Chapter Seven

Zutik!

As he entered the village, the men were rushing in from all directions. Some came from the fields where they had been working others came from the beach or their homes. All made for the oak tree at the centre of the village. Near the tree, two men were beating on a hollow log, vigorously with sticks, furiously relaying the message. It was just one word over and over again, ‘Zutik, Zutik,’ the word was echoed. In the distance other drums could be heard. ‘Zutik, Zutik, Zutik,’ they repeated. That single Basque word which would gather the Basque nation. ‘Arise! Arise!’ Patxi was already there and Inaki made his way to his side. Men stood in groups talking sombrely, waiting for all to arrive before the meeting started. Finally, when all the men had assembled, Patxi moved under the oak.

He raised his arms, and said: “You all know why we are gathered here. You have for many months heard the rumours and the stories that have come from the east. You have, this day, heard the battle cry: Zutik. The waiting is over. We must elect a leader.”

The men murmured in consent and agreement.

“I propose Inaki,” said Patxi

There was an astonished silence. Then a voice shouted out.

“Why not you? He’s too young and inexperienced.”

Many voices shouted their approval. Inaki looked at the ground.

Patxi lifted his arm for silence. When the noise had died down, he began to speak.

“He may be young, of that there is no question, but he has a shrewd head and he is the best pupil I have ever instructed into the hidden arts.”

The discontent was still evident in the men’s faces. Other names were put forward; some names were met with cheers.

“All right, all right,” said Patxi, “let me make another proposal and my reasons for it! He is young, therefore, I will act as a counsellor for him, but he has the gift and he will need the authority, when the time comes, to lead us in the plan that the Gods put before him.”

The men fell silent, but the discontent was still there.

“Take your time; it is important that you come to the right decision.” A black cloud had descended over the men. Patxi said: “As for me I will follow no other and if you wish to go to battle without a Nagusi and your Gods, so be it!”

“That’s blackmail!” Inaki whispered.

“I know,” Patxi winked.

For over an hour the discussion raged backwards and forwards. In the end a vote was taken and Inaki elected by the narrowest of majorities. After more talk it was decided to bring in the flocks from the surrounding hills. A hundred sheep and goats would be taken as food by the men; the rest would remain with the women and children. The men would leave at dawn the next day. The meeting slowly broke up. Some of the men remained talking, others left to collect weapons and prepare for their departure at dawn. Patxi and Inaki left together and walked to Patxi’s house. Olatz was already there, waiting at the doorway. She ran to meet them.

“What does it all mean?” she asked breathlessly.

“We don’t know yet,” said Patxi, “but its war that’s for certain.”

“Against whom?” Olatz said.

“Don’t know.”

“So you men are frightening us to death and you don’t know who the enemy is, or where he is!”

“That’s about right,” her father smiled.

“Typical!” Olatz said, stamping her foot.

“Tonight we eat together, it maybe a long time before we can eat together again, and what makes you think there is only one enemy Olatz?” There was a wicked look in Patxi’s eyes as he spoke to his daughter.

That night the whole family gathered at Patxi’s house. Patxi’s seven brothers were there together with Inaki and Olatz. The talk began slowly at first, everybody avoiding the subject uppermost on everyone’s mind. Finally, Olatz’s quick temper got the better of her and she burst out: “Why are we not talking about the call to war?”

Everyone fell silent. Patxi eventually broke the silence, speaking softly and choosing his words with care.

“It has been a long time since the Basque clans have been called to rise as one. It can only mean that we face the most pressing danger. Many will die. Some of the men you know and love will not return. In the face of such danger, men prefer to keep silent and not worry their families; also, they need all their courage for the trials to come.”

Olatz fell into Inaki’s arms sobbing uncontrollably. Inaki’s eyes filled with tears. He knew that the time was short and they had had such a short time together.

“Don’t leave me!” Olatz cried, her arms clasped around Inaki’s neck.

“Olatz!” Her father’s voice was sharp. “Don’t ask your man to disgrace himself. In a fight, he and that Devil’s dog are worth ten men!”

