by Avery Kloss
A short while later, on the verge of sleep, I felt movement to my side, someone having tossed down a pelt. “What?” I murmured groggily, feeling the warmth of a body. Turning, I met Ronan’s gaze, although, in the darkness, I could barely make him out. “What’s happening?”
“I’m with you tonight.” He reached for the soft pelt we used as a covering, tossing it over his head. “Go to sleep.”
I felt Kia’s arm to assure myself the woman lived still, having a fear she might perish from the illness. Her skin remained warm. Lifting my head, I searched for Ara, who slept on her other side. Knowing Ronan had joined us, I sighed in contentment, feeling safe and secure, his presence comforting.
Muted talking woke me, a man’s voice whispering. “We should discuss this elsewhere,” murmured Ronan. “I don’t want to wake the women.”
“I must know where you stand on the issue,” whispered Enwan. “We need to make a decision one way or the other.”
“Why don’t we … stay and share their fire?”
I opened my eye a fraction, seeing nothing other than the darkness beneath the pelt. Reaching out, I touched Kia, finding her warm. She had survived the night, the woman still sleeping.
“You’ve grown far too attached to her,” said Enwan. “It’s worrying.”
“They’re on the fringe of this clan. You can see that. I knew it the moment we arrived. It wouldn’t take much for Lascox to throw them out.”
“But, he won’t. They’re a part of the clan. They’re given meat.”
“We give them meat.”
“They were fed before. You’re just making excuses, Ronan. I don’t know what’s the matter with you, but she’s not your child. She’s far too young to mate with. They’re a burden we shouldn’t take on.”
“Sharing a fire means nothing. It’s only for now. I don’t know why you’re being so pigheaded about it.”
“We’re not meant to stay forever with this clan. You know that. We’re light on our feet and fast. We can’t bring them along. Weren’t we going to find our ideal home? It’s not here, Ronan. They say a fertile valley lies past the great mountain, and even further from there we’ll find our home.”
“I know that,” he grated, now sounding irritated. “You don’t have to remind me of the plan. We’re still going to do it … soon.”
“But, now we’ll share a fire with these women. You’ll grow even more attached. You’re already too close.”
“Then we take them with.” A lengthy pause followed this.
“I knew it.”
“They can come with us. There’s no reason not to take them. Perhaps at some point in the journey, we’ll encounter Kia’s people. I’m sure they’d prefer to be with their own kind.”
I sucked in a breath, listening to the conversation, my mind racing. I wondered if Ara was awake now, listening as well.
“You’re determined to do this,” said Enwan. “It’s useless arguing with you.”
“It’s not such a burden, is it? They’re self-sufficient. They forage well. They can carry their own belongings. Kia and Ara are strong and sure. They’d be an asset.”
“It sounds like you’ve decided.”
“What say you?”
Again … Enwan paused, silence filling the air.
“I’m waiting to hear your response.”
“It’s not how I planned to go.”
“But?”
“We can do it. It’ll slow us down, though.”
“Are we in a hurry?” A soft chuckle escaped him, relief infusing his tone. “We’re welcomed here for now. We can stay a while. The cold season is a long way away. We have time.”
“I suppose.”
“You’ve no reason to complain. You’ve found someone to mate with; although, if her man ever gets wind of it,” he chortled, “that might present a problem.”
“I’ve no wish to discuss it.”
“At least you have a woman.”
“You could have your share too, Ronan. You’ve been avoiding them.”
“True. I didn’t want to go against Lascox’s wishes. He said not to.” He sighed audibly. “It’s been far too long. I could use a woman.”
“Help yourself. You might not get this chance again for a while, especially when we leave.”
“Do you think they’d agree to go with us?”
“You’ll have to ask Kia, if she’s still alive.”
“She is.”
Having listened to this talk, I squirmed now, my arms lifting over my head in a stretch.
“Someone’s awake,” whispered Ronan.
I grasped the edge of the pelt, moving it away from my face. “You’re being so noisy. It was hard to sleep. I heard nearly every word.”
