by Avery Kloss
Kia appeared, having taken a nap, her hair messy about her shoulders. “Are they coming?” She repeated this in her native tongue, the language sounding odd. She said everything twice, trying to teach us how to speak it.
“Yes,” I managed in the strange language. I could say simple things such as fire, water, shelter, and meat, but I hadn’t strung a sentence together yet. “They come.” I hoped she could understand that.
She smiled. “Very good, Peta. Very good.”
Mamma bonded with Magnon, the two of them leading the clan now. The men deferred to her, treating her with respect. She sat with Magnon on thick pelts, often eating the choicest cuts of meat and drinking the coldest water. Ola and Yulla paired off, and Anna and Lorro sat together, while Ena and Shaam shared a pelt. This left Toba on the outs, but he still mated with all the women, the activity occurring every evening after the meal.
I often pondered the differences in the tribes, noting how our old clan adhered to a more family-like structure, while this clan shared everything, including women. I knew Kia preferred Magnon, a look of affection flickering in her eyes when she was with him.
The sound of talking drifted to us, several men approaching. Hanna emerged with her baby, eyeing them. She nodded at me, holding out the infant. I took him, adoring Penua, the baby darkly colored, with tufts of black hair. He held a short stick, his chubby fingers closed around the wood. He chewed one end, his mouth working.
Ara smiled. “Hello, little one.”
We took turns playing with him, the baby good-natured. He wore a leather skirt tied around his bottom. We changed it often, a fresh supply of hide waiting inside a basket, although we took the soiled garments to the water to wash. He smelled funny now, needing to be changed again.
Yulla and Shaam approached, carrying the carcass of a stag. They grunted at us in greeting, disappearing into the shade of the cave, a fire blazing in the pit. Having hunted on the prairie all day, they tossed the animal to the ground with a thud, pulling forth a bladder of water to share a drink. Satisfied with their efforts, they sat and rested, while the musky smell of their perspiration filled the cavern.
Knowing we needed to help prepare supper, I ventured in with Ara, Ola and Ena already working to slice open the animal, their hands covered in blood. As I stepped by Yulla, he grabbed me, bringing me upon his thighs. His nose connected with my neck, a tongue licking me. Disturbed by this, I squirmed against him, digging an elbow into his chest. His smell filled my senses, the stench almost overpowering.
“Stop it!” I shouted in their language, which made him laugh. “You oaf!” When he wouldn’t let me go, I continued to squirm.
“She’s too young for such sport,” warned Kia, giving him a stern look. She held a cutting tool, her hands bloodied.
“I only wish to play.”
I understood him, but I did not like it, an inkling of fear rippling through me. His arm clamped over my chest, feeling like a piece of wood. He hadn’t released me, the grip tightening. Seeing the dark skin of the arm, coated in blackish hair, I opened my mouth to bite him—hard, tasting the salty quality of his skin.
He howled, letting me go, thrusting me away. “Little bitch!” he shouted, an angry scowl appearing. “I was only playing.”
On my hands and knees, I turned to look at him, feeling relieved to be free. “Don’t touch me.”
Kia’s laughter filled the cavern, her eyes glinting with mirth. “See. That’s what happens when you do something you shouldn’t, Yulla. Serves you right.”
He rubbed his arm, muttering, “Bitch.”
The incident quickly forgotten, the clan set about cooking the meat, while waiting for the others to return. When they did, we feasted on today’s catch, the savory meat filling my mouth, the taste delicious. I sat with Ara and Bena, the three of us always together. Sharing a bladder, we drank deeply of the clean water, the men having found a spring, where the women went every day to collect more.
Full and happy, I lay upon the pelt and stared at the stone ceiling, sighing with contentment. Hanna gave us the baby, placing him on the pelt. “Watch over Penua.”
Ara held a carved toy, the shape like a man. “Here you are.” He babbled, grasping at the wood with one hand, while the other pumped up and down. “He’s hardly tired.” She frowned. “He woke me up twice last night.”
