The Index -|-

Days and days went by, and Kpleeb became all too familiar with the hut. He paced and thought and he made small marks on one of the poles that held the hut roof in its upright position. This was a trick he had learned in the caves, but this time it was different. The hut was too hot during the day and too cold at night. He could not see the sun, and he had to use a hole in the corner for defecation. All this because Bre and Chief Kilow were convinced that Molk would kill Kpleeb if he was seen outside.

He tried to reason with Bre every day as she brought him food, but she would not take him outside or make any real decision without the Chief.

“Do you serve Chief Kilow?” Kpleeb asked her. He was not sure about the relationship between most of the members of the tribe.

“Kilow, Chief,” said Bre as she handed him a tuber.

“Yes, but…” Kpleeb paused to think as he took a bite. “But, do you work for her? Are you her servant? What is your role in the tribe?”

Bre looked at him for a long moment before answering. “I next chief.”

“Oh-” Kpleeb had not thought about apprenticeship or training. It only brought more questions to mind.

“Is Chief Kilow sick? Why do you need a chief?

“Kilow wise and strong. I must wise and strong. I learn.” Bre handed him another bland tuber. “Wet canyon tribe have chief?”

Kpleeb was sitting up, and his ankles were not bound. He crossed his legs and leaned back slightly. He was well aware of how a string of lies could unravel and the most inopportune moment. From his past, he only knew of the workings of the canyon river tribe, and there he had not been a leader.

What a question! I have to tell the truth about most things. But… Thoka and I left our tribes – were TAKEN from, really – maybe we are our own tribe now?

He thought about the months in the caves with Thoka. He remembered learning from her, being impressed by her focus and intelligence, and enjoying her beauty. In time, she had accepted him.

We are a family, not a tribe. The only tribe I can speak of is the one I grew up in.

Kpleeb was brought back to the present by Bre’s voice.

“What think?” said Bre.

“Urh, well… My tribe had an old chief when I was a cavechild. His name was Ipluu, and he died from the bite of a river snake when I was young. The only thing I remember about his was his long, white hair. He was a strong warrior, but he lived a full life. Fab Elder Shoofit was chosen to become chief when he died.”

Bre raised her hand. “Chief is, caveman?”

“Yes.”

“Urgh Fab Shoofit, why new chief?”

Kpleeb remembered the ceremony well, and so he told Bre the story.

“After the funeral pire and sumptuous dinner of fish baked in fermented yak’s milk and ground chin-weed, the tribe had gathered in a large circle. I was only a cavechild at the time, so I could not stand in front. I saw everything through the elbows of the cavemen and women who encircled the pire.”

“What is pire?” Bre asked.

“Urh, when the chief dies, they place his body on a pile of wood and burn it.”

Bre looked shocked.

Kpleeb continued. “Most of the cavemen held yak-skin tubes of fermented yak’s milk, and some were quite drunk. Everyone knew and liked old Ipluu. He had been chief for a long time. I could not count with numbers that large, but Fab Elder Shoofit would surely know. Chief Ipluu became chief when my Mam was a child. He must have been…” Kpleeb paused to calculate. “He was chief at least twenty years or urh… two-hundred-forty moon cycles. He must have been at least five-hundred moon-cycles old.”

Bre’s eyes squinted at him for a moment. “Young chief. Die young.” She shook her head in apparent disbelief.

Kpleeb continued. “Several cavemen were pushed forward into the center of the circle by others. A couple of those refused and returned to the circle of watchers, but some stayed in the center. Fab Elder Shoofit was only called Shoofit at the time, but he stayed. Each caveman in the center was given a yak-skin of Poodis’ high-test. Poodis was known for making the best fermented yak’s milk in the region, and some of it was strong enough to clean various wounds and burns with.”

“Anyway, the cavemen that would become chief had to be the strongest. They each drank the entire yak-skin, and Fab Elder Shoofit was the last one to fall down.”

“Urgh,” said Bre, “how drink become strength? No battle, or wise test?”

Kpleeb nodded. “Sure, I understand that. Everyone already knew these cavemen well. They were all fine warriors and were wise, at least mostly. The chief of the tribe must sit down with the other tribes and talk. They make war and peace between tribes, and those talks always involve drink. A strong chief must be able to parley for a long time and keep his wits about him. For a chief to pass out during a tribe parley would be nearly unthinkable, and the other chiefs there would certainly take advantage of his state.”

