by Asia
Joharran couched behind the bushes, studying the group of deer drinking from the stream. he focused in a little fawn that stood a bit out of the group.
he pointed the gun and send a pray for the mother to help him, then he shot.
it was a clean shot, the fawn fell to the ground while the scared herd run away.
after a few moments when the dust went down he took to the dead fawn and placed it on his shoulder.
heading for the camp he smiled to himself on the way. this kill was not just for food. he would teach Nanny and Emerald how to skin it and tanning the skin.
when he got to the camp Nanny went to help him.
"where is Emerald ?" he asked her.
"she is gathering wood. she doesn't want to learn this. she said it makes her sick."
"it's okay" he reassured her "she would learn it someday. one day she would understand that this is surviving"
*****
"how many of this little balls have left ?" Joharran asked Sam after another good hunt.
"bullets, not much I'm afraid."
"how can we make more ?" he asked next.
Sam laughed a bitter laugh "we can't. I don't know how, and we don't have the materials"
Joharran was very disappointed. he liked that gun, it was very easy to hunt with. but he could not waste time about things he couldn't reach, he knew he would have to make spears. he just had to look for flint.
"Sam, have you seen Joharran ?" Emerald looked at the camp but couldn't find him.
"yes, he went to look for something, I couldn't understand what he wanted. he said something about stone, but why would he need a stone ?"
in that moment Emerald saw him walking from the stream, he carried something. she ran to help him and stopped when she saw what he was carrying "why are you carrying rocks ?"
"I'll show you..."
they got to the camp and Joharran put the rocks down while Nanny Sam and Emerald gathered around him.
"what are you doing ?" Nanny was just as curious as the others.
he drew some objects from his pocket. "I have to make spears, so we could hunt. the shotgun wouldn't be useful as soon as the bullets run out."
they looked as he took one rock and a hammerstone...
after a few moments Sam got bored and made an excuse that it was his time to watch. Emerald herself tried to find an excuse to go also, but one look on Nanny's face made it clear that she wasn't a bit bored.
she looked fascinated, she asked questions and soon he started to teach her. Emerald was long gone to gathered some vegetables.
"so, when the stone looks like that I should hit it with the antler hammer ?"
"exactly. you are getting the idea very quickly, soon I won't have much to teach you." Joharran was truly amazed by her.
"I have much to learn." she blushed.
"yes you do, but you would not learn it from me. I'm not that expert with flint. I can do what I need, but you should see my brother with the flint, he is one of the best. he practicably can do what ever he want with it. I'm sure he would love to teach you."
Nanny looked at the seven spears lying on the ground, and felt proud. she looked back at Joharran "thank you for teaching me " she had tears in her eyes.
"I think you have found your calling." he smiled broadly at her, thrilled to see her so happy .
when they looked up they saw that it was getting dark, they came back near the fire and Emerald served them food. they ate quickly, packed and continued on their journey.
*****
Nanny crouched low behind the bush, holding the spearthrower tight in her hand. the big hare looked around, as if sensing the danger. she knew this was her only chance. hurling the spear quickly she caught her breath, the spear still quivered on the back of the hare. she sigh and went to take it. feeling the enthusiasm welled up inside of her she released a loud howl of happiness. then she took the doe in her hand and patted it gently. her first kill, that was her first kill alone.
"I just can't believe you actually killed that poor creature." Emerald was truly amazed.
"honey, this is not a creature, this is food." Nanny was a bit angry at her statement.
Emerald lowered her head, Nanny was right, but she still hated it.
Nanny took her hand and caressed it "I know it's hard on you sweetie, but you have to understand that that would be the way of life for us, this is the way to survive. there is nothing wrong with that."
"I know, it's just all this blood and skin... I can't stand it..." her voice trailed on as she thought about what she just said. "it is strange, I never had problem with injuries. maybe the thought that I'm helping..."
"you are helping here too. the hare is food, clothes, equipment." Nanny tried to explain.
Emerald was quiet for a minute. "I'll try..." she said eventually and walked away, still deep in thoughts.
