The Hooman Saga - Book Two, Part 1

Episode 10

(This book is available everywhere online. I'm working as I can to get this posted to Wattpad. if you can't wait to see how this turns out, see https://calm.li/HoomanSagaBk2Pt1 for more information and links.)

THE NEXT THING SUE KNEW, she was waking up inside a very dark cave-like den and remembering where everything was.

She was covered by a hide with thick fur facing her. It was a rawhide pelt, which seemed to have been chewed into a soft state. Comfortable and warm. Her suit had been stripped off her and she lay naked underneath the cozy fur. Before she could wonder what she would do next, darkness came through the opening into the cavern.

She recognized one of the female hunters who'd come out to protect her and the rest of the hunters.

"My name is Tig-she," the female hunter sent, after she dropped her package at her own front paws, near the edge of the bedding where Soo-she lay.

She sat on her haunches and looked at the human carefully. "These are for you. They should help."

Soo-she sat up and snaked an arm out, then pulled the package closer to her. It was more deer hide, tied in a bundle. As she untied it, she found an Indian squaw dress and moccasins.

Tig-she sent, "Go ahead and dress. It's not like I haven't seen a naked hooman before. It holds no interest for me."

And Sue asked, "How are the others? Tig and Snarl and the hunters?"

Tig-she replied, "They rest still, but they'll be off on a hunt tomorrow. By next moon-rise."

Soo-she asked, "I'm sorry to ask, but I am curious. Are you sister of Tig?"

And Tig-she let a chuckle out, "No but I am bonded."

"Bonded?"

And Tig-she replied with the thought of what happens when one meets a love they cannot deny. But at the same time she was sad.

Soo-she sent, "Why would you be sad? Tig would be an excellent mate."

And then Tig-she sent her a series of pictures of being rebuffed, but not unkindly. She finally sent, "Tig is not bonded to me. He is still his own wolf."

Then another dark form blotted out the opening to the small den.  

- - - -

TEACHER ENTERED THE DEN quietly, crouching on her haunches to the other side of the opening from Tig-she.

Soo-she had dressed by them. And found the moccasins were a good fit for her sore feet.

The Teacher sent, a smile in that thought, "You're every bit the picture of a chief's princess. We haven't seen such here in a thousand moons."

"There were Indians here?" asked Soo-she.

"That's not what they called themselves. We called them brothers and sisters. And they called us brothers and sisters. We hunted together but it has not been during my time."

Teacher continued, "I speak of the old days. Teachers before the teachers before me. When hooman and wolf shared the earth with all the other creatures and that was a time before all of this you see now. When the moon was still a spirit and not a thing that you landed on and built cities made of metal. Or mined beneath its surface," she sent with disgust. "That was a sacrilege."

And Soo-she bowed her head. "I understand this. I'm sorry." In shame of what her kind was doing.

The grey wolf then sent, "Don't bow your head. You have nothing to be ashamed of. It was not your doing. You are not one of them."

And yet Soo-she thought of her family there, Her father and mother, her sisters, brother.

"Yes I know that scene of yours. That will be your your journey to seek. We have more pressing matters now. Are you well enough to walk?"

Soo-she stretched her legs and felt her hands. "I think so."

"Where are my..." she sent a question about the first aid kit and her pouch. Then she saw they had been placed behind her bedding. She reached out and put the pouch strap over her neck and shoulder.

She realized she couldn't put any ointments on in this darkness. Then slipped the first aid kit into her pouch as much as she could. It made the pouch bulge. But if she didn't run, it would be safe there.

The gray wolf smiled at that. "We'd like to see what your cures will do. There was always wisdom to seek in unknowns."

Tig-she left, followed by the gray wolf. And finally, Soo-she.

(This book is available everywhere online. I'm working as I can to get this posted to Wattpad. if you can't wait to see how this turns out, see https://calm.li/HoomanSagaBk2Pt1 for more information and links.)