Bre was silent for a few moments while Kpleeb finished his food. “Fab Shoofit chief now. Where? You live how long?”

Kpleeb rolled his eyes. “I am young, only maybe two-hundred-fifty moon-cycles.”

Bre’s eyes practically bugged out of her head. “No!” she said forcefully. She rose to her knees and prodded at Kpleeb’s shoulder as if seeing it for the first time. “You older. Much older.”

Kpleeb shook his head. “No, I’m not. anyway, you already asked me where I came from. I – we came from a long distance.” Kpleeb pointed outside in a random direction since he did not know where the canyon was. “Long way. More important is that she will come here. When that happens, you will be safer if I am treated well. Maybe we can trade with you.”

Bre sat back down and stared at him with a new look in her eyes. After a moment of consideration, she appeared to accept his age, and she held her hands open. “What trade?”

“We have very much to trade. The most important is knowledge.” Kpleeb tapped on his forehead. “You have food and you know this region.”

“You stay in… region?” Bre said as if considering the word, though she did not question its meaning.

“Maybe,” said Kpleeb. He did not want to vacillate about their intentions or provide any reason for Kilow’s tribe to be concerned… but he would not leave unless it was with Thoka. They would decide together. “What other tribes are there nearby, and how far does your tribe’s territory extend?”

Bre smiled. “I not give knowledge for free. You trade.”

Kpleeb grinned at Bre. “Ehem… Ahh, yes. Well…”

Just then there was a loud hubbub from outside followed by a more distant cry. Bre rose to her feet quickly, and ran to the door of the hut. She stopped and pointed at him.

“YOU NO RUN!” she said forcefully before pulling back the hanging reeds and disappearing outside.

Kpleeb got to his feet and peered through the reeds at the door. The door to this hut faced the village center just like they all did. He could see cavepeople of all shapes and sizes running in different directions. Some were cavewomen herding cavechildren into or behind huts, and some were warriors with wooden clubs and spears heading the opposite direction. He stuck his head out to get a better idea of what was happening and saw a group of warriors in pitched battle past the edge of the village.

Molk was there with his cavemen. His tree-trunk arms were swinging in wide arcs, and where his club landed, bones broke. Kpleeb could hear the crushing and cries of pain even at this distance. The village warriors seemed to protect his back and sides from a distance while he worked.

The warriors who were attacking the village appeared to be short and very pale. Their attacks were darting and they wielded long spears of springy wood. Their spears had successfully skewered a number of village cavemen, and there were wounded laying in the brush in various spots. Kpleeb could see no pale cavemen that were down, and wondered how that could be possible given Molk’s devastating melee.

Just then, Kpleeb saw a movement out of the corner of his eye and he turned quickly to his left. A pale leg vanished behind the next hut. He turned and looked for other villagers that might raise an alarm. Seeing none, he sprinted toward the edge of the next hut. When he came around the corner, there was no one there, but he heard a rustling behind the adjacent hut. When he turned that corner, he froze.

Two young cavechildren were cowering on the ground with their arms wrapped around their heads. Low pitched groans and wails emanated from the smallish lumps of cavehumanity. Above them and two steps back stood a pale stranger holding a long spear. The pale warrior’s back was turned toward Kpleeb.

Kpleeb backed up quietly and grabbed a thick tree branch that was resting against the hut. He had seen one of the cavewomen beating woven reed mats with this kind of stick. With the stick in his hand, he tip-toed forward and struck the pale figure with a downward swing. The stick struck squarely on the shoulder and the form dropped. Kpleeb stepped forward and bent over the cavechildren.

“Are you okay?”

They looked up at him with teary eyes and nodded. Then they recoiled and cried out at the same time.

Kpleeb felt a warning and ducked. A spear whizzed by just where his head had been. The spear changed direction as a reaction to his movement and Kpleeb was slapped hard in the ear. He swung his arm and rotated violently. His fist came around and connected with the head of the pale warrior. The warrior grunted and fell again. This time, Kpleeb sank to his knees and began to pummel the strange face with his fists. The warrior fought back for a moment, but soon became unmoving.

Kpleeb was breathing heavily and his ears rang. He sat back and held up his bleeding hands for a moment before remembering the cavechildren who were now hovering hesitantly at the edge of the hut.

“It’s safe now,” said Kpleeb through his heavy breathing. He nudged the warrior with his foot. “He is out cold for now.”

