“Sure! These are dead easy to glue together. Kali and I set up a system. I do drawers. He does the frames. Then we put them together and load them. We will bring the rest by tomorrow hot.” Gresa smiled widely, then pushed the cart back out. Kali waved and followed with his cart.
They sat back down to finish their meal. “Gresa said they would bring the rest tomorrow hot. How many more could they make?” Anna asked.
“Well, the steps order is filled. You only have twenty-four small bureaus left to go. So it will have to be small bureaus and big bureaus.” Des shrugged.
“You need sixty-nine more of the smallest sheets. The small sheets order is about half filled.” Liso said.
“You even got a start on all the vest and sweater sizes. The big sizes will take the longest to fill.” Tava added.
Anna yawned. “Oops, sorry guys.”
Des pointed to the bed. “It is your early night. Go to sleep. I won’t be long.”
“I’ve got to put together a box and bureau for Jatlo. Plus, I wanted to talk to Tanake.” Anna sighed.
Des ushered Anna to bed. “I will take care of it. Go to sleep!” Des gave her a kiss and headed back out to the guys. Anna drifted quickly into slumber, too tired to argue.
Des woke Anna the next morning. “You forgot to set your alarm. It is about one and Jatlo is here. Come eat breakfast with us.” So she got up and ate with Des and Jatlo.
“I came to pick up my box and bureau. Des tells me, you need to mark them.” Jatlo pointed.
“Where do you want the mark on the box?”
“On the lid, I want a big mark.” Jatlo measured with his hands about six inches apart. “It will remind me of Heroes’ Hall and your first mark.”
Anna chuckled. “It gave us quite a tumble, didn’t it? Jao has no idea, how lucky he is? I thought of shoving the image onto his forehead. Luckily for him, I decided he wouldn’t be able to see it, so I opted for the floor.”
Jatlo laughed. “He wouldn’t have been able to see it. But he would have been able to trace it with his hands. That mark is deep. It wouldn’t have been good for the Phsatorae, to have to wear the mark of Wolfe for the rest of his days. He is very lucky, indeed.”
Des shook his head. “If you didn’t have Jatlo to keep an eye on you during meetings, I would be very worried.”
“She had good reason to be angry. I don’t plan on interfering, when she gets mad. I will keep my distance and watch the show.” Jatlo grinned widely. “The Elders are learning they can only push Phwolfe so far. I think they will be more circumspect in the future.”
“Here I thought you trusted me implicitly and totally, Jatlo.”
Jatlo chuckled. “Oh, I trust you. I just wish to watch everyone else tumble about. I missed catching the Elders initial expressions, which I would have dearly loved to see.”
“I missed them too.” Anna shrugged.
“They didn’t move for about twenty minutes, just stood there frozen in shock.” Jatlo grinned.
“Well, at least you got to see that!”
“Yes!” Jatlo said. “Will you be ready for the feast?”
Anna nodded. “I’ve only got tienara biscuits and nuts left to go.”
Jatlo took a deep breath. “What will you do, if Wolfe becomes a sub-clan?”
“Well, first I think I will finish what we have started. Build up the food supply, secure the gardens, and hunt takosund, then I will have to cut some trees. When I harvested the leka, I noticed twelve trees that have grown within a meter of knocking out the lights. Ten of them lysordi, two tienara; those trees have got to be taken down. A couple of dozen others also need to be trimmed back. After that, I will switch back and forth, harvesting to keep us in fresh food, hunting for fresh meat, and working in the metal shop. I can endure the heat.”
“If we could set up a system, where I do the hot work, and others can do the finish work somewhere cool. We could get a lot done. You’re going to need a lot of prepared metal to reseal the outer hull. Plus, this ship really shouldn’t dare space without a full complement of space debris guard pods. The deflector shields need to be at full operating power. Having a couple of spares of the space debris guard pods wouldn’t hurt either.”
“I think getting as far as replacing the space debris guard pods and building up a stock of prefab metal sealing panels in case of an emergency. All of that would take a long time.”
“I didn’t realize that trees had gotten that close to the lights.” Des said.
“How could you know? No one has used the rail system in about a hundred annuals. No one has entered into the center garden for over fifty annuals. You can’t tell how big the trees are, if you never see them.” Anna shrugged.
“The trees must be next then. They can puncture and grow through the garden dome, which can’t be allowed.” Jatlo said vehemently.
“It won’t be. I will get to it.” Anna smiled. “I’ll have to check on the lumber processing room first, but I will get to it.”
“I have to go to work. I will see you later. Don’t work late.” Des kissed Anna and trotted out.
“Mark my box and bureau and I will go. They are already on the cart.” Jatlo said.
“I just marked them. Is that mark the size you wanted?”
Jatlo looked at the box in surprise; he swallowed hard and then nodded. “May your blood stay strong.” He did a sketchy bow and pushed the cart out.
