de Rodica Bretin<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0Smucise cu at\u00e2ta putere c\u0103 suli\u0163a i s-a fr\u00e2nt ca o trestie. A azv\u00e2rlit-o c\u00e2t colo. O noapte de p\u00e2nd\u0103, o zi de h\u0103i\u00adtu\u00adial\u0103 \u2013 pentru ce? S-a aplecat, a s\u0103ltat c\u0103prioara pe umeri, apoi a pornit cu pa\u015fi mari printre copaci, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103-i vad\u0103. Lumina alb\u0103 a zorilor, s\u0103lb\u0103ticiunea abia deslu\u015findu-se \u00een cl\u0103tinarea frunzi\u015fului, bra\u0163ul s\u0103u \u00eencle\u015ft\u00e2nd lemnul dintr-o dat\u0103 viu, \u00eencordarea dinaintea saltului \u2013 pe toate le-a tr\u0103it din nou, \u00eentr-o clip\u0103 \u015fi g\u00e2ndul acela s-a ivit nechemat, r\u0103zvr\u0103tindu-i fiece sim\u0163ire. Cu el, bucuria pierea, iar trupul c\u0103prioarei i-a p\u0103rut deodat\u0103 prea greu \u2013 goana \u00eenge\u00adnun\u00adcheat\u0103 a pr\u0103zii, iscusin\u0163a lui erau de-acum ale Capului de Piatr\u0103. A\u015fa fusese dintotdeauna, \u00eens\u0103 ceva \u00een\u0103untrul s\u0103u nu-i d\u0103dea pace: de ce s\u0103 trudeasc\u0103 pentru Hind? Doar fiindc\u0103 to\u0163i v\u00e2n\u0103torii se supuneau unei r\u00e2nduieli c\u0103reia numai b\u0103tr\u00e2nii \u00eei mai \u015ftiau rostul?<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dincolo de copaci, de tufele tot mai rare \u00eencepeau colinele, \u00een\u015firuindu-se p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een zarea unde asfin\u0163ea soarele. Din \u00eenalturi, o ploaie de jar curgea pe p\u0103m\u00eent, peste trunchiuri, peste Cap. Hind: \u0163east\u0103 lustruit\u0103, orbite ve\u015fnic \u00eentunecate, gura c\u00e2t o pe\u015fter\u0103, cu din\u0163i dintr-o piatr\u0103 galben\u0103, lucioas\u0103. Semn de hotar, de aducere-aminte\u2026 Kyle a lep\u0103dat c\u0103prioara pe lespedea din fa\u0163a Lui, l\u00e2ng\u0103 co\u015furi, salbe \u015fi bl\u0103nuri; r\u0103suflarea i se iu\u0163ise, o ghear\u0103 \u00eei \u00eencle\u015fta pieptul. Frica, abur otr\u0103vit, \u00eei d\u0103dea t\u00e2rcoale. Dar n-avea s\u0103 fug\u0103. Aici era lespedea, \u00een urm\u0103 copacii, iar Hind nu se clintise \u2013 cine s\u0103-i cread\u0103 pe b\u0103tr\u00e2ni?! C\u00e2nd cele puse pe lespede piereau ca luate de v\u00e2nt, Capul era mul\u0163umit; \u015fi nici un om al p\u0103durii nu \u00eendr\u0103znea s\u0103-l m\u00e2nie, de\u015fi nu se ar\u0103tase cuiva de mult\u0103, mult\u0103 vreme. Odat\u0103, c\u00eend iernile erau mai lungi dec\u00eet vara \u015fi toamna la un loc, v\u00e2n\u0103torii tribului se av\u00e2ntaser\u0103 \u00een coline \u2013 lumea Lui. Nu se \u00eentorsese nici unul, iar asupra femeilor din corturi se ab\u0103tuse pr\u0103p\u0103dul, El n\u0103p\u0103dind s\u0103la\u015ful din toate p\u0103r\u0163ile, cu mul\u0163imi de trupuri ce purtau acela\u015fi chip \u015fi loveau cu fulgere \u00eempietrite. A ucis, a siluit, a supus. Apoi \u00ee\u015fi l\u0103sase Capul la marginea p\u0103durii \u015fi cele d\u0103ruite cu via\u0163\u0103 i-au dus din ce agoniseau, zi dup\u0103 zi, ca s\u0103-l \u0163in\u0103 departe. A\u015fa au f\u0103cut \u015fi copiii lor, \u015fi nenum\u0103ra\u0163i al\u0163ii dup\u0103 ei\u2026 \u00cens\u0103 Kyle nu se temea de oameni, nici de fiare \u2013 \u015fi l-ar fi putut r\u0103pune. Ce s\u0103-i ia Hind altceva dec\u00e2t s\u00e2ngele, suflarea din piept? \u00centr-o zi o s\u0103-i strige \u00een fa\u0163\u0103, o s\u0103-l caute \u00een lumea Lui, singur, \u015fi atunci va vedea, va \u015fti.<\/p>\n \u00a0*<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u0162ip\u0103tul unui \u015foim, ascu\u0163it, sfredelitor. Dara a z\u00e2mbit, p\u0103\u015find \u00een apa groas\u0103, cald\u0103, ce clipocea \u00eentre col\u0163ii de st\u00e2nc\u0103. S-a afundat \u00eencet, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce undele i-au trecut de mijloc, apoi a \u00eenchis ochii \u015fi s-a l\u0103sat pe spate. O clip\u0103, dou\u0103, zece; c\u00e2nd a \u0163\u00e2\u015fnit afar\u0103, stropii nu s-au \u00eempr\u0103\u015ftiat, au c\u0103zut aproape, grei, \u015fi albastrul care se li\u00adpea, \u00eei p\u0103trundea \u00een piele, i-a p\u0103rut iar\u0103\u015fi lacrima nop\u0163ii, m\u00e2n\u00adg\u00e2\u00adiere \u015fi \u00eendemn. Chemarea p\u0103s\u0103rii r\u0103t\u0103cite peste Coline a r\u0103sunat \u00eenc\u0103 o dat\u0103, parc\u0103 mustr\u0103\u00adtoare; cu o unduire lene\u015f\u0103, Dara a plutit spre mal.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Trupul \u00eei amor\u0163ise, g\u00e2ndurile-i erau tulburi \u2013 Kyle s-a scuturat cu furie. S\u0103 fi fost somnul, spaima?\u2026 De trei ori p\u00e2ndise \u00een tufele de salc\u00e2m \u015fi zorii \u00eel g\u0103seau mereu \u00eenaintea lespezii goale. \u00cen noaptea asta n-o s\u0103 mai fie a\u015fa! Lini\u015fte, adieri, zborul t\u0103cut al bufni\u0163elor; \u015fi, brusc, fiorul, ghea\u0163a scurs\u0103 pe \u015fira spin\u0103rii: ceva mi\u015fcase acolo, l\u00eeng\u0103 lespede. Apoi mai departe \u015fi iar\u0103\u015fi \u2013 \u00een Capul de Piatr\u0103? Suflarea lui Hind, umbr\u0103 prin bezne? C\u0103ci v\u00e2natul, darurile erau neatinse\u2026 N-a stat s\u0103 chibzuiasc\u0103. Fuga de la un bolovan la altul, pe\u015ftera tot mai aproape, mai cumplit\u0103; \u00een sf\u00e2r\u015fit, urcu\u015ful.