The Uprights, page 19
He will be beaten until he falls. But if he falls too quickly – to prevent further pain – he will lose the respect of the others. How long he suffers is up to him. Hunters always wait until they go into the blackness. How can Dhi do any less?
“You went with Wuhn in spite of me. You didn’t come back because of me. Was it the sun that told you to come back?”
Does Dhi detect a change in his father’s mood? Is he more interested in talking to him than punishing him? Is he pausing to let him speak?
“I want to know this, Dhi. Did the sun instruct you to come back to the cave?”
His father is definitely asking him a question.
“Dhi. Can you hear me?”
“Yes. Of course.”
“I asked you a question.”
“I’m not sure I understand.”
“Stand up. Talk to me. You have shown regret. You haven’t argued with me. You haven’t blamed Wuhn. Come over here. There are things I want to know.”
The two males walk over to a stone and sit down. Dahrun isn’t to be included in the conversation, but he doesn’t mind. His brother is to be spared.
“I didn’t speak to the sun, father. I didn’t have your stick.”
“No, I didn’t mean like that. Did you stay in the clearing? Could you see the sun?”
“Yes. I was in the clearing by the lake with Wuhn. We spoke to Ohp. He was in a bad mood. He said he wants to die because his ear will fall off soon.”
“I’m not interested in Ohp. Tell me about the sun.”
“The sun was in the sky. What else can I say?”
“You don’t understand do you, Dhi?”
“What is there to understand father?”
“Could the sun see you?”
“Of course. In the clearing I could see the sun and the sun could see me.”
“Did you leave the clearing by the lake?”
“Yes. Wuhn ran into the forest.”
“That was dangerous. Did you see any runaways?”
“No.”
“Could you see the sun when you among the trees?”
“No.”
“Not at all?”
“Oh yes, later. When we lay down. There was a gap in the leaves.”
“I want to know more about that.”
“Wuhn and I were lying next to each other. She said she was cold. That made me look up at the sky.”
“Did she tell you to do that? Did another voice tell you to do that?”
“No voices. I was surprised she was cold because I knew it was the middle of the day. When the sun is at its hottest.”
“Was the sun above you cold?”
“No. It wasn’t that. The sun was hidden by a cloud. That’s why it was cold.”
“What happened next?”
“As I looked up, the cloud moved and the sun re-appeared. Wuhn said she felt warmer.”
“And you?”
“Looking at the sun made me realise some of the day had passed. That I had to get back to the cave to speak to you. I knew I had time to return before dark.”
“If it wasn’t for the sun, you wouldn’t have come back?”
“No. I wouldn’t.”
The questioning now comes to an end, although neither of the hunters gets up. Both are lost in thought, Dhi wondering if his punishment has been cancelled or just postponed. Tahk is thinking of other things. Whether it is the case, as he now suspects, that the sun can speak and hear without using words. After all, when he was appealing to the sun before, in his head he could almost see Dhi coming up the path. And that is what happened. Now Dhi has told him he looked at the sky and the sun reminded him of his duty. Dhi didn’t ask anything and he didn’t hear any words, yet he did what he had to do. And all because of the sun. He will think more about this.
Although Tahk has lapsed into silence, Dhi feels he can speak. And it’s not about his wrongdoing.
“Father. Are you going to cut off Ohp’s head?”
*****
As their meat is running out, the runaways expect Guhgral to call a meeting to tell them how they will get their next big meal. And this time, there will be no hesitation in accepting his plan, whether it is to hunt themselves or steal beasts from the families. Of course, Vihnnak was killed last time, but they know this wasn’t Guhgral’s fault. Nor does Shohna, now she is under the protection of Oohd, criticise him anymore. It’s very strange. Even though he has a blemish on his forehead and was never a hunter, there’s something about Guhgral that commands respect. They are ready for him, whatever he has to say. If he wants to lead, they are willing to follow.
Yet he doesn’t seek their company and when they do see him, he barely speaks to them. They are surprised. Hurt. What have they done wrong? What’s he thinking about? Where’s he going all the time?
*****
“Now Dhi has gone on his trip, you have to do what I say.”
Wuhn drops her head.
“Wuhn, it’s time for you to know the infants of your mate-sisters. Clean them. Feed them. Comfort them.”
“Yes, Luhla. I understand my duties. But can I leave these things until tomorrow? Then I will care for them as you want.”
“Wuhn, you never do what I tell you. No other mate-daughter talks to me like this. What’s the matter with you?”
“Please, Luhla.”
“What’s more important than helping us here?”
“I lost my little skin bag. I want to look for it.”
“It’s only a bag. It doesn’t matter. You can have another one. One of mine.”
“It’s a special bag, Luhla. My birth-mother gave it to me when my blood first came.”
“I see. Do you remember where you left it?”
