Mondo's Clan

Chapter 21: Noma

Noma, and her baby were the only ones to remain with the clan when lateen was captured. She had been listening to the plans and when Mondo left on his back scout. She went to Ludi "Please watch my baby Tiensi. And ask Mondo not to attack until she returned. She insisted it was important. Ludi finally agreed but still did not know where Noma was going.

Noma had made a pack out of Deer skin that had been cured with the hair scraped off. It contained things she might need on her trip. She fashioned a frame out of limber limbs tied the pack to the frame added straps to carry it on her back. On a strap tied to her waist was a pouch of rocks, her sling and her water bag. Also was a small pouch with extra straps for tying if needed and also it held her knife.

On her trip from her home clan she had been observant of the path traveled. She had had hopes of escaping from the lomen. This had proved unnecessary thanks to the appearance of Mondo and his cats. She made good time her 1st day, she picked a well protected clump of brush to make her bed. She was tired so did not make a fire.

Just before dawn, with the sky beginning to lighten she heard a growl her eyes popped open and she was staring into the eyes of an older Dire wolf, He was probably an outcast from his pack since he was alone. She had no chance to use her sling, all she had to use was her knife. The wolf was pushing its nose in to the brush trying to reach her. She slashed with her knife cutting the wolf's jaw and nose.

The wolf was irate and was tearing at the brush with teeth and claws. Just when it looked like the wolf was going to reach her ... the wolf yelped and its head disappeared. Holding her knife out I front of her she edged out enough to see. The wolf was on the ground and a tawny cat was worrying its throat. The wolf ceased its movement and the cave lion backed away.

With blood on its mouth it gave a mighty lick of its tongue and bounded toward her. She smiled it was Soli. Noma looked around expecting to see one of the hunters but ... Soli was alone. Noma wondered she had watched while the cats had been trained, Soli was over a Year old and almost full sized, and she had befriended the big cat She wondered if the cat had been sent or came on her own.

It really did not matter she was here and Noma had no intention of returning. She put on her pack and moved out. She was thinking about the signals she had watched the handlers use during the cats training. She used the one for scouting point. Soli turned playfully then headed out on point.

With Soli along with her things were a lot easier and there was little need of the caution she had exercised on her first day. They traveled quickly only eating after dark then resting till just before dawn then on the way again. Altogether they cut a week off the trip that Mondo had made with the freed captives.

Noma's Tribe was the largest, consisting of close to 100 hunters, 90 women and thirty childern, within 6 months walk. Noma was the daughter of a sub chief and daughter-in-law of the Head chief. It was a joyous time when she entered the village. The Chief Bola her Father-in-law was going to send for her Father Chief Runl. But she told Chief Bola why she was here is more important they talked for a few minutes.

Chief Bola summoned two messengers, Each Message : Our Daughter Noma is here, Our Savior Mondo needs our help bring twenty five hunters and supplies for 5 weeks. We attack lomen.

The next morning the forest was alive with hunters while the Chiefs had a Pow wow. Chief Bola placed Sub Chief Sarl in charge. Medicine man Char and Tor as spiritual guidance. Chief Runl begged to go common sense prevailed Sarl was thirty and Runl was sixty.

With a group of seventy five hunters and support with Noma and Soli in the lead. After the first day Noma was restless, she recognized one of the hunters, Flit, Flit was one of the captives with her. She talked to the Chief and Flit became chief scout.

With Flit knowing the way to the bramble gate meant Noma could get back to inform Mondo of the war party. Two hours before dawn she and Soli was on the run. Less than three weeks later She and Soli entered the bramble gate Leos was at the gate, he rushed to get Mondo.

When Mondo arrived Soli and Noma were in the hot pool soaking their tired aching bodies. At first Mondo had been angry with Noma for taking Soli until he was told that Soli had still been in camp 6 hours after Noma had left. Then he was just concerned. He almost went ahead for the planned attack.

But Noma had been so insistent with Ludi, it was important he wait.

Mondo walked to poolside Noma saw him disregarding her nudity she stood, Noma' s trim body yelled out to Mondo to grab her and mount her but with so many children running around he thought better of it. Noma began to explain what she had done and how many warriors would soon be available. With the Lake clan and Our Clan we will have over a hundred twenty Warriors.