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 V\u0103zduh fierbinte, umed \u2013 g\u00e2tlejul lui Hind. Kyle a \u00eentins m\u00e2inile, orb, neputincios. Abia dup\u0103 un timp a deslu\u015fit trecerea spre albia \u00eengust\u0103 de nisip. Din loc \u00een loc, c\u0103u\u015fe s\u0103pate \u00een st\u00e2nc\u0103, pline cu un s\u00e2nge negru; din fiecare se isca o flac\u0103r\u0103 c\u00eet palma \u015fi, v\u0103paie dup\u0103 v\u0103paie, se \u00een\u015firuiau p\u00e2n\u0103 departe, p\u00e2lp\u00e2ind \u00een \u00eentuneric.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2026 Umbre. Una dreapt\u0103, \u00eengust\u0103 ca o lam\u0103, alerg\u00e2nd la picioa\u00adrele Darei; cealalt\u0103 fr\u00e2nt\u0103, mereu schimb\u0103toare, preling\u00e2ndu-se pe pere\u0163i. De c\u00e2nd se \u015ftia, avusese umbre \u00een preajm\u0103, uneori at\u00e2tea \u00eenc\u00e2t se \u00eenchideau \u00eemprejuru-i aidoma unor petale. O urmau pretutindeni, chiar \u015fi \u00een apa albastr\u0103, c\u0103ci Colinele erau lumea lor, ca \u015fi a ronilor\u2026 \u00cen p\u0103dure \u00eens\u0103 n-avea dec\u00e2t una, firav\u0103, sfielnic\u0103, lipindu-i-se de c\u0103lc\u00e2ie. \u015ei pe ea o tulburau cerul prea limpede, copacii \u015fi desi\u015furile fo\u015fnitoare \u2013 casa Celorlal\u0163i, oamenii \u00eenve\u015fm\u00e2nta\u0163i \u00een piei, tr\u0103ind printre jivine, deopotriv\u0103 cu ele. Dara nu-i v\u0103zuse niciodat\u0103; nu se apropiau de hotar dec\u00eet ca s\u0103-\u015fi re\u00eennoiasc\u0103 darurile. C\u00e2ndva, triburile cutezaser\u0103 s\u0103 vin\u0103 \u00een Coline, n\u0103zuind la focul \u015fi ad\u0103posturile ronilor. Nu aflaser\u0103 dec\u00e2t moartea \u2013 \u015fi copiii lui Hind au purtat-o p\u00e2n\u0103 \u00een p\u0103dure, cru\u0163\u00e2nd doar at\u00e2\u0163ia s\u0103lbatici c\u00e2t s\u0103 nu li se sting\u0103 neamul. \u00cens\u0103 asta fusese demult \u015fi nimeni nu mai \u015ftia ce fac triburile \u00een nem\u0103rginirea de trunchiuri \u015fi frunzi\u015f. V\u00e2natul, podoabele nu lipseau, ba, de la o vreme erau tot mai bogate\u2026 Oare, \u00een Ceilal\u0163i, frica se p\u0103strase la fel de treaz\u0103? Supunerea le era deprindere sau vicle\u015fug?<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2026 Kyle p\u0103\u015fea ca pe jar. Abia ie\u015fise de sub p\u0103m\u00e2nt \u015fi lumea aceea, \u00een care soarele nu se vedea, iar cerul cobor\u00e2se pe v\u00e2rful movilelor de piatr\u0103 nu \u00eenceta s\u0103-l uimeasc\u0103. Izvoare \u0163\u00e2\u015fnind ca ni\u015fte flori de ap\u0103, r\u00e2uri fierbin\u0163i, bolborosind printre bolovani \u015fi ochiuri de m\u00e2l v\u00e2n\u0103t din care se \u00een\u0103l\u0163au v\u0103p\u0103i, lumina s\u00e2ngerie, de asfin\u0163it ve\u015fnic, aburii cu miros \u00een\u0163ep\u0103tor \u2013 a\u015fa s\u0103 fie m\u0103runtaiele lui Hind? \u015eiruri de st\u00e2nci aidoma unor trunchiuri, ramuri de cremene arcuite peste ape, steiuri \u015fi mu\u015furoaie, g\u0103uri ad\u00e2nci \u00een p\u0103m\u00e2nt. Pe nea\u015fteptate, o spinare albastr\u0103 lucind \u00eenaintea lui. Un om? S-a furi\u015fat neauzit dup\u0103 f\u0103ptura ce disp\u0103ruse printre aburi \u015fi fl\u0103c\u0103ri. C\u00eend a ajuns-o, siluet\u0103 singuratic\u0103 \u00een umbra dintre doi pere\u0163i, s-a n\u0103pustit \u015fi toate s-au petrecut \u00eentr-o clip\u0103: \u0163ip\u0103tul, zv\u00e2rcolirea femeii \u00een bra\u0163ele lui, lovitura, apoi trupul at\u00e2rn\u00e2nd, nu mai greu dec\u00eet o c\u0103prioar\u0103.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2026 Flac\u0103ra unduia prea aproape de obrazul ei \u015fi Dara a dat s\u0103 se ridice. \u00cens\u0103 gleznele \u00eei erau str\u00e2ns legate, la fel \u015fi m\u00e2inile, \u015fi o f\u00e2\u015fie de piele \u00eei strivea buzele. Z\u0103cea cu fa\u0163a la peretele \u00een care se des\u00adlu\u015feau nenum\u0103rate firide. \u00cen\u0103untru, vase mari, cu gurile astu\u00adpate cu cear\u0103; o pe\u015fter\u0103 p\u0103str\u0103toare \u2013 dar cum ajunsese acolo?<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 S-a r\u0103sucit pe cealalt\u0103 parte. L\u00e2ng\u0103 ea, dormea un s\u0103lbatic: p\u0103rul ar\u0103miu, pieptul plin de cicatrice, pielea ars\u0103 de soare \u015fi v\u00e2nturi, ve\u015fm\u00e2ntul, \u00eenc\u0103l\u0163\u0103rile, cu\u0163itul din col\u0163ul unei fiare de care n-auzise\u2026 Era cu adev\u0103rat om? C\u00e2nd s-a mi\u015fcat, murmur\u00e2nd ceva, Dara a tres\u0103rit \u015fi lupta, \u00eencle\u015ftarea,\u00a0 durerea din ceaf\u0103, pe toate le-a sim\u0163it \u00eenc\u0103 o dat\u0103. Cutezaser\u0103 oamenii p\u0103durii iar\u0103\u015fi\u2026?<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 B\u0103rbatul se trezea. G\u00e2ndurile Darei au pierit, m\u00e2nia i s-a pierdut \u00een \u015fuvoiul spaimei; dar el n-a luat-o \u00een seam\u0103. \u00ce\u015fi dezmor\u0163ea bra\u0163ele \u015fi, privindu-l, Dara vedea parc\u0103 haitele de oameni ai p\u0103durii n\u0103v\u0103lind \u00een Coline, ucig\u00e2nd, supun\u00e2nd \u2013 da, supun\u00e2nd, a\u015fa cum \u015fi ea c\u0103zuse \u00een puterea lui \u2013, c\u0103ci ronii r\u0103m\u0103\u00adse\u00adser\u0103 at\u00e2t de pu\u0163ini \u015fi erau at\u00e2t de nes\u0103bui\u0163i\u2026 Se bizuiser\u0103 pe teama Celorlal\u0163i \u015fi iat\u0103, acum aveau s\u0103 cunoasc\u0103 teama, pieirea.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 De la intrare, s\u0103lbaticul se uita afar\u0103. Avea cu\u0163itul \u00een pumn, p\u00e2ndea; Dara nu mai pricepea nimic. De cine se ferea el<\/em><\/strong>?! Brusc, o lumin\u0103 i-a izbucnit sub frunte, n\u0103ucind-o: omul p\u0103durii \u00eei luase urma, singur. Drumul pe sub p\u0103m\u00e2nt nu mai era taina ronilor, se va \u00eentoarce cu ai lui \u015fi doar ea purta vina. Cum de nu-l auzise furi\u015f\u00e2ndu-se \u00een Coridor, cum de se l\u0103sase dobor\u00e2t\u0103 at\u00e2t de lesne?