Read Online Zan-Gah and the Beautiful Country by Allan Richard Shickman - Free Book Online
Authors: Allan Richard Shickman
Ads: Link
brother.â Everybody laughed again, and ended the council in a merry mood. A decision had been made.
The women had long been left alone, hungry for meat and hungry for their men. They were outraged to have waited so long for so little game, but they had been worried at the unusually lengthy absence of the hunters. Rejoicing and tender reunions greeted the men upon their return. Then there was amazement. No one hadexpected to be going anywhere; but they made no protest other than to grumble when Thal, Chul, Morda, and other elders told them to prepare for a long journey.
Many of the women felt slighted that they had not been invited to deliberations directly concerning their welfare, but they were hardly surprised to have been left out. They little expected to have a say, and knew that they would serve the men like beasts of burden, carrying and dragging water and supplies, while the men planned for their protection. However poor their land, they had dwelt on it for many generations. Their caves and hovels were their home and their safe shelter. Unwillingly the women did as they were told, gathering their possessions and waiting for favorable weather.
When, almost three months later, the time came to begin the journey, the Ba-Coro said farewell: to Nobla, the river that long had sustained them, to their sacred caverns, and to the tombs of the departed. Lissa-Na and her baby had died in one of the caves, and Dael visited their common grave the night before they left. Zan did so tooâquietly and unknown to anybody.
Chul was elected the leader of the trek because he knew the way, and because his monstrous figure, seen in the forefront wielding a huge club, would tend to frighten off any enemies they might meet on the way. As the clans began their expedition, Chul intoned a hymn of rejoicing with his heavy bass voice, followed by a deep and dirge-like march in which all joined.
Â
Â
Â
Â
9
THE
TREK
Weather is everything to those who travel the land, and the weather was good when the five clans of the Ba-Coro began their passage to the Beautiful Country. Autumn was approaching by the day of their departure, with its empty, bright blue skies and bracing gusts. Some foretold a speedy trip, but the progress turned out to be snail-slow. The women and especially the children were unused to travel, and the men were frequently obliged to go on hunting excursions to supply their needs and simply to give the weaker among them a chance to rest.
The elders began to worry. Winter was not so very far off, and the fair weather they had been enjoying could change at any time. And suddenly it did change. A whistling wind began to pursue them, carrying black clouds in their direction, while flocks of geese warped overhead, fleeing the blast with loud and raucous cries. A few drops were felt, then more, until the travelers were pelted and drenched by torrents. Half a dozen trees made a scanty shelter, and they hunched down, the men doing their best to protect the women and children. They could not build a fire, cold as they were, and could only sit, patiently enduring the icy downpour. Those who hadanimal skins wrapped themselves as best they might while rainwater dripped from their ragged beards. Zan and Pax were nestled together under Zanâs large lion skin, more comfortable than most; and Rydl made no objection when Sparrow took shelter with him.
The storm got worse. An angry wind raved amidst the branches overhead, and below whole families huddled together for warmth. They sat without a word as lightning came and went, followed by claps of thunder that made the children cry. Perhaps these forlorn migrants would have suffered more if they were not used to it, but cold and rain were their usual fare. Still, people would get sick. Two days after the drenching a baby died, and Aniah had a rasping cough that boded no good. Several others were ill, and all were weary and wishing that they had never left the safety of
The women had long been left alone, hungry for meat and hungry for their men. They were outraged to have waited so long for so little game, but they had been worried at the unusually lengthy absence of the hunters. Rejoicing and tender reunions greeted the men upon their return. Then there was amazement. No one hadexpected to be going anywhere; but they made no protest other than to grumble when Thal, Chul, Morda, and other elders told them to prepare for a long journey.
Many of the women felt slighted that they had not been invited to deliberations directly concerning their welfare, but they were hardly surprised to have been left out. They little expected to have a say, and knew that they would serve the men like beasts of burden, carrying and dragging water and supplies, while the men planned for their protection. However poor their land, they had dwelt on it for many generations. Their caves and hovels were their home and their safe shelter. Unwillingly the women did as they were told, gathering their possessions and waiting for favorable weather.
When, almost three months later, the time came to begin the journey, the Ba-Coro said farewell: to Nobla, the river that long had sustained them, to their sacred caverns, and to the tombs of the departed. Lissa-Na and her baby had died in one of the caves, and Dael visited their common grave the night before they left. Zan did so tooâquietly and unknown to anybody.
Chul was elected the leader of the trek because he knew the way, and because his monstrous figure, seen in the forefront wielding a huge club, would tend to frighten off any enemies they might meet on the way. As the clans began their expedition, Chul intoned a hymn of rejoicing with his heavy bass voice, followed by a deep and dirge-like march in which all joined.
Â
Â
Â
Â
9
THE
TREK
Weather is everything to those who travel the land, and the weather was good when the five clans of the Ba-Coro began their passage to the Beautiful Country. Autumn was approaching by the day of their departure, with its empty, bright blue skies and bracing gusts. Some foretold a speedy trip, but the progress turned out to be snail-slow. The women and especially the children were unused to travel, and the men were frequently obliged to go on hunting excursions to supply their needs and simply to give the weaker among them a chance to rest.
The elders began to worry. Winter was not so very far off, and the fair weather they had been enjoying could change at any time. And suddenly it did change. A whistling wind began to pursue them, carrying black clouds in their direction, while flocks of geese warped overhead, fleeing the blast with loud and raucous cries. A few drops were felt, then more, until the travelers were pelted and drenched by torrents. Half a dozen trees made a scanty shelter, and they hunched down, the men doing their best to protect the women and children. They could not build a fire, cold as they were, and could only sit, patiently enduring the icy downpour. Those who hadanimal skins wrapped themselves as best they might while rainwater dripped from their ragged beards. Zan and Pax were nestled together under Zanâs large lion skin, more comfortable than most; and Rydl made no objection when Sparrow took shelter with him.
The storm got worse. An angry wind raved amidst the branches overhead, and below whole families huddled together for warmth. They sat without a word as lightning came and went, followed by claps of thunder that made the children cry. Perhaps these forlorn migrants would have suffered more if they were not used to it, but cold and rain were their usual fare. Still, people would get sick. Two days after the drenching a baby died, and Aniah had a rasping cough that boded no good. Several others were ill, and all were weary and wishing that they had never left the safety of
Similar Books
