Braden’s tears fell onto the bloody orange fur. Skirill back winged to a landing next to him and hopped close, rubbing G-War’s head with his beak. Micah ran up and fell to her knees at their side, digging in her pouch for numbweed to add to Braden’s.
Blood ran down her arms from her own cuts. Braden’s hair was matted with blood from the slashes across his head. They wouldn’t use any of the numbweed on themselves.
‘My name is Prince Axial De’atesh. Today is not my day to die, because you, my human, saved me,’ the ‘cat said in a very tired but determined voice.
Brandt loomed large over them, red streaks on his side as blood trickled from the numerous wounds lining his back. His huge muzzle shoved past Braden to nose the ‘cat. ‘I will carry you, my friend,’ he boomed in his large voice.
Braden blinked the tears away and looked into the sky, where a few Bat-Ravens circled, then darted to the north past the billowing clouds from the forest fire.
“Ess?” Braden asked, although he suspected he knew the answer.
‘I’m sorry, Master Human. I’m in no shape to catch them.’ Skirill unfolded his wings, showing missing feathers and some small skin tears. ‘I can fly, but not well. I’m off to catch the horses.’
It took Skirill an agonizingly long time to return with Max and Pack. Probably half the daylight passed. They recovered the rest of their water and numbweed, putting it all to good use, which meant that most of it went to the ‘cat. No one would have it any other way. They used bits of blanket and clothing to bandage their own wounds. Then they climbed into the saddle, carrying G-War and Skirill, and headed home.
59 – Home
“What did you do?” screamed the little girl, crying as she rushed from one companion to another, looking at their vicious wounds. Although Braden had expected it, he wasn’t prepared for her near-hysterical rage.
‘Ho, little one!’ Brandt thundered. ‘What he did was save us all. The mutie birds that you fear? You may never see another one in your lifetime. That’s what he did.’
“But look at all of you,” she pleaded, her voice getting smaller. She reached out a tentative hand to touch G-War, held tenderly in Braden’s arms. She looked at the pink streaks along the King’s back and sides, Skirill’s missing feathers.
‘Keeping you safe takes sacrifice. It was only our blood and flesh, not our lives. You apologize to Braden, little one. Then you go with me to see my people, yes?’ She shook her head, tears falling freely down her face. Then she wiped them away and stood up straight.
“I’m sorry, Braden. Thank you for saving me.” She darted off toward the Earthshaker Herd without waiting. Brandt snorted and dipped his head, then strolled after her.
The Aurochs’ wounds were much better. Once they found a stream and cleaned his back, the skin scabbed over quickly. The scabs peeled away after seeing enough sunlight, leaving bright pink rents through his dark brown hair. It looked like the skin was splitting off his back. He assured them that it was unimportant if the hair grew back or not. They had won a great battle and his legend as King would be forever etched in the minds of the Aurochs. His scars would be a reminder of the epic battle.
G-War was able to walk but Braden carried him into Village Greentree to make sure that the children didn’t bother him. He had no strength to play. Braden asked Ditarod, the Village Elder, if there was a place they could put the ‘cat where he’d be safe and could rest.
The Elder seemed to glow as he smiled broadly. A crowd of villagers led Braden and Micah to a new stone, wood, and thatch building, behind a new stall in what they now called the Market Square. In the building were a few things that Braden and Micah had left behind, along with a handcrafted bed. The mattress was made from intertwined vines and a spongy material they knew was unique to the rainforest. They looked at it questioningly.
“The Amazonians,” he said. “When they learned that you wished to live here, they wanted to contribute. Bronwyn talked with them and made all the arrangements. We built this for you, all of us, Amazonians, humans, Aurochs. All of us.”
Micah was the first to speak. “We don’t know what to say.” She hugged the Elder until he gasped for air. Braden put the ’cat in the middle of the bed, covering him with a thin sheet, before shaking everyone’s hand and thanking each of them for the incredible gift.