A smile emerged, the edges of his eyes crinkling. “That doesn't surprise me, little one.”
Crawling out from beneath the warm covering, I yawned, glancing at a still silent camp, smoke rising from various cooking fires, while the dog at the foot of our bed licked his paw. I felt Ronan’s eyes on me, unguarded affection gleaming in their depths. His talk about taking us with him to find their ideal home warmed my heart. I could not wait to leave.
“Are we a family now?”
“Yes,” he said simply. “Would you like that?”
“I would.” Scrambling over the pelt, I settled in his lap, crossing my legs before me. The dog, a dark, mangy sort of creature, licked my foot with his pink tongue. “When do we go?”
“Not for a while yet,” said Enwan, his expression resolved, but I sensed he wasn’t entirely pleased.
“Do you not like us?”
“I like you just fine, Peta.”
“But something’s bothering you. You’re not happy about it.”
He scratched his chin, the beard quite long. “This wasn’t the plan.”
“But, plans change,” said Ronan, his arm around me. “Try to soften your thinking. There’s more than one way to go about achieving our goals, brother.”
“Is it because Kia and Ara are … different? Do you not like them?” I had to know, wondering at his hesitancy.
“No. That doesn't matter.” He fingered the tip of a spear. “We should prepare to hunt soon. It’ll be fully light in a while.” He glanced at me, seeing my questioning look. “I like you all just fine. My only concern is how long it might take to journey to the place we wish to go. I don’t want to spend another cold season out in the open. I want shelter. I wish to be comfortable. I … want a permanent mate as well.”
“We shall find you one,” said Ronan. “I could use a woman too.”
“I’ve half a mind to steal Ena away.”
“You’d best think on that carefully,” warned Ronan. “Her man might have a thing or two to say about it, not to mention her children.”
He grumbled, “Always complications. Why can’t anything be easy?”
Ronan chuckled at that, patting my thigh. “Up, Peta. I’ve got to relieve myself. Then we hunt.”
Chapter Thirteen
“Shouldn’t she be awake by now?” I asked, growing concerned over Kia’s well-being. She remained hidden beneath the thick pelt. “Mamma?”
A low groan escaped her. “I’m fine,” she murmured. “I’m resting.”
Relief flooded me. “Oh, thank the gods! Can I bring you something to eat?”
“Don’t trouble yourself. Go forage with your sister.”
“Are you in pain?”
“No.”
Lifting the edge of the pelt, I gazed at her. “You needn’t be brave for us. If you need anything, please say so.”
She smiled faintly. “I’ve been here before, Peta. I’ve lost … babies this way many times. It’s why finding you and Ara has brought me such joy. I always longed for a little one of my own, but … you and your sister are enough.”
“I can’t lose you, Mamma.” I touched her face gently. “You must get better.”
“I will.”
Ara came to stand behind me. “You’re awake.”
“I’m on the mend. I just need to … sleep a little today.”
She knelt by the pelt. “I should check the bleeding.” A look of concern passed over her features. “Let me see.” Lifting the pelt, she exposed Kia’s legs, a darkened patch of blood beneath her midsection. Sucking in a sharp breath, her eyes widened. “You’ve lost too much blood.”
“It’s … the way it was before.” She reached for her hand, wanting to assure us that all was well. “Please don’t worry.”
“But it’s so much blood.”
“I’m a little weak, but I’ll survive. Bring me some water.”
“Yes, Mamma.” Ara got to her feet, her brows drawn together. “She’ll need a great deal of water and herbs for healing.”
“Why don’t you stay with her today, while I forage?”
“You shouldn’t be alone out there.”
“I’ll take the stick. I’ll manage. Someone should stay and watch over her.”
“All right.”
A man approached, our leader, Lascox, who hadn’t joined the men on the hunt, his group assembling to go. The first group consisted of Ronan and Enwan, their quarry at a greater distance.
