“Yeah, I have to agree. Maybe as the day moves a little it will get a little warmer, and if we stay out of that icy wind and find a sheltered area maybe we can soak up a little of that sunlight, and I’m all for soaking up lots of that right now.” They heard the crunching of the snow which meant that someone was heading their way. So both of them opened the flap and headed back out to see who it was and found Trehe approaching. “Good day to the two of you. It’s so nice to see that there are still two suns in the sky. After this last series of storms I began to wonder.”
The two smiled and Jura said, “Yeah, you and me both. But once the suns did come out I didn’t think it would be this cold.” She was stomping her feet as the cold from the frozen ground began to penetrate her footwear. Then that icy breeze reached out of them and they involuntarily shivered. “Boy that wind is cold!”
“So what brings you our way this day?” Kal asked.
“First off to make sure you were okay. With those storms raging as they were nobody was out and about to check on each other, and secondly to let you know that we will be expecting someone to show up to day and bring us up to date on what has been happening away from this isolated site. I think when these last storms arrived that whatever resistance that may have been camping outside this place probably gave up and headed for warmer grounds. I know I would have if I could. This place is just miserable this time in the cycle of seasons. All I have to say is that our ancestors, and of course yours, since they were the ones who occupied this site, had to be hardy people. Between the fighting, and health issues that would have existed because of improper things like hygiene and such, creating disease, and then with these storms brewing as often and as hard as they seem, it would force them to remain inside giving a chance for clans to be wiped out with some disease, and if I remember right that almost happened here. And now I can more appreciate and understand why they left once they could. Great place to defend, almost impossible to attack, but a really really bad place to live for almost everything else. Look, both of you are shivering, not that I’m not very far from it myself. We have a bonfire going and some hot drinks let’s get over there and enjoy the heat of both the fire, some nice conversation, and grab one of the cups so that it will warm our hands as well as our insides.”
Jura smiled, and said, “You don’t have to ask twice, lead on please as that just sounds wonderful.” Together the three of them went across the site around towards another part of the rock face that was the back defense for the site when people had lived here, and as they approached, Jura and Kal could see all the rest standing around the fire taking advantage of the heat. It also became obvious that the location of this fire was out of the winds which helped. They could see the welcoming smiles as they joined the rest of the team that was here. One of the members, she didn’t remember what his name was said, “Ah to actually see sunlight, and enjoy the warmth, even if it is this fire, and to be able to actually get out, what a relief.”
She couldn’t disagree with that statement. She had to admit that with all the time that they had spent inside their portable shelter with the storms raging one after another and with little or no break between them she, and she knew that Kal also, had been going crazy. She had heard it called shelter sickness, but until now had never experienced it personally. Well, now she had and wanted no part of it. She smiled as she faced the roaring fire putting out her hands and feeling the heat as the clothing she was wearing began to warm and transfer heat to her body. The only problem with these fires was that one could only warm one side at a time, leaving the other side cold and miserable. So, one played the game of continually rotating different sides to the fire, hoping that eventually one would get comfortable and warm. “So how did all of you fare? I mean we are all living in small places and those storms just wouldn’t end. I was going stir crazy and time just seemed to drag. And the continual winds, the howling it set up as it came roaring out of the lower places was deafening. Then it seemed to always be gray and at times hard to see the difference between night and day it was so dark out. Being from a farm I felt that none of this would be an issue, but I was wrong.”
This brought a bit of laughter from the others gathered around the fire. And she could see a lot of shaking heads showing agreement in her assessment of situation. One of the other females who was here with her mate said, “You surely have that right. I’ve been on a few of these sites with my mate and figured that this one would be no different, but … but most of the time we’ve only worked the sites during the Season of Green, or Season of Heat, wrapping up during the Season of Falling and not being around when the storms really begin to roll in. I have to admit I was ready to run outside in those storms screaming bloody murder. That shelter where we were staying seemed to be closing in on me and kept getting smaller and smaller.” Again this comment brought a chuckle from the rest as similar sentiments seemed to be the way.
Trehe then commented, “If things go well we should have supplies arriving later today. And on a side note, I wonder how our watchers have fared? Guess we’ll know later once our supplies arrive. I was beginning to worry that we’d run out with the way these storms had continued unabated. I have to admit that it will be nice to get both the supplies, since we are running out of just about everything, and updates.” Here he paused for a moment let out a deep breath and said, “With the size of this group we go through a lot of food, and, of course, the second and probably more important part, to find out what has been happening in the rest of the world. That’s always the problem when we work these sites, we have no idea what’s happening at all, and when we do get updated it’s already old news – of course not as old as what we are working on at the time.” This elicited additional laughter since most of the ones here had worked together a number of times in the past on other ancient sites.
