by Laura Jack
The trauma of yesterday slowly filtered back into his conscious. Beside him lay Serena, Tomas and Callom. Serena stirred and turned over. Brinan shook her gently.
“Wha … where are we?” Serena mumbled. Brinan put a hand over her mouth signalling her to be quiet. His actions and the strangeness of her surrounding brought her quickly to full consciousness.
“I’m not sure,” whispered Brinan. Something about those bare, muscular legs made him feel uneasy. Serena sensed his wariness and followed his gaze. She too peered out then stifled a scream.
“What do you see?” Hissed Brinan. Callom woke up, he sat up, happy to see Brinan and Serena with him.
“Where are we?”
“Shhh!” Brinan clamped his hand over Callom’s mouth too. He motioned to Callom to keep quiet. Callom nodded that he understood and Brinan removed his hand.
“What can you see Serena?” He whispered.
“People - four of them.” She turned and looked both Brinan and Callom. “But they’re not like us, not at all.”
“They’re trolls,” announced Matina cheerfully as she crawled into the lean-to. “Like in our stories, but they’re very nice. I thought they had eaten Ruban but now I’m not so sure.”
Brinan remembered all the childhood stories of trolls kidnapping children, feeding them up for the pot. He thought of Ruban, injured and vulnerable. He stood up and pushed passed Matina into the camp. “Where’s Ruban?” He demanded to know. “What have you done with him?” His sudden appearance and rude outburst caused everyone to stop what they were doing and stare at him. Brinan stared back, equally shocked but for an entirely different reason. In spite of Brinan’s rudeness, an old man, bent with age - but still taller and broader than even Emosnar had been - hobbled towards Brinan and beckoned him towards a lean-to. Brinan followed him in, suddenly feeling a little foolish for his outburst. He grinned with relief when he saw Ruban. The young boy was propped up on a cot with furs, one arm in a sling and the other one making light work of a bowl of porridge and dried blueberries. Brinan couldn’t stop his mouth watering.
“Hi Brinan!” He said cheerfully. “Did you take us home? You know, I had the strangest dream.” Ruban chattered on vaguely as if drugged. Brinan realised with a smile that he had been given a very strong pain killer.
“No Ruban; not yet, but we’re in safe hands and everything is going to be okay.” He took Ruban’s plate and gestured for him to lie back down. Brinan got up and turned to find the old man in the entrance. Brinan smiled at him and said thank you. Not sure if he was understood. The old man did understand, although it was his body language and the gratitude in his voice. He nodded and stepped back to let Brinan out. Then he turned and spoke in a deep guttural language to a younger man who was sat by the central fire.
The young man stood up and approached Brinan with a platter of food, including a bowl of porridge. Brinan studied him. No, he was not a man, although taller than Brinan he was most definitely a boy. He didn’t have the rugged complexion, worry lines or facial hair of a man. He smiled at Brinan as he held out the platter gesturing for him to take it. The boy’s smile was so wide and infectious, Brinan had to smile back; he took the platter and nodded his thanks.
The boy picked up another food platter and took it over to the lean to where Serena and Callom were. He ducked inside grinning and offered them the platter. Callom took the platter and tucked in. Serena smiled shyly at the boy and was rewarded with his infectious smile. His dark eyes sparkled merrily. She was taken aback by the transformation. That had to be the friendliest smile she had ever seen, she couldn’t help but smile broadly in response. Then she too tucked into the food. The boy left them to eat in peace.
“This is good,” Serena said between mouthfuls. Callom just nodded, his mouth too full to speak.
“Look at all this food!” There were several small loaves, some root vegetables and fresh meat, deer probably. A selection of dried fruits and nuts from last autumn were also present. The abundance and variety spoke well of good planning.
“These people don’t go hungry. I doubt they would need to eat us!” She reasoned.
The boy returned with a bladder of fresh water and two wooden cups. He placed them on the ground in front of Serena and Callom and poured them each a drink.
“Thank you,” Serena said, as fascinated by the boy as he obviously was with her.
