A Texas girl finds herself admiring a light in the sky only to find out it is indeed an alien, which transports her to another time long long ago in Africa and pairs her with a Neanderthal population in hopes that her descendants will populate Nort...
I knew when Teaki returned with the head of the Long Tooth that he had to go. Rarely do I shun others for pride in their accomplishments, but the signs had been gathering for a good fight. The day afterward we counted five dead boys killed in the cat's rage. They trapped it in the marshes by the papyrus groves and it wandered into a deep pool. The brash youths waited on the other side for it to come out thinking it would be easy to kill.
Crocodiles usually sleep in the cool hours of the night but were aroused by the commotion. According to Teaki, a large dragon had gotten hold of its flank and was pulling it back into the water. They were frightened by the crocodiles and watched in dumb desperation as the Long Tooth escaped the water, killing four of the young men who stood in the way of its freedom and safety.
It must have received a gashing wound in the leg because it limped leaving a trail of blood for Teaki to follow and eventually kill it.
The day after, the bodies of the dead were burned allowing their spirits to join the Ori in the Borealis. Glory be to their father and the holy spirits, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be.
Rumors had been gathering shortly after that, that Teaki would challenge me for the leadership of the clan. My sister Mary and my first wife Sara were with me as I prepared myself with piss-soaked ashes from the Eternal Fire. I knew they would protect me from death. Mary, in memory of Julie, wrote on my back the words FUCK OFF ASSHOLE, and I smiled knowing it was there. I knew that secretly they were worried and almost regretted the whole affair. I told them to leave and asked Johnny to see them back to their homes to pray for me in their own silent way, I can't abide the wailing of women when I am about to do battle.
I went about my business talking with my friends by the Eternal Fire when Teaki approached with a group of his own. He showed a brave face and for that, I respect his memory, but underneath he was frightened, for I am Jason Blue Eyes and I talk with Taso.
Everyone gathered around the pond and the eternal fire and lined the rim of the cliff behind my camp. I wanted to take care of this miscreant on my terms and felt it best not to bloody Julie's sacrament, so I walked towards the salt stones where many years ago, my son Clevis and I first killed the wily Oryx we named, The Dork, because it was a majestic name. I stood on top of the cliffs listening to the wind blowing over the stones and reeds as they whispered the memories of my youth. I felt victorious standing there with the ocean breeze blowing my long hair, my body still in good shape, holding on to a spear that others called my lucky spear. I watched Teaki as he neared looking brave and stout. But I knew enough about the will of men to know that once they have proclaimed their enemy, nothing could turn them away, lest they lose their pride and wither away in shame.
The crowd grew and hummed with excitement. Bets were placed and the women cried, and the fight began.
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