“Kpleeb!” Bre came around the corner and knelt near him. Her finger touched his ear gingerly. “Ear broken!”

Kpleeb nodded. “I’ll be fine. Help me up.”

Bre helped Kpleeb to his feet just as Chief Kilow appeared from the opposite direction.

“Children, go,” said Kilow with a sharp gesture. She looked at the pale warrior and then at Kpleeb. “You go inside hut. Molk almost finish.” She took a few steps toward the hut that had become Kpleeb’s home and turned to gesture. “Come.”

Kpleeb followed Chief Kilow with Bre at his side. “I can walk just fine,” he mumbled. The side of his head stung, and he felt slightly dizzy, but he gritted his teeth and continued walking on his own until they came to the hut. He sat down on the mat.

“Thank you. Can I have some water?”

Bre nodded at him and left.

“What happen?” said Chief Kilow. Her stare demanded an answer.

“I saw a pale warrior running around the hut. I followed him and he was threatening the cavechildren. That’s all.”

Chief Kilow examined him silently for a few moments before nodding. “Good. Thank you.”

To Kpleeb, it seemed as if she had taken his simple statement at face value.

It is the truth, after all. What was I supposed to do, run away?

Bre arrived with a water skin and handed it to Kpleeb. “Kilow, we go. Molk come see Aytsik.” Bre looked back toward Kpleeb. “Stay. No run.”

Kpleeb nodded and watched Bre and Chief Kilow leave the hut. He took a drink and laid back to rest.

When will you come find me, Thoka?

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.]

The Index -|-

Kpleeb sat against the village pole in a total state of public humiliation. The sun rose above the glowing horizon and continued to rise until it faced him and eventually began to scorch his face. Despite the harsh sun on his chest, face, and arms, in the shade behind him, his back was frigid and stiff. After some time, he watched village eat, the cavemen left and soon children began to run and play around the huts and in the river. Kpleeb watched the people come and go freely, and he deliriously day-dreamed of a cool drink. His eyes rose and looked for his friend Bre.

She had come to feed him every day since Molk threw Kpleeb into the river. It had only been two days, but Kpleeb was healing rapidly, and was starting to believe that the village did not think he was a spy. At least, neither Bre nor Kilow (the chief) seemed to think he was a spy. He was not sure what the children thought, but Molk still treated him with great disdain accompanied by copious verbal disparagement. Kpleeb was not sure why, but he considered that it might be his own average stature or lack of bravado.

Molk was typical. He was a huge caveman and layered with corded muscles. His personality exuded confidence, and in several interactions with others in the village, Kpleeb saw him switch from intimidation to jocular friendship in the blink of an eye. He was the total package, a regular stud-muffin, and there were a couple of the cavewomen that trained their doe-eyes on his manly form.

Kpleeb shook his head with underlying disgust. [I’m stuck between freedom and this beast.]

Bre had not petitioned for Kpleeb’s release, but he could see that she was gentle and kind natured. Chief Kilow seemed to be pragmatic and understanding of the manipulations required for leadership. Kilow had told Molk that Kpleeb could be killed later, but only if Molk could find more spies. Kpleeb had been glad for the delay in what he assumed was a slow and terribly painful death, but he was still bound to the pole and unsure how long his captivity would last. Molk arrived promptly each morning, slapped Kpleeb’s head very hard, and then laughed and called him weak.

Kpleeb simply endured. [He will get tired of this eventually. There will be a time to escape or repay Molk for his cruelty.]

Finally,Bre rounded the corner of a hut across the hard-packed dirt that surrounded the village center. She paused and looked both ways before approaching him. Kpleeb saw the face of another young woman peer around the corner of the hut behind Bre as she approached, but the head quickly disappeared once it saw that he was watching.

Bre knelt on the dirt in front of Kpleeb, and nodded at him. “You thirsty,” she said quietly. He had never heard her speak above the hushed tones that she used now. “Molk and others gone for day. Kilow say you wash.” Her eyes squinted as she stared sternly at him. “But no run. Say it.”

Kpleeb could see that she was serious. “I promise. No run,” he said hesitantly. “Hungry too.” He gestured with his hand to his mouth.

Bre stood and went to the other side of the pole.