Anna ran to Heroes’ Hall and worked on the tienara. When she rolled the first full rack to East 4, she found Tamsi busy mixing biscuits. Back and forth, she went. Finally, she finished the biscuits. She bottled the gesar syrup and catronu oil. She started making harvest runs to Midsoutheast 4 in between the roasting’s. She refilled the boiling pots with gesar and the presses with catronu. She did tienara flour, whenever she got a chance. She gave up and went home at four forty.
Anna got dinner on the table. She hoped Desvren would get home early, so they could eat before the rush of people showed up. No such luck, Des came home followed by the rest of the medics. Oh well, she had asked for this. She just hadn’t expected such an exuberant response. It seemed to go quick. Once again, the people brought mostly sheets with a few vests, sweaters, and bureaus thrown in.
Gresa and Kali showed up with another two carts full of bureaus, five big ones and twenty-one small ones. That finished off the small bureaus order. Finally, they got everyone taken care of. Des and Anna both ate slowly with long sighs. They crawled into bed. She couldn’t tell which of them felt more tired. But she knew Des was the one who turned off the alarm. She didn’t care. Things were pretty much done for the feast. If she didn’t wake up till tomorrow, oh well.
Anna woke up late, but not by much. Des was still out like a light. Since he had been lugging around bureaus, she could understand his exhaustion. She ran to Heroes’ Hall. She bottled the gesar syrup and catronu oil. Next, she concentrated on the ovens. She packaged as she went, since some still remained in East 4 for Tamsi and others. She wanted to make sure; they could finish up tonight too. She took the last batch out at eleven eighty. She pushed the finished product up from East 4 and put it away. Finally, she pushed the racks into the corner and went home.
Des had the table set and food out, but lay in bed asleep. Anna touched his mind and found that he had already eaten. She nibbled some slowly, and then gave up. She was crawling into bed when she noticed the folded clothes on the bedside. With a sigh, she leaned over to see what they were. The hunter’s cloth, ahh... Tanake had finished the clothes, great.
Des shook her awake. “Hurry, we will be late. Neither one of us set the alarm.” Anna grabbed the hunter’s clothes and dashed for the door.
“I’m going to take a shower. I’ll meet you outside your cabin.” Anna was at Des’s cabin, before she remembered that she only had on an oversized T-shirt. Luckily, she hadn’t met anyone in the halls. Des stood waiting when she came out, barefoot and sexy again. And they still had thirteen more days to go.
Preparing for
a Golsidan feast felt like the two days prior to Christmas, a mad hectic marathon dash. You had to get the food, the gifts, everything. Now, right now!
But a Golsidan feast topped Christmas. It had presents, food, and quiet rooms to sneak into and take naps. There were friends to mix and mingle with. You had time, a whole day to talk and laugh. No more rushing. Take your shoes off and relax. Plus, you had tomorrow, a day off. See someone you want to catch up with, “Hey, come over tomorrow.” You didn’t have to worry about cleaning up. That was done together right after you ate. You didn’t have to worry about finding places for people to sleep or the traffic on the way home. Everything was done. Everybody was here to enjoy each other’s company, for as long or short as they wished. You could mingle all day or you could hide in a nook. You could eat as much or as little as you wanted.
It was a perfect day. Des and Anna talked, mingled, laughed, and napped. They spent the whole day next to each other. Neither of them had to rush off to do work of any kind. They just relaxed with their friends.
They spent time with Sato and Fienu, Jatlo and Toruska, Dasie and Brema, Liso and Tava, Tanake and Doru, Marfi, Miasla, Tamsi, Pealo, Gresa and Kali. Friends wandered off and came back. When it came time for the presentation, they wandered in hand in hand. Anna was sent to the top level. Des went to the second level. Anna simply sat on the level edge. Des pushed his chair over and leaned back against her knees.
They talked about, what they would contract with the next hunt earnings. They decided on blankets, rugs, pajamas, and towels. The blankets and towels would only need the edges sewn, making them cheap to contract out. The rugs would be expensive, because they took a lot of labor to braid and weave. They would order what they could afford.
Finally, the time came to pass out honor gifts. Sato and Anna passed out to the hunt watchers, the winch operator and assistants, second level medics, and assistant hunters. Kali got one of Cima’s tapestries. Brema got a three-quarter ornate tunic made by Tanake. Mapao got a set of carving knives. Kesti got one of Jatlo’s ornamental rugs. Des got one of Liso’s framed carvings of a howling wolf. They passed out gifts to the carters, Liso and Tava, and the mechanics, who had helped install the winches, then the special volunteers, and then everyone else.
The gifts were appreciated, admired, and of course Oh- Ah, Oh-Ahhed over. Des and Anna passed out gifts side-by-side, enjoying it as much as the recipients. They all went back to their seats. Anna resumed her level edge sitting to which Sato rolled his eyes.
