Rise of Man Book 1: Ascendance

by E. Wayne Stucki

  Chapter 7

  Makok, son of Kok, son of Karg, walked along the eastern trail leading to Home Canyon. He followed the well worn path as it wound through the trees and rocks which dotted the bottom of the side canyon. There were birds rustling in the branches that arched overhead making a cheerful racket. Behind him were men talking and laughing which added to the din. Everyone was excited to be returning home.

  Taking a deep breath he could pick out the familiar smell of bushes and water and dirt that meant home. It had been fifteen days since his trading party of six men had left Home Cave for Circle Cliffs. While the hospitality of their trading partners couldn’t be faulted he was looking forward to seeing his family once again and sleeping in his own hut.

  A sound that didn’t belong with the chirping and talking made it through all the noise and caught his attention. Stopping underneath a large tree, he held up a hand to halt the small group of men who were with him. The pots banging, spears jostling, feet slapping, and men talking ended as the men bunched up.

  “What’s going on?” asked Terlon who’d stopped just behind Makok. “We’re almost home!”

  “Quiet!” hissed Makok. “Listen.” The rest of the party obeyed. Some even held their breath to cut down on the background noised as they listened. After a few heartbeats of silence the sound came again. It was still faint but it seemed to be growing louder.

  “What is that?” whispered Hert.

  “I’m not sure,” replied Makok. “I’ve never heard this before. That’s what caught my attention in the first place.”

  He’d never heard the sound before, that was true, but he thought he could make a good guess at what made it. Years earlier his father, Kok, had told him of a visit to the Valley of Suns and the families experience with the thing-in-the-air. Kok had even imitated the sound so his son would know what to recognize. That imitation was similar to the sound he was hearing now.

  “How did you hear that?” wondered Terlon. “It’s so quiet.”

  “It’s different,” Makok replied. “That’s what caught my attention.”

  “Come on!” he said to his men and waved them forward. “The sound seems to be coming from the direction of home. Around this ridge and on a spur overlooking our village is a clump of trees. That’ll be good cover. We’ll stop there and see if we can find out what makes that noise.” He looked at each man of the trading party as he added. “And be quiet!”

  After getting a silent acknowledgement from his men the son of Kok turned and moved down the path at a trot. The rest of the party followed. Hands cradled pots of seeds and grasped spears to keep any noise they made to a minimum. A thin cloud of dust was thrown into the air from the feet of the trading party pounding against the beaten path as they ran for home. When they reached the end of the side canyon they left the trees, splashed through the streambed in the valley bottom and entered the main canyon of Home Cave.

  “Come on, hurry!” Makok called, waving his men forward. Then he put on a burst of speed, crossed a small open space and arrived at the grove of trees that overlooked his home well ahead of anyone else. Setting his pack and load of goods in a clump of bushes where they’d be out of the way, he moved through the grove to peer at the valley.

  Further down the valley he could see the small stream which ran the length of the canyon from Home Cave. It passed between the new gardens the Tribe had helped the Clan grow. There were also two hands of stick and hide huts on flat ground a short distance from the cave. Makok scanned the area but couldn’t see anyone coming from the huts, the cave or working in the gardens.

  “Where is everyone?” gasped Hert as he came up behind Makok. “It’s just past mid-day. Someone should be in the gardens or working the looms.”

  “Look!” cried Terlon an instant later as the sound they’d been hearing suddenly grew louder. He pointed through the trees at the mountains behind them. “Something’s coming!” Heads turned to see three objects appear between mountains peaks.

  “Get under cover!” called Makok and dove into a large clump of bushes. The rest of the men followed suit an instant later.

  Everyone in the trading party made sure they were well hidden inside the grove of trees and bushes as three things crossed the mountains and moved down into the canyon. Yes, nodded Makok as the creatures came closer; these things matched his father’s description. There was a body with a straight tail, no head, arms or legs, or wings; they flew straight and were very noisy.

