by Mark Harritt
Everett pointed at the boy, “Naen.” Then he pointed at himself, “Ev-er-ett.”
Naen tried, but couldn’t quite get the pronunciation, “Ev-rett.”
Everett smiled at him, “Close enough.”
The other children grew braver. Soon, they were playing tag, running in and out of the team’s formation. Two young girls were holding hands with Mike. They were about seven or eight years old.
Everett looked over at Mike, “Better watch it, Mike, Jen’s going to get jealous.”
“Yeah, they’re about the same size as Jen, too,” Mickey quipped.
“Don’t let Jen hear you say that. She’ll kick your butt,” Mike replied to Mickey. He turned to Everett, smiling, “I don’t think these young ‘uns will be too much of a problem.” Mike picked them up and gently swung them forward. They giggled as their feet came off the ground, and then settled back on the road.
“Ah, those two little ones won’t be, but those young ladies ahead might be a problem,” Rob said.
Mike looked up from the smiles of the little girls. He looked at the three young women walking towards them. Beautiful was the only way he could describe them. Long, dark hair, dark eyes, and curvaceous figures drew his gaze in. The girls giggled as they walked past.
“Hello, ladies,” Rob flashed his smile at them. They shyly glanced down as their eyes met his.
“Oh, yeah, I still got it,” he grinned.
Mickey nodded, “Oh yeah, you’re gonna get it if Michelle sees you eyeing the local talent.”
Rob’s face suddenly went blank.
Tom’s southern accent was laid on thick as he piled on, “Yep. That Trevino gal ain’t like the others you’ve gone out with Rob. I’ll wager she don’t like nobody trespassing on her property. She’ll gut you like a fish. Especially now that you got a baby on the way.”
“Oh, I disagree with that, Tom,” Mike said. “I don’t think she’ll gut him. I think she’ll aim a little bit lower than that.”
Rob’s face went pale under his tan.
“What’s the matter, Rob? You look a little green,” Everett observed.
Rob shook his head, “Nothing’s the matter. Just lost my mind there for a second. I think I’m okay now.”
Mike grinned.
The team took turns calling back to give the situation report back to the compound. They always talked to their wives when possible after the SITREP. Michelle had finally given Rob a reprieve, and started talking to him again. Their baby had been Rob’s foot in the door. Rob had spent a lot of time persuading Michelle to give him a chance. The rest of the team was taking bets on whether Rob would live to old age or if Michelle would kill him before he made it to his next birthday.
They approached the tribal village. Their homes were carved into the cliff face, some of the homes four stories up. Wooden ladders led to ledges that ran in front of the different levels of cave houses. The ladders were single wooden poles with steps cut into the body. There was no way one of the dragon spawn could climb that pole. Mike just wondered how they got the elderly up there when the dragon spawn were spotted. It was no wonder they wanted plenty of warning when the eggs were about to hatch.
The cave homes weren’t the only thing that drew the eye. Animals that looked like primates, their black tails sticking straight up like a flag, climbed the cliff face. It looked like they coexisted with the villagers. A pack of the animals ran out to greet the humans walking towards them. At first, Mike thought they were lemurs. He knew that was very unlikely, though. Each of the adults massed about thirty pounds. The fur on the body was bluish-grey with black strips and reminded Mike of a raccoon. The smaller babies rode on the backs of the mothers, gripping their fur to keep from falling off.
Suddenly the animals stopped. The larger males stood up and sniffed the wind. They smelled something they didn’t like. They started hooting in a high pitched call that was steady with pulsed throbs booming louder.
“I think they smell us,” Mike told Matki.
“Yes, they smell you. They are our guards. They aren’t too good for stopping anything, but they let us know that the predators are out there.”
“Are they trained?” Everett asked.
Matki laughed, loudly. His neighbors and wife said something to him, and he replied. They all started laughing as well.
Matki looked at Mike, “No, there is no way to train them. They go and do what they please.”
“Why do you keep them around?” Everett asked.
