The Index -|-

Kpleeb awoke in the dark again. There was a faint wavering light on woven grass overhead, and he turned his head to the right. A wave of nausea bubbled to the surface of his consciousness, and in the background, a dull pain throbbed. He closed his eyes and waited a moment before opening them again. There was only darkness, so he cautiously turned his head the other way. The darkness was there, but it was shallow enough to allow him to see the dim flickerings of a banked fire and a steady stream of smoke rising. Unsure of where he was, he shook his head without thinking. A second wave of dizziness hit him, and what was obscure spun slowly around.

With eyes shut again, he tried to remember.

I went to the village. Bre left me untied, and… I ran toward the river. I made it to the river and somehow fell. I didn’t drown, right?

He opened his eyes again to confirm the earthly nature of his surroundings. The light still flickered. He inhaled slightly and smelled a faint, acrid smoke. He felt a distinct pattern under his back, and realized it must be a bed of reeds laid parallel.

I am still alive… but where?

Kpleeb moved his fingers and felt a dried frond. Attempting to reach with the other hand, his movement came to a sudden stop. He tugged, carefully at first, more insistently. Soon he flexed his bicep with all of his strength and could feel a cord cutting into his wrist. He strained with the effort and breathed in sharply. There was a sharp pain in his chest and he coughed violently as a result.

Muffled voices spoke somewhere close by and within seconds a shadow formed over him.

“Awake now.” Hands tugged at his bonds, presumably to ensure that they still held fast. Another shadow blocked the firelight on the reed walls to his left. After a momentary rustling, the light from a newly lit torch flooded the hut.

Kpleeb clenched his eyes shut in reaction to the sudden light. Water trickled onto his lips, and he sucked it in, coughing again.

“Slow,” said a soft voice.

Kpleeb opened his eyes and saw Bre’s face bent over him. He drank in small sips as she poured from a shallow, clay bowl.

After a few moments Bre pulled the bowl away and dabbed at his face with a wet finger in swiping motions from the ridge of his nose to each ear.

“What happened?” Kpleeb croaked. “Why am I here?” He tugged at the rough cord that bound his wrists. “Why am I bound?”

Bre’s eyes focused on his, and Kpleeb could see a newfound wariness there. She no longer trusted him.

“You run,” she said flatly. “Fall, hurt chest, breath water.”

Her fingers gently pushed a spot of his ribcage, and pain bloomed.

Kpleeb inhaled sharply, and clenched his teeth. “Sorry. I didn’t want Molk to kill me.”

Bre shrugged her bare shoulders.

“Molk no trust. Kilow no trust now.”

Kpleeb sighed. “And Bre no trust,” he said quietly.

Her eyes flicked to meet his, and then away toward the other form. She lifted the bowl again and poured water onto his open mouth.

As Kpleeb drank, the other form approached. Kilow’s face entered his sight.

Kpleeb had never seen Kilow up close.

Her expression was stern, and it was accentuated by wrinkles that etched her skin. The skin of her face and torso was clean and deeply tanned. It resembled petrified wood that had been polished and carefully preserved. Her eyes were pale green and exuded a lively interest. Pure white hair was pulled back into a high pigtail. A necklace made of plain, grey stones of various sizes adorned her neck, but like Bre and the other women he had seen, Kilow wore no covering above her loincloth.

“I ask. You talk,” said Kilow. Though she appeared very old, her voice was strong and unwavering. Her eyes scanned his body, and he felt as if he was being examined down to the last molecule.

He waited for a question, and finally, Kilow spoke again.

“Where from?” she asked.

Kpleeb’s eyes flickered between Bre and Kilow. “Land above canyon.”

Kilow’s hand moved like a striking cobra. “Lie. Speak your words not caveman words.”

Kpleeb’s face stung where she had slapped him, and his mind spun.

She wants me to speak in my own way. I cannot give away Thoka… or the story of the two caves. I don’t know where the wet mountains are or the river canyon or the tundra. If I speak of them, she could send Molk to attack.

He had no idea how strong Molk’s warriors were in comparison to the warriors back home at the river canyon. He grew up knowing that the river canyon warriors won many battles, but he also remembered the few losses. He knew he must speak, and decided to split the truth, and deflect any identifying characteristics of his story.

