Raw

Chapter Six - The Hunt

Early in the morning, Father left with my brothers to run out stray males from his territory. I watched them leave, hoping Mhor wouldn't be found.

Mother soon returned to the hut, carrying a cooked leg of a gazelle. "The stores are getting low," she said. "You should take your sisters on a hunt. It will help release some of the tension that has built up over the last few days."

I sat cross legged facing her as she set the bowl between us. "How have my sisters fared through this difficult time?"

She shook her head as she broke the meat apart. "Two were lost, taken away before their time."

I drew a deep breath, horrified. "Who?"

"Yunya and Tali."

"No." I slump, guilt sweeping over me. "Tali is barely an adolescent. She has quite a while until she comes of age."

"Your father will find them," Mother said, slipping a chunk of meat into her mouth. "Chances are the male who took them will abandon them when he realizes they are too young."

"Or kill them," I said breathlessly.

She pursed her lips. "Let's hope it didn't come to that."

We ate in silence. I couldn't believe my heat had stirred up so much turmoil. Hopefully I had conceived Mhor's child and I would not bring such an upheaval to our family again.

We finished eating and Mother led me outside. She called for my sisters to gather, and the somber mood hung over them like a dark storm cloud.

"A large herd of Gemsbok is passing through the south east part of our territory," Mother said. "I think we should take advantage of our good fortune and bring in some meat."

My sisters nodded, their eyes brightening at the prospect of a hunt.

I stepped forward. "I know we have had a hard blow, and I'm to blame—"

"No," my sisters murmured, shaking their heads.

I raised my hand. "But we need to continue on, for the sake of our pride, our mothers, brothers and the younger cubs. Father will find them, so we must have a feast ready upon their return."

"A fat Gemsbok would make a fine feast!" one sister called out.

"Or a male, weakened from a fight!"

They all chattered away excited by the prospect of a delicious feast. I smiled, even though my heart remained heavy. Giving my sisters hope was what mattered. "Come, sisters. Let's hunt."

We set out, keeping close together as we moved across the plains. With ten of us, all strong and armed to hunt, no male would dare approach. He wouldn't stand a chance.

We reached the south east corner and a wind carried the smell of the Gemsbok to us. We gathered to peek over the crest. The beasts grazed by the stream, numbering a hundred or more. My time to lead my sisters would soon come to an end now, so I needed to pass the lead over.

"Raba."

The oldest of my sisters shuffled forward. "Yes?"

"I want you to lead the hunt."

"Me?" Her eyes grew wide.

"Yes. I will be gone soon, so you must learn how to guide our sisters."

She shook her head. "I'm not ready."

"Yes you are." I grasped her shoulder. "And I will be right here to guide you."

Her chin quivered, but she gave a nod. "What should we do?"