Chapter 9

“That is why you talked so much? To get him to back down?”

“Yes. That would have saved his life, but he would no longer be a Chief. Would you have let him live in that situation, or would you take your revenge?”

“I would still have killed him, as soon as he no longer had power. He can no longer take what he wants now.”

“As I seem to have inherited his position through his death, what can you tell me about your tribe?”

“Are you a taker, or a leader, High Chief?” he asked solemnly.

“I do not take what is not mine. No Chief owns a tribe; he has responsibility for it and its survival. For a Chief to expect loyalty, he has to give loyalty to his people, and look after them and their needs. Stealing from the tribe is not the action of a true Chief.”

The man nodded his approval of these sentiments.

“Thank you, High Chief. I believe you are suitable as our new Chief. I have to tell you that Gobango has - had – six women, all taken recently after he took over as Chief, apart from my sister who he raped then released as she was not to his satisfaction.

Traditionally, you inherit them, but I would advise that you give them the option of returning to their parental homes, as they had no choice in what happened to them.

John agreed, “That would be the justice of the matter, but tell me, would these women be treated as wife material by other men, or be rejected as defiled? I presume your sister was one such woman.”

The guard was upset at this thought, and considered it carefully. “I am not sure what would happen. We do not have experience of this event before. My sister hates that she has been so badly treated. Such women have been known to take their own lives through shame. I would hate that to happen to her, especially if she is pregnant as a result.”

John called out, “Chief Maranga? Can I have a word with you?”

She gingerly walked over, always aware of her own pregnancy. “What is your wish, High Chief John?”

He pointed at the body. “The now deceased Gobango apparently had taken six women for himself after assuming his Chieftainship; and I use the word ‘taken’ in the sense of without their consent. Does your herbal knowledge include medicine to induce abortion without harm to the woman?”

Her face tightened in anger at this news, but she revealed, “Yes, it does. That is normally a matter between me and the woman, but with this bad example of Chieftainship, I will be happy to offer enough of this treatment to be applied to up to women, should they wish to terminate a pregnancy. I assume that as the victor, it is your task to go to the deceased Chief’s tribe and rectify what is a bad situation for them and the rest of the tribe? I want you to administer the treatment yourself; do not rely on a woman of the tribe who may not be as wise as me.” She smiled at her own claim, but John accepted it as stated fact.

“It is a responsibility that I have to assume, unfortunately. I had not thought I would return to being a Chief so relatively soon, but circumstances demand it. If I may beg leave of you, Chief Maranga, I will go at once to that tribe: I must also enquire its proper name. May I also beg that you notify Chief Numa of the reason of my non-return home at present?”

“Permission granted, John. I will send a messenger to Numa to apprise her of the facts. She will be anxious to know that you are well.”

She leaned forward and John kissed her tenderly. “May the Earth Mother protect you, John. Come back to us soon.”

“Farewell, my love. Keep safe.”

He turned to the two guards, and spoke.

“We should leave soon, but first, have you eaten recently?”

“We had a quick meal before leaving our campsite, but it was not a heavy meal. Is it possible to have something more before we set out, High Chief John?”

Maranga inserted, “All three of you should be fed before you leave here. I will order it done. Will our favourite, meat stew, be acceptable? The vegetables in it are good and we add tasty herbs as well.”

All three nodded happily, and were soon tucking in to their repast. John took the opportunity to ask their names. The talkative one was Tontoto, and the other was Revano. John told them, “When we are travelling, just call me John. I only use my title in more formal occasions.”

Tontoto laughed, “We noticed!”

John grinned back, adding, “Which way do we start out?”

The man looked up through the light cloud at where the sun stood and made his decision. “That way is the general direction. We adjust our heading as we get closer to the tribe.”

They set out, then John asked, “How long to walk there?”

“About a day and a morning. We have to stop overnight somewhere that is safe to sleep.”

“Describe ‘safe’” ordered John.

“Protected from predators like Stripies, in the main.”

“You still have some? They have have become rarities in our territory.”

“Rarities? Your tribes have cleared them out?”