  The three objects flew through the canyon towards the Clan’s huts. One traveled down the middle of the canyon following the stream while the other two were in formation on either side higher in the sky.

  When one of the things flew over the grove trees where the trading party was hiding a sudden blast of wind threw dust in the air and thrashed the trees like a hard summer storm. Cries of fear and rage from the other men were drowned out by the thing’s noise.

  Makok had expected the wind and noise because of what his father had told him. Although he’d been warned and thought he was ready he still wasn’t prepared for its reality. The dust got into his nose and mouth choking him and forced his eyes shut. He used his arms to shield his head from the whipping branches. Heartbeats later the wind stopped as the thing continued on towards the village.

  A light breeze coming up the canyon towards the village cleared the dust away from the trees. When he could see again Makok realized that one of the things was missing. But there was another large dust cloud just outside the cluster of huts. The other two things hovered, high in the air, over the Clan’s huts. Emerging from the dust were figures; creatures he’d never seen before but could recognize from more of his father’s tales. They were predators from the warm jungles of the lowlands and he wondered why they were here?

  Moments later the dust cleared enough to let Makok see the missing thing was on the ground between the huts and gardens. He saw no sign of wings but there were two thin arms above the body that sagged down as they moved in a slow circle. A group of Eaters spread out in front and in back of the landed thing as if protecting it. The other two objects landed next to the first throwing up more dust and still more Eaters emerged.

  “What are they doing?” whispered Terlon as he looked over Makok’s shoulder.

  Makok motioned the man to silence and watched as one group of Eaters, under the careful eyes of other Eaters with shiny sticks, walked down to the gardens. He stared in surprise as several of the creatures reached down and yanked plants from the ground.

  “Eaters don’t like plants, do they?” asked Terlon then turned to look at Makok.

  “Not that I know,” replied Makok and watched as the plants were stored in bags made of strange hides. That was odd, he thought. The Eaters weren’t taking everything but were pulling plants from various parts of the garden. It was almost like they were taking examples of what was in the garden.

  Another group of beasts left the Things that had brought them and moved into the village. Makok noticed that several of them also carried the shiny sticks like weapons while the others carried bags. The creatures with the bags peered at the looms and pots taking samples of these as well. Those with the shiny sticks stood guard. “Why aren’t they going into the huts?” he muttered.

  “How would I know,” replied Terlon only to be hissed at.

  Careful not to disturb the branches of his hiding place Makok watched as the Eaters returned to the three Things with their samples. A final group went back through the village and garden. But those Eaters didn’t take anything; they left something that looked like rocks. Makok stood a little taller and strained to see what the objects were but he was too far away to get a really good look.

  The thin straight arms above the Things began moving as the remaining Eaters scrambled inside. Then, with a growing roar and plume of dust, the Things left the ground to head back over the mountains.

  That was strange, thought Makok as he settled back on his haunches to think. “Why did the Eaters take plants and goods?
That isn’t their usual prey,” he wondered aloud then looked back at the village. What were the objects they’d left behind? He shrugged his shoulders to reflect his bewilderment.

  “Those things are gone,” he called to his men after the objects had disappeared over the western mountains. Everyone groaned at him for stating the obvious. “Gather your packs,” Makok said as he ignored the snide comments about his intelligence. “Let’s go home.” Walking back to where he’d dropped his pack he checked to make sure everything was intact. Still laughing the others followed suit.

  Shouldering his gear he looked back through the trees to the village. By now people were appearing from the cave and huts where they’d taken refuge. Several people had found some of the objects which had been left behind and called attention to them. A crowd was gathering to look at the strange objects.

  The trading party had just left the shelter of the trees when white clouds appeared in the village followed an instant later by small claps of thunder. Others appeared in the gardens. Makok held up a hand to stop his party once again and watched the village. Those people crowding around the objects had fallen over. Others turned to run but only took a few steps before they fell. Most of the Clan coming from the cave were far enough away from the clouds to return to the safety of their refuge.

  “What was that?” asked Hert.