“I hear your mother’s not feeling well,” he said, an odd sort of look on his face. Behind him, his wife, Ola, stood watching, her expression displeased. “How is she?”
Knowing him to be responsible for the condition she found herself in, I said, “She’s lost a baby. She nearly bled to death.” I watched him carefully, seeing him blanch. “We’re hopeful she’ll survive. Mannoc won’t do a thing to help her. He’s made it clear he doesn’t treat people of her … kind.” I wondered if he cared for Kia in the least, or was she only useful to him to mate with?
“What does she need?” Color seemed to drain from his face, despite the beard hiding most of his skin. He knelt by the bedding, reaching for her hand. “Can you hear me?”
“I’m on the mend,” she said softly. “Thank you for coming.”
Glancing at Ara, she appeared as stunned as I by Lascox’s behavior, the answer to my question blatantly clear. He did care for my mother.
Nodding briskly, he stood, anger etched into the planes of his face. “I shall have a word with Mannoc. He’s healer to all the people of this clan … that includes you.” Turning on a heel, he stalked off, heading back to his wife, who hadn’t stopped staring for one moment.
“Well, that was odd,” I murmured.
“He’s fond of her.”
Kia smiled wistfully, despite not feeling well. “Go and forage, Peta. The sooner you go, the sooner you may return. Don’t worry over me. I’m going to mend. I promise you that.”
Relieved by the outcome of the situation, I nodded. “Very well. I won’t go far.” I had never foraged on my own before, the prospect daunting, yet exciting. I often felt I had to wander slowly, letting Ara and Kia catch up. I would now be free to explore, and, perhaps, take some risks. “I’ll be back.” Grasping a basket and the sturdy stick, I turned for the river, intending to cross at the shallower part.
The river wasn’t easy today, the water higher than ever before, and the current surprisingly strong. I almost lost the stick, the wood slipping beneath the surface, where the current grasped it, nearly ripping it from my fingers. The return trip might prove impossible. Soaked through to the scalp, I ventured into the tangled green of the forest, while shivering from the cold. The sound of the rushing stream soon vanished, my footfalls nearly silent.
Knowing this place well, I moved on to where I might find berries, traversing the dense, rampant greenery, a giant butterfly fluttering before my eyes. Brief flashes of sunlight illuminated patches of ground, but those disappeared with each step, as I ventured deeper. The birds and insects chirruped continuously. I soon spied a familiar-looking bush, squatting before it to pick berries, happy with the find.
Having partially filled the basket, I continued on, hoping for another bush. The trunks of the trees here appeared larger, the shrubberies hardier. I did not emerge unscathed, the thorny edges of branches scratching my arms and back. Not finding berries, I set the basket down, eyeing an enormous tree. On impulse, I grasped at the lower branch, hoisting myself up. Then I grabbed another and another, until I climbed to a great height.
Peering out above the canopy, I glimpsed a familiar sight, a valley in the distance with a giant mountain on the other side. From here, I saw darkened skies far away, greyish clouds lingering over the plains where the men hunted. Ronan and Enwan worked in the rain today, if they had gone in that direction. This explained the slight chill to the wind, the leaves on the branches rustling. The possibility of bad weather propelled me to climb down, snatching the basket from the base of the tree.
“This is enough, I suppose,” I murmured to myself. “I should go back.” A twinge of unease added a spring to my step, wanting to return to camp as soon as possible.
Having accomplished what I set out to do, my mind wandered to various thoughts. I could not help smiling, remembering Ronan’s words about wanting us all to be together. He did not care that Kia and Ara looked different. We would be a family now—all of us. I could not ask for more, feeling hopeful about the future for the first time in my life.
Arriving at the river, I eyed the brownish, rushing water, wavelets lapping against the rocky banks. Loathing having to cross, I prayed I would not lose the basket or the stick, needing both.
The smoke from cooking fires drifted into the air, taken by the brisk wind. Preparing to be chilled to the bone, I held the stick and the basket high, entering the stream. The water came to my neck, the current pushing at me, nearly dragging me under. Gasping and swallowing water, I coughed, struggling to hold the basket. This part of the river had always been easy, the water never this high. I managed to reach the other side a moment later, breathing a sigh of relief.
