Chapter 2.
“My brother, much has happened since we parted so long ago. Perhaps I should begin at that day when you left.”
“Yes. But first tell me why you have come here now?” said Amon.
“That I will do soon enough. But for now it is necessary for me to tell my tale so that you will better understand. Please, my brother. Allow me.”
Amon knew it would do no good to press the issue. Besides, he really wanted to know what had transpired during the years (days) since his departure. Resolvedly he leaned back in his chair and prepared himself to hear his friend’s story. Broc leaned back in his chair, folding his hands over his ample belly.
“Nahm and I got back to the clan just as the evening meal was being prepared. All were gathered around the cook fire. Sara saw us coming and ran to intercept us. I remember the look on her face. I knew she was worried.
“Everyone wanted to know what had happened to you, but Nahm and I knew we could not tell them the truth. We had prepared a story, and it was decided he would tell it.
“He said that you had told us of your grief over your many losses, and that you wished to leave us for a time. When we asked how long, you told us you didn’t know, but that we should take over as leaders.
“There was much discussion then, but I don’t recall much of it. I do remember that we told them of our wish to separate and go in opposite directions. Many did not want us to separate, but we were able to persuade them.
“On the day of our separation there was much crying, but also much enthusiasm and anticipation. Each group vowed that we would stay in contact, and we did so for a long time. But as the days turned into weeks and then months, our contacts became fewer and fewer, until finally they stopped.
“For all these years I have heard nothing from Nahm. How he and his followers faired, I do not know.”
Amon had an idea.
“Perhaps we can ask Evander to consult Nahm’s transceiver. Surely he can do that for us.”
“That is good. I too want to know of our brother’s fate.”
“But first, tell me your tale.”
Broc continued, smiling as he remembered.
“Sara my mate gave me a son! We called him Eff, in remembrance of our brother Sef, who left us. . . . Do you know what ever happened to him?”
Amon nodded, momentarily breaking eye contact.
“Yes. . . . Sef is dead. Evander told me about it on the day I arrived here. That is a tale for another time.” Amon looked pleadingly into his friend’s eyes.
“Please, continue.”
Broc’s countenance fell as he heard Amon’s response. He paused for a long moment, trying to compose himself. Then, taking a deep breath, he continued.
“Eff was the joy of my heart. He grew to be a fine man. Sara also gave me a daughter. Her name was Lorn. She has the face of Nera. . . .”
Another long pause as the two friends remembered.
“Lorn grew to be like her mother. They were always together. When she was of age, she chose a mate. He was called Leo. He was the best hunter among us.
“I remember at night as we sat around the fire, he would tell us of his adventures before his clan came to join us. He told of giant, hairy beasts that roamed the north lands; how his people would follow them, seeking ways to kill them; how they took their hides and made tents, and their bones and made weapons.
“After a time Lorn gave him a son, and then another. I remember how he carried them on his shoulders, one on each side, and how they squealed when he played with them before the camp fires at night.
Broc paused again. Amon could sense there was something about Broc’s story that was yet to be told. Patiently he waited for him to continue.
“We travelled for many years, seeing wondrous and awesome sights. As we continued, we came upon others of our kind. Many times we exchanged gifts, told of our travels and our adventures. Many of us who were of age chose mates and produced children.
“Sometimes we stopped, if only for a few days. Other times for seasons, as snow and ice prevented our movement. Sometimes we remained in one place for years, relishing in the bounty available to us. During those times our numbers continued to grow as others joined us, until at last there were many hundreds of us.
“Our people grew in number so much so that it became necessary for us to establish laws, that we might govern ourselves and endeavour to avoid conflict. But alas, we were not always successful in doing so.
“From time to time we fought, sometimes over land, sometimes over food during times of scarcity, but most frequently we fought over leadership.
“From time to time people left us, seeking their fortune elsewhere, as Nahm and I had done.
“It was these difficulties which persuaded me that our clan should continue our trek toward the setting sun.
“Along the way our numbers continued to grow. Again we met new people. Again some departed. But always our clan continued together.
“Until at last we came upon a shallow sea. There, not far across this sea, we saw another land.
“The water was shallow enough that we could cross it, though some of us refused to try. They remained on the shore line while we continued.
“After many hours we at last stood again on dry land. But our progress was blocked by a great high wall of white stone. For a day we endeavoured to find a way over or around it.
“Finally, after travelling South for two more days, we were able to climb up and over. We ventured inland, again following the setting sun. The land before us was rough, strewn with stones, some many times larger than a man.
“As the sun touched the horizon, we saw several large stones standing upright. It looked like there were other stones laying across their tops.
“When we came close, we saw that the stones were arranged in an incomplete circle on top of a wide, low mound, surrounded by a shallow pit. This was not natural. Nowhere had we ever seen such a structure.
“A part of the top of this huge, circular structure was covered with limbs from trees, though we could see no trees anywhere nearby.
“We knew that someone had built this structure, but could find no one. We decided to send scouts out, hoping to find those who had built this magnificent structure.
“For several days we remained there, sheltering under the great stones, waiting for our scouts to return.
“Then one morning we were awakened by a great sound coming from the South. At first we couldn’t see. The sun had not yet provided enough light. The sound grew louder. It was like the sound of wolves, snarling and howling. We were filled with terror.
“Soon the sound surrounded us in the darkness, yet did not draw nearer. The terrifying noise continued for a while, and then suddenly it stopped, to be replaced by pulsating thumping, thudding, like heavy stones dropping to the ground. It soon became so intense that we could feel it shaking the ground beneath our feet. The stone columns themselves seemed to ring in response. When the light came, still we could see nothing.
“The howling began again, filling the air as the ground continued to shake.
“A few of my people became so filled with terror that they too began to wail. There was nothing I could do to stop them. They were like wild animals, frantic to escape this unknown terror.
“One female became so terror-stricken that she broke free from her mate’s grasp and charged out madly, disappearing beyond the edge of the mound, her screams becoming one with the pounding and snarling.
“Again the sounds stopped. Not even the woman’s screams could we hear. Then all around the perimeter we saw movement. Quickly we could make out heads, then shoulders, covered in fur-covered hides. “These were men! But like no men we had ever seen! As they drew neared, we could see they were big, head and shoulders taller than any of us. Their faces were different, more like apes than men. Each one carried a long staff, nearly as tall as they were.
“Abruptly they all stopped, except for one, who continued walking toward us. In
one hand he held a staff. In the other he held a leg, grasped at the ankle. When he came to the top of the mound we could see . . . he was dragging behind him the body of the woman. Where her head had been, a trail of blood marked the way he had come.”
Amon sat mute, stunned, unable to speak. What Evander had told him only days before was now happening again!
“My brother,” Amon finally found words. “What . . . what?”
Broc placed a hand on Amon’s knee and looked deep into his eyes.
“My brother. These are the words he said: ‘We are Tal! You are ours. Do as we say . . . or die . . . like this one.’ He tossed the limp body onto the ground before him.”