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CHAPTER FIVE

A JOINING OF BLOOD

The tribe already had a big fire going, and the men and women were busy skinning and butchering the deer that arrived first. I addressed the Elders; at Kiraat's insistence, as I was responsible for returning the young hunters, bringing the snow-leaper people to help us and the large kill. “Elders! I have returned from my death thanks to my new friends, tribesmen and my mate!" Here I put an arm around Mearoo and introduced her. “This is Mearoo! She and her tribe are different than us, but no different than the many other tribes that came together to make our tribe!

I saw some of the Elders smile in acceptance of this truth while a few were still trying to understand who or what they were. “I have heard the amazing story of how they came to be, but it is not my story to tell. When we sit around the great fire tonight to feast, you can ask their Leader Merkansoo here," I paused and turned to Merkansoo who nodded and smiled. I almost laughed at the gasps of surprise by some of the young and the old at the sight of his sharp canine teeth!

“Will tell you their story! For now know that they saved my life, the life of the other young hunters, came to help all of us because by being chosen by Mearoo as her mate, I became a member of their tribe too!" This gave the Elders and the rest something to think about as this was a different way than ours. But new ways are sometimes good, as they cause you to think about the old and the new and if both are equally as important or even needed.

At this point Merack stepped forward and said “Jakool, son of Randu. We the elders have heard your words and will listen to what Merkansoo and his people have to say. For now let us work together in the task at hand! Preparing For A FEAST!" He shouted the last part, so all would know that now was the time for celebrating not questions or stories! I grinned as Merack came up to me and gave me the greeting of equals! He smile and said “You have shown great courage and wisdom. I want to hear what Merkansoo has to say as soon as possible." I heard something wrong in his voice and looked at him closely. I realized he looked older and tired! There were new lines on his face around his eyes and around his mouth. I said “Merack. They are offering to allow all of us to join their tribe. We can save our tribe in this way."

Merack looked at me in surprise at my words then asked “Is this true? What do they want from a poor tribe like ours?" He said not believing the good news I gave him. “They want our tribe to help them by mating with them!" That caused Merack to guffaw in laughter and he looked up quickly to see Mearoo helping Nada skin a deer, Samalaa and Mahendra another! “I see! Does Mearoo's choice of 'you' as a mate have something to do with this offer?" “No. They will explain their reasons tonight at the feast. I am not sure I understand them myself."

I took a deep breath and told Merack the condition they set for joining with them. “They will accept us 'Only' if all wish to join. That is the one condition! They are a very old people and have an enemy tribe that hunted them for their skins, until they moved high up into the cloud stabbers, I mean Fingers of Rock", Merack interrupted me with a grin saying “I like Cloud Stabbers better! Easier to say! But I cannot speak for all. You know this." “I know", I answered then told him the rest of the condition. “They will not allow anyone who refuses to join to live. They cannot as they can be made to tell others they exist and where they live. It is the only way they will accept us."

Merack frowned then asked “So if someone like Larkar", he turned and looked around for Larkar, finally seeing him working on a deer with Darshita helping him. He looked like he was gritting his teeth and his face showed anger! I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked to see Merkansoo watching us watching Larkar! “I sent Darshita to work with him. He was not pleased but allowed it only because she had saved him a great injury and maybe his life! He is troubled in some way?" Merkansoo asked politely. Merack answered him as he knew the problems of Larkar better than I.

“Larkar was in a tribe that were all killed by a very bad tribe! They waited until the hunters had gone to attack the Elders, Women and Children! They killed them in slow horrible ways after taking the women repeatedly." When the hunting party returned to their camp, they were ambushed by the killers! Larkar was at the rear and saw everyone else get killed by the surprise attack! He turned and fled even though he was wounded. They tracked him for suns before he lost them in a very bad many trees. "Merkansoo showed more emotion then than I had seen from him since our meeting. “We will do everything we can to help him overcome his loss, his grief and his anger. You said this other tribe were cruel killers? Did they have a name?"

He looked fierce when he asked Merack this question. Merack nodded slowly and answered “They call themselves Krieg. When they attack they come at you yelling this name!" Merkansoo said to me “I believe that this was no accident that led you to us Jakool!" He turned to face Merack and said “We will help your tribe to recover and to grow again. How you do this is up to you. I have made an offer to Jakool to allow your entire tribe to join ours. I only made one condition!" Merack nodded and said “Jakool told me the condition and the reason. I understand why you do this ,but I do not speak for the whole tribe or even all the Elders. This must be discussed by all before any decision is reached." Merkansoo gave Merack a nod and replied “As you should do, as we would do. But understand that Jakool here has vowed that any who do not join with us, he will kill himself." Merack looked at me for a moment then back to Merkansoo and smiled as he said “He is young, and not so big, but I would not wish to tell him I refuse to join!"

