CHAPTER 3 (Northern Continent)
Tara looked around at the campsite, or dom. There were, what could only be described as small lairs, dotted around the clearing. A stream bubbled to one side. Bundles of what might be food lay heaped by type in one corner, and beside them sat another Lind. This one was white, white as snow, and he stood up with grave courtesy as they approached.
The two Lind stared into each other’s eyes. Tara was sure that they were conversing mentally with each other.
Telling each other all the news I’ll be bound, she thought, slipping down from Kolyei’s back with relief. Her tired muscles ached in protest at the unaccustomed exercise. All she wanted to do was to lie down.
The white Lind approached Tara.
“Dedta Tara.” He greeted her.
I was right. They talk aloud and send pictures to each other’s minds just like Kolyei does with me.
She looked longingly at the bundle of food. It was a mixture of fruit and roots.
“Jeza Tara,” invited the white Lind, pointing to the nearest pile with his forepaw.
“Eat,” translated Kolyei.
Tara did just that.
The two Lind looked at her, then at each other, as she ate. Their tails swished in a tranquil fashion. The plans were progressing well.
Kolyei introduced Tara to the white Lind.
“This be Afanasei,” he said, pointing his snout at him.
Tara bowed slightly. It seemed appropriate.
Afanasei looked pleased at this show of courtesy and dipped his head once in reply.
The two Lind started to talk to each other. They talked so fast that the only word Tara could distinguish was her own name.
Then Kolyei brought twelve white pebbles in his mouth and spat them out in front of her. She counted them carefully.
“Twelve,” she said aloud.
“Duntanvad,” he agreed.
Then twelve black stones were placed beside each of the white ones. A larger white stone was placed to one side. Tara watched, wondering what they were trying to tell her.
Kolyei moved one black stone with his paw and placed it at her feet.
“Tara,” he said. He then nudged the white one from the other bundle to a position in front of his other paw.
“This be Kolyei,” he said.
Afanasei pawed the larger white one over towards himself.
She looked at them wonderingly. The black stone must represent her. If she had got that right then the three stones apart from the rest represented the three of them here. What was the significance of the other eleven pairs of stones? In a rush, understanding came to her.
There were more on their way to the dom. She had not been the only one kidnapped by the Lind. They were waiting for another eleven Lind and eleven people.
She looked at Kolyei and nodded to show that she knew what he was trying to say.
She formed a picture of eleven other pairs of Lind and humans arriving in her mind and, concentrating hard, pushed it out towards him, smiling and nodding as she did so. She wouldn’t be the only person here with the Lind. He wagged his tail rapidly, delighted with her reaction and her ability to transmit the image.
Tara went to sleep that night with a light heart. She felt safe, secure and for some reason, loved. Nestled into the warmth that was Kolyei she did not stir, even when the second pair that was Kath Andrews and Matvei loped into the clearing in the middle of the night.
Kath Andrews was sitting beside Tara when the younger girl woke. With a sharp cry of gladness, Tara opened her arms and fell into the older girl’s embrace.
“Well kitten,” Kath said with a smile. “You too?”
Kitten was Kath’s pet name for Tara.
Tara grinned at her. “Fraid so. I am so glad you’re here Kath. It felt so strange on my own.”
“Not really on your own, your Kolyei was here.”
“Yes,” Tara pondered, “but that’s different.”
Kath understood perfectly.
“Want some breakfast?”
“More raw roots and fruit?”
Kath laughed. “No, I came better prepared than you! I was out hunting when Matvei came across me. I had my pack with provisions and other things. The provisions are all gone, but I do have my fire-starter with me so we can at least make something hot. Far nicer that way.”
Tara stood up with alacrity. She was hungry again.
“Where?” she demanded, looking around the clearing. Then she saw the small fire some six or seven feet away. A small pot was bubbling in its midst. Her mouth started to water in anticipation.
Over breakfast the two of them talked. The Lind were resting not far away. Kolyei lifted one forepaw in greeting but did not interrupt. He did send into her mind however, a feeling of utter contentment combined with a picture of her sleeping quietly by his side.
“Do you know why they brought us here?” asked Tara munching her way through a mixed plate of whiteroot and salad. The whiteroot was cooked to a tee and Tara was enjoying it immensely.
“A wee bit,” answered Kath. “I don’t think they’ll tell us the full story until we reach our destination. Matvei says we are going to a place called domta. I presume that is where the rest of their pack lives.”
“You understood that much?” asked Tara in amazement.
“Most of it is just a guess,” Kath admitted. “The words I know relate to actual things. Verbs, adjectives and pronouns are more difficult.”
Tara nodded her agreement, her mouth being too full of good food to answer.
Kath continued, “I think the white one is some sort of teacher of the young. I got the weirdest images from Matvei of a large white Lind sitting in front of a crowd of young ones. It looked like a school!”
“Will we have to join in?” asked Tara apprehensively.
“I think they might have special classes for us,” was the less than reassuring answer but Tara accepted this pronouncement in her usual matter of fact way. “Will we rest here today do you think Kath? I am really tired. I’d like to sleep some more.”
It was with sympathy that Kath looked at the white-faced youngster. “Yes,” she answered, considering the matter. “We’re waiting for the others to arrive. I would go and have that lie down now if that’s what you want, while you have the chance.”
“Good.” Standing up slowly, how her muscles protested, she looked down at Kath. “I think I will.” She yawned, showing two rows of perfect white teeth. “Will you wake me up when the rest get here?”
Kath nodded and watched as Tara went back to her sleeping niche. A few moments later the girl was sound asleep so Kath covered her with her hunting cloak to help keep out the chilly morning air and went over to join the three Lind.
Kath, being almost adult, felt responsible for all their safety. She had realised early on that the children would look to her as the eldest. She sat down beside Matvei. “The others when they get here will be confused,” she began, “and I have to confess to being a bit on edge myself.”
Afanasei, Kolyei and Matvei turned their heads towards her.
Grasping at her courage, Kath added. “And I’d like to know what you are going to do with us.”
The three Lind did not comprehend the actual words Kath spoke, but they understood well enough the meaning behind what she was saying. Matvei’s mind was attuned to hers and he managed to make sense of her question.
“Kath wishes to know why she is here,” he explained to Afanasei. : Kath has nervousness as to our intent : he added telepathically. : Kath feels responsible for those younger than herself but has no fear about herself :
: We wish them no harm, you must tell her : replied Afanasei. : Can she not feel the love you have for her? :
: I would die to protect Tara : affirmed Kolyei.
: Tara is not scared : added Afanasei. He turned towards Matvei and added : You must explain to Kath :
Matvei began to speak, attempting to make clear why they needed to make contact with their people. He glossed over t
he dangers foretold for the summer. Kath understood perhaps a half of it, but she did emerge from their conversation with some answers to her questions.
The Lind had a serious reason for ‘persuading’ her and the rest of the children, even now approaching the dom, to run away with them. That it was something that was a threat to them all she also understood. It was enough to be going on with and she walked away rehearsing what she would say to the others when they arrived but content that they were among friends and in no immediate danger.
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