From the Beginning: The Old World (11 page)

On the same day, without making a clear decision on the matter, we had actually set our mourning rituals.

Rebecca’s funeral was moving and sad. In the hours prior to the funeral, I searched for an appropriate burial site. It was obvious that we needed to bury her quickly, before the body started reeking of death, a stench that would very quickly spread throughout the cave.

A few friends went out, returning with their hands filled with bundles of different kinds of leaves. We lay Rebecca’s body in a special place, crossed her arms on her chest, and then each member of the tribe came forward in turn, spreading leaves on her still corps. If we had flowers, naturally we would have used them to adorn her body. After about half an hour, she was totally covered with leaves.

We then went out to look for the most suitable location for burial. We did not want to throw her in the water—we all felt that the sea had already taken so much from us. Cremation was also out of the question, as we didn’t have enough kindling to burn, and burial in the ground was also out of the question due to the rocky terrain, which made it impossible to dig deep enough to bury a body. 

Eventually, I suggested we take her body up the island, to the roof of the sacred cave. There the body would dry up in the sun and wind. There were no wild animals or vultures that would come and peck at the body anyway, and the smell of the decomposing body would not bother us. Later on, when only dry bones remained, we would collect them and bring them to burial in the sacred cave which was filled with little nooks and crannies fitting that exact purpose. 

The sticks and branches collected were used to make a stretcher, a travel cradle for Rebecca’s last voyage. We wrapped the body with one of the blankets, and the funeral set out in silence, with me leading the grieving procession to the top of the island. 

The bare summit greeted us with wind, and the view was vast and spectacular.

“Rebecca would have loved our choice,” I sadly smiled to myself, eulogizing my beloved friend, my new mother I had found in the midst of a rough sea. “If she could have come up here on her own, she would surely comment on the sight before us—but her frail body could no longer take the burden. The famine and the long weeks in the lifeboat took their heavy toll on her health and caused irreparable harm. Rebecca did not reveal her pain, and her nobility and greatness lit our path even when she was hurting. You were a mother to me, a teacher and a mentor, and your presence will be sorely missed. In my heart, I know you are with us. Your spirit will be with us in everything we do, and we will draw inspiration from your memory and your wisdom. Farewell, my beloved, mother…”  Tears choked me as I whispered her name to the wind.

One after another the tribe members repeated the leaf placing ritual. Some of the leaves were blown away by the wind and scattered everywhere. Little rocks were placed around Rebecca’s body, surrounding it like a frame, creating a makeshift grave that by the end of the ceremony was covered entirely by leaves.

I called out to the sky a cry of despair, chanting a prayer, signaling to the people that they were allowed to express their feelings and grief as well.

For the first time since we were saved, the flood gates were finally breached. Everything that was suppressed when we were preoccupied with our struggle to survive irrupted now with Rebecca’s passing, who was considered by all a mother figure, a kind of a great grandmother to us all. People cried for themselves, cried for their dead loved ones, cried for Rebecca and what she meant to them, the first death in the tribe that reminded us of how fragile we were. Without saying, we knew this day would become a memorial day for the entire tribe and not only a day to commemorate Rebecca’s passing. This date would be a day we would remember all our loved ones that are gone forever.

When the sun kissed the horizon, the grieving procession went slowly down the island. Prior to our descent, we passed through the sacred cave, each washing their face with the holy waters, purging ourselves as another aspect of our bereavement rituals that would later become rooted in our existence.

Down below, at the entrance of our dwelling cave, Eddie waited for us. It was clear that he had been crying too. Despite the differences he had with Rebecca, it seemed that he too harbored much respect and appreciation for her.

I looked at him at length. Something in his heroic aura had broken, faded away. He lost his fighting spirit and looked despondent and docile, as if he had accepted the verdict humbly and chose to comply with the tribe’s decision, although it was completely opposite to his world-view.

He turned to speak to me, head down trying to say something, but only meaningless mumbles came out of his mouth. I hushed him with my hand, gently thanking him for his choice and his condolences. I hugged him, sensing how the man I had considered to be larger than life, and out of my league, shriveling in front of me—and in my heart I knew, I would never be in his arms again.

At nightfall, when we all disbursed into our sleeping quarters, I hugged Jezebel’s shoulders and together we walked to the niche that was used by her and Rebecca. It seemed natural to me, as if this was something I had always done. I held Jezebel as she fell asleep all worn out and exhausted, her young head lay on my shoulder while my hands were stroking her hair, as I was humming to her sweet lullabies just like I used to sing to my son. I moved what little I had into mine and Jezebel’s new niche, even though Eddie’s sad face was asking me to stay with him. “She needs me more right now,” I felt the need to explain even without him asking.

