Portals of Infinity: Book Four: The Sea of Grass (14 page)

By the time we were finished, the sun was starting to rise on the horizon. Water would take turns riding double with each of us, to make it easier on the wolats. The new ones would follow on a lead, with Water's mount bringing up the rear to encourage the new pack members to keep up.

"What will you do with them?" I asked Rees as we finally got started.

"The three younger ones will be turned over to the pack master to see if they can be trained or not. The older two will probably be turned into pack carriers. Usually the older ones won't take a rider."

"They won't run off from the pack?"

"They might, but I doubt it, none of these are leaders, the tribe's pack will become their new pack. They'll find their place in it and be happy. They're not stupid, once they see how easier their life is in the tribe's pack, they'll settle right down."

The going was slower that day as the two wounded wolats were having trouble keeping up and none of the Mowoks would even think of leaving them behind now that they had been co-opted into the tribe. Hans and Cat even rode off to hunt and brought back two suzhen, which they butchered when we made camp that night and fed to our new wolats, as well as our own.

That had a rather telling effect on the three young ones who became a lot more tractable after that.

By the end of the fourth day we started up in to the mountains, the slower pace as well as the time spent trying to find a path through on the second day hurt us, but we did make the village on the morning of the fifth day. Rees estimated that the rest of the tribe was probably only three days behind us.

The winter camp was a lot different than the summer camp. First it was not anywhere close to the stream that ran through the canyon it was located in, but was instead on a series level spots that looked to be well over fifty feet above the creek. There was actually quite a bit of space that was obviously for the tribe to set up in.

But the most interesting thing was the buildings.

There were four that were made of wood, probably thirty or so feet wide, but about a hundred or more feet long. There were several smaller huts scattered about, the largest of which had smoke coming from it, and the sounds of metal being worked. Apparently the Glisan tribe had a blacksmith! I found that surprising, and wondered how much metal they were able to work.

"You have a blacksmith?" I asked Rees as we made our way up one of the paths to the camp.

"Yes, though he doesn't work in the winter. The temperature makes it hard to heat the metal. I'm surprised he's still working this late in the season, but it has been mild today, with little wind."

I nodded, "What about those buildings?"

"Ah the lodges, the leaders, the elderly, and many of the tribe will live in them during the winter. If it should get cold enough, we will all move inside."

"What about the wolats?" I asked curious.

"It is not uncommon for riders to bring their personal wolats into the teepees when the colder weather comes," he nodded, "while they have the coat to withstand the winter, they are rather warm and can keep one from freezing to death if a sudden cold should come down from the mountains, or in off the plains."

"I thought it was supposed to be warm here," I said surprised.

Rees laughed, "It is warmer here, than out on the plains, and during the day it is usually fine. But at night it can get rather cold, and while it is rare, it can get cold enough that it is not safe to stay outside for long without heavy clothing to protect you."

I nodded and filed that away. I had no real heavy gear for the cold with me here. I might have to see about procuring some, if Fel wanted me to stay the winter. I was hoping he wouldn't however as I wanted to spend some time with Darlene. I hadn't seen her in five months now; usually I tried not to go more than three without at least a brief visit.

Then again, if Rachel hadn't accompanied me on the trip with the cavalry, I wouldn't have seen much of her in the last five months either.

Rees had us unpack the wolats in front of one of the long houses, and then led us up to a field that was fenced, and fenced high enough that a wolat could not jump out, and had us turn ours out into it.

"I don't want to separate ours from the newcomers yet," he told us. There were probably a dozen wolats already in the pasture, and they came over to meet the new ones. There was a little interaction as they started to work on a pecking order, but no real fighting thankfully.

Rees then led us back down to the lodge we'd dropped our gear at and led us inside.

"William, I would like you to meet my grandparents, this is my grandfather, Strong Bear, and my grandmother, Patience." I touched palms with the two of them, Strong Bear looked old, I think he may have been the oldest person I'd met since I had come here to Saladin, his fur was shot heavily through with grey, and he moved slowly, and I could see from his build that in his prime he must have been a rather big male. His paw was bigger than mine, and I was a fairly large. I suspected if he stood up straight, he'd be taller than me.

Patience also looked old, but not as old as her husband, and she moved a little quicker and easier than he did. Her fur was not nearly as grey as his, and she was of a more average size as well.

"Welcome to our home," Strong Bear said slowly, "William." He turned his head to look at Rees, "How far behind you are the rest of the tribe?"

"Three, maybe four days, Grandfather, we were attacked by a group of wild wolats on the way, and the injured ones slowed us down."

