The kDira's World Anthology

by K R McClellan

  “I love you, mum,” Tuviast managed through his sorrow.

  kDira then said her own emotional goodbye to her mother with hugs and kisses, and then turned and headed toward the front of the caravan, steeling herself as best she could.

  “Let’s get ready to move out!” she called out.

  cHAPTER 2

  The mood was somber once the traveling band was on the move again; the able-bodied people walked while the young, the elderly, and the injured rode in carts pulled by donks, small pack animals bigger than chideer but too small to ride for any distance. Two donks per cart were all that was needed to pull at a steady pace. The cart in the rear held cages with chickens and rabbits, while another carried bags of vegetables and one small plant that Winter had cultivated from a seedling she got from the Survivors.

  The road west eventually faded as no one had traveled in this direction since the Great Cloud. It was rumored that tribes to the west were worse than the Karn, but the Westerlies, a peaceful tribe that had lived a day away from the original Blackhorn camp, was the only contact kDira had had with people of the west, so kDira was going to deal with situations as they arrived. After the Westerlies had been devastated by wolfpacks a couple years ago, the few remaining came to Blackhorn for sanctuary.

  With the Survivors from the underground and the other small additions to the tribe, the Blackhorn now numbered near one hundred strong. Although they had all been thrown together in desperation, kDira trusted everyone. Trust had proven her downfall in the past, but she still fully believed that trusting someone until they prove they cannot be trusted was the best policy.

  As the terrain grew more rugged, it became hard for the donks to pull the carts. The ground became overgrown with roots and lined with ruts, and the wagons, not designed to be used anywhere but the well-traveled roads and trails like those around Blackhorn, began to get stuck more and more often. With tribe members pushing the carts to help take the strain off the donks, the travel was slow-going and tiring for all.

  Tina Davis, once the director of a great underground complex, home for many known as the Survivors, was now trying to find her way in this strange and scary world of the surface. She made her way to the front to walk with kDira.

  “Hello, kDira,” she said in as light-hearted a voice as she could muster. “I am very sorry about the loss of your mother.”

  “And I am very sorry about your home being destroyed,” kDira replied. “I would have never thought Malak would go that far.”

  “It is our fault. We should have been more careful. Sadly, this is a lesson learned too late.”

  “What do you know of this world? What was it called before… before the Great Cloud?”

  “Well, this used to be called America. Or the United States. Actually, the United States of America.”

  “That’s a lot of names.”

  “I guess it is,” Miss Davis laughed. “Our underground complex, as well as Midlandia and Blackhorn, were located around the area of Western Utah. What you call Karn City used to be called Las Vegas.”

  “Lost Vegas?”

  “Las Vegas. We are now on our way to what used to be called California. The problem is…”

  “What?”

  “We will run into a range of mountains called the Sierra Nevada. We would do best to start heading southward a bit so we can skirt the southern end of the range there.”

  “And then what?”

  “Well, I guess then we head west again and keep going until we hit the ocean.”

  “Ocean? What is an ocean?”

  “It is a great body of water. So large you can’t see the other side. But unfortunately, you cannot drink the water, as it is filled with salt.”

  kDira walked silently trying to imagine that much water. The biggest body of water she’d ever seen were small ponds in lowlands around Blackhorn.

  “But the ocean is full of fish and other creatures that you will find very tasty,” Tina Davis continued.

  “It’s all very scary.”

  “It sure is, even for me. But you are a brave leader, and I know you will do your best to keep your people safe. I worry about those of us that had to come out from underground. None of us have ever had to live off the land or fight a battle. We are all educated but very inexperienced in the art of survival.”

  “Odd that you call yourself Survivors, don’t you think?”

  “I never thought about it, but I guess you are right.” Miss Davis put her arm over kDira’s shoulder and gave her a happy squeeze. “We’re going to be all right. I know we will.”

  Ari, walking several paces behind, witnessed the show of affection and was surprised by her own feelings. Cold jealousy, an emotion she had never felt about kDira before, swept over her. Ari knew that kDira was off limits, but to see another taking liberties that she felt were reserved for herself brought anger she was not prepared for. She did her best to shrug it off, but watching the two leaders ahead of her laugh and joke, and then Miss Davis giving kDira another squeeze on the shoulder did nothing to ease Ari’s insecurities.

  Finally, Miss Davis took her hand off kDira’s shoulder and turned to go back to be with the other Survivors. As she passed by, Ari glared at her with a look that went unnoticed. Ari stepped lively to catch up with kDira.

  “So, you seem to have a new friend.”

  “Tina? Yes, I guess I have. We need to get to know these people. We will be with them for a long time.”

  “But you seem to be getting along with her better than…”

  “Than what?”

  “You know. Better than just anyone. Do you have feelings for her?”

  “Ari, are you jealous? That’s not like you.”

  “Do you have feelings for her?” Ari pressed. “Are you more than just friends?”

  “No, Ari. You know I am not like that and you know I am loyal to Agis.”

  “You just looked pretty friendly, more than just getting to know her.”

  “She was just trying to reassure me. You have nothing to worry about. If I ever take a female as a mate, it will most certainly be you.”

