Final Destination: Earth. First book. Anya Annetsun
from the formula drawer, uncorked it, and began to drink greedily.
Only now did he allow his body to relax a little, and his mind to come to balance and calm down.
Shea suddenly remembered that he had promised Liara to report every five hours on the results of the expedition, and in horror realized that he had not contacted for two days. Shea returned to the cockpit, fumbled for the radio, and pressed the power button.
– Liera, Liera. This is Shea. Please answer.
In response, there were wheezes and groans from the speaker, but Liera did not answer yet. Shea repeated the request.
Finally, the voice of Nishu, Liera’s lab colleague, was heard on the phone.
– Shea! How glad I am that you are alive! Is Luanu okay too, I hope?
Shea smiled. It was nice to hear the sounds of civilization in this (as yet) godforsaken place.
– Yes, Lou is still sleeping. Apparently I also had a fun today.
We are safe and sound. Tell me friend, is Liera far away?
Nishu replied:
«She’s out, Shea. I promise as soon as I get back, tell her to get in touch with you.
– Thank you friend. I miss you, brothers. – Nishu could be heard grinning.
– And we are for you. Gather everything you need and come back soon.
– We will try, Nishu. OK, we will keep in touch. Shea said his last words and hit hang up.
***
The leader of the tribe of the primitive Iroquois living on the Gautario River in the Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau reservation, the shaman and Indian Hiawatha made an offering to the gods of their tribe.
A small lamb was executed and sacrificed, and now his corpse, anointed with ancient incense (backgammon, incense, camphor, sandalwood, myrrh, musk, amber, operculum) was smoking on the ashes at the altar.
Hiawatha uttered sacred words, a prayer-spell, designed to invoke the mercy of the gods. For the seventh month there has been no rain in their area. The river dried up, the animals died from dehydration, the children were thirsty.
Hiawatha closed his eyes and whispered tirelessly:
Ee Mungu! utuhurumie, watoto wako! tunatamani unyevu! wanyama wetu wanatamani unyevu! wanawake wetu wanatamani unyevu! watoto wetu wanatamani unyevu!
(Swahili version – author’s note)
What in translation meant:
Oh Gods! have mercy on us, your children! we crave moisture! our animals crave moisture! our women crave moisture! our children crave moisture!
The lamb’s corpse was quietly smoldering, and the shaman continued to whisper requests for a change in the weather.
The children of the Mohawki tribe behaved strangely: at first they played, frolicked with might and main, and then everyone sat down on the ground and began to cry. One of the mothers, Arenk, sat down on the ground next to them and began to lull them to sleep with singing. Baby Amedehi calmed down first and began to smile with might and main.
Well done, Amedehi, – praised
Arenk. Now it remains to wait for the rest to calm down. Arenk hugged another girl, Aponivi, and began stroking her head.
Having finished the prayer, Hiawatha approached Arenk and the children sitting on the ground and turned to Arenk:
I trust in our Gods. What are they
will send us rain next week.
Arenk nodded.
O great Hiawatha! I, too
hope it rains soon! We need water so much!
Hiawatha smiled.
The gods will not leave us, Arenk, here
you will see.
He turned and looked towards the thicket.
Avoneko with brothers today
bring some water. Prepare your own and warn other mothers.
Arenk nodded.
The weather is getting worse. May be
Hurricane. – Having said this, she raised her head, and began to peer into the dull gray sky.
Hiawatha closed his eyes and said:
Kutakuwa na siku, kutakuwa na
chakula.
Which in translation meant: «There will be a day, there will be food.»
Arenk smiled reverently.
I trust you, Hiawatha. Husband
says Hiawatha is a strong leader. You can trust him. And I believe my husband.
From the direction of the thicket, voices were heard, it was Avoneko and his brothers who were walking from their forest absence – they were carrying water.
At last! – Arenk beamed.
She rose from the Earth and sang, addressing the children to their folk song.
«Sweet rain, oh great rain!
Come to us soon!
To our beloved leader!
He was able to pray for us in April!»
The children happily picked up.
When Avoneko and his brothers were very close, Arenk called out to Avoneko.
Avoneko! What a fine fellow you are!
Today you are a hero of the tribe! The children were waiting for the water!
Avoneko smiled benevolently.
Yes, dear, Arenk. We brought
water, a lot of water… do you want to drink a little right now?
Arenk was frightened.
Can i?
Sure! Go
Avoneko waved his hand as a sign for Arenk to follow him, and they approached a huge reservoir built of vines and small tree pillars, inside there was at least 200 liters of water. Enough for everyone!
Avoneko scooped up a small ladle from the vat, and handed the ladle to Arenk.
Here. Have a drink.
But the kids want it too, I can’t
first…
Come on, Arenk, enough for everyone!
Arenk gave up and obediently drank from the ladle. The water burned pleasantly with cold ligaments and larynx.
How wonderful, Avoneko!
Yes. Arenk. But if it doesn’t go
rain in the next few weeks, water will not be left anywhere else. Now call the children! Let’s give them water!
Arenk ran, shouting the names of the children, and circling around their village, calling everyone to gather at the vat.
Avoneko called out to Hiawatha.
Leader! We have to talk.
Hiawatha nodded and they went to the chief’s hut.
Ooooh! Yes, this is our baby
woke up!!! Shea whistled as he saw a sleepy Luana in the cockpit opening.
Luanu smiled. He was still bad at thinking. All these adventures exhausted him in order, and he just wanted to blink silently.
How