And how on Elinor did the elders of her village react to this?
Perhaps that is why Wey-Leya now moved to Swa-Ioledea. Who knows, maybe she did not want to be forcibly returned to her native village. A few years of life among the Taurs will seem to any Vedich a rather strange circumstance.
In town, it was persistently rumored that Wey-Leya knew the Common Language, was strong in the trade craft, and whilst living with the Taurs she communicated with strange people driving caravans from the deserts. What the was desert, Fao still could not understand. Judging by the descriptions, a huge meadow without trees and grass, where it was very, very hot.
And how to live on such glades then? They say that in the deserts, there are people with the skin color of old oak bark, and they ride on fatty elk with huge humpbacks but no horns. Oh, whatever! You never know what kind of fables one could virtualize. Better let Wey-Leya herself describe everything! On the way to the Valley!
As the sunset disappeared into the forest, Fao arrived at the house of Wey-Leya, where Ina and Swaol-Ney were already waiting. While greeting them cordially, Wey-Leya did not hide her surprise from the unexpected guests as the girls crawled into a cozy house made of reeds and clay.
Do you understand yourselves, what you want to do? Wey-Leya asked very seriously as the girls settled in. Although not much older than girls, life had already taught her many sad lessons.
Apparently not! continued the Cane Fox. You want to violate the prohibitions that have been honored for centuries! You are going to renounce your families. There will be no way back!
The girls were silent. But there will be no life here, either, Fao timidly said.
Wey-Leya smiled sadly.
Ill lead you! she said. The elders of my tribe have already cursed me, and nothing will change from the curse of the elders of Swa-Ioledea. But beware, it will be hard! Unimaginably hard! And the punishment to all of us will be terrible if we fail!
10
Arriving at the Forbidden Glade, Fao was taken aback. There she discovered Laol-Jamal, Molaynur, and Ainurmo, who at first refused to leave Swa-Ioledea. They explained to her that they weighed all their options and decided to trade the Vedich forest for something more. Fao was pleasantly surprised, but angry with Swaol-Ney. She called quite a few more children Pariolwool, Muolwool, Mayamolive, Moulsabr, and even a very small Buka. Swaol-Ney only spread her hands:
Well, they all wanted to come!
They still do not understand what they want! Fao boiled with anger. But there was no turning back now. Either take a chance and go, or stay and wait for their conspiracy to come out sooner or later.
Ina brought Mo-Tenge-Lioywe, Muolkomes, Luoluy, Muoldock, and Rodolrod. The presence of the last one was not at all pleasing for Fao. He was always on his own wave, he frowned for no reason, then joked out of place. His humor was strange, sometimes too coarse and incomprehensible to the rest. Rodolrod was adult enough, but had not yet learned to turn into an animal, though he didnt seem stupid and was skilled enough. He sometimes made Fao uneasy. But now she had to reconcile herself with his presence.
I want to say goodbye to my mother! Moulsabr declared suddenly.
Me too! Buka climbed up.
Fao immediately cursed the moment when she trusted Swaol-Ney. She was ready to pounce on a friend.
But then the matter came under the control of Wey-Leya.
No goodbyes! she said. Whoever wants to leave leaves with us now! Who wants to stay, stays!
I stay! Buka yelled.
And I! added Moulsabr.
Good! Then we will tie you to the trees! And in the morning, they will find you!
Are you serious? Fao grabbed Wey-Leya by the sleeve.
I do not want to be in the court of the elders for the second time! Wey-Leya confidently stated, and Fao even felt embarrassed at her own feebleness.
But the six-fingered people will drag us away, Buka lamented.
If they yell like that, theyll surely wake up some of the adults, Ina whispered.
Lets go! Were all going! Nome fixed the situation, stepping forward. Children too!
They agreed, as the fear of being tied up in the clearing at night overpowered the fear of the unknown.
The detachment of the young Vedichs advanced into the dark thicket.
11
At first, they walked cautiously, but once away from the city, they broke into an easy run, led by Nome, who had excellent eyesight. Wey-Leya drove the little children from behind with her threats. Ina ran beside Nome, ensuring they followed the path Docko had described.
Fao and Swaol-Ney were in the middle. Rodolrod ran immediately behind Fao. This neighborhood was not very pleasant, and Fao could feel a heavy glare on her neck.
At dawn, they decided to stop because the younger ones were falling asleep. When they woke up, the sun was already high, and an excited Wey-Leya was ready to get moving. Fao, who usually woke up feeling cheerful and joyful, now felt worried and frustrated. She was ready to repent and go back. But having witnessed the zeal with which Wey-Leya was waking the detachment, she dismissed such thoughts.
After seeing no fallen fruit on the ground, Wey-Leya tore off the greenish fruit from the hazel bush. Wont doing that offend Mother Nature? one of the young Vedichs asked cautiously.
Mother Nature has already given us these nuts! Wey-Leya insisted. Sooner or later they will fall off anyway! So, whats the difference?
But the elders say began Laol-Jamal.
That you cant leave the forest of Dockol-Mo, Fao finished, amazed at how her idea of the world had changed in just a day. Just yesterday, she would have considered eating unripened nuts an outrage.
After eating a light breakfast, the detachment got back on the road to continue on their journey when suddenly, Nome abruptly stopped. He closed his eyes and gestured with his hand for everyone to stop. He stood for several moments in silence, and then opened his eyes wide.
Sabers! They are running very fast! And a few other big animals with them!
A pursuit! Fao guessed.
Weve got to hurry! Wey-Leya ordered.
Soon, Fao heard the chase too. Suddenly, from the bushes ahead, the muzzle of a bear appeared, accompanied by a roar. The squad stopped. The first thought was that they were surrounded by the countrymen from Swa-Ioledea. However, very quickly Fao realized that it was not a Vedich, but a simple animal. The bear shook his head and disappeared into the bushes.
Can it be? Can it?
The heart of Fao began to beat faster.
Hes calling us! she announced and followed the bear.
Impossible! objected Nome, who rushed after his friend.
The thickets parted, and a forest river opened to Faos eyes. Just as she realized that it was too wide to cross, Fao saw four more bears rolling a huge dry tree trunk to the edge of the shore.
They are helping us! Yes! They are helping us!
How can this be? whispered Wey-Leya, apparently not believing her own eyes.
Thats because theyre my friends! said Fao proudly.
The bears rolled the trunk into the river, after which two of them dived into the water to push the dry tree to the other shore. The ferry was ready! The fugitives climbed aboard and quickly passed the newly emerged bridge. Once they completed the crossing, the powerful forest animals turned the trunk along the river where it was picked up by the current and disappeared, as though it were never there.