As much as she hated to be told what to do, she realized he was right. She reached out and touched his shoulder, "You are right, I won't forget your help." Turning toward the river, she walked rapidly away.
Loki watched her as she moved away, and then he turned toward Ceola's fire. He must think of some way to delay her. As he approached her, he saw that she was helping her brother and sister. The children, Dola and his sister, Opla, were full of energy, and Ceola was having a hard time getting them to sleep. Loki saw that he wouldn't have to do anything to slow Ceola down; she had problems enough with her family. She would be late for her meeting tonight. Loki moved away into the shadows to see what else was happening.
Later, Sorou was waiting down at the river near the big rock. The full moon had risen, but the night was cloudy and the windy. Shadows from the clouds drifted across the forest and created strange things in the night. She hoped Cano would come soon; it was not wise to be in the forest alone at night. Sorou stood near the water on a small patch of grass and scanned the water and the nearby woods. There was no sign of danger. A smile curled the corners of her mouth as she thought about how she would handle Cano. She reached up and straightened her hair. Then as an afterthought, she pulled it over her shoulder. It was now the way Ceola wore her hair. There was a faint sound from the trail. It must be Cano. She moved slightly and faced the river. Cano was almost to the river when he saw a movement near the water. He froze, and then he could make out the outline of a young woman against the reflection of the moonlight on the water. She was sideways, and there was no doubt it was a women. Her hair was worn as she always wore it, over her shoulder. His mouth was suddenly dry and his stomach was tight. He was certain she could hear his heart pounding. As usual when he got near her, he couldn't think of what to say. Finally he croaked, "You're beautiful tonight." The figure turned slightly toward him and raised her arms as she sank to the ground. “This is it,” he thought, and he moved to her quickly and sank to the ground with her. Her skin was hot to his touch and she was breathing quickly. He could feel her excitement rising to meet his own. He reached around her bareback and pulled her close as he sank his head into her hair. His breath was coming in short gasps, which matched hers. His mouth found hers as they started to melt into one. However, something was wrong. She was perfect, but yet not perfect, she felt different. He started to pull away slightly, but she wrapped her legs around him and pulled him closer. She was all over him, her hands up and down his back, squirming like a creature that was trapped but not trying to escape. Cano was losing contact with reality. Nothing seemed to matter but this moment and the fear that it wouldn't last. His hand slid down to her breast, and a sigh escaped her throat. He grasped it gently as she moaned. Again he felt that something was wrong, the breast didn't seem correct. He pulled his mouth from hers and leaned back just as the moon came from behind a cloud. It was Sorou! Smiling, she pulled him down and covered his mouth with hers. He was stunned, he knew that he shouldn't be here, but he was thinking with his body and not his mind. His body or more accurately, their bodies were in control of this time and place. His will to stop had faded to nothing. Cano was the complete captive of the moment. They were both panting and covered in sweat. It seemed wrong, which made it more exciting. The moment had come to make it happen, to join into one. It was the perfect time to form the union between man and woman, except for one thing.
Ceola came upon them at this moment. She was expecting love on this night but not the kind she found. Seeing him on the ground with another woman stunned her. The smell of sex hung in the air like a cloud. The forbidden feeling of watching was coupled with an animal desire to be a part of it. Anger and jealousy overrode all of these feelings. Ceola felt a scathing anger at Cano, but a primitive survival urge made her want to attack the woman that would take her man. A red tide surged up through her body. She tried to control her voice as she said, "Cano, when you're finished, I have something to tell you."
Although the words were spoken in a soft voice, they had the same effect as stepping on a snake. Cano recognized Ceola's voice and knew he was caught. No chance of talking my way out of this, he thought. Even the yielding body beneath his was not enough to keep his interest up. He wished he were somewhere else, anywhere else. He rolled to his side and evaded Sorou's attempts to pull him back down. "Ceola, this isn't what it looks like, I can explain.” Even in the moonlight Cano could see the anger flashing in Ceola's eyes. “Please let me try to explain."