Merkansoo said “Neither would I! I have seen him today in the hunt! For one so small he is very brave and wise!" I had heard enough as I felt my face and ears burning with the red flush of embarrassment at such praise! I turned and said to Mearoo. “Let us help with the deer, so we can eat! I am starving!" Causing her to laugh as I grabbed her hand and ran over to where the remaining deer were laid out. Even with so many working, it took hours to skin, butcher and prepare so much meat! One group of men and women were working on the skins as they needed to clean them of all flesh before wetting them in a nearby stream. They would then start rubbing them with their stone scrapers to remove more of the flesh and fat. They would be repeating this several times over the next few suns.

Once only the skin and fur remained, they would rub them with oils made from the fat and brains of the animal.

When the entire skin was treated, they would start stretching them on wood racks raised over the fire pits for curing them. Another group was already cooking the deer meat in different ways for the feast and for the suns to come. Mearoo and I worked on skinning the deer; as we both worked well together in this task.

Once all were skinned we started on the butchering. She would hold large pieces like the haunch, so I could cut it from the body with my knife. With so much to do, I was surprised when I saw the shadows on the ground and turned to see the sun slipping behind the hills! I looked around and saw that almost all the meat was cooked, the other dishes prepared and hides brought out to sit on around the great campfire.

We washed up in the stream and drank deeply as we were thirsty from the work, then joined the rest at the campfire. We sat with Merack, Kiraat, Bamal, Merkansoo, Pathak, Gaieaa and Darshita in a group. Merack had requested we do this, so all could hear both the story of how I survived and met the snow-leaper people. Before they had heard my story; and Merkansoo's, Everyone concentrated on eating, drinking and giving the snow-leapers choice bits from every dish! Mearoo responded by making faces at some of them, 'Oohs' of surprise at others and outright joy at some! We also shared touches, caresses, long kisses and lots of joking and teasing! The rest of the tribe were also getting to know our new friends and it was easy to see they were being affected by their scent, just as I was by them.

I laughed at the sight of Pathak and Gaieaa enjoying the attentions of Darshita and Merkansoo while we ate. Gaieaa turned to me and said “Now I understand how you ended up becoming Mearoo's mate! I have not felt like this in a very long time!" A sudden pinch by Merkansoo on her right breast stopped her from saying anymore! Pathak was trying to keep from mauling Darshita's fur covered breasts as she smiled and played with him, knowing he couldn't resist her!

Once we had satisfied our hunger for food; and the Elders had gotten to know both Merkansoo and Darshita better, Merkansoo said “It is time you hear of how my people came to be. Mearoo?" I gave her a look of surprise which she answered by saying “I am the Keeper of the First Cave. As a direct descendant of both of the First, I have the honor and duty to tell their story." I smiled as Mearoo took over and told them of her heritage directly back to that First pair! She told them of the cave where they lived; where she met and mated with me.

She explained this is where the records of this; and other stories of their tribe, were carved and painted on the walls. Once she finished Merack said “I think this is a good time to hear Jakool's story!" All agreed and I was now going to tell my first story! It was as much a part of becoming an adult as making your first kill and mating with your first woman!

As the Elders listed to my story I found myself realizing just how incredible it sounded! It was one thing to experience such events, but quite another to tell them to a group! They were very quiet as I told of the Rough Fur attack, the run into the many trees, the Rough Fur chasing me, Mearoo exploding out of the snow to attack the Rough Fur so I could hide in a burrow! No one interrupted me until I told of the dream I had in the First Cave by the lake. Gaieaa stopped me and asked “You had this dream just as you have told us?" “Yes Gaieaa. It was very strange, as I did not know of Mearoo's people then. It was not until after I found her waiting for me; and we mated, that I learned the story behind the dream." Gaieaa asked “This was a true dream? It was real?" I started to answer but Mearoo answer for me instead! “Yes it was! Jakool dreamed of the First! The first Man and the First Female snow-leaper to mate, have cubs and live together!"

Gaieaa turned to Pathak and asked him “Is it possible? Does he have the 'True Seeing'?" I did not know what they meant by this and asked. “What do you mean, True Seeing'. Pathak answered me by explaining “We call what you say happened a 'True Dream'. We say that the ones that have them have 'True Seeing'. We believe that some are given these dreams by the Sky Spirits or other Spirits for some reason. We do not know that reason. We only know that it does not happen very often." I asked “Why have I not heard of this before now?" Gaieaa said “Because you, me and Tivash are the only ones that have it. She only speaks to me about her dreams. This is so I can help her understand them. She is still young and the dreams sometimes make her very afraid. Was this your first True Dream?" “Yes it was." I answered her. “Well then how were we to know?" She pointed out ! I had to agree with her! “I think I understand now. I was very confused at first; until Mearoo told me the story of the First!" I said after a few moments.

“Go on with your story Jakool!" Merack said stopping the talk of 'The Sight' for now. I told of my first meeting with Mearoo, the affect she had on me and our mating! There was plenty of interest in this, as it was much different than how we usually mated. Merack said at the point where I had lost consciousness “I would have probably died! It is good that you were the first to mate with them Jakool!

