At dusk the whole village assembled to watch Lum die.
Lum was unconscious when the shaman pulled a sharp stick from a basket and walked to the man. He quickly stabbed Lum's right thigh, but it brought no scream of pain, no look of fear on his face; it brought forth nothing. The shaman pulled his knife and removed Lum's penis, which brought a low grunt, but no scream. He is past the stage of feeling pain, the shaman thought, so I might as well just kill him, because this is wasting our time.
With a quick slash of the knife, he cut's Lum's throat and people screamed in anger that the torture ended so quickly. The shaman said, “Quiet down and listen to me! Quiet, I said!”
When the crowd grew quiet, he continued, “This man is ill, as all of us will soon be, and he cannot feel pain. I have killed him by my hand, but that is the best that you will see on this day. The red dots you see on his body will soon cover most of us. I have prayed and suggest all of you pray as well. Many of us will be dead within a few weeks at most, unless we take care of each other, look out for each other and love each other. This sickness is very serious.”
The crowd, angered over the quick death of the Eagle warrior, returned to their lodges. By morning, over fifty of the people were gone, running from the illness in all directions. The shaman smiled, knowing most would have died anyway, but Har was apoplectic.
“We were few from the beginning of time and now many have run from this illness! Do they not understand that it is already in their bodies? They will die alone, without someone to care for them.”
“They are an ignorant people, Har, and only the strongest of the strong will live through this coming sickness. While we'll be fewer, all the tribes will be fewer as well. Some of those who ran last night will be touched after being killed by our enemies, while others will kill our people and then keep their weapons. This disease will reduce the numbers of all tribes greatly, and smaller tribes may cease to exist. Do not worry about our numbers yet, worry later, after we determine if our enemies yet live. All of your worry may be for nothing.”
“It is my place to worry about The People. It is your place to heal our people and care for the sick and injured. I strongly suggest, shaman, that you work hard to avoid pissing me off right now, or it will cost you your life.”
“Surely you jest? Killing me will not help you and will only compound problems when our people turn ill. We must, as a people, take care of each other or more will die. Do you know the prayers? Can you travel to the other side and argue for the lives of our sick with God? Only I can do those things, my chief, and you need to remember this conversation.”
“Don't press me when I'm angry or one day, it may cost you more than you want pay. Now, I want you and the amateur magicians you call your helpers, to stay in your lodge until we have need of you. I am deeply worried, angry, and despondent with all of this, so go.”
“Yes, my chief.” the shaman replied and then as he left he grinned at a thought, Maybe I'll get lucky and this sonofabitch will die along with all of my enemies.
Chapter 11
MONGOOSE WAS TIRED, so very tired, and she was on her robes in her lodge. Her fever was gone now, but she was weak and achy. Amon was sitting beside her, his chin on his chest, and sound asleep. She remembered that each time she'd awakened, he'd been there to offer her water or whiskey. They'd discovered whiskey helped those restless and unable to sleep due to pain. She closed her eyes and drift back to sleep in seconds.
Her long dead father walked to her from a thick mist that surrounded her and said, “It is not your time to join us yet, Sally.”
“Why, father?”
“You have many things you must do before God will call you home.”
“I hurt and I am tired. I have missed you, father.”
“Your mother and I miss you too, Sally. Pain is part of life, and you'll suffer much more anguish before God will call your name. Be patient and remember, live as we taught you. In the coming days, your beliefs and teachings will be challenged. Do not walk from the path God has given you.”
She reached for her fathers face, but he was slowly disappearing. Her hand went completely through his image and he smiled as he said, “Remember my words, daughter. We wait for the day you will join us. Do not walk from the path God has given you.”
Suddenly, he was gone and she opened her eyes in fear. She tried to sit up, but her body would not obey commands from her mind. She flopped back on her robe in frustration. The dream was so real, or was it a dream?
“Are you okay?” Amon asked.
She'd forgotten about him. “Yes, can you get the shaman for me? I have just had a powerful vision.”
“No, I cannot. Julian is dead, as are all of his helpers.”
She explained her dream and then asked, “What does it mean?”
“I have no idea, but stay true to the path you know is the proper one.”
“Have we lost many to this illness?”
“I checked earlier this morning, and Eldon said six out of ten have died.”
“What will happen to us? We are not the same tribe as before the sickness visited.”
“We have heard from traveling traders that most of the tribes have the illness now. The Big River People are no more or else there are so few they are no longer a threat. When he visited the clan just a week back, there were twelve people still alive. The Wolf People are weaker now, and they tried hard to keep the disease from their villages, but someone was infected and soon all the villages had the sickness. The trader said about half of the Wolf People are no more. All the tribes have been sick.”
“All? What have we all done to anger God like this?”
“I have no answer for you.”
“Call a meeting in my lodge and let me speak to those leaders that yet live. We must talk, and we will do it early in the morning when a new sun is born.”
“I will see it is done.”
“Did you get the illness?”
“No, I and Eldon did not. A few of our warriors weren't ill as well, but most of our people were deathly ill. All the children under five and all the elderly are now dead.”
Mongoose began to cry silently for her people.