Jezebel and I mourned for three days. Three days in which the food supply ran out and the last of the berries were grabbed in fear. Out of my grief, I instructed them to go to the first plots of plants I had rooted—they would find some edible roots there. I entrusted Roan with the food distribution so it would last for my mourning period. We both sat in our little niche, as the tribe members brought us a little food and water every few hours.

In the morning of the third day, it was Jezebel who encouraged both of us to rise from the mourning sitting, to go out into the sun and join the rest of our friends. “I feel we mourned enough. As if Grandma is telling us there is no need to cry for her any longer. She would have wanted us to dance and celebrate life, to move on with our lives. Especially you, now that you have to fulfill your role as the leader of the tribe.”

I smiled at her, hugging her warmly. “It is obvious that you are Rebecca’s grandchild! You have the same blood flowing through you. I am sure she is sitting up there somewhere, smiling and so proud of you.” I kissed her lovingly, and we both exited the cave.

Even before setting foot outside the cave, I could feel the change in the air. One more step—and the vibe ignited down my spine, sending its tight currents to my lower stomach. “
Expect the arrival of the white eagle
…” Rebecca’s last words suddenly echoed in my ears, awakening the visions from my dream.

Jezebel sensed the tension in my body and stopped too. “What happened, Mother?” She naturally embraced the new title for me. I pulled her close to me, inspiring confidence in her and soothing her.

“The white eagle is about to arrive!” I quietly proclaimed. “We must be prepared. I don’t know who or what the white eagle is, but it brings with it a great change and is about to revolutionize our lives!” When we walked outside, we were greeted by a draft wind—colder and stronger than the wind that had blown the past few weeks.

The skies grew dark and clouds filled the blue sky, thickening slowly, changing their color from white to grey, and getting darker by the minute. The weather had changed rapidly, telling of a storm that was approaching. The people kept on doing their business, but it was clear they were most concerned by the drastic change in the climate. Roan came to me and explained that he had instructed people to stock up on as many ripe plants as possible so we could store them in the cave.

“There is no telling how powerful the storm is going to get, or where it will strike. It is possible we will have to huddle in the cave for many hours, maybe even days. The grains are gone and so is the dry food. All we have left now are your plants, and I am afraid that all your hard work will be for nothing in this coming storm…”

“You did well. We have to be prepared. I think I understand now the symbol from the dream. It seems that the white eagle represents the storm, and since we are talking about the king of the skies, it will not be just a storm—but a huge storm that will come upon us! Judging by the direction and the intensity of the wind, I estimate that it will strike as early as late afternoon. The white eagle is indeed about to arrive. Prepare the people and send a few to make barriers for the cave’s openings. Should the sea rise and wash over the island, the cave better be sealed, Roan!” I then thought of a brilliant idea. “On second thought, maybe we should get ready to go up to the sacred cave! It will be safer and will protect us from the raging sea! The chance that the waves will reach that high is slim to none. There we will be able to also enjoy the clear spring water, and at least we will be able to fill our bellies a little by quenching our thirst…yes! Get the people ready to pack their belongings, and forge as much food as they can. Go ahead! We don’t have much time!” I hurried him up, and each of us turned to our tasks. I sent Jezebel to pick medicinal herbs from the special plot, in case we needed them, and I turned to gather twigs and branches in case we needed to start a fire. I bundled my pickings and entrusted them to others who hasted to put them on the stretcher we had made for Rebecca, which was now used to transport the emergency load up the island, to the sacred cave that will once more become our refuge and sanctuary.

* * *

The winds grew stronger.

By noon, the winds were so powerful, that it was difficult to walk around keeping balance. Hair whiplashed on our faces, and the climb up the island was slow and tedious. People were supporting each other, leaning and using their hands to grab every bump and protrusion they could find. Humidity was dense too, and sprits of water came shooting with every wild gust of wind when big waves crashed on the rocks at the bottom of the island.

Violet and Roan joined me at the rear, after receiving an o.k. from Jack, who combed the entire lower level to make sure no one was left behind. He climbed before us amongst the first climbers, assisting anyone who needed a hand with this difficult ascension.

The steep slope was also wet by now, and people were sliding and tripping, but they were all there for each other, lending a helping hand when all the while, Jack—the blue eagle, the tribe’s guardian and protector—was keeping a watchful eye and safeguarding them all. 