“What’s your name?” She asked. He shook his head, confused. Serena sat up a little taller and tapped her chest. “Serena, Se-re-na. Now you?” She asked pointing to the boy. He repeated her name, slowly. “Zereena, Zerena, Ssserena?”
“That’s right; that’s my name, now yours.” It was like a game to the boy. He mimicked Serena by sitting up straight and tapping his chest. Callom snorted which got him a dig in the rib from Serena.
“Vrad,” said the boy quickly. Too quickly! Serena shook her head. The boy understood her confusion. “Varad, Vaaa- graad.”
“Vargd,” Serena replied, trying again. It was like he had swallowed his own name as he said it. The boy nodded encouragement. “Varr-add. Varad,” she repeated, pleased that she had it right.
The boy turned to Callom and tapped his chest. Callom rushed to swallow down the last of his food. Varad waited patiently for him.
“Callom, Caal – lom.” Callom replied.
“Gaaal – looom. Gaal–lom, Gallom.” Varad tried even harder to get his name.
“That’s right, Callom.” Callom held out his hand to the boy, they locked in greeting and Callom tried not to squeal. Despite Varad’s friendly, infectious smile his grip was like a vice. I would not want to pick a fight with this boy! Callom though respectfully.
“Magda, he’s strong,” squeaked Callom rubbing his arm when Varad left the lean-to. Serena laughed and tucked into her food. She was feeling a lot happier and it was more than the food that had caused it.
“He likes you,” Callom said, teasing. Serena punched his arm, but smiled to herself.
Brinan stayed in the lean-to with Ruban for most of the morning as the young boy drifted in and out of sleep. He felt he ought to stay with him in case he got a fright when the medicine wore off. He was getting used to his strange looking hosts. The boy had come back in and introduced himself. With basic sign language they had struck up the beginnings of a friendship. The more he saw him the less strange he appeared. Brinan liked him, he had good instincts about people, and Varad, he felt, was a good hearted person. He reminded him of Callom and in some ways, Matina too.
“Mother,” Ruban cried out, waking suddenly again. This time he was in pain.
“Your mother’s not here Ruban, just me.” Brinan told him.
“Go away Brinan, I don’t like you; I want my mother.” Replied Ruban, flatly. Brinan was mildly surprised but persevered.
“I can’t Ruban. Your mother’s not here any more. You fell and broke your arm. We’re in a camp of people. They look different from us so don’t be frightened. They are good people and they have mended your arm. Try to remember.”
Ruban opened his eyes and scowled at Brinan, then started to cry.
“My arm - it hurts, and my head.” Brinan patted his good arm unsure of what to do. The old man came back in with a medicine bowl. Brinan got up and moved aside for him, feeling relieved. He didn’t have much of a bedside manner. Especially for a patient who was adamant he didn’t like you. Despite Brinan’s warning, Ruban still screamed when he saw the man. The old man seemed to understand his fear and waited patiently before offering Ruban the medicine bowl.
“Drink it.” Brinan ordered. “It will make the pain go away.” Between the fearful old man and the sharp tone in Brinan’s voice, Ruban decided not to make a fuss and quietly took the drink.
“Now close your eyes and rest.” Brinan told him as he left the lean-to. “I need to check on the others.”
Ruban closed his eyes but opened them again when he felt the man taking the wrappings off his head. He stared at the old man, fear turning to curiosity.
The man’s touch was gentle, and Ruban was grateful for the cold compress he put on his head. It eased the pain immediately. He started to feel light headed again, and happy, so happy. He started to hum a tune then drifted off to sleep. The old man patted his hand and left him. In spite of his fearful look, he was full of compassion for the child; for all of these children. He didn’t need to ask why they were alone. His people had also been torn apart by the massive flooding, the same thing had obviously happened to this Clan.
They stayed with Varad’s Clan for three more days. Serena spent a lot of time with Varad trying to communicate and they learned a good bit of each other’s language. Brinan watched them, laughing together in spite of their physical differences.. As much as Brinan appreciated their help, he was restless to be on his way again. Every day wasted was a day lost for travelling. Ruban was out of bed, and Brinan sensed that Varad’s people wanted to move on too. This was not a permanent place for them, that much was obvious. He also wanted to look for Luma, although he feared the worst.
