The Free Trader of Planet Vii

by Martelle, Craig

  “We already got one of those. No need for more.” He looked skeptically at the companions. He mouthed the word ‘muties’ as he turned away.

  “Wait! You already have a trade route established? What do you trade? Maybe we have a better deal,” Braden offered, not knowing what the old man’s intent was.

  “Trade. Everyone shares a bit of what they grow or make with me and I share my wisdom and leadership with them. That’s our trade.” The old man hesitated. Those standing around seemed interested, others joined them.

  “If there is enough to share, there might be enough to trade. What do you grow that you could expand, grow more of? What do you want that you don’t have?” Braden decided against getting down. He didn’t like this self-proclaimed leader. If he was face to face with him, Braden would probably end up hurting him. He put a restraining hand on Micah’s knee. She was ready to change the village’s leadership.

  He looked at her out of the side of his eye and shook his head, just enough so she would understand. She took a deep breath, trying to force herself to relax.

  “Maybe I can talk with someone who grows the food, who might want to trade?” Braden suggested, knowing that it might make the old man angry. Braden’s anger was rising. He wanted the old man to do something so they would be justified in killing him.

  Braden struggled with his thoughts. He had to talk his way out of this.

  Maybe the old man saw the danger he was in. “Talk to whoever you want. I’ll have no part of it.” He turned and walked away, much more quickly than when he arrived.

  “You, my good man!” Braden called to one individual who seemed ready to burst with excitement. “Are you interested?”

  “Yes! Take me with you!” Choruses of “and me” followed until the whole group pressed in on the two horses.

  “Whoa! Wait a minute. What’s this all about?” Braden tried to regain control.

  A number of people started talking, then talked louder trying to speak over the others.

  “You!” Braden pointed to the first man who spoke up. “Why are you begging to leave?”

  “Look how we live! There has to be something better than this. We sleep in shifts, some during the day, some at night,” the man said.

  “Why don’t you just build more places to live?” Micah asked.

  “He won’t let us,” they answered as one.

  “Why does he have that much power over you?” Braden asked, looking from face to face. People looked down, shrugging. No one answered. “He only has as much power as you give him.”

  “Yes!” the young man shouted, trying to reassert himself. “We can build them ourselves and still provide for him.”

  “We’re not going to take anyone with us,” Braden stated firmly. He held out his hands to calm them down. “But we will be back. I want to see new homes and I want you to be able to tell me what you can trade. I don’t know when we’ll be back, but we will. By the way, the Aurochs are coming with us.” They looked at him. Without being able to talk with the Aurochs, these people didn’t know what they were called.

  “The great beasts roaming the grassland. They have agreed to come with us.”

  “Agreed? How did they do that? They are just beasts. We use their droppings for fertilizer.”

  “We can talk with them,” Micah said.

  A startled cry of ‘Mutants!’ came from someone in the crowd. The people backed away.

  “We’re not mutants,” Micah said coldly. “But they are.” She waved her hand in the direction of the ‘cat and the Tortoid. “And they are good creatures, better than you. The great beasts? They’re mutants, too, and their waste fertilizes your crops. Think about that.” She pulled on Pack/Speckle’s rein, turning his head away from the village. He danced in a half circle, scattering some of the people.

  “We’ll be back and we expect to see changes if you want to join the trade route.” Braden gave Max a light kick and he was off. They urged the horses into a gallop to put as much distance as possible between them and the village.

  48 – An Injury and a Bond

  The herd of Aurochs made great traveling companions. Bronwyn refused to ride with Braden and Micah, preferring to sit astride Brandt Earthshaker’s broad neck. Besides Brandt, there were three young bulls and twenty-five cows. As Braden suspected, they didn’t walk fast, but their strides were so long that they moved a great distance in a short amount of time. They stopped often to graze, but not for too long.

  The Aurochs had trouble with obstacles. They spent their lives grazing grasslands, not climbing over rocks or fording streams. The horses, though smaller, negotiated these obstacles without issue, compared to their larger companions.