Storm forced himself between Inaki and Olatz, so that they looked like a body with three heads. Olatz drew away, wiping her tears with the back of her hand.

“You are right, Father.” She made an enormous effort to compose herself. She was pregnant, but it was not the right time to burden Inaki with the knowledge of their first child.

“He must go,” she said simply.

*

At dawn, forty fully armed men set out for Guernica. At the back of the column a flock of a hundred sheep and goats. At their head was Patxi and Inaki, Storm ran on ahead, his tail high in the air. The women watched them go; black shawls around their heads protected them against the cold morning air.

The next day the men marched into Guernica. They stopped beside the sacred oak of the Basque country. Many men where already there and over the next few days more arrived. From the province of Vizcaya, were swordsmen with two-edged short swords and small round shields. At the front of 200 strong columns, twenty Txistularis with their flutes and side drums played as they marched into the town. From the province of Alava came spearmen, slingshots and archers, 500 men in all. Navarra the largest province sent a token force of twenty axe men and some important news. There would be a thousand more waiting in Navarra. From the Basque French provinces of Labourd, Basse Navarre and Soule, small numbers of men with disturbing stories of the gathering forces of Franks in France. Altogether over the following days, 6,000 fully armed Basques gathered in the town.

Just outside the town a group of twelve Nagusi made camp. Inaki and Patxi joined them. Next day the seven captains came to see them, each elected from their own province.

“We have disturbing news,” Zumalacarrequi said. He was the most senior of the captains.

“What might that be?” Larraga replied, an old and wise Nagusi from Alava.

“You will be aware of part of it, ancient one,” said Gorka the captain from Avala, smiling.

“No doubt, bad news travels fast, but don’t treat us like children and tell us all you know.”

Zumalacarrequi began. The Visigoths had gathered under Palayo, 600 strong, together with an unknown number of Asturians. Marching to face them were 20,000 Moors. To the east 60,000 Franks, under Charlemagne, were gathering to march into Spain through the Basque province of Navarra. All were battle-hardened veterans of many campaigns and by far the most dangerous. The men of Labourd had raised the alarm when Charlemagne and a great army had joined with Roland, his favourite nephew, in northern France. Rumours were that Charlemagne was making for Zaragoza, where he had made a pact with the Moslem governor of the city.

“We are like a nut between two rocks,” Zabala said, interrupting Zumalacarrequi.

“I see,” said Larraga. “What do you propose to do?”

“Nothing, for the moment,” said Zumalacarrequi, “until we have a better knowledge of what we are facing.”

Patxi spoke for the first time. “You cannot keep all these men here. How will you feed them?”

“Oh, we do not intend to stay here. We will deploy them. The question has to be to where?” said Zabala.

“That’s why we have come to see you. We need you to use your arts to predict were the greatest danger lies.”

“We will call you when we have the answer,” said one of the Nagusi. The captains left.

Next day, Inaki’s uncle and mother arrived. The Nagusi built a round structure of wood and covered it with sods of grass. That night, fifteen Nagusi filled the building and a powerful brew of the magic mushrooms and other things were prepared. After they had meditated, said prayers to the Gods and prepared themselves, the mixture was passed around in a large wooden bowl. Inaki sat between Patxi and his uncle. He took a large drink of the mixture and closed his eyes, summoning his guardian. When the Sacred Octopus had appeared in his mind, he opened his eyes. The flames of the fire at the centre had changed to blue. A blue light illuminated the whole building. Several of the Nagusi appeared to have changed shape. To his surprise his uncle was now a great grey bear, Patxi an oak, another was a giant wolf. Two others were birds: one was an eagle, the other a black crow. These two flew into the air and disappeared through a hole at the top of the structure, flying eastwards.