Matki shrugged, “It is not like we keep them. They just showed up a few generations ago. They keep the vermin away, and our children play with their children. Their families live with our families.” He motioned to indicate his family, “We have a family that has adopted us. Their patriarch has been alive for twenty-five years, since I was a boy.” Matki leaned close to Everett, “He knows all of my secrets.”
Everett looked at him and smiled. Mike thought back to his dogs, Moira and Fiona. He would never know what happened to his pups. He just hoped that they were in a better place.
“What do you call them, Matki?” Mike asked.
Matki looked at Mike, “They all have individual names, though the names vary depending on who you ask. But we name the animal lashki.”
The lashki scattered in front of them, hooting as they ran back to the town.
“I guess they don’t follow you out to spy on the dragon,” Mike observed.
Matki grinned, “No, they are more interested in old age than adventure. They would get eaten quickly out there. They are not stealthy like me.”
Matki turned and kissed his wife, and talked to her. She nodded and took the two younger children in tow and walked toward the village. Matki scolded the other children that were still hanging around, and they walked, skipped, and ran back to the village.
Tom stood motionless, watching as the children left.
“What’s up Tom?” Mike asked.
Tom shook his head, “I never thought I’d see that again.”
Mike looked towards the village, “What, that many people?”
“No, children playing.” He looked at Mike and smiled when he heard laughter, “You don’t know how much you miss it until you see and hear it again.”
Mike was at a loss for words. Fate had taken Tom’s wife and three children from him. Mike had never known his own child, but he knew how Tom felt. Mike clapped him on the shoulder, and they walked to Matki.
Matki smiled as they joined the rest of the team. He bowed to them.
“Thank you very much for bringing me back to my family.”
“Our pleasure Matki. We wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t helped us out,” Mike said.
Matki said something to his son. The boy turned and ran towards the village. Matki turned back to the team, “I sent him ahead to make sure that they are preparing the visitors’ room for you.”
Matki turned and motioned for them to follow, “I hope you will be able to stay with us for a while. The head man will be preparing a feast for tonight. You are his honored guests.”
“Well, we’re here for a reason. We want to establish trade and find a safer place to live. Hopefully, our tribes can help each other,” Mike answered.
Matki smiled at him, gripping Mike’s arm, “I hope we can help you.”
Jendi came running back. He and his father exchanged words. Matki smiled, then picked up the pace, “Good news, your place is ready.”
----------------------------------------------------
Chapter Ten
Mike eyed the two pups that had adopted him, currently stretched out on his sleeping bag. The two lashki on Mike’s bed were very small. He woke up in the night, thinking he was having a cardiac problem because he couldn’t breathe. He found a baby lashki curled up, sleeping on his chest. He shifted it off his body, resting it in the crook of his arm. He spent the minutes after waking up stroking its ears until they both fell back asleep. When he woke up with the morning light, he had one on either side of h
im, cuddled up with his arms around them. Now they were tucked into his sleeping bag without a care in the world.
“I don’t think I can eat anything else,” Mickey said.
Rob leaned back against the furs that he’d been sleeping on, “Man, I didn’t think I’d ever be this full again.”
Everett was leaning forward, his head in his hands, “My head hurts.”
“At least you aren’t throwing up anymore,” Rob offered.
“What the hell were you thinking?” Mike asked.
“I don’t know. He offered me a sip. It tasted like honey and licorice. I like both, so it just seemed like a good idea. Next thing I know, I’m matching him drink for drink.”
“That skinny old man can hold his liquor, that’s for sure,” Tom’s drawl making ‘liquor’ sound like ‘likker.’
Mike grimaced, “I can’t stand licorice. I’ll be the designated driver.”
“Does it taste like Ouzo?” Mickey asked.
“No, nothing like that,” Everett paused, “Well, maybe. Sweeter though, like ice wine.” Everett pronounced it ice vine, like the Germans used to.
Mike took an interest now, “Oh, man, I love ice wine.”
Everett glanced over at him. His eyes were red, “You might like this then. Try some next time.”
“I will. I don’t think I’m going to drink as much as you did, though.”