“More or less. The pelts are quite attractive, and so good as trade goods where we don’t want them ourselves.”

“Who did the clearing out? You?”

“Some of them, yes. They kept interfering with building our tribe, so they had to go. So far, no more have tested our territory, but eventually a quartet will venture in and become more pelts.”

“How different is your tribe to others, High Chief?”

“Mostly it is in how we treat the members of our tribe. For example, adult men and women have the same opportunities; no priority for men, just for those who are best at what they do.”

“Eh? How does that work?”

“You may have noticed that Chief Maranga is a woman; that is a given; she was well prepared to be good at that job, so she got it. If the Chief of a tribe can be a woman, so can the Shaman or Maker, or hunter, or warrior; anything at all. In the same way, if a man wants to be a cook or a teacher of children or the wise herbalist of the tribe, why not? All it requires is that he or she be good at the job.”

“But, these jobs have been laid down by tradition as done by a man, or done by a woman!”

“True. This is simply a new tradition, replacing the old one that has outlived its usefulness. The male Maker of the Farfarers is training one of our women as the Maker of my tribe. She is showing a great aptitude for the work, I am happy to say.”

“Don’t the men of the tribe object?”

“Some of them may do, but I ask them: if a woman can do your job, and do it well, what is your objection other than tradition? In the same way, if a man shows a talent for making good food, why shouldn’t he be able to demonstrate it to the tribe. I want to taste good food; I don’t care whether the person who prepared it is a man or a woman. Does it matter?”

“Ah, I see. But a woman can’t be a warrior, surely?”

“Didn’t you note that my honour guard of warriors were all women?”

“Oh. Yes, I noticed they were women, but I thought they were there as a decorative extra to show your power.”

“Bad assumption. Any of these women could probably defeat you in a straight fight, with spear, bow and arrow, or with a knife. I would not suggest you test that claim: you might die suddenly. Most of them have already fought in battle, and won.”

Tontoto fell silent as he thought on what he had just learned. The most important fact was that to assume things from looking is not a good choice. It was also no longer safe to make assumptions on the basis of past tradition, when new traditions were being introduced by this High Chief. His own mind suddenly hit a snag.

“High Chief, when you take over our tribe, will you be introducing these new traditions to it?”

“That would be my intention, but we do not need to rush it. Another change is in marriage. In future, a man does not rule his household, unless his women agree that he should do so. Wives can be just as good as a man in making family decisions, so in future, a family should make decisions together, instead of the man dictating how things must be done. He may be bad at such decisions.”

“But as I have two wives, I will be outnumbered in the decision-making!”

“All the more reason for you to explain to your wives what you propose to do, and why, so that they will see your argument and agree with you if you are right. You surely will want to have decisions made on the basis of good thinking, and not on a whim of yours?”

“No, of course not. Ah, I get it: think first, then show the women why it would be a good decision, and they will go along with it.”

“Probably yes; but if you explain your proposal, they may suggest alterations to make it even better. That would be good, wouldn’t it?”

“Yes, I suppose so. High Chief, you are not just good at words in goading an opponent; you are good at arguing your point at all times. Is this normal for you?”

“It is, for I have a number of wives who feel they have a stake in what happens with our family, so I have to be on my mental toes to argue my viewpoint.”

The three of them talked aver the next few hours about how a tribe was organised, how a family was run, and what rights every individual should have, and at what age they had such rights. They were well on their way when they began to steer round a smallish lake with an island in the middle. John decided to ask about the island.

“Can either of you tell me anything about that island? It is not far from the shore here, yet the far edge of the lake is much more distant. It makes me wonder why the island is there.”

“It is out in the lake, so is unlikely to have any game animals on it. What else would you want to know about it, John?”

“I was thinking that as it is out in the lake, it should be free of predators, unless they are water predators.”

“I know of no water predators there; in fact I don’t even think there are fish in the water.”

“In that case, why don’t we go to the island and spend the night there in safety?”

Tontoto frowned. “It might be too deep to wade that far.”

“Then swim the rest of the way, surely?”