He nodded slowly and then asked, "How many did you gain?"

"Five, three of them are young enough we may be able to train them to take riders."

"Good, very good. I'll go up and look at them later."

"Grandfather, Grandmother, this is my wife, Water Swan."

I thought about that as Rees introduced his wife to them, I had to wonder how she'd gotten a name like that.

"Welcome to our home and our family," Patience said hugging Water, after which Strong Bear gave her a hug as well, still moving slowly. I wondered if he had arthritis, or some other problem.

"I see our grandson found a wife to be proud of," he said in the same slow voice. "I hope your parents are still well?"

"Yes, Grandfather, they are both well and happy. I'm sure they will visit before the cold weather comes."

"Good," he said and nodded.

"What about your sister?" Patience asked.

Rees laughed, "Smoke has taken up with Rides Well!"

I noticed both grandparents looked both surprised and impressed.

"Is it serious?" Patience asked.

Rees nodded, "They have gotten married. She is very much interested in him and his quest."

"She will be a good wife for him," Strong Bear said and nodded, then turning slowly he walked over to a rather large chair and carefully sat down on it while Patience, Rees, and Water talked a bit longer. I looked around the room as they did, both Hans and Cat where talking to others, all of the people here looked to be rather elderly, I guess when you became too old to travel back and forth to the summer camp you settled here.

The room itself was not as large as the building, there was a dividing wall about twenty or thirty feet to the left of the door I had entered from, with another wall almost immediately on the right side, which had a large arched opening to the room adjoining it. Looking around I walked up to it and looked through, that room had several long trestle-like tables in it, you could easily sit a hundred people in there, with a large kitchen at the end.

"Will," Rees called and I turned and looked at him.

"Come; let me show you where you can sleep."

I nodded and followed him, as he led me to the door at the far end of the room.

The next room was different, the center hallway ran all the way to the far end, but there were, I guess “stalls” would be the best way to describe it, that were each about ten or so feet wide, with a large shelf on one side, and not much else. These stalls were on both sides of the main hall.

"This is where the families that own a space in the lodge live," Rees explained to me. "They will set up in each one of these spots when they get here."

I nodded, that made sense.

When we got to the very end, the set up was different; there was a door outside on the last stall on the left, which was rather narrow. The stall just before it, and the one across from the doorway had the wide shelves on both sides and those shelves were stacked three high.

"This is where single adults who do not sleep with their families stay, if they don't want to sleep in their own teepee," He told me. He pointed to the wall across from the door, obviously not the best spot when the winds blew.

"Those are unclaimed; you can sleep on one of those for now."

I got it then, the shelves were for sleeping on, and these was pretty much bunk beds.

"Is there any separation between the males and the females?" I asked curious.

"Only if they want there to be," Rees laughed.

I nodded and tossed my gear on the bottom one. When Steve got here, I'd probably move into the teepee with him, but I'd wait and see on that.

Thirteen

Glisan Winter Camp

A couple of weeks after the tribe settled in I decided it was time to visit some of the other tribes with some of the priests, so they could do a little proselytizing. I got Rees to guide me, and had Steve come with me.

Not surprisingly Rees's wife, Water decided to come with us.

"So how long does it take to ride around to all of the tribes?" I asked Rees as we started out.

"The farthest one out is only three days from here, two if you ride very hard."

"That close?" I asked a little surprised.

"With the herds all grouped up for the winter, the hunting is easier. It's common for hunters from two or three tribes to hunt together, so we don't upset the herds as much. Plus it gives us more protection against any predators that might come along."

"What about up into the mountains?"

"There are deer and suzhen up there. Some go up there to hunt as well, in smaller groups. There are also berries and other plants that the People like to gather."

"Is that where you get the miasha?" Steve asked.

Rees nodded, "Some members of the tribe plant the seeds for it in the spring before we leave. So there's always a fair amount of it around. It's much easier than making beer!" Rees laughed.

"Makes sense," Steve agreed as we rode on.

The path we were on was fairly wide and looked like it hadn't been used in a while. I suspected that a few weeks from now, that would no longer be true. It took around three hours for us to reach the next camp, but we really were not in much of a hurry, and we did pass a couple of riders heading in the opposite direction.

We got to the Cooch tribe before lunch, and spent a little while visiting. Water wanted to visit with her family and Steve and I took the time to visit with the priest who had been assigned to the tribe.

We moved on about four hours later and we got to the Aldar tribe just as the sun was starting to set. It didn't take us long to track down Henry, but I had to admit I was a little surprised when he came out and greeted us.

