Widderkin - 3. Chapter 3

Chapter 3.

***

The expedition progressed with a busy time of organising packs and a drive to a new area where the next hike started. After half an hour of walking beside a small creek, past a beautiful waterfall and up a steep scrambling trail, a strikingly desolate scene opened in front of them, a scene of charred trunks and isolated boulders, blackened remnants of vegetation and bare, scorched ground. Cameras and minds recorded this strange fire-scarred environment which stretched to the base of the huge bluff looming ahead. The trail became meaningless and after half an hour of meandering from one point of interest to the next a strange group reached the rocky base of the bluff. Mr B. and Kieran, as leaders, were the biggest mess, but every person looked ready for combat with blackened clothes and charcoal smeared skin. Every brush against blackened, dead vegetation had left dark smudges of burnt ash.

After exploring some rocky overhangs it was time to tackle the bluff itself. Anyone who was worried by the climb was given the option to go with Kevin via an extended easier route, but no one was interested so Mr B. led a slow and careful scramble up the sloping rockface. Erosion and weathering meant there were ample hand and foot holds but every now and again a tricky section would demand extra attention and care. Kieran discovered he had a real gift for being able to pick an easy course and felt flattered when Mr B. deferred to him in pointing out the best way to suit everyone.

The top of the bluff was magnificent with 360° views. Two mountain ranges stretched in jagged arcs to the south with a natural lake in the valley between them, Mount Stapleton and Hollow Mountain showed in the north, and far below, to the east and west, stretched a great plain of mixed bush and farmland. Rhys stood with Kieran and they traced their route back and down and then traced the path of the wildfire and tried to work out where they'd left the walking trail.

"Tents everyone. This is our camp for the night. We'll get set up and if anyone is interested we can make a trek to the top of Mount Difficult."

Twenty minutes later the tents were all set and seven of the group gathered for the trek. Kevin returned from the rocky cliff’s edge to their sheltered gully and spoke with Mr B. who then went to the high point with him.

"Trek’s off everyone. We've got a storm coming. If we want to do any cooking we'll have to start the fires now."

Three tents had to be moved to make sure they wouldn't flood if there was a downpour, all the cooking fires started, and enough wood collected to keep them going.

"We could have an interesting night, Rhys. Does lightning make you nervous?"

"No. Not really."

"Well, it might tonight. Let's watch."

The sight grew more and more spectacular as the storm swept across the plain, closer and closer. Distant bolts of lightning intermittently highlighted the dark black cloud mass with a random web of angry fire and the trees rustled a warning of the stirring air. The whole group watched from the highest vantage point with murmurs of awe at the fiery pathways forged in the sky and exclamations when the distant rumbles changed to angry shouts. The light dimmed rapidly as the forerunner clouds raced overhead and Kieran jumped in fright when a huge river of flame struck at the burnt landscape below and a thunderclap so loud he could feel it, shook the mountain.

A misty white curtain obliterated everything from view behind it and a spattering of early raindrops sent everyone scurrying.

"Mr B., this is so scary."

"I know. We all wanted to camp on top of a mountain but we didn't plan on something like this."

The three of them were sitting up in pitch dark, speaking in loud voices over the battering rain, waiting and watching for the next burst of instant daylight and its accompanying sound, till the angry front passed, leaving just a constant drumming on the tent fly. The candle flickered to life and Mr B. checked everywhere to see if water was finding its way in but there was no sign. Kieran listened to the rain for a while, curled in his shell of comfort and warmth, then went to sleep.

The rain stopped by morning, which was a great relief, and by the time they'd made their way down the trail, past the now rushing waterfall and along the busy, busy creek to the minibus, the cloud cover was breaking and the sun finding its way through.

Half an hour of driving took them to the next destination, an area called Wonderland, and after three hours of exploration they headed for their last campsite.

The minibus pulled up and it didn't look very interesting at all, just a walking trail heading into the bush, but after loading their backpacks they were soon making their way single file along the base of a great wall of rock.

"He we are. We've got a roof over our head tonight. You can forget your tents if you like but I don't advise it."

