22
Owayan Tribe
Michio and Erling paddled withstrong, sure strokes, moving the canoe quickly toward the riverbank.
“Do you think that spaceshipspotted us?” Toemeka asked.
“I’m sure they did, but theycan’t land anywhere near here,” Michio said. “The foliage istoo dense.”
When they got near shore, thecurrent wasn’t as strong and they paddled upstream. Arriving at theplace where they’d landed previously, they climbed out of the canoeand pulled it onto land. Then they headed into the woods in search ofthe warrior Toemeka had seen.
They’d gone only a shortdistance when Michio clasped Toemeka’s hand and said, “We’renot alone.” He scanned the woods around them.
“I don’t see them,” Erlingsaid.
“You can’t see them, butthey’re here,” Jake said.
They all stopped and Toemeka slidher free hand into her pocket, nervously closing it around the gripof her blaster. Leaves rustled as tall warriors with tattoos on theirblue faces emerged from the woods and surrounded them. They woreleather clothing and necklaces made of small bones. Toemeka spottedthe man with the ring through his nose.
That’shim,she said telepathically to Michio.
He followed her gaze. Nowondered you were frightened.
Accustomed to calculating odds,Toemeka assessed the situation. Eight tall warriors surrounded them,all heavily armed with rifles and long knives. But a blaster was asuperior weaponandshe couldn’t think of any three men she’d rather have fighting ather side.
As if sensing the direction ofher thoughts, Jake said, “Don’t display your weapons. We wantthem to know we’re friendly.” He switched from speaking Universalto Owayan, using a combination of gestures and words.
The nose-ring warrior answeredJake. After a short interchange, the warrior gestured at Toemeka.Jake shook his head and put his two thumbs together saying,“Bah-nay.”
Curious about the guttural soundsand elaborate hand signs of the Owayan language, Toemeka asked, “Whatdid he say?”
“He said his name is Kumaroo. Itold him who we are and that Commander Rochambeau is after us. Heagreed to help us. They’ll take us to their camp so we can talk totheir chief.”
“Why was Kumaroo pointing atme?”
“He’s fascinated by you. He’snever seen a white woman before.”
Toemeka sensed Jake wasn’ttelling her everything.
Jake spoke with Kumaroo again,then said, “We’re to go with him.”
All the warriors faded back intothe dense forest, except Kumaroo. He gestured for them to follow himand they headed out.
“Michio, can I speak with you amoment?” Jake asked after they’d gone a short distance. “Erling,guard Toemeka.”
Michio and Jake talked quietlyfor a few minutes while Erling and Toemeka kept going.
When Michio caught up with her,Toemeka asked, “What did Jake want?”
“He was just explaining sometribal customs.” Michio and Jake exchanged a brief glance andToemeka got the distinct impression they were keeping something fromher. She let it go. Michio would tell her when they were alone.Jake’s forehead was covered in sweat and he’d grown pale. Erlingput an arm around him to help him keep going.
The sun was beginning to set,casting reddish-purple hues on the land. Once it disappeared over thehorizon, it became dark and cold in the forest. They hadn’t gonefar when they came to a small clearing where a group of axterdonswere staked. The enormous, hairless creatures had horns, two shortfront legs with claws and stood on two hind legs.
“Thank the stars, axterdons,”Jake said, stumbling to a stop. “I can’t walk much further.”
“We’re going to ride them?”Toemeka asked incredulously. “I’ve never heard of anyone ridingthem. They’re too wild.”
Jake shrugged. “They’re notcompletely tame, but they’re strong. One animal can carry tworiders.”
“I’m sure they can,” Michiosaid. “They must weigh a ton.”
Just then one axterdon roared,revealing a mouthful of teeth, and tried to bite one of the otherbeasts. “Will you look at the size of their teeth!” Toemekaexclaimed.
Jake shrugged. “Nothing toworry about; they’re vegetarians.”
Kumaroo pointed to two axterdonswith packs and said something in Owayan. Two warriors unpacked them,redistributing gear among the other animals
Another warrior brought anaxterdon over to Toemeka and Michio. It had no saddle or bridle, justa rope around its neck and another rope tied behind its front legs touse as stirrups. “You can ride in front of me,” Michio said.“I’ll help you up.”
Toemeka’s stomach knotted asMichio boosted her onto the back of the axterdon. She grabbed therope as Michio started to mount. The axterdon broke away from him andreared up on its hind legs. The rope jerked out of Toemeka’s hand.She screamed as she flew into the air then slammed onto the ground,stunned. The axterdon charged at her with its horns lowered. Kumaroograbbed rope around the axterdon’s head and pulled it away.
Michio reached her seconds laterand knelt beside her, his face strained. “Are you hurt?”
“Monstrous beast!” Toemekaexclaimed. “I said they were too dangerous to ride.” Pain shotthrough her left hip as she sat up.
“I’m sorry; he got away fromme.” Michio helped her stand.
“I’m not getting back on thatthing.” Her stomach churned at the thought of getting near theaxterdon. “Next time, it’ll gore me with its horns.” She triedto put weight on her left leg and winced in pain.
“You can’t walk all the wayto camp,” Michio said.
“There’s a reason axterdonsaren’t ridden. They’re ill-tempered and have been known to killpeople.”
Michio looked uneasily at theaxterdon. “I don’t blame you for being afraid to ride it, butthese animals are broken and we’re fortunate to have them.”
“We have to go,” Jake said.“Mount up.” He and Erling were already on the other axterdon.
“Give us a minute,” Michiosaid. He looked at Toemeka. “I’ll mount first, then help you upafter me.” Kumaroo held the axterdon steady as Michio climbed on.The axterdon tried to throw him off and Kumaroo slugged it on thenose, before leaping onto his own axterdon.
Michio held out his hand toToemeka. “Come on, I’ve got him under control.”
Toemeka limped over. As soon asshe reached the axterdon, it whipped out its thick tail and knockedher off her feet.
“Like hell you have it undercontrol!”
Kumaroo rode over, grabbed theback of Toemeka’s sweater and lifted her off the ground.
“What are you doing?” sheexclaimed, struggling to get away. He dumped her on her stomach overthe side of his smelly axterdon. She scrambled into a sittingposition and tried to dismount. Kumaroo put his arm around her waistand drew her firmly to his chest.
“I’m not riding with you!”Toemeka