Kpleeb could feel the cord shaking as she pulled it apart. His hands soon loosened and he brought them around to the front of his body and stretched his shoulders while kneading his muscles with his knuckles. Every joint ached. He looked down at his naked body. His skin was covered with streaks of mud with scuff marks randomly interspersed where Molk or others had kicked or hit him. He was too skinny, and he could see ribs through the tight skin on his abdomen.

“Loincloth?” He asked Bre. Molk had found that she had returned it to him and had taken it again and set it on top of the pole where only the tallest of cavemen could reach. Then he had kicked Bre hard enough to throw her down in the mud. If it had not been for Kilow stepping up to reprimand him, Molk might have kicked Bre again. He seemed to enjoy inflicting pain.

Bre shook her head as she looked up at his loincloth several feet above her head. “Cannot reach. Molk be mad.” She shrugged and pointed toward the river. Kpleeb stood clumsily and put his palms together over his privates. “Come,” said Bre as she took a step.

Kpleeb turned and followed, and felt the sun shine on his backside. The movement attracted the cavechildren, who’s shrill, warbling laughs brought the village women. They appeared in door frames and from behind the reed-walled huts to stare at him. He hung his head in shame as he walked quickly to where he knew he could hide.

“Sssst!” Bre hissed at him and stopped in her tracks with her palm toward him. She jutted her chin forward towards his chest. “You walk big, like strong caveman. Walk strong; be strong. Walk weak; be weak.”

Kpleeb could not believe his ears. “This is incredibly humiliating and rude!” he burst out quickly. “Where I am from, it’s embarrassing to stand naked in front of strangers. How can you tell me to be strong?” He felt his face flush from the frustration.

Bre cocked her head slightly to the side as if she was listening to the distant trill of a rare bird. She paused for a long moment and stared at him. When she spoke, she was matter of fact. “Strong or weak. You decide and act with choice.” She tapped the center of his forehead gently with the tip of her finger before swiveling around to continue the walk toward the river.

Kpleeb followed her without thinking. She walked slowly as if there was no reason to hurry, and he did not want to hurry past her and show his insecurity.

[Of course she isn’t in a hurry. She’s not the one naked! They wear loincloths here as well, so she must understand.] He sighed loudly. The river seemed so far away. [If I run past her to the water, then I can drink. I am so thirsty. But if I run, I will look weak, as if I am too afraid to be embarrassed. What if that is what she means?]

Bre and Kpleeb arrived at the river bank well before any particular conceptual pattern solidified in Kpleeb’s mind. He blinked as a deluge of chilly water crashed onto his feet. Bre was bending near the water; preparing her cupped palms for another throw.

“Urg, that’s cold!” Kpleeb said with a slight shock as his attention returned.

“Water more cold two moons past,” said Bre. “Forgot your shame?” Her head nodded toward his privates.

Kpleeb quickly covered them with his palms. A raging violet flush took over his face. “Urgh,” he stammered, “yes. I-, I was thinking.”

Bre smiled. “Thinking what?” She looked back the way they came. The path was long-ish and the other cavepeople had gone on their own way.

“I wanted to run to the river,”Kpleeb grunted with embarrassment, “but did not want to be weak.”

Bre nodded.

“If I run, I escape the shame. If I run, I bring more shame. Is that what you mean?” To Kpleeb it seemed like an obvious no-win situation. The only choice was to determine which shame was more bearable.

“Not what mean,” said Bre. “You stuck choosing. Weak is here.” She pointed at his head. “You walk to river no shame. Why? You forget shame, walk strong when forget.”

Kpleeb paused and closed his eyes. [I forgot where I was because I was preoccupied. I forgot the embarrassment.]

“Look,” Bre continued pointing toward the village. “You walk strong. All cavepeople forget. Walk pass quick. No shame!”

“But-” interrupted Kpleeb, “It’s only because I forgot. I can’t go through my life in deep thought and forgetting what is around me.”

Bre held up her hand and shook her head impatiently. Her hair frizzed, catching the light and appeared as a brown seedball from a tundra flower. “No forget.” She paused and her mouth worked slightly. Finally, after a moment she spoke again with certainty. “Shame in here,” she pointed at his forehead again. “Think shame, you shame. Think strong, you strong. You choose shame or choose no shame.” Her head tilted slightly. “Understand?”

Kpleeb stepped into the river carefully. He needed a moment to process what Bre meant.

“Sit,” said Bre as she pointed to the shallows. “Wash and think.” She bent down and pulled a handful of water to drink.