I worry that some of 'us' may not survive their first mating with them!' He gave both Pathak and Gaieaa a stare so they knew he meant them! “I don't know, but I can't think of a better way to die!' Gaieaa said to many laughs and chuckles. Pathak looked more thoughtful then asked “Merkansoo? When we get old, we lose much of our strength. It is a real concern for some of us." Merkansoo replied “We know. We have many Elders that no longer mate. But they are honored, respected and needed by their tribe!"

Darshita turned to Pathak and put her paw on his loincloth above his man-pole and said “We can be very gentle when mating with those with less strength. We consider it an honor to mate with our Elders." Pathak swallowed hard and we all saw the flush of blood rushing to his face as she gently rubbed him there. “I can see that you are still able. I will be very gentle with you 'If' you decide you wish to mate with me." Merack and Gaieaa both laughed at his face and his unusual silence! “What? No quick reply? No Story?" Bamal said teasing him a little. Pathak gave him a glare that caused more laughter!

Thinking I should continue, I told them of the symbols on the cave walls; and Mearoo explaining them to me, and of the First's ability to count large numbers of things! They were all surprised to hear of this and listened closely as I told of his using 'two fingers' joined together to show 'two hands' of things! “That is not something any of his kind have ever done! At least not the ones that have been in our tribe." Pathak said." Merkansoo replied “There is a reason he knew this. I will tell it only after you have joined with us. It is something not shared with others outside of our tribe." Pathak would have asked more but he was stopped by Gaieaa saying “Yes. We understand Merkansoo. Please continue Jakool" I told them of how I had forgotten about them; until I was reminded, when Mearoo and I were sharing stories. I became upset as I told of how Mearoo had not understood me, and attacked me when I said I had to return to my tribe. I told of how I waited for her to return but finally left realizing she was not coming back!

They were very surprised; and a little confused as to why I was upset while telling them! “I cannot explain to you what I do not understand myself! I felt as if I had just lost my brother, my father and mother at one time!" I said trying to find a way to describe my feeling when she attacked me then left me!

Mearoo put her arms around me as she spoke. “When an Oohman mates with one of us, it is different. We have seen this in our own tribe many times. They are so strongly affected by our scent, they form a strong bond to the one they mate with. But once they mate with another of us, they usually no longer try to stay with the first one. Is this different with you?" she asked them. The best answer was given by Merack who said “Sometimes a young one will believe that they will not have as good an experience with someone else after their first mating. This is common and usually is 'cured' when he finds that any of the women will now mate with him! So in that we are the same. But it is rare for older adults to mate only with each other. It does happen, but not often."

Mearoo nodded and said “I think this is different somehow. I do not know how as Jakool was my first mating and I his. So we do not understand yet why we feel as strongly about each other as we do! I somehow 'knew' when he appeared in the First Cave that he was supposed to be my mate! Not just for that first mating!" Merkansoo added “In our tribe, we mate with many to have as many young as possible. Do you also do this?" Merack said “Yes. As long as the land will support that many we wish to grow in numbers and strength." Merkansoo replied “So you see we are alike in this. But we also have those that prefer one mate over all others." He turned and looked at Darshita who said “I prefer Merkansoo as my mate. He also prefers me. But we both understand the need to mate with others and we do. There are some that will only mate with one mate. In this we are the same."

I told the rest of the story finishing with arriving in time to help the tribe hunt the deer and our return to the camp. “It is a story that will be remembered by all". Pathak said to me. This was how I knew that he would make sure the story was added to the ones that were put on the cave walls and told to all the young around the fires at night. Merkansoo spoke next and told of the time between the First and now. We listened as he told of the times other Men had wandered into the cloud stabbers and became mates of the evolving snow-leaper people. He told of small families and tribes; that were fleeing from tribes like the Krieg, that attacked and killed for territory, belongings, food and pleasure! I started to see the long amount of time between the First and them ,as he told us stories of bravery, sacrifice, blood bonds and bitter losses when they encountered the Krieg!

“They came from the Great Salt Water in the East. We know this as you do." Merkansoo said explaining how the killing started. “We had come down from the cloud stabbers as it got colder and colder there. To stay would of meant death to all of us! The great sheets of ice came further and further down the cloud stabbers, until they reached into the great flat lands beyond the hills! The many trees there died and the animals either died or fled here before us! We followed the streams and rivers until we reached a place of many tall trees, unlike any we have here now. It took a full season to cross it and ended in great low wet lands, that emptied into the Great Salt Water. It was filled with all the things we needed and settled there.

Merkansoo turned his head and spat on the ground then said something in his own tongue before continuing. “My ancestors were there so I speak this from their memories!" He had explained to the Elders about the racial memory they possessed, so they understood how they were able to remember all of their history. “We were out hunting the great one horned beast that lived in the many trees and the long grass. It is a great, strong beast; and becomes very angry when attacked! Its hide is like stone and you have to attack it at the neck and underneath to kill it! We were tracking a small herd of them when we came across tracks of men. We didn't recognize them; as we were familiar with the tribes around us, but were not alarmed. That changed when we came to a great river that runs from the cloud stabbers to the Great Salt Water, right through the many trees. It was there that we were attacked with no challenge or warning. Several died before we even knew we were being attacked!

