There goes the neighborhood

Slowly, steadily, I raise my spear.  Treading lightly, I continue to move forward careful to avoid any branch. I am the predator, stalking after my prey. This is it, my chance. Taking a few more steps, I slowly close in on the animal. It is brown coat glistens slightly in whatever sunlight pushes past the trees thick and leafy branches. Slowly, the animal proceeds with caution, and she lowers her nose to the forest floor, checking for any signs of a threat. I watch from a distance, carefully aiming my spear to puncture the animal. We have been blessed, for the animal sighting have been such a rarity. Ducks and beavers can feed a family for so long, for even the simplest of the animals know when a path is no good. The animal is waiting, ready. I aim my spear to just slightly pierce the heart, enough to kill it instantly. Heavy footsteps come barreling through the forest, behind me. I hear shouting, a panic.  In attempt to still catch the deer, I thrust my spear forward, but she is long gone.

“Avonaco!  Come quick!” I hear my brother Azeban calling from a distance. Shifting my gaze from the forest floor to my brother is no easy distinction. Muddy legs with twigs and leaves decorating his torso, and a look of panic on his face. “They have arrived brother,” he tells me hurriedly as he grabs me, pulling guiding me towards the open waters “The Gods, they come in floating boats like ours, yet they defy the great waters with size, and they wear skin like shine of the moon, hard as the rocks that sustain the mountains!”  What I see before me is all but true. Azeban, my brother who is named after a trickster animal and is equally known for deception and fraudulence's, has no mischief in his tales this time.  Our tribal leader welcomes these supposed Gods, the entire tribe flocks to the open waters in attempt to guide them to our land, or homes, our families…

Azeban tears through the shrubberies and I run after him. He is young, and unwise.  Upon reaching the shore, he dives into the water, graceful as a cripple bear. “Azeban” I call to him, warning him of the no good path. Like the brute he is, he begins to scale the side of the ship. I know of my dear brothers intentions, but I can see that they do not.  A chorus of fearful shouting erupts on the boat; Azeban has made his way toward the gods servants I assume. Horrified I look as the servants begin to dear weapons to my dear brother, he as well as I is afraid for his life. Diving out into the water, I hope to liberate Azeban from another reckless predicament he has himself in. Grasping for the side of the boat, I begin climb for fear of my brother’s life. Over the edge of the ship, I see the deck.  Rather than a god, I see a man. A man like no other who wears skin like the sun draws his sword, and slays my brother. These are no gods. They are murderers.