\u2026 A \u00eenchis ochii. G\u00e2tul i se uscase, inima \u00eei zv\u00e2cnea dureros, lacrimi fierbin\u0163i i se scur\u00adgeau spre b\u0103rbie. Cineva a apucat-o de umeri \u015fi Darei i-a sc\u0103\u00adpat un sc\u00e2ncet curmat iute. Deci, aici se sf\u00e2r\u015feau toate. Atin\u00adgeri pe care nu le putea deslu\u015fi, leg\u0103turile desprin\u00adz\u00e2n\u00addu-se ca ni\u015fte \u015ferpi f\u0103r\u0103 via\u0163\u0103, s\u00e2ngele alerg\u00e2nd prin trupul \u00een\u00ad\u00ad\u0163e\u00ad\u00adpenit \u2013 \u015fi-a ridicat pleoapele. S\u0103lbaticul era aplecat a\u00adsup\u00adr\u0103-i. Ochii alba\u015ftri \u00eei \u00eentorceau uimirea, cu\u0163itul z\u0103cea pe ni\u00adsip; apoi n-a mai v\u0103zut dec\u00e2t vasul pe care m\u00e2inile lui i-l du\u00ad\u00adceau la buze, apa din care sorbea cu \u00eenghi\u0163ituri zgomotoase.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 B\u0103rbatul a izbit buc\u0103\u0163ile de cremene \u015fi sc\u00e2nteia s-a pref\u0103cut \u00een v\u0103p\u0103i ce dansau de la o scobitur\u0103 la alta, umpl\u00e2nd pe\u015ftera de lumin\u0103. Ghemuit\u0103 \u00eentr-un cotlon, Dara se uita la el. O fiar\u0103<\/em><\/strong>, \u015fi-a spus, dar f\u0103r\u0103 s-o mai cread\u0103. C\u0103ci s\u0103lbaticul \u015ftia s\u0103 aprind\u0103 focul \u015fi ghicise lesne, prea lesne<\/em><\/strong>, rostul izvorului care hr\u0103nea fl\u0103c\u0103rile, \u00eenv\u0103\u0163ase chiar s\u0103 le st\u0103p\u00e2neasc\u0103, turn\u00e2nd nisip c\u00e2nd cre\u015fteau prea mult. Apoi, deprinsese cum s\u0103 fiarb\u0103 f\u00e2\u015fiile de carne uscat\u0103, g\u0103sise frunzele care le d\u0103deau gust \u015fi totul f\u0103r\u0103 ca ea s\u0103 fi scos o vorb\u0103 \u2013 mai bine ar fi murit de foame. \u00cens\u0103 omul p\u0103durii n-o \u00eentrebase vreodat\u0103 ceva. P\u0103rea c\u0103 o uitase, o lega doar noaptea \u015fi Dara se putea mi\u015fca \u00een voie, din zori p\u00e2n\u0103 la asfin\u0163it. Nu \u00eencercase s\u0103 fug\u0103 \u2013 n-ar fi apucat s\u0103 ias\u0103, iar \u00een valea pe\u015fterilor p\u0103str\u0103\u00adtoare ronii nu veneau dec\u00e2t arareori \u015fi nimeni n-ar fi auzit-o stri\u00adg\u00e2nd. Dar el? De ce nu pleca? Mereu gata de salt, ca o fiar\u0103, t\u0103cut, o privea parc\u0103 f\u0103r\u0103 s-o vad\u0103 \u015fi umilirea aceea era, pentru Dara, cel mai greu de \u00eendurat. S-o sf\u00e2rtece, s-o at\u00e2rne printre hartanele din c\u00e2rligele de os, s\u0103-\u015fi verse furia de s\u0103lb\u0103ticiune \u00een capcan\u0103 \u2013 ar fi \u00een\u0163eles. A\u015fa nu-i r\u0103m\u00e2nea dec\u00eet s\u0103 a\u015ftepte.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2026 Kyle a scrijelit \u00eenc\u0103 un semn, l\u00e2ng\u0103 celelalte. Opt zile de p\u00e2nd\u0103, opt nop\u0163i \u00een care se furi\u015fa afar\u0103 ne\u015ftiut de ea, ca s\u0103 caute ce n-avea s\u0103 g\u0103seasc\u0103: drumul spre p\u0103dure. Erau at\u00e2t de multe pe\u015fteri, fl\u0103c\u0103ri, ape, at\u00e2tea cr\u00e2nguri \u00eempietrite, at\u00e2tea poteci\u2026 \u00cenaintea zorilor se \u00eentorcea istovit, trec\u00e2nd pe l\u00e2ng\u0103 str\u0103ina care dormea \u015fi, uneori, apuca s\u0103 a\u0163ipeasc\u0103, p\u00e2n\u0103 c\u00e2nd \u00eel dezmeticea lucirea tulbure a zilei lui Hind. Se g\u00e2ndise, o dat\u0103, s-o sileasc\u0103 pe femeie s\u0103-i arate drumul. Dar nu se c\u0103dea ca un v\u00een\u0103tor s\u0103-\u015fi v\u0103deasc\u0103 puterea asupra celor slabi \u2013 \u015fi apoi, el i-ar fi tr\u0103dat pe ai s\u0103i? C\u0103ci \u00een fagurele de piatr\u0103 tr\u0103iau copiii lui Hind. \u015ei str\u0103ina cu trup \u015fi plete albastre era una de-a lor \u2013 buzele str\u00eense, m\u00e2nia care-o asprea c\u00e2nd li se \u00eent\u00e2lneau privirile, ura de dup\u0103 prima spaim\u0103\u2026 N-avea chipul lui Hind, nici fulgerele de care vorbeau b\u0103tr\u00e2nii, \u00eens\u0103 poate c\u0103 fiicele Lui erau altfel, mai asemenea oamenilor. Ce \u015ftiau b\u0103tr\u00e2nii?! Nimeni nu le spusese v\u00e2n\u0103torilor c\u0103 trudeau pentru ca \u00een lumea Lui s\u0103 fie bel\u015fug, c\u0103 darurile erau puse la p\u0103strare \u00een ascunz\u0103tori ca aceasta, din care s-ar fi \u00eendestulat triburile ani la r\u00eend\u2026 C\u0103 aici curgeau ape din care \u0163\u00e2\u015fnea focul, groase, lene\u015fe, g\u00e2lg\u00e2\u00eeitoare \u015fi altele care frigeau \u015fi altele amare ca fierea. C\u0103 aici nu era frig niciodat\u0103, dar soarele nu izbutea s\u0103 treac\u0103 prin aburii de\u015fi, c\u0103 \u00een lumea de piatr\u0103 nu cre\u015fteau nici copaci, nici iarb\u0103, nici m\u0103car buruieni. Nu v\u0103zuse p\u0103s\u0103ri, jivine, nici \u015ferpi sau broa\u015fte \u2013 oare v\u00e2naser\u0103 copiii lui Hind \u00een p\u0103dure, \u00eenainte<\/em><\/strong>\u2026?<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A luat un vas gol \u015fi l-a aruncat \u00een perete, \u00eens\u0103 vasul a c\u0103zut pe nisip f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103 se sparg\u0103. \u00cenc\u0103 unul \u015fi \u00eenc\u0103 unul \u015fi, pe nea\u015fteptate, i-a r\u0103spuns un sunet ascu\u0163it, ca un \u0163ur\u0163ure de ghea\u0163\u0103 lovit cu securea. \u00cen cel mai \u00eendep\u0103rtat col\u0163 al pe\u015fterii, \u00een p\u0103m\u00eentul alb ce acoperea st\u00e2nca sclipea ceva \u015fi femeia se ridicase cu ochii mari, \u00eenfrico\u015fa\u0163i, a \u00eentins m\u00e2inile, dar el a fost mai iute, din c\u00e2teva salturi era acolo, izbind, izbind \u015fi buc\u0103\u0163i \u00eentregi se desprindeau, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce peretele s-a cl\u0103tinat, pr\u0103bu\u015findu-se cu un vuiet asurzitor.