Chapter 11: A Feast

The new girl, Liah, named after her mother, was soon ensconced with Ty’s girls, Tanya and Anna, eager to learn what he expected. Rather than being jealous, they saw it as evidence of the family’s growing status, improving theirs as well. So, they began telling her everything—including the details he preferred they didn’t!

“When he starts talking,” Beks instructed, “he speak nonsense, yet you must humor him, as it’s how he thinks, which helps the whole tribe achieve great things. For example, he arranged for your father to make something called a ‘plow’, which we’ll use a giant four-footed monster to dig up the dirt so we can plant the vegetables we now search for every few days. So soon, they’ll grow where and how we want. It’s clever, but if his suggestions don’t initially help, be patient, he’ll figure it out.”

“Tell me about this ‘soap’,” she urged, fascinating by their not reeking like everyone else.

“It’s the same,” Tiss said. “When we first met, he insisted on our washing every day, scrubbing ourselves with sand and kept going on and on about this ‘soap’. He tried, but couldn’t solve it, then we started traveling, so it never happened. Then, Anna, Tanya, and Tilla, each from his homeland, worked on his idea and managed to recreate it. And now, everybody is not only using it, but wondering how we did without!”

“It’s like the bamboo,” Anna added. “They found it accidentally and despite it being different than a similar plant from our land, they’re quite similar.”

“He taught us to use a spear made from dead branches,” Lor continued. “Then we discovered a hidden source of fresh water, near our original village and he’s suddenly cutting down trees and making us two separate spears to carry, always keeping them handy!”

“It’s saved their lives several times,” Till stated. “They fought terrifying beasts, but since he trained them all, they knew how to respond when finally facing danger the first, second and third times.”

Tiss glance shifted from Liah to Ty, one comforting and reassuring, the other adoring. “It may not seem sensible, but trust what he says. It’ll save your life!”

“Why do you say ‘itll’ when you mean ‘it will’?” Liah asked.

Anna interceded. “It’s a contraction. You combine certain frequently repeated words, making it easier to say, speeding up commands and responses during dangerous circumstances. We often use them in our land even for unimportant things, hastening communications while speaking more comfortably and less formally.”

Liah shook her head. “This is, this is a lot to take in!”

“Just wait,” Tiss chuckled. “Over the next several weeks, you’ll learn more than you have your entire life.”

“Can we practice with the spears? I want to try throwing one,” his newest potential wife asked.

“First, we’ll teach you how to take a spear or a club from someone else’s hand, in case they attack you with one. It’s surprisingly effective and occurs before they can prepare for it.”

“He showed father but I wasn’t allowed to see. Do you think I can do it too?”

“You’ll do everything we do in a matter of hours, getting better each day you practice, as he, and we, are ‘unrelenting’.”

“So...” her brow slightly furrowing, “is it baboo, or babfoo?”

“In our land, it was bamboo,” Anna explained. “Here, it’s similar, but different, so Lor named it, accidentally mispronouncing it.”

“It’s a new word!” she exclaimed. “No one else has ever used it. With all the new words he and his friends use, now we can create our own.”

“Okay, but you are his hunter-warriors,” Liah pointing out each, clarifying her thoughts, “yet you three, are not?”

“We know the concepts,” Tanya continued, “just haven’t practiced them. By the time we arrived, they were so proficient, there was no need for us to intervene. We learned how, so we’re ready, yet we focus on things we’re better suited for, like creating the items none of us were sure how to make.”

“See,” Tiss said. “They invent new words every time they speak, as if it’s nothing. Once you hear it, they make perfect sense.”

Anna nodded, standing straighter, not as insecure about towering over the natives. “‘Suited’ means we’re good at figuring out certain details, already knowing them, than you girls are. Whereas, you’re already superior at it, eager to prove yourselves.”

“Why keep calling us girls? Are we not all women?”

“In our world,” Till explained, “we live such long lives, females don’t fully mature until they’re two-score summers old.” She flashed two handfuls of fingers. “Though we live longer than men, by more years than that.”

“So we ‘march’ fore first light?” Liah asked, trying out the new terms she’d acquired in the past couple hours.

Ty shook his head. “No, we’re waiting on Tims, the trader. He’s making trades for us, while we get the credit for the discoveries. It improves each of our reputations, causing others to fear us all the more.”

“Speaking of fearsome,” Tiss exclaimed, “I almost forgot.” She ran to the corner and digging among the furs, revealing a personal treasure. Holding it aloft, it was the two Ligor teeth. Liah heard of such things, though none had seen one and lived. The higher one was long and thin, where they’d slit a victim’s throat, while the lower, thicker one, was what they used to rip their prey’s flesh apart, devouring it before anyone could challenge their kill.

Approaching Ty, Till raised it reverently above her head. Scowling unhappily, he lowered his head, allowing her to slip the heavy, archaic stone-age jewelry around his neck.