Not far above us, I saw Eddie helping a young woman, Ana was her name, putting his hand on her lower back, supporting her as she climbed on a steep ledge. She smiled at him, and I could read more than gratitude on her face. Even from where I was standing, I could see her affection for him and how pleasant his touch was to her, or her intentions as she leaned into him to thank him. I smiled quietly and signaled Roan to look and see it too.

“I can only hope that he reads the signs,” Roan smiled too. “You know how stubborn and blind to what’s going on around him Eddie is, especially when he has his mind made up. I don’t know if this is the right time to tell you this, but I think you should know: on the days you were mourning in the cave, Eddie wasn’t at his best. He was walking around agitated and restless. I could clearly see he was looking for Jack. I have to give Jack credit though, he really knows how to stay hidden and out of sight. He probably did work for the secret service…” Roan thought out loud whether the rumors about Jack’s profession had a solid foundation. “Anyway, Eddie’s really on edge. If you ask me, he will keep on trying to look for a fight. Seemingly, he had accepted the tribe’s ruling—but between you and me, we both know that his pride means too much to him that he would give up his standing so easily and let the insult slide. We didn’t give him much choice. I estimate that on the first chance he gets, he will pounce on Jack and confront him!” Roan guessed the inevitable.

“I know… I have seen it happening, and according to my vision it will happen as early as today! They are both going to get caught in the storm!” Suddenly all at once I understood the dream. “Oh, no! Roan! This is what I saw! A huge whirlwind will carry them both away as they are fighting. In my vision, they tried to help each other when they realized they were in danger, but the storm carried them away, and I couldn’t see what their fate was. The dream ended before that, with the arrival of the white eagle…” Another realization flickered. “In my dream, the white eagle arrived after the storm—which means that the eagle isn’t the storm…” My voice weakened, when I realized that my interpretation that morning was wrong. My confidence was again shaken when mystery clouded the royal symbolism of my dream.  I was confused once more.

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it,” Roan encouraged me with a light pat on my back. “You will have enough time to solve this riddle. But we better hurry—and I don’t want to stress you out, but if you look back,” he pointed behind me, to the direction from which the wind was blowing, “you will see your whirlwind getting closer!” Roan tried not to make his movements noticed, so not to create a mass panic.

I turned back slowly, and just like the wife of Lot from the Bible that turned into a pillar of salt—I froze when I saw the fast twirling whirlpool rapidly making its way toward us!

“Dear God…” I whispered in fear, my eyes widely open with terror. The hurricane tore a path in the raging sea waters, it was visible to see how in the lower layers the clouds gathered and poured into the ‘eye of the storm,’ with rain storming in the distance.

“The rain storm will soon be here too. We better hurry and go up!” Roan shook me out of my frozen state, “Otherwise, it will be very hard to climb, and I wouldn’t want to get caught out of the cave when it happens!” He literally pulled my arm, dragging me behind him and Violet that had already started to ascend before us. “Grace! Come on!” he commanded me. The shock I was in caused me to nearly trip when he yanked me.  “If you do not move now—I will drag you by your hair!” he threatened me jokingly, but it was enough to get me moving.

“Yes, let’s go,” I came around. “I am not so sure the “winds” will be calmer up there either…” I hinted at the vision from my dream, that was about to become reality, soon…

The heavy rains caught up with us half way up and slowed us down. When we entered the protected sacred cave, the winds were blowing fiercely, passing over the cave’s openings. The deafening sound of the wind caused us to shout when we talked to each other, trying to overcome the noise.

By the time we arrived at the cave, we were all soaking wet. All the branches and twigs we bothered to carry with us were wet too, making all our fire lighting attempts futile. After a long hour in the cave, with the gusts of wind intensifying by the minute and cold air currents gushing in every few minutes, people started shivering from the cold.

“Maybe we should try sealing the entrance?” Roan suggested, trying to overcome the wind’s racket.

“I am not sure we have how or with what to do that!” I shouted in return.

“Maybe we can step outside and bring a few rocks?!” Roan suggested, “We have to block the incoming winds or people will freeze to death!”

I nodded in agreement and we both turned to leave the cave.

A new shrieking sound was now accompanying the whistle of the wind outside. The second step outside revealed the source of that horrific sound. Roan and I stood still, glued to our spot when the huge hurricane whirlwind was only a few dozen feet from the island!!!

Look for rocks? Ho, no!!! We ran back escaping into the cave, scared and distraught barely catching our breath. The tribe members immediately gathered around us. “What happened? What did you see?” worried questions came from all around us.

