Barco sat in the corner of the darkened room deep in thought. He was filled with wonder at what he had learned from Hath-Boc. The humans had even made him a leg to replace the one that Kraka had taken. He wished he had been stronger so that he could have taken a ride in the scout plane as Hath had; Hath had described the wonder of seeing the world below stretched out as a bird would see it. But just seeing the machines and buildings, and the wondrous pictures in the library that Hath-Boc had shown him, was enough. The humans truly possessed knowledge that was far beyond that of the Torgai. Earlier Barco had shared his thoughts with Cormandai through the dream state, and both appeared to share a common view. They must try to work closely and peacefully with the humans. But they must not let their guard down; the undercurrent of distrust was there. After they had learned more about the humans he and Cormandai would consult again.
And Suth's thoughts? Never would he agree to allow the humans to take Torgai land. He felt more now than ever that they were more dangerous than the Kraa ever were, and had confused the minds of Hath and Barco. But they would never cloud his mind. The Torgai from his village staying at New Athens had his instructions. To learn about the defenses of the colony, how many humans there were, and how many guards there were and where they were stationed. Whatever he could learn that could help them later. Suth would be ready when it was time to act. For now he was restrained by Cormandai, but Cormandai couldn’t live forever.
CHAPTER 20: Chance Meeting
(December 13, Year 2): Hath-Ha, Hath-Tarma, and several other youths crouched at the top of the rise observing the progress of the hunting party moving through the sparsely wooded valley below. In the lead they could see Nak directing the positioning of the hunters at widely spaced intervals for the chase. As soon as the hunters were in place, Hath-Ha, Hath-Tarma and the other youths would begin the run of the Targan herd grazing at the head of the valley a kilometer from where they crouched in hiding.
Of the many varieties of herd animals on Alpha 2 the Targan were most suitable to semi-domestication; not a true domestication, but with care the Targan could be kept in a prescribed area and hunted when needed. When wild herds of game animals were within range they were hunted instead, but for parts of the year the wild herds moved on, and then the Torgai became dependant on their Targan.
Somewhat larger than antelopes and traveling in herds made up of related family-groups of from 20 to 50 animals, the Targan were held in the valley throughout the year by wide-ranging Torgai herdsmen. If the herd attempted to leave the valley it would be headed off and its leaders turned in a circle, the rest of the herd following. After circling once or twice the herd would forget it had ever planned to leave and return to its grazing. The Targan were a dependable food supply, and if the herds were isolated in secluded valleys and protected from predators could be harvested like any other livestock.
The sun was approaching its zenith and the hunters were nearly all in position for the hunt to begin. The fitful breeze was from the direction of the herd, ensuring the scent of the waiting youths wouldn’t spook the herd into premature flight. When the signal was given the group of youths would move down into the bowl of the valley and begin the long loping run that would reduce the Targan to exhaustion, allowing a simple kill for the waiting hunters.
Hath-Ha brushed his mane, chasing away the flies attracted by their presence. Even at this time of year the warming sun roused the insects from their passive state. Carefully he checked the knots which held his jacket to the back of his waist wrap, positioned his throwing spears in the quiver over his left shoulder, and repositioned his throwing stick which was loosely fastened to his wrist by a leather thong. While not officially hunters, the youths were allowed to take game when the opportunity presented itself, and here, at the end, engage in the kill with the hunters. Hath-Ha, like all the Torgai, could send the spears a great distance with deadly power and accuracy with the throwing stick used as an extension of his forearm.
The throwing stick, often developed in primitive cultures, had evolved early and seen broad use on Earth as well as on Alpha 2. It had proven a powerful hunting tool and weapon which, in the proper hands, could be nearly as effective as a bow and arrow.
