Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 75650 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75650 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
I take it from him and run it along the sides of my spear-head, even though it is already sharp. “It does not hurt today.”
“A good thing. And your memory?”
I shake my head. “Same.”
“Mmm. It will return. How is Stay-see? Tee-fah-nee says she cries much.”
I shrug, and the unhappy feeling returns to my gut. “We do not speak today. She is busy, and I have much to do.”
My brother is silent. I know if I look over, I will see his look of disapproval.
I continue to sharpen the spear-head, and then add, “When I talk to her, it upsets her. I am trying not to upset her.”
He grunts. After a moment, he adds, “She cares for you very much.”
“I know.” I do not offer more than that.
“And you remember nothing of your resonance?”
“Nothing.” I hand him back the whetstone.
Salukh has a pitying look on his face. “Your khui was one of the first to sing to the humans. I remember being envious of your happiness. You smiled so much in those days, brother.”
“Why are you telling me this?” There is edge to my voice.
He puts a hand to my shoulder and squeezes it. “I am glad I did not lose you in the cave-in, but…I would like for you to smile again. Stay-see, as well.”
I flick his hand off my shoulder. It feels like judgment. Does he think I do not want to remember? A mate is the greatest thing a hunter can hope to acquire, and mine cannot look upon me without weeping. “You think I do not wish these things?”
Salukh sighs. “I know you do.” He claps my shoulder again and then gets to his feet.
He leaves, and I am alone with my thoughts and a spear with a point so sharp and thin that it will likely shatter when thrown. I toss it aside in disgust. Just another thing I cannot seem to do right lately. Maybe I should do more. Talk to Stay-see and try to convince her to stop crying. Gaze at my son and see if his face stirs my memories.
I glance over at the fire again. Stay-see is gone, along with her friend.
Perhaps it is for the best. My mood is dark and I would just make her weep again.
Hassen and one of the yellow-haired human females return to the tribe that afternoon, speaking of a strange encampment in a new canyon. The area they describe is deep in metlak territory, which worries me, but it is large enough to house all of my people. I watch my chief as I eat my watery soup around the fire with the others. I have seen the worry on Vektal’s face, and I know we are in danger. The cold tang of the brutal season is in the air, and we are in the open, in tents. The humans look frail and wear many furs, and they will not be able to withstand the chill of the brutal season. They must be protected.
Some are excited at the prospect of a new encampment, though I think we all worry that it is not protected like our cave. We gather near the fire, waiting for our chief to tell us what will happen. I glance over at Stay-see as I eat, but she is pointedly ignoring me, her focus on the kit in her arms. She lifts one side of her tunic and tucks him underneath to nurse, and I find myself curious what she looks like without her leathers.
Why do I not remember even that?
Vektal gets to his feet, gazing into the bonfire. The tribe hushes, the evening growing still. Everyone watches him, waiting.
“This has been a difficult time for us,” he begins, voice grave. “Never have our people been cast out from their home by an earth-shake. We have lost everything we owned, our memories there, and even some of our tribesmates.” He looks over at Warrek, whose eyes shine with tears. “Since that day, we have been searching for a new home. But the South Caves are gone. The Elders’ Cave is unfit to live in. And Taushen, Raahosh, and Leezh have said that the great salt water is too high and covering the caves. We are low on options. We can split up for the brutal season and each family take a hunter cave.”
I tense at the thought. Would I go with my father and mother, or would I go with Stay-see, who does not look at me? Who cries whenever I am near? The thought is worrying. I will care for her and the kit, of course, but I do not know how she will feel, and the brutal season is long.
“I have thought about this,” Vektal continues, “And I do not feel it is the right way to go. We are strongest when we are together, and therefore, we must stay together. All of us. One kill can feed many mouths, and we ensure that all will be fed through the brutal season when we have many hunters to provide for the tribe. So, I will take two of my fastest hunters with me and we shall investigate Hassen’s new place. We will make sure it is safe to bring our families to such a place, and then we will all go together. It will not be an easy journey, but if it is as safe and peaceful as it sounds, it will be a good place to stay.”