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Un nor de praf, mormanul de bolovani cu margini netede, t\u0103iate drept, str\u0103ina tremur\u00e2nd l\u00e2ng\u0103 el \u015fi, \u00eentr-o scobitur\u0103 \u00eenalt\u0103 c\u00eet gura pe\u015fterii, \u015firuri de chipuri cioplite dintr-o piatr\u0103 cum nu mai \u00eent\u00e2lnise. Chipuri m\u00e2nioase, aidoma, cu frunte bulbucat\u0103 \u015fi f\u0103lci c\u0103scate \u00eentr-un urlet mut \u2013 Hind. Sub fiecare, fulgere \u00eenghe\u0163ate, str\u0103vezii, aprindeau v\u0103zduhul \u00eentunecat al taini\u0163ei.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Kyle a ridicat arma \u015fi lama lung\u0103, \u00eengust\u0103, cu dou\u0103 t\u0103i\u015furi a lucit aidoma ochiului de \u015farpe. Rece. Primejdioas\u0103. At\u00e2t de tare c\u0103 nici st\u00e2nca n-o ciobea. La un cap\u0103t era ro\u00adtun\u00adjit\u0103, pe m\u0103sura pumnului, la cel\u0103lalt se termina \u00eentr-un v\u00eerf ca frunzele salciei. \u00cen\u0103untru se \u00eentrez\u0103reau siluete fu\u00admurii zv\u00e2rcolindu-se, umbrind limpezimea verde \u2013 spai\u00adme\u00adle celor r\u0103pu\u015fi de lam\u0103\u2026 Avusese destule arme, din lemn, din os, din piatr\u0103, arcuri, l\u0103nci, securi. Fulgerul \u00eenghe\u0163at se potrivea s\u0103 despice, s\u0103 reteze \u2013 \u00eens\u0103 era greu, anevoie de cump\u0103nit \u015fi, dup\u0103 ce \u00eel f\u0103cea s\u0103 \u015fuiere o vreme prin v\u0103zduh, Kyle \u00ee\u015fi sim\u0163ea bra\u0163ele amor\u0163ite de \u00eencordare. Nu \u015ftia s\u0103-l foloseasc\u0103; dar avea s\u0103 \u00eenve\u0163e.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dara \u015fi-a str\u00e2ns picioarele sub ea: \u00eei venea s\u0103 se repead\u0103 la omul p\u0103durii, s\u0103-l str\u0103pung\u0103, s\u0103-l h\u0103cuiasc\u0103. Armele ronilor \u2013 ce l\u0103saser\u0103 s\u0103 se a\u015ftearn\u0103 uitarea peste ele \u2013 \u00een m\u00e2inile lui?! \u015ei c\u00eet de departe era ziua c\u00e2nd avea s\u0103-i \u00eenfrunte, \u00een lumea lor, cu darurile celui care-i c\u0103l\u0103uzise aici \u00een timpul Ghe\u0163arilor, sc\u0103p\u00e2ndu-i de iarna f\u0103r\u0103 sf\u00e2r\u015fit? Chipurile lui Hind, t\u0103iate din cristal albastru \u00eel tulburau \u00eenc\u0103. Pentru c\u00e2t\u0103 vreme?\u2026 B\u0103rbatul continua s\u0103 h\u0103cuiasc\u0103 v\u0103zduhul. Cu st\u00e2ng\u0103cie. Cu lovituri ce ar fi dobor\u00e2t un trunchi. Iar umbra lui, uria\u015f\u0103 pe pere\u0163ii netezi, v\u00e2j\u00e2itul necontenit, cre\u015fteau, \u00eennebunitor, p\u00e2n\u0103 ce toate s-au amestecat \u015fi Dara s-a pomenit sub chipurile lui Hind. N-a \u015ftiut cum a smuls o spad\u0103, cum a ajuns \u00eenaintea s\u0103lbaticului care o privea uluit.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fulgerul verde i-a mu\u015fcat din um\u0103r \u2013 ustur\u0103tor, ca o arsur\u0103. \u00cens\u0103 femeia izbise prea slab \u015fi Kyle a s\u0103rit \u00een l\u0103turi. Alte dou\u0103 luciri, gata s\u0103-i smulg\u0103 arma, o \u00eempuns\u0103tur\u0103 \u00een \u015fold, s\u00e2ngele preling\u00eendu-se pe sub ve\u015fm\u00eent. Cum putea s\u0103 fie a\u015fa de iute? Aproape c\u0103 nici nu vedea rotirile lamei din m\u00e2inile ei \u015fi totu\u015fi era la fel de grea, iar str\u0103ina at\u00e2t de firav\u0103\u2026 A\u015fa s\u0103 fi fost \u015fi atunci<\/em><\/strong>? Copiii lui Hind, iu\u0163i ca viperele, armele lor despic\u00e2nd piepturi \u015fi p\u00e2ntece, v\u00e2n\u0103torii c\u0103z\u00e2nd pentru a nu se mai ridica? Dar chipul femeii nu era al lui Hind; chiar cu r\u0103t\u0103cirea care-i ur\u00e2\u0163ea obrazul, chiar cu \u00eend\u00e2rjirea din ochii l\u0103rgi\u0163i de turbare. Uneori, noaptea, o auzea gem\u00e2nd \u00een somn \u015fi se ducea s\u0103-i sl\u0103beasc\u0103 leg\u0103turile \u2013 nu-i pl\u0103ceau la\u0163urile, cursele, tot ce chinuia om ori s\u0103lb\u0103ticiune\u2026 O mi\u015fcare gre\u015fit\u0103, \u00eenc\u0103 o crest\u0103tur\u0103. A v\u0103zut ochii str\u0103inei m\u0103rindu-se \u015fi mai mult: moartea era cu ei. Brusc, ceva s-a r\u0103zvr\u0103tit \u00een g\u00e2ndurile lui, nu, n-avea s\u0103 fie r\u0103pus de fiica lui Hind, a azv\u00e2rlit lama arunc\u00e2ndu-se spre picioarele albastre, o smucitur\u0103 \u015fi femeia a fost la p\u0103m\u00e2nt, iar el i-a zburat arma, r\u0103sucindu-i bra\u0163ele la spate. Str\u0103ina a strigat o dat\u0103, apoi a \u00eenceput s\u0103 se zv\u00eercoleasc\u0103 \u015fi doar t\u00e2rziu, c\u00e2nd a \u0163intuit-o sub trupul lui s-a mai potolit, de\u015fi r\u0103scolea nisipul cu c\u0103lc\u00e2iele \u015fi capul i se rostogolea \u00eentr-o \u00eenvolburare de plete \u00eenc\u00e2lcite.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 R\u0103sufl\u00e2nd arar, anume ca s\u0103 amu\u0163easc\u0103 tunetele ce-i r\u0103sunau sub t\u00e2mple, Kyle s-a arcuit, uit\u00eendu-se la femeie: pielea \u00eei lucea \u00een penumbr\u0103, s\u00e2nii alunecaser\u0103 spre coaste, p\u00e2ntecele tres\u0103rea la fiece r\u0103sucire. A atins buzele sub\u0163iri, palma i-a cobor\u00eet de-a lungul g\u00e2tului, s-a oprit pe rotunjimea unui s\u00e2n \u015fi degetele s-au \u00eenfipt singure \u00een carnea moale. Str\u0103ina a zv\u00e2cnit, dar el a silit-o s\u0103 r\u0103m\u00e2n\u0103 nemi\u015fcat\u0103: o vreme a p\u0103rut s\u0103 \u015fov\u0103ie, apoi \u00eencle\u015ftarea s-a pref\u0103cut \u00een m\u00e2ng\u00e2iere.