Sorou sat up and in an angry voice said "Ceola, leave! You're not wanted or needed here. Can't you see that we want to be alone? Go away now."
Well, that didn't help me at all, thought Cano.
Ceola started to turn but was stopped by Cano's next words "Please don't go, I love you.”
She was confused, these were the words she wanted to hear, but not now, and not like this.
Sorou was also stunned by Cano's words, she had tried to show him what she could and would do for him and he was rejecting her. She was hurt. To make things worse, he rejected her in front of Ceola. Well, he would pay for making this choice. He would be made to hurt like she hurt. He wasn't the only man in the clan. I hate them both, they will find out what it's like to have me for an enemy. She brushed off some leaves from her arm as she stood. She planted a barb as she turned to go. "Cano, when you're tired of playing with children and want a woman, stop by my fire, I may take pity on you and show you some things that children don't know." She stalked away toward camp.
Ceola didn't want to follow Sorou back to camp, but she didn't want to stay here with Cano. She was still furious with him and couldn't believe how she had found him. She had been betrayed. He was supposed to be hers, not Sorou's mate. She wanted to go away and be alone; she needed time to think. ‘It was so confusing. Why can't it be simple?’
Cano knew he was in deep trouble and had better move before it was too late. He came over and took hold of one of her hands. She started to pull away, but he held on gently and then grasped it in both of his hands. Looking into her eyes, he raised her hand to his lips and kissed it gently. They stood silently for a moment before he spoke, "I know this is hard for you," he said. "It's hard for me too." He thought of what he had just said and quickly added, "I mean it's difficult for me. You're hurt, and it's my fault. I would do anything to change the way things have happened tonight. I love you and want to be with you," he paused and then said, "only you."
Ceola didn't pull her hands away, but she was still angry and confused. He had stopped when I spoke, she thought. He could have gone on. Her voice trembled as she spoke, "It certainly looked like you were enjoying her. I'm hurt and angry. If this is the kind of person that you are, I can live without you. You betrayed me. I thought that what we had was special. I came here tonight to be with you." Her voice got louder; anger was dripping from the words. "What do I find? You and her on the ground covered in sweat. You said you could explain. Well, I'm waiting and it had better be good."
Cano paused before answering. She was correct; he had better get it right the first time because there won't be a chance for a second explanation. "Please listen to all I have to say, before you say anything. It's complicated, and it wasn't my idea for things to happen like this. Remember this above all else, I love you. I want to be with you." He hesitated before he continued; "I couldn't wait to see you here tonight. When I came to the river, it was dark. I saw a movement and thought it was you. I could see a figure of a woman near the water where I expected to see you. She had her hair over her shoulder the way that you wear yours. She turned toward me and put her arms out to me. Just as I had hoped you would. It was dark and I couldn't see it wasn't you. I expected you; you were supposed to be here. I can't lie, I went to her, but I thought it was you. I was confused after a few moments. We haven't been together like that, but something wasn't right. I didn't know what it was, but I could tell something was wrong. I won't lie; it's difficult to think at a time like that. Your body takes over control. The moon came o
ut of the clouds, and I saw that it wasn't you. I couldn't believe my eyes; I knew that I was in trouble. I pulled away from her. Before I could get up, you found us. This is the truth. Did you see us together? Yes, you did, but I thought it was you. If you had come along a little later, you would know I speak the truth. I don’t know how she knew I would be here tonight with you. Someone must have told her, and she planned this. This is part of a plan to keep us apart. I can see by the look in your eyes you want to believe me. Please believe me. I love you." He paused and took hold of her other hand and brought them both to his lips and kissed them gently. "If you believe what you saw and believe what they want you to think, then I have lost. I will have lost the only woman I care for. If you believe me, if you believe the truth, we can still have each other. I have said all I can say."