At sunrise this morning all leaders are in Mongoose's lodge and sitting in various places near her robes. Usually they'd have been at the fire, but with her still weak, they let protocol slide. All were weak, even those who'd not contacted the disease, because they'd cared for the ill and dying.
“Are there no Learned Ones?”
“Levi survived, but he is still too weak to come to this meeting. I will speak your words to him.” Eldon said.
“Good, because he must know what I say. I asked for a meeting because I am concerned about The People. We are fewer now, and while the other tribes will have less numbers as well, some will be stronger than us.”
“Your words are true, and those that were small in numbers before may now outnumber us. This sickness has caused a shift in power among all the tribes, I think.” Amon said.
“Right now all tribes are weak, so there is little danger of attacks.” Eldon said, but then warned, “Only the first to fully recover will more than likely launch an attack on weaker villages.”
“It would make good sense and work well, as long as you weren't the weak village.” Mongoose said. She thought for a moment and then added, “Do we have any Dog Soldiers out?”
“We have ten out, but we lost almost the same number. For some reason they didn't get sick at all. One, I think, got a slight fever and was fine the next day.”
“Start feeding the ill beef, vegetables, and make them drink a lot of water. I think the sooner we can get them eating regularly, the sooner they'll recover.”
“What's on your mind and don't tell me nothing, because there is something and it's important.” Amon said.
“I think our best chance for survival as a people is to move to the Cheyenne Mountain People. I think after many of the tribes around here are healthy again, blood will flow like wate
r.”
“I've been thinking about that too, and while it sounds good, we'll have to let go of some of our culture as a people and acquire some culture from the people of the mountain. Our cultures would, over time, blend together.”
Suddenly Mongoose remembered her father's words from the vision, “Be patient and remember, live as we taught you. In the coming days, your beliefs and teachings will be challenged. Do not walk from the path God has given you.”
She was quiet for so long, Amon asked, “Did you hear me?”
“Yes, I heard you. I was remembering the words from the vision I told you about, and I think it was a warning. I think it might be a good idea if three of us visited the Cheyenne Mountain People. Is Zan still counted among the living?”
“No, he was one of the first to die. We still have the maps drawn by the Learned Ones, and of the people who traveled with Zan, only Lydia is still alive.” Eldon said.
“Tomorrow, no matter how ill I or Lydia is, we will start on the trail to the Cheyenne Mountain People. Our leader will be Eldon. I want to go, talk, and then return before the other tribes are healthy again and start raiding. Amon, speak with Lydia and see what she thinks the Mountain People might be interested in trading for that we have. Gold is always good, but see if she has other ideas.”
“I will speak with her.”
“Go, all of you, and we'll discuss this a bit more in the morning before we leave. Amon, you will run things here while I'm gone, so stay strong and do what is needed.”
He nodded, and the meeting broke up.
Morning dawned clear, with a light wind from the west, and both Mongoose and Lydia were bone deep tired. However, the tribe would have to relocate. If the Cheyenne Mountain People were agreeable and not too different, they might merge the two tribes. There was safety in numbers, but there were key issues that had to be discussed with the Colonel first. Feeling achy, Mongoose looked at Eldon and he looked refreshed, while Lydia looked like a bucket of shit warmed up.
“Lydia, did Amon explain the importance of our mission?” Mongoose asked.
“Yes and while ill, I will ride. The People come first.”
Mongoose nodded, proud of the young warrior's response.
Eldon said, “If either of you start to get dizzy or feel weak, let me know and we'll stop for a break. We are only three warriors, which should be enough with most of the tribes ill, but that doesn't mean we'll not have some trouble along the way.”
They had a packhorse, loaded down with food, clean water, and the normal gear one would need to travel. They also had one fry pan, one large pot for boiling water, and a pot that they used to boil sassafras tea. All of them had heard of coffee but never tasted it, because it didn't grow on Eagle land and while it could be traded for, the drink was too expensive. They also carried bottles of alcohol and a large pouch of marijuana for pain.
Amon neared Mongoose, looked up at her and just above a whisper said, “My dear, ride with caution. I know you are a great warrior and leader, but we live in a time of much danger. I love you, and want you to return to me.”
Leaning from her horse, she kissed him and replied, “I want to return as well, my husband, because I have not had my monthly flow of blood. But, above all things, The People come first.”
“I do not understand. Your period may be late due to your illness and not mean anything else.”
“No, it stopped flowing a month before I became ill. I am with child.”
Grinning, Amon said, “Come back safely to me. I've never been a father before.”
Mongoose nodded and then replied, “I will do my best. If I die, I will one day join you in the sky with our child. Do not worry, because our time on earth is numbered, but heaven is forever.”
Amon grinned and said, “Go, and may the Lord watch over all of you during your trip.”
“Let's ride.” Eldon said, and then started his horse at a walk north by east. He had a map inside his shirt and knew he'd find the Cheyenne Mountain People. And, he was no fool, they'd use stealth to assist them in arriving safely.
