Chapter 6: Anyone have a Larger Village?

Once their barter was conducted, and the trader Tims left, Ty finally examined their newest gain, hoping he hadn’t been chiseled, though trusting he hadn’t. Loosening the backpack, which appeared woven, rather than an animal hide, he pulled out their new inventory, a piece at a time.

First, he removed five hard-carved wooden cups. Hardly perfect, yet still well-crafted. The lack of electric tools was readily apparent, yet was better than they’d seen, and would likely last a long time, as the wood was properly polished with a decent oil for wood, emphasizing the natural wood grains. He was pleased. Now if only the others hadn’t been damaged during transit.

Next out were five wider wooden bowls, still nice—better than the cups—just not as impressive since it was more easily done. There were a few imperfections, though relatively minor.

The plates were similar, though there were six, not five like the others. Five were too few, as were six, though the more, the better. What’s more, the plates were sanded much smoother, due to their broader surface, entirely flat, with the edges slightly curving up. If he knew who made them, he’d ask how they accomplished it. Still, a wonderful, useful purchase.

There were no serving platters, though at the very bottom, there were five fine flint knives, perfect for spearing and holding food, either meats, cheeses or potentially, olives. They could definitely use and appreciate each of these, as there wasn’t a bad or inferior product in the bunch. In addition to bartering, they needed to identify and include such craftsmen in their new village, wherever they built it. Speaking of which, they’d need tools for building larger, hopefully now weed-based huts. Their previous huts were reliable, though hardly waterproof, nor wind resistant. Hell, a decent storm would probably either sweep it away, or obliterate it entirely.

Wood-working tools would be ideal, yet without a source of metal, highly unlikely. Something else they’d need to develop, and yet another product to offer. Bamboo spears, and even soap and shampoo, were only the beginning. Of course, that meant adding new people to their growing, non-existent village. It wouldn’t be easy, but again, nothing worth doing ever is, and these could make a real difference in people’s lives, and provide a substantial reason for joining them. One more step, among many.

Unfortunately, since the backpack was full, they couldn’t use it for anything else, and the wood products need care to protect for long. So, it would only make traveling harder, not easier. Still, a worthwhile compromise, considering what they were gaining. Now, they needed to duplicate the wood oil, since it wasn’t included, as the wood would begin aging, without consistent oiling to essentially make it water-resistant.

Realizing it would be getting dark soon, they couldn’t continue travelling much longer, so they needed to find higher, level ground, so they could resume their journey on the morrow. Progress, yet still many steps remaining for them all.

“Do you know of any native plants, likely containing natural fat we could use to make our soap?” he asked Anna—who was unlikely to know, having been here less time than he, but asking everyone else, along with her.

“I don’t know what that even is? What plants are ‘oily’?” Tiss asked. “Wouldn’t that mean their slimy, slipping from your hands?”

“No,” Anna clarified. “They naturally have a higher fat content, though wouldn’t be greasy until they were fully processed, making collecting and transporting them easily, though also making soap more complex. As you already know.”

“Would you recognize it, when you saw them, or would that require testing each plant, separately?” Ty asked.

“Ooh, good question,” Lor asked, both girls leaning in, interested in learning something new.

“Probably not, though I’ll likely know which to check, as not every plant is suitable. Thus, it’ll be a long process, though not unreasonably long. Still, we can sell the resulting oil for a wide variety of products: candles and lanterns, which provide light throughout many night, oils to sooth and smooth the skin, making it softer and less rough to touch, even lubricating and protecting surfaces, like the wood-oil used on our new plates and dishes. So we could easily sell each and every product, as it’ll take others even longer to figure out how to duplicate the process.”

“If you teach me what to look for, and eventually how to test it, I could handle that task, allowing you to concentrate on other, more essential ones,” Lor offered. “I’ve been the odd one out for too long, I want to excel in something, rather than just doing what Tiss already does well.”

“It too will take a time, but it’s yours, if you want to tackle it. Again, it’s a lot of work, yet will ultimately be rewarding.”