Everett leaned back, “That’s probably a good idea. That old fart is probably laughing at me right now.”
“That’s probably a good guess. Personally, I don’t think they’ve stopped laughing since last night.”
Everett sat up straight, his hands down at his side, “Oh God, what did I do?”
“Well, I’m not sure twerking is going to ever take over here as a dance craze, but you sure tried to teach them last night,” Mike said.
Tom shook his head, “Man, I’m glad I had weapons guard.”
Everett stared at him, “Are you kidding me?”
Mike shook his head, grinning, “Not a bit.” Mike snapped his fingers, “That reminds me. I have your pistol. You want it back now?”
“Why do you have my pistol?”
“You gave it to me. Right before you started drinking.”
Everett thought about it, “That was probably a very good idea.”
“I definitely thought it was a good idea, that’s why I suggested it,” Mike replied. “The last thing we need is a ‘Hey ya’ll, watch this,’ moment.”
That elicited laughs from Mickey and Rob. The noise made Everett groan.
Tom turned to Mike, “What’s on the agenda today?”
“Well, you guys get to hang out. Everett and I are going back to negotiations with Owlt Joacar.”
Everett groaned again, realizing he wasn’t going to get time off to get rid of the hangover.
Tom grinned, “Sounds like a lack of enthusiasm to me.”
Everett frowned at Tom, then looked at Mike, “Why is it that I always have to go to the meetings?”
“I don’t know. It’s just expected now, I guess,” Mike answered.
“Why?”
“I don’t know Master Sergeant. Precedent?”
Everett shook his head, then grimaced as the pain intensified, “I’d just like to point out that I’m no longer a Master Sergeant.” He motioned towards the other three, “Any one of these three could sit in for me.”
Mike grinned, not willing to let him off the hook, “But I’ve come to rely on your expertise, your intimate knowledge of the human psyche, your ability to interpret the human condition. In other words, you can spot B.S. a mile away.”
Everett glared balefully at him, “On that, you are spot on. In fact, I seem to be detecting some right now.”
Mike’s grin grew wider.
Their conversation was interrupted by somebody yelling, “Ev-ritt, Ev-ritt.”
Tom looked out the door, “It’s Naen.”
Everett groaned again. He looked up at Tom, “Go ahead, tell him to come on in.”
It was Naen, followed closely by a posse of three boys.
“Ev-ritt, Ev-ritt,” the boy was talking loudly. Like most people trying to talk to somebody that doesn’t understand his language, Naen had a tendency to talk loud and slow, which, strangely enough, helped. The two other boys were wide eyed, staring at the strangers and the wealth of metal. The team was getting used to it. Naen usually had two or three other boys in tow. The boys’ rotated, different ones each time. Mike got the feeling that the Naen was using him and the team as a sideshow attraction to make money.
Everett motioned with his hand for the boy to quiet down, “What Naen? What do you want?”
The boy came over and grabbed Everett’s hand, tugging on it.
“I think he wants you to go with him,” Mike observed.
“I can’t get a break,” Everett moaned.
He stood up and walked with the boy. Naen stopped when he realized that Everett didn’t have his rifle. The boy went to Everett’s bunk and pointed at the rifle. He moved forward to touch it, but Everett grabbed the rifle before boy put his hand on it.
“No, no, that’s not allowed,” Everett shook his head and wagged his finger at Naen.
The other boys were wide eyed, staring at Mickey, stunned by his size. Mickey grinned at them, and they flinched. He frowned, and they looked scared.
“What the hell?” he asked.
Rob grinned, and the boys relaxed slightly. He looked over at Mickey, “nothing personal there, Viking warrior. They ain’t never seen nothin’ like you before.”
A satisfied look passed over Mickey’s face. He nodded, “You know, you’re probably right.”