"Will! Steve!" He said walking up to us, dressed like one of the tribe members, though he still wore Feliogustus's sign clearly on his vest and back.

"What happened to you?" Steve said looking surprised for a change.

"I joined the tribe!" Henry laughed.

Steve and I looked at each other, Steven shrugged and I laughed.

"When did that happen?" I asked.

"About a week after you left," Henry told us as he led us to the pasture where they kept the wolats so we could add our own for the night.

"I thought you had to go through some sort of trial, or initiation," I asked him.

"Well, you have to prove that you can hunt, and I did. Plus you have to show that you're of value to the tribe, and well," He turned and grinned at us. "As a priest of Feliogustus, among a tribe that either follows him, or is thinking of following him, they felt I was pretty useful."

I shook my head and grinned, Steve just looked thoughtful. I noticed that all of the Wolats came over to Henry as we turned ours loose in the pasture.

"Still doing well with the wolats I see," Steve said.

Henry shrugged, "I don't use any priest magic on them anymore, but I do still bring them sweet root when I can, or pieces of liver, or other treats."

I noticed one of our mounts tried to take a nip at him, and two of the ones already in the pasture growled at it and shouldered it aside.

"Besides," Henry grinned, "they watch out for me!"

Steve and I both laughed at that. Wolats were known for their occasional tempers. Especially for people other than their riders. Henry however seemed to have won over all of the ones in the Aldar tribe's pack.

"Come, join me for dinner. You can meet my wife."

"Wife?" Steve inquired.

"You married Yarsha?" I asked.

Henry nodded, "As soon as I was accepted into the tribe. She and I have ridden out to a couple of the other tribes since we settled in to help spread Feliogustus's word. It's been very successful, the People are all very interested to learn more about him, and to learn his ways."

"I didn't think any of the other priests have ventured out on their own yet," I said a little surprised.

Henry shrugged as we came to his teepee, which had Fel's symbol clearly painted on it. "I'm not an outsider; I'm a member of the tribe now, a member of the People. So I'm welcome wherever I go. And there are always several other tribe members who want to go with me.

"I tell you, Will, Feliogustus's words really do resonate with the People. Especially the stories from when Feliogustus led us through the mountains and the wilderness before we settled Hiland."

Steve nodded, "I've seen that with the Glisan tribe as well, many of our traditions are still tied to the ways of the nomad."

We slipped inside then, and Henry introduced us to his wife. I had already met her before, but Steve had not. We settled down then to talk as she went back to cooking something over the small fire in the middle of the teepee.

"So I take it you're going to visit all of the villages and do some preaching?" Henry asked after handing a mug of beer to me and water to Steve.

I nodded, "Though Steve will be doing the preaching. Want to come?"

Henry laughed, "You couldn't keep me away!" He turned to his wife, "Want to help, dear?"

She grinned and nodded as well. "Of course! I can show off both my husband and my new god at the same time!" She giggled.

Henry smiled at her and then turned back to us. "In the morning I'll see who else wants to come with us. Until then, settle down; enjoy the hospitality of my teepee and of Feliogustus!"

I nodded and took a drink of the beer, if this went well, I could be back in Riverhead before year's end to spend some time with Darlene.

For the next two weeks we slowly worked our way through the other tribes of the People, visiting the ones Henry had been to only briefly, and the ones he had not yet visited for a longer time. Henry was right, the people here were very interested, and it seemed word had been spreading through the rumor mill. They were definitely going to need more priests here, the six we had were just not going to be enough, though I heard Steve and Henry discussing a plan of having each of them doing a circuit of three or four tribes each.

"I think I'm going to join the Glisan tribe," Steve said to us one night as we were sitting around the fire as guests in a teepee in the Pine tribe.

"Are you sure?" Henry asked looking up. His wife Yarsha looked up as well.

Steve nodded, "I've seen the difference it has made for you here, they have much more attention for your words, and welcome you much more openly."

"Is that the only reason?" Yarsha asked.

Steve shook his head, "No, but it would be enough of one." He looked around at the rest of us and smiled, "I don't think I'm going to be leaving here either. Now that I've gotten used to living in one of these tent things," he motioned to the walls of the teepee, "I kind of like it. It's also a lot easier than taking care of a church!

"Besides, I like these people, they're pretty nice. They remind me a lot of my father."

I blinked, "Really?"

Steve nodded, "He's a hunter, way to the south of the city, one of the smaller towns. Guess all that stuff I learned as a kit will finally be of some use now."

"Now all we need to do is to get Will to stay!" Henry joked.