“We’ll have to tire him out somehow.” I reached for the baby, holding him close. “Are you a good boy?” I asked in his language, although he could not answer me yet, not being able to speak.
The sounds of mating soon filled the cavern, manly grunts mingling with female moans. I handed another toy to the baby, a large, smooth rock. It reminded me of the one I wore around my neck, the purple stone Ronan gave me. Penua did not want the rock, fingering my necklace instead, eyeing the stone with interest.
“I’ll make you a necklace tomorrow, little one.”
“You have to be careful of the tiny stones. He’ll eat them,” said Bena.
“I know.” We swept the floor daily, removing rocks and pieces of wood, anything the baby could put in his mouth. He continued to play with my necklace, his soft black eyes bright with interest. One of the men shouted then, startling us. A ragged moan tore from him.
Ara rolled her eyes, stifling a giggle.
I laughed too, finding the habits of grownups bizarre.
Chapter Twenty-Three
On days when it rained, we found refuge in the cave, the women weaving baskets and preparing hide, while the men slept or ate, often taking one of the women onto their pelt to mate. The sun set later and later, the shadows of evening lingering during the warm season. Bena, Ara, and I often ran around outside, despite spending the day foraging.
As Penua grew, the baby pulling himself up to walk, it became clear that all the women of the clan had fallen pregnant. I knew this by overhearing a conversation one morning while foraging.
“I thought so too,” said Anna. “I haven’t bled in quite a while.”
Although Ara and Bena and I had begun to learn the language of Kia’s people, the women struggled with it, mainly speaking their native tongue. I could now understand most of what the men said, although I desired to improve on that, wanting to be fluent. Ara, having the worst trouble, had yet to say more than a few words.
“This should not be surprising,” said Kia. She held a basket, bending to pull something from the ground.
A sad sort of look flitted across Anna’s face. “I miss my husband. I miss my children. I often wonder if they aren’t alive somewhere. I feel guilt for not trying to find them.”
“What can you do?” asked Ena. “There isn’t anything we could’ve done differently.” We skirted the edge of the wooded area, birdcalls noisy in the trees. “All of us were in the forest when it happened. The men were on the plain. They didn’t have trees to climb. They had to swim. We saw the bodies … so many of them.”
“None of them returned to the camp,” said Ola. “But, there wasn’t anything left anyhow.” She stared into the distance, her hair braided down her back. “The men didn’t look for us either. They couldn’t. If they could, I’m certain they would’ve.”
“I still hold out hope of finding my husband,” said Anna. “I adored that man. Lorro is good to me, but … I’ll never feel for him what I felt for my husband.”
“Of course not,” said Ola. “We all wish we could go back and have the lives we lost. I think about it every day.”
“So do I,” murmured Ena.
Having pulled a leafy green plant from the ground, Kia began to walk, the women falling in line behind her. Being Magnon’s favorite, she had become queen of the clan, everyone deferring to her.
“You’re happy,” said Anna.
Kia glanced over her shoulder. “Me?”
“Yes. You’re with your people.”
“I am content. True.”
I caught up with her, walking alongside.
“Ara and I were never truly welcome in your clan. I don�
�t wish to belabor the fact, and I don’t hold grudges. It’s all in the past now. I’m sorry you’re still struggling. It’s understandable. When I lost contact with my clan—many, many seasons ago—I felt sad too. I’ve never seen my parents or my siblings since. I’ve no clue where they are.”
We stood in the woods, finding a bush with berries. I began to pick, listening to the conversation, while Bena and Ara scoured the ground for nuts.
“The worst is missing my children.” Anna patted her belly, her fingers fanning out over the tiny bump. “What will this child look like? I’m not all that fond of the way your people look, Kia. I mean no offense, but … I never would’ve voluntarily taken up with one of these … rough, ugly sort of men.”
Kia nodded. “I understand.”
“I worry I won’t like the baby. I’m worried he or she will be … ugly.”
Ola smiled sympathetically. “We’re all going to have … odd looking children. There’s little we can do about it.”
Bena found something on the ground, holding it up. “This is human.”
