C. T. Suddeth

Lord of the Caves Part 19

 YOWL! Roared a saber-toothed tiger as it leapt at the Mare. Leaning sideways, Oh-see-rah could see the beast’s wide open fangs. Could the Mare survive this attack? Saber-toothed tigers were capable of downing mastodons and even dinosaurs.

The Mare swiveled, Oh-see-rah legs slipped off her, though he kept his grip on her abundant Mane. His legs dangled in the air and were sure to be the huge cat’s target.

“Epona, Lady of Mares, rescue me,” Oh-see-rah prayed.

The cat backed away from the flailing hooves, but a moment later, it sprang toward Oh-see-rah’s legs. He pulled his legs up as far as he could and stifled a scream.

HEEEEEEEEEY! cried the Mare as she whirled, still on her hind legs. She struck her front hooves at the saber-toothed tiger.

She missed, but the cat fell back and circled, leaping for the Mare’s flanks on the other side. Oh-see-rah pulled himself up, but if the Mare fell, he’d be crushed, assuming the cat didn’t eat him. Or both might happen.

HEEEEEEEEY! cried the Mare as she opened her jaws to fight back.

YOWl! screamed the cat as it dodged her hooves and circled again.

The ground trembled and trees shook like seedlings in a storm. Thunderers, dinosaurs? Oh-see-rah was about to give up.

Hoofbeats sounded. The saber-toothed tiger froze. The Mare lunged at it.

The cat twisted and jumped back though the Mare swiveled and aimed for the cat’s side.

The black stallion galloped toward the cat. Behind the stallion, a dozen horses galloped toward them.

Yowl!!! The saber-toothed tiger rolled away from the stallion and melted into the night.

The stallion returned and nickered HEEEEEH to the Mare.

She nickered back, Heeeeeeh, and they rubbed noses.

Oh-see-rah sat back and took in the view.

The stallion came to Oh-see-rah and pressed his nostrils into Oh-see-rah’s side. He rubbed the stallion between the eyes. The stallion backed until oh-see-rah could no longer touch him.

The Mare galloped away, the stallion staying by her side, though the other horses remained behind. Soon they were running with the wind, Oh-see-rah holding on again. The night went by at a blur. They passed the big lake, the distant water reflecting moon light. Then they came to the creek.

The stallion stopped, but the Mare slowed only to ford the creek. Oh-see-rah wished he could keep the Mare with him, but he had no way to control her. Besides, she controlled him. But he wasn’t complaining.

They came to Tiger Rock Cave. Everyone had gathered out front, even the little ones. A smile bursting from her face, Ee-shee-nah still wore only her High Priestess flowers.

A few paces from them, the Mare halted. Silence sweeping over everyone, even over the night-bound woods. Oh-see-rah was tempted to jump down while he could, but it was a long drop, and he now trusted the Mare with his life.

As before, she knelt on her front legs, allowing him to slide off with a trace of dignity preserved. He stood and hugged her, kissing her head. She nuzzled his side. He backed away.

She rose to her feet, whirled around, and sped into the night. He wouldn’t be surprised if she could somehow fly.

He joined the others and hugged Ee-shee-nah and their offspring. He went inside, stood on the Speaking Stone he’d used before, and told them about his adventure.

He raised his right hand high. “From now on, no one is allowed to hunt horses. Whoever violates this law shall have to answer to me. And to the Mare. And to the black stallion.”

Everyone bowed, even Ee-shee-nah.

Slivers of light sliced into the cave, which meant daybreak was fast approaching. Oh-see-rah held his hands out, palms up. “It is almost too late to hunt or forage.”

Ee-see-nah shook her head. “We are ready. We will feast off our stores.”

Soon, smoked fish were being warmed as people baked millet cakes on a flat rock. Others found nuts and dried fruit. Everyone gathered and dined, chattered, laughed. Small boys and girls shyly approached Oh-see-rah and touched his arms as if he were holy.

The feast ended, everyone ready for a good day’s sleep.

Hah-nah-pah pointed to Oh-see-rah’s sleeping furs. “We will take the watches. Be with your mate.”

“Thank you,” said Oh-see-rah as he headed for their sleeping furs.

Ee-shee-nah poked her head out. “Our little ones are sharing the other sleeping fur. Come with me.”

“Sleep sounds so good.” Oh-see-rah crawled in beside her.

She lifted the furs off her, allowing him a full view of her curves and peaks. She wore nothing save for a lily in her hair. “You have all day to sleep. Come to me.”

TO BE CONTINUED

Copyright 2021 Charles Suddeth