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 M\u00e2na b\u0103rbatului se l\u0103sa \u00een jos \u015fi Dara a dat s\u0103-\u015fi \u00eencordeze coapsele, \u00eens\u0103 fiorii nu-i \u00eeng\u0103duiau, de ce tremura, de ce nu \u0163ipa s\u0103 sparg\u0103 pere\u0163ii, s-o aud\u0103 lumea \u00eentreag\u0103, de ce\u2026? O durere scurt\u0103, c\u0103ldura alerg\u00e2ndu-i prin vine \u015fi bucuria, ciudat\u0103, cum nu mai \u00eencercase: o lumin\u0103 aurie \u00eenec\u00e2nd pe\u015ftera, \u015foapte, unduiri r\u0103spunz\u00e2ndu-\u015fi f\u0103r\u0103 gre\u015f\u2026 Un g\u00e2nd fugar, nel\u0103murit, o \u00eentrebare uitat\u0103, iar\u0103\u015fi ame\u0163eala, buzele lui c\u0103ut\u00e2ndu-i pleoapele, bl\u00e2nde\u0163ea din ochii alba\u015ftri \u015fi altceva, nu mai \u015ftia ce dar \u00eei lipsise, unde se ad\u00e2nceau am\u00e2ndoi acum?<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2026Dara a deschis ochii. Afar\u0103, zorii se luptau cu noaptea \u015fi \u00een tot trupul, \u00een suflet, lini\u015ftea alungase orice g\u00eend. Capul str\u0103inului se odihnea pe \u015foldul ei, avea obrazul fierbinte, degetele i-au r\u0103t\u0103cit prin p\u0103rul de flac\u0103r\u0103 \u015fi o clip\u0103 a fost gata s\u0103 strige. Nu era legat\u0103<\/em><\/strong>. Tumultul de sub frunte a izbucnit pe nea\u015fteptate, nemilos. S\u0103 fug\u0103? El dormea, cristalul spadelor sclipea pe perete \u2013 a alungat g\u00eendul\u2026 de ce? \u2013, cineva trebuia s\u0103 le spun\u0103 ronilor, omul acela o cru\u0163ase iar\u0103\u015fi, ce s\u0103 fac\u0103? S-a tras cu grij\u0103 de sub el, ridic\u00e2ndu-se. Un pas, altul, b\u0103t\u0103ile repezi ale inimii, \u015fuvi\u0163ele c\u0103z\u00e2ndu-i \u00een ochi, v\u0103zduhul ce-o \u00een\u0103bu\u015fea, apoi gura pe\u015fterii, tot mai aproape \u015fi deodat\u0103 un glas, glasul lui<\/em><\/strong>. A \u00eentors capul. Str\u0103inul o privea, ochii \u00eei erau at\u00eet de nedumeri\u0163i, de rug\u0103tori, c\u0103 picioarele n-au mai vrut s-o poarte, dar trebuia, a scuturat din cap \u015fi a pornit \u00een goan\u0103, spre lumea \u00een care se n\u0103scuse.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ochiul de m\u00e2l a plesnit, \u00eempro\u015fc\u00e2nd p\u00e2n\u0103 departe stropi care sf\u00e2r\u00e2iau \u00een zbor \u015fi morm\u0103itul lui Kyle a r\u0103sunat laolalt\u0103 cu \u015fuierul aburilor ce \u0163\u00e2\u015fneau ca dintr-un burduf storcit. Iar\u0103\u015fi aburi! \u015ei petele ruginii a\u015fternute pe nisip, peste bolovani, aidoma frunzelor moarte, fr\u00e2nturile de piatr\u0103 \u00een care se poticnea\u2026 S-a oprit s\u0103 bea dintr-un firicel de ap\u0103, a mu\u015fcat dintr-o bucat\u0103 de carne. De c\u00e2te zile \u015fi nop\u0163i umbla? Pierduse \u015firul \u00eens\u0103 erau multe, foarte multe. La \u00eenceput, \u00eei a\u015fteptase pe copiii lui Hind. S\u0103-l caute, s\u0103-l h\u0103ituiasc\u0103, s\u0103-l sf\u00e2rtece cu armele lor str\u0103vezii. Ce trib ar fi l\u0103sat un vr\u0103jma\u015f slobod \u00een s\u0103la\u015ful s\u0103u? \u015ei str\u0103ina\u2026 Nu se putea g\u00e2ndi la ea. Orice v\u00e2n\u0103tor ar fi cru\u0163at-o; apoi, fusese nevoia de femeie\u2026 Ba nu, fusese \u015fi altceva, sim\u0163ise asta toat\u0103 vremea \u015fi de atunci nu era noapte ca ea s\u0103 nu i se arate \u00een vis, cu \u015foapte pe care nu le \u00een\u0163elegea, dar buzele albastre n-aveau nevoie de vorbe\u2026 A lovit cu pumnul \u00een st\u00e2nc\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 ce durerea l-a f\u0103cut s\u0103-\u015fi vin\u0103 \u00een fire.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Acum nu se mai temea de copiii lui Hind. \u00cei v\u0103zuse, \u00eentr-o dimi\u00adnea\u0163\u0103, doi b\u0103rba\u0163i \u015fi o femeie, f\u0103r\u0103 ve\u015fm\u00eent sau po\u00addoab\u0103 pe trupurile nevolnice. N-a crezut. Ziua \u00eentreag\u0103 le c\u0103l\u00adcase pe urme, le ascultase sporov\u0103iala; noaptea a intrat dup\u0103 ei \u00eentr-o pe\u015fter\u0103 plin\u0103 de p\u00e2raie, dormeau, ochii femeii erau ad\u00e2nci\u0163i \u00een orbite, oasele, de\u015fi mici, i se deslu\u015feau sub pielea lucioas\u0103, b\u0103r\u00adba\u0163ii nu-\u015fi \u0163ineau armele aproape, nu le-a z\u0103rit nic\u0103ieri \u015fi totu\u015fi nu \u00eenchi\u00adseser\u0103 locul, nu puseser\u0103 capcane. Se furi\u015fase afar\u0103 de-and\u0103\u00adra\u00adtelea \u015fi, la lumina fl\u0103c\u0103rilor ce se alungau peste valurile unui puhoi negru, a cump\u0103nit lama \u00een m\u00e2ini\u2026 Dac\u0103 cei din lumea lui Hind se bizuiau \u00eentr-at\u00e2t pe ocrotitorul lor, trebuia<\/em><\/strong> s\u0103 fie puternic. Dar unde era? C\u00e2nd avea s\u0103 se arate?