The SealEaters, 20,000 BC

by Bonnye Matthews

  Rowers rowed hard though they went with the current. It was clear they wanted to reach their destination as soon as possible. Akla realized he was gaining an amazing understanding of the earth on which they lived. One of Huthang’s assistants spoke of the earth’s being a sphere, something Akla wondered whether he’d discover on the trip. He had covered a lot of the surface of the earth, but whether the whole earth was a sphere, he did not know. He had to admit that his first thought at capture and not being free to leave was unbearable, and he had chafed at the very thought. Having been placed as an assistant to Huthang put him in a place where he could learn more than he ever guessed about things he didn’t know, and it opened a part of his thinking place that yearned to learn. It didn’t so much matter what he was learning, he found learning fascinating in itself. The trip was another adventure but also it was a chance to learn. Akla was losing his sense of being a captive and considering himself more a part of this strange group of people. He no longer disliked it. He felt in many ways at home. He did miss his brother, and he hoped all went well with Murke.

  It took three moons to travel from the beginning past the falls to the confluence of the great river. It was becoming cold, but the travelers knew the further south they went the warmer it would become. The little rooms that were placed on the boats were a help. Inside a bowl was placed in a pit of sand in which rendered fat supported a wick that gave light and warmth. Not all people had access to the little rooms, but for them extra warm skins were provided.

  Akla discovered that the boats were made from logs going from the front to back covered by logs that went from side to side. All that was covered by sand to give a somewhat level place to walk. Each boat was fenced off by logs. The rowers sat outside the log barrier. Akla discovered that the boat had a flat piece of log that could be inserted into the center of the boat to keep the boat straight in the water.

  Once they reached the great river, they moved faster downriver. It took another two moons plus additional days to reach the southern sea. By the time they reached that place, the people on the boats were becoming very warm. The entry into the sea was rather abrupt and it took some time for the boats to line up for their travel south with the land on their west.

  Already they had been on the water for over six moons, when they began to feel the effect of the heat. To them this was not just warmth, it was terrible heat, more than they felt they could tolerate. Huthang tried to explain that they’d adjust to this change. It took bodies some time to adjust to it, but in time, they’d be comfortable. When Tai Oh was not observed and heard his friend, he rolled his eyes. He never became used to the heat.

  Finally, a noise arose from the boats in the very front. These were the navigator boats, those rowed by people who knew the routes between the two living places of the Niktonkata. The Niktonkata had reached their destination. They began to beach their boats, and then the navigators helped with the beaching of the remaining boats. People arranged themselves on the shore in the same manner they were for the walk to the river when they left the north.

  The carrier for Tai Oh was untied from the boat and Tai Oh walked to the carrier where he arranged himself on it. The carrier was lifted and the column of people began their walk. It wasn’t far. They had to climb a hill, and there on the crest of the hill was another place similar to the one they’d left. More trees covered the hill, but from one place you could see the entire Niktonkata South. It was larger than the place they’d left. People were busily working.

  On the walk to the place, people found themselves sweating profusely. It was very hot, hotter than most had ever felt.

  Huthang walked beside Akla for a while.

  “This is Niktonkata South. What are your thoughts?”

  “Aside from being horribly hot, it looks very much like what we left. Was the other place called—Niktonkata North or Uhurkamakono?”

  “It was both. We used the north-south designations among ourselves. Most people did not know there were two places. The northern place was modeled after this place. There have been two places for a very long time. When Niktonkata North was built no one could see an ice sheet, and no one knew it was there until Uhurkamakono had been occupied for a very long time. Spies out on missions found it. It has moved a long way since it came to our knowledge. I expect the ice will eat the northern place. That’s sad. It’s a great place.”

  “Will spies go to check on the northern place?’

  “They will, just as they have checked on this place.”

  “A long way to travel.”

  “Yes. But that is part of our strength. We travel to know what happens in this land. We know the land. If we stop, we lose what we’ve gained.”

  “I see,” Akla replied, becoming even more aware of the nature of this people.

  The column entered the narrow gate. They went to their locations which were arranged in very similar manner to the place in the north. Tai Oh was glad to have arrived at his place to move out of the sun. Inside it was stifling, but at least the sun didn’t beat down on his skin.

  Huthang showed each of his assistants where they would have a room to themselves. He left them to arrange their things while he went to join the other council members to provide administrative support for the settling in. The place where they stayed underground was far cooler than anywhere they’d been since their arrival at the southern location. Outside the area within the wall the place was bustling with activity. Those who carried things from the north were directed where to put them. The mastodons from Tai Oh’s seating place were wrapped in skins and carefully carried through the tunnel walls to the room where Tai Oh met with others. The mastodon carvings were placed beside the seating place and porters removed the skins. They used the edges of the skins to polish the mastodons. Nothing had broken in the move. In a short time many of the objects of the north location had been added so that, forgetting the heat, one might have thought they had not just traveled so far away.

