“I think it’s time to return the tools and see if we can borrow others,” Murdock said to Rose one morning. “I think it’s also time to invite Mei Lee for a visit.”
“I think so, too,” Rose agreed. “Are we both going?”
“I would say so,” Murdock said. “We may run across a deer on the way back.”
“We could sure use it,” Rose said. “And with the smoke house we can store more.”
As they left their cabin, they saw Beron standing outside. Murdock and Rose greeted him.
“Follow?” Beron flashed. Murdock and Rose both followed after their huge friend.
They hadn’t gone far from the cabin when they found a pool in the rock. It was away from the river and upriver from the cabin. Murdock saw steam coming off the pool, and when he stuck his spear into the water, he saw it was at least four feet deep. He and Rose looked at Beron, slack-jawed.
“Thank you,” both flashed with excitement. “It’s very much appreciated!”
“Is gift,” Beron flashed to them both.
Murdock looked around the pool. I’ll have to get a roof on it before winter, he though. I’m going to need a few logs, but not too many. Rose stripped off her buckskin dress and climbed into the very warm water.
“This water feels heavenly,” she said with excitement in her voice.
“I guess our trip is delayed,” Murdock said with a slight laugh. He stripped off his clothes and joined his wife in the pool. Both lounged in luxury.
Beron waited, some distance away, for the pair to exit the pool.
After Murdock left the pool and had dried off, he received an image of a deer skin, then a mixture of rapid images. Murdock was puzzled.
“He wants to know if we want the hides of deer they take.” Rose relayed from the pool.
Murdock flashed an affirmative to Beron.
“Yes, all we can get,” he said aloud to Rose, who promptly relayed the information to Beron.
Beron flashed to Murdock and Rose that he understood and that he would relay the request to the rest of the Oomah.
Murdock felt that they just might be able to survive the winter with their friend’s help and with luck hunting and fishing. Murdock was glad he had the help of the Oomah. Otherwise, he thought, we wouldn’t make it through the first winter.
19
After their baths, Murdock and Rose left for the pod encampment. As they made their way on the other side of the river, they both looked across the river at their house.
“Looks pretty nice to me,” Murdock said with more than a little pride.
“It looks like home,” Rose exclaimed as they walked past, “to me, anyway.”
They reached the pod encampment just before dark, where Mei Lee met them at the edge of the encampment. Mei Lee led the pair around to see all the improvements the colonists had made since Rose and Murdock’s last visit. Murdock returned the tools he had borrowed and picked out a few different ones to take back. All along the way, the colonists greeted Murdock and Rose with genuine sentiments of “Hope you’re well” and “Really glad to see you both.” This made the two feel appreciated.
“It looks like you’re going to have to hunt again soon,” Murdock said as they walked past the food storage area.
“Yes, it does look that way,” Mei Lee told them. “We have a hunting party out now, and they should be back tomorrow sometime; I hope they’re successful.”
“What weapons are they using?” Murdock asked.
“Spears are all we have,” Mei Lee told him.
“Do you have an armorer?” Murdock asked.
“Yes, we do,” Mei Lee said. “Tomorrow I’ll introduce you to him. But you two must be tired and hungry.”
“We are a little tired,” Rose told her, “but we have our own food.”
“That’s up to you,” Mei Lee said cordially. “You’re both more than welcome to share what we have.”
Murdock dropped the cart when they reached Mei Lee’s camp site and unpacked what they needed for the night. When Murdock dropped the blankets, Mei Lee noticed them and oohed and aahed as she ran her hands over them.
“Is this more of your work, Murdock?” Mei Lee asked.
“No, it’s mine,” Rose said with pride. Then, with a smirk, she added, “He has his own handiwork to be proud of!”
“We came to return the tools and invite you for a visit,” Murdock said.
Mei Lee looked at the pair for a moment. Then, with a slight laugh, she asked, “When do we leave?”
“Tomorrow is soon enough,” Murdock told her.