“Okay, I will speak my words,” he said with a nod. “I am Kpleeb from the wet canyon tribe. I do not know where my home is because I am lost. I hope the great spirit tahr will help me to find my home again.”

Kilow listened and seemed to parse his words and phrasings. After a moment she nodded. “Good speak, but more lie.”

Kpleeb sputtered in disbelief. “Lie? Why do you say that?”

“You not from here.” Kilow pointed at his shoulders, hips, and feet as she spoke. “Qui know every caveman. You other caveman. Feet not worn. Muscle shape weak, different.” Her hand struck his face again in the same spot.

Kpleeb’s eyes involuntarily welled with tears from the stinging slap. “I do not mean to offend you. I come from a very great distance, but have rested nearby for some time. You must let me go and find my family. Please!”

Kilow’s eyes narrowed. “What is great spirit tahr?”

“Urh…” Kpleeb stammered. “He is the tahr that rules the world. He brings the rain, wind, and sun. You must know of him.”

Bre shifted on her feet and looked in askance at the chief.

Kilow sucked her teeth for a moment and sighed. “No great spirit tahr. Qui protect tribe.” She shook her head and repeated herself. “You other caveman. Very different. You talk. Where from? How come to canyon?”

Kpleeb did not know what to say. He did not want to be slapped over and over by the fiery old cavewoman. He also did not want her to call Molk and be bashed into a bloody pile of flesh. There was no escape. They knew he would run and no longer trusted him. He had to admit to himself that he would flee again if given the chance. He was a prisoner in a village of cavepeople who distrusted him and had no reason to let him go. He suspected that Kilow was willing to wait for the information he might provide because, somehow, she saw some truth hidden behind his statements. Molk would rather kill him soon and forget about the consequences, but Molk was not nearly as cunning as Kilow.

“I come from a great distance with my wife. We are just passing through, and wish you no harm. She will find me, and she will rescue me. She will punish anyone who stands in her way. It would be safer for you and your children to just let me go.”

Kilow looked at Bre momentarily and then back at Kpleeb. “What name wife?” Kilow said calmly. “When she come?”

“I will not give you her name. You will know when she arrives. If you let me go, I will take her far away.”

Kilow’s eyebrows rose for a second before she replied. “If go, I not meet wife. You stay, wait.” She nodded. “Maybe come. Maybe not.” Kilow turned on her heels and walked out of the hut.

Kpleeb looked at Bre who was staring at him. “You should let me go,” he said quietly.

Bre looked at him oddly for a lengthy moment before turning and leaving.

Kpleeb put his head back down on the reeds and sighed audibly. He had done his best to scare them, but was afraid that it was not enough. Kilow seemed to have insight into things that Kpleeb did not expect. She was strong, and she trusted her instinct.

She would make a formidable enemy. If Thoka comes, I will need to make sure that Kilow and Bre choose to work with us. If Thoka comes back?

Kpleeb scoffed lightly out loud. He knew that Thoka would come back. It would take her some time to find him, build a plan to rescue him safely, and then make that plan happen. He just needed to wait and keep stay calm. He began to ponder what he saw and what questions he might ask Kilow tomorrow or the next time. Perhaps he could use knowledge to make allies. After all, Kilow seemed particularly bright, for a caveperson.

Soon, Kpleeb fell asleep.

He awoke in the light with Bre standing over him holding a tuber.

“Eat,” she said.

Kpleeb was hungry and did eat even though the tuber was very bland.. He took some water when it was offered. When he had finished, he spoke just as Bre was turning to leave.

“Can I go outside today? I have to urinate.”

Bre turned back and scowled at him. “Want escape? Not trust.”

Kpleeb shrugged. “I just need to urinate. If you wish, I will do it laying here as I am.”

Bre shook her head. “If outside, Molk see, Molk beat you.”

“Yes, that would be bad,” said Kpleeb with a small grin. “I don’t want Molk to beat me. Where then can I urinate?”

Bre looked around the hut and after a moment pointed at a wall. “Wait, I dig hole.” She disappeared from his sight and came back in. When she finished, he could see that she had dug an indention in the dirt at the bottom of a wall. “Go here,” she said coming to him. “No run. No!” she said through clenched teeth as she loosened the cord that wrapped his wrist.