  In the new place in time, Huthang gave Akla freedom to roam the walled area at his own discretion. Akla enjoyed it, having as Huthang had predicted become accustomed to the heat. In fact he liked it. The sun beating on his skin felt good. Akla wandered over to the well and lowered the bucket made of birch they’d brought from the north. He let it fill, drew it up, and dipped a gourd into it. He drank the cool water. He thought briefly about the turns his life had taken. He was grateful to Father Sky for his good fortune. Akla had been gazing to the west and turned. He almost knocked down a girl. He was struck with the beauty of her.

  “I’m sorry,” she said in apology.

  “No need for you to be sorry. It was I who bumped into you. Please forgive me,” Akla said.

  The girl hung her head. “Of course,” she almost whispered.

  Akla was disturbed that the girl didn’t look him eye to eye. How, he wondered, do people communicate without looking eye to eye?

  “I am Akla, assistant to the Councilor Huthang. Who are you?”

  “I am nobody; I only come here to bring water to the cooking fire.”

  “What is your name?” he asked

  “I’m called Po,” she said with her face downturned.

  “Po, look at me,” Akla said.

  Po looked at Akla’s face, hers turning very red.

  “What’s the matter, Po?” he asked.

  “We are not permitted to disturb people of your level.”

  Akla noticed that the girl was beautiful. “You have not disturbed me.”

  “We are told that to speak to someone of your level is worthy of beating. May I go now?”

  “You will come with me.”

  Po was terrified. She followed behind Akla as she was told, but she was certain of a terrible beating to follow, and she trembled.

  Alka found Huthang also outside, and went directly to him.

  Huthang noticed immediately the girl and realized that there was a problem.

  “What is it?” he asked Akla.

  “I spoke to Po,�
� he gestured towards the trembling girl. “She tells me she will be beaten for speaking to me. What custom is this?”

  “It’s true. The workers are not permitted to bother us.”

  “She wasn’t bothering me.”

  “Her people might see it differently.”

  “How do I protect her from being beaten?” he asked.

  “I should have warned you. I’m sorry, Akla, short of taking her as wife, there is no way to protect her.”

  “What?”

  “Well, Akla, my friend, they won’t kill her.”

  “What must I do to take her as wife?” he asked seriously.

  Huthang laughed. “I should have known. You are serious?”

  “Of course, I’m serious. It’s time I took a wife. She’s beautiful. I don’t want her beaten.”

  “Not good reasoning for taking a wife, but then taking a wife is a strange and sometimes wonderful or dreadful thing. It’s rarely tied to logic.”

  “Po,” Huthang said, “How many years are you?”

  “Seventeen,” she whispered.

  “Do you burn for any man?”

  She shook her head to express a negative.

  “Are you willing to be the wife to this man, Akla?”

  “I don’t know what to say,” she whispered so they could barely hear her.

  “What do you mean? Do you not know your own mind?” Huthang was losing patience.

  “Sir,” Po said with a little more volume, “I cannot consider someone at his level.”

  “Akla, are you seriously wanting this girl for wife?” Huthang asked.

  By this time Akla was more and more aware of the girl and he was drawn to her for no reason that he could reasonably explain. He wanted her to be happy and clearly she was not happy. “Yes. I would take her as wife.”

  The girl blushed again. She could feel an intensity in Akla’s gaze that drew her and she fought against it while at the same time continuing to feel drawn to it.

  Huthang said, “Po, Akla wants you as wife. Will you accept?”

  Throwing caution away, Po replied, “Yes.”

  Huthang took her by the wrist and said to Akla, “Follow me.”

  They went to the room where Tai Oh was on the mastodon seating place. Po began to tremble again. She’d never been inside the building. She had seen Tai Oh when he arrived and all the people kneel to him. Huthang led them to the far right inside the entryway to the waiting area. As soon as they entered, Tai Oh said, “Come forward.” He gestured for Huthang to speak.

  “Akla would take this girl, Po, for his wife. Will you approve?”

  “Do you approve?” Tai Oh asked Huthang.

  “With enthusiasm,” Huthang replied.

  “Very well! Akla, Po is your wife. Po, Akla is your husband. Huthang, is there anything else?”

  “That is all,” Huthang said in the obsequious manner he used when there were numbers of people in the room.

  “Very well. See that her people are notified.”

  “I will see to it.”

  “You may go.”

  The three left quietly. Once outside the room, he took Po’s wrist which he still held and handed it to Akla. “She is now your wife. Take her to Mumu, the harem mistress. Have her bathed and dressed suitably. You wait there while it is done and stay hand in hand in her company for a moon. She has the same rights as you, but it will take some time for her people to accept what has happened. Akla, teach her how to live at your level, for she has been a virtual slave. Do you understand?”

  “Yes,” he replied, reality beginning to enter his thinking place.

  “A larger sleeping place and more skins will be added to your room. I go to attend to these things. This will be good for you, I predict,” Huthang said with a sense of assurance. “Keep her by your side.”

  “I will,” Akla promised.

  He put his arm around Po. She didn’t shrink or respond. She remained in a state of fear.

  “Come,” he said, “You are to be taken care of by Mumu. She is kind,” he added.

  Akla took the girl to Mumu.

