Chapter 24
Despite it having been over 16 years, lost most of his muscle mass, his skin and ponytail being mostly gray, and the color of his eyes having faded somewhat, Cili still recognized Irun. He still had his tough guy look to him, even though he needed to use a staff as support. He walked toward the council chief.
"I disagree with this execution going forward." Irun said.
"Very well," the council chief said,"State your case."
With a nod, Irun started:
"Long ago, there was a mudokon who was the proud guardian of a youngster. One day he came upon the youngster trapped beneath a log, with two Moon Children close to him. Since he heard only bad rumors about the Moon Children, he went to question them. But in doing so interrupted what they were doing and as a result the youngster was killed. Filled with grief and rage, he attacked the Moon Children, not giving them a chance to explain. He killed one, the other managed to escape and he vowed to hurt her down. It wasn't until two years later that he did. Only this time it was he who found his life on the line. But instead of killing him, she said that 'Death was a release, not a punishment' and showed him the truth of what truly happened that day. That the Moon Children were trying to save the youngster and that his interference caused his death. Filled with grief, he wandered the lands, searching for a new purpose in life. One day he came upon a whole tribe of Moon Children. He begged them to punish him for the crime he had committed. But they could see the remorse he felt for what he had done and told him there was no need for him to be punished further. Instead, they invited him to join the tribe and learn their ways so he may pass on the truth about them to others, and therefore begin to heal the scars of hate that exists between are two races.
After many years the tribe had grown too large and he was asked to lead half of the tribe to a new home. Remembering the Moon Child that had spared him, and realizing that she may be the only one left in that area, he decided to take the splinter tribe there."
"And of what relevance does this story have to her?" the council chief asked, pointing at Kila.
"The lesson that was learned was that when one does not know all of the facts, one tends to make decisions that he or she would not have normally have made if he or she did know them. This poor girl never had a chance to learn the facts, the truth, about us before she started killing. Now that she does know the truth, does she feel remorse for what she has done?"
"But she has killed dozens of our kind, the one you spoke of only killed one. How does that put them on equal terms?"
"Because of the differences in the way we multiply, the Moon Children feel that the death of one of theirs in equal to the death of a hundred of ours. And I am standing before you am I not?
There was a bunch of whispering with in the crowd. The council chief looked stunned a moment. Then with a motion he gathered the other council members around him and a discussion ensued, too low for anyone else to here. After what seemed like forever, they all nodded in agreement and parted. The council chief approached Kila, who looked up at him nervously.
"Kila, I am only going to ask you this once." he said, "Now that you know the truth, do you feel remorse for what you have done?"
Kila looked back down toward the ground, tears in her eyes, and said. "Yes"
Everyone looked up toward Squawks, who just sat on his perch, preening himself. Satisfied, the council chief looked back at Kila.
"Very well then, in that case..." he suddenly grabbed her by her right arm. Then, with two quick swipes of a small knife, he cut an 'X' onto the upper portion of her arm. She give a yelp, more out of surprise then pain. Then he cut her free of her bounds. "You are free to go, but remember this: Your crimes in the pass has been forgiven, but not forgotten. I have put the mark of a killer on your arm as a reminder of this: If you kill anyone from this point on for any reason other then self-defense, you will face the council again. Do you understand?"
"I...I understand." Kila said, somewhat shocked at what just happened.
Then council then left and the crowd started to disperse. Omi ran up to Kila, tears of relief and joy in his eyes and they embraced. Cili, Abe, and Irun also went up to them.
"So that's where you've been all this time." Cili said to Irun, who just chuckled.
"So mother I guess this means you're not the last Moon Child." Omi said.
"No I'm not." Cili smiled, tears of happiness streaking down her face.
"That reminds me," Irun said, "Would you like to meet them? They are camped not far any."
"Yes I would very much like to meet them."
Omi reached out with his power, and found that the hint of loneliness that was always present in his mother before was gone. I have never seen or felt mother being so happy before. She no longer has to worry about if she is the last anymore, if she is alone. Omi thought as he looked over at Kila who smiled at him sweetly, nor do I...
Epilogue
Its been two years since she was nearly executed and Kila was relaxing under the sun, letting the sun's rays warm her body. Much has changed since then. Many of the lower ranking Glukkons and Vykkers had turned sides, throwing the already fragile Cartel into further decay. Moon Children are now reestablishing the ties they once had with the other tribes, a movement both Irun and Cili were heading. Abe seemed content to just relax now, though he did help out when he could. Steinix was now the top healer in the village, a first for a Vykker.
Yes much has changed, all for the better. Kila thought. She heard someone approaching and she looked up and saw Cili shaking her head at her.
"You know Omi will be upset you came out here." Cili said.
"I know, but he can't expect me to stay holed up in the hut all the time. I get stir crazy." Kila said, "Besides, I think the little one needs some sun don't you think?" she lightly patted her slightly extended abdomen.
"I suppose I wouldn't hurt." Cili laughed, "I bet Omi wouldn't agree though."
"No he wouldn't, he's too protective."
"Take's after his father."
"That's for sure...oh." Kila sat up, putting her hands on her stomach.
"You ok?" Cili asked concerned.
"I think so..ah."
"Here let me have a feel." Cili said as she gently put her hands and her head on Kila's stomach. After a moment, she sat back up proudly. "Girl it's time to lay that egg."
"What? But the healer said I wasn't due for another week or so."
"When it comes to egg laying and hatching times, healers are often wrong." Cili said with a smirk.
"If you say so."
"Lets get you back to the village." Cili said as she helpped Kila up.
"Great, Omi is going to have a fit."
"Not once he finds out that your having contractions, then he'll panic and start running around like a scrab with its head cut off."
"How do you know he'll do that?"
Cili smiled mischievously,"'Cause that's what his father did."
They both laughed as they made there way back to the village.
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