Varad came to their lean-to that evening, he looked sad. He sat cross legged between Brinan and Callom and looked down at his lap, then letting out a big sigh he tried to explain himself.
“Varad’s people go - sunrise – not Brinan people. Brinan go sunset.”
“I think he means we’ve outstayed our welcome, they need to move on.” Brinan said, nodding in agreement. Varad looked a little more comfortable.
“Yes,” Serena agreed, she drew a jagged line in the dirt and four triangles representing their camp then the sun in the west and the sun in the east. “We go west and south.” She indicated on the map. “You go East?”
Varad nodded and pointed to the east, then north. “New lands, much food, much hunt! No more ice.”
“We understand, but we are grateful and we’ll miss you.” Brinan said. “Varad good friend; Varad’s Clan - good people.”
Varad just nodded, got up and left. He turned back “Morning, we must leave.”
“Yes, we leave too.” Brinan agreed. Varad looked at Serena for a moment then, taking off his amulet of animal teeth, gave it to Serena then left quickly. Brinan and Callom felt a little uncomfortable, like they were in the way of something intimate.
Parting company in the morning would be no less easy. That night, the old medicine man had managed to explain to them, through Varad, that Ruban’s cast had to stay on for a moon cycle and a half. He gave Serena a pouch of pain killer too. Although Varad’s people looked more at ease, Varad looked desperately unhappy. He had not tried to explain the full reason they had to leave.
Varad’s people were not trusted and often persecuted by Brinan’s kind. They were scared of the possibility that adults would be out looking for Brinan and the others and didn’t want a confrontation. The old medicine man had been telling them stories of conflicts between his Clan’s and Brinan’s in the north west, he had good reason not to trust them. There had been a time way back when their ancestors looked even more different than they did today, those memories ran deep. Ironically, it was at times of disasters like this flood that they often came into contact, and in the past had had to merge their resources, including the choosing of mates.
It was a dull grey morning, still drizzling with rain when Brinan woke first and looked out of the lean-to. “They’ve gone!” He said in surprise. “They didn’t even say goodbye.”
“I think they were saying their goodbyes last night.” Serena explained surprised by how upset she was. She swallowed hard, getting control of her emotions.
“I want Varad! I want Medin man!” Matina’s lower lip started to quiver.
“They’ve gone Matty; they need to get back to their own people and so do we.”
Matina started to cry. Somehow, the camp didn’t feel so safe and secure any more. A birch bark container of food had been left outside their lean-to for their journey. Brinan was touched; thanking them again in his mind. Now the burden of leadership was back on his shoulders.
Leading his Clan west towards the sea, Brinan thought sadly of Luma. He had found no sign of her. When they got back to the Horse Clan, he would get another wolf cub. But there would never be another Luma.
16 Lynx
After a day’s trek, Brinan and his Clan left the great forest and were out on the open plains again. Here they travelled for several days. Vast herds of roaming herbivores grazed as far as the horizon. Aurochs, horses, onagers bison, ibex and saiga antelope all roamed the plains taking advantage of the abundance of grasses and herbs. The children were careful to avoid any predators hunting the herds and lit huge fires to keep them away. It was coming into full summer and the heat of the sun warmed them up and cheered their spirits. They travelled in their summer tunics, the boys going bare-chested.
They followed the course of streams and rivers, using the stars at night to map out their journey for the next day. They were grateful for the lessons that Tamo had made them learn. By pooling what they each remembered, together with the lessons from Arguus on lining up landmarks they finally reach an area that Brinan recognised. It was where Arguus had taken him to watch the wolf pack. He knew that they were only another day’s walk from the sea.
They found a sheltered area of rocks with a good overhang to camp for the night. Brinan and Callom went to set snares. Serena, Ruban and Matina set up camp. Matina built the fire and once it had settled down, boiled water for some of the grains and root vegetables that Varad’s Clan had given them. While the water boiled, she washed the roots they had dug up on their walk. She hummed quietly to herself; taking some of the grains and root vegetables from the pot, and mashed them up for Tomas. Serena came back with more vegetables, wild edible flowers and strawberries. She de-stalked a few and gave them to Tomas who sucked happily on them.