“There you are,” said Ara, my sister having come to help me. “I thought I might have to fish you out of there.”
Shivering, I managed, “It’s worse today. There’s a storm on the other side of the forest. I climbed a tree to have a look.”
“Some of the men have returned. They said the weather’s poor.” She took the basket from me. “That’s all you got?”
“Yes, I’m sorry. I don’t want any. Give it to Kia.”
“Ronan and Enwan are back. They’re cooking meat. I’ve eaten already. Come and have some.”
That prospect brought a smile to my face. “I will.” Returning to our camp, a warm fire blazed, Kia sitting upon the pelt before it. “How are you?”
Tired eyes drifted over me. “Well enough. You look drowned. You must be cold.” She lifted the pelt over her. “Come here, Peta. Come get warm, child.”
I settled in next to her, shivering, as Ronan glanced at me, holding a stick with small pieces of freshly cooked meat. “I’m cold.” She drew the pelt over us, the heat within feeling divine. “The river’s too high today. I thought I might die.”
“You made it back. Tomorrow your sister will be with you.”
A stick with meat came my way, Ronan grasping the other end. “Here, eat.”
I took it. “Thank you.” Using my teeth, I pulled off a juicy piece, chewing the savory offering. “Yum … it’s so good.” I hadn’t had a thing to eat all day, not even stealing a few berries. “Thank you.”
He sat next to me, tearing off a piece from his own stick. “We weren’t able to hunt as long as we wished. A torrent came in. It’s inclement in the valley.”
“I know. I saw it.”
An inquisitive gleam flickered in his eyes. “How’s that? You were in the woods.”
“I climbed a tree to have a look.”
His jaw worked, as he chewed. “That’s inventive, Peta.”
“I did it yesterday too. I saw the valley where you hunt. I also saw where the river goes. There’s a big mountain as well.”
“That’s what Enwan and I wish to see.”
“The smoking mountain?”
“Beyond it.” He appeared thoughtful, gazing into the flames. “We encountered someone in our travels many seasons ago. He was bringing his family there. He was told that the land is fertile and the game abundant, but he had to go beyond the mountain. Few people venture that far.”
“But you wish to live there.”
“I do.”
Finishing the meat, I left the small wooden rod on the pelt, yawning, feeling warmer than before. Ara and Enwan cut meat on a flattened rock, while thin streams of blood dribbled down the side to the dirt, gathering in a darkened puddle. Every fire blazed now, the aroma of roasting venison filling the air. Our mangy dog waited for scraps, his tongue hanging from the side of his mouth.
“Will it take long to reach?” I asked.
“Yes.” He waited for more, Ara preparing a new skewer. “When Kia’s better we’ll begin the journey. I’m hoping to kill bigger game. I’d like to smoke some meat. We can eat it at our leisure then. It won’t go bad as quickly.”
“Here you are.” Ara gave him the bloodied stick, her fingers dripping with it.
“Make the next one for yourself.” He held it to the flames, sizzling the edges. “We should prepare for the journey.”
“What will we need?” asked Kia.
“As many provisions as we can carry. I’ll show you how to roll the pelts to make them as small as possible. We’ll need to sharpen more stone for spears.” He eyed me, a smile appearing. “You’ll have your own.”
“I’ve never speared anything in my life.”
“You’ll learn.”
A sense of excitement raced through me. “I can’t wait to go.”
“There’s safety in numbers,” said Kia. “That’s why I’ve been with this clan so long. They feed and protect us.”
“True.” Enwan sat next to Ronan, holding meat above the flames. “This is one of the better clans we’ve seen.”
“How many others are there?” I asked.
“Many.”
“I saw cooking fires a long way off.”
“You did?” Ronan ripped off a chunk, chewing.
“When I was in the tree. I saw what looked like smoke, but it was very far away. The river flows in that direction.”