Part Two
For two days now, Olah had kept watch.
The tribe didn't have the heart to stop her, even though she neglected her tasks and ignored requests for food and water from the men. Naoh had finally told them to leave her alone, and the men had understood. Although no-one really knew what Amoukar had planned, they realised it was dangerous. To rid himself of his low status, the deed had to be difficult and life-threatening.
The Ulam went quietly about their daily tasks, but they were sad and grieving already, for they saw the despair on Naoh's face and the desperate longing in the young woman who sat at the cave entrance and watched for a tall, brawny figure to come ambling out of the tree-line as she had seen Amoukar do so often before.
But he hadn't appeared. It had been two long days, and nothing. The sun was beginning to set, and Ika, concerned for Olah, had touched her on the shoulder and motioned for the young woman to come back into the cave and eat something. The roaring fire sent delicious smells of roasting meat through the cave, but Olah would have none of it. Her gaze returned once more to the tree-line, brown eyes ever hopeful.
Ika returned to the fire and lifted her baby son from the young girl who had been playing with the child, and began to nurse him. But she was startled by a soft, joyful cry from Olah.
People scrambled to their feet and gathered around the young woman, and murmurs of relief came as they saw a familiar figure emerge from the trees.
Amoukar of the Quest had come home.
Several of the youngsters forgot themselves and shrieked with delight, but they were shushed by their elders. This was not a time for unrestrained joy as it had when the Quest-brothers had returned with fire. No, there was business to be done and until Amoukar had won his Olah, they would contain themselves. When Olah was given to Amoukar … well, then the tribe could celebrate properly. Naoh stood beside Ika and their son and smiled at his woman. She had been right. Again. He turned back to look at the tall figure of his friend ambling towards them, and he saw Olah leave her place of vigil and run to him with joy in her heart.
As Olah got nearer, she saw he was carrying something, a huge, hairy pelt wrapped up with sinew slung over his broad back. Her eyes widened as she realised what he had done. He had killed a bear for her. His blue eyes caught hers and she saw the happiness shine in their azure depths, and she almost cried out with the pleasure of his presence. He was hers now, she knew. They could not deny their joining any longer, because Amoukar was the greatest hunter the Ulam had ever known.
She frowned at the blood on him, but decided it was the bear's blood, and he didn't appear to be hurt, so she held out her hand for his weapons. She would walk beside him as he came home to claim his prize, and let no-one deny his right as his woman stood with him.
Amoukar's heart swelled with pride as he handed her his atlatl and spears. She was his, and she would be with him as he claimed her from her step-sire, and suddenly all of the exhaustion and pain in his body faded away at the thought of it.
The Ulam separated to let him through as Olah's step-sire made himself comfortable on a lynx-fur beside the fire. He knew the eyes of the tribe were upon him, and that they trusted him to do the right thing. But he also had to be seen to value Olah highly and not give her away too easily. He would look at Amoukar's gift very carefully and decide if it was worthy.
He watched as Amoukar finally stood before him, and he gestured for the young warrior to show him what he had brought.
Amoukar grunted with pain and effort as he swung the bearskin from his back and dumped it on the ground in front of the elder. Olah's step-sire was an influential man, a warrior in his prime and the sire of many sons. It was a tense moment. Amoukar gestured at the pelt and Olah dropped to her knees, undoing the sinew that bound it together.
The tribe gasped in admiration. Inside was the great bear's head, teeth still bared in anger, and beside it were the four powerful paws, claws intact. The older warrior raised his eyebrows in surprise. Young Amoukar had certainly earned the girl.
The Ulam waited with bated breath for his decision, and Amoukar was in an agony of desperation. Surely he couldn't refuse his gift. It was the greatest gift a warrior could give for a woman, and it made Olah of such value she would be unattainable by any other man if it was refused. No-one could exceed such a prize.
The older man sighed. Lifting a hand he waved at Olah dismissively.
"Take her."
There were shouts of joy as the tribe rejoiced in a collective roar, and all of a sudden Amoukar felt faint. He had done it. Olah was his. But he heard the cries of delight change to murmurs of concern as the world faded around him, and he felt strong hands catch him as he collapsed into Olah's arms.
