Hungarian Heritage Review, 1991 (20. évfolyam, 1-11. szám)
1991-08-01 / 8. szám
At the same time, he ordered women and children to be loaded in wagons and moved Eastward across the plain, into the Transylvanian mountains. After defeating the enemy, Csaba led his remaining warriors into the mountains, too, stopping beneath the steep cliffs of Oltárkő (Altar-Rock). "On those cliffs above", he said, "my Father's bird, the TURUL, builds his nest. This country, surrounded by mountains and forests, was made for you, my people, by UR, our God. There is plenty of game in the forests, and plenty of fish in the brooks and rivers. In time you will love this land so much that you will not be able to live anywhere else. Huns, people of Atilla, this is your land, there is no other place for you on the face of this Earth." Atilla's remaining Huns bowed their heads. They loved the wide open plains where they were bom and raised, where they could race the wind on thundering hooves, but they knew that defeated and small in number, they would soon be annihilated by ravaging enemies. The mountains and forests offered safety and protection. Therefore they did not protest. Only Ldy Reka asked her son a question. "And thou, my Son? Why speakest thou as if we were to stay but thou not?" she wondered. "I must go back to Scythia, the old homeland," Csaba answered, "to find the Magyars and lead them here. United with them we shall retake Atilla's land, our own country, from the usurpers." Csaba divided his army. He left behind the married, the wounded and the old, to protect the women and children. With the young warriors, he prepared for the journey back to Scythia. "Wait, my Son," his Mother beseeched him, "thou wilt not have to wait for long!" Csaba waited. After a short while, Lady Reka passed away quietly and peacefully. Csaba buried her on the flowering bank of a lovely brook, which has ever since been called Reka Brook. At length the time came for Csaba and his warriors to leave. Tears flowed as parents bade farewell to their children. The old RABONBAN (Prophet) had evil dreams that night. He was worried when he spoke to Csaba. "I dreamed of a muddy sea surrounding us, a sea of hostile people. What will happen to us if thou shouldst not come back in time? The last of the Huns will all perish here, like a small island in the midst of raging waters!" "If danger should threaten my people here," Csaba answered, "thou shouldst send a message to me by means of fire and water, wind and earth, and wherever I might be, I shall return to the rescue." No sooner had Csaba left with his men, than hostile neighbors fell upon the Szekelys (left-handed families). The Rabonban prayed for help and UR heard his prayer. He sent a fiery flash to Earth that set the forest on fire in front of Csaba and his warriors. "Turn back, Csaba!" the fire roared. "The Szekelys are in peril!" Csaba and his Huns turned their mounts. They swept down the mountain slopes like a raging storm wiping out the enemies. Once again they started toward the East. Suddenly, flood waters blocked their way and the waters roared. "Back, Csaba, back," they roared. "The Szekelys are in danger!" Faster than the wind, the Huns stormed back in Szekely-land, and fell upon the intruders, killing them to the last man. They started out for a third time. Suddenly, a storm stopped them with lightning and thunder. "Tűm, Csaba, tum!" roared the storm. "A handful of Szekelys are fighting for their lives!" So Csaba and his Huns returned for the third time, and saved their people. At last the enemies learned not to harm the peaceful little settlement in the mountains of Transylvania, between Oltárkő and Reka-continued next page AUGUST 1991 HUNGARIAN HERITAGE REVIEW 45