The waiting was hard but Hath-Ha could anticipate the excitement of the chase, and particularly the kill at the end. Nudging Hath-Tarma he pointed as the Targan herd slowly drifted closer as it grazed, the rich odor of the animals drifting to where they crouched. With the hand signal from Nak in the distance they and the others rose and began a slow trot around the herd sheltered by the hill. It only took about 5 minutes to circle the herd and reach the proper location, following which they turned and crossed over the brow of the hill, spreading out into a long arc and continuing down toward the now alert animals at the same slow trot.
As they began their move down the slope the lead buck in the herd raised his head and watched warily as they approached, pounding its foot nervously on the ground. Soon the entire herd stopped its grazing, and watched with increasing agitation. Some of the yearlings that had never been hunted moved curiously toward the side of the herd facing the advancing Torgai, but by the time the distance had been closed to about 150 meters the entire herd began to slowly move down the valley toward the wooded area where the Torgai hunters waited, gradually increasing speed until they were at full gallop.
Hath-Ha, Hath-Tarma, and the others had no hope of outrunning the fleet Targan, but, at the pace they ran could keep pressure on the herd until the first set of hunters in the valley below could pick up the chase, moving them on to the next set of hunters, and then on and on in a wide circle. This was the classical hunting method the Torgai used with wild herds as well as with the captive Targan herds; to keep a herd running in a wide circle, passed on from one group of pursuers to the next, until overcome with exhaustion they became easy prey. The Torgai hunters could maintain their measured pace for hours on end, while the faster Targan lacked the endurance to outpace them for more than an hour or so.
As soon as the first team of hunters took up the chase Hath-Ha and the others positioned themselves to again take up the chase and turn the Targan herd when they had completed their circle of the valley. By the time two circles of the valley had been completed the slower and weaker of the Targan had already fallen behind and come within reach of the throwing spears of the lead hunters. By mid afternoon over 20 of the Targan had been taken and the hunt ended. Joining the hunters at one of the kills Hath-Ha began the less exciting task of gutting and field dressing the Targan for carrying back to the village.
Hoisting one of the Targan hindquarters onto his shoulder, Hath-Ha joined Hath-Tarma for the long trip to the village, about 10 kilometers away. Easing into a steady lope the two brothers covered the ground rapidly in spite of the weight of their burdens.
About half way back to the village Hath-Ha and Hath-Tarma paused to rest in the shade of a grove of trees. The afternoon was well advanced and none of the other hunters were in sight, each having taken his own route at his own speed. Hath-Ha sprawled on the ground, with Hath-Tarma leaning with his back against a tree. The quickening breeze was refreshing as it sifted through Hath-Ha's mane.
"Do you ever think of Hath-Boc, and what the humans did to him?" Hath-Ha asked.
Hath-Tarma looked at him and nodded. "Maybe they eat Torgai," he said, "ask Eric when he returns if that is true."
"No," Hath-Ha responded. "Eric said humans only hunt and eat animals with four legs, or birds or fish." After a pause, "I think they keep him like we keep Eric if he is still alive." Brushing his hand through his mane to dislodge the flies settling there, he added, "if that is so, maybe he will become like the humans, like Eric is becoming like the Torgai in many ways. I have sat in back and listened while Hath and Barco have talked about Eric. They think he is of a people that may be stronger than the Torgai and may be a danger to us. I think they are afraid of the humans and that is why they took Eric to the Grand Council."
Hath-Tarma laughed at the th
ought. "Stronger than the Torgai? No one is stronger than the Torgai. Or as many."
Hath-Ha sat in thought, ignoring Hath-Tarma's comment, "if it is so, and the humans are many and strong, they may have to be fought, like the Kraa were fought and killed. But I hope not. I like Eric, but Hath says things are different than they were."
"But they are far away. They couldn't hurt us here, and even if they tried our hunters would kill them. I worry about other things," Hath-Tarma said.
"And what is that?" Hath-Ha asked.
Hath-Tarma looked at Hath-Ha and said, "if the humans come back to the gathering place and drive us away again how can we become hunters? How can we fight Kraka if the humans are there?"