When the villagers learned of the destruction of the Bat-Raven nesting grounds, they wanted to celebrate, but Braden and Micah asked if they would wait. Braden needed to prepare more numbweed, as much as he could get. Micah would stay with G-War and Skirill.
Braden took two villagers with him as he hunted for numbweed bushes. They were quickly rewarded. To help the villagers build their trade stock, he showed the two volunteers how to process the numbweed, adding the leaves, adding water, close to a boil but not boiling… The villagers had pots made of stone while Braden’s was iron. Theirs took longer to heat, but the heat wasn’t as intense and for them, easier to keep at a constant temperature.
The supply of numbweed quickly increased. Braden took what he needed for the companions. Although the wounds had started healing, the numbweed would greatly improve the final stage. He applied it liberally to Skirill and G-War, then he headed to the grasslands where the Aurochs had gathered.
Brandt nudged Bronwyn toward Braden where he showed her how to apply the numbweed. She took a great interest and committed herself to being a healer. Braden and Micah approved. There were animals throughout Vii who could benefit from her attention. She had the potential to be the best animal healer ever, but she needed to learn about the plants and minerals that could help her. They would address that later with her and her parents.
“Well. It looks like we have a home,” Micah said as she hugged her partner. “Where does that leave us?”
“It leaves us looking for a wagon!” During their long, slow trip back to Greentree, Braden thought about the trades. With the Bat-Raven threat eliminated, the trade routes were open. All he needed to do was get out there with goods.
“We need to go to Dwyer, see if they’ve made progress. And we could use some of those people from Westerly. If they are willing to work, there is going to be plenty of work in all these villages. You will see these places boom!” Micah watched as Braden spoke. His excitement about trading was infectious. His dream became his vision which became their new reality.
“As soon as the Prince is healthy enough to travel, we leave?” She said it as a question, but it was really a statement. They heard each other’s thoughts, so there were fewer and fewer surprises between them. That didn’t mean their relationship was stale. It was stronger than ever, although it wasn’t a bond between just two people. The six of them shared a bond that was battle-tested; five different species, one family.
‘I’m fine to travel. It is exhausting sitting around here, doing nothing, getting fed whenever I want. Truly. Exhausting.’ The ‘cat was getting back to his old self, although he was more congenial and had stopped referring to the humans as ‘it.’
Near death experiences have a way of changing a person. Or a ‘cat.
Brandt came running into the village, alarming a couple villagers who bolted for their huts. ‘I heard we’re leaving. I’m ready.’
“I guess this is our life now,” Braden said. “Even when we don’t have secrets, our plans run wild. Sorry, Brandt, probably with the sunrise, we’ll head out for McCullough, then Dwyer. I expect you’re curious how your people are doing over there.”
‘Yes, curious. If there were any problems, they would have come back here, so things must be going reasonably well.’
“I hope they have a wagon ready,” Braden mused.
“We all hope they have a wagon ready, so we don’t have to put up with your pouting,” Micah added.
“I don’t pout!” Braden stuck out his lower lip. “Do I?”
Skirill and Aadi shared a laugh at Braden’s expense. The King of the Aurochs went away in good humor.
“Whaddya think? Fill the ca
rt? Trade our way there? Take Bronwyn with us?” Micah threw the questions at Braden to make him think about the things he liked, with the little girl added at the end to make her presence more palatable.
Braden wasn’t fooled. “If we take her, you have to watch her, make sure she doesn’t kill me in my sleep.” Braden smiled to himself. Having the gifted little girl along made him more aware of everything he did. Just like Micah, she made him better. Just like all the companions.
“I’ll talk with her parents, but I’m sure it will be okay. You fill the cart.” Micah walked away in search of Bronwyn’s parents.
In the end, the cart was filled with tanned hides, dyed material they acquired from Coldstream, leafy-bags of processed numbweed, and three young men with their tools, looking for something to build.
As well as looking for wives.