Kpleeb sat upright and nodded at Bre. “Thank you. I won’t run.” His legs hurt, and he walked toward the hut wall carefully and relieved himself. When he turned around, he saw that Bre had turned her back on him at the hut door.

“I’m done,” he said, walking to the reed mat. He laid down and put his wrists where they were before so that she could fasten the cords.

“Thank you,” she said after she had tied the cords.

She disappeared for the rest of the day. Outside, Kpleeb could hear cavechildren playing and the random noises that were produced by a village of people without technology. He slept off and on. Dusk came, then darkness. He urinated in the evening after eating tubers.

Bre curled up on a mat near the door of the hut and slept.

Kpleeb laid awake long into the night thinking about how he might escape, what questions should be asked to determine where he and Thoka should go next.

This tribe, except maybe Molk, could be useful. They could provide food and information. They could be friends in time of need. I wonder how much power Kilow has? Is this tribe a co-ruler situation or a non-warrior/warrior shared leadership? How long have they been here? Are there other tribes nearby? Enemies?

Sleep took him.

The Index -|-

Thoka huffed quietly to herself and put her viewing rod aside. The magnified view that she had experienced disappeared as the rod was removed from her line of sight. She had not enjoyed seeing Kpleeb with the girl in the village. As far as Thoka could see, he had not touched the girl, but he was standing there unclothed in the river while she spoke to him.

He had been tied to a pole in the village for most of the days and nights since his capture. She had seen the big caveman beat Kpleeb and mock him. She could not hear the words spoken, but understood much of the body language. The dark-haired girl was the only one who had fed Kpleeb and spoken to him.

She gritted her teeth in frustration.

[Two days and the hussy is throwing herself at him already. And the bathing! What kind of woman bathes in front of a strange man! I need to hear what they are saying. Without the words, I cannot know what I need to do.]

Thoka’s face flushed in anger. The image of the girl and Kpleeb dripping with water filled her mind. Her rage increased exponentially. Her imagination was fueled by hormones and a lack of sleep. It ran away from her quickly and her thoughts spiraled out of control.

[She is thin… look at me. Ugh.] She looked down at her pregnant torso and grimaced. She was not tremendously large, not yet anyway, but she had lost the toned and shapely figure she had once been so proud of and had gained an unsightly bulge on her abdomen. [He cannot help but be attracted to her- to anyone else- really. How can I blame him?]

The baby kicked and Thoka was brought back to the present. She smelled a faint savory scent, and looked about her. There was forest in all directions. In front of her the river trailed from left to right. It was mostly hidden by the trees, but the silver sheen of sunlight on water broke through the trees in spots. To her right, the village rested on the river at a medium to far distance. There was no sign of a fire or anyone cooking anywhere closer than the village.

Maybe the scent drifted on the wind from the village. It seemed unlikely, but she knew that air currents flowed in ways and patterns that she could not discern. She sighed. [There is no point in being so angry at him. Maybe the baby is affecting my temper. but the girl will pay… maybe Kpleeb too, but for now I must save him.]

Kpleeb was the only smart caveman on the planet as far as Thoka knew, and she had become quite fond of him during their time together. He might be hairy and not particularly strong, but he was a caring caveman. To be specific, he cared for her and had demonstrated it on a regular basis. Thoka had lived long enough to know that this was not normal for many cavemen.

[Does he really care for me?]

Three days ago, she would have stated with certainty that he cared. Now… she doubted his feelings. To be fair, she  also doubted her own judgement and seethed at the apparent insecurity that lifted its flaming head. Thoka shook her head and picked up her sight rod again. Holding it in her right hand she directed it toward the village and slowly changed the angle and rotation of her hand until the view improved.

She was still discovering the its methods of use, but with the rod focused on the village she could see a reasonably close-up view. The air around the edges was cloudy and streaked, but it was clear in the center. There in the village, the pole now stood alone and bare. It was surrounded by crude huts made of reed and mud. Children the size of her thumbs played in clumps. There was no sign of Kpleeb or the girl.

[Did she steal him away?]