The Phsatorae began to speak. “As it was our responsibility, the Elders and I chose the hunters gifts. Hunter Sato, would you please accept these gifts as a token of the honor in which you are held.” Sato sat the basket on the table and turned to the Phsatorae who said. “A token of the honor Satorae holds you in.” and flipped back the cloth to reveal...
Dang! That crossbow looked awesome. The stock carved and dyed with red and yellow swirling patterns, the bolts a vibrant yellow with red feathers, and the arrowheads, they looked... Anna glanced at Des and flicked her eyes. Des nodded. The arrowheads were Des’s work.
Sato stood frozen in place, his mouth opened and closed, but nothing came out. His eyes flew to Anna’s, beseeching her.
Anna called out. “Gresa, it is a work of art, magnificent! Sato, I bet it’s got as much, if not more hitting power than mine. The arrowheads look beautiful Des. Nice lines, they will fly and cut true.” Anna got up, walked over, and cocked her head at Sato. “It’s going to take a lot of practice for you to become a top shot, especially when you can’t seem to move when you’re holding it.” Anna teased.
Sato jolted. “I ... I am honored. Thank you.” Sato managed to sit back down, before he resumed staring at the bow. Anna couldn’t help, but chuckle.
“Hunter Phwolfe, would you please accept these gifts as a token of the honor in which you are held.” The Phsatorae held the basket out to Anna. She bowed, accepted it, and set it on the table, then turned back to the Phsatorae.
He cleared his throat. “Today, we combine two traditions. Phwolfe your time is up. The Elders have made their decision. Call Phwolfe; call those who would stand beside you through failure or success. Call Phwolfe, call!” The Phsatorae demanded.
Des shot up. “Call Phwolfe, call!”
Gresa stood next. “Call Phwolfe, call!” Then the voices came from all around. “Call Phwolfe, call!”
Anna’s head shot back, deep, long, heart howl. Everything that Wolfe once was went into the call, Andy, Tara, Anthony, the laughter and joys they shared, the pain and tears, the backrubs, the hugs, the togetherness, the loyalty, the trust. Everything that Wolfe had become went into the call, Phwolfe, pack-runner, steel slinger, rail jumper, defender of friends, leka harvester, feast preparer, dye maker, quilt sewer, tai’twain wife, and mother to be. Wolfe calls to friends, to pack. Wolfe calls to Wolfe and Wolfe always answers.
Anna’s head came back down. She looked around her. The top level was very crowded. Des, Liso, Tava, Sato, Fienu, Jatlo, Toruska, Pealo, Cima, Tawai, Krea, Marfi, Brema, Dasie, Shalo, Mapao, Kesti, Gresa, Kali, Tamsi, Tanake, Doru, Miasla, Jeado, Pemali, Dratli, Prema, Poltu, Jati, Loski, Heda, Casko, Toltu, Telluri, Kambu, Tista, with more standing behind them. She couldn’t see them all, but she felt them, her love, her friends, her pack.
Anna’s head went back again. She howled heart-song, soul-song, life-song. We are pack. We are friends. We are together. We are blood spilt and blood saved. We hunt well. We are strong. We live. We laugh. We love. We sing heart-song, soul-song, life-song, pack-song. Her head came back down. Her eyes watered, her heart thundered, in her mind a wolf stood, tail wagging, grinning its wolf grin. “Sing well Phwolfe, sing well!” The wolf said.
The Phsatorae spoke loudly, clearly, and strongly. “It is my duty to announce that Satorae can’t accept Wolfe as a sub-clan.”
Anna felt ruffs’ stand on edge, hackles being raised, teeth being bared. A growl low and deep, built up around her, issued from numerous throats. The Phsatorae grinned and continued. “Satorae can only accept Wolfe as a brother clan, for our hearts sing the same song.” The Phsatorae’s head went back, his arms shot out, palms up to the star dome that surrounded them. “You stand among the stars Phwolfe! Mark your place!”
Anna’s eyes swung unswervingly to Orion, sky hunter, hunter through space and time. In her mind, a wolf called out “Heart-song!” She made her mark on Orion’s chest over his heart, a gleaming red paw print shining bright amongst the stars.
All around Anna, minds rejoiced, hearts gave song, heads threw back, and they howled. They howled deep. She joined the singing. The sound echoed out of the hall and reverberated through the ship, heart-song, soul-song, life-song, pack-song, Wolfe-song!
THE BEGINNING
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Title page
Copyright
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter 1 - Lights in the Darkness
Chapter 2 - New Friends
Chapter 3 - Welcome to the Garden
Chapter 4 - Harvest Chief Sato
Chapter 5 - KP Duty
Chapter 6 - A Golsidan Feast
Chapter 7 - The Marriage Stick
Chapter 8 - Children to Cherish
Chapter 9 - Winch Them In
Chapter 10 - “Call Phwolfe! Call!”
Phwolfe Song (Golsidan Revival Series Book 1) Page 40