Kpleeb turned his back and took another few steps. The rocks underneath were flat, larger than his hands, and made a semi-comfortable resting spot when he eased himself slowly into the swirling water. After taking a moment to settle, he shivered a few times and then began to wash.

[Thoka is near. You have to keep your head, Kpleeb. You must escape and go to her. This is a dangerous place, no matter how friendly this one girl is. Bre does seem genuine. She is trying to help.]

He turned his head and saw that she had gone upstream and had begun to wash herself there.

[What does she mean though? I choose shame? I choose strength? Maybe she thinks shame is just in my head? When I forgot about it, I did walk without shame.]

Kpleeb felt two of his brain cells touch with an infinitesimal sizzle and dash of smoke. His nose-hairs twinged as his eyebrows shot up and he scrambled to his feet.

[She says I choose whether or not to feel shamed! It’s my choice to cower or to run ahead or to forget the shame and be strong.]

Water poured off of Kpleeb’s naked and somewhat cleaner body. He turned and looked at Bre. “You mean, shame is just in my mind! My actions decide the rest. Right?”

Bre stood gracefully, and the skin on her arms glistened and formed goose-bumps from the combination of breeze and moisture. Her face was open and friendly, but she did not appear to concern herself at all with the environment. “Yes, Kpleeb. Choose shame or choose strong.” She walked toward him, carefully placing her feet on the wet rocks. When she approached, she pointed at his cheek where Molk had crushed him. “You heal fast.”

Kpleeb raised his hand and touched his cheek where the gash had been laid open just two days before. The skin was closed and tight, but he could feel the ridge where it had been. He pressed experimentally with the pad of his index finger and found that there was almost no pain. [Wow.]

“I feel very good now. Molk did not hurt me bad.”

Bre brushed away his finger and placed her own there. She slowly traced the line. It was only half a finger’s length, but her fingernail tickled as it brushed his skin.

Kpleeb shivered.

“Molk hit hard. You bleed bad,” she said. “You heal more fast than Molk.” Her eyes scoured the rest of his wounds with interest.

Kpleeb shrugged with a false humility. “I’m just lucky.”

“I talk with Kilow. Maybe Qui favor you.” Bre squinted up at his face. Her green eyes sparkling with curiosity. “We go now.” She turned quickly and began walking back to the village.

Kpleeb watched her for a few seconds. Her efficient gait was fascinating. He had thought that Qui might be Kilow’s husband, but now he was not so sure. [Favored by Qui? Maybe he is a brother to the great spirit Tahr. This would be a big deal for me.]

He followed Bre back to the village. As he drew closer, more heads appeared around the edges of the huts, and cavechildren began to congregate. Kpleeb felt the growing pressure, and gave in. He placed his palms over his privates, and in only a few seconds, a tiny cavegirl warbled in laughter. A caveboy next to her pointed at Kpleeb with his knuckle and chimed in with his own voice. By the time Kpleeb reached the pole, there were no fewer than twelve cavechildren following him, and the air was filled with their incessant chortling.

Kpleeb hung his head and sat down cross-legged in front of the pole with his back to the sun. In a moment he felt a nudge on his forehead and lifted it to see if Molk had some back to beat him again.

Bre tapped his forehead with her fingertip and smiled. “I get food,” she said as she turned away.

Kpleeb held his head up and glared at the cavechildren. He was not bound, at least not for the moment. [Maybe I should rise and flog these little twirps. It would serve them right.] He sighed. The village would kill him for sure if he beat up their brats. He needed to escape in order to return to Thoka.

[Escape. Why didn’t I think of that before now? Bre is not strong enough to keep me here, and I am not bound.]

He looked around to see if anyone was watching, but there were no adults in sight. The few cavechildren that had been chuckling at his expense had tired of their laughter and had begun to walk away to replenish their mouths with new ridicule.

[This is my chance. Time to take it.]

Kpleeb jumped up and ran toward the river with the longest, bounding strides he could muster. He was moving fast and had just about reached the water when he heard the first, thin shouts from the children. He was five great leaps into the river before he heard the first cavewoman yell. There followed a piercing sort of whistle that could certainly be heard for quite some distance. Kpleeb kept on, and the water began to catch his legs. He tripped as he reached the middle, and the water covered him. He was surprised at how wide, and deep the river was here. The roar, breath-taking chill, and rapid pace of the water caught him and pulled him under.