After the Black Forest, the north side of the river was more wild. Relatively untouched by foraging and hunting, except by wild animals. It was reaching summer and the wild plants and berries were at their peak. They moved more leisurely now, taking longer breaks in the middle of the day to do some foraging for fruit and berries they could dry to preserve.

They saw bears in the berry patches, but only the ones they were familiar with and just had to steer clear of them, especially if they had cubs or claimed a particular berry patch as their territory like most predators did. Thinking back, Tor imagined, Those cave bear must have huge territories. And then, tried to put the thought out of his mind.

For three suns they moved swiftly along the north bank as the Rine grew considerably and slowed. Occasionally, they had to wait for Tsen when the terrain along the bank got rugged, but mostly, they didn't and he helped them make fantastic time. Tor had never moved like this before, savoring the ease and speed of boating downriver.

Strangely, Tor wasn't even thinking about it, when, up ahead on the south side, he saw smoke and the outline of a familiar place, home! Why he didn't think of it before, he didn't know. Perhaps because Tor thought, like the other settlements, everyone would be gone. But the fires were beckoning, so he steered the boat in that direction and yelled out to Shea and Tia, "That's home up ahead where those fires are. Paddle and we'll be there soon!"

Shin began barking gleefully and Tsen drove in the river after them as though he also knew where they were going.

Soon, they saw people on the bank watching them. But just as soon as those people came to the bank, they turned and fled. Tor was puzzled. What had frightened them? Surely not two girls and a man in a boat with the dog barking?

They pulled up to the bank where people had dropped fishing gear, washing pots and other things when they rushed away.

Tor whispered, "Shea, grab your bow and quiver. I will get mine and follow. Be careful, it may be an ambush. Tia, stay here."

He guided the boat up to the muddy bank where clans people did many tasks like bathing, disposing of their waste products, washing skins and furs, washing their cooking utensils and pots, and fishing. While Shea stepped cautiously out on the slippery bank, Tor eased over the side into waist deep water and muddy bottom, gathered up his quiver and bow, and had set an arrow in place before reaching the slippery bank and digging his toes in deep for traction while climbing.

The fires were still burning as they reached the huts of the encampment, but there was no one in sight and silence except for Shin's low growling. Tor called out in the Thal language, "I am Tor, son of Tsen! I have come home after a long journey! I mean no harm and bring trade!"

Slowly, from out of the huts came mostly very young people. Some armed with spears and bows, but most not. A hint of recognition started to form in Tor's mind as he surveyed them coming from different corners. Before he knew it, the children were gleefully acknowledging that Tsen had arrived, soaking wet, and was coming up behind them.

In those appearing, Tor began to recognize the older white hairs first… He saw Conie with a toothless grin, Ald, and to his surprise, Glu, who he thought was dead. All around them were the youngsters who had now grown to be almost unrecognizable when he first caught glimpse of them. This time, looking healthy and robust. If they were to fight him, each one of the young men would've been a formidable adversary.

He ran to Conie first and hugged her. Her old frail body so light in his arms.

"Where's Dupree? I miss trading stories with him of the Delta!"

Her joy left her face in an instant. "Last winter, even though we were in the big lodge protected by the great bear, the gods got into his head, and he feared losing his mind. One night I awoke and he wasn't in our bed, warm. I found his barefoot tracks in the snow leading from the lodge to the river and out on it. There was no use following… He took the long walk." Tears formed in her red rimmed clouded old eyes.

Tor kissed her gently on her balding head and wished he could take more time with her, but he had to talk to Glu, who he thought was dead. He rushed to the man, leaning on a beautifully carved crutch made from a gnarled old piece of wood, like him.

"Glu! I'm so glad to see you here! But what happened? You weren't at the camp where you taught me copper smithing, your home. Why are you here?"

"Tor, I knew you would come back. And I knew you would come back here. The gods were angry with us there. After you left, I was teaching Teve like I taught you. He was learning well but, sometimes too eager. He was high up on the scaffolding one day when he took a wrong step and fell directly in front of me hitting the ground so hard I heard his bones break. I had no time to say goodbye. He never moved a muscle after, dead."

"And the other grave?"

Glu’s clouded eyes quickly turned sad. "Teve was like a son to her and me. When we placed him in his pyre for the gods to judge, she fell sick from grief and I found her dead in the night. I thought her healthier than me, working with those foul metals and gases all my life."

"But why didn't you stay for my return?"

"Everywhere I turned there were memories of her. When others arrived that you sent, I decided for all of us to go with them to your home here to have a clan again that might be able to deal with those evil marauders."

"Is that what you thought I was, coming by boat?"

"Yes, that great bear skull on the bow of your boat scared us all into hiding and preparing to fight as best we could. That's what the youngsters told me. I can't see very well anymore. My eyes are dim, like looking through smoke."

Tor realized that he had neglected Shea who had been following him dutifully, amazed at how he was greeting these new people like old friends. He turned to her, reached out and took her by the elbow alongside him as the older children that he knew crowded around him and the younger ones crowded around Shin and Tsen. Having already removed his load, some were taking rides on his welcoming back.

"This is Shea, my wife." He announced with a big smile knowing that some in the crowd had slept in his bed. When he saw them, he wondered, Do I have any more children like Tia? But didn’t want to dampen this joyous reunion with so many cherished friends.

Tia was busy greeting others of her age and checking on the restored familiar place of her childhood. Looking forward to living in the big lodge again rather than the small hut she was born in and lived with her parents such a short time so long ago.

When he had time, Tor could see wheat and oats growing in two patches in the distance and he could smell meat and fish being smoked nearby. With everyone looking so healthy, he could see that the Thal clan had survived by all of these refugees joining forces with a lot of youth to do the work needed. But were there any Thals of his blood, left? Tor did not know, but he didn't see any of their faces. No babies yet.

Immediately, preparations began for a great celebration. With the different clans represented, the food was varied and delicious. Brought back memories from each place he had stayed. Shea and Tia tasted some food they had never eaten before, and began asking what was in the food and how it was made.

Before long, a great bonfire was set and the girls joined all the women and young girls while the elders joined with Tor and the young men, telling stories far into the night until the older ones and the youngest had fallen asleep and had to be carried to their places of rest.

While Dupree was gone, Tor was particularly interested in talking to the Danis people from the Delta that were there. Soaking up all he could about that region where the great sea filled with serpents and other large, scary animals met the Rine with a kind of bounty that he wished to experience, again.

Copyright 2021 © Ronald W. Hull

6/23/21