Chapter 5: Assault and Bartery

Approaching the village with their animal menagerie, Ty was pleased someone called, alerting the others they’d returned. Despite his fears, it appeared the whole village was learning new things, some slower than others. Still, progress was progress.

Noticing the animals themselves, they hastily backed away. To avoid further frightening them, Ty raised his left hand and they obediently stopped and sat. Those who didn’t, noted the others, following their lead, their tails wagging. “Heel!” he instructed, hoping they’d figure it out themselves. Luckily, they mostly stayed behind him. When they didn’t, he reprimand them with another “Heel!”, naming whichever animal misbehaved. Still learning and steadily growing more proficient.

With their slower progression, the villagers weren’t quite as hesitant. The few younger children rushed forwards. Their parents, whichever remained, chided those children, though it hardly diminished their enthusiasm. Since each were wild creatures and a single wrong move may leave a small child severely injured. He needed to train the villagers, especially with so many ‘pets’. Hopefully, Ta could handle that. It would help encourage him, while notably improving his position within the village.

They waved, acknowledging the curious villagers yet proceeded directly to Ty’s hut. Already needing a bigger one, a separate kennel mini hut at least, though he wasn’t sure whether it would work. They needed to find makeshift leashes, hopefully without strangling the animals.

They followed him in, sniffing each and every corner, but Ty chased them out once the first lifted its leg, marking its territory. “Stay!” he ordered, pulling the animal skin door open and watched how rapidly they grew restless. However, after giving Ta the remaining loose scraps, left them to work it out. They’d either figure it out or learn what not to do in the future.

The others glanced around, reconsidering the space as well. Anna wrinkled her nose. “We may need to consider relocating, rather than merely visiting and returning.”

“We need to acclimate the critters to strangers. Once they learn, it shouldn’t be a problem, though we need to determine how to fashion collars and leashes. They’re mostly imitating me, so they haven’t been a problem. Without the rewards though...”

“Finding the materials and creating them will take time. A fenced in area in back is probably easier. That way, they can still alert us if anyone suspicious approaches, not needing to defend us, only warn us when there’s danger nearby.”

“Ta, why don’t you and Beks handle this, before heading home to tell your mother we’re leaving in the morning for destinations unknown. But from here on, you’re in charge of training new animals, while I’ll handle mine. Just ask if you need help. It’s best not losing control of them.

“Speak authoritatively, commandingly. Hesitate, sounding unsure, and they’ll respond accordingly. Keep your commands short, simple and decisive. Then you can adjust the volume as appropriate.”

Anna clutched his arm. “I’ll talk to a few neighbors, seeing whether anyone knows any nearby villages.”

“That’s an excellent idea.” Ty rubbed his chin. “By the way, I can definitely use your test soap. I was close to using wet mud, but it would pointlessly disturb the soil.”

After agreeing to marry the girls, they were so exhausted they couldn’t consummate anything. Still tired, it wasn’t as easy delaying the inevitable. With any hut, it’s difficult having sex with others present, most venturing outside to be amorous. It’s often safer remaining inside, pretending the children don’t notice, while the children also pretend not to, silence preferable to the awkward encounters.

Venturing outdoors for privacy with an active foursome would attract excessive curiosity. Still, it was better handling it tonight, rather than trekking to another village, with no better time, with Ta, Beks and Anna otherwise engaged.

“Okay girls, how do we handle this? We don’t have privacy for long. Do you do it all at once, one at a time or one each night, focusing exclusively on each other?”

Glancing at each other, never previously considering the details, they huddled, debating it. ‘There goes that decision,’ he concluded, guessing Anna would return before they reached a decision. Yet, they surprised him.

“We decided on one of us each night,” Tiss speaking for them all.

“That’s fine, but how’d you reach a consensus so quickly?”

Her face partially flushed. “I basically pulled rank, declaring as your first, no one else would be included without me. So I stated what I wanted and they agreed.” She paused, continuing less confidently. “This way, I’ll report what you like, what you don’t and how it was.”

He nodded. “I like it. It shows leadership, as I’ve been teaching all of you, demonstrating initiative and the ability to handle situations on the fly on your own. I’m impressed. Now, how are we handling it?”

“Actually,” her face flushed, highlighting her doubts, “they’d prefer observing. Since our parents were single, they’d prefer learning how to do it—as would I—so anything you can suggest...”

“Don’t worry, I’m fairly experienced and know a thing or two.”