Micah made them ride in the cart. Only Bronwyn and the ‘cat rode on Brandt. Braden and Micah weren’t going to double up on the horses. Braden wouldn’t be comfortable with another man riding with her, as she wouldn’t be. They’d avoid it altogether.
They committed to make it to McCullough before nightfall. With the horses, the villages were less than one daylight’s travel apart. Brandt helped them travel even more quickly. His walk was a trot for the horses. His trot, their gallop.
With sunrise, the caravan set out, the companions plus three and a full cart. Braden could not have been happier. His vision was coming true.
The trip from Greentree to McCullough was pleasantly uneventful. They did not stop to visit the Amazonians. They knew that Zalastar had problems he was working through, so they’d stick with meeting on the arranged schedule. That also would prevent a surprise from the anti-human Lizard Men.
Skirill flew ahead as usual. When a villager saw him, he waved his wings. She rallied everyone to expect the traders’ arrival. Braden beamed, smiling ear to ear when the ladies of Village McCullough, led by Elder McCullough, were waiting for them and gave a hearty cheer. The companions waved back. Even Brandt bobbed his huge head, happily surprised by the human greeting.
Micah watched it all. She saw it all, including a few new men in the group. Did they need any more husbands? She hoped the three in the cart wouldn’t be disappointed. The last thing they needed was a battle over the women. They’d already had that once and all the men lost. Micah had seen to that personally.
She would do it again if she had to. ‘We need to talk with all these men,’ she passed to Braden over their mindlink.
‘I think so. We can’t have them fighting or trying to take over from the Elder.’
Micah looked at the cart behind her. The three men had been expecting eligible women, ready to couple at first sight. What they found was competition. They looked pathetic, almost like slaves in a cage, their faces sad. Micah tried not to laugh. At least there wouldn’t be an uprising from these three.
Eventually, the men got out of the cart. Bronwyn climbed down from the King of the Aurochs. She passed his greetings to the Elder and the others present who he recognized. Braden unhooked the cart from Speckles. He shook his head. Speckles.
He rolled the cart back and belted out his oft-stated call to trade. Elder McCullough was first up. The villagers completed one of two blankets that would protect a horse’s back and flanks. He took that and doled out various items that he knew they needed. A few of the skins and some numbweed. A couple of the younger women were already wearing tanned deer hide, and it didn’t cover well. It seemed they enjoyed the attention they got, maybe too much.
They needed to talk with the men sooner rather than later.
The blanket fit Speckles nicely and replaced the other blanket they’d been using underneath the saddle. They could keep it themselves, but then they’d miss out on the chance to trade. How many horse blankets did they need?
So it went into the pile with everything else that could be had. No one needed it. They’d take it and the rest of the items to Village Dwyer and trade afresh. That’s how it worked. Braden couldn’t keep from smiling.
Micah took charge and rallied the men for a get-together. She was surprised to see that the men outnumbered the women of Village McCullough. She shook her head and started in on them, pointedly addressing each one in turn. Braden watched from behind. He felt bad and he wasn’t the one getting yelled at.
When Elder McCullough got wind of what was going on, she stormed in. She wasn’t pleased with Micah’s interference. The Elder talked to each man as they arrived, laying down the law for them. They all agreed. She thought Micah’s speech was overkill.
Braden hesitated to get in the middle of it, but in the end, he had to.
“Listen!” he shouted to get everyone’s attention. “Everyone’s heart is in the right place. I remember the first time we entered this village. Five men were already dead, the sixth and seventh died right here. I don’t ever want to see something like that again. Neither do you,” he said, pointing to the Elder, then Micah, then to the men. “You either. We need more people, not less. There is a lot of work to do. You’ll help each other and in the end, everyone’s lives will be better. That’s what we want. That’s what we’ll have. Now get back to work.”
None of the men hesitated. They hustled away, glancing furtively in the direction of Micah and the Elder.
The two women looked like they wanted to fight, but Braden stepped between them. “Stop it,” he said quietly. “We support you and whatever you need, Mel-Ash. Please.” He stepped closer, then pulled her in for a hug. Micah joined them quickly.