“Serena.” Matina whispered with uncharacteristic quiet. “Serena. Something is here.”
“What? Oh!” Serena caught sight of a lynx on the edge of a rock directly above their camp. It was stalking Ruban. She picked up a stick, grabbed the container of food and dumped out the contents then banged the stick loudly on the container, shouting and screaming - she ran straight towards the lynx. Ruban, unaware of the danger was frightened by Serena. Serena tried to get between Ruban and the lynx but the cat was quicker and jumped down from its ledge and paced towards Ruban. Serena noticed a limp in the animal’s gait, one back leg dragged, a gaping wound had opened, and pus oozed out. She shouted and banged even louder. An injured animal was desperate and more dangerous!
“Go away! Go! Get out of here!” Screamed Serena, confronting the lynx with determination. She had been taught from an early age to make as much noise as possible when confronted with a predator. The tuft-eared cat was near death and desperate. Its fur was matted and its hip bones stuck out sharply. It didn’t back down, but snarled at Serena and side stepped her. It set its sights on Tomas. Matina picked up a stick from the fire and stood over the baby. “Go away!” She picked up a stone from the hearth and flung it at the lynx. The animal snarled, but hesitated.
The attack came from the left. A blur of white fur flew into the camp and sprang at the lynx which turned too late to face its attacker. Luma knocked it over and closed her mouth round the throat of the lynx. The weakened, dying animal had no chance. Its death would be an act of kindness. Luma snarled as she shook the cat violently maintaining a death grip on the animal.
“Luma, oh Luma, you’re alive!” Serena rushed towards the wolf but Luma snarled a warning at her. Serena stopped in her tracks, a little afraid. She was unsure whether Luma was protecting her kill against Serena, or protecting Serena against the lynx but the animal was surely dead.
“Keep away from her.” Brinan ordered as he stepped into the clearing.
Serena backed away and returned to the hearth. She picked up Tomas and cuddled him suddenly wary of the wolf.
“Good girl Luma, now leave!” Brinan walked towards his wolf and she dropped her kill and scooted towards him, tail tucked under and ears flat
tened back in a submissive gesture. Brinan opened his arms, inviting her to greet him and Luma jumped up almost knocking him over. Brinan dragged the carcass of the lynx well away from the camp, the hide was not fit for purpose, and no one cared for the taste of lynx. Besides, he had a good catch of trout from a stream they had found.
“So that’s what took you so long!” Serena smiled.
“Kind of; we picked up Luma’s trail while we were setting snares. She must have been following us for some time but was too scared to come out in the open. She’s not used to being hunted remember. Varad’s Clan must have scared her. Wolf packs don’t like mixing with strange packs; they will often fight to the death if there’s a confrontation. She must have seen Varad’s Clan as a rival pack and we were on their territory, not ours.” Explained Brinan, making sense of Luma’s behaviour.
“Anyway, she’s back now and that’s all that matters.”
“The Clan felt more secure with Luma back; she was an extra deterrent against predators. The combined smell of human, wolf and fire was too disturbing for hunting carnivores, including the pack of wild wolves that lived nearby, and they avoided the strange Clan. Now that she had lived alone for a short time; Luma had filled out and matured, her puppyish nature only came out around Brinan and sometimes the little ones. She was aloof but tolerant with Serena and Callom. She was, in the way of wolves, trying to assert her place within the pack hierarchy.
The following day, they trekked on towards the sea. Callom and Brinan collected their snares but had no luck in catching anything. It was just as well they were almost at the sea; they were getting low on supplies. The sea was the place to be if you never wanted to go hungry!
Brinan’s heart leapt when he reached a well worn trail leading to the coast. Suddenly they were within earshot of the raucous cries of sea gulls and the tang of salt in the air brought back a flood of happy memories. They quickened their pace and soon reached the shore. Abandoning their travois and backpacks, they raced for the water.