Amoukar of the Quest lay in a fevered delirium. The wounds on his chest and side had festered, and he lay shivering with chills in a sheltered hollow under the cave wall, wrapped in furs and tended by Olah and Ika.He lay for many days, the tribe already mourning him, sure in the knowledge that the bear had killed him. Ika prepared poultices and made Olah wash the wounds with clean water, her knowledge far exceeding that of the Ulam's in the ways of healing. Their old Shaman sprinkled red ochre on Amoukar's sick body, and touched his forehead with the claws of the bear he killed. Maybe the bear's strength would help the wounded man, they thought. Olah stayed beside him, wishing him to heal with everything she had, and lying beside him through the night warming him with her body.
And slowly he realised she was there, and took comfort from her presence, and in the early hours of the fourth day after his winning of Olah, his fever broke. Olah held him tight until he slipped into restful sleep, and crooned to him as he slept as she would a child, knowing it would calm him.
It took him many more days to recover well enough to rise from his sick-bed and sit in the sun, letting the heat soothe his body. Olah kept him fed and made him drink often to replace the blood he had lost, although she knew he would carry the terrible scars until his dying day. But he would carry them with pride, for he had done a great deed and the bear had marked him with its power.
But as spring turned to early summer, the tribe realised he was going to recover fully, and they breathed a sigh of relief. Amoukar of the Quest had come back to them whole, and that was all that mattered.
The sun rose over the horizon and sent the cool air from the mouth of the cave, warming the rock and waking the Ulam from their sleep. Amoukar had spent the night on watch, eyes lost in the depths of the embers of the fire, thinking about all that had gone before, and about how life would be with Olah. She had taken great care of him as he lay wounded, and had attended to his every need … except one.
Now he was well, he wanted her. He wanted to lie with her, lie within her, and make her his forever. He felt a touch on his arm, and there she was, a cup of water in her hand, her eyes smiling with pleasure as he nodded his thanks.
For the rest of the morning he watched her as she went about her chores, and occasionally their eyes would meet and he would see the desire in their brown depths. The rest of the Ulam knew it was time and smiled knowingly, the old women elbowing each other in amusement. It was about time the big fool made a move, and they thought Olah was doing the right thing by enticing him. She had been spending a lot of time with Ika, secreted in the back of the cave, and Ika had been telling her the secrets of the Ivaka women and how they kept their men sated and happy. Olah was determined that Amoukar would have no complaints on that score!
As the sun rose higher and the day became hotter, Olah came to sit beside him, studying his features and delighting in the discomfort she was causing. She had been flirting with him outrageously all morning, giving him ample opportunity to glimpse her buttocks and pert breasts. As she sat she noticed he was aroused, the bulge under the skins at his groin unmistakable. He wanted her badly, and she decided it was time this shy big man did something about it. Reaching over she touched the rise of his arousal and he grunted in surprise. Blue eyes caught hers, and she touched his hand, gesturing at the trees. She wanted him too, he realised, and she wanted him now!
Then she was standing up and heading up the path beside the cave entrance, up onto the high ground behind the cave of the Ulam. He heaved himself to his feet, his erection becoming uncomfortable, and followed his woman willingly.
She ran into the warmth of the purple heather, here on the hill above the cave, knowing Amoukar would keep her safe from harm. Here she would lie with him, in the quiet of a hot summer's day away from prying eyes, and he would make her his mate. If she was lucky, he would fill her belly with a child, and they would be blessed with new life.
Amoukar followed, blue eyes shining like the river that sired him, her sinuous, rounded body leading him on. He saw her stop beneath a shaded old tree, stunted by the harsh winds of winter but able to shelter them from the heat of the day.
Before he had reached her she was naked, her furs sliding from her sleek young body, her breath already quickening with anticipation. He groaned with desire, his own body reacting quickly to the glory of her, and as he reached her she began to remove his skins, baring his broad chest and shoulders. He caught her up in his arms and they rubbed cheeks passionately, his hands wandering to her small breasts, and Olah cried out lustily at his touch - but this was not going to be a hurried Ulam mating. Oh no, Olah would not allow that. She would do as Ika had told her, and it would be very pleasurable for them both.
So pushing against his chest she took advantage of his lack of self-confidence and made him stand, the big warrior baring his teeth in a grimace of impatience. But before he could grasp her body again she was touching him, her broad capable hands reaching under the skins covering his maleness and stroking his erect member firmly.