“That’s what we assumed,” she grinned. “As you say, we don’t have much time”

They presented quite the menagerie on their trek north. No one knew where they were going, what village or town, yet it was well known many took the path fairly regularly, taking goods and returning with different ones. Ty never expected the local villagers to care about much outside their own lives. Now they did, he was unsure how long their interest would last once they were gone, as they weren’t very imaginative or curious.

Without specific plans to return, they took everyone—friends, family and animals—the youngsters seeking new, exciting adventures—precisely what the older folk avoided. They were happily ignorant with little reason to change, especially when not forced them to.

Since the path was little more than a game trail, they mostly walked in a staggered single file, with two spearmen backing Ty, while the other two guarded their rear.

It was impractical, especially trying to pass messages back and forth, with Ta and Beks persistently seeking any stray animals to adopt. Ty had reservations but trusted them, as you oft learn more by screwing up, than if you never took the chance.

However with so many and with such a variety of moderately trained wild animals, things were chaotic. He maintained a decent control over his, for now. People though oft did whatever they wanted.

He downed a few smaller animals for rewards. The others kept trying, yet their spears weren’t nearly as accurate, especially against fleet-footed animals among the rough uneven terrain.

With few travelers, the few they met either hid in the woods as they passed—terrified by such an unknown, formidable opponent—though others would wave, say a few words and let them pass. With so many, it was easier waiting than dancing past them all—especially the large, formidable wild creatures.

Ty wondered whether they’d face some organized resistance when reaching their unknown destination, as now nothing was certain and they didn’t know enough for informed decisions.

Anna essentially replaced his two guards as he kept well ahead scouting the terrain. She had her own spear, though they mostly talked. She too kept a watchful eye, not as well trained as his girls, her thoughts shifted widely as they walked.

His animals got into a tussle and not knowing why, Anna headed back to intervene. The ruckus settled, he glanced back, saw them all returning, so facing forwards ... a large wooden club struck him in the face and he was out cold, collapsing where he stood.

Ty awoke, utterly unaware, not only concerning what happened, but even where or when it was. Not renewed retrograde amnesia, but the befuddlement of being sucker punched. However, everyone around him was excited, speaking rapidly, further worsening his confusion.

Anna wiped his face, unstaunched and bleeding with dried leaves. His animals surrounded them, daring anyone else to draw near. His vision still blurry, seeing two—sometimes three, the images overlapping and shifting—which didn’t help.

“You’ve been out some time.” Anna pressed his forehead intently, aggravating his agony. “You were really clocked. We were wondering whether you’d make it or not, but...”

He tried shaking his head, failing and groaning piteously. “Wha, what happened?”

“You were well ahead of everyone and two men waylaid you, not realizing the odds they faced.”

“Wha, what happened to ‘em?” It was difficult speaking, when she kept bobbing and weaving, interchanging with the other Annas.

Not answering, she pointed ahead of them. He had trouble craning his neck at that angle, but saw two, unmoving bodies, badly blooded, their threadbare furs shredded—which isn’t easy to do. Yet the biggest thing, both had broken sticks protruding from each eye.

“Wha?”

“Polly reached them first, blinding them, then Teddy ran them over, leaving them cowering, then the animals just ... shredded them. I decided to leave a sign warning others with similar intent. After all, anyone can be attacked by animals on a well-used game trail, though the sticks protruding from the eyes definitely sends a message.

“You?”

“Yeah, I couldn’t ask anyone else, and was certainly angry enough. Still, it’s tough doing something so gruesome, however well deserved. It definitely ... sends a message.” He fell into a coughing fit, blood flying everywhere, principally splattering he and Anna.

She pressed him back down, holding him steady. “Take it easy. I sent Ta and Beks back to hunt for more kills. We’ll need to find a clearing somewhere and try carrying you there so we can crash for the night. You’ll be well guarded, as your pets aren’t about to leave you.”

She waved Tiss and Lor forward, though they approached warily. “Your animals know them, as long as they don’t move too quickly,” she said, staring at Lor. “Tiss and I will scout ahead, looking for somewhere we can spread out.

“K,” he replied, struggling to rise, though his arms gave way and he fell hard, striking the back of his head, worsening his confusion.

“No!” Anna insisted, her tone clear. “Stay! We’ll be back. Only move when you’re able. If you do, I’ll have Polly rip you out a bald spot!”

He glanced around, scanning for her, his vision too unsteady to see far. She answered, her caw resounding clear and traveling far, so there was no mistaking it. He eased back. “K” he repeated, reclosing his eyes, hoping the distractions would fade away, even as a new streak of fresh blood trickled across his cheek, catching in his hair and ear, as the world thankfully faded in blessed oblivion.

