Adlartok of the North (PART I)

I placed the last of the sedge grass into my basket, then stood up. The other women and children of the Nanuq Tribe were slowly returning to the tents after a long day's work gathering varied roots, mosses, and grasses on the tundra. The men of the tribe would be returning from the hunt soon, and I hoped they had been successful. Winter was quickly approaching in the Arctic, threatening us with frigid temperatures and heavy snowfalls. Hunting and gathering food for the winter was crucial to the tribe's survival. Thankfully we had had a mild summer, so caribou and other game was abundent, as well as the usually sparse Arctic vegitation. 1

"Adlartok!" A familiar voice called my name. My little sister Sakari was running towards me, practically stumbling under the weight of an oversized basket.2

"Look how much I collected! Aren't you proud of me?" She dropped her basket and sprang into my open arms.3

"More then you'll ever know," I whispered into her ear while hugging her tightly. 4

I adored Sakari. In the language of our tribe, Sakari meant 'sweet', and that was exactly what she was. Being seventeen years old,--nine years older than Sakari--I always tried to teach her things and to set the best possible example. However, that was often difficult in my situation, and I worried. Quickly, I shook the thought out of my head. It was no use thinking about who I really was and what some of my tribe members thought of me. I had to be strong for Sakari...5

I gently set Sakari down, but kept hold of her hand. We both shivered as we were caught in an icy blast of wind.6

"Winter will be here sooner than we predicted," I said, picking up both our baskets. We made our way slowly back to camp. 7

"My sealskin coat isn't warm enough," Sakari complained. "Can't I wear my fox fur parka?"8

"Soon, I think. We'll be moving to our winter camp earlier this year, so Kayhu will probably unpack yours."9

We were nearing the camp. I could see the smoke from a few newly made fires curling up over the caribou skin tents. Suddenly, Sakari let go of my hand and ran ahead. She had spotted her friend Sesi, who was crouched by a small fire with her brother, Sirmiq. I groaned internally. Sirmiq was the same age as me, and I hated him more than anyone in the tribe. He would never let me forget my past and my real family. His ridiculing had never stopped since I had joined the tribe at age six. I thought about circling behind them, but Sirimq had already seen me. His lip was already curling back into a sneer.10

"Where do you think you're going, illiyardjuk?" he jeered, using the tribe language term for 'orphan'. 11

"My. Name. Is. Adlartok," I seethed. I didn't want to deal with this now. 12

"Ha!" He scoffed. "You don't deserve a Northern name! Especially not one of the Nanuq Tribe! So why don't you just turn right around and go to your yellow-haired people in the South. You're polluting our air." Sirmiq paused, slowly changing his expression into a smirk. "Oh, how could I forget? You don't have a real family. They abandoned you, isn't that right?"13

Before I could control myself, hot tears spilled over onto my cheeks. I started to run, not caring that I had left Sakari and the baskets behind. Why did Sirimiq have to do this? Why couldn't he just leave me alone? It wasn't my fault that I looked different! Everyone in the tribe had dark hair and eyes, but my hair was was the color of the yellow sun and my eyes were light blue. It was true, though. I was originally from the lands to the South, though I barely remembered. What I did remember was that there had always been war between the people of the North and South. I was born into a wealthy family somewhere in the South. My name was Sophia Darley. I was five, a year younger than Sakari, when my family traveled to the Arctic with my father, who I think had an important role in the army. One night, our Southern camp was invaded by one of the Northern tribes. I still remembered hearing the gunshots and being terrified. I couldn't find my mother, so I hid in a sack of fur coats, where I fell asleep. When I woke up, I was miles away from my family and in the enemy's camp. When I was discovered, they tried to send me back, but the Southern camp had already been abandoned. I then stayed with my captors for a few weeks, never speaking a word. But they were afraid that my people would come for me--and I would be easily distinguished with my light hair--and cause harm to the tribe. So, during the trading season among the Northern tribes, they gave me to a childless couple of the Nanuq Tribe. I was made a tribe member and given the name, Adlartok, which means 'clear sky'--the color of my eyes. Being very young, I quickly adapted to life in the Arctic. I learned the language and ways of the tribe, and soon found myself very happy. Years later, my adoptive parents, Kayhu and Kirima, gave birth to a daughter of their own--Sakari. I was thrilled to have a sister of my own. Though mostly everyone accepted me, few like Sirimiq did not. 14

