Avarice Secret Unquiet CH 26

Torn by Love

The two lovers spent every moment together, Kuparr often making excuses to be absent, to give them privacy. It seemed he was delighted his daughter had finally met someone, even if that someone had randomly stumbled in from the wastes. They made love often, and more often than not it was a serene and meditative kind of intimacy, something Carlos had never experienced before. No rushing in fear he would be discovered with another man's woman, and he found he liked it. No, he more than liked it; he needed it like a drug.

Medika spoke English very well, far less hesitantly than her father did. Gradually she revealed to Carlos her early life before the war, and her story made Carlos somewhat uncomfortable with his own life and privilege. Medika never knew her mother, the woman had died shortly after Medikas' birth from resulting complications, presumably infection. Preventable in all probability, but out here with no medical care or medicines early mortality among the tribes was high.

When she was of school age Medika was taken from her father and put into a boarding house in the city. This was not some mutually agreed-on arrangement with her family for her betterment. Rather it was the result of a Government initiative to supposedly help indigenous children bridge the gap of their tribal roots and cope in modern society. There they had forced her to change her name. Medika, meaning blossom or pretty flower a moniker bestowed on her by a father she adored, must adopt the meaningless name Lynette. A suitable name for a girl who would go to school and live in a predominantly white society.

Medika did not like this at all and did not apply herself to her schooling, only relentlessly dreaming and wishing to be home with her father in the desert, living the tribal ways. The soft-spoken and shy girl struggled with her absence from those she loved, and in tenth grade, she ran away, catching a bus to the outskirts of the city, and resumed life with her father.

The authorities would have simply returned the runaway to her fate, but the war for Medika was a fortunate event, as it spared her from having to return to a life she found no meaning in. Her father then brought her to this place when the trouble started, and they had lived here ever since.

This place was once the site of a sheep station, but due to a terrible drought many years before it was abandoned to the elements. Most out here crown-leased the land, so it was often easier and cheaper to just walk away when things went awry than to persist. The pinnacles of stone chimneys remained, along with some scattered foundation stones, but there was little else to denote the failed farmers' passing. However, the well with its life-giving water had endured as a secret prize for those who would find it.

As the young woman revealed more to him during the quiet interludes after their lovemaking, Carlos realized that Kuparr had not exactly been level with him, when he first asked if he knew of the city situated east of the capital. In fact, according to his daughter, the man had lived there for a time, taking seasonal farm work before the war. Carlos didn't know what to make of this lie, as it seemed uncharacteristic for one with such a free spirit and calm demeanor. He would, he decided when the time was right to try and get to the bottom of this. Perhaps in that first meeting, it was simply a misunderstanding, the moment had been very tense after all.

One fine spring evening, Kuparr returned bowed beneath the heavy burden of a large wombat. How he had captured the burrowing animal Carlos could not guess, but the creature was huge and would feed them for many days to come.

Everyone smiled that evening as they sat around the fire pit. Carlos had never eaten wombat; the meat was less desirable than some other game he had tasted and very fatty, but it was good to have a belly full. The knotted mallee stumps burned well and hot, and being hardwood, they lasted many hours. The evening was a trifle cool but not altogether uncomfortable.

Carlos and Medika sat close together shrouded in a bright red, plaid woolen blanket. Kuparr was patiently working on a new knife blade. It was fascinating to watch the experienced man, carefully chip away at the stone before him leaving a razor-sharp edge that when done correctly could easily slice the toughest hides.

Carlos had gleaned a lot from this patient man in a very short period. Most who had survived the calamity were equipped with basic survival skills. Carlos had long known how to prepare game, start a fire, and build a rudimentary shelter; but the time spent with Kuparr had done much to raise the level of the young man's skill set. He felt far more ready to journey forth than some weeks prior.

Carlos had enjoyed his stay here, this had been the healing and respite he needed, and he had found an unexpected love in Medika, but even so, there was a disquiet that tore at him. The young man was unsure if he could spend his life simply existing in the way these people could.

Medikas' attentions helped, but was it possible for him to exist here over the years as Kuparr and Medika had? Expecting no more from life but to hunt for food, make love, and tell stories around the fire? Perhaps he was wrong. Perhaps there was no better to be had, and he was looking for the proverbial grail.

However, he already knew the answer. He needed and longed for the intricacies of society, and he was becoming more anxious every day as the air grew warmer and the sun held more bite. If he did not leave soon, his window of opportunity to trek south would disappear until autumn. He was not sure he wished for that kind of delay.

He didn't know what to do, if he left and went to the Bridge and made a life there would Medika accompany him? However, he already knew that she would not be happy there even with him, and yet he desired her by his side. He had never felt this way with Raissa, sure he had pretended he had, and well look where that had taken him. This was different though, if Medika remained here he would long for her, if she came with him she would be sad. He rightly didn't know how to proceed.

Carlos squirmed with unease, but he must know the answer to his question, so long withheld. Tonight under the bright stars and clear skies with Medika nestled by his side he must have it.

