C. T. Suddeth

The tail slammed into Oh-see-rah’s back.

Lord of the Caves Part 11

“No!” screamed Ee-shee-nah.

The tail’s impact batted Oh-see-rah into the cave, landing him next to the front fire, his nose buried in hot ashes, his belly scraped from the rough rock cave floor. His back was on fire. Afraid to budge, he lay waiting for death. If he were maimed, he’d sooner die, get it over with. Death, come and get me.

Ee-shee-nah crawled to him. “Are you hurt?”

“Some. Are you all right?” He tried to see but ashes coated his eyes.

“I’m fine, just scared for you.”

He shook his head, trying to get the ashes out of his eyes. “How about the boy?”

Hah-nah-pah knelt. “You saved his life. His mama took a switch to his legs.”

Oh-see-rah sighed. “How bad am I?”

Ee-shee-nah poured cool water over his back. “I don’t know yet.”

He jerked his head up. “That feels like cold fire.”

“Nasty slice across your back.” She rubbed ointment on his back. “Does that make it feel better?”

“Yes, that draws the fire right out. I am a lucky man. I have a woman who can shoot a spear like a warrior and heal like a witch-woman.”

She laughed. “Is that all I am good for?”

“No.” He touched her leg.

Hah-nah-pah cleared his throat. “You might’ve been killed. I will move back to my old cave.”

Oh-see-rah laughed. “I got to see a woman warrior in action. Stay. You can take first watch. I’ll take second watch.”

Hah-nah-pah smiled. “Thank you.”

Ah-koh-rah held his hand up. “And I’ll take third watch.”

Hah-nah-pah’s woman clapped. “Morning meal.”

Someone had broiled more whiskered-fish and baked lots of cakes. A basket of fresh berries made its way around to everyone. Oh-see-rah couldn’t remember a meal this fine—perhaps it was the close call with death that made it so enjoyable.

Hah-nah-pah’s boy glanced at Oh-see-rah and huddled behind his father. No doubt his legs still stung.

After eating, Hah-nah-pah stationed himself just outside the paling stakes. With a flint-tipped spear already loaded, he held his spear thrower in his hands. Wooden-tipped spears lay next to the front fire.

Oh-see-rah and family snuggled under their sleeping furs. He lay on his belly to let his tortured back heal. He kissed Ee-shee-nah and fell fast asleep.

“Time to rise,” she whispered in his ear.

He groaned. “Already time for watch?”

“You’re wounded. Can I go for you?”

He laughed. “You can outthrow me, but it’s my task.”

He leapt up and hurried to the cave’s mouth.

Hah-nah-pah handed him the spear thrower. “Thank you.”

“Sleep well.” Spear thrower in hand, Oh-see-rah paced back and forth a few times.

The morning was quiet, just cooing doves and fussing squirrels in the trees. Nothing on the ground but a large tortoise with a red and yellow striped shell. A friendly sun struggled to shine through the trees.

Oh-see-rah leaned against the outside rock wall and peered through the trees on the off chance the T-Rexes’ burns had healed. Hearing a scuffling noise, he whirled around. “Why—”

“Shhhh,” Ee-shee-nah put her fingers to her lips. She had laced red flowers in her long hair.

He grinned. She was glorious to behold, even after four offspring.

Unfastening her tunic, she let it slide to the ground. She had nothing else on.

TO BE CONTINUED

Copyright 2021 Charles Suddeth