This day of travel was uneventful, with no one seen and many cattle spotted moving in massive herds over the plains. During mid-afternoon Lydia downed a calf, so they'd eat well once camp was established. The earlier nice weather was transitioning and dark gray clouds were seen off to the West, which looked like rain to the small group. It was a couple of hours before dusk and they were looking for a place to spend the night.
“Move into the cottonwood trees near the stream,” Eldon said as he scanned the area, “and we'll stop for the day. Are the two of you holding up okay?”
“Sore and tired.” Lydia replied.
“I'm the same, but nothing a drink of whiskey wouldn't fix. I think we both need a drink once in camp and another before we sleep.”
Nearing the trees, Eldon said, “This spot will do. I will pull most of the guard tonight, from midnight until dawn. So, as we make camp, after you've both had your drinks, Lydia, you will stand guard. Then, after we eat, you'll guard until 2100 and then Mongoose will take over until midnight.”
“We can pull full shifts.” Mongoose said in protest.
“I know you can, but both of you are still weak.” He dismounted and tied his horse to a small tree. He then added, “After a few days, you'll both pull full shifts. I need to be able to trust you, and a sleeping guard does no one any good. I think you both are more tired and worn out than you may realize.”
The two women dismounted and immediately shared a long pull from the whiskey bottle. Lydia then walked to the highest crest in the area and sat, scanning the countryside. It took only a few minutes to erect a shelter, get a small fire started, and skewer a few large pieces of beef. The meat was then placed near the fire, leaning toward the flickering flames, with the opposite end pushed into the dirt. Every few minutes Mongoose would lean toward the fire and rotate the meat. As dripping oil struck the hot coals, the flames would flare and cause the meat to sizzle, which filled the air with the wonderful aroma of roasting beef.
“By God,” Eldon said from near the shelter, where he was placing supplies in the back to keep them dry, “that meat smells so good. I didn't realize I was so hungry until I smelled meat cooking.”
Laughing, Mongoose said, “My mother once said 'When cooking, the smell of the foods, as well as how it looks when served, is as important as taste.'”
“I agree, but on the trail, it's pretty hard to make a chunk of beef on a stick look good. I've found, if I'm hungry enough, even rat tastes good.” Eldon said, and then smiled.
“I don't care much for rat, 'possum, or snake, but I've eaten all three. My husband dislikes cat and dog both, but they're just meat to me.” Mongoose said.
“I heard,” Eldon said, “cats and dogs were once pets of the Ancient Ones.”
“I have read that many of them had one cat and one dog.”
“I don't see how that would be possible. The cats and dogs I've killed while hunting are all vicious, and I know the two animals have no love for each other.”
“Perhaps one day if your men find some pups or kittens, we can try to raise some of them. I think the dogs would be good in guarding a village. Maybe if raised together they don't fight. We have a few dogs now, but they're raised as meat.”
“What of cats? I see no practical use for them.”
“Raise them for food, like we do sheep. Then in the days of hunger or when the weather is bad and hunting cannot be done, eat a cat or two. I'm not overly fond of the meat, especially when compared to beef or deer, but I'll eat it if hungry.”
Lydia ran to them, which made Mongoose sure the woman had seen something.
“Riders, and I counted four. They are moving in this direction, so I think we will either have to talk or fight.”
“What tribe?” Eldon asked.
“Too far away to tell.”
“Should we separate or stay together?” Mongoose asked.
“Stay together but when they near, move
about twenty feet apart, and have your weapons ready. How long do you think before they'll be here?”
“Within twenty minutes. They were walking their horses, so they're in no hurry and must feel they're safe.”
All three were armed with steel swords, shields, and bows, taken from the Mountain People. Eldon also had a crossbow, but it was in the shelter. He'd discovered the weapon too slow to load in closeup fights, except he thought they'd be deadly in ambushes.
Lydia, who'd moved back to watch the strangers approaching said, “They've spotted our smoke, so they'll come.”
“Stay where you are, until we're sure they'll ride to us as a group. They might separate and then come at us from different sides. Still can't make out who they are?”
“I see them clearly and suspect they see me, but I've never seen their clothing and decorations before. They are an unknown tribe to me.”
Five minutes later, the four men rode over a slight crest on a rolling hill and stopped their horses, looking at the strangers camped below. Mongoose and her group were together now, Lydia gone from her perch, and standing side-by-side. All three had an arrow ready, hoping it wouldn't come to a fight.
“Do you hunger?” Eldon called out.
One of the four said something that Eldon couldn't hear, and the men walked their horses closer.
“We hunger,” the biggest man in the group said, “but not for food.”
Shit, thought Eldon, they want women. Maybe I can convince him otherwise.
“What tribe are you? I have never seen your clothing style around here.” Mongoose asked.
“We are Great Lakes People from far North.” the big man said, and then gave a big tooth-gapped smile.
“Why are you on the land of the Eagle People?” Eldon asked.
The big man, who Eldon could now smell, replied, “We are a mighty tribe and go where we wish.” When Mongoose looked at the man, he winked at her.
“It is a good day to die, isn't it?” Mongoose asked. There will be a fight and when it starts, fat man, you'll be my target. I will not be insulted by the likes of you.
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