Reawakening, unable to tell the time given the odd dual-suns’ light, discovering he was being carried by his shoulders and ankles—apparently by Lor—unable to see the other person, presumably Anna. It was hard enough walking single file, much less carrying a heavy load with his animals surrounding him. Undeterred, carrying him was more perilous for all.

“I’m ... okay,” he assured them, though his faltering declaration convinced none. Polly flew past, gazing down, her independently rotating eyes particularly adapted for it, vanishing as quickly. He closed his eyes, welcoming unconsciousness’ sweet solitude, fleeting though it be.

Nearly dropping him a time or three, the constant shifting and jostling didn’t help, his aches growing piercing as they progressed. Gritting his teeth, he endured, compartmentalizing.

Reopening his eyes, groaning with the effort, he couldn’t feel his crossbow, usually hung from his back, nor his leg sheath, his eyes darted back and forth, trying to guess where they were or if they were lost.

“You didn’t lose anything.” Anna’s confirming voice by his head. “Your fancy-assed knife is on your arm and I’m carrying your damn crossbow. Luckily, it’s lighter than it looks, but I don’t know how you stand it constantly shifting and striking you.”

“Get, used to it ... your flesh ... softer.” His thoughts were clearer, though he still had trouble speaking. As always, two steps forward, one sideways, one back. Though, any progress was better than none. Yet, his thoughts faded, his consciousness flickering in and out in no coherent pattern.

His eyes opened as they set him down, and though still loopy, he scanned the area, searching for potential dangers. The girls would too, though Anna may or may not, a hard habit to break, though he hadn’t a clue why his was so deeply ingrained. You’d think, with his age, it would’ve faded over time, yet...

Observing his surroundings without sitting up or turning, they were in a partial clearing, off to the side, apparently connected to the trail itself.

“Hold on,” Anna insisted. “We need water, though rather than taking you to it, I have another idea. However, I’ll need to see if it’ll work or not.”

“As long as ... safe, I’m ... fine,” he stated, his confidence unsteady. She headed off, beyond where he could observe, Tiss remaining near, the others shifting about. His animals sticking near, although he knew, once sure he was safe, they’d wander off, satisfying their own needs. Better someone near when needed, than...

Partially sitting up, Ty groaned a moment or thirty later. “Here.” Anna handed him a hard wooden bowl. Rather than inquire, he took several small sips, letting his tongue and mouth absorb it before attempting to swallow, which was still difficult. His body...

“Is he doing better?” Lor asked, as something wet was slobbering on, rather than licking his face.

“Yeah, though he keeps fading off. He’s struggling, yet still improving. It’s good we can safely wait till he’s ready to travel on his own.

“How, cup?” he asked, not opening his eyes, feeling heat permeating his lids, realizing both suns were likely overhead, requiring everyone to drink more than ever.

“Wait, I’ll get it.”

“No,” he reached out without looking, somehow grasping her wrist. “How?”

“Your sister says it’s a ‘gourd’, whatever that it. It’s perfect. We’ll have to take several with us, as everyone will want one.”

“In the future,” he enunciated carefully, “when someone is ... ill, poke a hole in the side, so tipping it, it’ll drip into the person’s lips, face and,” he paused, allowing his body to adjust, “body.”

“You know a lot about gourds, without thinking straight,” Lor snickered to his side.

“I’m familiar, with them. That alone, makes trip worthwhile,” he gasped out, his brow crinkling with the effort. Someone, possibly Tiss, did just that, though it was more of a trickle than a few drops and he sputtered, partially sitting up to keep from choking.

He chanced squinting, tilting his eyes to escape the suns’ direct glare. If this was the suns’ direct light, total darkness wasn’t far off. Not soon, just ... nearer.

This time, someone compromised, dipping their hand in the water and letting it drip from their fingers, which worked perfectly. He opened his mouth wide, breathing in the cooling air it provided, before struggling to sit up. However, they pressed him back with their hand on his bare chest. Which was also cool, damp rather than wet.

“He’s improving,” Tiss soothed his face with her palm, “though needs rest.” Again, something with soft fur—Perlina?—nestled the top of his head, while another wet, rough tongue, licked the lower side of his face.

“Thanks,” he told the unseen animals, appreciating it, as he did Tiss’s advice. Isolate, secure and restore the wounded, before continuing, he recalled.

“What?” Lor asked, leaning over to hear him better.

“Sorry, I was thinking, not meaning to say it aloud.”

“You could have fooled us,” Tiss chuckled, her relief clear and as refreshing as the water. “Always teaching, even when laid out flat on your back.”