“Swim? What is that?”

“Moving on the water surface using your hands and feet to get there. Have you not seen anyone swimming before?”

“No. Have you, Revano?”

“No, and I am sure the same goes for the rest of the tribe. There is no need to do such a thing.”

“How do you cross deep rivers, then?”

“Move along the bank until there is a shallow place for a crossing, or a tree has fallen across and you can clamber along the tree trunk.”

“I see. Well, I can swim, so if needed I will swim to the island to check it out. You two can cut down some trees and branches and make a raft – a fabrication of wood that will float and take your weight. I can push it across with you on it.”

John left his spear with them and waded into the water until he was thigh deep. He was just about to start swimming when he noticed that it was not getting higher up his body, but stayed steady. He stepped ahead and found the bottom continued fairly level, and he got to the island without having to swim at all. Clearly no-one had previously tested that assumption of being too deep to wade. You had to be able to swim to test it fully.

He set about exploring the little island, and eventually scratched his head in confusion. The surface had some small trees, but mostly around the shoreline, as if from seeds that had floated there. The central area was higher, level and dry, but at last he realised that the entire island was man-made. His memory told him that such ancient lake habitations were known as crannogs, and usually had a path out to the island that either was for wading or was the base for a wooden walkway. He had luckily found that route. The wooden huts had decayed long ago, but the base crannog was still surviving. The original inhabitants had probably moved on centuries ago to find more game and foraging.

It was perfect for spending the night. He called to the two men, and directed them where they could wade across. Revano complained, “I am not as tall as you, John. It will be too deep for me.”

John told him, “Wait there, and continue making your raft. I’ll pull you across on it. It will be useful for me to bring my spear and pack as well, in the same way.”

Before long, they were esconsed on the crannog, and there was enough old and dry wood for a fire. Once John had dived and heaved up some stones from the water, the other two carried them to where the fire would be. Once dried to remove the moisture in the stone, they could act as a protective hearth. They ate some of their food and bedded down for the night, safe from nocturnal animals.

After a restful sleep, they woke up and rekindled the fire to heat some food for breakfast, and made their way back to the lake shore by the same method as before. They then set off towards the tribal area. John continued as he had done yesterday, marking every tenth tree with a bark cut that revealed the underlying wood.

This merely annoyed the other two, who eventually demanded to know the reason.

John explained, “This route is new to me, and it is not a direct line, so I am marking trees to show me the route we took, for when I return home.”

Revano queried, “You are not staying on as the new Chief? I thought you would simply take over the Chief’s job permanently. That is tradition.”

“Tradition again,” John sighed. “Why do you assume that the Chief’s job is more permanent than any other post in the tribe. I will be looking at the leaders of the tribe, to try to estimate which would be best for the job and have the support of the others. When I find that candidate, I will offer him the position of Chief; then I will leave.”

“You will give up the Chief’s position? The highest social level in the tribe? Give it up and depart?” he repeated again, shocked at this concept.

John regarded him with a degree of sympathy, for the traditions of a lifetime are not easy to discard.

“It is all a matter of what is important in your life, Revano. I have a number of wives back at my own tribe. Do you think I should abandon them? I certainly don’t. I will try to make your tribe a better tribe to be part of, and find you a Chief who has the whole tribe’s welfare at heart. If your Chief wants, you can make your tribe a part of my group of tribes who work together, with me being the high Chief in an advisory position for all.”

“That is another new idea, High Chief: tribes cooperating together.”

“It may be new, but it makes sense, if the result is improvements in all the tribes. You surely can’t be afraid of improvements?”

“Of course not, but we shall see what the tribe thinks.”

“Does the tribe have a name for itself? I have not heard a name mentioned.”

“We are the Mountain tribe, as we have a mountain nearby that sends us water in the streams.”

“That sounds fine,” John accepted. “Can we get on with our journey to the tribe?”

By now the idea of marking trees was no longer a surprise, and they took part in identifying each tree to be marked. John pointed out that he always marked a tree at the height of his waist, so that any other mark would not confuse him as he made his way back.