  One of the younger cows slipped while climbing a rocky slope, and tumbled down the hill, crashing against a tree near the bottom. It left a huge gash in her side.

  Brandt was beside himself. He was responsible to protect the herd and with this, he was helpless.

  “Braden and Micah will help her and I will take away her pain,” Bronwyn said softly to the King of the Aurochs. Braden gave the pouch of numbweed to Micah while he got his needle and the precious bit of remaining thread out of his saddle bag.

  Bronwyn stroked the large cow’s head, singing happily. Even the cows had horns, but these weren’t as big as Brandt’s. Micah cautioned the little girl to be careful that she didn’t get hurt if the cow moved suddenly.

  The numbweed helped stop the bleeding, while Bronwyn took away the cow Aurochs’ pain. Braden asked the cow to remain still while he sewed up the wound. The little girl kept the great beast calm as Braden worked the needle and thread. He ran out of thread, but by putting the stitches further apart, he was able to close the majority of the gash. They cleaned it with water from their flasks, then applied more numbweed. Braden suggested they remain here until the next daylight when he knew the cow would be able to continue.

  Brandt’s gratitude was as big as the Aurochs himself. He showed his affection through nuzzling, which ended up knocking the humans to the ground. Bronwyn, the smallest of them all, was first up and first to nuzzle back, wrapping her small arms as far around the Aurochs’ face as she could reach. He lifted her in the air repeatedly. She squealed in delight each time.

  The herd closed in around the humans, each taking a turn touching them. G-War adeptly danced around the hooves, but once he’d had enough of that, he vaulted onto Brandt’s face and ran up his head and down his neck to the King’s back, where he crouched low, before lying down. Aadi hovered higher to stay above the fray. Skirill perched in the tree that the cow fell into.

  This was a good spot to camp, so they stayed. With the Earthshaker Herd watching over them, there was nothing to fear. Bronwyn slept between Brandt’s front legs, as comfortably as if she were in the finest bed. G-War slept on the King’s neck. Warm and soft, it was a perfect ‘cat bed.

  Sunrise brought rain. Braden thought the horses smelled bad when they got wet, but that didn’t compare to the smell of a wet Aurochs. Bronwyn seemed oblivious to it. They applied more numbweed to the injured cow. The rain would wash it off shortly, but then they’d apply more. Their supply was virtually unlimited.

  Brandt continued to be effusive in his praise of the humans and their ability to heal such a fearsome wound. Braden explained that it was because humans were so frail that they had developed the techniques for better healing.

  Bronwyn turned out to be the one who got the herd moving, including the horses.

  Braden leaned close to Micah. “Did you ever think that we’re simply watching events as they unfold?”

  “Watching? I’m not sure you were watching when the three of you went into the rainforest after Bronwyn. Remember the part where she wanted to stay with the Lizard Men, the Amazonians?” Micah reminded him.

  “Okay, maybe we pushed this raft into the river and we’re hanging on for the ride. Is that better?”

  Micah nodded. “Yes. We are hanging on, watching a beautiful world go by. We stop here and t
here to clean up the shore, make sure things are right, then we push back into the rapids.”

  “Maybe we can stop at Coldstream for some of their sweetened smoked pork? I think I like that better than the brownies, although I have some incredible memories that go with the brownies.”

  Micah blushed. Those were a few of many great memories.

  “We don’t have anything left. Maybe the Aurochs can knock down a few trees for them?”

  “That’s a reach! If the Aurochs work for them, wouldn’t that be their trade?” Micah suggested.

  “You got me there. But Brandt feels like he owes us for working on the cow’s wound.”

  “Listen here, my lover. As long as I’m your partner, you will never trade doing the right thing. The villagers didn’t owe you for going after Bronwyn, and Brandt doesn’t owe you for sewing up a cut.” She lifted her eyebrows to solidify her point.

  Braden raised his hands in surrender. “And since you’ll be my partner until you die, I guess it’s settled,” she said ominously.

  “Since you’ll be my partner until YOU die,” Braden started, but he didn’t have anything else, so he ended with a shrug of his shoulders. Let her wonder about that, he thought.

