Neanderthal | Cro-Magnon

[Nyyark]

Concepts

 

Secondborn had found him on the rocks by the stream. Firstborn was bleeding from a hole in his side. Firstborn’s blood ran to cover the crude fitting fur strapped to his body. All Secondborn could do was give him soothing Breaths. As Firstborn took his last breath he grunted the only new Breath, the one that meant Them.

 

It was Cold. Air was Cold, Trees were Cold, Rocks were Cold, and Firstborn was Cold. Secondborn was doing his best to drag him back to Home, but the earth wasn’t cooperating. This must be where Firstborn was to stay. Secondborn took the hole maker on his right hip and began digging. He was angry. The ground was cold like Firstborn, and it was rocky. The ground wouldn’t take Firstborn, and the Earth wouldn’t let him leave. Why were they not loved anymore? Why did the World hate them? Moreover why did the world love Them?

 

Secondborn left Firstborn in a shallow grave. He took Firstborn’s axe, and headed Home.

 

Family breathed Greeting with him. Sadness was breathed shortly after when Firstborn’s axe was presented, and then Fear when Secondborn breathed Them. Stay was their only choice. It was cold. Earth hated them.

 

Now Secondborn brought food. It was Dark. He sat at Place and waited. Soon Deer would come and he would kill it. Deer came. He came up behind Deer. In Moonlight he saw clearly where to smash it. In one quick motion he did. He then placed Deer on his shoulders and walked back home. They would live a little longer.

 

He gave Deer to Sister, and sat by Fire. Father was at Fire. They looked at each other and neither breathed anything. It was Dark and Cold. Fire was warm. Fire would be gone by the sunrise.

 

It was morning. Second born was given Fur for Arms from Deer. He started sharpening Rock for Spear. He would need it for Fight. There was Noise in the distance. It was driving away Animals. Soon he would Fight.

 

There was nothing to hunt that afternoon because of Noise. Earth hated them, and he knew they would soon all be Cold. When Earth and Sky and Ground hate you, you only have one place to go, and Firstborn had already started hunting there.

 

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Survival

 

Kain felt the drums pulse in his temples. The red stained fur banners fluttered in the wind, and the fire had him roaring. The earlier hunting party had found the Lesser in the area. That meant that there was good enough hunting that they could stop at least until the main group arrived.

 

In his hand he held a spear his father had crafted. Right now he was only a spearman, but knew someday he would be a Javelineer. He had already proven his skill with a bow, and soon he would show his prowess with his father’s spear. The tooth amulet around his neck guaranteed this would be a successful hunt.

 

Today was no ordinary hunt either. Today he would kill some of the Lesser; those that dared mock their existence. They were hobbled and malformed. They wore crude clothing, not having the mental capacity to make a decent needle. They made him sick.

 

Kain grinned at his comrade-in-arms. He was working with Dolan, the bowman.

 

“There will be dead Lesser today.” Kain said to Dolan

 

“Are you wearing your amulet?” Asked Dolan.

 

“Yes.” Replied Kain.

 

“Then we are sure to win.” Agreed Dolan.

 

They would do their ancestors proud in the hunt.

 

The forest reverberated with the drumbeats. Dolan and Kain were shouting at the top of their lungs. This kept away all of the animals so they could find the Lesser. Just a little while ago they had come across a pathetic attempt at a burial. Kain thought that it must have been the Lesser that was killed the day before. They were following the trail left by the Lesser who buried the corpse. It was great to be alive.

 

They came upon a small cave outside of which were two Lesser, a male and a female. One had an axe strapped to his side; the other was cooking. They looked disgusting. With a shout Kain was off.

 

As he charged an arrow shot by him to pierce the male Lesser’s arm. The female Lesser tried to run, but Kain ran her through with his spear. Another arrow shot by and missed. The male was on his feet and tried to attack Kain, but wounded, he didn’t come close to being a challenge. Inside the cave there was another woman, and a child. Kain dealt with them quickly.

 

Kain and Dolan were celebrating their success when Dolan suddenly fell to the ground. A spear-bearing Lesser was standing behind him furious. Kain brought up his own spear and the fight was on. Kain was taller and faster. His spear point was better carved and balanced. The Lesser, on the other hand, was slower and shorter. His spear was crude and thick. But the Lesser was strong and tough as nails.

 

Kain couldn’t believe it. He was losing to a Lesser! Then he saw the ashes of a previous fire. Kain worked the Lesser to the loose footing of the ashes and then rushed him full force. The ashes gave out beneath the Lesser and Kain killed him while he was trying to get up.

 

Kain laughed. The stupid brute had been killed by his own fire pit. Dolan was unconscious, but Kain thought he would live. Kain knew he would be a Javalineer.

 

Edited by: Nyyark at: 10/8/02 11:22:21 am

Edited April 29, 2004 by Alaeha