The roof Mr B. was talking about was solid rock, stretching up forty meters above the platform which undercut six or seven meters into the base. Kieran was very tempted to try sleeping out, but he helped Mr B. and Rhys put the tent up anyway, all the while listening to comments about volunteering for cryogenic experimentation and how he'd have to be thawed out over the fire in the morning.

"You’re a wimp, Rhys."

"I know. But I’ll be a warm wimp."

Mr B. collected one of the collapsible water carriers. Kieran grabbed another, and thirty meters further along they collected a supply from a little stream trickling under a jumble of rocks.

"This is why we didn't have to carry water from the minibus. There’s always water here."

Kieran was more interested in the rock jumble which sloped upwards between the walls of a gap in the great buttress.

"That's the way to get to the top .... We'll have a look when everyone’s settled in."

***

"What was it?"

"A honey-eater. A white-eared one and you don't see them very often."

It had been strange. The whole group had finished setting up and scrambled to the top of the Bandolier and Mr B. and Kevin were pointing out different features, the Moora Moora water reserve, the wide valley and the section of the Victoria Range which hid the Fortress. Kieran was sitting on a rock next to some scrub, following it all and taking in the details when he heard a close by rustle and flutter. His eyes tracked, caught the movement, then fixed on a small form peeking from the top of one of those prickly bushes. It hopped from branch to branch with busy, quick movements, its dark head and sharp pointed beak cocked from side to side, apparently curious about the intrusion to its domain. Kieran held still, hoping not to frighten it away while he rapidly took in the dark head, olive back and yellowish underneath. Mentally, he coaxed it closer, hoping for a clearer view and watching every little movement. With a noisy flip-flap it launched itself and, to Kieran's startlement, landed on his shoulder.

Oh my, this was amazing.

There were several tiny tugs at his jumper, a hop, several tugs at his hair, then an extraordinarily pleasant sensation as it stayed for a time on the top of his head. Kevin's voice stopped and Kieran saw from the corner of his eye that the others were looking at him. He didn't move though, hoping to prolong his little visitor’s stay. There was another tug, a flutter of wings and a flash of yellow as it disappeared into the brush. Kieran searched for a moment for any last sign then turned his head to the now obvious silence and the array of surprised and curious looks.

There was quite a discussion which eventually reached the consensus that the tugs to Kieran's hair and jumper meant it was searching for nesting material.

"Animals like him."

"You think so, Rhys?"

"Well, they come close to him instead of being scared, like the kookaburra, and I still think the eagle was going to land on his arm before I frightened it."

"Maybe he looks like food?"

"Maybe he smells like nectar?"

"Maybe he gives off good vibrations and attracts them?"

“I'm picking up good vibrations!”

Rhys half sang, half chanted the song and Mr B laughed and joined in. Kieran shook his head as the crazy ideas went back and forth, making him smile as they made their way down the gully and wish this wasn't the last night of their expedition.

Tea was fun and then everyone sat around and talked for ages. Kevin’s group, who'd done the abseiling, wanted to try it in the dark and descend from above and drop to the ledge near the campfire but it was just talk. Shannon wanted to know if this spot would have been an aboriginal shelter in earlier days and Mr B. explained that the whole Grampians Range was an important area and that they'd find out more about it the next day when they visited the First Australian visitor’s Center in Hall's gap.

"I'm certain it would have been, Shannon, but we'll ask the Elder when he gives us his talk."

"An Elder? A real one?"

"The Center arranged it when we made our inquiries about visiting. We’re very lucky really because there’s someone from Mparntwe visiting relatives who moved to live here, and he's meant to know a lot about the Dreamtime."

"What's Mparntwe?"

Kieran was curious too and he was glad Rhys had asked.

"It's the traditional name for Alice Springs, which is quite a coincidence because it's where we're going for the next College excursion in two months time."

"In Central Australia? Isn't that too far for a College excursion?"

"Not really, Rhys. We’ll be flying so it won't take much longer to get there than it did for this excursion."

"What about all the equipment?"

"We’ll be taking our personal packs and a tour company in Alice Springs will look after the rest."

"There haven't been any notices about it?"

"There will be in the week after we get back to College. And if you're interested, anyone who came on this excursion will have a priority if we get too many wanting to go."