Eventually Tontoto told him that they were close to the tribe’s encampment, and John made a suggestion.

“Allow me to go in front and observe how the tribe watches for strangers or visitors, and how a stranger is welcomed.”

“If you want to, then go ahead. We will be not far behind you.”

The forest track they were using widened out to a more expansive trackway and up a slight hill to the entrance to the tribe’s camp. John noted that only one man with a spear was in attendance at the entranceway. The man was half asleep, but responded when John called out, “Hello the tribe!”

The man lifted his spear, stared at the pale-skinned tall man standing with an erect spear, and demanded, “Who are you, and what do you want?”

John answered, “My name is John and my title is High Chief. Does that answer your question?”

“High Chief? What does that mean? Is it some new sort of Chief?”

“It is. I am in charge of two tribes that have their own Chiefs but ask me for advice and guidance. This tribe might decide to join the others.”

“I don’t know about that, for our Chief Gobango is not friendly to other tribes.”

“I think that will change, for Gobango is no longer Chief.”

“Eh? Why do you say that?”

“Gobango challenged another tribe’s Chief to battle, but lost the battle.”

The man brightened at this news, but sought clarification.

“He lost, you say. Is he injured?”

“No, not injured, merely dead.”

“How do I know that this is true, stranger John?”

“You can ask Tontoto and Revano.”

“The Chief’s guards? Youhave met them?”

John turned and called, “Tontoto! Can you come here please?”

Tontoto and Revano stepped out of the forest edge into view, and greeted the guard.

“Hi, Tengo. You have met our new Chief?”

“New Chief...” he faltered and turned back to face John, fear in his face. “You are the Chief that defeated Gobango?”

“I defeated Gobango, yes. That was not difficult, but I was acting as Champion for Chief Maranga of the Farfarers.”

“Champion? She did not take on the battle herself?”

“No, she is expecting a baby, so she asked me to act in her place. Gobango lost quickly. Technically, that means she is now Chief here as well, but she left it to me to either take over as Chief, or decide on the succession. I will take on the post of Chief until I decide what is best for the Mountain Tribe. Are you allowed to leave your post, or do you have a runner to take messages into the tribe?”

“Umm ... I don’t know. I am new at the guard position.”

“Clearly that is something that will have to change. You should have had relevant knowledge of what to do, before being given the task. Who appointed you to the post?”

“Cravallo. He runs the tribe when Gobango is away.”

“He obviously doesn’t do that well. He will need to be replaced.”

The man’s face went white, and he said, “He is a tough guy, Gobango’s enforcer. You don’t argue with him when he tells you what to do.”

John smiled evilly. “That is the sign of a man who is afraid to listen to other opinions. He is a fool. Lead me to him, Tengo. The gateway will survive for a little without you.”

The man led the way, followed by John, with Tontoto and Revano taking the rear positions. Tengo led them to a hut, and pointed. “That is where you should find Cravallo. I should get back to my post.”

“On you go. Tontoto, is this the right hut for Cravallo? Just to confirm it.”

“It is. Tengo did not lie; he is too scared. Gobango and Cravallo used both huts, but this is where he is now.”

“Hmm ... Sounds like another Gobango type.” He called loudly, “Cravallo! I need you out here.”

After a short delay, the curtain at the doorway was swept aside and Cravallo stood holding his spear.

“Who dares to call like that?”

“Your new Chief; Chief John.”

“What do you mean, new Chief?”

“I defeated Chief Gobango in battle, so according to tradition, I am now Chief. Is that not so?”

The man bristled. “Not while I am around. I defended Gobango from any opponents, so you answer to me!”

“You are defying traditional ways? I am noting that traditional ways have been abandoned by you. Tontoto and Revano: Observe that change from tradition that Cravallo is making.”

Cravallo was standing still, confused by this arguing. He challenged,”Don’t just stand there, bloodless man. Stand up for yourself while I help you depart to the Earth Mother.”

John smiled back. “I am ready. The Earth Mother is ready for you more than me, braggart.”