“I’m hoping the hunting party is successful, so I can go and enjoy myself,” Mei Lee said.
“If they aren’t, I’ll help when we come back,” Murdock said to ease her mind a little.
“I appreciate the offer, but I would feel better if I knew everyone was taken care of before leaving,” Mei Lee said in a soft voice.
“What do you think?” Murdock flashed to Rose while smiling at Mei Lee.
“I think she is going to do what she wants when she wants to do it,” Rose flashed back, also smiling.
“We need to hunt as well,” Murdock said to Mei Lee. “We were going to do ours on our way home, if the deer cooperate.”
They began eating and Murdock offered Mei Lee some of their deer meat.
“What is this?” Mei Lee asked after tasting it. “It’s really good!”
“Just venison that’s been smoked,” Murdock said.
That started the big discussion on the finer points of smoking meat and building a smoke house; a discussion that lasted until all were tired and decided to go to sleep.
That night, Murdock took the first watch. While he sat awake, he planned how to get bow and arrow production going on a small scale. He and Rose could use arrows, and he hadn’t finished his bow yet, but he would have to wait until winter to work on them. He had little time to get as much deer and fish into the smokehouse for winter. He had dug the root cellar for the purpose of hanging already smoked deer after the first hard freeze. He couldn’t say exactly when the first freeze was, but it was coming, and he didn’t want to be caught short.
I know we’re going to need more hides, he thought, a lot more. He thought it likely that they would have a cold winter, so any ventures outside would require parkas, mittens, mukluks, and trousers. I know the cold weather garments have to be doubled; one fur-side in and one fur-side out. Accounting for mistakes we could get both pairs of mukluks and mittens out of one deer hide. Two hides each for trousers and parkas. I’d estimated five to seven hides per person for anyone venturing out very far in the cold. Then there is the tanning, the cutting, with sharp knives, and the sewing, with bone needles and dried back-strap tendons for thread. It’ll take some time to get even one person outfitted for extreme cold. I’ll have to get the hides from the deer kills the Oomah will get, so I’ll have to rely on Beron to inform me of those kills so the hides can be harvested. He made a mental note to discuss this with Beron sometime very soon. He hoped for a milder winter, but he had to prepare for the worst.
Just then, he got a telepathic message from Beron. No words, just a feeling that Beron understood and would do what he could. Murdock was then flooded with calm, and his worries were far less important. I am broadcasting my thoughts or Beron is eavesdropping, he thought. Maybe it’s both. How can I know?
After a few hours, Murdock walked around the campsite to stretch his muscles. He had noticed that the nights were cooler than when they first arrived. He guessed it would be late summer or early fall in a few weeks. Then, thinking of Rose and their baby, he grinned unconsciously. I’ve never given much thought to having kids, but the idea of it pleases me, he thought.
“I’m glad to hear that,” Rose flashed.
Murdock jumped a little. “I didn’t mean to wake you,” he flashed back. “I didn’t know I was broadcasting my thoughts.”
“I have difficulty sleeping when my husband isn’t next to me,” Rose flashed. “It isn’t
that you’re broadcasting your thoughts, everyone does. It’s a matter of knowing what to listen for. You, Beron, and I know what to listen for when communicating with each other. With someone else, it’s hard to know what to listen for.”
“So, you, Beron, and I can’t help but hear each other?” Murdock asked.
“That’s as good an explanation as any,” Rose flashed back. “Of course, that’s just my speculation on how it works.”
“What about others, like Mei Lee?” Murdock asked.
“I believe they could be taught, just as we were,” Rose theorized.
Murdock would have sworn that she shrugged; at least she did in his mind’s eye. Then Murdock heard movement behind him, which he assumed was Mei Lee. She was trying hard to be as silent as possible.
“There’s no need to be quiet, Mei Lee,” Murdock said without turning around.
“How did you know it was me?” Mei Lee asked in a quiet voice. “I’ve been working hard on my stalking skills.”