Kieran was definitely interested and he thought Rhys might be too but he was shaking his head.

"It will cost too much. It'll have to with the air flights."

"No it won't. Part will be paid by the Student Council, and College knows that so few students could afford it the excursion wouldn't go ahead unless they help out as well. The overall cost won't be much more than this one so if you'd like to go I suggest you put you name in and start saving a few pennies."

"Will you be going?"

"Absolutely. Professor Miles knows that I'm more interested in our First Australians than any other staff member as well as having experience with student excursions, so I was the first one he asked."

Kieran vaguely knew Professor Miles as someone from the Anthropology Department.

"There are some wonderful hikes and things to see, Rhys, so don't miss out."

Rhys looked at Kieran who nodded enthusiastically. If Mr B. was going it was sure to be interesting.

"I'd like to go, but if it's only two months away I wouldn't be able to save up enough money without getting a job of some kind and I'm not going to do that because I need all the time I can spare for my study."

Mr B. gave a serious looking nod.

"Apply for it, Rhys. There’s always some way to manage."

"What does Elder mean?"

"It's someone who’s very respected in the First Australian community, often because they are a natural leader, but sometimes because they have special knowledge or wisdom. I've never spoken to one before, so tomorrow will be quite special.

Shannon went to build up the fire but Kevin stopped him because the time was getting on and the next day would be very busy and long. After making a hot chocolate drink with water from the billy Kieran and Rhys moved to their tent. They talked about the day for a while and then some more when Mr B. arrived after checking everyone was okay. Sleeping outside the tent would have been interesting but Kieran decided that being inside was definitely more friendly and companionable.

***

Kookaburras woke him in the morning and then there was all the activity of getting breakfast and packing the tents and all their gear for the walk down to the minibus. Rhys wanted to make a quick trip up the gully again to see what Moora looked like in the early morning light but there wasn't enough time and after half an hour of walking down the trail the minibus started on its way to Hall's Gap.

***

He wasn't old. Not really old at any rate. Probably middle-aged. Kieran laughed at himself for having the perception that an Elder would be an old person. The group was gathered in a conference room and Mr B. and Kevin had just come in with two members of staff who’d shown everyone some big photos of the local rock art, and another First Australian who'd made the media presentation in what they called the Dreaming Theatre. The Elder was darker skinned than any of them and something about him demanded attention. After being introduced he spent some time looking at each person before he spoke.

"Welcome to Country. My people greet you and hope you have enjoyed your stay. Can anyone tell me what season of the year this is?"

Shannon called out that it was autumn.

"Not here. We use more sensible names."

He paused to look for any other response and, in the quiet, Kieran raised his hand. He'd seen this on the wall in the Dreaming Theatre before the lights went out.

"I think it might be Cockatoo time."

"Excellent. I think you might have tracker’s eyes ... How many of you have seen the big black cockatoos flying overhead and calling with their creaky-door sound?"

There were nods and a general murmur of assent.

"Gariwerd people have six seasons. This one, as well as Honey-bee, Nesting Bird, Wildflower, Butterfly and Eel season. My people, in Central Australia, have only two seasons but they are subdivided into seven groups. Have your teachers told you anything about the Dreamtime?"

There were more looks and nods but no one said anything till Rhys spoke up.

"Mr B. told us a bit about it when we were sitting around the campfire. He said it's very complicated."

The Elder nodded then asked what parts of Gariwerd they'd visited on the trip and listened to the various place names as they were called out.

"There are Dreamtime stories which involve every one of those places. My favorite is the one about how Roses Gap was formed."

Kieran listened, completely fascinated, to the story of Tchingal the huge emu and how he chased Waa the crow for picking at his egg and made a huge gap in the mountains to get at Waa when he hid in a crack in the rocks. There were more stories and then an explanation of the relationships between First Nation people and how they were divided into two major groups called moieties. Mr B. asked a question about why the rock art was so important and whether it would die out with the coming of modern times when people weren’t living off the country like they did in the old ways.

"That is a very good question, Mr Teacher, but you are only partly right. Yes, the majority of First Australians now live in towns and cities but there are still many who visit these places to maintain the images and, in most areas, there is a core of people who pass on the local knowledge and heritage."