Our hunting party was large; as the one horned beast is a dangerous prey, so we were able to fight back and kill some of their attackers! We had started to win the fight when the attackers ran! Like frightened long ears, they leaped into the thickest part of the many tall trees and disappeared! We lost eight that sun. We thought it was over and continued on the hunt, but that night they attacked us again! To shorten the story I will say they attacked us when we least expected it, then would disappear before we could kill more than a few! We didn't know why they kept attacking us until we left the hunt to retreat back to our village. It was then we came across some of the bodies of our dead brothers. Their hide was stripped from their flesh, their teeth an claws taken! These killers were hunting us like we hunted game! Only they didn't do it for food! They wanted our skins!" This caused a stir among the Elders! Pathak asked “They took the skins off of your dead? Or were they alive when they did this?"

Merkansoo gazed at Pathak with a piercing look that made me feel as if he was looking into his mind. “What do you know of this?" Merkansoo asked him. Pathak said in reply “The killers we told you about. They did this to all they tortured and killed! If they captured you, they would string up between two trees and use you as a practice for their spears! They made sure they didn't hit anything that caused a quick death! Many times they would start cutting the skin off of them before they were dead! They wear the skin as a trophy!" Merkansoo replied “We know. Most of ours they trade, but some they keep along with the head, claws and teeth! They believe it gives them our strength and cunning!" Pathak sighed and said “Many believe such things. But to take the skin from someone in that way? It shows a cruel people that enjoy torture and killing!"

I saw what they were trying to tell each other and spoke up “The Krieg and our killer tribe are the same?" It was Gaieaa that answered my question “We know they attacked us when we crossed over from where the sun goes to sleep, to the coast with the Great Salt Water where the sun wakes up. Not at first, but later when we moved up the coast to the mouth of that river! Could it be the same river that you told us your tribe settled near?" Merkansoo thought hard then asked “Did yours have marshes and low wet lands that ran from the bottom of the hills to the Great Salt Water?" Pathak answered as he was the keeper of our records “Yes it did! We gathered the wild grain seeds that grew in abundance there!" Merkansoo said “Then it is the same tribe! We now have a common enemy as well as blood ties".

Bamal suddenly spoke “I have already decided. The tribe that treats us as you have and hate our enemy..Has me as a member!" I was surprised by his sudden decision but even more so when Pathak, Gaieaa, Merack and Nada all said the same! Merkansoo look at them then asked “So what happens now?" I looked around at the Elders wondering the same thing! Merack smiled and said “We will present your offer to the rest of the tribe tomorrow after the celebration feast tonight. Many will be in very good moods after this meal and the mating!" Merkansoo smiled at this clever idea and said “Good! I am hesitant to ask this.." He paused giving them the opening to ask him “What is it? You can ask us anything!" Merkansoo still looked hesitant but finally said “I wish to discuss Larkar."

That was a surprise to some of the Elders! “Larkar? What about Larkar?" Merack asked. But I knew, Bamal knew and Merack knew what worried Merkansoo. Darshita actually spoke “Larkar is different. I have spent time with him and I can tell you that he is hurting inside! He is filled with grief, anger and rage! He is a danger to himself and to others!" This honesty about Larkar was needed and I knew it. Merack slowly nodded agreement then said “We have tried everything we know!

We do not give up on one of our own because they are in trouble!" Darshita replied quickly to make herself clear “I am not saying you should! I am saying that we may be able to help him." She had everyone's attention as she spoke quickly and quietly so as not be overheard. I snorted as the celebration was going well around us and no one was paying any attention to us!

I glanced around to be sure and saw several of the new adult hunters already paired off with either a snow-leaper female or one of our females! I turned back to the conversation to hear Darshita say “He wants to be alone yes? But why does he want to be alone? Because seeing this" She waved an arm around her at the tribe enjoying themselves “Makes his pain even greater! He will either go off one sun and not return until he finds his revenge, or is helped to lose the hate in his heart." “How?" I asked her directly feeling a fear in my own heart about Larkar! Darshita looked at me and said “The same way that Mearoo helped you. He needs someone as special as Mearoo to help him through this." Merack said “We have tried this. Unfortunately none of our women could stand his constant anger." Darshita nodded and said “Yes. I understand as I have spent time with him. But there is someone that might be able to do this. She is not here now but if you decide to join us, then Larkar will meet her when we go to our home.

I wondered who this mystery person was, as I thought I had met all the snow-leaper tribe! I asked and was greeted with a chuckle from Merkansoo who said “This is just the scouting party that went to find you remember?" I slapped my forehead as I did remember Merkansoo telling me this before. Merack asked “I did want to ask just how many are your tribe?" Merkansoo replied “We are as many as the number of suns in ten hands of seasons." I was shocked as I had no idea that the tribe was so large! Merack stared at him as if he was not sure he heard him correctly! Pathak said “I believe that means that your females still bear many young at once?" Darshita gave him a smile and said “You are very wise! That is correct. We usually have between two and five children at once. We do not have as much pain and problems as Ooh-mans do giving birth.

