The low leader's longhouse was dark, and the scent of mixed herbs lingered. The faint moonlight fell into the room, illuminating the two figures sitting opposite each other. Surrounding the figures were a pile of sacrificial bones, and there was a silent silence.
Crow Chief Kakaro lowered his head and said nothing. He stretched out his thin arms, picked up a pine flute from the ground, and put it to his mouth. The ethereal flute sounded in an instant, whining into the night sky.
The voice was distant and desolate, like a call from the wilderness.
Outside the longhouse, Alan's eyes widened. This was the flute music that the chief would always play on the monthly god sacrifice day. She listened to the flute music quietly, looked at the full moon in the sky, and thought about the lone wolf in the wilderness.
. She closed her eyes, thinking about her former relatives and home, and also thought about the tenacity and loneliness of the wolf. The memories of the past were gone like the wind, and the desolate flute sound did not last long before everything stopped.
Kakaro slowly put down his wooden flute. He raised his head and looked at Amosi.
"My child, what do you hear?"
Amosi opened his eyes, showing some longing.
"Chief, I heard the sacrifices and blessings of the Moon God. In the world under the full moon, there are eagles flying far away and vast plateaus..."
"Well. Asimo, the world of the wasteland is vast. Tribes are constantly migrating, and eagles are flying away. Everything is for life and hope, for inheritance and continuation. Now, this valley has become a dead land.
, the dark shadow is coming from the south. We can't resist the shadow, so it's time to leave...ahem!"
Kakaro spoke slowly, the wrinkles on his face trembling, making him look particularly old. Then, his calm narration was interrupted by a violent cough. The old chief bent down in pain and covered his mouth with force. Amosi immediately stepped forward and helped him.
Dear chief, be careful what you do behind your back.
After a while, Kakalo stopped coughing. He let go of his hand, but his palm was filled with dazzling bright red. The old chief silently clenched his palm again and said in a deep voice.
"Asimo, please pass on this message. Throw away unnecessary baggage. The tribe will only bring food... and leave tonight!"
"Ah?! Are you leaving tonight?"
Asimo was a little surprised.
"Yes, let's leave tonight! From a withered yellow leaf, you can see the chill of the entire autumn. The Aztec reinforcements will arrive at the mouth of the valley tomorrow. The danger is imminent. We can't delay it any longer! We have harvested new crops in the past few days.
With some unripe corn and the pumpkins from before, the tribe's food can last for another four to five months. Once they escape from this dead land, there will be new life!...Ahem!"
Kakaro ordered sharply, and then started coughing again. Amosi was about to step forward, but saw the old chief wave his hand heavily.
"Ahem...I'm fine! Seize the time and send envoys to tell the tribes you have good relations with near the mouth of the valley: the great chief of the Aztecs has arrived with reinforcements. His magic is more powerful and his wisdom is more profound.
We will never let go of the northwest valley entrance! Holding on to the valley is a dead end, so escape as soon as possible!..."
"Asimo, the battle at Taniguchi was so tragic that all the tribes were originally afraid. The three major tribes forcibly annexed each tribe, and the ordinary tribes were even more frightened. Now that the enemy's reinforcements have arrived, it is a good opportunity for the tribes to retreat! This is
When the time comes, no one will stop us. The main force of the Red Frog tribe is arranged at the mouth of the east valley, and the old fox also wants to retreat. We have to leave one step earlier than him!..."
"After leaving the valley, head north for three days to avoid the Aztecs' front. Then turn east, all the way east, over the towering mountains, to reach the territory of the Huastecs! Guaquili
The vitality of man lies in the east and north..."
Kakaro paused. His eyes were deep, staring at Amosi in front of him, as if staring at some kind of hope. Then, he slowly opened his palms, revealing a large ball of bright red.
"Asimo, I have said everything that needs to be said. There are some things that do not need to be said, but for you to understand by yourself. I will leave it to you to command tonight's retreat!..."