“Would it help, if Lor and I keep going, so we’ll identify and set up your next stop,” Tiss asked. “Since we already know how to detect dangerous situations and hunting and fighting too, we’re qualified. We just need more experience.”

“Well, I’m nervous about splitting up,” Ty said, frowning, “just in case you encounter something unexpected. Though, as you say, you’re the best qualified. As I keep saying, you learn more by making your own mistakes, than you could by my continually teaching you. Sometimes, like infants, you need to stumble several times, before finally learning to stand on your own.

“Though, how will we avoid bypassing each other?”

“Since we know how long it’ll take for you to follow us, we can watch either the stream, or the trail, and intercept you.”

“Good point too,” Anna noted. “I say, give them the chance to excel.”

“I agree,” he agreed. “Go, with both our blessings, and if you encounter trouble, leave some clue where you ended up, so we can find and help, if needed.”

“Again, we need to cover each other’s back, even when separated,” Anna concluded. “The more we can each do, the more we’ll accomplish, as a group.”’

“Good, then we’ll grab out stuff and head out, scouting the area ahead of you out.”

“Would taking one of my animals help?” Ty offered.

“I thought they’d only obey you?” Lor probed.

Ty shrugged. “They’ve worked and fought alongside you already, so I suspect it’’ll be an easier transition, and they’ll already listen to you. Just remember to always keep reward treats as you travel to reward good behaviors, punishing them by restricting them.”

“Yeah, we’ve watched you long enough,” Tiss agreed. “I think we grasp the basics.”

“What about me and Beks?” Ta asked. “Shouldn’t we join them, leaning more too.”

Ty shook his head. “No, it’s better you make your own mistakes, not help someone else making theirs. You grow by owning your mistakes, internalizing the lessons learned. Besides, if we split up, we’re also all weaker, not stronger. You both still have more to learn. I’ll allow you both to do things on your own, like you capturing and teaching you own animals. Yet while it makes sense to give the girls this opportunity, it wouldn’t to let you share it, without having similar responsibilities.”

“But we can try out our own things?” he pushed.

“For now, prove your value by managing animals. Succeeding, you’re better prepared and will more confidently undertake new tasks.”

“Plus, we need someone with actual hunting and fighting experience, to back us up,” Anna said. “Losing Beks won’t help you, while hurting us. Again, your trek consists of many, many steps, yet the journey should be yours, and yours alone. It’s fine if you both seek the same thing, combining your different talents, yet again, it’s got to be your combined journey, not anyone else’s.”

“I’m making progress,” he said. “It’s just that, so far they’re all too small to be useful. I’m learning, but preparing for the larger, more dangerous creatures. Like you, give me time to prove myself, as I’ll own my own mistakes, just as Beks will own hers too.”

“That sounds like a plan, so let’s settle down, get a decent sleep, so we’ll make faster progress, tomorrow. Tri-ford isn’t that far away. Hopefully, we’ll reach it tomorrow.”

“We’re leaving,” Tiss told them, “so we’ll see you, and Tri-ford together, tomorrow.”

“Sounds good,” Ty said. “Test yourselves, but stay safe. We don’t need to lose either of you, so back each other up, just as we do.”

“We will, but we’d best leave now, or we won’t get far tonight.”

The advantage of the sisters heading out on their own, is it allowed Ty and Beks to have time alone, at least as long as they wandered far enough away. Beks might be willing, yet he wasn’t about to ask her to. Thus, when they set off, they left Ta and Anna together, enjoying each other’s company, as unlike as they were. It was a decent, though hardly an ideal compromise.

Beks thoroughly enjoyed it, while it bothered Ty much less than facing the three girls at once. Even if two only watched, it didn’t lesson the tension. This worked, though they needed to figure out some way of delaying or preventing pregnancies, or all the women were likely to end up pregnant, at the same time.

Supporting each other, though losing all their help at once, and also making treating their pregnancies much harder. He seemed to recall what was needed to deliver babies, though he still wasn’t sure why, just not three at a time. He’d end up exhausted after one, especially if she encountered complications, he’d be too exhausted to deliver the next, especially if it was only days or a week or two later.

