4 - In Time

 Apizhi snuck through the forest, following after muddy turkey tracks. He snuck past several different shrubs, bushes, and flowers. The evening sky made it hard to see. But Apizhi spotted the Turkey. He held the knife tightly, planning every route, every outcome. Watching the Turkey closely, as it ate berries off a shrub. Apizhi picked up a rock, and climbed up a tree. Quietly planting the knife into the tree to hold himself. He peered over a small branch looking at the Turkey.

He took the rock, wanting to throw it, but he didn't. He watched the bird closely. Waiting for it to eat another berry. And it did, only then did Apizhi huck the rock as hard as he could, losing balance as a result. The rock landed behind the Turkey, slamming against another rock with a spark. Apizhi quickly rebalanced himself. The Turkey didn't hesitate, running away from the sound. It ran past the tree holding Apizhi, moving faster than Apizhi anticipated. Apizhi quickly pulled his knife from the tree, and leaped at the bird. Tackling it to the ground. He took up his knife, and stabbed it into the bird's back. Effectively killing it. 

Apizhi took a few deep breaths, pulling the knife out. It was bloody. He grabbed a leaf, and rubbed the blood off the knife, before tucking it under his belt. He placed a hand onto the bird's chest. “Great Grandmother, Wakada, Spirits, give the bird peace. Let its afterlife be pain free.” Apizhi whispered. He grabbed the bird by its neck, and stood up. Carrying the bird off through the forest.

Apizhi found Ak’a at the edge of the forest. Ak'a watched the village from afar. Apizhi walked to Ak’a holding the bird. “I expected it to scratch the crap out of you. But you don’t look injured at all.” Ak’a said. “It didn't get the chance.” Apizhi responded. Ak’a noticed the tucked knife, barren and exposed. A thunderous roar echoed through the forest. Getting both Apizhi and Ak'a’s attention. “The beasts are close. Odd. They shouldn’t be this close to the forest.” Ak’a said. “Beasts? Are we calling them beasts now?”Apizhi asked. “I just like being vague.” Ak’a answered. “I believe that’s called being annoying.” Apizhi responded. They looked through the forest, taking a moment. Apizhi offered the bird to Ak’a. “No. Go dress it. Get it ready to cook.” Ak’a said. Apizhi sighed, walking off to the village.

Apizhi looked at the meat, as it’s cooking. Several other villagers were cooking meat alongside him. He watched Ak’a who was walking around, talking to several other villagers, setting something up. Apizhi watched with curious eyes. Dinner went by fast, and Apizhi returned to his home. A smaller building, somewhat isolated. Apizhi took out the knife, and laid it onto the ground. Before rolling onto the bed. He stared at the roof, then at his hands, noticing the caked on mud and blood. "Why didn't I clean before dinner?" he asked himself as he grabbed his hand, and started to rub off the mud. He stood up, and left his house, leaving the knife. 

Apizhi walked to the river, pulling off his clothes, and getting in. He took sand and clay in the river, and rubbed it against his skin, getting rid of the blood and mud. He ducked his head under the water, washing everything from his hair. He floated around the river for a bit, letting his body rest.

 When he got out, he stretched, and returned to his clothes, finding them in need of washing. He grabbed them and returned to his home. He tossed the clothes into a random corner of the room. and covering up with spare pants. He returned to his bed, finding his knife gone. “Ile!” Apizhi remarked. He rushed out of the house. Looking around. Trying to find any villager who looked even half suspicious. He gritted his teeth, and walked off.

Ak’a was standing behind another villager, who was stitching Deer hide together into a tiny sheath. Afterwards it was engraved with a sun on one side, and the moon on the other. Distinct patterns around the edge of the sheath. “Is this good?” the villager asked. “It will do.” Ak’a answered. He grabbed the sheath, and put Apizhi’s knife in it. “What are you doing? Sabe told me earlier that you were acting off. Asking for random things. Like a shirt with wood sewn into it. Are we preparing for a battle?” the villager asked. “No, we do not have any need to fight. It’s preparation. Not a battle. Don’t worry.” Ak’a answered. “That isn’t reassuring.” the villager said. Ak’a walked away, spotting Apizhi, who walked around, looking for his knife. “Should have listened.” Ak’a said, walking off sneakily.