Wuhn isn’t entirely sure. But she knows not to tell Luhla she thinks it’s by the stream in the forest. Perhaps she shouldn’t have gone there with Dhi. She certainly shouldn’t go back without him. If Luhla finds out what she has in mind, she will never release her.
“It’s in the clearing by the lake. I can go down there with a guard. I’ll probably find it under a tree.”
Wuhn is surprised how easy it was to say that.
“No, Wuhn. You must stay here. Help the others. They have to collect roots and berries. What they are doing is more important to the family than your bag.”
“Yes, Luhla.”
*****
The young hunters have marched well and now stop for a short rest. It’s time to drink a little. Talk about their trip to the far hills. Wonder what they will find. But most importantly, examine Tahk’s stick.
Of all those gathered round Dhi, Kahple seems the most interested.
“Is that the stick Tahk used on the summit?”
Dhi shakes his head. He doesn’t know. He never asked. But he does remember Tahk’s instructions. If he gets lost, he should put one end in the ground. Wait for the sun to get to its highest point in the sky. Look for the shortest shadow. Walk in the direction of the shortest shadow.
“I don’t think it’s the stick he used on the summit. It’s too short.”
Dhi hardly hears the other. Not when he is thinking of what he has to do. Cross the plateau. Descend into the valley. Avoid the lions. Go to the far hills. Find the right place for the family. For the clan. And all he has to help him is a stick.
“Even if it is the stick Tahk used on the summit, it’s too small. My father says we must use the biggest stick we can hold. We must show respect for the sun. Or he won’t talk to us.”
*****
None would stop Ohp drinking from the butt. That’s the family law. And he’s certainly tempted to drop his hand inside. More than tempted, he finds the notion almost irresistible. His mouth and throat are so dry he doubts he can speak. And in this state, he will be unable to defend himself when Tahk questions him about the failure of his hunt. The death of two hunters. The fact he put upright flesh in the store. Except none of that matters now. His ear is about to fall off. And without hearing, he will starve. No use to the family, no food. That too is family law. Water’s different, but if he drinks, he will survive a long time. To live with his grievances. And disappointments. He doesn’t want that. It’s better to die quickly so long as the end is in the cave. So there will be no water for him. He walks on without lifting the lid. But also without greeting Tahk.
His half-brother is standing next to the butt.
“Ohp, stop. Why don’t you drink? You’ve been away a long time.”
Tahk’s voice appears to betray concern.
“Do you want to sit down? Rest.”
Tahk is enjoying this.
“You mustn’t walk past me. We have to talk about your status. Come here. Listen to me. You know you cannot hunt with an ear like that. Not when the other one is so badly torn. You are now an elder. But you will still be able to help the family. Make decisions. Give advice to the leader.”
Tahk attempts to sound encouraging, but he knows Ohp will hate his new duties. And then it would only be as long as his dangling ear remains attached to his head. Which, judging by its colour, won’t be for more than a day or two. He’s going to die anyway. He knows that. They both know that. Dhi is right. There is no need to cut off Ohp’s head.
“Why don’t you come over here and have some water with me? It’s hot.”
But Ohp doesn’t sit, have a drink or talk to Tahk. He knows what’s going to happen to him. He’s going to die. So why be pleasant to the one who has stood in his way all his life? Who so unfairly wrested the leadership from their uncle before he was ready to call an open contest, the only chance he had of making his own case. Who later refused to give way to him. Who can talk well, but who understands nothing, especially about hunting. Who has brought the whole family to the point of starvation.
*****
Guhgral doesn’t have a plan to snatch Wuhn. A plan with the details of the where and the when and the how worked out. It isn’t like that. His plan is actually nothing more than a yearning. An obsession. An overwhelming feeling dominating his thoughts and his life. He no longer wants to make himself indispensable to the other runaways. Build them into a force the families cannot ignore. Return to his cave as an equal. Perhaps even as its new leader. Demand his rights with the females. He has seen Wuhn and now nothing else matters.
And it isn’t just to do with pushing his club into her rump whenever he feels like it. He did that to another female long ago. With one of his mother’s sisters. It was good, but not nearly as exciting as it seemed to be for Dhi in the forest. Not even as satisfying as it had been for him and he was only watching. Wuhn is young, not like the other female. Her skin is smooth. Her breasts firm. She talks to Dhi. Does things for him. Plays with him. Laughs. Teases. Gets aroused herself. Cries out in pleasure. Wants Dhi to enter her as much as he does. Her body moves. Writhes. Grips. She won’t let go. And when she does, they lie on each other. Resting. Talking. That is what he wants. That is what he thinks about. It will be nothing like the other time.
He barely sleeps and doesn’t eat. These things will come later. His only interest is to see Wuhn as much as he can. And that means taking risks. Keeping to the trees. Hiding behind rocks. Gliding stealthily from place to place. Making sure he stays in the shadows. Doesn’t make any noise. Looking at her, but not letting her see him. Especially making sure Dhi doesn’t suspect anything. And in all these things he succeeds.
