Page 26 of Captured on Film
With a gentle pat to his shoulder, Oaken excused himself.
“I’m Hesper Merryvale, by the way. Oaken is my mother’suncle, more or less. He applied to us for help. You’re a long way fromcivilization.”
Caleb begged, “Where’s Josheb?”
“Your partner? You don’t know?” She made a crooning noise inthe back of her throat. “I call that cruel. Follow me.”
Trailing his blanket shroud, Caleb shuffled after her. Whydid she say cruel? Had they hidden Josheb’s death from him? Was he going tohave to identify the body or something equally gruesome?
But Hesper led him into a room not unlike Caleb’s. MisterBig, whose name hadn’t really stuck with Caleb, was hunched over a narrowpallet, spoon in hand. He was dribbling its contents little by little betweenJosheb’s parted lips, grumbling all the while. It was an oddly soothing tone.And relief caused Caleb’s eyes to sting.
“He’s your kin?” asked Hesper.
“My younger brother.” Caleb swallowed hard. “He’s okay?”
“Oaken set his leg before leaving to fetch me.” She nudgedhim closer to the bed, rattling off something to Mister Big. He answered, andshe sighed. “It was a bad break. Andor has been keeping him under. He’s essentiallydrugged.”
Caleb wanted to make sure. Stealing closer, he knelt besidethe bed, edging perilously close to the big guy in order to reach. He took Josheb’shand, which was reassuringly warm.
Hesper growled something at Mister Big, who huffed. A heavyhand settled on Caleb’s shoulder long enough to deliver a squeeze. It felt likean apology.
Caleb embarrassed himself with a sniffle. And accepted itwith a nod.
Honey Mead
They weren’t human.
Somehow, that little detail had temporarily escaped Caleb.But it was sinking in, and it was surreal. Really, it should have scared himmore. Because …they weren’t human. And that couldn’t be good. Except itwasn’t bad, either.
These people were decidedly strange, and they weredefinitely intimidating. But there was a courteousness in their treatment ofhim, and their cooking was excellent. A good meal was a serious mood enhancer.
Having a translator didn’t hurt, either. “Can you ask aboutmy clothes?”
Hesper chuckled and went to speak with the other two. Ittook long enough for Caleb to imagine several terrible fates for his missingboxer briefs … and his dignity. Walking around in a blanket was inconvenient,even after he rigged it into a sort of toga.
She returned with a solution, though not the one he’d hopedfor.
“Oaken says your things still aren’t fit to wear. He’sloaning you these.”
“We’re hardly the same size.” But these garments weren’ttailored on Andor’s or Oaken’s scale. On closer inspection, Caleb was forced toadmit, “They should work. But why does he have clothing in my size?”
“I didn’t ask.” Hesper offered a casual shrug. “I don’t liketo be nosey. Those two are pretty private. In fact, I should be thanking youfor giving me an in. Do youknowhow much any sow would give to be whereI am now?”
Caleb was sure he’d misheard. “Any … sow?”
“Female.” Hesper’s eyes took on a teasing shine. “Ladies,then. My sisters are sooo jealous. My first cub will besturdy.Seriously. Thanks for that.”
“Cub,” he echoed uncertainly.
She rolled her eyes and leaned in. “You didn’t hear it fromme, but we’re bear clan, okay? Boars and Sows. Sleuth or sloth. Litters and cubs.”
Bear clan? Was that a Native American thing? Hesper didn’t reallylook the part. He’d have guessed mixed heritage, since her features didn’t slotneatly into any of the people groups he was familiar with. Then again …theyweren’t human.
So he simply parroted her words, hoping for more. “Bearclan?”
“Andor is a legend, one of the first to remember how to takespeaking form. Some even call him First of Bears, at least on this continent.He and his son Oaken look after the bears in these mountains.”
Caleb hummed in what he hoped was an interested way. Heneeded more information, and Hesper seemed willing enough to fill him in.