Ceola wanted to believe him. She still felt angry but now she wasn't angry with him. His explanation seemed true. How could Sorou know to come here tonight? Cano couldn't be stupid enough to plan to meet Sorou at the same time and place he was meeting me. Someone other than Cano must have planned it. Someone had helped Sorou with this plan, someone who wanted Cano and me to stay apart. He was telling the truth, and he said he loved me. She freed one of her hands, slid it up behind his head, and pulled it down to her. She put her lips close to his ear and said, "I believe you." Ceola could feel his heart pounding next hers. Slowly, two sank to the ground as one. This time everything was right. There was a blending of the two into one. They rested after the first time, in each other’s arms. The smell of the river, the gentle whispering of the leaves on the trees, and the drifting shadows of the clouds all helped make it perfect. This was a night to remember. They came together two more times that night, and each time the joy of being together forged a stronger bond. Neither of them knew it, but as a testimony to their love, another being was created.
Saber-Tooth
He was lying outside of his den in the morning sun. The sun was warm, and there were scattered clouds, which spread soft shadows across the ground. He was grooming himself with his long tongue. His eight-inch fangs left lines along his pelt, sometimes one line, and sometimes two tracks. He stretched his long muscled tawny body to its full length. He lay there half dozing in the warm sun. First, he flexed the prehensile claws on his front legs, and then he repeated the actions with his hind legs. A low growl, almost a groan rumbled up to his throat. The faint smell of mammoth drifted up to him. He opened his pale yellow eyes slowly and then tested the air for more information on the mammoths. They were miles away but not so far as too ensure their safety. He knew that he was no match for an adult mammoth, but then only foolish animals attacked the bigger animals. The ones to attack were the smaller ones that made mistakes. The meat was better, and they were less trouble to kill. Speed was important in killing, a sloppy kill attached attention and the mature would come to protect members of the herd.
He dropped his head to the ground and lay there thinking about the hunt last night; he had killed a mammoth calf. The calf was three times his size, but it was young and foolish. He had brought it down easily. The calf had strayed from the herd and from its mother. He lay in the deep shadows of the night for hours, watching the heard feed. By studying their movements, he could tell which of the huge beasts were asleep on their feet. When the time was right, he came out of the darkness like a swift silent shadow. The distance was only a hundred yards to the calf, and he covered it in a few seconds. An unnamed instinct caused the calf to bolt at the last instant, but it was too late. His charge had caught the calf in the rear quarters where he laid her open with long bloody lines from his front claws. The real damage came next when he used his long fangs to rip the tendons in her rear leg to stop her from running. With a stabbing action that turned into a ripping action, he hamstrung her. The calf half-screamed and half-trumpeted for help. The mother answered the call instantly; she came pounding across the meadow to save her calf. It was amazing how fast they could move when danger reared its head. She was a fearful sight as she thundered toward her calf. Her ears were back, and she had her head down low, her tusks were carried as twin lances grazing the tops of the meadow grasses. Her hair was streaming back in waves as she bellowed her rage. Nevertheless, it was too late to save the calf, the saber tooth had sprung to the front of the calf and sunk his huge bloody fangs through the thick skin into the throat and pierced the jugular vein. The hot salty blood had gushed out of the wounds for three feet. Each beat of the heart gushed more of the calf's life out onto the ground. The big cat had little time to survey his kill.
