Page 106 of Circle of Days

They accepted eagerly.

Pia had only two bowls, so she and Han shared one while Bez and Fell had the other. The woodlanders did not use spoons but slurped from the bowl, then picked up the meat with their fingers.

It all disappeared quickly.

Bez said: “You are woodlanders now!” He grinned.

They were, Pia thought: no herd, no farm. She said: “But we have no tribe.”

Bez said: “Our tribe is your tribe.”

Pia considered that. Could they live with Bez’s people in West Wood? They would be no worse off than they were here, and they would have the protection of the tribe. But Pia thought she wouldnot like their way of life, especially the way the women had sex with lots of men.

Han said: “What’s happening on the Great Plain?”

Bez shook his head gloomily. “There was that storm in the autumn, and it snowed at midwinter, but now there has been no rain for many days. We’re hoping there will be some good grass in the hills.”

“So the drought continues. This will be the third year.”

“Many people will not see the fourth.”

“Have you talked to my sister Joia?”

“Yes. Once again she told us when to expect the deer to migrate. I hope she’s right again.”

“How is she?”

“The same, though she speaks a lot about moving giant stones. I don’t understand why.”

Han nodded. “I do. She wants to build a stone Monument.”

“Will that end the drought?”

“Who knows?”

Bez stood up. “We have to go. It’s another half a day’s walk to our usual camping ground. Thank you for sharing your food. If we have good hunting, we will bring you venison.”

Pia said: “That would be much appreciated.”

They returned to the shore and the woodlanders crossed the river, again using the log.

Pia said: “Help me gather some fresh ferns, please.”

“Of course,” he said. “But why?”

“Childbirth can be messy.”

He was startled. “Is it happening?”

“Yes. I felt a pain earlier, and now it’s getting worse. Don’t worry, pain is normal. I’ve watched women giving birth. Pain is what we give in exchange for love.”

“Right,” he said, making an effort to remain calm; and Pia recalled that he was the youngest child in his family, and probably had not witnessed a birth. He began to gather armfuls of the ferns that grew in the damp soil beside the river.

When they returned to the shelter, she took off her tunic, to avoid getting it soiled. “Lay the ferns on the ground inside the house,” she told him. “I’ll need the fire to keep me and the baby warm, especially if this goes on into the night.”

“That long?”

“Let’s hope not.”