“It’s not convenient, slowing my movements, likely getting me killed.”

“No,” Tiss countered, admiring her work. “Anyone seeing it will know your accomplishments and skills. Who’d dare confront one who kills ligors and larger beasts with his bare hands?”

“They were hardly empty,” he argued, convincing no one.

“No, yet no one else can use such things, move so swiftly or assuredly. You not only know how, you also know how to kill anything you face, without considering it. That’s the sign of a great chief no one can equal.”

“Please, let’s minimize the wild, outlandish stories. My head is already too big, I can’t glance around without falling.” The girls, younger and older, laughed, realizing how true it was.

Of course, Till and Lor recounted the entire tale of his first Ro kills. Exasperated, he left, searching for Tims.

Walking past several huts, glancing around, reluctant to ask, realizing it would only invoke further embarrassing questions. Nearing Chief Odli’s hut, three figures closed on him, covering his three sides.

Rather than backing down, he idly glanced momentarily at each, as if unworthy of more. Though shorter, their extended limbs, like their brows, were more massive, giving them a look similar to the cartoon, Popeye the Sailor.

Each yielded a weapon: a heavy club and longer flint daggers than Ty’s people used. Still, Ty didn’t react, keeping his hands loose, knees bent, bouncing on his toes like he wanted to pee. One hefted his stick, ready to strike, the others aiming to stab him. Instead, he dropped, confusing them.

Then all were lying flat on the ground as Ty leapt up, seeming by some magical process, scowling down at them, his hands still empty.

“You think I’m so easily cowed? You’ve seriously underestimated me. I’ve killed more than all of you ever will, however long you live.” He then confiscated their knives to award the others.

Someone among the growing onlookers pointed, exclaiming: “He bears the mark of the Ligor! The rumors are true. He killed one with his hands, as he did these men.”

Everyone rapidly backed away, including his potential attackers, scampering back on their bellies, unable to face everyone’s condemnation.

“T’was nothing like that!” Though having seen the evidence firsthand, none listened to his protestations. Frustrated, he turned to an older, frail woman. “Please, Miss, could I trouble you for a small drink and possibly some company?”

She stared at him as if he were a demon, here to devour her soul. Yet, his honest pleading look was so genuine, she questioned her initial response.

“If you promise you no kill anyone, then ... sit, talk. We mean no harm, only respect.”

“Which I appreciate, and why I’d love to speak with someone as revered as you, ma’am. You have seen many things over your years, which belittle my meager, insignificant accomplishments.”

Holding the flap to her humble hut open, she entered before him. Bending low to enter himself, there were two adult men, helping themselves to their miniscule meal of raw flesh from the legs of field mice, accompanied by a few weeds.

Before fully entering he turned. “Polly, Tiss, Anna! Come!”

The already quiet space between the huts fell silent, as a bustle of movement followed, their approaching steps preannounced their arrival. Soon, a loud screech resounded throughout the village, as Polly flew swiftly to him. He bared his shoulder, where she alighted, again digging her claws into his garment. Seeing the others exiting their temporary hut, he entered his new host’s.

“Sorry, I never intended to impose. We have our own water and food, not needing to consume yours. Let my mates bring our blessings, so we may share them with our newest friends and fellow villagers.”

Already inside, he didn’t acknowledge the many faces cautiously peering from behind their hut’s entrance, until the two strange women, nearly as tall as the Ligor Killer entered. Only one carrying a green spear, though not wielding it as such.

Doing his partial bow, Ty acknowledged his hosts. The two men, forgetting their earlier meal, now stared at the towering, frightening alien and his chilling winged companion, who seemingly befriended him. Only a Ligor killer could demand such respect from other terrifying creatures.

“Once more, sorry for the disruption. With so many terrified of me, few act like friends.” He shrugged. “It gets ... lonely at times.”

“You have wives?” the older woman countered, hearing the rumors. “At last count, three?”

He sighed, rolling his eyes, something none of the inhabitants had seen before, with no clue of its implications. “It’s now four with another in waiting and of course, my sister and daughter.”

“Your family is here?” the woman exclaimed, astonished at the honor from such an honored chieftain. “I ... I thought you journeyed from a far-off land, traveling alone, collecting companions as you go.”

He cocked a brow, intrigued. “Pardon, I never introduced myself. If you haven’t already heard, I’m Ty Dean from the distant land of Earth. They surprised me, as they oft do, appearing with no warning, so I was once again take them under my wing.”

The two men glanced nervously at each other, though the older woman laughed, honestly and loudly.

“You are no common man. If your relatives suddenly appear, you best not ask why. Apparently, there is reason not too, and as you note, no one makes your life more miserable than close relatives.”

“See, I knew you were a woman of wisdom. I need that. Too often, everyone defers to me, neither questioning, confronting or comforting. As I said, frequently I feel lost, surrounded by people, never truly alone nor truly accompanied.”