Cravallo stomped forward and regarded the taller man impassively. He flexed his muscles and commented, “Braggart indeed! Your puny frame is pathetic, and couldn’t stand up to a fist fight, never mind a proper battle. Gobango was a headstrong fool and depended on me to help him rule.”

“I see,” said John. “So you are the idiot behind the fool?”

Cravallo waved his spear towards John.

“Fight or depart, pale man.”

“I don’t need to fight,” declared John. “I am the Chief, and I order you to leave this tribe or die.”

Cravallo was not to be dissuaded.

“Fight, then!”

John adopted a wide stance and held his spear pointing at Cravallo, offering a few short jabs towards the man. Cravallo sneered and swept his spear round to push John’s spear to the side.

John stepped inside the swing and punched him lightly in the ribs. As the other’s spear swung behind John, he stepped back and flicked the butt of his own spear against the man’s forearm. Cravallo’s spear droppped onto the ground.

John retreated to his former place.

“First blow to me, I think,” was his only remark.

Cravallo was stunned at what had just happened: being punched and then disarmed so easily. He automatically grabbed for his dagger and pulled it out, yelling, “Cheat fighting! You don’t know how to fight properly like a man, stranger.”

John again smiled at him and gestured with his free hand. “Proper fighting is winning, surely. Is being killed proper fighting, or is it just stupidity? It seems you are stupid, Cravallo.”

The man lost his temper and rushed John, dagger in hand. John performed the same move as with Gobango; stepped aside and let the dagger go past him, then struck the wrist. The dagger dropped to the ground, but Cravallo was not finished. He reached to grab John in a bear hug, but John’s arms were out from his body, so he brought both fists in to hit Cravallo’s kidneys. The muscular man gasped and released John in order to clasp his aching sides, panting like crazy.

Now with his opponent disarmed and exhausted, John regarded Cravallo with academic interest, wondering if the man would leave quietly, then was surprised when the man staggered then fell forward towards John, landing partly on his shocked face. Standing there behind him, holding a bloody spear in both hands, was a woman; more a teenager. Even more shocking, a second teenager leaned down with a short dagger and sawed inexpertly at the disarmed and badly injured man’s throat, causing a little blood to spout. In moments the man looked almost dead on the ground, already unconscious as his life slowly ebbed away.

John turned to stare at Tontoto and Renavo. They gazed back with innocent faces, until John asked, “What was that about?”

Tontoto shrugged his shoulders, but Renavo admitted, “They are two of Gobango’s women. He lets Cravallo use them in his absence. They didn’t like it, so seeing him unprotected, they took their chance at revenge. I think Cravallo is now dead, more or less.” He stepped a few paces forward, looked down at the still quivering man, and sighed, “Not quite.” He pulled his dagger and expertly sliced open the man’s throat, leading to a gush of blood. “He will be, in a moment or two.”

He wiped his dagger on the man’s clothing, and returned it to its belt scabbard. Seeing this, Tontoto remarked, “I think you will have no more arguments, Chief.”

The two women asked Tontoto, “Is it true, what the stranger said: that Gobango is dead?”

Tontoto said, “It is true. I myself finished him off to save him bleeding to death slowly.”

“Thank you, Tontoto. You were too kind to him. Is this man our new Chief?”

“He is, and he is a good man, I am informed: he told me so, himself.” That was followed by a cheeky grin, and the girls smiled back at his humour.

“So we belong to this man now?”

“According to tribal tradition, yes; but if you want, he says he is willing to allow you to go back to your parents.”

“After being defiled by Obango and Cravallo? You really think so? Highly unlikely that they will take us back; our reputations are lost for ever. If this new Chief will take us and be kind to us, I for one will accept him.” She looked askance at John, who had been surreptitiously listening in.

John said to both women, “I am always nice to my women, when they are nice to me. If you think you might be pregnant, I have medication given me by Chief Maranga of the Farfarers to induce abortion if that is wanted. She has given me instructions on its use, as she expected me to become Chief here.”

The two girls looked at each other and then nodded to John.

