SABIS the SURVIVOR

Chapter 7: False Hope

Chapter 7: False Hope

As Sabis marched on, he sang a warrior song from his youth:

Predator and prey, they lie close, about their piercings right through the nose, what choice do they have to escape this play? Whatever happens, it is Mother Earth's way. Fervent tongues that will have you bleed, a thousand years of embittered breeds. Tortured souls that wave their flags, soon they will reside in my bag. What is the price that a predator pays when he casts a spell rather than pray? Without sharp fangs to pick carcasses clean, he ends up living a life serene. That predator is no longer seen.

Sabis shunned taking a rest, for as he continued onward, he noticed SkyGod's angry face in the distant horizon.

"I must find shelter before SkyGod presses his hands on me."

Time passed slowly for him as one rocky and icy shelf coalesced into another.

"This land and its carpet of ice are not my cup of tea. I would rather be traveling under the ground, closer to where the source of my salvation lies."

Sabis grew tired from the extra weight that he carried across his back from his newly fashioned rib and spine spear as well as his prey's hard shell filled with coagulated blood. His parched lips and throat also told him that he needed to drink.

He decided to rest on one particular icy shelf that overlooked a neighbouring ice shelf with a large circular hole that pierced its middle area.

"Perhaps this ice desert does have some cruel beauty," Sabis mused.

He noticed some steam rising from below the center of that hole.

"Could this be what I am looking for?"

Up until this point, the climate had been that of an icy tundra with the land mostly covered with permafrost. Except for the occasional temperate zones that Sabis had stumbled onto, this icy land did not support much wildlife. He did not hear the usual sounds of a song that he was accustomed to in his home caves. At the start of every steam cycle, when the underground hot springs would release their pent-up pressure, the whistling that reverberated through the familiar underground caverns and ricocheted off of the cave walls would stir even the deepest sleeper from their slumber.

"SkyGod is playing tricks on me. Is there a hidden steam vent beneath the nearby ice? Have I been awake for too long?"

Sabis ached for a deep slumber, resting comfortably in the knowledge that he and his tribe members would have continued health for now and for the after time. His tribe the OverStrata, had been accustomed to living in the caves and exploring and hunting both in and out of the caves. Every thirty steam cycles, a warrior track and kill expert would be charged with the task of hunting outside of the caves in the hunting grottos, where strange beasts were known to live and breed. Each hunting expedition lasted anywhere from two to five steam cycles and forced the warriors to adapt to life outside of the caves. This dual way of life meant that the Overs were adapted to eating both cave and land foods. Moreover, they could live and survive in different temperature zones.

When he saw the steam rising from below the crest of the adjacent ice bridge, his heart skipped a beat as he drew in a quick blast of icy air. He whistled a tune from his younger times, one that was of hope and glory.

"My heart is clean, my mind is clear, my conscience pure, I'm rid of fear. Dear beautiful Mother Earth, I left you and did not spurn; for dear generous and sweet Mother Source, your fires still burn."

After his rest, Sabis felt somewhat rejuvenated but his throat remained parched. Perhaps he could melt some of this ice for a much needed, though icy, drink. He slowly and methodically maneuvered himself close to the edge of the precipice of the circular ice bridge. Lying flat on the cold ground, he anchored himself by hooking the loop from his knapsack to a large nearby stand-alone rock. Then he secured the other loop to his ankle.

Now that his head and neck were over the ledge, he was able to see for himself where the 'steam' emanated from. It was the breath from a slumbering giant furry beast!

Sabis observed that this animal had small ears and a big snout. It wore a furry hide that could cover a full-grown cave-dweller and possessed thick hindquarters that likely camouflaged its muscular undercoat. Sabis did not want to disturb this beast so he slowly receded backward. As he pushed himself away from the ledge, his increasingly numb hands dislodged some ice chips that clanged noisily into the beast's den. The ensuing groans and screams pierced Sabis' hope of a quiet reconnaissance mission.

Sabis quickly untied himself from his knapsack and climbed back to his previous location. The beast, now fully awake, had heard his footfalls and smelled his fear. It let out a thunderous roar and, using its sharp talons, scampered up out of its undercover resting place.