Cetan and Tama gathered leaves into the sunset, only stopping from making their runs back and forth to the fire in order to eat what fish the women had cooked. There were no meal times. They ate when they had food until they were full and then saved what they could to eat again as soon as they grew hungry. The only rule was that they only ate when they were all together. The boy noted, as he’d watched the women work on preparing food over the past few days, that they were very quick and accurate with their hands, without seeming to pay any attention of training. Convincing the women to help with the making of the amount of rope that would be called for turned out to be the least of their problems. The women went at the braiding enthusiastically to the point that the warrior and the boy had to work full time simply to supply them with the stalks and leaves necessary for the construction.
When they were ready, with a reasonable approximation of how much of the braided line would be needed, Cetan and the boy hauled coil after coil down to the lower river bed closer to the rocks dotting along the river just above the waterfalls.
James, really sorry to hear of a downturn with your health, and hope you will be OK.
I am so fascinated by your “unfolding tale” that I just had to go back and re-read. I realize that turns and changes in a writer’s life affect his or her writing from time to time, and sincerely hope that you can get back to this story and carry us along. It is a great story, similar to your Mastodon stories, which I enjoyed so much i bought them. All lost in the September 3 fiasco, along with all my other books, clothes, and flintlock making tools and supplies. Hoping that after I get re-established in an actual home Dec. 1, that I can really begin, start all over. Be good and keep in touch.
Send me your new address and I will replace all of your lost Strauss collection for free.
Insurance for being what you are and saying what you do on here…
My pleasure…really.
Semper fi,
Jim
Really enjoy this tale you are spinning, James. Entertaining, but also thought-provoking.
Actually, the tale is unfolding, rather than being spun, although who’s looking at the details of origin that closely?
Thanks for commenting o here and thanks for the compliment too…
Semper fi,
Jim
Did NOT want to get hooked on this story. Got hooked on it anyway.
Great compliment Arnie and I thank you for that…
Semper fi,
Jim
Another great addition to the story line. Now you got me wondering about your forest cat as I have no experience with them. Guess will have to read up on them. There is a new treat out now that comes from China called silver vine. It is supposed to be more attractive to cats then catnip. It is from a fruit tree of sorts and the cats chew the twigs from it. It can be found on Ebay .
Always appreciate your input, Pete.
Harvey Strauss shared how I come to have Bentley in this short story
Bentley
Semper fi,
Jim
Another great read. One point though. In previous chapters you called their find obsidian. Though flint and obsidian are both used in tool making and have similar chrystaline structure they are obviously not the same. In the interest of consistency, I suggest that you call it one or the other. All obsidian I have ever encountered has been black, so since you described this material as red or pink, I suggest you use the term flint throughout.
Obsidian would be more correct and I have made the correction thanks for you Bob…
Semper fi, and thanks so much for the instructive help.
Jim
James, as an old geologist, obsidian is technically volcanic glass derived from the rapid cooling of certain types of lava flows. Flint/chert on the other hand, is cryptocrystalline quartz (silicon dioxide). The obsidian is more brittle than flint, but is very hard and therefore fractures with very sharp edges. Excellent story by the way!
Thanks for he geology education. Yes, obsidian is all of that and I got the background from my anthropology days.
Appreciate the comment and the help, as well as the compliment…
Semper fi,
Jim
There are several different shades of obsidian. Reds and pinks are fairly common as are brown and black.
Thanks Jerry. I much appreciated the advice and help.
Semper fi,
Jim
Thanks James great addition to the story.
thanks for the compliment Bill…
Semper fi,
Jim
Oh so great too have you back. We love this story, my wife and I. Thanks for the writing.
You are most welcome SA. My pleasure.
It’s a fun novel to write, particularly as I watch, observe and interact with my Norwegian
Forest Cat at and around the home…
Semper fi,
Jim