He’d have to ask Anna and the girls, and possibly have them ask once they reached Tri-ford, as he doubted anyone would admit such things to him. Still, they slept exceptionally well that night, safely ensconced in each other’s arms.

They rose early the next morning, eager to meet the girls and reach Tri-ford as early as possible, get a feel for the environment, and select a decent place to crash. Again, other than bartering, he had no idea how one paid for a room here. Acting as another hunter for the tribe was possible, as he’d likely outhunt anyone else there, though they still understood too little to determine their options, before arriving.

Ty felt good having Beks along to support them and look after her brother, anytime he got overly distracted. Anna took to training well, yet didn’t have the same experience. That would be a lesson in time, just not today. For today, they especially needed to work together, not each go their own way.

Despite his reservations, they made good time, and the girls were right, they flagged them down, having already scouted out the best route forward, keeping to the same stream, which joined another, making it even bigger and faster, and harder to cross. Still, it was better using the wider, firmer streambed, rather than deal with those passing on the much narrower footpath. Plus, they managed to kill enough meat to trade with the village, while it was still fresh enough to safely to eat. They restricted their kills to later in the day, though stopped to cook their lunch, to give them strength for the last of their journey to Tri-ford.

When they did stop, Ta actually did better isolating and enticing the larger creatures, feeling confident from his earlier work with the smaller ones. However, it meant they’d need to find a way to house the variety of animals, as again, they had no idea how the residents would deal with their pet, wild and potentially violent animals. It was best treating the situations cautiously, if nothing else.

Still, they made decent time, arriving early, despite Ta picking up two creatures, nearly as large as Ty’s, a mongrel, pre-dog wolf variant, and a much smaller, though still large bird, closer to an owl, still able to seek and capture a variety of animals, though it may quail over attacking much larger animals, especially armed humans. Still, it was another step on Ta’s long journey to mastering their animal control issues. The more Ty and others offloaded to others, they more they could do—and teach—the others even more. How much, he still didn’t know, since he kept surprising himself, with just how much he knew, never expecting to know so much, on any given topic, hardly recalling any of it.

As they approached the newer, larger village, the main path widened significantly. It still wasn’t as wide, or as productive as the wider stream bead—especially for hunting—though they neared the city together, to present a more imposing, unified front.

They passed more people the nearer they came, a wider variety than they’d anticipated. Unable to tell what they did, they varied fairly widely, not at all like their own village they’d left days before. Thus, the potential of finding useful additions, seemed likelier than ever. Especially if they were younger, and more easily trainable, without the accumulate bad habits from non-professional efforts.

Near town, one of the first huts they encountered, was a makeshift barn, not near as large as those on Earth, yet still a decent size, hopefully able to hold a variety of animals.

“Ta, why don’t you stop here, get to know the owner and see whether he’d house you and your animals. We’ll check back, to see what you’ve learned, and either take you with us, or apply what you’ve learned. But we need to deal with a variety of people, seeing who respond to us best, and whether we can gain anything from them. Keep in mind anyone likely to join us, as that’s what we most need. Though we need allies, more than anything else.

“We can’t face the world alone. We need supporters, as well as new teammates. Each help in different ways, yet each assist us.”

“I’ll learn what I can,” Ta promised, looking determined, though unsure they’d voluntarily house potentially violent wild animals. Though smaller than those Ty was accompanying into the city, they were no less dangerous, only less lethal, taking longer to kill anyone. Still, he’d do his best, hopefully learning enough to prove his worth, despite his age.

He learned a lot, yet was likely to learn more from the people he knew, than strangers who wouldn’t know nearly as much.

As they closed on the village, nearly everyone warily watching them, doubtful anyone could control such wild animals. They’d learn, just not all at once. What’s more, those who did, would likely result in a more dramatic change. Somehow, Ty and the others doubted anyone was willing to take them from them, or take their weapons, unwilling to risk confronting such experienced warriors, and forcing them to leave against their will.