"Kuparr," he said, his voice snagging in his throat. "I must know... could you really guide me to the place they used to call Murray Bridge, you know where it is right?"

Kuparr looked up from his work, his expression, and gentle molasses eyes unreadable. Carlos was not sure if it was because of his race, or if the man was just exceptional at not letting his emotions slip.

"It's important to me Kuparr."

Kuparr glanced at the intense young man for a moment and set down his almost completed work. He did not directly answer the question but merely stated, "Medika is your wife, you are my son."

Carlos was not surprised at this admission from Kuparr. Medika had told the young man in no uncertain terms what her father believed Carlos was to him; his son-in-law. The young man soon grew to realize that marriage among these people was vastly different than marriage was in his anticipation. In a way, this tribal agreement was less constrictive, and yet entering into it he owed Kuparr great fealty. Carlos was torn, but he needed an answer even if he did not act on it. So he persisted. "Could you take me there Kuparr... before summer comes?"

Kuparr scratched at his grizzled white beard and looked into the fire. His dark eyes danced with the flame's reflections.

Carlos felt Medika squeeze his hand beneath the blanket. He responded in kind and waited for the senior man to speak.

"It is a long way, difficult to travel, little water."

"But you know where water is, right?"

"It's been many years, things different, perhaps not as much water, one can not know for sure."

"How long would it take?"

"Many days, but I could guide you to the river, then if you go west you will reach the Bridge."

Carlos nodded and bit his lower lip in consternation, he had much to think about.

*****

The following day Carlos had gone to Medika, he placed his hands in hers and spoke of his desires, hopes, and dreams. She had listened quietly making no attempt to interrupt, looking up into his intense dark visage with her brown moon-saucer eyes. As he spoke he saw the first vestiges of tears collect there, and he was more torn than ever. He had not wished to hurt her his love, yet he could feel her resigned sadness.

"Will you accompany me my love?" He finally asked as he kissed her lightly on the forehead. "We could make a life together, a new start?"

The pretty girl shook her head, and the luscious curls on her head bounced. Carlos sighed, but he had already known her answer from the outset. He knew Medika hated the idea of living in civilization, with its rules and strictures, and she would never be comfortable there. He pulled her to him and stood for long moments just holding her close. A woman like Medika needed to remain free.

*****

It was three days later and it was almost time to depart. Kuparr had said it would be best if they at least initially were to travel by night. Carlos had warned him of the slavers to the south, very sure that they would not have been a threat many years ago when Kuparr had first left the Bridge. Kuparr listened intently his brow furrowed in thoughtfulness. He shook his head and muttered in his soft way, "Men can be so cruel."

Medika had been silent all morning, Carlos knew she was saddened he had chosen to leave, even though he had promised to return once he had settled his restless itch. He hoped he could keep that promise, but the Bridge was far and he had no idea what he would find there, or where his fortunes would take him.

She stood before him in the glow of the firelight, the orange tones of it warm on her coffee-colored skin. Her hands were about his waist, head leaning on his chest listening to his heart.

"I have made you something." She finally said, ceasing her long embrace to reach into her pinafore pocket. She withdrew a small, delicately sewn pouch of kangaroo fur suspended on a rawhide thong. Carlos bent his head and she placed it about his neck. "It's the stone we found, when you are far look at it and remember us."

Carlos hugged her to him and kissed her passionately. He had no idea if this would be the last time. He wanted to remember her so innocent, wild, and perfect, perchance he never saw her again. He was deeply overcome and was glad to release her and turn away, Kuparr was ready and so was he.

Kuparr had told his daughter that he would be gone almost a full cycle of the moon, and she was to be very watchful, quiet, and careful in his absence, and hide if there was any hint of danger. Carlos knew Medika could well look after herself out here, but he still felt anxious that she would be left alone. He was sure Kuparr was also, and he realized just how much this man was going beyond his comfort zone, that he may guide him across the many miles of inhospitable terrain they must traverse to the Bridge. As Medika had told him, when a family joins in a marriage both parties owe one another great debt, and Carlos felt somewhat chagrined that perhaps he had shortchanged the man.

Goodbyes were said and into the dark they went. The fire's glow became smaller and smaller as he left his love behind.

*****

Carlos' horse had recovered fully. The animal was sleek and much rested and had a spring in his gait. As Kuparr had no mount, Carlos used the gelding as a pack animal for his few meager possessions. The journey was long, and the environment had changed in the years since Kuparr had made his exodus from down south. Even with the changes the years had wrought, the resolute bushman located water and food, and they fared well, dodging the settlements of the subhuman ones, and avoiding the attention of the slavers.

In half a cycle of the moon, Carlos found himself on the wide banks of the sluggish brown waterway that was the Murray River. He thanked Kuparr and told him that he would be back for Medika, and that she as he was would always be in his heart. As he did so he clutched the amulet she had so lovingly made for him, feeling the spherical stone ensconced within, and he remembered all that was good and kind of these people.

With that, the two men parted ways. Carlos looked over his shoulder and the Kuparr had already vanished without a trace. Carlos stroked his gelding's arched neck and climbed into the saddle.