"Ah, coughing up blood! Chief, you...you...can't..."
Asimo's expression changed drastically. He looked at the red color in Kakalo's palm, as if he were seeing a savage beast. For the first time, deep fear appeared on this man's tough face, which was the parting he had seen countless times. He glared
His eyes were wide open and he shouted in pain.
"Chief...father!..."
"My child, it's okay, don't be sad... My road has come to an end. I can't walk anymore and I don't want to leave. Just let me stay here quietly and leave alone!...Asimo
, your road is still long, you must carry hope and fly like an eagle in the vast wilderness. From today on, the Red Crow Tribe will be handed over to you!...Ahem!"
"Dad!..."
"I'm tired, you go out. Don't come in again...hurry up and leave with the adults and children!"
After saying that, Carkaro lowered his head, no longer looking at Asimo's face, and no longer speaking. The long room was filled with deathly silence.
Asimo was silent for a long time, slowly knelt on the ground, and kowtowed to the old chief three times. Then, his eyes showed sadness, and he turned and left in pain. However, when he walked out of the chief's longhouse, his sadness turned into perseverance.
turned into a stern cry.
"Everyone! Pack your luggage, hurry up, and prepare for the tribe's migration! Within two hours, all adults and children will leave! Envoys who have been to various tribes, please come quickly!"
The suppressed shouts drifted away in the night wind of the valley. Soon, the entire Red Crow camp became busy. Several messengers left with messages and rushed to the tribes near the valley entrance to bring urgent news.
Asimo stood at the bright bonfire, looking at the dark long house. His heart seemed to be divided into two halves, one half fell into the flames, and the other half disappeared into the darkness. Then, a voice like a songbird came, and he was
Wake up from silence.
"Dad! Why doesn't Chief Daddy come out? I heard him coughing!"
Alan stood in front of him, his figure as strong as a deer and his eyes as bright as the full moon.
Asimo stretched out his hand and rubbed Alan's head vigorously. Then, he lowered his eyes and whispered.
"Alan, my grandpa has always loved you very much. He doesn't want to come out, and he won't let dad in. When the alpha wolf in the wilderness reaches a certain age, he will leave the pack alone, find a hilly place under the full moon, and lie down quietly.
There...it's a full moon today. Alan, go in! Before you leave, I want to see my grandpa one last time."
Alan stood there in a daze, his eyes covered with mist. She looked at her father, but Asimo strode away, shouting orders and directing the migration of the tribe. Alan looked at the dark long house again,
After hesitating for a long time, he walked in carefully.
Kakaro still lowered his head and sat among the bones. Hearing the sound, he looked up and a kind smile appeared on his old face.
"Alan, it's you."
Alan walked over and squatted down next to the old chief. The obsidian dagger tied to her thigh made a crisp scraping sound when it hit the bone. The girl stretched out her hands and held Kakalo's arm firmly.
"Chief Grandpa, it's me. I'm here to see you! Well, it's dark in the room and I can't see your face clearly. I'll light up the fire pit!"
"Child, we always have to face the darkness..."
Alan had a cheerful temperament and would do whatever he said. Before Kakalo could finish speaking, she lit the fire pit three times or two. Then, with the faint light of the fire, the girl looked closely at her grandpa's vicissitudes of face.
, as if to firmly remember his appearance.
Kakaro laughed dumbly. He shook his head and his eyes stayed on Alan's obsidian dagger. The old chief thought for a while and waved.
"Alan, give me the dagger. The black wolf head on it is the symbol of the Mexica god. I seem to have seen it somewhere..."
The full moon gradually set in the west, and the night fell into darkness, but the valley mouth in the northwest of the valley gradually woke up. Soon, countless torches were lit at the valley mouth, and the nearby ordinary tribes made a noise. Under the full moon, a red crow flag reflected the moonlight, and several
Thousands of canine descendants carried their luggage and headed north. They held torches and migrated like a pack of wolves howling at the moon.