The Sacred Octopus left his mind and hung above him. It grew in size, until it was the size of three men. The tentacles reached down and plucked him into the air. They disappeared in a westward direction. Upwards they flew, higher and higher. Then suddenly they plunged towards the ground, stopping above a range of mountains. Then came a sudden descent. They slowed down until they hovered above a cave in a mountainside. The Sacred Octopus placed him gently on the ground, covering him in a dark inky substance. Inaki stepped into the cave. Once inside the cave, Inaki became aware of a rhythmic chanting. He moved deeper into the cave, until it opened into an enormous cavern, the size of St Peter’s Basilica. From the ceiling, huge stalactites came down to meet stalagmites, which had, in places, fused to form white glistening pillars supporting the massive roof. Candles of various shapes and sizes lit the whole cavern. Braziers burnt in several places. In the centre a group of forty black-cloaked hooded figures moved slowly around a central altar. They each held a long black candle and chanted in Latin as they moved.

Their movement revealed that they were totally naked underneath their cloaks and that they were all women. At the stone altar a single figure, dressed like the others in black, displayed the most exquisite silver jewellery on her neck and arms. In her hand a silver handled dagger was raised. To her left a young woman stood totally naked with two attendants, who were covering her body with a red liquid substance. They applied the substance by dipping long horsehair brushes into a silver bowl. At the front of the altar was a boy, tied hand and foot. By his dress Inaki could tell that he was high ranking and a Moor. On the altar was a naked man. The dagger came down and with a few expertly executed strokes, his heart was cut out. Several other bodies lay on the floor with no hearts. The priestess took the heart and squeezed the blood into the silver bowl. She then began to eat the heart. Inaki gasped. They turned towards him. The priestess pointed at the inky darkness and gave the most eerie scream, which turned his heart to stone. Inaki felt the darkness around him enveloping his mind. The next thing he became aware of was that he was outside. The Octopus had picked him up and he was rushing into the night sky. Inaki lost consciousness. A sharp slap across the face brought him to his senses.

“Nice trip? Have no fear, your body remained here guarded within the circle of Nagusi,” Patxi said with a smile.

Inaki could not speak. He sat in a daze. His mind tormented by what he had seen.

*

What each of the Nagusi had experienced in their dream’s, was discussed until dawn. Finally, it was Inaki’s turn. They all sat in silence as he recalled his trip to the Sisters of the Moon.

“Interestingly, it would seem that the Sisters have a captive, and one of some importance,” said Larraga, “but before we take this matter further we must all rest.”

Inaki slept for the rest of the next day and night. It was a restless sleep from which he often awoke in a sweat.

Three days later, at dusk, the Nagusi were ready and a meeting was called. They met the captains under the Sacred Oak, as was their custom.

“The Gods have many needs,” Zumalacarraqui, the most senior captain said, raising his arms.

“Blessed be the Gods,” 2,000 voices replied.

“You have something to tell us, oh wise one?”

“We have,” replied Larraga, a wise Nagusi, “some of which we understand, some things are not so clear. I will start with what we know and let you judge the rest.”

Larraga explained that the Nagusi had travelled far and wide. After much consultation amongst themselves they had concluded that the threat to the west was perceived and real, as was the threat to the east. They cautioned that action of some kind would have to be taken, to meet these two threats. That they, all agreed, was clearly understood. Then he told the meeting of Inaki’s experience and their interpretation of what it meant.

“We believe that there is danger in Aragon, but of what kind we cannot judge, however we would suggest that provision be made for it. Clearly, they have, or will have soon, a Moor of some importance. We need to know who he is and why the Sisters have decided to keep him alive. He could be the reason for the pact with Charlemagne,” Larraga sat down.

The seven captains consulted amongst themselves. Finally, Leizaola, the youngest of them, stood up.

“It is agreed,” he announced. “The men of Avala will return home and protect our border against the Asturians. The men of Guipuzcoa will march to Pamplona to reinforce the garrison and wait to counter the threat of the Frankish invasion. Our brothers from Labourd, Basse Navarre and Soule will form small bands of armed men and take to the Pyrenees, informing us of where the Franks cross into Navarra. Then they will attack the supply lines. Inaki Etxebarria will go, with his Guipuzcoan brothers, to Pamplona and then on to Aragon.”

A tall elegant woman in the crowd stood up. All eyes turned towards her.