<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Zi dup\u0103 zi, pricepea c\u0103 se \u00een\u015felase. Al\u0163i oameni, firavi, tot a\u015fa de nep\u0103s\u0103tori, nic\u0103ieri vreun fulger de ghea\u0163\u0103, m\u0103car un chip al lui Hind, doar siluete r\u0103t\u0103cind f\u0103r\u0103 rost, cel mai adesea st\u00e2nd \u00een pe\u015fteri sau pe malurile lacurilor \u015fi vorbind, vor\u00adbind la nesf\u00e2r\u015fit. Ce-\u015fi spuneau? \u00cei z\u0103rise suind pe movile \u015fi st\u00e2nci ca s\u0103 se uite la bolta \u00eenecat\u0103 \u00een cea\u0163a lumii de foc \u015fi ape clocotitoare, \u00eei v\u0103zuse cufund\u00e2ndu-se \u00een gropi ce musteau de o miere albastr\u0103, aduc\u00e2nd hran\u0103 din ascunz\u0103tori; dar niciodat\u0103 cioplind arme, vase sau pl\u0103cile rotunde cu care erau a\u015fternute pe\u015fteri \u015fi poteci, \u015flefuind m\u0103\u015fti ale lui Hind ori cu\u0163ite ca acelea ce nu lipseau din nici un loc al lor. Cu\u0163ite cu lama neagr\u0103, str\u0103b\u0103tut\u0103 de vini\u015foare s\u00e2ngerii, cu marginile mai sub\u0163iri dec\u00eet firul de p\u0103r, cum nimeni din trib n-ar fi visat. Luase \u015fi el unul, luase \u015fi o arm\u0103 verde; \u00eens\u0103 nu le cuno\u015ftea \u00eendeajuns, orice b\u0103rbat sau femeie din fagurele de piatr\u0103 era mai \u00eendem\u00e2natic cu ele\u2026 Dar se pricepeau cu adev\u0103rat oamenii aceia s\u0103 lupte?! F\u0103r\u0103 cicat\u00adri\u00adcile care s\u0103-i aminteasc\u0103 de mi\u015fc\u0103rile str\u0103inei \u2013 a\u015fteptare, rotiri, leg\u0103narea lamei \u015fi \u0163\u00e2\u015fniri ca ale capului de \u015farpe \u2013 i-ar fi fost greu s\u0103 cread\u0103.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ziua murea. Kyle a gr\u0103bit pasul, cr\u00e2ngul de trunchiuri r\u0103sucite \u2013 nu frunze, nu scoar\u0163\u0103, nici o pas\u0103re, nu se putea deprinde cu st\u00e2ncile-copaci, lumea asta \u00eel \u00eenfuria \u2013 se \u00eensufle\u0163ise de umbre \u015fi lui nu-i pl\u0103cea s\u0103 le \u015ftie pe-aproape, at\u00e2tea umbre acolo unde erau a\u015fa de pu\u0163ini oameni. Nici jum\u0103tate de trib \u2013 iar \u00een p\u0103dure, triburile se desf\u0103ceau, plecau spre apus ca s\u0103 g\u0103seasc\u0103 alte locuri de v\u00een\u0103toare\u2026 De c\u00e2nd iernile se \u00eembl\u00e2nziser\u0103 via\u0163a era altfel, oameni \u015fi s\u0103lb\u0103ticiuni sim\u0163eau c\u0103 tr\u0103iesc, nu se mai t\u00e2rau de la un anotimp la altul. P\u0103durea, cu fream\u0103t \u015fi adieri, frunze str\u0103lucind dup\u0103 ploaie, v\u0103zduh limpede \u015fi soare\u2026 Oft\u00eend, Kyle a intrat \u00een prima pe\u015fter\u0103 ce se c\u0103sca \u00eenainte-i.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Aproape adormise c\u00e2nd zgomotul \u015fi glasurile l-au f\u0103cut s\u0103 tresar\u0103, \u00eencle\u015ft\u00e2nd arma. \u00cenc\u0103perea din m\u0103runtaiele dealului era \u00eengust\u0103, cotea \u00een dou\u0103 locuri, mai cur\u00e2nd o galerie cu cap\u0103tul m\u0103rit, n-avea firide, \u00eens\u0103 c\u0103u\u015fele cu fl\u0103c\u0103ri nu lipseau \u015fi din ungherul s\u0103u Kyle a v\u0103zut femeia \u015fi copilul umbl\u00e2nd nestingheri\u0163i, r\u00e2z\u00e2nd, stropindu-se cu ap\u0103. Dup\u0103 un timp s-au lini\u015ftit, b\u0103iatul s-a \u00eentins l\u00e2ng\u0103 perete \u015fi femeia a r\u0103mas s\u0103-l vegheze, cu ochii la zbaterea focului. Era t\u00e2n\u0103r\u0103? Kyle nu putea spune. Pielea neted\u0103, pe care vopseaua p\u0103rea o alt\u0103 piele, trupurile zvelte, parc\u0103 neie\u015fite din copil\u0103rie, pletele de aceea\u015fi culoare, a nop\u0163ii senine, nu-l l\u0103sau s\u0103 ghiceasc\u0103; dar era sigur c\u0103 nu \u00eent\u00e2lnise nici b\u0103tr\u00e2ni, nici b\u0103tr\u00e2ne. \u015ei nici destui copii.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Femeia avea s\u00e2ni ascu\u0163i\u0163i, de lupoaic\u0103. Pleoapele i se coborau tot mai des, \u00ee\u015fi trecea degetele prin p\u0103r \u015fi Kyle s-a \u00eenchipuit r\u0103sturn\u00e2nd-o, sorbindu-i strig\u0103tele \u015fi spaima, potolindu-\u015fi clo\u00adco\u00adtul s\u00eengelui\u2026 \u00cens\u0103 n-ar fi fost dec\u00e2t rev\u0103rsarea m\u00e2niei, a neputin\u0163ei \u00eempotriva lumii care-l \u0163inea acolo, f\u0103r\u0103 m\u0103car s\u0103-i pese. Cu cealalt\u0103, str\u0103ina pl\u0103m\u0103dit\u0103 din flac\u0103r\u0103 \u015fi ghea\u0163\u0103 asemeni lamei ce dormea \u00een teac\u0103, fusese ca o furtun\u0103, a\u015fa cum nici una din fetele tribului nu trezise \u00een el, cum nu credea s\u0103 fie cu putin\u0163\u0103\u2026 Unde era ea<\/em><\/strong>, la vremea aceea de noapte?<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2026 Dara a t\u0103cut, ostenit\u0103. Din zori mersese din pe\u015fter\u0103 \u00een pe\u015fter\u0103 \u2013 vorbise at\u00eeta \u00eenc\u00e2t \u00ee\u015fi sim\u0163ea g\u00e2tlejul aspru, zgrun\u0163uros. Ronii o ascultaser\u0103, unii p\u00e2n\u0103 la cap\u0103t, al\u0163ii nu, dar to\u0163i pufneau \u00een r\u00e2s: \u015fi ce dac\u0103 nu mai afumau v\u00e2natul g\u0103sit pe lespezile din p\u0103dure? Aveau destul\u0103 carne, puteau s\u0103 arunce o parte \u00een gropile cu foc \u015fi apoi era plictisitor s\u0103 stea zile \u00een \u015fir p\u0103zind hartanele sp\u00e2nzurate la abur. Mul\u0163i o priveau lung, de parc\u0103-\u015fi pierduse min\u0163ile. S\u0103 scoat\u0103 armele? S\u0103 pun\u0103 str\u0103ji \u00een jurul Colinelor? Oamenii p\u0103durii nu-\u015fi uitaser\u0103 su\u00adpu\u00adne\u00adrea; spadele str\u0103mo\u015filor, coifurile cu chipul lui Hind nu v\u0103zuser\u0103 lu\u00admina de zece genera\u0163ii \u015fi tot de at\u00e2tea hotarele nu fuseser\u0103 c\u0103l\u00adca\u00adte \u2013 cum s\u0103 treac\u0103 s\u0103lbaticii de r\u00e2urile clocotite?! La asta, Dara se \u00eencrunta, mu\u015fc\u00e2ndu-\u015fi buzele.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Nu spusese nim\u0103nui despre str\u0103inul ce-i luase urma, de care fugise dup\u0103 noaptea c\u00e2nd\u2026 Din nou, zv\u00e2cnetul inimii. De ajuns. Str\u0103inul c\u0103zuse \u00een vreo pr\u0103pastie, erau nenu\u00adm\u0103\u00adrate, \u015fi mla\u015ftini cu crust\u0103 \u00een\u015fel\u0103toare, \u015fi ape otr\u0103vite; ronii nu-l z\u0103riser\u0103, de ce s\u0103-i tulbure, era doar un singur om, chiar dac\u0103 avea spad\u0103\u2026 Cum s\u0103 le spun\u0103 altora c\u0103 nesocotise Legea, c\u0103-i d\u0103ruise via\u0163a celui care, cutez\u00e2nd de at\u00e2tea ori, era mai vinovat dec\u00e2t n\u0103v\u0103litorii din vremea Ghe\u0163arilor?