The Last Sundancer Read Online Free Page B

and water held, they would continue to follow the animal tracks that led them. 
    “Do you plan to send your spear hurtling into the side of the animals we seek?” Kaichen knew that Antuk avoided killing animals at all cost, but he had also watched as his friend enjoyed the meals prepared by the women of his village. 
    Antuk understood the need to hunt for food, but he preferred not to wield the killing blow.  Others might scoff at Antuk’s reticence but Kaichen understood the origins of the man’s reluctance to kill a living thing.  When they were young boys Antuk had flown into a killing rage over the abuse done to a small child.  Kaichen was the only one that had been able to pull Antuk away from the father of the injured boy.  Antuk had refrained from any type of violence since that day.  From that time on their friendship had been solidified. 
    “If you fail to take down one of the bison, then I will have to try my best.” Antuk’s voice was full of mirth but Kaichen grunted in consideration.  It was possible that his friend spoke in all earn estness.  Perhaps he would once again learn to trust himself.  Though Antuk had only been a boy at the time, he stood as tall as a grown man.  In his anger, he had broken the man’s arm and would have injured him irreparably if not for Kaichen.  As it was the man had lost the use of his arm and could no longer hunt. In the eyes of their band, the inability to hunt was crueler than death itself.
    Kaichen sought to restore the food caches of their band.  Antuk enjoyed the freedom of such a journey.  They were in unexplored territory about a full day’s walk from the mesas inhabited by Antuk’s band.
    Kaichen expected to find other people living upon the mesas and residing along the narrow river.  He stumbled to a halt as his nostrils flared over the smell of blood.  Antuk mimicked his stance perfectly.
    “Blood.” Antuk’s voice was a low murmur of dread.
    Kaichen used caution as he walked forward.  He did not have to see the first burned dwelling to know that death had come to the small village that bordered the river.  After motioning Antuk to stay behind he clenched his jaw and forced himself to walk through the abandoned village. 
    Signs upon t he ground told him what had befallen this small village as his eyes caught sight of running footsteps and the sign of pursuit.  The villagers had been taken unaware.  Several of the men had tried to put up a fight, others had fallen by arrow or spear.  Kaichen searched for survivors.  It was all he could do to slow his breathing and move with purpose as he took in the sight of senseless death all around him. 
    Kaichen did not find any survivors.  But he could see that the men that raided the village had taken captives with them.  He was one man against many and there was little that he could do to help anyone.  Even with the help of Antuk, he could not stand against so many men.  The day was already fading to night.  He resolved to return to Azin and share the fate of this village with him.  Azin would take the matter into consideration and then he would make a decision that would not endanger the lives of the men, women and children of his village.
    When the time came to choose a place to rest, Kaichen chose an area that was easily defensible.  Antuk was restless and angry over the senseless killing of so many.  Both men took comfort in the familiar night sounds and the small fire gave them a sense of wellbeing.   
    With the coming of the dawn, Kaichen opened his eyes and immediately took in his surroundings.  All was not as it should be.  He sensed the absence of Antuk.  Kaichen moved swiftly so that he was on his feet, weapon in hand.  Antuk had allowed the fire to die out.  Kaichen had given Antuk the responsibility of keeping watch throughout the darkest part of the night. 
    In truth, he had remained watchful most of the night as he listened to the night sounds around them.  Kaichen