“We’ll take the herbs. The others will probably do so as well. Does this also apply to the women that Cravallo took for sex?”

John hesitated, commenting, “Him too?” then agreed, “If there is enough of the treatment to go round, then yes. Chief Maranga would approve, I am sure. Who inherits Cravallo’s women? I defeated him, but you girls and Tontoto actually killed him, one way or another.”

“Oh. We have no idea. Tontoto, do you know the rules regarding Cravallo’s women?”

Tontoto seemed unsure. “Defeating a man is normally the same as killing him, but I am under the impression that the rules talk of killing him. I didn’t give the killing stroke with that in mind, I assure you. High Chief John is most definitely Chief here, despite my slicing Gobango’s throat as he lay dying. That was just a pleasure.”

John decided, “Nonetheless, if Cravallo’s women are happy to transfer to you, that will suit me as well, for I have plenty of women already. I may have six more from Gobango, from what these ladies are saying, and I already have eight or nine pregnant wives back home.”

Tontoto as flustered. “Eight or nine? Holy Earth Mother! You are even more powerful than I thought. Are you going to take Gobango’s six back with you, if you leave?”

“That may be the case, but the ladies will decide for themselves.”

“Oh, yes; you talked that way before, about women.”

The two women overheard this, and asked, “What is this about women deciding for themselves?”

“That is the practice in my tribes: women and men decide things for themselves, equally. A man can only marry a woman or take her as a concubine if she is agreeable to the proposal. It is her decision to accept or not as much as it is his to ask. I have sometimes found that I did not have to ask: I was told that I had a new woman.”

“Astonishing,” was all that Tontoto had to say. The ladies looked more interested than ever.

John enquired, “Is there anyone else I have to defeat, or is that the lot that will object to my takeover as Chief?”

One of the women offered, “These two were the bullies; no-one else showed such leanings. They took what they wanted; never asked. It is justice that their lives were taken in return.”

John agreed, “It was indeed justice. Can you ladies show me to the Chief’s hut, where I presume his other female captives are waiting?”

He turned before they could reply, blandly assuming agreement.

“Tontoto, I leave you to introduce yourself to Cravallo’s victims and make sure they will be happy from now on. It is my instruction as Chief.”

The two women he had asked for directions merely pointed the way, and led John to the Chief’s hut. It was larger than the surrounding huts; an attempt at control by being imposing. That was a ‘given’ for a hierarchical social structure. The two women walked inside with a confidence they now had, announcing, “Gobango is dead. We now all belong to Chief John. He also defeated Cravallo, so the tribe is now clear of that reign of terror.”

Several women appeared near the door, looking fearful, but one remained on her bed, sobbing in relief. John Asked his two female accomplices, “Why is she sobbing? She is free.”

“Probably relief that Gobango will not return. She is badly bruised and her arm is damaged, as she stood up to Gobango’s threats; she is still in a lot of pain. Nobody dared go get her some herbal relief.”

“Well, someone should get her some pain relief right away, while I see about that arm.”

The two dashed off to look for that medication. John walked inside the dim hut, lit only with what looked like a rush light. He knelt down by the woman with the painful arm. From what little he could see, she had bruises on arms and face, and she held one arm in a way that suggested it was broken.

“I am told you were a brave woman, my dear. Bravery must be tempered with care, though. May I kiss your lips to say thank you for your determination?”

She tearfully allowed him to kiss her carefully, and John passed on some of his healing nanites in the process. She was surprised at how gently he kissed her, with no sign of forcing himself on her. No man had even kissed her before, nor even asked to do so; just sought to fuck her if she would give in to it. She had always refused, with some energy, but Gobango was wearing her down. This man was different, and now he was asking a new question.

“Now, where is the damage to your arm? I am sure you can point it out to me.”

Wordlessly, she pointed to her forearm, and almost touched the tender spot. John observed and concluded that it was a definite break in the forearm, probably the ulna as that would be held up in an attempt at defence. There was no obvious deflection in the arm, so he decided that a splint would work in keeping the arm steady for the healing to work.