Hath-Ha said simply, "if they do that then we must fight them." Hath-Ha sat in silence, then added, "I have also thought the same thing; but now we must start back to the village."
As Hath-Ha began to rise to his feet he heard Hath-Tarma hiss a warning. Looking up he saw Hath-Tarma pointing to the ridge in the direction of the village where the trail from the Great River passed. Shifting his eyes to where Hath-Tarma pointed, Hath-Ha saw movement at the top of the rise. Focusing on the movement, Hath-Ha said in shock, "humans."
Hath-Ha knelt slowly to a crouching position and, picking up his haunch of Targan, motioned Hath-Tarma to follow him into the shelter of the trees. Cover was limited since the leaves of most of the trees had fallen, leaving only the bare branches, but luckily many of the trees were large enough to serve as cover. The two soon melted into the shadows. From the cover of the trees Hath-Ha could see the humans as they moved up the trail toward where they were hidden. "Six of them," he counted. He motioned Hath-Tarma to move further into the woods for better concealment. The two Torgai were practically invisible in the fading light as the party of humans approached, entered the woods, and dropped the packs from their backs.
Hath-Ha could see that the humans were making camp as they set about their duties; sending two of their number to the edge of the wood where they sat hidden as if on watch. No fire was lit, and the humans were clearly on the watch for intruders.
Hath-Ha moved quietly over to Hath-Tarma and put his hand on his shoulder to draw his attention. "I think they are coming to the village; circle through the woods to the other side of the ridge and get to the village and tell Nak. The village must be warned. I'll stay here and watch. When they leave I'll circle ahead of them to bring warning."
Nodding, Hath-Tarma melted into the woods and was soon gone.
Hath-Ha sank to the ground to watch.
December 14, Year 2
The cold breakfast was finished and the gear packed, with everyone ready to leave as soon as word was given. They had deliberately waited for a later than usual start, not wanting to come upon the village too early. Shouldering his pack, Buchan motioned to Yasu and moved over to the edge of the woods, gazing at the ridge ahead. "Take Mike and one of the others and take the lead," he said. "I'll follow with the others about 30 meters behind. If you see anything, drop and hold your position. If they see you, just stop and do nothing." Adding, "above all don’t make any motions that could be viewed as hostile, don't shoot unless you absolutely have to. And if all else fails try shooting above them. No killing. Make sure the others understand that."
Yasu nodded and, motioning to Mike and the closest of the security men, started off at a slow pace, gun at the ready. Within minutes Yasu and his group reached the top of the rise and lowered themselves to the ground, waiting for the others. Soon they all lay quietly, watching the empty valley below and the ridge in the distance behind which they had seen smoke the day before.
Buchan said, "keep in the lead but walk normally with guns slung. We'll follow. Remember, we don't want to appear to be sneaking up on the village. Act like it's an open visit or just out for a casual stroll."
Yasu smiled, his heart beating with excitement, "I hope they recognize it as such," he said, "or we'll be hung out to dry."
Rising to his feet, Yasu and the others started down the slope into the valley, followed by Buchan. Off to the side, hidden behind a gentle rise in the valley floor, Hath-Ha paralleled their approach, breaking into a run once he had determined their route. It took the group slightly over an hour to traverse the shallow valley and climb to the top of the ridge at the far side, where they again came together to survey the sight below.
At a distance of about 4 kilometers they could see what appeared to be the Torgai village. No structures were visible, but they could see den mouths and, through the binoculars, the depressions for cooking fires. Surrounding the village were small fields, and between them and the fields was a small creek bordered by trees. But no sign of movement in the village or in the nearby fields; both looked deserted.
"I don't like this," Yasu said. "There was definitely smoke yesterday afternoon."
Buchan nodded, "they know we're here, I can feel it. Have they fled, or what?"
Yasu said nothing for several moments, "how do we approach?"
Buchan scanned the scene below with his binoculars, "we just continue; nothing else to do. Walk slowly in single file with rifles slung so we don't have anything threatening in our hands."