  Ari smiled and laughed just a little. “I’m being silly, aren’t I?”

  “Yes,” kDira said, putting her arm over Ari’s shoulders. “You are my best girl.”

  “Thanks, Queen Mum.”

  They both laughed and walked a short distance more before either spoke.

  “You better get back to your duties, keeping an eye out for bad things,” kDira said, removing her arm from Ari.

  “We can see for miles in any direction. I think we will have plenty of warning if something comes charging at us.”

  “You’re probably right, but just the same, I want my Chief of the Guard on the job should the need arise.”

  “I thought Agis was Chief of the Guard?”

  “I honestly think his days as a warrior are limited. His knee is pretty bad.”

  “I know. So sorry to see that happen to such a great warrior.”

  “Go now. I would like to be alone to think for a while. In a few hours, we will set camp. When we do, make sure the donks get enough food and water.”

  “Yes, Queen Mother,” Ari said with a wink.

  cHAPTER 3

  After two days’ travel, just as Tina Davis had predicted, the mountains appeared, rising to peaks that were higher than any of the Blackhorn had ever seen before. The traveling group of Blackhorn made a push southwest to skirt around the southern tip of the range.

  According to Miss Davis, the mountains they were seeing were rather small compared to those further north. They managed to find a road heading west, very much like the northern Great Highway. This one was in better condition than the trail they had been on and made travel much easier.

  By the end of the fourth day, the weary travelers arrived at an abandoned city that Miss Davis called Mojave, located in what used to be the state of California. Many of the buildings were still standing, though most windows were broken, and rusted carts, which Miss Da
vis explained were called automobiles, could be seen everywhere.

  “I saw those carts in the moving pictures you showed us in the theater,” kDira said. “People used to ride in them everywhere.”

  “Yes, people could drive them everywhere.”

  “It’s too bad we can’t use them now. It would make traveling much easier.”

  “Maybe within our lifetime, we will see that happen again. Who knows what the future may bring?”

  “Ari, we will stop here for a bit,” said kDira. “Maybe allowing everyone to get out and explore for a little while will get their moods up. Instruct them to gather anything that might be useful now or later.”

  “Sounds like a good idea,” Ari agreed. “But I suggest we stay in parties of five or more, each accompanied by at least one well-armed warrior.”

  “Mum! Mum! Can we go explore?” young Charlomine begged as she ran up to her mother, little Star in tow. “Please, mum? Can we go exploring too?”

  “Ari, could I count on you to watch over the young ones as they go and explore?”

  “I will be glad to. Come on, young krebs.”

  “Who are you calling a kreb, kreb?” Charlomine asked, turning and walking toward the end of the caravan of wagons.

  kDira smiled as her youngest two skipped off with Ari, excited for an adventure. She was proud of Charlomine, now reaching the end of her fourteenth season and proving herself to be a skilled warrior. If she did turn out to be a Princess Mother as the Provicy predicted, then she would certainly make a fine one.

  kDira made her way back to Agis, who was lying on his back. Winter was with him, stroking his hair. Tuviast was lying on his back in the middle of the cart, disinterested in doing anything but feeling his sorrow.

  “Father is in a lot of pain, mum,” Winter said. “I wish we could do something for it. It’s a shame we have no more magic pills like the doctor… Aaron…”

  kDira could see her oldest daughter choke up as the sudden memory of Aaron, Winter’s first and only love, came rushing back. “I know. Like the ones he gave you for your foot. I am so sorry about what Malak did. You and Aaron were very good for each other.”

  “She’s been very strong, kDira,” Agis said, trying to look strong. “She is a brave warrior.”

  “I know she is. We are both so proud of you, Winter. I shouldn’t do this, but here,” kDira said, handing Agis her bota bag. “I know you don’t like mollyberry bryne, but it is all I have. I will try to see if I can find some pongo for you.”

  “Mollyberry bryne is fine. Thank you.”

  “Drink enough of it, you won’t hurt so bad, and you won’t care what it tastes like either.”

  “Where are we? It looks like a nice abandoned city, better than Karn City. And the structures aren’t as high. Might be a nice place to call home?”

  “Unfortunately, I don’t see any water nearby, and I haven’t seen any game to hunt.”

  “And no soil to grow tomatoes in,” Winter added.

  “That’s right. We need to keep going. Tina Davis says if we go far enough we will see what is called the ocean; water as far as you can see.”

  “Oh,” Winter exclaimed, “I could drink a bucketful of fresh, cool water!”

  “Unfortunately, Miss Davis says we can’t drink ocean water because it is full of salt.”

  “Full of salt? What good is water if it is full of salt?”

  “She says there are ample fish to take from the water, so at least we will have a food source.”

  “Fish? What about chideer? Are there any chideer, any rock-goat?”

  “I don’t know, Winter, but I do know there are none of those things here right now, and we must have food to eat.”

  “I guess you are right. I sure would like some fresh meat of any kind right now. Dried chideer and poultry are getting pretty old.”

  “That they are,” kDira agreed, turning and walking away.

