Death on the Trek Read Online Free Page B

them.
    He sent back to Hama a picture of what he was seeing. When the two got close enough that he could clearly see their eyes, he scurried down the hill and rejoined his people.
    The two males slowed as they approached the tribe. The brothers and sisters stood still, waiting for the strangers to reach them. It had happened in the past that strangers had meant harm. That was rare, but it was best, Jeek knew, to be cautious. He noticed that the females did not hold their spears, but stood near them. Some of the males would have chopping stones in pouches that could be extracted in a flash. The direct gaze of the wise Hama did not waver until the pair stood before her.
    Do you understand this thought? Hama directed this to the males, but in such a way that the tribe standing close behind her could also receive the message.
    The male with the fire-colored hair moved only his head, to look at his partner. They exchanged private thoughts. Then the one with mud-colored hair, who was taller, answered. We do understand. We are Gata. Do you know the Gata?
    There was a stirring in the tribe. They all knew of the Gata. They had been a tribe who dwelt not far from the Hamapa, people they had traded with. As the last Cold Season had approached, the Gata leader had sent a message in thought-speak to Hama and had asked if they could take any of them in as they did not have enough food for the whole tribe. She had been forced to tell them that her people did not have any to spare. Part of that tribe had traveled far away to try to start a new tribe.
    Jeek could hear Hama going over these details in her mind. So could the two Gata males.
    We are Hamapa, Hama answered.
    We are from the Gata remnant who left.
    You lived through the Cold Season, Hama returned.
    We did. But most did not. We and one female are all that are left. We are looking for that female. She went to find game many suns ago and has not returned.
    Hama puzzled this, drawing her brows down. Why has she not returned? Have you had no thoughts from her?
    We have not.
    Jeek wondered if the female was alive. What could keep her from communicating with her two tribe mates? Maybe she was hurt, but why would she not send back her thoughts? He looked around at the unfamiliar feature-less land. She could be lost. But again, what would keep her from sending back her thoughts?
    The one with the mud-colored hair fell to his knees. His eyes closed and his head drooped. Hapa, the Most High Male, stepped to his side and took his hand. Are you not well?
    That was when Jeek noticed how thin they both were. It was hard to see what shape their bodies were in beneath their heavy capes, but their cheeks were sunken and their hands scrawny, like bird talons.
    Hama and Hapa must have noticed that also, because they each took a piece of jerky from their pack and handed it to the Gata males.
    I am Hama of the Hamapa, she thought-spoke as she watched them devour the dried strips.
    I am Bodd Blow Striker. That was the one with hair of fire. He drew a cutting stone from his pouch to show them his work.
    The other one, still on his knees, also gave his name. I am called Fall Cape Maker. But I have not made a cape in many moon cycles.
    Bodd explained. There was game here when we first came. Not much, but some. We have not seen any in too long a time now.
    Hapa and Hama motioned for the whole tribe to be seated for an impromptu council.
    They walked away from the newcomers before sitting to fling thoughts back and forth. Hama wanted to take the strangers in but some did not. Enga Dancing Flower and Ung Strong Arm, of course, voted to let them in, since they had been adopted by the tribe as very young children after their own tribe had abandoned them. Tog Flint Shaper did not want them to join the band and to take food from his mate, afraid of damage to his seed growing within her. Vala Golden Hair was also concerned about her infant, she thought-spoke. Panan voted against letting them come along, but Jeek