Page 21 of Caveman Alien’s Horn (Caveman Aliens #26)

21

- Sprisk -

I hurry over to the portal, ready for anything but keeping my kilt on. I don’t want to be completely invisible — that’s less intimidating than just being half visible.

There’s a big man, standing still at this side of the portal. He must be astonished at what he sees.

It looks like he’s alone, so I stop and take some time so my skin can revert to normal. But I leave my horn out. Because this particular tribesman coming to the clearing means that my life here with Cora is over. One way or the other.

“Chief Korr’ax,” I greet him, making sure he hears the growl in my voice. “I did not expect you.”

“Greetings, Foundling Sprisk,” Korr’ax says calmly, more courteous than me. “Please accept my apologies. I never wanted to intrude, though I am aware that I am doing just that.”

It’s only the second time I’ve talked to him. And the first time was a short meeting with many others. He’s a formidable man — chief of two tribes and the man who allowed my clan to settle on his turf, where his Borok tribe can help keep us safe. Arguably he’s the greatest man on Xren, married to an Earth woman and leader of the finest villages.

We Foundlings have much to thank him for, they say. I’m not so sure. It feels like our clan is lesser now, having to constantly compare ourselves to the tribesmen.

“Then make the intrusion complete,” I growl and stand back. “Come all the way in. I can only assume that it’s not me you’re here to see.”

“Your assumption is right. Is Cora here?” he asks as he steps onto the dead grass of the clearing. “I must confess that I am here to beg.”

I point. “To beg? Well, there she is. Healthy and safe.”

He looks around. “This is a remarkable place, Sprisk. What are those things?”

“Cora calls them ‘mushrooms’, I tell him. “She knows similar things from Earth. They’re not usually this big, she says. I just know that they keep the Bigs out.”

“They do? Then I would want them in the villages instead of the palisades we have now. But I think they’re too big.”

“I think so too. Please come with me, Chief. There is a stream between us and Cora, but it’s hard to see.”

“Lead on, Sprisk.”

We walk towards the campfire. Cora is standing up, seeing who it is who’s come.

I throw a glance behind us, but there’s no more tribesmen coming. Korr’ax is alone, which I know is rare.

“You must have walked for a long time,” I comment as we go down into the creek channel. “And you must have chosen the right way. Was that by chance?”

“No, I knew where to go.”

We wade across the creek.

“How did you know?” I ask, not willing to let this go.

“A young member of your clan came here some days ago.”

I climb the other bank and reach Korr’ax a hand to help him up the loose dirt. “He claims he wasn’t followed.”

“Not by a clansmember, perhaps. But he was unfortunate and was followed at a distance by one of my men, who is an expert tracker. He wondered why the young Foundling was walking in the jungle before sunrise and followed him. You should know that we were already interested in young Bakitan, because we thought he knew where you might be. Our women in the Borok tribe talk a lot with the women of the Foundling clan, you see. They were concerned about Cora, who they knew was missing. But I see now that she was in good hands.”

Cora still stands by the fire. I notice that she has a small log in one hand, holding it like one might a club. I like seeing it, and I resolve to arm her better than that. And yet…

I stop. “Chief, if you’re really here to beg something from Cora, then I wonder if it is appropriate to approach her in this way, armed as if you’re here to rob or wage war.”

“Good point,” Korr’ax says and immediately loosens his sword belt. It clanks and rattles to the ground, alarming me even more. No tribesman likes to be without his sword, and a chief just dropping his entire belt to the ground means that whatever it is he wants, he really means it.

“I don’t know if you two know each other,” I begin as Korr’ax stops a respectful distance away from the fire. “Cora, this is Chief Korr’ax of the Borok and Tretter tribes. Korr’ax, this is Woman Cora from Earth.”

“Greetings,” Cora says clearly. “You not is expected, Chief. But I are not surprised to see you.”

“Greetings, Woman Cora,” the chief says calmly and takes a step closer. “Then you have guessed why I’m here.”

“I have.”

Well, this is happening, and I don’t like it. But I’m a Foundling, representing my whole clan. And as old Melr’ax said some years back, there’s no reason why we can’t be just as courteous as any tribesman. “Chief, do have a seat at the campfire by our humble home. You need food and drink, having come so far.”

Cora sits down, as do I.

“I’ve been enough of a burden to you already, Sprisk,” Korr’ax says politely. “Please do not add to my debts.”

“No debt is incurred,” I remember the old phrase, also taught by Melr’ax. I’ve never spoken it before, but I remember it. “The jungle only gives and takes, never borrows.”

“Then we will do as the jungle does,” Korr’ax completes the exchange, lifting his eyebrows as if surprised that I know the phrase. “You keep a courteous house, Sprisk.”

I check on the stew we have left and stoke the fire to cook more. “We do our best, Cora and I. And so far, it’s been good. There is room to sit, Chief.”

“I am a supplicant, here to beg. So I should stand,” Korr’ax says. “Until my errand has been made clear. Cora, I am here to beg you to come with me to the Borok village. My wife, Bryar, is about to give birth. And your help is needed.”

That I hadn’t guessed. And when I hear those words, a cold darkness settles in my mind and I know that Cora is leaving.