Then he watches Dhi putting on his cape. Slinging his bags over his shoulders. Picking up his weapon. He’s leaving the cave. Going on a trip. And Wuhn is staying behind without his protection. Is this his chance? Possibly. But not if she stays in the settlement the whole time. Tends the infants. Never mind. He’s patient. And although she is still not his, every time he catches a glimpse of her hair – her back – her feet – it doesn’t matter what – he’s almost overwhelmed with desire. Can imagine the deed is done and she is submitting to his will.
*****
The pack is small and its members young, but it still takes well over a day for it to reach the look-out point, even those from other families know as Tahk’s rock. Is that why they feel his presence so keenly now? Half expect his deep voice to boom out. Tell them they have come to the right place. Advise them what to do next. Only, this time he isn’t in charge. He isn’t even near.
He isn’t, but his stick is. Dhi pulls it out of its bag again . This time he puts it to his face. He smells it. He tastes it. Yes. He will know what to do. His father will tell him what to do. It doesn’t matter if it’s the one from the summit – or another one. Whether it’s short or long. The stick is Tahk. And Tahk is the sun. And between them, they will help him save the clan.
He is about to put it into the ground, when he looks up. At the position of the sun in the sky. Good. He remembered to do that. The hill, behind them: the hill of their caves. The hills ahead of them: the far hills. Far away. Days away. Possibly their new home. Then he sees something else.
He shades his eyes. Does one of the far hills have a cloud on its summit? If so, it’s the only cloud in the sky. It’s a funny cloud too. Thin and wispy. Going upwards as if it’s coming out of the hill. What does it mean? Is it a sign? Is the sun speaking to them in another way?
*****
“What are you doing, Wuhn? You mustn’t feed Sehlal with things like that. She will choke.”
Yohn, the oldest of Wuhn’s mate-sisters, has just come back with an armful of fruit and berries. She’s happy with her work, but not the sight that greets her. Two of her infants are playing near the edge of the eating area, unsupervised and in danger of falling down the hill. And her youngest – the only female so far – is sitting on Wuhn’s lap. Not being rocked quietly, drinking water or being offered small pieces of chewed fish. Things she asked Wuhn to do. Instead, the infant seems to have a handful of leaves clamped between her jaws.
“Wuhn, what are you giving her? Take them out. Now.”
“Don’t worry, Yohn. Sehlal’s safe with me. She was crying a lot earlier. Nothing calmed her down. Then I looked in her mouth. I noticed she had some little teeth. That’s why she was upset. She was in pain.”
“I know her teeth are growing. All infants cry with that. There’s nothing you can do.”
“Yes there is, Yohn. In Jehkmin’s cave, females give infants this leaf to bite. It makes them feel better. Look. Sehlal’s not crying now, is she?”
“I don’t know what leaf it is. We don’t have any here. Where did you get them from? You didn’t leave my infants to get it, did you?”
“No. I wouldn’t do that. I told a worker to go to the high field. Instructed him what to look for. He did well. He came back quickly. I look after your infants properly.”
“I’m not sure about that. What about those two over there? They might have fallen over the edge.”
“I’ve been watching them, Yohn. They’re all right. I told them about the danger. They are old enough to understand. Our females think it’s best not to guard infants too much, otherwise they will never find out what is safe and what isn’t.”
“Wuhn, you are not in your birth-father’s cave any more. You are here. With Tahk and Dhi and Luhla and me. You must follow our ways. If you don’t, you will get into trouble.”
Yohn is upset more than annoyed. Wuhn hasn’t done her any wrong. And all her infants seem to be well. But Wuhn has to do things differently.
“I know where I am, Yohn. And I am very happy to be here. Forgive me if I seem strange. I will change.”
Yohn nods. And moves to pick up her two infants. The spider they are playing with is too big for them to swallow. But if she can catch it, it won’t be wasted.
*****
When they next meet, Tahk can’t help noticing how dry and cracked his half-brother’s lips are.
“You still haven’t had a drink, Ohp. It’s bad. You will die soon.”
“Why should I … live?”
“There’s no shame in being one of the elders. They’re important to the family. I hope to become one soon. As soon as Dhi is ready.”
“You see. You’ve decided … Dhi shall take over from … you. What can the …elders do, if the leader … thinks like that”
“No. I didn’t mean it like that. The elders will decide if Dhi is suitable. I will say who I want, but they will make the decision.”
“B-but the elders always do what the … leader asks. If you want … Dhi, they will agree.”
“No, Ohp. If you speak strongly for Bahnor, he might become leader. Anyone can speak for their son. Even you. That’s the family law.”
“Was it family law that … allowed you to fight our uncle? Without a … challenge. Knock him to the … ground. Make him p-plead for his life.”