“What?” Kia approached her, looking at the item in question. “Yes. Someone perished here at some point.”
I saw it too, a long, smooth, white bone. It looked big enough to belong to a man or a woman’s leg. “Are there more?” Then an irrational fear gripped me, worried it might belong to Ronan or Enwan or someone else from our clan.
“I don’t see more.” Bena crawled on hands and knees, a short leather skirt tied to her waist.
“Some animal might’ve carried it away,” said Ola. She glanced around. “We should go. We’ve wandered far enough for one day.”
Emerging from the forest, we set out to cross the prairie, the cave in the rocks of the hill, the entrance nearly hidden from this vantage point. The men chose to fish for supper, having gone to the river. I hadn’t seen the river since the flood, the old camp in that direction. It would take many days to reach it.
“Do you think the men returned to the camp?” I voiced the question floating around in my mind.
“We can’t know,” murmured Ola.
“It makes me unhappy to think about this,” muttered Anna. Wetness appeared in her eye. “I’ve had thoughts about leaving, about trying to find my husband. My children are gone, but I hold out hope he’s still alive.”
“That would be dangerous,” said Ena. “I’ve thought about it too.”
“Do you think the men would let us leave?” She glanced at Kia. “What do you think? You speak their language. What do they say?”
“They only wish to provide for us. They feed us. They offer shelter. I’ve no desire to break from the group.”
“Of course not,” said Anna with a hint of bitterness. “They’re your kind. You and Magnon communicate. You get on very well. You’re no longer an outsider. Your position is enviable.”
“I was in her place,” said Ola. “I mated with the leader. I was once lucky.” She appeared wistful, memories drifting in her eyes, reflected like the wispy clouds above. “Everything’s changed. How quickly it can turn.”
“You’ve all missed one important point,” said Kia.
“What’s that?” Anna stared at her. “Do enlighten us.”
“We’re taken care of. None of us are beaten. We’re fed and protected. We cannot possibly ask for more. It’s in your own interest to learn the language. If you wish to go and seek out your mates, then I’ll speak to Magnon about it. If the men will not let you go, then you’ll have to devise a way to sneak off. I won’t stop you.”
As we approached the shelter, a grouping of rocks stood here. Ola was the first to climb, turning to look at us from above. “Kia’s right. It’s bitter water to swallow, but she’s right.” A look of stoic resignation appeared on her face. “The more we harp on about the past, the worse I feel.” She patted her belly. “I’m going to have Yulla’s baby. Is this something I wished for? Certainly not, but he or she will be here after the cold season. There’s nothing I can do about it. I’m going to accept what’s happened and try to make the best of it. I suggest you all do the same.”
Hearing those words from the wife of our old leader, Anna and Ena nodded, Ena saying, “You’re right, Ola.”
A tear slid down Anna’s face. “I did so adore my man.”
“Lorro treats you well,” said Kia. “You may consider him ugly, but he adores you.”
She sniffed. “All right. I see what you’re all saying. I’m sorry I’m so stubborn. I’ve no desire to wander off alone in search of … ghosts. I know they’re gone. I thought they’d be strong enough to survive the flood, but perhaps not.”
“No one can say what the future holds,” said Ena. “This might not be the end.”
“Or it’s the beginning of an entirely new life,” said Ara, having spoken finally. “The old is gone. My mother’s been in your position. Now she’s with her people again. Perhaps, one day, you shall be reunited with yours. Don’t waste your tears just yet.” She climbed to the entrance of the cave, disappearing inside.
“That is a wise young woman,” said Ola, respect etched into the lines of her face. “Very wise.”
I pondered Ara’s words, sending a silent plea to see Ronan again. Though, in my mind’s eye, I struggled to make out his face now, not having seen him for so long. I remembered how his hair was the color of sundried grass, his eyes a deep blue. I remembered his kindness, his good-natured disposition. I had never felt so safe and nurtured with anyone … and I doubted I ever would again.