I suddenly realized what that meant! I turned to look at Mearoo who was grinning at me! “You didn't tell me!" I said in surprise at her keeping this from me!" Mearoo said with a laugh “I thought that I would surprise you when they were all born!" Everyone had a good laugh as I just stared at her not sure what to do! “Why does this trouble you Jakool? You will have plenty of help and by the looks of things you won't be the only father of many children!"

I gave Mearoo a sour look then looked around us again to see that Kika was just becoming a full man with Janai, Harit with Hardika, Lavar with Sheena, Garath with Cecina and Timbu with Tivash! I had to grin then as I turned back to Mearoo and said “You will have to help me hunt for so many! I am but one poor man!" I had to duck her paw as she swung it playfully at my face! “I have enough scratches!" I said growling a little at her!

She looked at me in surprise then realized from my face, I was only teasing her, so she just made some noises in her throat and I pretended to be frightened! Bamal laughed at our play and said “If this is how you act once mated, I need a mate too!" Merack gave a snort then said “You've already mated every female we have! Merkansoo! Beware of this one! He will wear your women out with his need to mate!" Merkansoo gave a laugh then said “I believe that Bamal will find our females quite able to keep up with him! Just ask Jakool!" I was busy with Mearoo just then and couldn't say anything as my lips were on hers! Pathak asked “If your tribe is a large as you say, how do you keep from hunting and gathering an area until it can no longer support you?" It was a very good question! I realized as that many would need a lot of food, hides and all the things we made from our kills and the materials where we lived.

Merkansoo said “We do not all live in one place. We have many villages in valleys protected from the worst of the winter storms, camps in places we hunt, fish and gather in and many caves are in the cloud stabbers. They make very good places to stay and to store food." I wondered about this and almost asked him how many such caves, but a sudden move by Mearoo to capture my lips again kept me from asking this question. I was not until later when we were alone that she told me not to ask that question until everyone had agreed to join.

Merkansoo continued “We have always been careful in how we hunt. We only kill what we can from one area then move to another to give it time to have more animals there. We do the same in the waters and rivers we fish, the many trees and long endless grass, where we gather plants, fruits, berries and nuts." Pathak nodded and said “Very wise! We try to do the same but since we have become less in number, we do not have this problem." Merkansoo did bring up one more problem “Jakool and I discussed how some Ooh-mans have great trouble breathing high in the cloud stabbers. We recognized this problem as more Ooh-mans came into the cloud stabbers and joined our tribe. Some were able to adapt, but others couldn't.

Several died before we found that we needed to bring them up into the cloud stabbers slowly. This gives them time to adapt. This is one reason we have places in the deep valleys. Here they can breathe much easier."

Gaieaa and Nada were impressed with the explanation and the wisdom it showed. Nada asked “Have you tried to use the breathing herbs to make the lungs and throat bigger?" Merkansoo looked surprised then said “No. We do not have this healing though we have many others.

Your Healer Paasi can do this?" Nada nodded and said “Yes. I can too and so can Gaieaa and several others in our tribe. Merkansoo smiled and said “This is very good news! I will wait until all have decided; and we reach one of the villages in a valley, to show you why this is important to us." It was now getting late and I wanted to go off with Mearoo and mate! I was young and had led a successful hunt that sun. So even if I was not interested in any of the other woman who were available to mate with, I wanted Mearoo!

I turned and whispered to her “I want you." She smiled and gave me a nibble on my ear and said “Me too." We left them still talking and went out of sight of the campfire. I knew that others would be in the cave, so I led Mearoo to the banks of the stream that was near. There was soft grasses on the banks so I knew we would be comfortable there. I wanted to kiss, touch and please her as she pleased me! We spent some time pleasing each other; ending in another strenuous mating that left me spent, exhausted and happy! We fell asleep nestled against each other's bodies; as was becoming our custom, while all thoughts of the problems discussed that sun disappeared in sleep.

The next morning we were up early and bathed in the stream. We had both worked hard the sun before and wanted to get the blood, sweat and dirt off of our bodies. “I am going to need new hides" I commented as I washed out my loincloth and my fur. Mearoo said “There is plenty of new hide now. We just need to finish curing it." This was true and it got me thinking about how long it would take us to get ready to leave. The same thought occupied the Elders of both tribes when we returned to the main camp sight. Merkansoo, Darshita, Denala, Farkis and Janai were gathered together with Bamal, Merack, Pathak, Gaieaa and Nada. “We should join them" I said sure they were discussing how long it would take to be ready. “I believe we can be ready more quickly If we make use of the new hide to make huts." Kiraat said. Merack disagreed saying “We will need that hide to make layers to wear in the cold of the cloud stabbers!"

I looked at the faces of our Elders and realized it might take longer to decide how to prepare than to actually prepare! I looked at Merkansoo who stood with his arms crossed listening to them argue. I asked Mearoo quietly “We will need much heavier hides than the deer won't we?" Mearoo replied “Yes you will. Your people will not be ready for the cold. Rough Fur, Bharal and Masama would be best. Oh! Masama is what we call the very long haired and long necked grass eaters!" I remembering my journey tracking her and how I came close to freezing to death! “Should we use the hide for huts?" I asked her. She replied “What are huts?" I had to explain 'huts' to her. “When we journey long distances, we make shelter from hides we have put together and tied too long poles. This gives us protection from the wind, rain and snow. We can have fires in them to keep the people warm in the cloud stabbers." Mearoo thought about this and asked “Can you cut the wood poles in the many trees on the cloud stabber slopes? It would be easier than carrying them all the way from here."

