The cat rested through the day, occasionally looking out of half of one eye, toward where the new members of the pride passed back and forth, all of them making believe the cat wasn’t there. The cat passed semi-conscious moments reflecting on how easy it would be to leap up, dive out of the cleft, and then latch on to one of them, the smallest appearing to probably be the most delectable. But, for some reason he couldn’t quite grasp, his taste for fire cooked fish had grown, while his taste for raw living meat had lessened considerably. Also, the new members of the tribe ignored him, as if they knew they were in the pride. How was he, the dominant male cat he was, supposed to react to new pride members who had never been approved of, welcomed or even inspected in any way for pride membership?
The fall into the river had been more devastating than the cat could have imagined, prior to his great leap. There’d been no air he could take in, ice cold water moving fast toward a deadly waterfall, and then the swim, as short as it had been, had almost been terminal. The fur that thickly covered the rest of his body was almost nonexistent along the entire stretch of his belly. The pain from his belly skin’s flat impact with the water remained with him, and every move was discomforting, if not agonizing. Night time would come, but the cat wouldn’t hunt. Possibly, the younger human would catch and cook more fish, although with the addition of more members to the pride, what fish prepared might have to be fought over.
Interesting contrast between the tribal women and Star Black, Wren and Harriet. Different times and settings. I don’t know of any other author that can successfully write so many different themes and I read a LOT! Another well done chapter.
THanks Monty. I am currently writing Island, Cat and 30 Days simultaneously on the same big screen. Interesting
because they are so very different…and in some ways, as you observe, not.
Semper fi,
Jim
Had the same thought as Pete, the bear…
thanks for the comments and the predictions!
semper fi,
Jim
James – fantastic work!
To think that a large cat could be hit by lightening and become sentient….
I think Tama and Cetan have their work cut out for themselves, trying to make their point with the oncoming warriors to serve as a guard force.
Glad that the women and girls are pitching in and helping with the physical work.
Wondering what in the heck is going to happen with the beaver, that furry, stalwart fellow!
Thanks so much for such a fascinating chapter in this great story.
Much appreciate the depth of your thoughts and comments on the story.
And the compliment too…
Semper fi,
Jim
Safety in numbers. Maybe the bear will make an appearance to help the illusion as well.
Some safety in numbers, although numbers also attract attention. Funny mix, there…and one mot necessarily understood until experienced.
Thanks for the comment and the compliment implicit in our writing…
Semper fi,
Jim