Page 20 of Caveman Alien's Touch

“The risk of attack is not great,” Sarker’ox says thoughtfully. “And the last thing an attacker wants to meet is a Borok man in contest mode, sword in his hand. The tribe has never been attacked during a game of penk.”

I nod slowly. “Have you had many games?”

Sarker’ox thinks about it. “In my lifetime, four times. Twice the game had to be settled with the obstacle course. The last time was… eight years ago now.”

“And the village was not attacked during those times?”

He scratches his chin. “Well… now I think about it, I seem to recall that there was a pack of rekh that had to be fought off during the obstacle course. Several men died. All the contestants, too. But that was not eight years ago! That happened when I was only a boy, many years before. The last time, the game was not disturbed. Until tribesman Vaker’oz died from being bitten by a venomous Tiny, that is. Unfortunately he lost his way in the jungle and ran off the course and into a nest offanets. But apart from that, there were only minor injuries. As far as I recall. It was decided to not arrange any more games ofpenkunless it became necessary. But it’s been so long now, that it’s about time.”

“I see. I hope the obstacle course will not be needed this time.”This is crazy. I can’t go through with this silly game.

“I hope so too. I must warn you that your opponent, tribesman Unin’iz, is remarkably accurate with his sword. There’s a good chance that he will win the game. But remember that it is of no concern! It is only a friendly contest, and not meant to settle any grievances. No one’s honor is at stake here, Guest Noker.”

That settles it. I’m out. “That’s reassuring, Chief. I wonder, would it be possible to…”

He looks at my old spear and frowns. “That is the weapon you will use? You are of course free to withdraw from the game before it starts, though I would advise against it. Better to lose with grace than to give up ahead of time!”

So it’s about my spear? “Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it, Chief. I have promised to take part, and I shall. With my old spear.”

“Perhaps you’d like to borrow a spear from us?” Sarker’ox asks, with real concern. “With a steel head, nice and sharp?”

“Oh, this is steel too,” I tell him, “although it doesn’t look so good. I like the balance in this one. But thank you for the offer.”

He nods. “Simply let me know if you change your mind, Guest Noker. Now we shall find some food for both of us. I understand your friend Brak will watch the game?”

We walk back to the tribe’s common table.

“I think so,” I tell him, not at all sure because I haven’t seen Brak all morning. “If my clansbrother can tear himself away from his wife.”

“It’s remarkable,” the temporary chief marvels. “A Foundling married! Just like our Chief Korr’ax.”

“Brak is a remarkable man in every way,” I agree. “But so is your chief, I’m sure. I’ve never met him, but everyone is full of praise.”

“Korr’ax took this tribe from a rowdy gang of layabouts and turned us into a real tribe,” Sarker’ox says as we sit down and he loads up my plate with food. “Now dig in. You will need to be well fed for the game.”

As we eat meat and fruits, I look around for my opponent Unin’iz, but I can’t spot him. Nor can I see Bronwen anywhere.

The mere thought of her makes me smile. I wasn’t sure she would meet me today and come with me to Shaman Melr’ax, but she came down the stairs with a wonderful little smile on her round face and her happy, bright voice. I can’t take my mind off her. Such a cheerful and adorable female…

Sarker’ox sees me glancing at the stairs to the Mount. “You know all the women, Guest Noker?”

I bite into atult,enjoying the tartness of its juice. “I met them all, except Bryar. It’s hard to believe that there are women on Xren now. Although only a handful.”

“Five women, and all of them in our tribe,” Sarker’ox muses. “One wonders what the Ancestors are planning for us. I don’t mind saying that we all dream of being married to one, just like our Chief Korr’ax and your friend Brak. But of course there aren’t enough of them.”

Many tribesmen are slowly drifting towards the practice area where the game will take place. Some of them give me friendly smiles, while others don’t look at me at all.

I nod. “In a tribe like this, certainly each man could be married and everything would still be fine. The tribe would still prosper. In our small clan, each man must do everything he can, or there’s not food for everyone. If every man had a wife to care for as well, the work would not be done. And so we would be overrun by outcasts. Or there would be no water. Or one attack by a single rekh might kill all the boys and all those who can’t defend themselves. If Brak were less capable, him being married would mean the end of our clan because it takes him away from us a lot.Icould certainly not be married and do what is needed for the clan. Brak makes it work because he’s… well,Brak.”

“He’s an active man.” Sarker’ox nods and washes down the meal with water. “But I’ve heard it said thatyouare the backbone of your clan, Guest Noker. Always reliable, they say. Always busy for his clan. Ah, I think noon is here. The shadows are at their shortest. Shall we go?”

I wipe my mouth and throw a glance up the Mount. But there’s nobody coming down.

Perhaps that’s for the best. It would be embarrassing if she were to see me make a fool of myself here.

The crowd of Borok men are assembled, chatting excitedly. I weigh my spear in my hand. It’s old and rusty, but I did take down an irox with it just yesterday.

Brak comes over to me and slaps my shoulder. “Remember that our clan’s honor is secure. This is only for fun. I don’t like that obstacle course they’ve made in the jungle. If things feel too dangerous, simply stop and get to safety.”

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