Thoka bit her lip and suppressed the annoyance that tried to interrupt her newly reclaimed peace. She then carefully, rescanned the rest of the village and found nothing to alleviate her concern. Wherever Kpleeb was, she could not see him. The village was relatively close to the river. A trail ran along the river bank from the canyon and past the village. The trail only disappeared when nearby foliage obscured it from view. In the far distance she could see a great, flat space, but it appeared to be many days travel from the village.

On the opposite side of the village, the jungle grew thickly and greenly. Several large, rocky crags were visible at a short distance. They were overgrown with climbing green plants and deep shadows. Thoka had never seen anything like it, and Kpleeb had never described anything similar during their long talks in the prison caves. His homeland was dry tundra with only distant mountains visible. She had considered that those mountains might just have been the wet mountains where she had grown up.

The wet mountains were tall, chilly, and its cliffs were loaded with mountain goats. Though the summers were mild, the winters there had always been brutally frigid. Thoka had traveled to the land at the base of the mountain when she had been granted her cavewoman-hood ritual. It had been a tremendous hike, seven days to reach the foothills below. She remembered how strange it felt. The jagged evergreen trees that she was used to were gradually replaced with budding trees with huge leaves. Enormous boulders the size of huts were strewn everywhere, and the land was mostly rutted and rocky. She remembered that it felt like a wasteland. It took ten days to ascend the mountain again.

[It could be that it was Kpleeb’s tundra. Or perhaps the beginnings of it.]

She scanned the village again, and finding that nothing had changed, she put down her viewing rod again. She was hungry, and she knew that warriors could be close by. She had heard them earlier in the day as they passed on the trail below on their way upstream. Looking up at the sun, Thoka could tell that it was just about mid-day. It would be some time before they walked the trail again. There was no better time to leave.

Thoka picked her way carefully down from her perch, pausing every few steps to listen. In a few minutes she reached the trail, and a short time after that she was back across the river. There was only a game trail on the other side where she and Kpleeb had first approached the river. They had never seen any cavepeople on that side of the river. Stopping for a drink, she sat, filled her yellow-stone container with fresh water, and began to make her plans.

[In order to rescue Kpleeb I will need to sneak in and steal him away. Will he want to go with me? Maybe at night and I can knock him out… but then how would I carry the brute? Or… maybe I can find a way to trick them into leaving him alone. A diversion. Or… Wait, if I can see clearly across this distance, maybe I can fight them or hurt them across the distance. There has to be something useful about the invisible forces other than the far-sight.]

Thoka had been in enough fights to know that she could not beat a village full of cavemen without a major advantage of her own. She just needed to think… and plan. The baby kicked again.

“I know, little one, I know. We’ll get some food soon,” she murmured.

She stood and traveled into the forest and up the hill toward the canyon’s ridge. There, halfway up she paused and silently scanned the forest below her. After a few moments, she was sure that nobody was following her. She ducked under a branch that and stepped into a half-circle against the granite wall. The trees had gathered here to protect the mouth of a cave from being seen. She had only spotted it the day before while scanning with her viewing rod from her high perch on the other side of the river.

Thoka stepped under the stone cliff and toward the sloping roof. The cave was shallow, only a handful of paces to the rear wall. There were no animals in sight nor were there bones or other signs that one might count this place as their residence. She reached up and touched the ceiling with outstretched fingers. They came away clean, and there was no sign of soot.

[Is it possible that no caveman has ever found this cave? With a village so close? Can you really call them “cave” people if they live in huts? This is a perfect spot for a den. Why are there no animals here? She pondered the question for a moment before discarding it. There is more important thinking to do. I must eat, drink, and be strong. I must rescue Kpleeb.]

Thoka was diligent and began to think, plan, and work. Soon she had a fire inside the cave, and the thin smoke wafted through the tree boughs above the cave entrance. She ate the remainder of the fish Kpleeb had left her, and took another long drink of water. She then laid out her pieces of yellow-stone. By the time it was dark, she had a workbench and a new rod to test.

[I have to figure out how to hear when I use the viewing rod. I have to find a way to hurt the cavemen from a distance. And shield myself from their stones and spears.]

She squinted and looked up. The sun had disappeared behind the canyon walls and her cave was dim. Her shoulders ached from the bending, and her butt ached from sitting on the stone.

[And I need light. Kpleeb better not make me regret this.]