* * *
It was working towards evening and the needed supplies had yet to arrive. But then again because of the severe weather that had just passed it was no surprise. They had briefly checked the camp of their watchers and had found it abandoned. So, for now, they were alone. They figured that the storms had driven them out. And here there was no surprise since the watchers were in the open with little to protect them from the storms. So a couple of the team stood watch where they could see down into the valley that led into the grasslands. Eventually, as dusk approached they signaled that the supplies would be arriving at dark as they could see them approaching, but with the distance still to go it could easily be very dark. At least tonight the major moon would be casting light making it easier to see. The ones watching then built a large fire to signal the approaching supply train that they had been sighted and expected.
As the night approached the rest of the team joined the two and all began to watch the progress as the supply train was climbing the last portion and then arrive at the flat area. At this point Trehe approached the leader and they embraced. “It is well that you have made it.” Trehe stated.
“I cannot agree more. The storms were delaying us much too long, and I, we were worried that things would have been bad here. I know that there’s always an emergency cache of food, but that can only last so long, and we are already a 9-day behind because of the weather. So with what we normally bring we’ve added additional to resupply that emergency cache. Hey, it’s cold out here, so shall we continue on in to your camp, or are we going to just stay here all night?”
Laughing Trehe said, “Oh I thought we could just stay here. Of course, of course, let’s get into the camp. The ones who have the cooking chores have been busy, although what we have will be pretty bland, since we have run out of any variety and were getting pretty deep into those emergency supplies. And as you know what is there is stuff that is hardy and keeps one going, but has never been the best tasting stuff around.” He swept his arms in a welcoming way, and asked, “Shall we go then?”
* * *
The two of them had packed hurriedly since the news that had been brought by the suppliers had
relayed the incidents in High Trail. Their supply shelter would have been one of those that had been destroyed, and with no word directly to them they really had no idea what kind of loss they faced. At least the bakery was part of a larger operation, so recovering would be easier for them. But with the total loss of everything that had been in those shelters others had not been so lucky, and this would have an effect on their business for some time to come. And once down and away from the dig site and back on the main trails it would take them at least another couple of 9-days to return to their home in High Trail. The Season of Cold was still raging but the Season of Green would be arriving soon, even though from the ferocity of the storms it would be hard to believe.
At least, as they dropped down in altitude and headed south, the snow and icy winds were changing to rain making the main trail and road a muddy mess, but still better than the icy cold. Yes, where the road was more traveled it had been graveled, but not much more than that. So it was subject to the soils that lay underneath. And much of that was a red sticky clay that the gravel sank into and then stuck to one’s footwear causing one to have to stop periodically and scrap it off. Two days earlier they had split with the supply team as it headed north towards that same village that the two had stayed in when they were searching for the old clan home. Now night was approaching and they were not close to any of the villages that existed along the road. So looking for a place to spend the night they left the road and headed east towards a small grove of trees that at least promised some protection from the winds that were chilling them.
The clouds hung low and a heavy cold mist was falling obscuring the distance, covering them with a wet gloomy depressing landscape. Both were wet and miserable and quite happy to call it a day, but again had wished they could have made it to a village and find a place to stay for the night that was out of the weather. But the gods hadn’t favored them that way so here they were searching for a campsite as dusk approached. Kal turning to Jura said, “I had hoped, but I guess because we are still so far out that the villages are more than a day apart. If the farms and such aren’t around there’d be very little to support a village, since travelers in either direction are light, and certainly not enough to keep a small village going.” Taking a deep breath and looking around he could see that the trees were further away than they had expected, but at this moment they were finally approaching them.
Jura, shivering a little when the winds struck her, just nodded her head. She was more than ready to call it a day. When they had started, the skies had promised this mist, and after they had started, it had begun and refused to let up, and from the look of the clouds would be continuing through at least this night. As they got closer to the trees she saw that they had grown close to a small hill and off of that hill ran a very small stream. Still by not really knowing the area she had no idea if it ran all the time or was dry during the Season of Heat. Yet the way the area was put together it appeared to form a small bowl with the exit for both them and the stream facing towards the road. “I’m ready for a fire, some real heat, and some hot food. Originally I was thinking that we could forgo the temporary shelter, but now I want to get out of this, dry my wet clothes and get into something that is dry. I’m tired of being drenched to the skin.”
He shook his head in agreement as they arrived at the trees. And once there could see that others in the past had used the area for the same purpose, as there were a couple of fire rings and ashes from long dead fires. The trees provided plenty of dead wood, so fuels to maintain their fire wouldn’t be a problem. Looking over the area they decided to build the fire in one of the pits that hid the fire’s reflection from the trail. While they were armed with their long knives and staffs, and felt safe, it was better not to advertise their location. They were still isolated enough that they could depend on help from no one, and after spending so much time with the size of the team that they had left, they had become comfortable with all those additional bodies around. They quickly set up camp and staked out their pack beast so that he could get both graze and reach water, with the two of them between the entrance and where the pack beast was located. After the portable shelter had been erected she unpacked the cooking gear, and began to put their sleeping sacks together while he went out and gathered wood for the fire. After the fourth trip he felt he had enough for their needs and to maintain a small fire all night to help keep away any of the wild beasts who might be curious.