“I know how to control those boys,” the Elder said in her scratchy voice. “I control all the women and that’s what those boys are here for. I keep them busy. That’s the secret. No matter what they get done, there’s always more to do.” She smiled, conceding Micah’s intentions. The Elder had a way about her, subtle but effective.
“I’m sorry. I just want all this to work,” Micah started. It looked like she wanted to say more. Braden stopped her.
“Just like an angry Aurochs in the Market Square! Elder McCullough, if you would be so kind, if you have any issues with any of the men that you can’t resolve yourself, you’ll let us know?” She nodded, still smiling. “Then we’ll stay out of your way.”
60 – Dwyer
“I don’t care!” a man screamed at Fen, one of Village Dwyer’s leaders. Destiny ran to support her fellow on the leadership council. “I’m not doing it!”
“But somebody has to clean the outhouse and it’s your turn!” Fen screamed back, her voice a little shrill. Braden and Micah looked at each other, wondering how long this yelling match had gone on.
The group stopped arguing when they realized that Braden and Micah were there, watching. Micah climbed down from Speckles. Her ears took on a red hue as she became angry. Braden made sure she didn’t take out her sword, but otherwise let her go.
“Has it been fair? Everybody takes their turn?” Both Destiny and Fen nodded. The man thrust his nose in the air.
“I ain’t doing it.”
With a quick move, Micah drove her hand under the man’s chin, while twisting her leg behind his knee. She pushed forward with her other leg. She drove his chin up, taking his head on a long trip that ended as his body slammed into the ground. With both hands, she pounded his head against the ground two then three more times. As he lay there stunned, she calmly picked herself up, reared back, and punched him in the mouth, splitting his lip and breaking a tooth.
“Feel like doing it now?” she growled into his face.
“You farging crap…” There was more that he intended to say, but once Micah smashed her fist into his nose, his words came out as a gurgle. She rolled him onto his face and started twisting his arm behind him.
“If you break it and he can’t work, then you’ll be the one cleaning the outhouse,” Braden said calmly.
She added more pressure until he squirmed, but he stopped spewing profanity.
Mick arrived, the third member of the leadership counc
il. He looked at the man on the ground, only briefly, before smiling and giving Braden and Micah his warmest greetings.
“Welcome back! It is always so good to see you. I hope you are pleased with the progress that Tom has made with his smithy. Most of all, we’d love to show you your new wagon!”
Braden let out a whoop of joy. Micah let go of the man so she could give each of them a hug. Braden jumped down to do the same thing.
“If you’ll do the honors,” the older man said, waving at Fen, “I’ll take care of this.” He helped the man up, before twisting his arm again and dragging him away. Destiny went with them, berating the man with each step.
“Brandt would like to see his people. Are they near?”
“They’re at the mine, I think. Not far. Tom had to expand already, so some things have changed, but we’re growing rather rapidly. Everyone needs more people to help them do what they need to do.
The three men from Greentree decided to try their fortune someplace other than Village McCullough and were in the cart. Braden stepped aside so Fen could see. “Well, aren’t you young men welcome! Come on over and let us take a look at you.”
The men had seen Micah in action in two different villages. They were certain they didn’t want to get on her bad side, and kept their distance as they approached Fen.
“We have our tools, ma’am. We’re ready to work,” the group spokesman offered. “We initially thought we’d try our hand in McCullough, but there were too many there already.”
“Men, you mean?” She looked at them with a knowing glance. “There were too many men. Yes, they left here thinking things would be easier. If you’re here, then maybe they are easy over in McCullough. But there are some available ladies who might appreciate a hard-working man.”
“No, ma’am! They were working like slaves over there,” one of the others blurted out. Everyone found the good humor in that. Micah threw her hands up in surrender. The others knew that she didn’t let people take it easy. Whether there, here, or in Greentree, people earned their keep. Fen reached out to welcome each of the three.
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