Joharran was very proud at his student. she learned quickly and always hungered for more knowledge. in a week she managed to learn flint craft and hunting, though she could be better with practice.
he only taught her to make spears from flint, since they had no bones. but they manage to bring a few big games down. and he saved the bones for that purpose.
but he was really proud when she went alone. though it was just a hare it was her first kill, and when Nanny stripped the rabbit he took the fur saying he needed it. he was going to make her something special to remember this day.
Sam sat at his post, thinking about Nanny's kill as well. he wanted to hunt also, but it was impossible with his broken hand. he didn't want to feel bitter about it, but he did.
sometimes he felt so useless because of the injury and wished he could take those bandages off. his only consolatory was Emerald's promise to take it off in two weeks. he held on to that promise.
*****
Joharran woke up with the feeling that something was going to happened. he packed his things and went out of the tent to eat the leftovers from the morning.
Emerald was awake sipping some tea, he sat beside her with the plate in his hand. "good morning my love" he smiled at her.
she laughed at his little joke, it was almost sunset. "good morning to you too my sweetheart. how was your sleeping ?"
"it was great, and now I'm famished..." he started eating quickly.
Emerald got up to get a plate for herself and took some more when she noticed how fast he was eating. "here, have some more." she handed him her plate.
"what about you?"
"we'll eat together." she smiled.
he took the fork and loaded it with food "open your mouth..."
after the meal they mounted the horses and rode most of the night. Joharran still had this strange feeling and he urged Night.
near dawn Joharran was about to stop for a rest when he noticed a familiar landscape. "come on, we are nearly there..." he exclaimed.
they all were tired, but the thought of reaching their goal shot them with flowed energy.
an hour later they stood in the opening of a beautiful meadow.
Emerald sigh to the sight of this amazing beauty.
"come on..." Sam urged her. "let's go"
she smiled dreamily at him and leaned forward, putting pressure on the horse side she guided her to a gallop. passing through everyone she laughed and admired the view from the point of view of riding.
Joharran caught his breath when she passed, her hair flowing on her back. he watched her while she guided the horse with confident movements.
with swift move he pressured on the horse with his leg and she hurried after star.
they quickly reached the mountain and Joharran indicate that a bush grew near the opening. Nanny handed him an axe she made and he chopped the bush. to their surprise they saw an entrance to a cave.
*****
Emerald stared with round eyes at the opening of the cave "do you think that the horses could pass this ?"
Sam tried to measure the length in his eyes "I think they would "
"are you sure? the entrance seems so small." Emerald insisted.
"why won't we try and see?" Joharran took Night's harness and led her to the cave, the horse inserted her head to the opening. it look like it was big enough for them to pass but without the bags.
they took the bags off the horses and tried to adjust their back, it was heavy and Sam couldn't carry a bag.
in the meanwhile Nanny opened one bag and drew few pieces of dry meat. she handed one to Emerald.
"no, I'm not going to eat that." she exclaimed with disgust.
"look" Nanny scolded her "we have no time to cook now, and you have to eat something, you haven't eat half a day"
"no"
"Emerald, she is right" Joharran interfere "the walk would be long, the cave is a lot bigger then it seems."
Emerald looked at the cave then eyed him suspiciously.
"I'm telling you, it took me hours to get out. please eat it."
she took the piece of meat from Nanny and put it in her mouth "it's not that bad" she said to Nanny.
Nanny smiled at her and gave Sam and Joharran their share.
"how are we going to take those bags?" Sam asked Joharran.
Joharran looked at the four bags lying on the ground, it was obvious that they couldn't carry them all. it was heavy even for him. suddenly an idea came to him. he remembered the way Ayla used to make travois for whinny to carry the meat after hunts.
taking the axe from one of the bags and headed to the trees that were near the meadow.
he returned with two poles. after he explained the idea Emerald steadied Star and Joharran rearranged the travois, they put the bags on it and tied them up.
suddenly the horse became nervous and Grace started barking, Emerald turned around and gasped.
in the end of the meadow she saw horsemen riding toward them...
*****
"great mother" Joharran gasped too.
Star sensed their nervousness and entered the cave, dragging the travois with him. Ginger, Night and Jenny followed him warily.
