“Amazing that one so young could kill one of those stealthy jungle cats,” Zane said.
Katiya looked at Jorge. “And the necklace… is there any meaning to those teeth?”
“Likely another display of his skills as a hunter. I’m not entirely sure, but each tooth may represent a large kill.”
“It’s just like helmets in college football,” Bennett said. “You put a little sticker on the back each time you make a big tackle or a hit.”
Jorge nodded. “We may not like to admit it, but we are all much the same. Somewhere deep within, all men want to be known as warriors.”
“The more kills he makes, the higher his standing in the tribe,” Max said. “And the higher his standing, the better his choice of wife.”
The boy squatted down, his gaze still fixed on all the strange people in front of him. Amanda thought he seemed more relaxed, although it was hard to know for sure.
“I think it’s time.” Max looked at Amanda and Katiya. “I want the two of you to come with me.”
Zane looked at him. “I’m not so sure—”
“He’s right,” Jorge said. “Many of the tribes are dominated by males, so they don’t see females as a threat. I believe the two ladies will have a calming influence on him.”
Amanda saw Zane and Bennett exchange a knowing glance. It was obvious Zane was letting him know that they needed to be ready to take action if necessary.
Max looked at Amanda and Katiya then nodded toward the boy. As he stepped forward, they followed close behind. Amanda noticed that he moved slowly, with both hands at his side, palms facing forward. He’d obviously spent enough time with tribesmen to know what put them at ease, so she followed suit.
About halfway there, he turned his head slightly and whispered, “We’re going to be fine. Just don’t make any sudden moves. And please don’t do anything unless I say so.”
“I can’t get over how beautiful he is,” Katiya whispered as they drew closer. “I’ve been to the rainforest on many occasions, but I’ve never experienced anything like this.”
“He’s probably thinking the same thing,” Amanda said with a low chuckle.
When they approached within about ten yards, the boy stiffened slightly. Max stopped and got down on one knee. Amanda and Katiya did likewise.
Max smiled at the boy and then spoke in a strange, almost guttural tongue. Amanda marveled that the linguist could even make his mouth and voice box work like that.
The boy’s eyes widened at the sound of his own language. A smile spread over his face as he made a quick reply.
Moving slowly, Max reached into a pocket and pulled something out. Amanda shifted slightly, trying to get a look. It was a stick of beef jerky. After removing the wrapper, the linguist held the snack up in the air and said something. The boy nodded, and Max tossed it toward him. Without taking his eyes off them, the boy reached down and picked up the jerky. He lifted it to his nose and sniffed it for a few seconds before taking a bite. After chewing and swallowing, he nodded and smiled.
Max turned his head slightly. “That’s good news. He received my gift.”
Not to be outdone, the boy reached into an animal skin pouch that was hanging at his side. A few seconds later, he pulled out what appeared to be two nuts and tossed them toward the linguist, who gathered them up and ate them slowly. The two exchanged a few words, then the boy stood once again.
“We can approach now,” Max said softly.
Amanda rose and followed. The boy’s big brown eyes watched them closely, but she didn’t sense any distrust in his gaze.
When they drew within a few feet, Max stopped, and the two began to speak back and forth. Their exchange lasted for several minutes. At one point, Max gestured toward Amanda and Katiya and said something. Amanda presumed he was making a brief introduction. Katiya smiled and nodded, so Amanda did likewise. The boy spoke and then bowed his head slightly.
“We’re quite fortunate,” Max said. His face with beaming with excitement. “He’s very friendly and very trusting. Perhaps too trusting.”
“I see your point,” Katiya said. “Not everyone is as friendly as we are. Who did you say we are?”
“I told him that we’re a friendly tribe of people who are simply passing through. I told him we respect their boundaries and that we mean his people no harm. I also told him that we’d be happy to help him in any way we could.”
“And what did he say?” Amanda asked.
Max looked at her. “Something very exciting… he said that he would be willing to help us as well.”
Katiya’s face beamed. “Maybe he’d be willing to accompany us. Did you get his name?”
“Osak.”
Upon hearing his name, the boy’s eyes widened. Amanda smiled at him.
“As I told you before, they are generally much more comfortable around females, which is why I brought the two of you with me. I think they can sense that you’re much less prone to aggression. I’ve seen it time and time again.”
“Is he good with that bow?” Amanda asked.
Max nodded. “You wouldn’t want to be on the other end of one of those arrows. He could probably impale a lizard on a tree trunk at fifty feet.”
Suddenly the boy began to speak and gesture with his hands.
Katiya’s brow furrowed. “Uh-oh. What did he say?”
“I’m not completely sure, something about a chieftain.”
“Maybe he’s asking who our leader is,” Katiya said. “Shall we call Zane forward?”
Max first frowned at the mention of the operative’s name then shrugged. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt.”
Katiya turned and waved at Zane while Max continued speaking to the boy.
“You were right,” Max said. “He does want to speak to our leader.”
Zane approached slowly. When he drew even with the others, he said, “I see you made a new friend.”
Osak fixed his gaze on him. After studying the operative for a few seconds, he said a few words that sounded like a short statement of some kind.
Zane patted his own chest. “Zane.”
“Zane,” Osak repeated.
Osak’s expression suddenly changed. Amanda could tell he was upset about something. He pointed at the sky and spoke in an excited tone.
“He doesn’t seem happy,” Katiya said.
Max listened for a moment then translated what the boy had said. “He’s telling Zane that a bad storm is approaching, and that he should help his people find cover. He mentioned something about fire from the sky.”
Zane looked up. “It’s been clear all—”
Suddenly there was a clap of thunder in the distance. Amanda looked toward a distant break in the trees. The previously blue sky was now steel gray. Seconds later, the trees began to sway, blown by the approaching winds.
As Zane turned to the others and barked orders for everyone to set up their tents, Katiya turned to Amanda. “Osak needs to come with us. Can you imagine how much help he’d be?”
Amanda had to agree. It was as though the little boy had been sent by God.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Zane stuck his head out from underneath the tarp they’d set up between four trees. The wind had died, and the rain had lightened to a steady drizzle. The worst of the storm appeared to be over, giving him hope that they could be moving again soon.
Hearing a gasp of delight, Zane turned around. Jorge was sitting a few feet away, lighting the tip of a cigar. Osak stared at the flame, his eyes widening with wonder. Then he said something in an excited tone.
Amanda looked at Max. “What did he say?”
“He said he’s heard of fire makers, but it’s the first time he’s ever seen one,” Max said.
Jorge held his lighter out in front of the boy. He flicked the thumbwheel, causing the flame to leap out of the steel hood. Unable to control himself, Osak reached out and took the lighter from Jorge. He flicked the thumbwheel a couple of times, to no avail.