  ‘There’s nothing to wonder about,’ she replied in her thought voice.

  “Crap! Would you stop doing that?”

  “Can’t you hear me when I think?” she asked. He scowled in response.

  She held his face in her hands, looking deep into his blue eyes. ‘What about now?’

  “Yes. I heard that,” he answered.

  ‘Not with your outside voice,’ she responded. ‘This is without G-War’s help. I think some of his ability to mindlink rubbed off on us.’

  ‘Or maybe he shared it with us because the number of companions has grown rather large. And he is a selfish ass, you know.’ They laughed. The ‘cat’s indomitable spirit loomed large. The Golden Warrior was a stalwart companion, always there in time of need, and by sharing his ability to speak with others, he helped them get where they were.

  Micah stopped thinking about G-War. She looked back over at Braden. ‘I love you,’ she said simply. A thought voice couldn’t lie. It was one’s thoughts after all. He could feel the emotion behind it, too.

  ‘Until we die,’ he responded, realizing that her earlier statement was not a threat. They were bonded to each other. Simple as that.

  49 – Needing a Wagon

  As they rode to the outskirts of Village Greentree, someone raised a cry of welcome. The villagers ran from all directions to meet Braden and Micah. Bronwyn’s parents looked for the little girl, alarmed when they didn’t see her.

  “She’s coming, and she has something to show you.” Micah smiled.

  As the Earthshaker Herd came into sight, everyone’s eyes went wide, until they saw Bronwyn waving from the great neck of Brandt, King of the Aurochs. She stopped the herd before they got too close and carefully climbed down.

  Brandt stamped his mighty front hooves and shook his head as he looked over his herd and their new grazing lands. ‘On behalf of the Earthshaker Herd, I accept these grasslands as our own,’ Brandt said to his people. The herd spread out to graze.

  Bronwyn’s parents ran to her, sweeping her up in their arms. She wanted down, taking a hand of each and running with them back toward the herd.

  Braden and Micah explained to the villagers that the herd had chosen this area as their new home. They would help pull the wagons on the trade routes. They would be partners in the trade, not beasts of burden, as they were mutants, and like the Amazonians, they were friends. Plus, their droppings made good fertilizer, or so they heard.

  The villagers nodded knowingly. Bronwyn could talk with the Aurochs. At ten cycles, she was going to be in charge of the herd, or more likely, she was the liaison between the herd and the village, between the Amazonians and the village.

  “We would like to set up our trading base here, in Greentree. We can go both east and west. The Aurochs are here. We can swap who pulls the wagons as we pass through,” Braden said.

  “What wagons?” someone asked.

  “At Village Dwyer, they are working on some right now. Maybe they’ll be ready when we get back there. We’ll also need harnesses. The ones we have for Pack, I mean Speckles, won’t fit any of the Aurochs. Do any of your people work with leather?” Maybe the new ropes from the Amazonians would help. Hmmm. All kinds of work to do, Braden thought to himself.

  “Welcome home, Micah. We need to build a house.” Braden gave his partner a hug, then walked toward the grasslands where the villagers were strolling to get a close look at their massive new neighbors.

  Someone clapped him on the back. “They are something, aren’t they,” the villager said with a big smile on his face.

  Yes, they are, Braden thought.

  I couldn’t agree more, he heard Micah think.

  It didn’t take long before the village suggested a celebration of the caravan’s successful return. Music and food.

  Bronwyn suggested they move to the edge of the grasslands so the Aurochs could attend and listen. The village brought all the vegetables and all the mushrooms they had. There wasn’t very much, not enough to feed a single Aurochs, let alone twenty nine of them. But the King of the Aurochs was gracious, refusing to accept anything, until there was enough for all. The villagers still managed to put together a sampler tray, with one small treat for each of the new arrivals.

  Brandt had the Aurochs come up, one at a time, so Bronwyn could introduce them and give them a treat. “This is Ackla,” the little girl said, carefully holding a piece of cabbage in her small hand. The Aurochs cow’s mouth was as big as Bronwyn’s head, but she managed to gingerly relieve the human of her prize. The cow bowed as she left.

