The Lord of the Plains

by Sarah Chapman

Chapter 78

  The mountains were bare, rocky brown peaks. They were not very high, Riley had never seen snow on their heights.

  At the base of the mountains was a large camp. Gakra and Karesh approached her from the camp.

  Riley waited.

  ‘You’re back.’ Karesh stated once he reached her. ‘We’ve begun exploring and preparing the caves. The tribes within the area have been dealt with, they’ve joined you.’

  Gakra grinned, baring his teeth. ‘I organized the attack. It went well. There are some people I think are worthy of being named warriors. The new members haven’t caused many problems.’

  ‘Good.’ Riley said, barely controlling a wide smile. The tension she’d been holding all this time eased from her. For the tribe to stay together in her absence was all she had hoped for. This, well, this was excellent! ‘I’ll deal with your potential warriors, today, Gakra, but right now I want to see the caves.’

  Karesh gave Riley and Aerlid a tour of the caves. Or, part of the caves. The network was extensive and could not nearly all be seen in one afternoon.

  ‘Aerlid, can you tell if the caves are safe?’

  ‘I believe they are structurally sound.’ his voice echoed around the dark caverns. ‘I may get someone else to come check.’

  That meant a valkar. Riley did not press it.

  They came to a section of the caves with cave mould. The cave mould glowed softly, making it much easier to see.

  ‘Can we get the mould to grow in the other sections?’ she asked. ’We need to do something about visibility.

  ‘I’ll see.’

  ‘Karesh, I’d like to move some people in here now. We won’t know all the problems we’ll have here until we’ve actually lived here.’

  ‘How many?’ he asked.

  After that was discussed Riley quickly moved on to something else, ‘we’ll need to be able to secure the caves to make sure no ehlkrid get in. We’ll need to know all the entrances and maybe even block some tunnels off. At the very least, we’ll need guards placed throughout the caves.’

  As they talked their voices bounced around the cold, empty darkness.

  After they’d made some decisions Riley asked how exploration of the surrounding land was going. Supplies were to be stored at carefully chosen locations outside of the caves. If something happened that forced them to leave the caves, or if someone was stuck outside, Riley wanted to be prepared.

  ‘I think you’re going to have another problem.’ Aerlid said to Riley once they were outside the caves. Karesh was heading back down to the campsite. They were alone.

  ‘What’s that?’

  ‘You’re not allowing fighting. The gemengs are going to get… edgy. Being cooped up in the caves will just make it worse.’

  ‘Do you have any suggestions?’

  He nodded. ‘In other places, people used to have mock battles, or horse races in place of actually beating each other up.’

  ‘Horse races?’

  ‘But we don’t have any horses. And you don’t know how to ride. I know a few games though, that used to be popular. I could teach them to some of the children. It might help.’

  ‘Is there space in the caves where these games could be played?’

  Aerlid nodded. ‘There are some large caverns that would be more than big enough.’

  ‘Alright.’ they started walking down the steep, bare rock. ‘What sort of games?’

  ‘Mostly they’re played in teams. I’ll have to make a ball. Hmm, it’ll be better just to show you.’

  ‘You are still teaching the children medicine, aren’t you?’

  Aerlid sighed. ‘Yes, Riley, I’m still wasting my time with that.’

  Aerlid heard her mutter something under her breath.

  ‘What was that?’ he demanded.

  ‘Well, maybe you’re not a good teacher either.’ she replied with a slow smile.

  ‘Excuse me?’

  ‘Well-’

  ‘I taught you!’

  ‘I’m a very good student.’

  ‘Hah! Hah hah!’ Aerlid started laughing.

  ‘Vann said you’re not allowed to blame the student if they’re learning slowly.’

  ‘You certainly are!’

  ‘Go tell Vann that next time he accuses me of being a bad teacher.’ Riley said with a smile.

  A few days later, a valkar came to inspect the caves for Aerlid.

  ‘So you’re thinking of moving into the mountain?’ Maelid asked, a big smile on his face. There was little difference between this man and the caves they were now exploring. How could a man look like a cave? The same way a man could look like the moon. ‘I’m so proud of you, Moonsinger!’

  ‘Yes, well you know, mountains are… are very nice.’

  ‘Oh, I can’t think of anything nicer than a mountain.’

  ‘Neither can I.’ Aerlid sighed. He had not mentioned anything about ehlkrid or wars. The valkar would have come, but it would have been forced and cruel, making him feel if he didn’t any deaths would be solely on his hands. By phrasing it in this other way Maelid had jumped at the occasion, and he was happy. And he’d had a choice. That was the most important thing. ‘But I’m concerned about safety. I don’t want the mountain to fall on my head.’

  ‘No, you wouldn’t want that. Mountains are very heavy.’

  ‘Y-yes… so, what can you tell me?’

  Aerlid and Maelid walked through the caves as they talked. Maelid had no trouble making his way among the tunnels and quickly outpaced Aerlid, his footsteps echoing back from somewhere ahead. ‘The rock is strong.’ he called back to Aerlid.

  ‘Are there any places that are unsafe?’

  ‘Oh, don’t worry, Moonsinger. I’ll make the tunnels safe for you and your friends.’

  Aerlid slowed and stopped. Maelid was far in front, heading somewhere Aerlid wasn’t familiar with. ‘Alright!’ Aerlid yelled. ‘Come and see me before you go then!’

  ‘I will!’ the other’s voice echoed back from far away.

  Aerlid sighed and began walking back towards the surface. Now he had lighting to think about. Adila could easily make sunlight come into the tunnels, as if the mountain wasn’t there, but that would kill the cave mould. No, Riley was right. It would be better if they could get the cave mould to grow in more areas. If Maelid ever came back, he might be able to give him some more ideas as well.

  Riley watched the children race across the field, chasing a small ball. Aerlid had chosen a perfect game. Winning did not depend much on strength, but on teamwork, speed and quick thinking. In fact, touching another player was forbidden, only the ball could be touched.

  Her purpose, however, was not to check up on the success of the ball game. No, she had been invited here by one of the council members. In fact, this particular game had been organized by the council member.

  ‘You see, it’s a way for the children to compete without violence.’ he said as he looked at her earnestly.

  Riley schooled her expression and let the man convince her. The game was nearing the end. He’d been talking for the duration of the game, presenting arguments carefully. ‘Yes, I see that, Adlak.’

  ‘It encourages teamwork and skills other than just fighting. The gemengs need a way to compete. My suggestion, Master, is that this be it. I want to create a tournament, with different teams competing. I think a children’s and a warrior’s league would work. And then if you could award a prize to the winning team…’

  ‘Hmm, what sort of prize?’

  ‘I think your congratulations would suffice. Perhaps some sort of armband, like the warrior bands, which the other teams could win back next time.’

  ‘I see. Well, Adlak, you’ve made some good points.’ she mused. ‘You understand that you would have to be in charge of organizing this.’

  ‘Yes!’ he eyes brightened.

  ‘Very well, you have my permission.’

  ‘Thank you, Master.’

  Riley grinned as the gemeng eagerly hurried off. M
aybe, finally, things were starting to change.