He stood up and took off his shirt and t-shirt. He was a ripped, chiseled giant. He raised his hands straight up over his head, then brought them around to his sides. As he brought his arms around, he made fists with his hands. He pumped his arms as he brought them into an o in front of his chest. He leaned forward, his muscles straining as he shot the muscle pose for the boys. They goggled at the sheer size of his physique. His biceps were as big as their heads. He straightened up and stood normally, nodding at the children. They were stunned, amazed by the giant man.
He motioned for two of them to step forward. He held out his right hand, then motioned for the hand of one of the boys. The boy shyly held it forward. Mickey put the little hand in his. The boy’s hand was dwarfed by the hams Mickey called hands. Mickey motioned for the other hand. Mickey positioned both hands around his wrist. He lifted. The boy squeaked as his feet came off the ground and he was lifted into the air. He held on for a second, then let go.
Mickey smiled at him and held his arm out again. This time the boy held on. He lifted the boy straight up. The boy yelped as he realized what was happening. Mickey held his arm straight out, and the little boy dangled. Then he put the boy back down on the ground. The boy’s feet touched the floor, and he backed away, eyes wide.
Mickey motioned for him to come forward again, motioned to the other boy, and held his hands out. Now, two sets of eyes grew big. They grabbed his wrists. He lifted them both into the air and sat them back down. They looked at each other, then looked at Naen and the other boy.
It was on. Mickey became a jungle gym. He had four boys trying to pull him off his feet. He grabbed one and tossed him up in the air, catching him as he came back down. The boy yelled with glee. Little boys flew through the air like juggling balls. Mickey threw them to Rob, who caught them and set them down. Childish giggles filled the air. The rest of the team joined in the mayhem. Everett looked at the chaos through jaundiced eyes, and sat back down on his bed.
Jendi walked through the door into the chaos. Jendi looked uncertain as he looked around. Mike waved him over.
Jendi spoke slowly so that Mike understood him, “Mike, the elders are ready.” Jendi motioned for Mike to follow him. Mike was holding Naen upside, his arm around the boy’s waist, swinging him from side to side as the boy squealed.
Mike grinn
ed at Jendi, and sat Naen down on the ground slowly so the boy wouldn’t bump his head. Talking to Jendi, Mike pointed at Naen, “Well, you might want to let them know so that I can get out of here. Everett’s coming to the meeting as well.”
Jendi talked to the boys, who looked unhappy at losing Mike and Everett. Naen stood up, and rattled something off to Jendi.
Jendi looked at Everett, “Everett, Naen was hoping that he could go hunting with you today.”
Everett looked at Naen, shaking his head. He addressed Jendi, “Tell him that I have to go to the meeting. But Tom will be more than happy to go hunting with him.”
A wry grin appeared on Tom’s face, “What? You have to go to work so I have to also?”
Everett nodded, “Oh yeah. Besides, adding a little meat to the pot will go a long way around here. They gave us a lot of food last night. We probably need to return the favor.”
Tom acquiesced, “Yeah, you’re right. We can go hunting.” He inclined his head to include Mickey and Rob.
Mickey was doing curls with two of the boys, “Man, this is a good work out.” He looked up when he noticed the lull in the conversation, “Oh, yeah, we can go out with Tom. No problems.”
Rob nodded, “I was getting bored anyway. Might as well go out and see the sights.”
Tom grinned, “Just so long as those sights don’t have long, black hair and sexy legs.”
Rob’s face reddened. He slowly shook his head, “Ah, I don’t think that would be a good idea.”
Mickey laughed, “Especially if Michelle found out about it.”
“Hey, you’re one to talk. Tracy would kick your butt if she sees you staring at another woman.”
Mickey smiled, “Yeah, but I don’t. I’m not the one who loses his mind as soon as he sees another skirt.”
Rob looked around for support, but he wasn’t getting it from the team. He wasn’t getting any sympathy at all.
Mike waited until the sniping stopped, “Mickey, why don’t you stay here. We need one person to watch our gear while those two hunt and we’re at the meeting.”
Mickey nodded, “You got it, boss.” He snapped his fingers and turned to his bag. He rummaged around until he found what he was looking for. He turned around and threw a small bottle to Everett. Everett caught it and looked at the label.