hold on Gryphon was solid, his skill wielding the hatchet apparent. “I will hear nothing more from you or this beast.” The Raven Chief pressed the blade into Gryphon’s throat, forcing him to step backward toward the cliff’s edge.
“Father, stop!” A boy no older than Joshua pushed his way to the front of the crowd. He wore a leather braid around his forehead with long black hair flying loose about his face. Something about the youth seemed familiar to Gryphon, but he couldn’t place it.
“You cannot kill this man,” the boy said plainly. He folded his arms in front of his chest and looked Gryphon directly in the eye, hardly blinking.
“Not now, Sani.”
“This man spared my life, Father. If you kill him, you kill me.” He hesitated only a moment, filling his chest with air and letting it out slowly. “I am his ‘Atiin.”
The Raven leader loosened his hold on Gryphon and looked at the boy beside him as if he were seeing him for the first time. “You’re mistaken, son. Many of the Ram share this man’s look.”
And then Gryphon remembered. It was the day he’d first been named Striker and Zander’s second. A flock of Raven warriors had attacked them while they were scouting for Raven grain stores not far from this very spot. Gryphon had been launched into the flock of retreating Raven with orders to kill. When he discovered the young Raven boy struggling to string his arrow he was reminded of Joshua. He’d intentionally missed the mark to spare the child. His conscience didn’t permit killing the innocent.
Gryphon studied the boy before him with new eyes. He was short but carried himself with calm pride rarely found in one so young. Very different from Joshua’s easy smiles and desperate desire to please.
“I was with your son when we attacked the Ram mess,” Gabe said. “I add my witness that this is the Ram soldier that spared the boy’s life. He is different from the others, Sir.”
Gryphon flinched. He might disagree with Barnabas and other leaders in his clan, but at his core, he still considered himself a Ram. Without his clan, what was he but an untethered castoff? A Clanless.
The Raven Chief lowered his hatchet but mistrust still stained his expression. “Bind him, and bring him to the Gaagii Court. The Elders will determine his fate.” Then to a man at his right with an impressive collection of feathers he added, “Send out a team, your best, to hunt down those Ram. They’ve seen the Nest.”
Chief Naat leaned in to Gryphon, staring him directly in the eyes. “Whatever heathen gods claim your allegiance, you might want to start praying to them. The Elders will not be merciful.”
“I’m meeting with the chief and the elders first. When you’re asked to join us, don’t say anything they can use against you.” Gabe spoke out of the corner of his mouth as they passed a sweeping village built into a network of redwood trees.
“They should be making preparations to flee this island,” Gryphon hissed back. “The Ram know their location. What am I compared to ten approaching mess units? These people will be slaughtered.”
As Gryphon, Gabe, and their Raven escort walked through the village, women gathered their children and rushed up ladders leading to homes built high in the trees. A statue of a carved wooden bird with outstretched wings guarded the base of each tree.
“They’re meant to scare evil spirits away from our homes.” The boy, Sani, appeared as if out of nowhere. “My people believe birds carry power on their wings. Power strong enough to protect them even from men as mighty as you, Ram.”
Gryphon nodded, grateful for his young guide, but still restless with the need to get these people moving. “Wooden birds will not save your people from Ram spears.”
Gabe squeezed Gryphon’s shoulder. His brows pulled together, and his lips formed a hard line. With only the slightest movement, he shook his head.
They approached a wall of thin wooden logs bound together to create a large circle. Mud plaster filled the gaps in the wood, making it impossible to see inside. Just outside of the circle stood a small square platform. An engraved plaque hung on a tall frame of wood. Gryphon still didn’t know how to read, and wished Joshua had taken time to teach him. From the frame dangled two lengths of thick rope with slipknot loops to serve as handcuffs.
“You will await your judgment here,” one of the guards ordered. Gryphon stepped onto the wooden platform. When the guard moved to place Gryphon’s hands into the cuffs, Sani waved him off. “It is my right to attend to this man.” Though small in stature, Sani carried himself like a grown man. The guard bowed and backed away from Gryphon to make room for the chief’s son.
Sani held up the cuffs, only slightly flinching when the Gryphon willingly raised his hands.
Gryphon glared at Gabe. “We don’t have time for this. They don’t have time for this.”
Gabe scratched the back of his blond head. “I’ll do my best.”
“Be sure that you do. I didn’t leave Joshua and … ” Gryphon swallowed hard, stunned to realize he’d forgotten that Zo was actually gone. His whole body rejected the idea that he would never see her again. It didn’t feel right. “I didn’t leave them to die along with the Raven. If these people don’t agree to leave, our efforts are for nothing.”