  “This is Wen…” Each in their turn greeted the villagers.

  No one saw Aadi leave, but everyone saw him return. As dusk arrived, the Tortoid escorted Akhmiyar and four Amazonians to the celebration. Braden and Akhmiyar greeted in their new way, hands on each other’s chest. Then Bronwyn introduced them to the King of the Aurochs.

  The Lizard Men bowed deeply, which Brandt returned. Then they stood facing each other. Brandt shook his head. Akhmiyar made some signs with his hands/claws.

  “Bronwyn, do you know what they are talking about?” Braden asked.

  “The ancients, old times, survival, I really don’t know what any of it means,” she said before skipping away to scoop up G-War and carry him around.

  “Unfortunately, we do,” Braden said to Micah. “More creatures created by the ancients, and then left behind after the war to fend for themselves. Well, we see who the survivors are. Without the ancients, we wouldn’t have the pleasure of their company. G-War, Aadi, Skirill. I wonder how Bronwyn got her ability to talk with all Vii’s creatures?”

  Micah shook her head. Some questions were better left unasked.

  When the Amazonians finished talking with Brandt, Bronwyn ran up to them. Taking Akhmiyar’s hand in hers, she took him to various villagers, where they conversed briefly. Akhmiyar had an agenda and it probably involved trade.

  Braden was pleased. He wanted to drive trades because that was in his nature, but he was happy making sure that trade happened. Maybe he could start a Guild and be the Guildmaster.

  “Well done, Master Aadi,” Micah said as the Tortoid swam up to them.

  ‘Just Aadi, Master Human. And it was my pleasure. I saw them standing on the edge of the rainforest. They deserve to be a part of this celebration, too.’

  50 – Trade!

  The King of the Aurochs said he would accompany Braden, Micah, and the companions as they traveled east to McCullough and Dwyer. Brandt brought one cow and one bull along. They would learn the route and when the wagon was ready, they would take turns pulling it.

  Braden wanted to stop at the meeting site with the Amazonians, hoping to work a deal to get more of their rope to help him build a harness for the Aurochs. The Amazon rope was the best until t
hey could have a proper leather harness made.

  It took work to convince Bronwyn to stay behind, but going with three Aurochs while twenty-six remained behind wouldn’t work. No one could talk with them if she left. Reluctantly she agreed.

  She was ten cycles old and they had to get her permission. One never knew who could make or break a trade.

  Also, without Bronwyn, Braden felt less guilty taking down a couple deer to trade with the Amazonians. They left, feeling good about their progress.

  Brandt expressed some reluctance to go into the rainforest. He was comfortable in wide open spaces, not the confines of a narrow road wedged between foreboding trees.

  Once in the Amazon, Brandt realized the road was wide enough for him to turn around. He was much relieved.

  The Amazonians appeared at once. After bowing and showing proper deference. they conversed with both the King and Aadi. Brandt conducted the negotiations for the rope, but since the Amazonians were pleased with his presence, they included a great volume of mushrooms. The Amazonians had no trade goods with them, so the companions waited while they disappeared into the rainforest to get them. Braden told them to take the two deer so they wouldn’t spoil.

  It wasn’t long before Zalastar himself showed up. He greeted Brandt, and they bowed to each other as leaders of their people. Akhmiyar had passed to Zalastar that the Aurochs had joined Braden and Micah. Zalastar was also pleasantly surprised that the Amazonians had been invited to participate in the human celebration at Greentree.

  “We’re all in this together, trying to make tomorrow just a little bit better than today.” The trade route would go from Dwyer to Westerly. He didn’t expect many items would be traded initially, but their exchange of information, sharing of knowledge, and partnership would build a strong foundation on which future trade would flourish.

  The Amazonians wanted to travel on the trade route, but Braden wasn’t sure how they could survive in the dry of the open air. Zalastar said he’d ask his best people to come up with a way.