The mother had arrived on the scene. He rolled away just in time to be missed by the mother’s tusks, as she was very intent upon having him pay for the attack on the calf. She came to a screeching halt, pivoted in an amazingly short distance, and came for him again. He roared at her and struck out with a one-two combination of swinging claws; he was ready to leap on her, but couldn't see a way past the tusks. Even though his claws cut her trunk deeply, she was beyond pain and pressed her attack. Her tusks were six and a half feet long and even though they didn't penetrate his body she was able to get them under his body and flipped his 500 pounds as though he were a feather. He was thrown twenty yards and landed in a heap, but he rolled to his feet. Although he was shaken up, he wasn't hurt. The rest of the mammoth herd was arriving and the saber tooth decided it would be best to leave as quickly as possible. He spun around and dashed into the brush. As fast as the mammoths were in a charge, they were no matches for the big-shouldered cat who was trying to avoid being turned into a flat cat. He knew the herd would follow him into the brush, and they did. The ground shook and trees went down before the charging herd. The night was torn asunder by their anguished trumpeting. He sprang from place to place always heading up; he knew that his safety lay in the heights where the mammoths couldn't climb. In a few minutes, they gave up pursuit, but they continued to bellow and tear up the brush in frustration. The hills and rocks were his domain and the plains and meadows were the range of the mammoths. He knew he must stay up high until they moved on, he was sure they would track him with their long noses if he came down to open country. He continued to climb higher toward his den. It was high above the valley and had a ledge where he could sun himself. Nothing from below could see him unless he looked over the ledge and down into the valley.
He stretched again and resumed grooming himself with long slow strokes of his tongue. Most of his day was spent sleeping and grooming. When he was hunting, he would spend about four night hours looking for prey. He only hunted when hungry and could go for days without food. When he wasn't hungry he explored the country around him and watched how the other animals lived and died. There was little for him to fear in this land, but death came to all creatures. Cunning was a word he didn't know, but it was as much a part of his life as were his speed and strength. He was by nature’s decree a hunter, and this in itself forced the development of intelligence. The hunted lived by surviving attacks, the hunter by planning the attacks. He yawned again. When the sun started to set, he would return to his kill and feed. Others would be feeding on his kill, but he knew how to take care of them.
She Wolf
The she-wolf was constantly hungry. It didn't seem that she could kill enough to satisfy her body. That wasn't true. She could kill enough for herself, but the real problems were the five puppies she was raising. They were always hungry. Their eyes were open, and they had needle sharp teeth, but after only five weeks, they were still far from being able to survive on their own. Her den was dug into the bank of a low hill and hidden in the brush. She knew she would have to travel farther today in search of food. She had over hunted the area around the den. The puppies were safe deep in the den and she had just fed them, so they should remain there until she returned.
She tested the wind and picked up the scent of mammoth. She would see if there was food in that direction. Moving off quickly, she slid into a mile-eating lope; her body seemed to float over the ground. She moved with eye
s scanning the landscape, ears erect and listening, and her nose constantly sampling the air for information. After a few miles she noticed vultures circling high in the sky, she paused and tested the air. There was the faint hint of death in the air. She changed her course and moved toward the circling vultures. Where there are vultures, death will be found. As she neared the site of their interest, she saw some of them feeding on a dead mammoth calf. Rechecking the air for signs of danger, she could only detect the stale scent of the saber tooth cat and the rotten smell of the vultures. The cat had probably killed the calf. She continued her survey of the kill and the brush around it. There was no apparent danger so she walked into the meadow toward the dead calf. The sun had not started to set; she knew that the saber tooth would return to the kill when it was dark.
A huge black vulture on the dead calf's shoulder was the first to notice her approach. It spread its wings, hunched its back, and then snaking its grotesque head in and out, it started squawking a warning to stay away. The hide of the calf was quite thick and was covered with a coat of coarse hair. The vultures were having a difficult time getting at something to eat. Most of them ignored the warning and continued tearing at a hole in the calf's side. Some of them had been able to drag out a slimy rope of intestines and were fighting over the treasure. Others were working on the hole, trying to enlarge it.
The she-wolf got within twenty yards of the calf. The smell of the vultures was almost more than her sensitive nose could stand. The only thing that kept her there was the hunger in her belly and knowing that her pups needed food. The vultures were filthy creatures that smelled of the rotted meat they ate. They vomited frequently and clambered around with slim dripping from their beaks and feet. They were dangerous with their huge, jagged talons, sharp beaks and their ability to fly. Their long necks were without feathers and appeared to be snakelike with a nightmare head. As dangerous as they could be, they rarely would stand and fight. They were flock creatures and liked to stay together at kills.
The Thinking Rocks Page 6