Beginnings, Ch 2

Chapter 2

As it was early morning, the vast majority of Krendaarri were still sleeping in clusters of family members that could span three or four generations. While many of these chose to do so in dwellings worked from the stone of the ground or from the mountains of the Spine that loomed over the northern horizon, there were several families that would, especially in the warmer months of summer and early fall, erect temporary shelters made of wood, woven grass and cloth made from fibrous plants or simply lie out in the open grass beneath the sky. This last grouping was rather thick on the ground in the direction Kaelish Nelmos and Aalila approached coming from the east and the Fingers and they moved cautiously around and through them. Not for fear of waking them, however. When a Krendaarri is asleep, not even getting stepped on or having a few hundred kilograms of fruit and nuts dropped on them is likely to awaken them. But there were several others also bringing foods harvested from plains and forests, returning from their work and others still, having risen early, heading out to do the same that the available paths could become crowded quickly. Friendly greetings and wishes of bountiful harvests were exchanged and people passed one another by.

Scenes like this were repeated all along the eastern, southern and western edges of over a thousand square kilometers of plains and hillsides and low mountains that some ten million Krendaarri considered their home. This was, for all intents and purposes, the entire population of the Krendaarri species as, save for a few thousand who would range outward from the location to scout or stand guard against possible danger or roam even further abroad to know what happened elsewhere upon their world or for simple curiosity and wanderlust, their sense of family kept most of them clustered more closely together. It was not so much a city as it was an enormous village divided and subdivided into smaller and smaller villages as family groups would gather together along clans formed by blood or life-bonding between members of different families. There were no paved roads, or unpaved for that matter, and beyond the stone or wood and cloth structures families might use as homes what other structures that existed were granaries and storehouses for foodstuffs and pavilion-like clearings that would have a flat, stone platform usually about half as tall as a Krendaarri where one could stand and be seen more clearly by groups when one had something of importance to share with others. Also scattered all throughout would often be tables or other work spaces for crafts folk who used their weaving sense to work stone or metal or wood into various tools or ornaments and decorations. What fires there were usually existed near these places; most often with those who would prepare foods.

There were few other structures beyond that save for bridges that would span two rivers and dozens of streams that were fed by waters the Spine captured from rainfalls or melted from the snows that capped several of the peaks and were replenished by winter snows and amphitheater built into the side of those same mountains where all the Krendaarri would assemble for special events and ceremonies.

There were also numerous animals spread throughout the place as well. Birds would pick and peck at the ground in areas where the families were not sleeping. Small, furred creatures scurried here and there, some nesting in trees, others would nuzzle their way into gaps between sleeping Krendaarri and take shelter in their shared warmth. None of these animals, birds or otherwise, were domesticated in the common acceptance of the term, however there was, through long ages of mutual coexistence, something of an accord. Their nests would not be disturbed and they weren't captured for food. In fact, the Krendaarri would actively protect them. In return, several species of birds had the habit of flying up and harassing predatory birds and driving them away and those they could not, the Krendaarri shoo away from nesting grounds. Other animals might steal nuts or fruits or grains from the storehouses or families' dwellings, but they also helped keep the trees free of parasites or pests that could spoil those same items on the trees. Some of them, if they tended to sleep with this certain family or that, would often leave a little pile of nuts nearby for the Krendaarri they had...adopted.

One of these piles, perhaps a few dozen nune nuts, was along the path Kaelish Nelmos and Aalila threaded their way along and his foot brushed the pile, scattering them a bit. It's builder was sitting on the shoulder of a sleeping Krendaarri and began chittering angrily at this affront.

“My apologies, noble chicherri,” Kaelish Nelmos said softly as he stooped down and arranged them back into their pile, “I meant no offense.” He said it with a soft chuckle but meant it all the same. He waited while the chicherri looked on, then, seemingly satisfied, gave a dismissive flip of its long, furred tail and settled back down to doze once more.

The pair had continued generally westward until the sun was about a hand span higher from the horizon than it had been then they had arrived. Finally, they reached a larger clearing with several taller storehouses and some smaller buildings. A fire burned nearby and a large metal cauldron hung over it with a Krendaarri stirring the contents simmering within. He glanced up, smiled, and shifted into Aalila's form nearly as completely as Kaelish Nelmos had the previous day.

“Aafaa!” Aalila called out, shifting into his form and hugging the older male. After a long moment's embrace, she drew away and resumed her own form as her father altered to match Kaelish Nelmos as her lover returned the greeting and the hug.

“Mesaanos Tirka,”

“Kaelish Nelmos,” The other male said as each resumed their own shapes, “I trust you and my daughter had a bountiful harvest?”

While he politely ignored the flush of embarrassment that carried on their scents, the slight broadening of his smile was an acknowledgment of it. They were young, very much in love, and could be excused if some of the time they were supposed to use in gathering food was spent dallying with one another. Everyone was young, once. Even if they had dallied longer than usual, the bulging sacks of teni fruit and nune nuts showed they still did their duty.

“She even let me bring more nune this time,” Kaelish Nelmos said, his wink not visible to Aalila.

“Aafaa,” Aalila responded, “When he and I are life-bonded, may I ask that you give us a present teni-paste. That is all I am going to allow him to eat for our first Ring together.”

“An entire Ring?” Mesaanos Tirka mused, “That would require quite a few teni, Daughter.” He did his best to look stern and, at last, Aalila relented.

“Well, a quarter of a Ring, then,” She finally conceded and kissed Kaelish Nelmos on the cheek.

“That I believe I can manage,” Her father replied and stirred the contents of his cauldron again. While he did, his daughter and her paramour placed their harvests into some of the storehouses nearby and set the sacks on pegs on the outside of the buildings to be used by them or other harvesters on their next outing.

“Aamaa is not back yet?” Aalila asked after they had finished that task. “I figured she would be back before we were.”

“Kenri had returned last night and then said she was going up towards the Spine as it should be time for some of the herb plants to be ready to harvest. She left a bit before Zaal's Eye rose. I suspect she might be up there for a hand of days before she returns. Perhaps both of you would like to join her?”

“After I've seen Aamaa,” Kaelish Nelmos answered.

Before he could speak further, another Krendaarri had run up and stopped.

“Kaelish Nelmos,” He said, and they briefly changed their faces to match one another's, “Yenaali sent me to find you after I told her a pride of hlesskssaa had come across the Railing.”

Kaelish tensed for a moment, “She is already on her way there?”

“Yes. I'd been watching along the Railing since it is the time for the kellen herds to head for their winter fields and the hlesskssa always follow them. I'd seen them drawing near, so I had already made sure the harvesters on the plains were warned away. When I saw the pride leap the Railing, I ran back to inform Yenaali. She told me to find you and inform you; that was just over a Hand ago.”

Though he suspected he already knew the answer, Kaelish Nelmos asked, “And why could she not wait for me before departing?”

“It's Scarflank's pride.”