<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ceilal\u0163i o uitaser\u0103, ascult\u00e2ndu-l pe ultimul venit. Stelele se mi\u015fcau pe bolt\u0103, Hind le trimitea un semn \u2013 dar ce era oare? Verile se lungiser\u0103, ca \u015fi ziua, poate c\u0103 z\u0103pezile se vor preface \u00een ploi, cerul\u2026 \u2013 aici to\u0163i au prins s\u0103 vorbeasc\u0103 deodat\u0103 \u015fi Dara a \u00eenchis ochii. Imaginile s-au ivit repede, m\u00e2inile lui<\/em><\/strong> ridic\u00e2nd vasul cu ap\u0103, ating\u00e2ndu-i pletele ca din \u00eent\u00e2mplare, privirea uimit\u0103 c\u00e2nd \u00eel fulgera cu ur\u0103, cea furi\u015f\u0103, c\u00e2nd l\u0103sa jum\u0103tate din carne anume pentru ea. S\u0103lbatic? Ce fiar\u0103 ar fi r\u0103bdat mu\u015fc\u0103tura lamei, care dintre roni i-ar fi \u00eeng\u0103duit vr\u0103jma\u015fului s\u0103 fug\u0103 la ai s\u0103i?\u2026 A trezit-o mur\u00admu\u00adrul din jur, ceilal\u0163i \u00eencepuser\u0103 Apropierea, c\u00e2\u0163iva intra\u00ad\u00adser\u0103 \u00een undele albastre, se \u00eembr\u0103\u0163i\u015fau acolo asemeni lui Hind, unii se tr\u0103seser\u0103 dup\u0103 st\u00eenci, la picioarele ei o pereche r\u0103v\u0103\u015fea nisi\u00adpul, dar fata se uita \u00een gol, a\u015fa erau mul\u0163i, dac\u0103 nici de asta nu le p\u0103sa\u2026 B\u0103rbatul de jos a apucat-o de glezn\u0103, fata a che\u00admat-o, \u00eens\u0103 Dara s-a smucit cu putere. Alt\u0103 minciun\u0103? N-o vo\u00adiau, nu mai \u015ftiau ce sunt dorin\u0163a, bucuria, via\u0163a. Triburile, \u00een\u00adfr\u00e2n\u00ad\u0163ii de odinioar\u0103 aveau \u00eenainte Timpul; ronii pierduser\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi amintirea.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 T\u00e2rziu, \u015fi-a dat seama c\u0103 alerga, era afar\u0103, pe o potec\u0103 din Marea Mla\u015ftin\u0103, coloane de abur \u015fi m\u00e2l ro\u015fu se \u00een\u0103l\u0163au pretu\u00adtin\u00addeni, apoi ziduri \u015fi pun\u0163i, iar\u0103\u015fi m\u00e2l, valea, movilele aidoma unor capete. G\u00e2f\u00e2ia, v\u0103zduhul fierbinte \u015fi cea\u0163a \u00eei umpleau pieptul ca o ap\u0103, nu mai auzea dec\u00e2t tunetul inimii dezl\u0103n\u0163uite \u015fi lumina fl\u0103c\u0103rilor o \u00eenfrico\u015fa \u2013 \u00een sf\u00e2r\u015fit, pe\u015fterile. Intrarea, el<\/em><\/strong> nu era acolo \u2013 cum de se g\u00eendise c\u0103\u2026 \u2013 \u00eens\u0103 toate r\u0103m\u0103seser\u0103 ca atunci, culcu\u015furile, vasele c\u0103zute, mormanul de pietre \u015fi ascunz\u0103toarea. Hind o privea cu ochi mor\u0163i pe zeci de chipuri, spadele odihneau \u00een firide, doar una lipsea, avea s\u0103 mai lipseasc\u0103 una.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 De pe coama ultimei coline, cele dou\u0103 lumi se vedeau p\u00e2n\u0103 departe, \u00een fiece zare. \u00cen fa\u0163\u0103, dincolo de r\u00e2ul din care se ridicau aburi \u015fi de gropile cu foc, era p\u0103durea: necuprins de frunzi\u015f verde, mereu zbuciumat. \u00cenapoi, \u015firurile de dea\u00adluri, viroagele \u015fi apele ascunse \u00een cea\u0163a deas\u0103, \u00eencre\u00adme\u00adni\u00adt\u0103 cu toa\u00adt\u0103 \u00eenvolburarea ei. O lume vie, o lume moart\u0103. \u015ei, \u00eentre ele, lucind ca o \u0163east\u0103 sub ploaia de soare a zorilor, culmea alb\u0103, hotar \u015fi straj\u0103.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dreapt\u0103 \u00een b\u0103taia v\u00eentului, Dara a \u00een\u0103l\u0163at spada c\u0103tre cer. Din lam\u0103 a \u0163\u00ee\u015fnit un m\u0103nunchi de fulgere \u015fi cristalul a p\u0103rut s\u0103 se aprind\u0103 el \u00eensu\u015fi; clipe lungi, \u00een care a privit \u00een sine \u015fi \u00een trecut, apoi Dara a retezat oblic v\u0103zduhul, m\u00e2n\u0103 \u015fi arm\u0103 pornind un dans numai de ele \u015ftiut, cl\u0103dind un zid de sclipiri orbitoare. Geam\u0103tul aerului crestat cu zeci de lovituri, spinarea \u015fi picioarele \u00eencordate p\u00e2n\u0103 la durere, bra\u0163ul drept zbur\u00e2nd ca desprins de trup, v\u00e2rtejul g\u00e2n\u00addu\u00adrilor\u2026 De copii, ronii \u00eenv\u0103\u0163au despre bolta lui Hind, despre Coline, p\u0103dure, jivine \u015fi oameni, despre spade, ape \u015fi pietre, despre cristalul \u015fi focul ce veneau din m\u0103runtaiele p\u0103m\u00e2n\u00adtu\u00adlui. Erau multe de aflat; \u015fi Darei i se p\u0103reau \u00eenc\u0103 prea pu\u0163ine. Ani la r\u00eend se \u00eentrebase, c\u0103ut\u00e2nd singur\u0103 r\u0103spunsurile. Altele \u00ee\u015fi luau pl\u0103cerea din Apropieri, alegeau s\u0103 aib\u0103 copii ori schimbau un b\u0103rbat dup\u0103 altul. Ea nu-\u015fi g\u0103sea lini\u015ftea nici m\u0103car \u00een somn. Iar anii trecuser\u0103, acum nici unul din roni nu \u015ftia c\u00e2t ea, \u015fi poate de aceea \u00eei stingherise adesea \u2013 dar n-ar fi ar\u0103tat-o, ascultau r\u0103bd\u0103tori, f\u0103r\u0103 s-o aud\u0103 cu adev\u0103rat. Nu cunoscuser\u0103 foamea, frigul, frica, tr\u0103iau de dou\u0103 ori c\u00eet Ceilal\u0163i, de ce s\u0103-\u015fi iroseasc\u0103 via\u0163a lor \u015fi-a neamului?