Apizhi walked around the village, asking every villager for the knife. Getting no helpful answers. Apizhi walked to the plaza. Watching as the villagers put things away, readying themselves for the night. He walked up to a guy. Who was rolling up his tools in a Bison skin. “Sabe. Have you seen Ak’a?” Apizhi asked. “Not in a while. Why?” Sabe asked. He set the skin into a small basket. “I-. I lost-. I ne-. I need his help.” Apizhi admitted. Somewhat defeatedly. “Last time I saw, he was talking with Mikak’e. Go ask her.” Sabe said. Apizhi sighed, walking away.

He reached a house, and knocked on the outside wall. “Ms Mikak’e. I have a question.” Apizhi said. Apizhi looked in, seeing Mikak’e laying in a bed. “Do you mind?” Mikak’e asked. She sat up, and looked at Apizhi, rubbing her eyes. Apizhi walked in. “What do you want?” Mikak’e asked. “I am looking for Ak’a.” Apizhi said. “No clue. He said something earlier about talking to Hanshakan. Go ask him.” Mikak’e said. “I am not going to do that. I already asked him and got nothing.” Apizhi complained. “Well you are out of luck. Go home. Rest. You will see him tomorrow.” Mikak’e said. Apizhi stared daggers at her. “Leave. Please. I need to sleep.” Mikak’e said. Apizhi walked away.

He reluctantly returned home. Finding Ak’a sitting outside his home. Ak'a sat atop a box. “Have fun running around?” Ak’a asked, not looking over. Apizhi closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. “You were here. I have been looking for you for a while.” Apizhi said slowly, emphasizing every syllable. “I have been here for a while.” Ak’a said, standing up. Ak'a looked to Apizhi, seeing clearly how angry Apizhi was. “I lost my knife.” Apizhi said slowly. “Go inside.” Ak’a commanded. Apizhi took a step into his home. Ak’a grabbed the box, and brought it inside, setting it down in front of Apizhi.

“Open the box.” Ak’a said. Apizhi slowly got onto his knees. Looking cautiously at Ak’a. He grabbed the lid and opened it, looking inside the box. He found his knife in a sheath, laying atop clothes. Apizhi took out the knife, inspecting the sheath. Rubbing his finger on the Bison hide. He set it down, and pulled out a large sleeveless vest that had wooden plates woven into the chest. Apizhi put it on, letting it fall past his waist. It was flowy, and light, with distinct zigzags, and curving patterns. Apizhi knocked against the wood. He grabbed the next thing from the box. Wrist bands, he put them on. They covered most of his lower arm, and had wooden sewn into them. Aligning with the bone. He pulled one last set of items. Wooden shin guards matching the wrist bands. Apizhi put them on. He reclaimed his knife, and put it in his belt.

 “So what is this? Am I going to get involved in a war? Is there a war?” Apizhi asked. “Not with us. You have your own war with the Evil Ones.” Ak’a said. “Yeah. I know.” Apizhi whispered. “I don’t think you are ready, but I know you will never be ready. Not living here. Not withering away in this village.” Ak’a started. He placed his hands on Apizhi’s shoulders, comforting him. “You are your father's son, and your mother's son. You are the best parts of them. You are their balance. You gave them meaning. Now, it’s time you find your own meaning.” Ak’a finished. Apizhi looked at Ak’a. Slowly breathing, taking in the words. Ak’a let go. Moving out of Apizhi’s way. “I am grabbing food then.” Apizhi said. He walked to the door. Ready to leave. He hesitated. “Remember Xuye. In time.” Ak’a said. "You don't have to give me speeches every five minutes old man." Apizhi said, smiling at Ak'a.