“You’re a lot quieter than the rest,” Murdock said, “but you shouldn’t be discouraged if you can’t sneak up on me. I am notoriously difficult to catch unaware.”
“I was just coming out to assume the watch so you can sleep,” Mei Lee said.
Murdock had noticed that the entire camp was quiet. No other site had set a watch.
“Why is it no other sites have watches set?” Murdock asked as he stiffened a little.
“The only person we have to guard against is locked up in the pod,” Mei Lee said, shrugging. “No animals have come into camp, so we don’t feel there’s a need.”
“Then why are you out here now?” Murdock asked roughly. “Is it so Rose and I feel safe?”
“To be blunt, yes,” Mei Lee said.
“Then you don’t understand the need for the watches,” Murdock said, anger tinging his voice. “The purpose of the watches is to give the rest of the camp a chance to respond, should something come up. What would all of you do if a brush fire came through? They travel fast enough to take almost all of this in seconds.”
“It isn’t dry enough for brush fires,” Mei Lee countered.
Murdock spun around to look at Mei Lee directly. “How about a wolf attack?” he asked with sarcasm.
“We only have your word that there are wolves,” Mei Lee said. “No one else has seen one, except you. No one else has even seen any sign of wolves.”
“Do you think I would make up something like that?” Murdock asked, glaring down at her.
“I think you’re more than a little paranoid and very distrustful of others,” Mei Lee said, glaring back at him.
Murdock smiled dangerously. “Anything else?”
“You and Rose are my friends, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make you feel welcome and relaxed,” Mei Lee said in a quiet voice.
Murdock breathed deeply to calm himself. “Just because you don’t see the immediate danger doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist,” Murdock said calmly.
“Just because you think there is a danger,” Mei Lee said, “doesn’t make the danger real.”
I’ve done what I can to warn Mei Lee, he thought. If she chooses to ignore it, then I can leave it alone with a clear conscience.
“Okay, we both made our point, so forget it,” Murdock said. “For my part, you have been warned, and I won’t bring it up again.” Murdock turned to enter the small tent with Rose.
“One more thing, Murdock,” Mei Lee said after him.
“Yes?” Murdock said, turning his head slightly.
“Does the invitation still stand?” Mei Lee asked quietly
Murdock turned sharply. Mei Lee was apparently close to tears. “Of course it does,” he said in an off-handed way. Mei Lee’s expression changed to one of relief.
“I’m glad of that,” Mei Lee said. “Sleep well, my friend!”
“Thanks,” Murdock said and entered the tent.
“Feisty, isn’t she?” Rose flashed.
“Yeah, she is,” Murdock flashed back with a smirk on his face, “but I kind of like that!”
“Just so you don’t like it too much,” Rose warned as Murdock lay next to her and she snuggled into him. “I’m jealous of my position!”
The next morning, Mei Lee took Murdock to meet the armorer. He was a slight man, thin and willowy, with long, nimble fingers. Murdock thought he looked painfully thin, as if a light breeze would blow him over. Murdock carried the bow Rose used and now showed it to the armorer. Murdock also showed the man the arrows. The armorer carefully inspected the arrow’s straightness, fletchings, and flint point. He turned the bow over and over again and asked Murdock questions about materials and techniques. It was some time before Murdock let the man inspect the spear. Again, the man inspected carefully and asked questions.
When they had finished, the armorer did agree to work on making arrows and bows and a few spears. He made no commitment as to the length of time it would take, but they had agreed on a price for one bow, two dozen arrows, and two spears for Murdock and Rose. The rest would be for the other hunters in the colony and the armorer would have to work out payment with them.
By the time the two men had finished their conversation and haggling, it was only slightly past mid-day. Murdock struck out on his own, to find Mei Lee, whom he found at her campsite talking with Rose.
“Finally finished?” Mei Lee asked as Murdock approached.
“Yes, it turned out to be quite the conversation,” Murdock said. “Did the hunting party return?”