  “Hi, Winter,” Benithan said quietly, trying not to disturb Agis. Benithan had grown into a tall, slender young man with facial hair growing in spurts and a fair skin, now tanned a bit. His dark, black hair hung down to his brown leather vest and seemed to fall into his eyes more than he liked.

  “What do you want? Where’s your friend Cayban?”

  “He’s off getting ready to go exploring.”

  “Why don’t you do the same?”

  “Winter, why don’t you like me? What did I ever do to make you dislike me?”

  “What are you talking about, kreb?”

  “I mean, I think that we would be perfect for each other. We’re not even a season apart in age.”

  “It’s not that I don’t like you. I am just not going to be rushed into a mating. That’s just not for me.”

  “Who was talking about a mating? I would just like to be a friend to you. You always make fun of me and tell me to go away. Look, I know you had feelings for one of the Survivors. I am sorry he is not with us.”

  “Thank you. Yes, I had feelings for him. I didn’t plan it; it just happened.”

  “I see. Did you mate with him?”

  “I think you are stepping into an area you should not be going.”

  “I’m sorry. Well, I just want you to know that if you ever need me, I am here for you.”

  Winter blushed just a little. She had always felt that Benithan was a bit goofy, not very much of a warrior, and never had she been entertaining thoughts that he would make a good mate, but he was sincere, she could not deny that.

  “Thank you. Now go explore. Tell you what… since I can’t go myself, bring me back something nice, something unusual.”

  “You got it!” Benithan said, snapping tall, ready to take on the task. “I will find you something really nice!”

  “Can I go with you, Beni?” Tuviast asked, propping himself up on his elbows.

  “I don’t know, little kreb, you might be better off exploring with Star.”

  “I’m only three seasons younger than you. And I could whoop your butt in a fight.”

  “Benithan,” Winter interrupted. “Please take my young uncle with you and be nice. It would mean a lot to me.”

  “Okay, okay. Just try to keep up, youngling.”

  Benithan turned and ran toward the buildings like a young kreb on free-play day. Tuviast scrambled to get out of the cart, climbing over Winter and Agis in the process, then went running after the older boy. Winter couldn’t help but laugh.

  cHAPTER 4

  Ari, along with Charlomine and Star, wandered into the main entrance of a massive building. On either side of the long main passage, as far as they could see, were doors that led to rooms, probably full of things.

  “I think these were called shops,” Ari said.

  Charlomine went into the first room and found boxes and boxes of shoes strewn about the floor and shelves. “Look, Ari, here are war shoes like the ones Miss Davis had in the underground,” she exclaimed, holding up a pair of high-heeled black shoes. “I bet I could drive this into the throat of an enemy and kill him dead!”

  “But you would never be able to run after prey wearing those,” Ari admonished. “Better to just carry a knife.”

  “Can I take some back to show mum?”

  “Okay, but just a couple pairs. We don’t need to go crazy gathering stuff to take back with us. We don’t have a lot of room in the carts for such things.”

  “I won’t.”

  The youngest warrior, Star, wandered a little further down the main passage and came to a room that had miniature people in the window, standing in front of a miniature pink house. She was fascinated by the detail of the small family of dolls, standing there as if frozen in time, waiting for something to happen. She went inside and picked up a bigger one that appeared to be female. She posed its arms and legs, and she smiled. She put the figure into the one pocket she had and did the same with the male figure and one of the small child dolls.

  “Star!” Ari called. “Where are you, young girl?”

  “In here,”
Star called out, waving through the window of the shop.

  Ari saw her and walked over to the window. Charlomine gathered her shoes and joined them.

  “Young one, you must not wander off like that.”

  “I didn’t wander off; I’m right here,” Star protested. “Look what I found!” she said, changing the mood as she pulled the toys from her pocket.

  “Those are very nice, but that’s enough of those. Come, let’s go further and see what else we can find.”

  As Star stepped away from the window and turned to go out the door, she was stopped by the site of a whole wall of fuzzy looking animals, many with larger-than-life eyes. She walked over to the wall and found a little purple bear with a heart-shaped red tag on it. She didn’t understand what the tag meant, but the bear was too adorable to pass up.

  “Ari, can I have this, too?”

  “Only if you pick out a nice one for Winter, also.”

  “I will! I will pick her out a nice one!”

  “Okay, but don’t go crazy, we don’t have all day.”

  Star picked out a couple more bears for herself, and one for Winter. Charlomine also went into the shop and picked out a bear for herself. Then the small party went on down the passage to see what else they could discover.

  “Hello!” a voice called from behind. Ari and the girls turned to see kDira, accompanied by Miss Davis. The young girls ran to their mother and showed her what they had found. Charlomine was particularly anxious to show kDira her battle shoes.

  “Battle shoes?” Miss Davis said with a laugh. “Those are pumps. High heels,” she explained to the confused faces. “You wear them for special occasions. They make you look pretty.”

  “Not very practical though,” Ari said, her jealous feelings coming to the surface again.

  “No, I guess in this world they are not.”

  “Maybe on the way out I will find some that fit me,” kDira said. “And you can show me how to walk in them.”

  “I would be happy to,” said Miss Davis.

  “Me too! Me too!” Charlomine cheered.

  “Of course! You too.”