  Makok shook his head while staring at the village. The clouds that had appeared were slowly lifting and blowing away making it easier to see the bodies on the ground. “I don’t know what happened,” he replied. “It seems that clouds came out of the ground to hurt people.”

  “So what do we do?” asked Terlon as he moved up next to Makok and put a hand on his axe.

  Makok glanced over his shoulder at his men. “I have a cardinal rule that’s kept me alive for many years: When you don’t know, hide!”

  “Hide!” Hert said and a sneer crossed his lips. “The great Makok hide? We need to protect the Clan from all dangers!”

  “Protect them from what?” asked Makok and gestured with his spear at the village. “Against clouds and thunder? You can go on in if you want but I’ll wait until I know what I’m going to fight.”

  The man went to argue but was stopped by a shout. There was someone who’d hidden in boulders where the hillside met the valley floor. He’d been there when the flying objects and Eaters had come. Since he was closer to the village than Makok’s party he announced that he’d go see what had happened to their people. Makok couldn’t tell who the brave man was but waved his understanding and retreated to the grove of trees. The rest of his party, including Hert, followed. Once again they placed their packs and trade goods out of the way and then settled down to wait.

  Makok watched as the man left the rocks where he’d been hiding and advanced towards the huts, spear held ready. Everyone in Makok’s party scanned the area looking for anything dangerous but there wasn’t anything in sight. The man was almost to the village when he dropped his spear and grabbed at his throat. A heartbeat later, he fell to lie motionless on the ground, just like those in the village.

  “What killed him?” called Merik from behind a bush. “Nothing touched him!”

  “Maybe it’s the air?” suggested Hert.

  “We’re breathing air and we’re not dead,” Merik pointed out.

  “That’s because we’re upwind from the village,” said Makok. “And we don’t know if they’re dead or just sleeping. We wait for…”

  “Listen!” The warning from Terlon cut through Makok’s instructions. “The strange flying things are coming back!”

  Everyone else in the trading party picked up the sound and soon spotted the things as they returned over the mountains, coming from the direction they’d disappeared. “The Eaters left something which came apart and made the clouds,” guessed Makok. He gripped his spears tightly and started for the village.

  “Where are you going?” asked Hert from behind a large tree. He reached out to stop Makok before he could leave the cover of the trees.

  “To protect my family!” Makok tried to shake off the man’s hand but couldn’t get away. “They’ve already taken food plants and cloth. Now they’re coming back for people. And they aren’t going to have my wife and children!”

  “Those Things are big and they carry a lot of Eaters,” said Merik gesturing at the village. “To protect the Clan and the village we must have surprise.”

  “He’s right,” agreed Terlon. “There’s more of them than we have so we have to be smart about what we do. You don’t help your family if you’re dead.”

  Makok nodded his agreement after a moment of thought. “All right,” he said. “I’ll wait for the right instant.”

  The noise grew as the things circled over the valley and dropped towards the village.

  As he watched events unfold Makok tried to think of something, of a way to help his people that wasn’t suicide. One of the things passed over a mountain spur and a cloud of dust was thrown up. “That’s it!” he exclaimed and called his people over.

  As the men gathered around he gestured at the village and began. “Those things throw up a cloud of dust when they get near the ground,” he instructed. “We can’t see them through the dust and they can’t see us!” He gave a ferocious grin. “That’s when we attack.” The others nodded their agreement.

  The six men waited and watched as the strange things began to settle to the ground throwing dust in the air. Before the Things disappeared completely in the thick cloud of brown dust Makok yelled, “Let’s go!”

  Without waiting to see if anyone was following he crashed through the underbrush, left the trees and raced for the village, his weapons in hand. Rage and fear lent speed to his feet. He was able to cross most of the distance between the trees and the village before the first Eaters started to emerge from the dust clouds. When he saw the faint outlines of creatures appearing Makok dropped down to run along the stream and use the bushes lining the streambed as a screen.