“Yes, they did,” Mei Lee said. “They returned a couple of hours ago. When did you want to leave for your place? I find myself getting excited about getting away from all the issues that go with leadership for a few days.”
“Do you need to let anyone know you’re going?” Murdock asked.
“Already done,” Mei Lee said.
She seems to be fidgeting a lot, Murdock thought.
Murdock checked over their cart, noting its contents and making sure all was secure.
“All packed and ready to roll, dear,” Rose flashed.
“I see that; very efficient of you,” Murdock flashed.
“Wasn’t me,” Rose flashed back. “Our guest has been anxious to leave for some time. I had to find things for her to do to keep her busy.”
“Looks like we’re ready to leave,” Murdock said as he picked up the poles and headed toward the river.
Rose and Mei Lee took the lead after leaving the encampment. Rose, bow at the ready, scanned for game or threats. Mei Lee was talking to her quietly about different things. Murdock thought it appeared that Mei Lee was genuinely glad to be going somewhere with them.
At the river, Murdock decided to look over the river bank, thinking of a bridge of some kind. This part of the river, he thought, is much wider, two hundred yards at least, a little shallower, and is moving faster. The river contained no sandbars or islands that could help support a bridge. However, some tall trees stood on both shores. A ferry might work here, though. He found himself thinking of the logistics necessary for a ferry crossing.
After a short rest, the three continued upriver. Mei Lee had finally gotten quiet and didn’t have a lot to say during the trek.
“Don’t say anything to Mei Lee about the house,” Murdock flashed to Rose. “I want to see if she notices it.”
Rose acknowledged his request without betraying their communication. It was close to sun-down when Murdock saw the house in the distance.
“What a nice house,” Mei Lee exclaimed.
“Where?” Murdock asked incredulously. He knew where the house was located, and he could barely see it.
“Over there,” Mei Lee said, pointing in the correct direction.
Rose heard the conversation, but showed no indication of her surprise.
“The bridge up ahead appears to be the only way to easily cross the river,” Mei Lee continued.
Murdock and Rose said nothing to each other either orally or mentally as they continued on in a direc
t line to the house.
“I’m very impressed with your skills, Kevin!” Mei Lee said once they had arrived. This caused Rose to beam with pride. “Oh, my,” Mei Lee exclaimed when she saw the spa. “Where in the world did you get that?” Her mouth hung open while she walked around the tub, touching it periodically as if to be assured that she wasn’t dreaming.
“It just . . . appeared,” Rose joked. “Magically!” When Mei Lee turned to look at her with suspicion, Rose just grinned back at her.
“Well, wherever it came from, I plan on taking advantage of it while I’m here,” Mei Lee said with excitement, dipping her hand into the hot water.
Murdock, having gotten the fire going and unpacked the cart, had joined the women as they were finishing the tour of the outside.
“Could I see the inside of the house?” Mei Lee asked with humility. “I’m most curious to see how you built this magnificent home!” And then to Rose, “I’m very envious, you know!”
Murdock could see the pride on Rose’s face and in her body language. As Rose and Murdock showed their guest around the inside of the house, Mei Lee bombarded them with questions on construction and purpose for some features. Then, all three sat close to the fireplace eating smoked venison and drinking some of the cold, clear water from the river.
“We have a little announcement,” Rose began with excitement, holding Murdock’s hand. “I’m pregnant!”
Mei Lee raised her eyebrows, and she grinned broadly. “Congratulations, to both of you!”
“I think I’m going to need some assistance late winter or early in the spring,” Murdock said to Mei Lee. “I’ve never delivered a baby before.”
“You know you have my help,” Mei Lee said with excitement.
“I didn’t want to assume,” Murdock said, “or to presume upon our friendship.”
Mei Lee looked at him blankly. “I’ll also ask around and see if anyone at the pod has any experience with childbirth. I doubt anyone there has, but I’ll ask. You were planning on the birthing being here?”
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