He looked to the Center staff who all nodded. One of them said the Gariwerd area had fifteen people sharing and recording their local Dreamtime stories.

"Are there special places that they don't know about?"

All eyes turned to Rhys and the Elder nodded.

"There are many places like that. Why do you ask?"

Rhys turned to Mr B who nodded for him to go ahead.

"We think we found one. Not far from the Fortress."

A rapid interchange passed between the Elder and the staff in a language none of the listening group understood. The Elder held one hand up signifying Rhys should say no more then asked to talk with him when the session was finished.

***

"The Fortress area is one of the most important in the whole of Gariwerd and we know a number of places which are kept secret. Can you explain the exact location for us?"

"Mr B. took us there so he can tell it better."

Kieran nodded. He and Mr B. had been asked to accompany Rhys when the Elder learnt that three of them had been to the special spot. Mr B.'s description was very, very careful and obviously pinpointed the exact location in the minds of the two Centre staff who were with them. There was more talk between the staff and the Elder which couldn't be understood.

"Why do you think that might be a special place? Mudgee knows the rocks you speak of but they are not known in the local story."

"They must be. They were faint but we could definitely see the hand shapes on the rock."

"Hand shapes?"

Mr B. took over.

"Rhys is right. I found them by chance on a previous trip and wondered if my imagination was seeing something, but Rhys and Kieran both see the same thing."

"Kieran even thought the rock went warm when he touched it. That was definitely imagination but it made us think about it."

Kieran wished Rhys hadn't said that but then the three of them were astonished at the excited exchange between the Elder and the two staff, and then involved for nearly another ten minutes with questions about the details of their actions at the site and all their feelings and thoughts.

"Thank you, Rhys. We believe you have found something very special indeed, and tomorrow a group of us will investigate the rocks your teacher describes. His directions sound accurate but can you give your own version as a backup?"

That happened and then Kieran was asked the same thing. The Elder went away somewhere while the two staff explained that if anything came of their investigation they would be acknowledged for their part in it. The Elder returned and very formally gave Kieran a short stick with a number of symbols burnt into it.

"When you travel to Mparntwe you present this message stick to my people and they will know you are especially welcome, and other elders will talk with you and make sure you have an interesting time."

***

Oh no! Not now. Kieran fumbled for his cell phone and, through the fog of migraine and unstable vision, pressed the speed dial for Rhys's number. The answer wasn't immediate, not this early in the morning, but eventually it came.

"Hello?"

"Rhys, it's me. Do you think you could come over and help me? I've got the worst migraine ever and I can't even stand up properly. I'd lie in bed and sleep it off but the scholarship exam starts in two hours."

"What? You can't even stand up? You want me to get a doctor?"

"No, a doctor will just make me stay in bed. Can we try a head massage like at the Fortress? It's my only chance to do the scholarship."

There was a silence before Rhys answered.

"I'll be there as soon as I can."

Kieran closed his eyes and waited. In the quiet the throb in his temples was more noticeable and he felt like yelling at it to go away. The knock on the door came sooner than expected, and then walking to unlock it was so disorienting he had to crawl then haul himself up by feel to unsnib the lock.

"You look awful. I really think we should get a doctor."

"Help me back to the bed first, Rhys."

Rhys's strong arm was supporting him in a flash.

"When I open my eyes everything’s double vision and weird, and I get so off-balance I can't stand up. I took a tablet but it's useless ... Can we try the massage thing please? It might help and if it doesn't I'll get a doctor."

Rhys didn't say anything, just positioned himself on the edge of the bed and rested a hand on Kieran's forehead.

"You don't feel hot. Where do you want me to start? Rubbing your temples like the other time?"

"Yes, please."

"Both temples at the same time?"

"Yes, please."

After a few moments of gentle rubbing Rhys asked if he should keep going or try something else.

"Stay like that. It's where the throbbing seems to be and it feels good."

Rhys's fingers worked, and then hesitated. Kieran surfaced at the cessation of the comforting attention.

"What?"

"Your skin’s starting to feel warmer."

Kieran pressed his own fingertips to his temples.

"It feels normal to me. It might be from the rubbing."

