C. T. Suddeth

Lord of the Caves Part 24

Oh-see-rah gazed at little Lol-non. Maybe being small had messed with his mind.

“Don’t tell Oh-see-rah!” Lol-non cried.

Oh-see-rah decided to make a joke of it. Whatever had happened likely couldn’t be undone. “If he’s caused trouble, I’ll just use him for fish bait.”

His eyes wide, Lol-non went rigid.

“I was just kidding,” Oh-see-rah said.

Ee-shee-nah sighed. “Don’t be so mean. This tiny man happens to be the best flint knapper ever. Obsidian, quartz, too. Sharpest edges ever.”

Lol-non kept shaking his head.

Oh-see-rah grabbed him and stood him on a rock. “I hate knapping, and I don’t have time.”

His eyes returning to normal size, Lol-non gazed at Oh-see-rah.

“From now on, Lol-non will make your spearheads for you. Knives, too,” Oh-see-rah said. “But I expect you to keep him fed, especially when he gives you a sharp spearhead.”

Everyone stood and cheered, men, women, offspring.

“Can my brother help me?” asked Lol-non in a loud, squeaky voice.

“He certainly may.” Oh-see-rah picked the Boy up and stood him beside Lol-non. Though he didn’t even come up to Lol-non’s shoulders, Oh-see-rah hoped the Boy would either grow more or be able to help.

Lol-non put his arm around the Boy as a new round of cheers erupted.

Someone tapped Oh-see-rah on the shoulder.

“We have three families wanting to join us,” said Hah-nah-pah.

Oh-see-rah turned around. Three men, three women, and five little ones bowed. Lol-non and his brother stood with Oh-see-rah.

“Please stand,” said Oh-see-rah. “We have plenty of room for you here in Tiger Rock Cave.”

They stood.

“Are you the mighty Lord of the Caves?” the tallest man asked.

Oh-see-rah hadn’t realized how swiftly rumors fly. He nodded.

“Are those your sons?” the man asked.

Oh-see-rah shook his head. “They are Wee Folk who have joined us. They are now wee Dell Folk. They are the finest knappers ever.”

Hah-nau-pah joined them. “Please join us for our sundown meal. Broiled sunny fish, roasted sassafras cattails, and millet cakes with honey.”

Lol-non gazed up at Oh-see-rah. “May we eat, too?”

Oh-see-rah picked up both boys, one with each arm. “Of course.” He strode into the main room. “Newcomers feast first!”

He plopped the two Wee Folk near the food and stood on the Stone. He told of the Wee Folk helping him and of the newcomers. He raised his right hand and told about Bad Eye going over the cliff. Everyone cheered and hugged each other.

Whoever had gone fishing had done well—there was more than enough food to go around. Several women came to Oh-see-rah to show him their babies. He kissed each baby’s bare pate—the leader’s job, but he enjoyed it.

Hah-nah-pah played a lively tune as Oh-koh-rah drummed. Ee-shee-nah and two ladies danced around the big fire, their steps and hips in perfect time with the drum. As customary, they wore only flowers Everyone clapped as they circled.

After several times around the fire, the music and dancing quit. Ee-shee-nah whispered in Oh-see-rah’s ear, “Why don’t you nap, catch up on your sleep?”

He nodded—he was behind on his sleep. Waving at everyone, he headed for his sleeping fur. Ee-shee-nah had beat him there and lay under the furs. Her tunic lay on top of the furs.

“Oh, yes,” he said to himself as he crawled under the white cave bear fur and snuggled against her velvety side.

TO BE CONTINUED

Copyright 2021 Charles Suddeth