Suddenly, I was torn from my thoughts as I tripped over something on the ground, my body lurching forward. But before I could hit the ground, a pair of strong arms caught me and held me up. 15

"Hello, there!" A warm and familiar voice spoke. "Nice meeting you here...on the ground."16

My head snapped up to look at the speaker, and for a moment I completely forgot about my grief. 17

"Yakone!" I squealed, delighted. A huge smile spread across my face at the sight of my best friend. "I didn't know you were back!"18

"Yup! And just in time to catch you!" His laughter was beautiful and calming, and an ever bigger grin than mine stretched across his face. However, when he saw my tear-stained face, he instantly sobered. 19

"Now, I think you've got some explaining to do," he said earnestly, setting me back on my feet. He trapped a tear with his warm finger and held it up to me as if to prove a point.20

"It's nothing," I mumbled, ashamed that I was such a sensitive cry-baby.21

"Something that makes you upset isn't 'nothing' to me," Yakone assured me.22

He sat me down gently by a blazing fire. I was grateful that we were alone.23

"Now talk, please." He took my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.24

I sighed, keeping my eyes on the ground. "Sirimiq was at it again." There was no need to explain more. Yakone already knew.25

Yakone's lips tightened. "I swear I'm going to wring his neck one of these days," he growled, and I knew he wasn't exaggerating. Yakone had the strength of a bear. But as tempting as the idea was, I couldn't let him go through with it.26

"No, Yakone. Please never start a fight because of me. I don't need a reason for anyone to hate me more."27

Yakone wrapped his arm around me. "I don't hate you. Not one bit. Anyway, I think Sirimiq has had enough for today. He was banned from the hunt for some reason."28

I giggled gleefully. My tears were already beginning to dry, thanks to Yakone. He was truly the best friend anyone could ever ask for...which was very unique. I guessed that explained the origin of his name, which meant 'red aurora'. Red auroras are the most rare of all auroras. Also, Yakone's had been undyingly loyal from the beginning. He had been the first to befriend me when I first came, even when everyone else had ignored me. We had stayed close ever since.29

Suddenly, Yakone cupped my face in his hands, tucking a few stray peices of my golden hair behind my ear. His dark eyes stared deep into my blue ones as he slowly leaned forward, and gently pressed his lips against mine.30

When our lips parted, I was stunned. Had my best friend of so many years really just kissed me?! 31

"Adlartok," he whispered, his eyes smoldering. "I couldn't keep it to myself any longer. I had to let you know how I feel. I love you. I have for so long."32

I couldn't find my voice. But even if I could, I wouldn't have know what to say. Yakone was two years older than me, so he had so much more time to think about this! And I had just become an adult by my tribe's standards, so I had so much on my mind!33

"Adlartok?" Yakone's expression was concerned. I had to say something.34

"I-I dunno. I just...well, I've had so much on my mind and...well..." I stammered, still not knowing. 35

"Shh, its okay," Yakone assured me. "Take as long as you need. The last thing I want is to rush you. Even if it takes forever, I'll always be waiting for you."36

Suddenly, Sakari came running towards us, out of breath.37

"Adlartok! I've been looking for you everywhere! You forgot about the ceremony...its starting now!"38

Yakone and I jumped up. Sure enough, we had forgotten. After each hunt there was a ceremony of thanksgiving to the Spirits of our tribe. Quickly we made our way to the center of the camp. Most of the tribe was already there, seated around a great fire. We joined the others and gave our attention to Atanuq, the leader of the Nanuq Tribe. He would lead that ceremony of thanks to our tribe's spirit, the Great Nanuq--the polar bear spirit. 39

But before Atanuq could begin, a man came running into the center. I recognized him as the sentry. He looked alarmed and was gasping for breath. Everyone grew tense. What was wrong?40

"Foreigners!" he panted. "They're...coming...this way!"41

"Who? Another tribe? Could you see?" Atanuq inquired, wrinkling his brow with concern. 42

The sentry stooped over, breathing deeply. He had run so far.43

Suddenly, he straightened up. He extended one trembling finger directly at me.44

"They look like her."45