"RUN" Sam yelled. he pushed Nanny into the cave and then Emerald, Brandy followed them.
"GO" Joharran exclaimed "I'll cover over you"
Sam hesitated only for a moment, then her ran into the cave as well.
"Grace" Joharran called the wolf.
she heard him, but kept barking toward the horses that were heading their way.
"Grace" he called again, not willing to leave her behind.
this time she came to him but kept barking.
"go to Emerald." he motioned to her. he watched her walking into the tunnel, then picked up the shotgun.
he aimed to the lead horse. he didn't want to kill the horse, but it was much easier target than the man that sat on it.
he recognized him even from this far. he gritted his teeth and shot the few bullets he had.
the horse fell to the ground, taking the horseman with him.
Joharran saw that part of the group stopped and throw the gun to the side of the cave opening. he took the branches he cut, entered the cave and put the branches in front of the opening. 'that would probably hold them for a while' he thought to himself and started to run, there was no time to waste.
Nanny ran as fast as she could, she felt her side ache but kept running. she was not going to ruin their only chance for freedom. she couldn't see anything but she just kept running. she heard the pounding of the hooves on the hard ground and followed the voice.
behind her Emerald began to cough, she wasn't used to the running and quickly got tired.
Sam had some hard time himself. though he wasn't using the cane anymore, his leg still hurt and soon his hand began to hurt too. he couldn't hear steps behind him and started to wonder if Joharran made it.
"I can't run anymore" Emerald exhaled heavily. she stopped and held her hurting midriff.
"you can't stop now" Sam urged her to start running again.
"I can't do this..." she cried "I can't".
"sure you can, there is not much left." he took her hand in his and helped her up. "we'll do it a bit slower, ok?"
"ok" Emerald nodded her head, she didn't even thought about the fact that Sam couldn't know how much left. she started running again...
just when Nanny thought she couldn't run anymore she saw the light. it was very dim, but she overcome her aches and ran faster toward the light. the few minutes seemed like an eternity, but soon she was outside. she fell to the ground and breathed heavily.
Sam and Emerald went out of the cave a minute after Nanny.
Emerald looked around and saw the horses standing near a small stream, drinking their fill. Grace and Brandy stooped next to them.
she sigh with relief and looked at the entrance of the cave, waiting to see Joharran.
suddenly she felt as if she was shaking, she looked surprisingly at Nanny and saw her shaking too, then she realized it was not her who was shaking, it was the ground.
she heard the growling sound and watched in horror as rocks began to roll from the top of the mountain.
"Joharrannnnn"
*****
Joharran ran as fast as he could, he knew they wouldn't give up and they would follow them. he suddenly felt really stupid. what have he done now? they would come into his world, might even spread their sickened mind over everyone. he should have never agree to come back.
suddenly he heard a sickening noise, and felt the air fill with dust. he cough hard but kept running. then, he felt the gravel falling on him and realized what happened.
he briefly looked backward and gasped. the tunnel was filled with rock, it was as if a river of rocks flowed through it, and it was coming to his direction.
he kept running, it was his only choice.
he heard Emerald's scream and pushed harder, what if something happened to her?
the light was a lifesaver, he ran toward the light in his final strength. his eyes hurt as his eyes met the sun. he ran a few paces before he realized he was out.
Emerald ran to him and held his waist, trying to steady him.
he exhaled heavily. looking back at the cave he saw the flood of rocks coming out from the cave's mouth, then it quieted and stopped.
there was no entrance to the cave anymore, it was sealed with the rocks. no one could ever go through it.
"you are hurt" Emerald exclaimed.
he looked at his hand, it was filled with blood. he also felt pain in his head, he reached his hand and touched it, the whole place was sore.
"Nanny, could you please hand me the bag with the medicine." Emerald called.
he looked at her for a moment before the realization came to him. they did it, they were free.
he grasped her hand and got her closer to him, then planted a long passionate kiss on her lips.
she resisted for a brief second and then gave herself completely to his kiss.
when they broke their contact he smiled at her, his eyes glowing "we did it!" he yelled "we did it!"
The End