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The nation Chapter 116
“It has to mean new, like the dawning of a new day.” Said Erek to Kaya, Rollins, and Lorne.“There are a few names that carry that meaning.” Stammered Lorne.“Yeah Erek, I like that thought, he is like the first rays of light to hit the ground. He is such a good baby.” Kaya tickled the little boy until he smiled, she held him in her arms while they spoke.“He is a good little eater to,” Talia reflexively rubbed her breasts, “very good eater indeed, he’ll be big like you Erek, what name where you thinking of?” The healer asked.“Arun, I was thinking of naming him Arun.” The second time he said it out loud he knew it was the right name for his son.“Arun.” It rolled nicely off of Kaya’s lips.Erek didn’t realize how much it mattered to him what Kaya thought, he wanted her to like the name he had chosen, it felt strange to him to want her to like his idea.“Arun it is then.” Said Erek.“Doesn’t Arun mean rebirth?” Asked Rollins.The grip that winter held over the Land was severed as the
The nation Chapter 117
The valley they were in was not populated with much game, there were animals there but they were small. The likes of squirrels, rabbit, or pheasant would not feed the entire caravan’s remaining six hundred plus people. The hunters needed deer, elk, and antelope; the bigger game animals were scarce in the early days of spring. The Land was unfriendly to the travelers, they must move or some of the people would starve. If the food was not the problem that it was, the valley would entice the eyes of all who gazed upon it. Lush green grass that the livestock fed on, the trees wore all of their leaves, and the flowers were all in bloom. Talia found a small bouquet on the ground in front of the shelter she shared with Rollins and Kaya, not sure who it was for she took them as her own. The valley was alive with animal life but the travelers still suffered.Rollins knew that the buffalo wouldn’t return until the spring melt was over, in about three more weeks, she also knew about the pass tha
The nation Chapter 118
“Now look at that,” Miro pointed to his foot, it was still in the pile of pooh, “spring has given it moisture. I’m going to have to make a new pair of moccasins.”Woorak laughed until he saw the opening in the mountain, “bless Utoo, there is the way Miro. There’s the way.”“You still pray to Utoo? No one in my house prays anymore.”“What are you talking about? Miro, we just found the way east, What difference is it what I believe?”“What?” Oscar had to shake Sir awake, “Oscar, what do you want?”“Um,” Oscar had a handkerchief, “you have some.” He dabbed Rognvald’s mouth.“Would you stop that.” Rognvald flailed his hands at his caretaker.“The way east has been found.”“Wonderful, simply marvelous. Would someone get me a beer.” He yelled.“We still have some work to do Sir.” Oscar already began preparations to move before he told Rognvald, he knew that Sir would want to move right away. When the last two scouts returned with good news, Oscar ordered everything to be made ready to move
The nation Chapter 119
The pass through the mountain was going to take time to traverse, the pass was wide and beautiful to behold, and it would take three weeks to get to the other side. The travelers do not look at the mountain with wonder or awe, they remained uncomfortable in the splendor they traveled through. With no knowledge that would let the travelers understand how this pass was created, nervous trepidation was common while they spent the next three weeks between the mountain. Large vultures perched on craggy cliffs; they menaced the travelers from their high vantage point. Small mammals lived in this place, nothing bigger than a badger, the largest land predator here was the fox. The only things bigger than the vultures here were the eagles, vultures were a meter and a half tall with a wing span of not quite two meters, the vultures were large enough to grab a small child and still get back in the air. The golden mountain eagles were two and a half meters tall, when full grown, the had a three m
The nation Chapter 120
Everyone enjoyed the rest they had been afforded, Rollins caught up with the caravan, she had brought a fresh kill in with her, a ninety kilo doe. She set up her own tent next to Kaya’s cart, Kaya had since made her own tent which she shared with Talia. The One dog still stunk up the men’s tent every night. Erek and Kaya had gotten closer, they laughed more and there were more friendly touches between them, Talia noticed. Erek liked Kaya but she was nearly twelve years younger than he was, but he liked it when she touched him, and she was becoming a good leader. More of the travelers took her seriously now, even after Rollins returned and the Blue eye stigma came with her. Kaya dismissed everything by saying, “Rollins was not with you when any of the misfortune you went through happened.” It usually shut people up. Rollins had noticed Erek to, noticed how he had moved in on Kaya while she was gone, that made her predatory instincts kick in. “Why is he touching you?” Rollins asked Kay
The nation Chapter 121
The travel was nearly smooth, the occasional Rognvald drunk idea caused distress among the commoners, as long as he had his beer Oscar and Hastiin managed to keep the caravan rolling. The beer Rognvald was drinking was the last of his personal stock, maybe three weeks’ worth, he had already appropriated several kegs of beer from his commoners. Lilly had bloodshot eyes from lack of rest, Oren had put three beetles in her bedding, and now she couldn’t sleep, that was three days ago. Claudia has gone to sleep with her friend, she took her diary with her, she knew Oren had read it. Kaya and her small group stuck together, they traveled with the caravan, One dog bringing joy and smiles every day. They traveled for the whole summer, stopping along the river to fish and hunt, the hearts of some of the travelers were feeling the urge to nest, they were travel weary. Some of the group, along with Kaya, wanted to settle where they were now. They had been camped near a sharp bend in the river,
The nation Chapter 122
“Don’t forget to tell me how you really feel,” Sokonan said with a hint of sarcasm.“See, you think I don’t know that you’re toying with me but I do know it, you can’t play me like that.”Sokonan broke the stoic look on her face with a smile, “sure Brie, I am being a bit sarcastic with you, but being outspoken is a thing best used at the right moments.”“I don’t understand what you’re saying.” Brie looked to the older woman, they had walked together often after Briaunna’s mother died, Sokonan was watching over her father as well.“I mean being a loud mouth like Rognvald was not a good thing, he was a loud mouth for the sake of being a loud mouth, I’m saying use your words appropriately and accurately. Vardon might be stuffy and concerned with things that matter to him but he is a fair man who will listen to other points of view. Be warned though, if you are not prepared with your argument he will not listen, I guess my point is, is that you are an exceptionally intelligent person who
The nation Chapter 123
“One dog has been agitated lately, and I’m not sure why?” said Erek.“What has he been doing?”“Well,” Erek thought for a moment, “he’s not stinking up the place that much.”“Why would that indicate agitation?”“I also get this sense of impending doom from him.”Now Kaya was curious, “what do you mean impending doom? If doom was coming I think he’d be shitting the whole place up.” She touched his arm again; her heart had felt warm towards the big man.Erek had stopped flinching at Kaya’s friendly gestures, he accepted them as part of her and now a part of their relationship. Kaya was beautiful, her smile lit up the room, yet he had not felt any urges towards her. Erek felt safe with her, she was helping to care for his son, who was now more than a year old. He knew he could trust her, he felt that she would protect his son, Erek wanted to be close to her because her beauty was more than her outward appearance. She was strong, gaining confidence, and learning to lead with her compassio