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Show 137 ledge. He didn't move. Was he dead? , CHAPTER 29 Chua looked over the cliff at Ahote lying there in a tangle of arms and legs. Chua wasn't sad. He didn't care. Ahote couldn't hurt him or his mother again. Chua felt relief and guilt at the same time. He took a deep breath. "We must get him up from the ledge," Mongwi said. "I'll help him," Chua said. "Here's a rope," said one of the priests, detaching it from his costume. "I'll lower you on it," Mongwi said. "You can tie it around his body, and I'll pull you both back up." Mongwi fastened the rope around Chua's waist and between his legs. Then he lowered Chua slowly over the cliff. The light of the full moon shown down on Ahote's thin figure. Ahote's eyes were open, staring at him. They told Chua that Masau 'u had come to lead Ahote into the entrance of the underworld. The eyes Chua saw in his head were there in front of him. Chua didn't shake his head to try to erase them this time. He knew those eyes wouldn't hurt him ever again. The eyes in his head left on their own. Chua stood on the narrow ledge and fastedjhe rope around Ahote's bony ribs and then put his arms around Ahote's waist. Clawing Eagle gave him strength. |