“Then you will send him to his death,” she said simply.

The silence could be cut with a knife. Who had dared to question the authority of the captains?

“We recognise Irune Etxebarria,” said Leizaola, “but why do you question our judgement? What grounds have you for your words?”

The woman bowed. “Because you send my son to his death, and I will not allow it.”

“How can that be? Can you explain yourself?” Leizaola said roughly.

“Certainly,” Inaki’s mother said. “He is the son of the rightful King of the Navarrese people, who was murdered by his own brother, Inigo Aritza, in order to take his place and the crown.”

Voices began to be raised with cries of “shame” were heard.

Leizaola raised his arm for silence. The crowd quietened down.

“Can you prove this?”

The woman held out her hand and opened it. The men around her gasped.

“Do you recognise this?” she said in her deep rich voice.

In her palm she held a brooch of infinite beauty. It was large and round, of fine silver. Around the rim within two circles, ancient runes were carved, separated by emeralds. In the centre was an Octopus, with two ruby eyes, its eight tentacles extended to the first circle of the rim. It was exquisite and of the finest craftsmanship. Patxi took it, moved under the oak and held it above his head, between forefinger and thumb.

“Behold,” he said, “the brooch of a Navarrese chieftain of high rank. It is the royal brooch of a king!”

The crowd cheered. The captains sat talking rapidly. The situation was potentially explosive. Murder demanded blood in Basque law. Inaki and his supporters could seek revenge against the five hundred men from Navarra. Inaki sat dumbfounded. As the cheering died down a voice was heard to say:

“I will guarantee his safety.”

Leizaola and the captains breathed a deep sigh of relief.

“Thank you, Goiri, captain of the Navarrese! We the captains of the Basque clans also pledge our support and protection, until the matter can be resolved, by the traditional way, by ordeal or a duel to the death. But this is not the time.”

Then a voice said slowly and deliberately: “Guaranteed with your life, Goiri?”

“Who dares question my honour?” Goiri said, his face showing his anger. He drew his sword and looked around him.

Three dogs stood up and moved forward. From the shadows, a giant of a man emerged. Aguirre stood there for all to see. “I do. Pledge your life Goiri, or make no pledge at all.”

“Aye, do that!” a voice said.

“I agree,” came another voice.

“Me too,” another voice repeated.

“And me. Make the oath or say nothing!”

By ones and twos, the forty men of the village stood. From the mood of the assembled troops, Goiri sensed that these were not the only men who would fight on Inaki’s side.

“So be it, with my life,” Goiri spoke reluctantly and put his sword into its scabbard and sat down.

Leizaola spoke, with relief in his voice.

“We thank you, Goiri. It is settled. Captains gather your men and prepare to move. There is no time to waste with further talk.”

Inaki move towards his mother.

“Why did you not tell me, Mother?”

“Your safety depended on you remaining anonymous. If our enemies had ever found out where you were, they would have tried to kill you. You must take great care in Navarra. There will be many that wish you ill there.”

“Don’t worry, little mother, I will take care of him.” Aguirre had come to her side.

“For that I will be eternally grateful, Aguirre.”

*

The next day, 1,900 men set off for Pamplona. At their head marched three captains: Zumalacarraqui, Zumarraga and the young Leizaola. At the rear of the column marched Inaki and Aguirre, with the four dogs walking beside them. Behind them were a long line of pack animals and a large flock of sheep and goats. The first day’s marching took them to Lasarte, where they made camp for the night. At dawn the next day they broke camp and marched on. By that evening they had reached Lecumberri, a medium sized town where more men joined the column. At Lecumberri they cut trees and made rafts. The river at Lecumberri ran straight to Pamplona and would cut the time to get there by half. Five hundred rafts took two weeks to complete and as they were made, groups of men launched them and secured them to the bank with ropes. Soon all was ready and most of the force embarked. A small group of men remained with the packhorses and sheep. They would follow at their own pace. The river began to widen and gather speed. Progress was fast and by the third day they had reached Pamplona. A joyous crowd met them.