“Friends! No one dares going outside!” Roan managed to warn everyone with his loud voice. “In a few minutes, the storm will hit the island! This awful sound of suction and pumping we hear is from the hurricane itself. It is probably sucking everything in its path!” he described what was going on outside.

“What shall we do with the cold and wetness?” the frightened members asked.

Jack made his way to the middle of the circle of people. “Grace! Roan! I suggest that we huddle together in the area to the right of the altar. The wind doesn’t hit there as much. We can sit in circles, one circle within another. We will be able to block the cold for one another, by being close and with touch. Every little while, we will replace the outer circle so that everyone will be able to keep warm,” the decisiveness in his voice gave me confidence, and with a swift look around I saw the same effect forming in the rest of the group. All but Eddie…

“This is a nice idea. Right, Jack? This will get everybody rubbing against everyone, right? We will keep warm together, everyone touching everyone. Maybe we can organize a little orgy? That will definitely get us warm!” Venom was dripping from Eddie’s voice. His gaze narrowed with hate, firmly pinned to Jack’s face.

Jack ignored Eddie’s petty words, and he turned again to Roan and me to accept our agreement. “We don’t have any other options…” He tried to haste the tribe to gather in the corner he pointed at, but Eddie rudely interrupted him again.

“Didn’t you hear me, Jack?!” he screamed with anger getting closer. Jack kept his eyes focused on Roan and me, trying to stay calm.

“You think I don’t know what your plan is?” Eddie kept on going. “It is all designed so you can touch Grace, isn’t it? Why don’t you just admit it, Jack! All you care about is being close to Grace, and fucking her!!” People standing close to us took a step back, realizing the tense situation.

Jack’s jaw tightened. He slowly turned his face to look at Eddie that was now standing really close to him, ready for a fight. He focused long and hard on him.  Although he knew Eddie’s flaws quite well, he made it clear by looking at him that he better take back what he said.

Eddie, who was impatiently waiting for Jack to say something so he would have another reason to attack, looked in depth, for the first time, at the man who quietly took his place. It seemed he suddenly realized who he was up against—and the forces, without a doubt, were definitely in Jack’s favor. Something in Eddie’s confidence was undermined. Jack, noticing the shift turned back to Roan and me. “Come! Let’s get the people situated!” he called with confidence, urging us to join him. But, when he turned towards the cave’s corner, he bumped into Eddie, who was blocking his path. It was the moment Eddie was waiting for. Without warning, he forcibly shoved Jack back, causing Jack to stumble, but Jack managed to keep steady. In a quick look in my direction, he practically said he had no intentions of cooperating or accepting Eddie’s “invitation” to a dual. Eddie caught up with the look, which only made him angrier. He pounced Jack again, but at that exact moment the storm hit the island!

A mighty wind burst into the cave with a horrible shriek. The sucking sound of the whirlwind sounded like it had surrounded the entire cave, and in a minute we would all be sucked in it too!

“Quickly! Run inside!” Jack shouted at us as loudly as he could, when everything around us started shaking, he tried to turn too to the same place. But Eddie, completely blinded by his rage, rammed him again, and this time managed to knock him to the ground.

“Eddie!!! What are you doing?!!” I screamed at him. “Leave him at once!!!” I ordered him, but the deafening noise drowned my voice, and Eddie’s ears were blocked to the sound of reason. I wanted to jump on him and prevent him from harming Jack, but Roan grabbed me by the waist, lifted me off the floor and carried me to the corner of the cave where everyone was huddled as Jack had suggested, crowded together, horrified and terrified, trembling from fear and the cold.

“Roan! You have to stop them! He will try to kill him!” I didn’t mention anyone’s name, but my intention was clear. Roan wasn’t convinced that he should intervene, and shook his head in refusal. I knew there was no point in trying to convince him.

Eddie took advantage of Jack’s momentary weakness—as Jack was more concerned about his friend’s situation than from Eddie’s vindictiveness—and threw a mean punch at Jack’s jaw.

That moment Jack realized that the balance of forces had shifted. Eddie had almost regained his strength, and the sense of revenge flamed him so much, that in spite of Jack’s vast experience in martial arts, Eddie had two strong allies on his side: jealousy and rage!

When Jack understood that, he had no alternative, and instead of attending to the tribe’s security, he had to protect his own life now. With a swift move, he dodged another punch and rolled on the ground, pulling away from Eddie, gaining a few more seconds to recover. The whole cave shook as they both circled around each other like a couple of boxers in a ring, waiting for the bell to ring instructing them to attack.

* * *