Having lit the fire and brought in more wood, we sat by it waiting for the men to appear, Hanna having stayed behind with Penua, the woman weaving pieces of leather together, making skirts for the men. I noted Kia’s worried countenance, her eyes darting often to the entrance of the cave, expecting Magnon to arrive. She got to her feet moments later, standing by the rocky opening, staring into the distance.
I joined her a moment later. “What’s the matter?”
“Why haven’t they returned yet? Do you see anything?”
I scanned the valley from one end to the other, glimpsing the movement of game, but no people. “No.” The sun drifted behind the mountain, the shadows of evening fast-approaching. “You mustn’t worry. They’ll be back. They’ve gone far today to fish in the river.”
“It’s not that far.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I wish they never had to go away.”
“But someone has to hunt.”
“I pray they return safe and sound.”
“They will, Mamma. Please don’t worry.”
She drew me near, hugging me. “You’re right, Peta. I’m sorry. I try to be strong, but … I always worry when the men leave. It’s dangerous there.”
I spied movement out of the corner of my eye, men advancing, although something was the matter. “There! There they come.” I pointed. Squinting to see better, it appeared as if one man injured himself, because they carried him on what looked like two thick branches with smaller branches running length-wise. “Someone got hurt.”
“What do you mean?”
“They’re carrying a man.”
“Can you see who it is?”
I shook my head. “No, but we’ll know soon enough.”
We waited for the hunters to arrive, Magnon in the lead with Toba and Lorro carrying Yulla, who bled from a wound. They had tied leather around his leg, but it seeped blood. Everyone joined us to watch, Ola’s eyes flying wide at the sight of her mate’s injury.
“What’s happened?”
“Stand back, women!” shouted Magnon. “Yulla’s hurt. We were attacked by a cat.”
I gasped at the sight of the animal that had torn into Yulla’s leg, the creature over the shoulder of one of the men, its mouth opened in death, exposing sharp-looking teeth. I had heard them before, their deep growls often catching on the wind, but I had never stood this close, close enough to see the length of the claws or the thickness of the pelt. It bled from its belly, someone having speared it.
&n
bsp; “Make way!” Magnon directed his men to deposit the wounded man on a pelt, Yulla groaning in pain. The wound sat high on his thigh, the strip of leather darkened by blood. “Someone needs to sew him up.” He glanced at Kia. “I hope you have some healing skills, woman. This man will die, if you can’t stop the bleeding.”
“We’ll do what we can.” The look upon her face bespoke of uncertainty, her mouth a grim line. “I’ll need a bone needle and fine thread.” She glanced at me. “Your fingers are smaller. You might do better to sew him.”
The last thing I wished to do was touch him, the sight of blood making my belly turn over. “I … don’t know how,” I said weakly.
“He’s my man,” said Ola. “I’ll do it.”
I breathed a sigh of relief, glad to be free of that chore.
Having brought in the wounded man, Magnon sat by the fire, petting the dead cat, a look of satisfaction upon his weathered face. “This is a prize. It’s rare to bring home such a creature. I want to skin him and wear his face as a cloak.”
“You’ve done well, Chief,” said Lorro. “Your hunting prowess is now legendary. Your children will tell stories about you.”
“And to think we might’ve had fish for supper,” laughed Shaam. “I prefer cat meat myself.”
While the men applauded their hunting skills, Yulla continued to bleed, and even worse so after the bandage came off, blood pouring down his thigh to the pelt.
Anna’s mouth fell open. “He won’t live. It’s too much blood.”
Sitting back on her heels, Ola eyed the wound grimly, Yulla having slipped into unconsciousness. “What do we do?”
“Can’t you try to stop it?” I asked.
“The wound is very deep,” said Kia. “The animal bit into him, tearing away quite a bit of flesh.”
Realizing her mate would not survive, Ola wrapped the thigh with leather, although the bandage quickly soaked in blood. “It is beyond our control. He’s with the gods now.” She got to her feet. “Excuse me.”
Ara glanced at me. “What a sad day. Yulla was a good man.”
“Now, do you see why I worry so when the men go away?” Kia reached out to touch his face. “May you find the peace you seek with the gods in paradise.”