I replied “A good suggestion! Now we just have to convince them" I said meaning the Elders who were still arguing over hides, how much food was needed and what needed to be brought with us. I spoke up “Mearoo and I have talked about this. I have been in the cloud stabbers and can tell you that the deer hides are not thick enough to keep us warm. The wind is strong and the cold much worse than you know. I almost froze to death twice before I managed to find shelter in caves and make a fire. My furs were useless after a few hours. The huts make more sense as we can build fires in them to keep everyone warm." Merack looked at me then said “That will not help us on the trail, only when we stop." Mearoo quickly said “We have much heavier furs from the cloud stabber animals we hunt and keep for food and other uses. Our tribe will meet us in the hills before we get high into the cloud stabbers with the furs." Merkansoo smiled when Kiraat turned to him and asked “Is this true? Why didn't you say something! We've been arguing over nothing!" In a voice filled with frustration.

Merkansoo said to him “No Kiraat. Not for nothing. This is how we learn about each other. I wanted to see if you would think to 'ask me' if I could help you with this decision. You didn't, but Jakool asked Mearoo!" Bamal looked puzzled then Merack made a comment “It seems we need to learn we now have friends and allies Kiraat. We are no longer alone." Merkansoo's smile turned into a grin as he said “Yes! Now you understand! Do you wish my advice?" Kiraat gave a grin then said “Of course we do!"

Merkansoo then replied “Don't bring more than you actually need. There is plenty of food between here and the cloud stabbers we can hunt and gather. The huts are a good idea, but wait until we are in the many trees high in the hills to cut any wood you need. You do not need to bring much water as we will cross several rivers, streams and pass some large waters and great waters."

I immediately thought of the large water in the cave and started to say something, but Mearoo gave me a look that I now knew meant to be silent. Darshita added “Bring all your healing herbs, potions, weapons and tools. Remember that some of your people will need to be helped on the journey. Especially in the cloud stabbers!" Pathak asked “I would like to ask if we can find a way to use these preparations to mix our tribes together? While doing all that needs to be done? This will allow everyone to learn while working and playing together. This is the most important preparation we need to make!" Gaieaa agreed saying “We have so much to learn from each other we should start now!" Merkansoo smiled and said “This is very wise advice which we should follow. All of it." No one disagreed with him or the others so it was decided.

Merkansoo, Mearoo, Denala and Janai started to work with Pathak, Gaieaa, Merack and Bamal on putting together the two tribes into work groups and assigning them tasks that needed doing. I was tasked with rounding up all the hunters and find out which ones had mated with snow-leaper females. Nada was finding out which of our females mated with snow-leaper males during the celebration. I said “Kika find out who mated with which snow-leaper females and bring that information to me. I will be with the Elders."

Kika nodded as I turned and went to where the Elders were now splitting up to oversee the work groups. Noticing Larkar standing off to one side watching the group working on the hides, Darshita cleverly mentioned that they were having trouble with the curing now they were to be used to make huts instead of hides for clothing. She spent some time drawing him into a conversation about the best way to cure and stretch the hides, then join them together so they would keep out the wind and snow. They would need to protect the people from them in the cloud stabbers. Larkar listened as she told him what Gaieaa had explained what they remembered from the stories of the past. It had been many generations since they had used huts as we had been in our cave a long time.

Larkar listened carefully so he would understand her then nodded and said “Nada and Gaieaa have many ways of joining hide but not against cold and snow. The air is dryer in the cloud stabbers yes?" Darshita said “Yes it is! It blows hard then will change directions so quickly that it can uproot bushes, send rocks and ice flying!" Larkar said “Ah! So the huts will need to be more than just able to stand up against cold and wind? They will need to be sturdy so that when the wind hits it like a solid blow.." He paused and demonstrated by smacking a fist into his hand", It will glance off instead of tearing through it." “Yes!! How do we do this?" Larkar's large brow furrowed as he thought about this problem.

Finally he said “When my tribe made the huts, we make the shape like this." He stooped down and picked up a dead branch, then used it to draw in the ground. We all stopped to watch him to see what he had in mind. “You take the hide and you use the sticky sap from trees that grow in the cold. You coat the end of each piece of hide at least a forearm's length, then you stick them to each other and stitch them together for strength. That way the two pieces can move but stay together. You do this at least three times on each seam where they meet. You then coat another piece of hide to fit over the place you put the stitches to make it not leak water or air."