“Old habits die hard,” he recited, again not knowing where the thought originated.

“And some hunter-warriors, refuse to,” Tor observed wryly, both giggling. “I think I prefer him helpless. Less orders and lessons, more ... him.”

“I’ll bite my tongue,” he offered.

“Don’t get him started,” Tiss warned. Someone else approached, their cushioned, padded footfalls reaching him before they did.

“I’ve collected multiple gourds,” Anna said, not focusing on him, also a relief. If the others were capable, let them, he reflected. “Is he any better?”

“Not yet, but getting there.”

Anna knelt beside him, feeling his forehead with the back of her hand. “At least he’s no longer fighting us.”

“True dat.” He again closed his eyes, as someone with exceptionally soft fingers spread water over his lips, letting several seep in.

“Still speak nonsense,” Lor observed.

“No, it makes sense. The shortened version is intentional,” Anna’s explanation all the attribution he needed, as she continued wetting his lips with fresh, cool water. He lapped at the fingers, moaning pleasantly as he did.

“He seems better,” Lor noted.

“He does,” someone to his right said, pressing her lips to his rather than dampening them with her fingers. The kiss was light and perfect. Afterward, he reopened his eyes, this time sitting without struggling, not easing his situation.

“How much, time lost?” he inquired, holding his head for extra stability.

“A couple hours, at least,” Anna said. “We’ll camp here and start again in the morning.” She paused, speaking softly to the others, rather than him. “He seemed more alert when he first awoke, though it took a lot out of him.”

“Who sleeps with him tonight?” Lor asked, anxiously eager.

“Not me, that’s for sure,” Anna assured them, producing a relaxed chuckle from Ty.

“Never receiving love, from those I’ve loved the ... longest.” He noted the sharp intakes of breath from the others, unsure what the seemingly simple recitation implied.

“He’ll survive,” Anna assured them, “though I’m sure his dick will also revive tonight. That man’s going to kill himself, someday.”

“Not on our watch,” Tiss said. “He too nice, warning our furs.” Anna snorted, left alone to ponder things on his own.

Shifting forward, reaching out for a hand for stability as he tried to stand. No one uttered a sound, yet were there, whenever he needed, which itself spoke volumes.

He wobbled, a bit unsteady, yet didn’t fall, taking a deeper survey of their surroundings. Where they’d carried him to was clear, though the path itself wasn’t obvious. He wondered where the water lay, though his immediate concern was his insistent bladder, crying for relief. “Hand?” he asked, reaching out his left.

Helping him walk, it didn’t take Tiss long to determine where he was headed, leading him to a nearby sturdy tree to water. Struggling to free himself from his modest covering, she eagerly reached in, not only handling it for him, but aiming it, while keeping his hanging garment out of the way. He sighed in relief, then took two half steps back on his own. She released him, with a soft sigh of disappointment.

“Looking better,” Lor observed from nearby, backing them both up.

“Can you bring me a couple half gourds?” he asked. The girls weren’t sure, yet after a moment, Lor scrambled for whatever she could find.

When she brought them back, the cut was clean, answering what happened to his survival knife, yet the edges were still uneven and irregular. Nevertheless, he took the two halves and began clapping them together, soon prancing to accompany the familiar sound. Both girls giggled, having no clue what he was doing.

“It sounds like many men or a large beast charging forward.”

“Ah, but it’s a way to confuse potential foes. If someone sneaks behind them, doing this, they’ll take their eyes off us, focusing on the approaching reinforcements.”

“You think?” Lor asked, skeptically.

“If he says it works, it do,” Tiss insisted. His animals carefully approached, eyeing his hands.

“See, Teddy and Perlinia get it.”

“Yes, his pussy always gets it,” Lor teased, her voice more relaxed than earlier.

“Anna?” he softly called, waving her over, not knowing where she was.

“Yeah?” her answer was somewhat distant.

“I’m going to check where this stream goes, one of my weapons would be handy, even if I’m not wielding it.”

A few moments later, two separate hands helped him descend the slope down to the softly gurgling stream quite a ways below, the girls needing their second hard to steady themselves. “Knowing where the water is, in relation to the trail, will help us determine where and when to stop.”

“That makes sense,” Anna said, on his right.

“He always does, even when too confused to stand,” Tiss faithfully defended him.

Reaching the water, the stream’s bed extended a few feet in either direction, not far, yet making walking along it significantly easier than the narrow game trail. “Which way does the path run?” Not answering, they eased him in the proper direction, walking a bit. “How true is this path, in regard to the trail?” he pressed.