  The rest of his men followed but there were too many Eaters to avoid detection. Several of the creatures spotted the running men. One of the Eaters had a shiny stick that he lifted. An instant later smoke came from one end accompanied by a small thunder. Behind Makok and on the other side of the bushes came a cry of anguish.

  Makok was further away from the Eaters than he would have liked but he had no choice. He came up out of the streambed, drew back his right arm and threw a spear without breaking stride. Switching his second spear to his throwing hand Makok was ready to throw again before his first spear struck.

  He selected another target and drew his arm back to throw when he heard another small thunder. Something grabbed his left leg, jerking it backward. The shock threw him off balance, knocking him to the ground. His spear flew off to one side.

  Makok fumbled for his axe and tried to stand when the pain hit. It washed over him in waves and he cried out. Dropping his weapon he reached down and discovered his left leg was bleeding.

  More thunders brought him from his throbbing leg to find there were more Eaters with shiny sticks. “How?” he gasped.

  Makok looked up and saw the Eaters pointing their sticks. More smoke came out of the sticks accompanied by a small thunder.

  Close to one of the huts he saw two Eaters yank a spear from the chest of another Eater and carry the beast away. Pride gleamed through the pain in his leg. It’d been a long throw but he’d hit his mark. Then he noticed there was something different with the beasts. The Eaters had something over their snouts.

  Makok went to move his hand off the wound and push himself to his feet. He had to attack, to protect his family. The pain in his leg seemed to lessen a bit which helped but his hand wouldn’t move. Concern started to change into hysteria. A nearby movement changed the focus of his attention and he glanced over to see other Eaters moving towards the Things carrying people. Makok strained to get up. He had to get those of the Clan away from the Eaters.

  Instead of moving Makok found his eyes g
rowing heavy. He was falling asleep! But even the horror of being helpless with Eaters running loose threatening his family couldn’t force his arms to move or stop the sleep. His eyes closed and darkness came.

  His wife was wiping his brow when Makok’s eyes jerked open and he sat up suddenly. He looked around with wide eyes and then relaxed when he realized his family was gathered around him.

  “You’re all here!” he exclaimed. “They didn’t get you.”

  Kerin nodded as she answered. “We were in the cave when the attack came. They never came close. But…” her voice trailed off.

  Makok nodded his understanding. “How many people did the Eaters get?” he asked.

  His wife gave a sigh before replying. “They got more than two double hands of the Clan. That includes men, women and children.” She shook her head. “There were several whole families that are missing.”

  “What about Terlon, Hert and the others who were with me?” Makok asked. “We tried to stop the Eaters.” He paused as he remembered. “I hit one but I don’t know if I killed it.”

  Kerin nodded her head. “We know,” she replied. “We were watching from the cave.” Then she bowed her head and announced. “Merik's dead. He wasn’t far behind you but hadn’t gone into the streambed like you did. He had a small hole in the front of his chest and a huge one in his back. There was nothing we could do for him. Everyone else in your party was wounded. They’ve got wounds in the arms or legs.”

  After delivering the bad news Kerin settled back and looked at her husband. “What do we do now?” she asked.

  Then she remembered. “Your uncle Jakto’s been asking about you,” she said. “He said he wants to talk to you about a something he’s found.”

  Several days after the Eater raid Makok gathered with all of Karg’s family at the Clan’s Council Hut. Because of his birth position as the eldest surviving son of Karg, Jakto was considered the family patriarch and had the right to call the gathering.

  Using a stick to take the weight from his injured leg as he made his way to the Council Hut Makok looked around and counted close to fifty people blocking the entrance. He noted that not all were of Karg’s posterity. As usual the women and children were outside the hut trying to hear what was being discussed while the men crowded inside. With a little effort he made his way through the crowd and swept aside the cloth entrance. It was such a nice day outside that Makok wished the meeting was being held elsewhere - like outside where it wasn’t so crowded.

  Still using his stick he settled to the ground near the door and grunted in pleasure when the pain eased slightly. When he was treating the wound his uncle Kekko had found a strange stone in his leg and removed it. Then he treated the wound with a poultice of herbs and wrapped it with a hide. Makok been assured there’d be no infection but that hadn’t helped the pain.

