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CHAPTER 2
He learned that her name was Lena, often referred to as Luna, since it was believed her mother conceived the female child on the night of a full moon. The people of her tribe did not know yet what it meant, their leader truly did not either, but the remnants of a spoken language and understanding were beginning.
They gave each other names and also certain grunts and guttural inflections denoted labels for animals or creatures they had run into and killed when necessary. Bones had a name: tacha. So did food: ceem. No one really knew where these names came from and no one cared. It just was what it was.
Jon's tribe was similar in many ways but their language and ceremonies were not so sophisticated. They often merely thumped their chests, beating on one another while others – mostly women and children – stayed in the background and hit rounded stones together while watching the men's activities.
Still, if Jon knew anything about a cave society, erudite or not, it was they respected a member who could provide for everyone in their clan.
And this was how Jon made himself known to Lena's people. He knew he had little time to waste. Soon the cold time would come and he would no longer be able to travel outside. The white rain would fall and he had seen both men and women of his tribe disappear in it only to reappear dead during the thaw.
Jon, as he hunted, thought about his future. He not only desired the chief's daughter but also his people. One day their leader would be no more and Jon, ambitious and sure of his young self, was determined to take his place. It was his birthright as the son of a king and if it was not going to happen within his own tribe he would find one he could control. He would then turn all the men into warriors, have them dominate the area, and become a force to be reckoned with under his command.
But it would take time. Jon was a patient male if nothing else. When he had established himself as the Alpha male of this new tribe, he would not only take what he desired but also what the world, and his old tribe, owed him.
/
On the night of the celebration, establishing the turning of the warm months into the cold, as the darkness came early and the night air chilled, Lena felt something strange come into their cave. It was not just the fermented drink her father passed to all, or the merriment, the abundant food, men and woman proud that they had stored enough supplies for those days when the hunt would be bad, as it always was during the white rain.
Lena sensed something more; frightening and exciting.
She had received the same tingling sensation near the fresh water earlier in the day. Such things came to her more often the older she got.
Once she noticed her mother reacting the same as she and wondered if she too had this gift of insight, something their gods had perhaps granted to healers of any given tribe. Occasionally, they would trade with a tribe just east of their area and when she and mother conversed and exchanged magical powders Lena would want to ask their shaman if he too had such a gift.
But she feared the admission. For if it was found that she had such an ability, if it was deemed evil, her tribe might be considered undesirable and be cast out of such exchanges between tribes. Lena's mother certainly never said anything although she and her daughter would often exchange glances when they mutually sensed something was amiss.
This happened on the night of Lena's man's death. He was fair-haired and simple and had gone on a hunt one day with three others and never returned. The men came back with the news, indicating there was nothing left of him to return for burial, but she and mother knew what had happened even before the revelation. He had been attacked and eaten by one of the big flying monsters. It had come from the hills, saw him, and seized him. He had provided food for her babies.
A bad time.
Lena remembered him and the vision vividly. They had been together one year, both he and she were practically children themselves, but he and father had been disappointed that she had not become big with his off-spring in that time.
She had grieved. Despite his inexperience, clumsiness as both a mate and provider, he was a good man.
However, as the daughter to their king, she was afforded the luxury of time others were not. Her father did not immediately insist she attach herself to another man although there were many who volunteered. He, with his woman's advisement, decided Lena would make her own choice of a second mate. Lena knew it was her duty but none had come to her that she deemed worthy. The Chief was disappointed but allowed his stubborn daughter the gift of time.
Many of the demonstrations of staff fighting and wrestling were for her benefit, Lena knew. The men hoped to impress her. Some did but she was not yet ready for a new companion. She tested her father's latitude often but he was wise enough to know she was loyal and one day would make the correct choice.
He merely needed to be patient.
Then, she felt the tingle and knew whatever it was she had sensed by the water was here in the cave as well. Her eyes searched the crowd as the men fought with staffs. Lena saw a new face. He stood to the back, watching the fighters, his furs darker than their own. He was young and had an intense expression on his bearded, hawk-like face. Lena thought him handsome but she feared him. Not just because he was a stranger and no one but she seemed to notice their secure cave had been breached but because she felt that they were connected in some strange way.
Or, one day, they would be connected.
Lena tried to meet her mother's gaze but this time they were not linked. The older woman was enjoying the show.
She watched as the dark man tore his attention away from the demonstration and his vision took in the enthusiastic crowd. His look was serious, hard and calculating. He then slowly backed up even further and slowly made his way out of the cave.
Lena shivered.
/
The following afternoon he tossed the carcass of a dead pig-like animal at the feet of the tribe's leader. The two men stood in front of one another, Jon being very tall and dark and the chief grey and much shorter. He looked from the beast to the male warrior who held a long staff and had indicated he wanted to join their tribe. This was his offering.
The Chief was impressed and so were many of the tribe's women. They had never seen anything quite like him; so tall, muscular and powerful. He wore a necklace of large sharp teeth around his neck, obviously trophies of his many kills.
The women kneeled near the offering, petting it and cooing their approval: "Ceeeeem." they uttered. It was hard to find and capture fresh meat other than river life these days. Many a night their men had returned with nothing. If it was not for their many frost-room items they could all starve during the cold time.
The men, only a few who were not out hunting, stood away from the newcomer and appraised him. They were not yet certain they wanted another male in their tribe. Yet, if he could teach them something new, either to hunt or fight, none were above welcoming Jon to their clan. But they would have to observe him closely. If they found he did not fit in he would be expelled. It had happened many times over the years, a stranger attempting to usurp the authority of their Chief. His people were faithful and would not let it happen.
Jon watched as children, several boys and a few girls - far too many females he thought – came out from various smaller caves and alcoves within the bigger cave to gawk at him.
Impetuous, Jon thumped his chest then spread his fingers as if to encompass the cave and its people. He wanted an answer from their leader.
The man nodded just as Lena and a few others arrived, carrying in fire wood.
Startled, Lena dropped what she had been holding and looked at the newcomer in shock. Their eyes met, his triumphant and hers somewhat frightened.
Yes, he thought, she would be his very soon..
Her and more.
/
More to come.
Thank you Becky and Karen for your help.