From the prompt: "Seasons change..."
"Summer Plains"
The tribe was on the move again, across the grassy plains of the Steppe. Andrev trailed along behind the other hunters, spear in hand, head down. Summer was nearing, and many of the other Dolgan tribes would be moving across the steppe as well, and the other young hunters were eager to start courting girls.
Andrev sighed. No girl would ever look twice at him. Not unless it was to shriek 'monster', turn and run. He lifted one hand, tracing the planes of his face, his jaw, his chin, his cheekbone, the straight ridge of his nose...the five tiny horns across his forehead. The Three Elders insisted that he was a gift from the gods - and he proved his worth, becoming the best hunter, always knowing where the animals were. But in the eyes of the others, he was a curse, a monster, even if the gods gave him. They had reaced the big river by the time the sun was overhead, and would be heading south. Andrev left with the others to wade along the riverbank and catch salmon.
The others kept their distance, but they watched him. They would jab down through the shallows at movement, then bring their spears up with nothing. Andrev simply reached under the rippling surface and caught fish in his hands. He would stun the fish with a rock and set it on the grass, then go for another. The women delighted in the live fish he brought back to camp - live fish was freshest.
Ranni sent some of the other young hunters downriver a ways to see if any of the other tribes were near the summer plains. Hefting their spears and puffing their chests out, the young hunters set off, eager to meet girls. Andrev wasn't asked to go, and he wouldn't ask to be sent. He was fine staying with the reindeer, feeding and watering them.
He liked animals. They were smarters than humans gave them credit for, and they listened to him, really listened to him when he talked. And he listened to them, too. Because he could understand them. He stood by the rein leader, stroking his broad, strong back.
(Do not worry about the other two legs,) Rein Leader said. (You do not need them is all animals are your friends.)
Andrev aloowed himself a small, sad smile. (Thank you, Rein Leader.)
The other hunters returned, all wearing face-splitting grins, carrying trinkets - bracelets and necklaces - as tokens from the girls they planned to court. Conlan, Ranni's son, went to report to the chief about the other tribe or tribes. The had travelled for a full moon to reach the river, and it would only be a half moon before they made it to the summer plains. The camp was packed up, and Andrev harnessed Rein Leader to the caravan before going to join the young hunters in the back of the procession. According to Conlan, the other tribe wasn't too far ahead. They would all travel until nightfall.
Andrev never slept in a tent if he didn't have to. He'd rather lie on his back in the grass beneath the open skies, gazing up at the stars, one skin draped over him loosely, his spear within in arm's reach. Sometimes he wondered if the gods would hear him if he shouted up at the heavens, if maybe they would answer his questions.
The summer plains were alive with action, different tribal camps dotting the great grassy expanse. Andrev grazed the animals all day while Conlan and the other boys were off courting girls while hunters from other tribes hung around the camp courting girls from his tribe. Summer was here, and although Andrev wore only his trousers his skin remained pale. It wasn't hard to slink around the camp unnnoticed by anyone. He'd been doing it all his life. He wasn't foolish enough to try to court a girl, let alone look one in the eye. He'd delivered the day's fresh fish to the women and was heading back to the river where the river where the reindeer were drinking when an unfamiliar sound met his ears. He was petting a calf-reindeer when musical laughter rang through the air. Girlish laughter.
He lifted his head, even though his hair fell into his eyes to obscure the horns, and cast a glance roundabout. She was dancing along the riverbank, chasing after a butterfly. She had dark curly hair and evevn from the other side of the river he could see that her eyes were bright golden. She was graceful, skirt, swirling around her legs, showing off delicate bare feet. She pounced and caught it, giggling joyfully.
Andrev shook his head, amused. She looked up and saw him, and her eyes went wide. The forgotten butterfly took off, and she reached out with one hand, mouth forming a perfect 'O'. She giggled wildly.
"Ooh, look, a boy!" she cried. "Wow! A pretty, pretty boy. Can I have you?"
Andrev didn't have a chance to blink when she dove into the river asnd swam across with quick strokes. She pulled herself up on the bank, dripping wet, pausing to wring out her skirt. Then she began approaching carefully, warily, like he was an animal she didn't want to scare off. Andrev wondered if she was insane.
He cried out when when the pounced, wrapping her arms around him tightly. "Pretty boy mine."
INDEX
HOME
NEXT
BACK
© Agent Duo 2004