  When it appeared everyone who’d been summoned to the meeting had arrived Jakto rose from where he was sitting. The Patriarch’s hair now had more white than the brown it once had but he still stood tall and straight. The low rumble of conversations inside the hut ebbed to a stop.

  “My family,” the old man called in a clear voice. “I’ve called you here to know of a decision I’ve made. A valley far from here has been found, past the Tribe’s Circle Cliff valley. It is green and fruitful like Circle Cliff and has a large stream of water. I have chosen to leave Home Cave and live in that valley.” Dead silence followed that pronouncement for a few heartbeats. Then a few quiet conversations struck up as people began to discuss the possibilities.

  “Why should we leave?” called out one man from the growing confusion. “We’ve lived well here at Home Cave.”

  “That’s true,” agreed Jakto. “We have lived well. I found that valley many years ago but never thought of leaving to settle there until now. But the Eaters coming into our valley has changed my mind. I think the Eaters will return for more of the people. So does Makok.”

  Embarrassed Makok kept his attention on Jakto while some of the other men sitting nearby looked at him. They hadn’t realized his uncle had visited him yesterday and they’d discussed the decision. Still many of them were nodding their heads in agreement.

  “So do all the sons of Karg,” Jakto went on and gestured at Kekko and Kaf who were sitting beside him. “They’ve chosen to come with me because life in Home Canyon is good - now! But it won’t remain so because the Eaters will return again! I choose to leave now while we can prepare for the winter.

  “I am taking three days to prepare my wives for the journey. The time I’ll be leaving is when the shadow of the largest mountain reaches the village after the three days are over. Those who wish may leave with me. I would hope that all Karg’s family will come.”

  Over the intervening days word spread through the Clan that Jakto was taking Karg’s family from Home Cave. There was no attempt on the Elders part to dissuade anyone from leaving. It seemed the Family’s departure would solve a problem the Elders had been worried about for the first time; that of overpopulation.

  When the appointed time arrived Karg’s descendants began to gather with their possessions. Jakto stood on a large rock to watch his family gather and finish their preparations. To his surprise a young couple who weren’t of Karg’s family walked up carrying packs. The old man stepped off his rock and walked over to the two people, Delin and Astin.

  Delin looked up to see the Patriarch coming in his direction and hurried over. “Can I help you Elder?” he asked.

  A brief smile crossed Jakto’s lips. “You can by answering a question.” He gestured at the packs. “What are you doing?”

  “We’re leaving with you.” Delin looked surprised. “We believe the Eaters will return and wish to be with your family. But if you won’t let us we’re leaving anyway.” He shrugged. “We’ll try the Tribe or find our own valley.”

  Jakto considered for a moment then nodded. “You won’t have to do that. You’re more than welcome to journey with us,” he said and gestured. “Check with Hert and tell him you’re coming with us.” Turning, he made his way back to his rock, mumbling about idiots who couldn’t recognize reality. He’d warned the other elders about the danger and encouraged them to abandon Home Cave as well but they’d refused.

  “What’s that you’re saying uncle?” Makok asked.

  Jakto glanced over and smiled. “Just commenting about some people’s lack of vision. Particularly the other Elders.”

  Stepping back up on the rock, he checked the suns’ position then looked at the mountains. The shadow from the largest peak had reached the village. Raising his hands to attract attention he called out. “My family, it is time. Makok has already made the postings for travel. Let’s go.” He stepped off the rock to begin the journey.

  Cries of well wishes were called by others of the Clan who had gathered to watch. In turn the Family promised to send trading parties from the new valley when they could. It shouldn’t take long to get established.

  As he followed Jakto down the canyon Makok had a sudden thought. Maybe this was what happened to the Tribe. The Tribe had left the Clan and forgot where they’d come from. Or maybe it was the other way around. This time, however, there would be no forgetting.