He then built a fire, even though it was a bit difficult with nothing but wet wood to work with. Fortunately, from all the time that they had spent in the outback, they always carried dry tinder and small materials to get a small fire going. Still even with this help the dampness of the wood made it a very slow process with much smoke, hissing, popping, and spitting, as the small fire fought to overcome the moisture trapped in the wood. Looking out from inside of the portable shelter Jura said, “Lots of smoke and steam, no heat, and barely a fire.”
“Yeah, ain’t it true, and I’ve got to stay on top of it or this wet wood could put it out. This heavy mist isn’t helping either. I guess once I get it going we’ll stack the wood I brought over here close by so that the heat can dry it out and make this easier.” As he continued to work on the fire a large gust of wind entered the bowl, swirling around and spreading the burning tinder for a few moments, and briefly extinguished the fire. And while they were just outside the trees great drops of very cold water still fell on him, making him shiver. “I guess the wind and storm don’t like the idea of us building a fire here,” he commented as he went back to the chore once again. Fortunately there was a very small bed of coals forming from his fire starting materials and soon had a weak fire going once again. In what seemed like forever he finally had a roaring fire going and for both of them steam was now coming off their wet clothes, slowing overcoming the additional moisture that the mist provided. “Oh, does that ever feel good,” Kal commented.
She smiled although it was forced. “Yeah it really does. The way this day has gone I felt that I would never be warm or dry again, and the way that fire refused to burn I was beginning to think that we’d have a cold wet camp tonight.”
“Well, I guess we could have gotten real close and let our body heat warm us,” he said half in jest. Seeing no humor in her eyes he shrugged. “I guess we better get to cooking a meal so that we can get something to eat other than cold trail rations.”
“Again, you’re not going to get me to argue. Right now anything hot, this fire, the food, and even you dear one is welcome.” She smiled at him even though it was a tired one. She would be happy when they finally were back in their own bed, and shelter.
It was almost full dark and they huddled close to their fire trying to keep warm in the heavy mist. The heat at least kept them semi dry, but if the storm decided to change its mind and go to full rain then cold or not they would have to retreat inside of their portable shelter. As they stared into the fire, which for any who lived in the wilds knew was wrong, since it destroyed your night vision, they were half asleep. But, at this point, both were weary from the cold nights on the site and the time on the road. Unfortunately they were still quite a few days away home. It was then when both jumped when someone out in the darkness hailed them, “Yo’ fire!” They looked at each other and then out in the darkness and Jura moved to the portable shelter and both withdrew their long knives not knowing who could be out there. Then in the ways of their time Kal answered, “Come and set”, then he added, “But come friendly.”
This brought a chuckle from the unknown individual who within a few moments approached their fire, and to their surprise was riding a pack beast. Once in the light of the fire he climbed down. Again he chuckled when he saw their disbelief. “Get that a lot when others see me do this. I’m really surprised that others hadn’t thought about it. After all we’ve trained our pack beasts to carry our supplies, why not us also? Anyway, you’ll not have to worry about any others I always travel alone.” He looked at their camp with a prac
ticed eye and smiled. “Well set up, defendable, and not visible from the trail – good, good.”
“If what you just said is true, how’d you find our camp?” Kal asked.
“Oh, I’ve spent a night or two here, and because of a delay I got here later than planned, and was actually surprised to find this place being used. Not many are around here this time of the seasons – too miserable.” He squatted down put his hands to the fire and smiled once again. “I really wasn’t looking forward to getting my camp set up in the dark and with it as wet as it is to get a fire going. But imagine my surprise when I found one already burning – can make one right curious.” He leaned back and sat cross-legged and continued. “Yeah, yeah, I know it goes both ways.”
They looked at him and guessed that he had to be twice their age, and was dressed in rough handmade clothing. He looked as if he belonged to the hills and grasslands, as if he was as much a part of them as they were of he. “Ah, I thought the two of you looked familiar.”
“Familiar, have you seen us before?” Jura asked from just inside of the portable shelter. “I know that we’ve never seen you.”
He then laughed a full deep laugh and said, “I’m never seen unless I want to be.” He then leaned forward before continuing. “You’re the two that has been traipsing out here in the wild lands, the outback. Lookin’ for something say I, and unknown to you others who were watching what you were doing and where you were goin’, with not a hint that you had that they were there. Well, I said to myself, this place is gettin’ crowded so maybe it’s time to head somewhere else. But I was curious. After all there hadn’t been anybody in those foothills that I could remember, other than a traveler now and then. And you were lookin’ for something – it was obvious. So I decided that since there wasn’t much happening anyway I’d stay and watch, and see what this was all about. Had to admit with everybody that seemed to be there it was almost too much for me. You see I’m a loner and prefer it that way. Don’t like people. Oh I can take them now and then, but eventually I have to get back and away, live off the land, and enjoy the solitude. Villages and such are just too noisy for me. So I’m happy with just my beast and this world around us here.” At this point he took a deep breath and shut up.
A Taste of History Past Page 23