  “You must be frightened,” Mumu said gently. “Come with me girl, your life is changing much for the better. Akla is a good man.”

  Po followed Mumu. The harem attendants would bathe her, rub oil into her skin, and dress her in animal skins that fit her level. When Akla saw her next, he would be surprised at the change.

  After what seemed a long time, Mumu came with Po walking behind her.

  “Your wife,” Mumu said, stepping away to expose the beautiful girl who would be his wife. “She’s lovely.”

  Akla was stunned. The girl had long straight hair that shone with a blue hue. She wore a hairless skin tunic that had been made white. It went from her shoulders to just below her knees. Akla had seen white tunics, but only rarely. The girl’s skin was tanned; her black hair, black eyes, tan skin that glowed, and the white tunic made an image that caused Akla to stare. The girl was truly beautiful. Akla tried to control himself quickly, while many thoughts raced through his thinking place. He reached out his hand, and Po stepped forward to take his hand. Before she reached Akla, Po turned and went to Mumu.

  “Thank you, Mumu,” she said hugging the woman.

  “You’re welcome,” Mumu replied.

  Po then went to Akla and gave him her hand.

  Akla led her from the room to the small steps that went to his room. By the time they reached his room, they discovered that a larger sleeping place had been placed in the room. The skins on it were luxurious. Akla was touched. The girl was amazed. Mumu had given her a comb. Po carefully placed the comb on a ledge on the wall designed for holding things. Mumu had told her to keep her hair combed well. She was determined to do all she was told and to do it well.

  Feeling awkward, Akla took Po in his arms and held her.

  “Are you still frightened?” he asked.

  “No,” she admitted. “Mumu told me what I must do and how. She explained the differences expected of me now. She told me I must look you eye to eye. It’s awkward, but I will do it. She told me good things about you. I have no fear.”

  “I have wanted a wife for a terribly long time. I could not have expected a wife so beautiful.”

  “I don’t think of myself as beautiful,” she said flatly.

  “I have never seen anyone with such beauty,” he admitted. “If you could do anything you want, what would you do now?”

  “I would walk outside while you tell me of your life to this point.”

  Akla took her hand and led her outside through the tunnel that went under the large structure. Po was as surprised as he was when he first learned of the tunnels.

  Outside the day was still hot. They were in a space where few ever went. Trees gave shade and a sweet scent. There was a stone place where they sat. Akla took the afternoon telling her about his life at the Cove, the trip across the sea, the capture by the Niktonkata, and his life since then. Without intent he made her life easier by her knowledge that he’d been abducted. He too had been made to live a life he would not have chosen, but one which turned out for the better.

  Akla was delighted with his new wife, and she loved him. They had ten children who lived. They remained at Niktonkata South for the rest of their lives. Akla worked for Huthang and when Huthang died of a fever, it was Akla who took his place. Po raised their children in the harem area in the structure where she lived. Occasionally, in the company of guards, women and children were treated to days in the forest where they learned about their environment. Po learned as the children learned, for she’d not been taught as a child. The children had some free time for play, but most of their time was spent learning. Akla lived to an old age of eighty, an age almost unheard of. Po died ten years before he did. Their life was a good one, envied by many.

  When Tai Oh died in Akla’s seventy-eighth year, there was great mourning, for he was a good and fair leader. The Council met to vote in a new leader. Their choice was unanimous on the first vote.
They chose Murke, Akla’s first child, a boy named for his brother. Murke became the leader of the Niktonkata for the next thirty years.

  Chapter 8

  Maber’s Story

  Maber had crossed the sea with his father, Reg, his brother, Blad, and the girl his father had taken along, Vaima. Maber’s thoughts were on his father. His thoughts were dark ones. They traveled by boat having been chased by the Maiket from their village in the new land. The Maiket invited the SealEaters to stay with them until Reg approached a woman against her wishes. He didn’t know she was wife of a warrior. It was a typical Reg blunder. The Maiket came after them, spears aimed to thrust.

  The SealEaters fled from the village in their boats heading to the sea and then rowing north. In their flight, Reg and his sons used the big boat, rowing together to the cache point. Also fleeing in other boats were Urch and Wapa in one and Mongwire and Wen in another. Neither Maber nor Blad wanted to be part of their father’s exploratory group. They had no choice. Reg had chosen for them. Reg expected his two sons to accompany him on his exploration of the new land. Neither of the boys wanted to do that, but they had difficulty determining how to break away. Reg was huge compared to other men. His strength was more than two other men combined. Everyone, including his children, feared him.

  Maber, however, had a plan. At seventeen he was a little timid about his plan, but he could see no other way, and he was ready to try it rather than continue with his father who made all the natives they met angry not to mention his life miserable. Maber had been treated abusively, just as his brothers were, by their father. A broken arm or leg or a dislocated jaw was something that occurred routinely in their young years. Each of his sons knew Reg wouldn’t hesitate to continue his punishing blows, anytime they failed to do his bidding. That they were fully grown didn’t seem to matter. Maber reasoned that he’d rather die than put up with any more. So he waited.