We listened and watched as Larkar then drew long lines that formed a strange round shape, that met at the top. “You run the poles like this bending them so they go around in a circle. You tie the poles together at the top. This will make them strong together! The round shape will keep the wind from hitting it hard as it will just blow around it." Merack looked at his drawing for a long time comparing it to what he remembered of their huts. Finally he said “This is better. Much better! We can do this and they will be lighter and easier to put up and take down!" Larkar actually smiled a little at Merack's praise! I had never seen Larkar smile since he came to our tribe! Bamal asked a few questions nodding at the answers Larkar gave then said, “Larkar! This is why we need you! You need to be in charge of the ones that make this!"

The change in Larkar's face make me think this was what he was like before his tribe was attacked! When he was a happy man with a mate, a son and the respect of his tribe." His head rose up, his shoulders straightened as he stood up and his chest swelled with pride! He gravely said “I will do what I can to help my tribe." Those simple words gave us all much relief when we heard them. I was very happy that I did not have to kill Larkar because he refused to join.

Gaieaa; and Nada had Larkar tell them his idea for the huts. They listened and watched as he drew the strange round picture again. They nodded then asked him which trees he thought would be the best to gather the sap from to make the glue? Larkar thought then smiled as he turned to Darshita, who was making a point of being with him, and asked her “Which trees can we get sap from that won't turn brittle and crack in the cold?" Darshita thought for several moments then answered “The Elm trees would be best I think. They grow both in the hills and at the tree line. You can harvest the sap from the ones lower down and it should still work as the ones higher up do." Larkar agreed as Gaieaa said “The sap will work the same. We know this from our own history. We will send out a party to find the closet Elm trees and gather the sap." Larkar said “I will lead them. I know what we are looking for." Darshita said “I will go too. We will also need enough hands and containers to gather the sap." Nada looked thoughtful then asked “Can you use the shells of the big nuts that grow in the lower many trees? The thick one that is wetter?" I knew immediately she meant the many trees we had traveled through when returning to my tribe! I remembered Lasaa easily jumping up and tossing down whole limbs full of these strange nuts! The shells were hard, but inside was a tasty meat and a nourishing liquid!

I didn't volunteer to go, as we wanted Larkar to choose his own party. This way Darshita would go with enough snow-leapers to carry them and to make the harvesting and carrying the nuts back much easier! Larkar spent the evening planning the journey and asking different members to join him. They left early the next morning with three hands each of men and women from both tribes. Merkansoo had worked with Darshita to match up snow-leaper and Ooh-mans so there would be an equal number of both tribes. Darshita asked Nada to help her decide which men and women would be compatible mates so the ones going would have a good chance of mating. I wondered about this and asked Merkansoo after they had left the next sun. He looked at me calmly and said “You and your people are very important to us right now. We do not know if you will understand, but Mearoo told me she has tried to explain this to you."

I said “Yes she told me about the need for new blood; and how your people helped yourselves to develop more quickly, by mating certain males and females together." Merkansoo replied “Yes. But there is more to this need than just continuing to develop our tribe physically. If you were to mate with say Janai." I must of looked surprised because he gave me a chuckle then said “Didn't Mearoo tell you of the need to mate with many different partners?" I was confused; and unable to give him an answer quickly!

Merkansoo's chuckle stopped and he frowned. “Mearoo should have explained this since you are not familiar with our ways!" I struggled to remember what she had told me as Merkansoo waited patiently for my answer. “I think she did mention something when she was explaining about needing new mates with new blood. I guess I just thought since we declared each other mates..' I just stopped as I thought that explained my surprise and uneasiness. Merkansoo shook his head then said “No it doesn't. Jakool you are young and full of seed. Yes you will give Mearoo many children, but that is not enough! You will need to mate with others as will the rest of your tribe!"

I still didn't fully understand why this was so important to them and asked him “Why?" Merkansoo explained “This is so that the blood of both males and females is mixed with ours and yours." Explained like this it made sense but didn't calm the feeling I now had that it was somehow wrong! Merkansoo was very keen and saw this then said to me “Mearoo was your first, but you heard us discuss our mating habits last night. " I gulped and said “Yes. But I thought I would at least be with Mearoo until another hunt and another celebration." Merkansoo replied “Yes. You told me of this custom. Are you unwilling because of your feelings for Mearoo?" I nodded unable to speak as my throat suddenly became tight with emotion. “I see. Mearoo will have to know this."

I sighed in relief when he said this! While I was just as affected by the other snow-leapers scent, I made sure I only mated with Mearoo, no matter how aroused I felt by Darshita or Samalaa or Sheena! The thought of Sheena caused the blood to rise into my face! She had tried to mate with me when we were joined by them. She didn't understand why I wouldn't and seemed puzzled and a little hurt. I had told Mearoo about it but she just smiled and said “She has plenty of other young Ooh-mans to mate with!" I took that to mean that I was hers and she was mine!

Merkansoo changed the subject to “I watched how your people hunted the deer. I think we need to show all the hunters safer ways to do this. Several of your hunters would of been badly wounded or killed if we had not been there to save them." I knew this to be true as I remembered how close Larkar, Kika and Harit came to being killed! I slowly said “This would be something that the Elders should be told." “Oh! I agree! We already discussed it and they want this too. You have so few left they do not want to lose anymore than they must!" I agreed with this as we needed everyone of our tribe just to survive!