Might makes right, and though they didn’t want to be obnoxious, since no one knew how to respond, they remained firmly in control of any encounters, proving they could control their animals, despite no one else succeeding, or likely even trying, before them.

They strode in confidently, with evidence of their successes, and essentially armed to their teeth, proving their value, without uttering a word. Now, they needed to relate to the villagers as individuals, evaluating each separately, on their own merits.

Making personal connections was more valuable than anything, even if they never joined them. Again, they needed allies more than followers, giving them greater reach, than they ever could on their own. They’d likely make plenty of mistakes and miscalculations, so anyone who might minimize that would be a help.

The further they progressed, the larger the crowds staring at, and avoiding them. They were definitely making a statement, yet they needed to start separating, each making their own personal connections. He signaled the others, so they’d know how to proceed, though who, and how they approached them, was entirely up to them.

One by one, they each peeled off, though Ty tried to remember each one, just in case they encountered trouble, though he still didn’t entirely trust his own memory, as unreliable as it was. Not remembering what he knew, and what he didn’t. He’d gotten along so far, so he remained confident, they he retained his doubts.

The three girls sought of those of a similar age, almost purely girls too, at least so far. Like him, not entirely trusting the jaded adults who’d compromised for most of their lives. The younger, the more likely to adapt to new thoughts and ideas. They’d see who was the most successful.

Anna, though, stuck by him evaluating each site, and those they passed, still unsure of any of it. But as they passed the various food shops, such as they were, still little more than fragile, smaller huts only allowing a few at a time, including the sellers themselves. Though as they passed clothing shops, carrying woven clothes instead of animal skins, she waved goodbye, venturing into the first of several, she planned to visit. Though when done, she’d likely need help carrying everything found. Even if all she ended up purchasing was the material, not complete clothes or coordinated outfits. Though they offered more, it still wasn’t any more advanced, just a bit more. Still, the material seemed promising, and worth investigating.

Ty didn’t progress much further, before someone also armed, though not nearly as well-equipped, confronted him. Afraid to confront his animals unaided, he still maintained his distance, as well as signaling someone similarly attired, also nearing, just not as quickly.

Ty nodded, and halted, waiting to see how they responded. After all, they stopped him, so he’d allow them to initially handle things as they wanted, knowing he could easily overpower, or potentially outsmart or out-negotiate them.

They seemed surprised he’d actually stopped, biding his time, still projecting confidence, despite being a stranger to Tri-ford. The first, hesitantly approach, maintaining his distance from his menagerie, who halted when he did, behind him and facing them. Though Polly had a few things to say, as they waited.

“Uh, what are you doing for?” Catching himself, he tried again, not wishing to antagonize the newcomer. “What are you looking for? Anything in particular?”

“Honestly, I’m not sure, as I haven’t seen which might interest me yet. We’re from a more distant village, several days from here, hoping to find a new home, though whether here, or building our own, we haven’t decided yet.” The two drew nearer each other, still eyeing him, and his animals, warily.

“How many are with you?” the first asked, his partner remaining silent.

“Now, with me?” he pressed, mostly to see them twist in the wind, unsure how to best deal with him.

“In total, how large was your original village, and how many accompanied you.” He considered the question, pausing momentarily, as it counting them on the fly. “Six, including myself, though most of the warrior-hunters are girls, easier to train, without the bad habits from improper training, like my pals here,” he said, indicating the seemingly tame wild animals behind him, staring at the two men curiously, regarding them too, hardly staring vacantly. So far, they weren’t feeling very confident.

“Women warriors, no, mere girls? How many have they battled, any kills?” the other man asked, speaking for the first time.

“Obviously, it varies, since I trained them, one or two at a time. Though, we successfully slaughtered an attacking Toggle, if that’s helps.

They now openly stared, not believing his claim, yet also not daring to challenge his word. “A Toggle? A grown one, or a baby?”

“It, or rather he, was much taller than anything her to compare him to. Easily six or seven times your height.”