I shook my head, "No thanks, I don't mind camping out or traveling, but I do prefer the idea of a nice big soft bed, with all the comforts of home."

"Lazy," Henry laughed.

"Every chance I get," I agreed.

Trouble started two days later when we came to the Stark tribe. They were one of the tribes that was farther west and north of the others on the plains, which put them west of almost all the other tribes. A larger number of the freed slaves had ended up there, and a priest was there now as well; and he wasn't one of Fel's.

Steve and Henry played it off like he wasn't even there, there were about twenty tribesmen and women from various tribes accompanying us now, and apparently any excuse to travel and visit the other tribes was always a good excuse. They all seemed rather insulted that there was a competing priest there, but again, Steve and Henry just ignored him.

Henry met with the Stark tribe's leaders, while Steve set up a place to talk to the members of the Stark tribe, just as they had at every place we'd been to so far.

I myself had no idea what to do. I didn't know anything about this other religion, or even that there would be someone here. So I went with Henry to see what I might learn.

"I welcome you to the Stark Tribe," The chief said when Henry, Yarsha, and I came to his teepee. "I am Chief Narzon, this is my wife Weesil."

Henry nodded and touched paws, "I am Henry, of the Aldar tribe, and priest of Feliogustus. This is my wife Yarsha, also of the Aldar tribe, and this is Will, champion of Feliogustus."

Chief Narzon nodded, "I have heard of you, Henry. They say you have been going to the tribes and telling them the words of your god."

Henry nodded. "I have also brought another priest with me; he is setting up our things for the night."

"Come, join us for a meal, I would hear the words of your Feliogustus."

We all went inside, and sat down. Yarsha went to help Weesil with the meal, and they made quiet talk to each other as we sat and Henry answered all of the chief's questions. He did ask Henry why he had joined the People, and the Aldar tribe. Henry's answer that he liked the people there and their way of life seemed to satisfy the chief.

"So what brings you here to us, Will?" The chief finally asked turning to me.

"Feliogustus sent me with Henry and the others," I said nodding at Henry. "There had been some problems with accidents before, so I was sent to try and keep them out of trouble."

"And has there been much trouble?" He asked me curious.

"Actually no, there has been very little trouble. Henry here, and Steve who is outside, both seem to be fitting in rather well. I was not really surprised to see Henry decide to join the tribe and wish to stay here and spread the word of Feliogustus. Even the other priest I brought with us has said how much he likes life among the people and that he wishes to stay."

"I am surprised by that," Chief Narzon said looking surprised. "Many of us believe that the city dwellers are soft, and would not like the life of hardship that being one of the People demands."

I shrugged, "We're from Hiland, farther up in the mountains. Life is not as easy up there."

Chief Narzon nodded and thought about that. "Yes, I have heard of the winters in the mountains to the south. I can see where that would make you tougher."

"So how long has the other priest been here?" Henry finally asked.

"Gauch? Only a few weeks. He and some others I am told came from the city further to the west from here. It is one of the places that several of the freed slaves apparently came from. The priest is from a god that they worship."

Henry nodded, "What do you think of him?"

"He seems okay, but he is not of the People, and the ones following his god, are not of the People either, and do not seem to be interested in joining us like several of the other freed ones already have.

"But still, some have been curious, so we have not asked him to leave us yet."

Henry nodded and changed the subject to other things, and he, Yarsha, the chief, and his wife, discussed news of the other tribes as we ate.

"So what do we do?" I asked after we left the teepee to go back to where Steve was already talking with a group of locals. Some of the ones we had ridden here with were helping him.

"We do what we normally do," Henry said.

"No, about the other priest," I asked softly, "what do we do about him?"

"Nothing," Henry said and smiled at me. "It's not my problem, and not your problem. If he does not join the People, and if the People do not start to follow him, he will be asked to leave, and those who have not joined will be asked to leave as well."

"And because you're a member, and many tribe members follow Fel?" I asked looking at him.

"
Feliogustus
," he corrected me.

"Feliogustus," I nodded, "So you won't be asked to leave."

"Exactly. To be honest, I hope Feliogustus is sending more priests out to help. There are a lot more here than six priests can handle."

"So we don't have to worry about him then?" I asked, still concerned.

"Probably not," he turned to Yarsha, "Do you know anyone here?"

"I have a cousin who married into the tribe five years ago," She said.

"Ah, well we can visit with her later tonight, and ask her about it." Henry said and turned back to me, "I wouldn't worry much. It is rare for priests to fight, that's what we have you for after all!"