Rhys resumed his ministrations and gave a laugh at Kieran's murmurs of appreciation.

"Yikes! I'm sure you’re warmer."

Kieran automatically opened his eyes to check Rhys's expression then hastily scrunched them shut again.

"You're going to zap me again. I remember this feeling from last time."

Kieran started to answer but didn't. Rhys was right and exactly as last time the strange sensation of heat, but not heat, welled ... And welled ... And welled.

***

...What? Now he was being crushed? Kieran opened his eyes and abruptly smiled. Rhys was sprawled right across his chest, holding him trapped.

Oh my! No throbbing. No trouble with his eyes. Rhys really had fixed him.

Kieran took proper stock of himself and laughter and amazement built together. Apart from being trapped he felt good. No, not just good, really good. Was Rhys okay? Yes, he was breathing slowly and steadily and appeared to be relaxed and asleep. Kieran lay still, remembering that Rhys had taken a few minutes longer to wake last time. What was the time? Ten to eight. A quick calculation showed about fifteen minutes of missing time and forty minutes till he needed to head for the exam room. Four minutes passed before Rhys stirred, opened his eyes and stared, then sat up abruptly.

"You did it again! ... Are you all right?"

"Totally, apart from being crushed by a great lump for the last twenty minutes. What about you? Do you feel different?"

Rhys looked at his hands.

"They must have burns on them somewhere but they don't."

"Rhys, you did it again. It fixed me. I can't believe this. You're amazing!"

"Not me. You're the one with a million volts zapping out of you. I said you’re like a human battery and this proves it. Kieran, you better get up and get ready."

Kieran looked at his clock. 8:05.

"We'll talk about it later. Do you want some toast?"

Time was now pressing and Kieran rushed through a shower, dressed in his black jeans and white T-shirt with the dragon image, gobbled a couple of pieces of toast that were now ready, then headed out with Rhys beside him.

"This is amazing. I was so miserable and now my mind’s as clear as anything. I feel like I'm going to do really well. You must have pushed extra energy into me."

"As if ... You'll do well because you studied so hard."

"I'm going to make sure you get top marks for your maths and your physics."

"Physics? I don't need help with that. I’m already passing. You just want to do more slave driving."

"Only if you want to."

***

Kieran checked and felt sorry for Tan who was looking distinctly worried. There were two others with them but they meant nothing to Kieran as they were from different class groups and he only knew them by sight. There was still an hour to go in this three-hour sitting and any apprehension of his own had disappeared in the fifteen minute pre-reading time when he worked out that he wouldn't even have to tackle the only two questions in the third section which looked like they might be puzzling. The third section was always the most difficult and today was no exception, except that, in a complete departure from all the previous exams, the instructions said to attempt only four of the seven questions being presented. Now the only concern was time, and even with this he was ahead of his early plan. An undercurrent of excitement started to bubble but he pushed it aside and focused on the question in front of him.

"Ten minute warning, students."

Kieran looked up, startled. Yes, he was almost finished. There was only a graphical representation still to do and Mr B's method meant it would be straightforward.

There was a five-minute warning while he carefully finished all his labelling, and all that was left was to check that every page was named and in proper order.

***

"Are you all right? Is your head aching? Can you see properly? How did you go?"

Kieran smiled at this criss-cross of questions coming from Mr B. and Rhys, who were waiting at the door.

"I'm totally all right. And I went really well. I even finished the whole third section."

Mr B. shook his head.

"You couldn't have. You never managed with any of the practice tests, and anyway it's designed so you can't."

"They changed it so you could choose any four out of seven questions."

"You had enough time to do the whole four?"

"Only just. I nearly got finger cramps from writing so quickly but that’s Rhys's fault for giving me so much extra energy."

Mr B. looked back and forth between them.

"Amazing. Will we celebrate tonight?"

"Before I even get the results?"

"Were your four questions right?"

"Yes."

"Then we'll celebrate. You'll have that tutoring job next year and, Rhys, you're being coached by an honor level student."

"An honor level slave driver you mean."

"Kieran, explain what happened with this head massage business. Rhys says you both passed out again but it cleared your migraine."

"And my eyes. He's got magic fingers."

***