Yasu thought for a moment, "should we just go part way and stop; maybe make a campfire and let them come to us? We'd be less threatening."
Buchan shook his head, "no," he said after a moment, "just approach slowly. It’s about a kilometer from the creek to the village and we can stop there and see what happens."
Yasu shrugged and rose to his feet. Putting out his arm he shook hands with Buchan, "It's time, old friend, to see what the future brings. Good luck."
Buchan gave Yasu's hand a tight squeeze, and with a slap on the back said, "then lets do it." The group started their walk down the ridge to the village, walking openly in single file, guns lightly draped over their shoulders.
Near the village . . . .
Hath-Ha glided through the trees at the edge of the creek to where Nak and the other hunters lay in hiding. Crouching beside Nak he quietly told of what he had seen and described the path the humans were taking. "They should be at the top of the ridge by now, about over there," he said, pointing. Nak nodded, and motioned for the hunters to spread out to cover the area where the trail passed through the wooded area along the creek. "Remember," Nak said, "do nothing until I give the cry of the cat. Try to take them alive if you can." Rapidly the word was passed by whispers and hand signals from hunter to hunter. As the hunters took their positions they melted into the shadows of the woods, invisible to any but the most trained eye.
In a little over 15 minutes Buchan's party reached the woods bordering the small creek without seeing any sign of movement ahead. While the trees themselves gave scant cover at this late season, the ground vegetation was heavy and could easily have hidden any attackers. Buchan, Yasu and the others paused at the edge of the woods, listening for any sound, but all was stillness ahead. Not even the normal call of birds. What breeze there had been before was blocked in this low area, and even the leaves weren't moving. The quiet was unsettling.
After several moments listening, Yasu again took the lead and slowly followed the well beaten path toward the creek, eyes and every sense alert. His heart beat with excitement, and while the day was still cool the sweat ran down his back. The others followed in single file, separated from each other by several meters, Buchan bringing up the rear. As the trail entered the woods it narrowed and became uneven and twisting as it avoided the larger trees. As it continued into the woods the undergrowth became heavier, with what little breeze there was stirring the sparse higher leaves but not reaching to where they were. The path became even more twisting as it approached the edge of the creek, avoiding boggy areas, and while the path was broader their attention was increasingly taken up avoiding the partially exposed roots which formed an irregular pattern. Soon the path led them through the narrow band of trees and underbrush to the bank of the stream, and turned to follow the bank. In places, where the p
ath lowered, they could see tracks in the partially dried mud. Twists and turns in the path obscured anything beyond a few meters.
Suddenly to his right, a short distance off the path, Yasu heard the shattering cry of a great cat. Dropping instinctively to his knees, with his eyes riveted to the spot, Yasu felt the breeze of a missile as it passed, barely missing his head. Behind, around the bend in the trail, he heard a cry followed by the crash of something hitting the ground. Leaping to his feet Yasu charged back toward the spot from where the cry had come, only to feel a weight landing on his shoulders from the trees overhead, and only half seeing the figures rising up next to the trail. Borne to the ground, he instinctively struggled against the three Torgai who attempted to pin him to the ground. Stopping his struggle he lay quiet, unresisting, twisting his head which was partially pushed into the dirt in an attempt to see behind him back down the path, but the sharp bend shielded what was happening in back.
Startled by the cry of the cat, at the back of the line Buchan saw the man ahead of him drop to the ground and sprawl face down. The others had rounded a sharp bend in the path and were beyond his view. Dropping to his knees Buchan stayed frozen, his eyes searching for any movement. Ahead, around the bend, was the sound of yelling and struggle. The sound of a laser rifle was added to the sound of struggle, then several others, and Buchan cursed silently. "No guns," he cried, "for god's sake no shooting." Leaping to his feet Buchan ran toward the sound of the struggle. Then a sharp pain, blackness, and nothingness.
The First Colony: Book I: Settlement Chronicals Page 22