Anna ducked her head in, Tiss standing guard.

“Ah, this is my sister, Anna Dean of Earth. My first wife, Tiss lurks outside, too timid to enter such an esteemed home.”

Anna bowed. “We never meant to lurk, just didn’t know why you called.”

“These wonderful people offered me their hospitality, despite their meager offerings. I wanted to share our paltry bounty with them. Since it’s doing us little, going to waste.”

The two men, now cowering behind their knees, appeared befuddled, as the older woman laughed again, enjoying their banter. “You asked to talk, though my sons eat everything I scrounged the past few days. It is kind of you to offer...”

“We’ll bring what we can, as old food kept indoors in never a good idea,” Anna stated, backing away and issuing instructions to those outside.

“Your family is as odd as you, the resemblance clear. I am Twil-Fo. My only children are Do-Fo and Dm-Fo.”

Ty couldn’t help himself, doubling over laughing, never explaining the source of his amusement.

“Did, did you really kill the...” Do-Fo ventured, indicating his newest adornments.

“Yes, it is a Ligor I was forced to slaughter, before it ate my first wife and her sister, my second.” He shrugged. “It was kill or be killed, so I struck, and...” his shoulders raised, crooking his head, “everything worked out.” They only gaped in response, unsure how to respond to acts of unharrowed bravery. Grinning broadly, she chuckled more quietly.

“I never sought so many mates, yet my wives insisted. I slay when I must, taking little pleasure in it. Instead, I honor the spirit of the animal, as they are truly honorable creatures, caring for family and pride, carrying their own burdens with no blame or guilt.”

“In your home Erth, you see things we no have. No wonder you fearless. I no imagine your land, you seem equal daring.”

This time Tiss and Lor entered, each with a water carrier along with some leftover berries Ty didn’t recall having.

“This is all we have left, though we have plenty of fresh water for anyone who wants it.”

“Twil, this is Tiss and Lor, my first and second wives. I humbly offer these minor treats. It is indeed pure.” He paused, considering his next words. “Do, Dm, are you married?”

She again cackled. “Them? They hunt and offer nothing, I collect everything for us all. No one provides like you.”

“Me?” he cried with a wide-eyed countenance. “My wives are accomplished hunters, all three. I rouse the prey and they capture, kill, clean and carry it back, while I lurk behind, too ashamed to show my face.”

She again laughed long and heartily, even Do and Dm grinned at his contrary, improbable response. Reaching out, she accepted the babfoo contraption, examining it, unsure what it was or how it operated. Lor knelt beside her, showing her how it functioned. Taking a sip, she again bestowed him a grin, drinking much, revealing how thirsty most villagers were in their own homes.

Ty moved to stand, not yet rising. “You know, I’ve truly been rude. I brought gifts for the chieftain, offering nothing for the hundreds like you barely eking out a living.” She slapped her knee, passing the container to her two sons, who weren’t the least cautious with it.

“Tomorrow, we hunt for the village. Everyone may not eat well, but they’ll get vital, fresh meat to renew and refresh them. My girls and I—all of them—will treat them all, as well as demonstrate how we train everybody back home!”

Standing, fore anyone could respond. “Let your friends and neighbors know we’re doing this for you. We’ll leave before first-dawn tomorrow for a couple hours. Any who wish to help clean, carry and transport our kills will be appreciated.”

“You are, unique. Though your phrasing is, odd, your meaning is clear.” He then nodded, turned, disappearing into the night. Tiss and Lor collecting the remaining containers and followed him to their temporary hut.

Since there so many with them, most stayed back, hidden among the surrounding forest, while the Chieftain assigned them the home of one of his henchmen’s mother. Polite, yet cold and unfriendly, she anticipated their robbing her blind fore the morrow.

Calling his wives and animals, they left the village entirely. Quickly spreading word in the mysterious way of small towns, several people, mostly inconspicuous and alone, followed to see where to locate them on the morrow.

Waking early, Ty and the women noted others gathered nearby. Not many, but more than they expected so soon. Passing instructions to the those they now referred to as their ‘camp followers’, the returnees keeping them busy while he and the girls went hunting. As they slipped out, those waiting arose and followed. They apparently were his helpers, who’d help field dress and carry the meat back for the villagers. As such, especially as underfed as they likely were, they deserved a special reward.

Waving, they set off as planned. Not wanting to overhunt and frighten away the already scarce local game, they split up. Beks remained behind with Biscuit, while he kept his animals with him. Even Ta was there with his and would remain with his sister, demonstrating his established skills, not ready for anything dangerous.

He, like the others, would convey what needed explaining. Their second runner, Leni, a young boy, arrived, already studying his letters and basic words. Ty’d help teach the rudiments in their absence. The other women covering everything else. Things were truly coming together, as everyone—whatever their abilities—were now pulling their weight and doing it gladly, proud of their accomplishments.