“Let us go see how Denala and Girivar are doing on this new tool to throw spears!" Merkansoo smiled and said “A good idea and a good place to start!" We went in search of Denala and found him with Kaga, Girivar, Hanuman and Mahendra by a pile of young trees stripped of their branches. Denala was showing how to shape a branch into his throwing tool. “You cut the wood just past where a branch grew out of it. He was using a stone hand ax to cut off the tree past a short piece of branch still sticking out of it. “Once you have cut it off, you cut off a small part of the branch that is facing the other end of the tree." He then used a stone chisel to cut off the round part of the branch as he had explained. “Now you make it deeper in the middle so the sides will hold the spear in place." He carefully cut out a little more of the branch wood. He then shaped it by rubbing it against a smooth stone." He did this until he was satisfied with the shape.

He stopped and picked up a spear that was longer and thinner than ours. He put the throwing end of the spear against the shaped branch end and we saw that it fit up against it tightly. “Then you chisel the face of the wood; then sand it, so the spear lays flat against the wood!" He spent several minutes shaving the wood with a very sharp edged ax like tool we used to shape wood with. “Once this is done, you make sure you shape all your spears so they fit. If they do not then the spear can slip off the thrower when you throw it." Denala then stood up with the wood thrower and spear held in one hand and said “I will demonstrate the way to throw your spear.

He brought his arm up behind his head then swung it forward letting the wood thrower stay in his hand while the spear flew off it at incredible speed! We heard a 'thud' and saw the spear buried in a side of deer that was hung up between two poles! We went to it to see the how this smaller, thinner spear went into the meat.

“You see? The spear will go deep because it is going much faster." He worked the spear up and down slowly pulling it out of the wound. “If you fire harden the point of the spear, then you can just push the spear through the animal to remove it. Also sometimes the point will break off, but you can just shape the point back and harden it again. We do this instead of putting the stone spear tips on them."

“Jarack asked “Do you have to throw it over like you showed us? Or can you throw it from the side?" Denala smiled and took another spear and put it on his thrower. “You mean like this?" This time he put his arm back behind his body a little lower than shoulder height, then threw it! The sound of the spear hitting the target gave Jarack his answer! “That could be very useful when throwing them from behind a tree or rock!" He said to Denala. “That is why you should learn to throw it from many places!" he replied. Soon he had everyone making their own throwing stick so they could practice with them! I turned to Merkansoo and asked him “So we will be able to throw our spears from much further away making it safer to hunt large animals?" Merkansoo replied “Yes. Does this make sense to you?" I said “Yes it does! How did Denala figure out how to do this?" Merkansoo chuckled and said “He told us that he learned it from a strange tribe that were very short. They came from somewhere far to the south and west." I nodded my understanding as many of us came from the lands there.

“Come! I want to speak with Mearoo." He said as he took my arm and pulled me with him! I was not sure I wanted to be part of this talk with Mearoo, but I had little choice, as Merkansoo was much bigger and stronger than me! We found Mearoo eating some different roots and plant leaves by Nada and Gaieaa. They were showing her what she should eat for her new children!" I realized then that even though she had told me we had mated and she would have children, it didn't seem real until I saw her with Nada and Gaieaa! I went and sat down next to her, so I could touch her body with mine at hip, side and shoulder.

Merkansoo said “Jakool does not understand why he will need to mate with others now that he is your mate. You were supposed to tell him!" Mearoo suddenly looked a little frightened when he said this and I wondered if she had done this on purpose! Merkansoo continued “I realize you are young Mearoo, but we need him to mate with others. Just as all the other Ooh-man males and females will." Mearoo hid her face by putting her head down but Merkansoo was not fooled! “Mearoo! Look at me!" He said in a stern voice you could not ignore, making Mearoo look up at him.

“Do you want to be selfish and keep Jakool all to yourself? I felt Mearoo shaking a little as she finally said in a small voice “No Merkansoo. The tribe needs this." Merkansoo heard and saw everything that Mearoo was going through and said gently “Jakool will not have to mate with anyone else until after you have your first children from him. Does that help?"

Mearoo suddenly sobbed and grabbed me in a tight hug then said “I don't want to lose you! I feel so bad not telling you this! Please forgive me!" I held her tight and rocked back and forth with her giving her small kisses on her cheek as I replied “You are not the only one who feels this way!" This made her very happy and she suddenly embraced me then kissed me with great enthusiasm!"

Merkansoo explained to Gaieaa and Nada while we were locked in an embrace “Our women's mood changes quickly when they are with children." Gaieaa said “We are the same. Sometimes the men go off for suns on hunts just to get away from us when we are with child!" Nada laughed at Merkansoo's expression then pointing said “Ah! Something we have in common I see!" Merkansoo burst out laughing as the talk turned to 'men' and the ways they could find to avoid their mates when with children! Mearoo said to me “Do not think you will be able to get away so easy with me!" With a growl and a ferocious look but I quickly saw through this as I kissed her and said “You will have to kick me out to get rid of me!" Causing more laughter from everyone.