\u2026 Iu\u0163eala bra\u0163ului se \u00eente\u0163ea, nu mai \u0163inuse o spad\u0103 de at\u00e2ta vreme \u015fi totu\u015fi mi\u015fc\u0103rile se n\u0103\u015fteau f\u0103r\u0103 gre\u015f, f\u0103r\u0103 \u015fov\u0103ial\u0103, erau \u00een s\u00e2nge sau undeva, \u00een ad\u00e2ncul min\u0163ii. \u015eoldurile \u00eei unduiau, se \u00eenfierb\u00e2ntase. Un g\u00e2nd a f\u0103cut-o s\u0103 z\u00eembeasc\u0103: str\u0103inul cump\u0103nind arma cu st\u00e2ng\u0103cie, rotind-o tem\u0103tor s\u0103 n-o fr\u00e2ng\u0103\u2026 Durerea i-a r\u0103scolit pieptul \u015fi a trebuit s\u0103 \u00eencetineasc\u0103.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 C\u00e2nd l\u00e2ng\u0103 ea s-a aprins al doilea cerc verde a \u00eentors capul \u015fi \u0163ip\u0103tul i s-a pierdut \u00een v\u0103zduh, \u015fi-a sim\u0163it obrajii \u00eencin\u015fi, ca o feti\u0163\u0103, \u00eens\u0103 a continuat s\u0103 despice v\u0103zduhul \u015fi bra\u0163ul lui<\/em><\/strong> era la fel de sigur, cine s\u0103 fie omul pe care nu-l \u00eenfrico\u015fau m\u00e2nia lui Hind, nesf\u00e2r\u015firea bol\u0163ii?<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2026 Soarele trezise toat\u0103 p\u0103durea. Numai femeia albastr\u0103 dormea \u015fi Kyle a sim\u0163it din nou oboseala zilei \u015fi nop\u0163ii \u00een care mer\u00adseser\u0103 f\u0103r\u0103 oprire, galerii dup\u0103 galerii, credea c\u0103 nu se vor ter\u00admina vreodat\u0103, erau tot mai \u00eentortocheate \u015fi doar po\u00adme\u00adnindu-se \u00eentre ni\u015fte desi\u015furi, apoi \u00eentr-o poian\u0103 \u00eenecat\u0103 de bezn\u0103, a \u00een\u0163eles. Singur n-ar fi nimerit drumul, a\u015fa cum nu g\u0103sise calea spre lumea lui Hind. Femeia nu se \u00eencredea \u00een el. Dar atunci de ce nu-l tr\u0103dase, de ce \u00eel adusese \u00een p\u0103dure? Astupaser\u0103 ai ei g\u00e2tlejul Capului de Piatr\u0103? \u015ei de ce era aici<\/em><\/strong>, dormind f\u0103r\u0103 grij\u0103?<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Diminea\u0163a aprindea fl\u0103c\u0103ri pe lamele uitate \u00een iarb\u0103, lucioase, des\u0103v\u00e2r\u015fite, ca \u015fi goliciunea femeii. \u00cens\u0103 pielea albastr\u0103 nu \u00eentorcea lumina, \u015fi m\u00e2na lui Kyle a trecut prin pletele de care se lipiser\u0103 petale \u015fi frunze: \u015fuvi\u0163ele erau n\u0103cl\u0103ite de vopsea, \u015ferpuiau pe g\u00e2t, pe s\u00e2nii mici, muia\u0163i aidoma unor fructe prea p\u00e2rguite. Trup de copil, s\u00e2ni \u015fi chip de femeie \u2013 c\u00e2te anotimpuri v\u0103zuse fiica lui Hind? De ce-l tulbura at\u00e2ta, oare era numai \u00eenver\u015funarea aceea, ciudat\u0103 \u00eentr-un neam vl\u0103guit? O sim\u0163ea mai puternic\u0103 dec\u00e2t el, dec\u00eet lumea p\u0103durii \u015fi a Capului de Piatr\u0103 la un loc. Cum ar fi primit-o ceilal\u0163i? Prad\u0103 ori primejdie? C\u00e2\u0163i ar fi vrut-o, c\u00e2\u0163i ar fi \u00eencercat\u2026?<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A privit \u00eendelung cu\u0163itul lor<\/em><\/strong>. Fire de s\u00e2nge \u00een piatra \u00eentunecat\u0103\u2026 Tribul n-avea s-o cru\u0163e pe str\u0103in\u0103. Erau at\u00e2tea de luat, fulgerele de cristal, apa care arde, femei asemenea ei\u2026 \u00cei vor stoarce vorbele \u015fi via\u0163a, iar el nu putea s-o \u00eeng\u0103duie. \u00centre cei din p\u0103dure \u015fi copiii lui Hind cursese destul s\u00e2nge, odat\u0103; triburile erau \u015fi carne din carnea oamenilor alba\u015ftri, pricepuse asta, ca \u015fi femeia. Dar Hind \u00ee\u015fi \u00eentorsese fa\u0163a de la cei pe care-i ocrotise \u2013 sub cea\u0163\u0103 \u015fi abur, \u00een nep\u0103sare \u015fi \u00eencremenire, lumea lor murea.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 S-a ridicat, \u00een\u0103l\u0163\u00e2nd o arm\u0103 spre bolt\u0103, bra\u0163ul i s-a rotit larg, apoi fulgerele s-au \u00eendesit \u015fi Kyle a r\u00e2s; credeau ei \u2013 to\u0163i, chiar \u015fi Capul de Piatr\u0103 \u2013 c\u0103 o s-o p\u0103r\u0103seasc\u0103?\u2026 Femeia deschisese ochii, se uita la el, n-a scos o vorb\u0103 p\u00e2n\u0103 c\u00e2nd au pornit, \u015ftia la ce se g\u00e2nde\u015fte. P\u0103\u015find al\u0103turi a spus ceva, ar\u0103t\u00e2nd spre sine, iar v\u00e2n\u0103torul a dat din cap, \u00eei pl\u0103cea numele acela: \u201eDara\u201c.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" de Rodica Bretin \u00a0\u00a0Smucise cu at\u00e2ta putere c\u0103 suli\u0163a i s-a fr\u00e2nt ca o trestie. A azv\u00e2rlit-o c\u00e2t colo. O noapte de p\u00e2nd\u0103, o zi de h\u0103i\u00adtu\u00adial\u0103 \u2013 pentru ce? S-a aplecat, a s\u0103ltat c\u0103prioara pe umeri, apoi a pornit cu pa\u015fi mari printre copaci, f\u0103r\u0103 s\u0103-i vad\u0103. Lumina alb\u0103 a zorilor, s\u0103lb\u0103ticiunea abia deslu\u015findu-se […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1224,125,1003],"tags":[1225,1129,1219,588],"class_list":["post-11226","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-egophobia-47","category-invitat","category-proza-sf","tag-egophobia-47","tag-invitat","tag-rodica-bretin","tag-special-proza-sf"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6DakB-2V4","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11226","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11226"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11226\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11320,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11226\/revisions\/11320"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11226"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11226"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11226"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}