Amoukar threw his head back in pure ecstasy. Eyes closed, his teeth now just showing and his tongue moving softly between them in a show of pleasure, wordless groans of joy came in a rush from his deep chest. Olah was delighted. Ika was right - she could please him by her touch alone, and then afterwards their mating would be slower, more pleasurable. She eased her other hand below the skins and cupped the mysterious sac behind his penis, feeling the quiver of excitement from him as she began to knead gently.
The sensation was beyond belief. Amoukar stumbled around until he could lean his shuddering body against the tree, and all the while Olah kept touching, stroking, smoothing the velvet surface of his organ with deft hands. He reached back and clutched at the trunk, feeling the rough bark under the palms of his hands as Olah began to croon quietly, urging him onwards. He wanted to throw her down, thrust into her young, firm body and empty himself to exhaustion, but he couldn't … her hands wouldn't let him. His hips began to thrust forward with every movement of her fingers and Olah encouraged him. He knew then she wanted him to finish like this, to see him in the throes of his pleasure ... why, he didn't understand, but all he knew or could think of was that he didn't want her to stop.
He was dimly aware of Olah lifting her hand from cupping him to undo the skins around his hips and he felt the balmy summer breeze caress his nakedness, and Olah sighed at the size of him. She had seen men aroused many times, seen couples mate in the confines of the cave in which they both lived and neither thought anything of it until now. He was fully aroused and hard, and very, very masculine … and he was hers.
Amoukar was almost incoherent now with the sensations she sent through him and he knew he was very close to ejaculating, but Olah wanted more. She pressed her small body against his and trapped his throbbing arousal between them, her soft, smooth belly replacing the firm caresses of her fingers as she clasped him to her, using her body to drive him to finish. Rubbing against him she nipped with strong white teeth at the muscles of his chest … and then found the hard nubs of his nipples. Her gentle bite drove him over the edge.
Still frantically clinging to the tree his hips thrust convulsively against her and he exploded, his orgasm sending spurts of semen onto her stomach as he thrust helplessly, his throaty groans ringing in the warm summer air.
Olah revelled in his pleasure. The heat of his seed spilling onto her, the cries he gave and the bucking thrusts of him against her brought need centring in her loins. Next time … next time he would place his seed within her.
The thrusts lessened and stopped as Amoukar came down from that place of ecstasy to which Olah's touch had sent him, and uncaring of the roughness of the tree bark, he held her to him and slid downwards to lie with her at the base of the tree, their bodies and limbs entwined.
He managed to catch his breath at last as Olah raised herself to her knees beside him, her deep brown eyes bright with satisfaction. She caught his hand and laid it on the flatness of her stomach where the stickiness of his pleasure glistened, and she laid her own hand on the powerful, flat muscles of his belly, touching the dampness that darkened the line of hair that led down to his groin.
For long moments they were still, Olah looking at Amoukar's hard, masculine body lying replete and lax. He was magnificent, she thought. And as she looked, Amoukar moved her hand to his penis again as it began to stir once more. It rose hard and thick under her touch as she stroked and swirled her fingers on the glistening crown, and Olah knew it was time for him to take her.
But before he could turn her onto her knees so he could mount her from behind, as was the Ulam way, she stopped him by lying down on her back.
Amoukar was astounded. He had seen Naoh and Ika mate this way many times … indeed, it was Ika who had taught Naoh the position, and the pleasure seemed to be extreme for both of them. But Olah? He was suddenly unsure, but Olah increased her rhythmic strokes on him and he couldn't stop himself.
Rolling over her he growled his desire, his big body naked and powerful above her smallness. But her legs parted and she crooned encouragement, wanting him, needing him within. He was a little unsure of himself, she knew, and held him tight, guiding him between her thighs to the place he desperately needed to be, and she felt the first push of him as she placed the glistening crown of his manhood just within her body.
For a split second he hesitated … and then Olah thrust upwards onto his erection, feeling the sharp but fleeting pain of his first entry. Amoukar cried out and thrust with her, sliding to the hilt within, and for the first time in his life he was deep within a woman.
It was wonderful. Snug and warm and slick, and she took all of him as he lay seated tight against her.
He raised himself onto his hands, big body overwhelming hers, groaning at the feel of her fingers on his buttocks urging him to thrust. She clutched him tight and raised her legs as Ika had told her to do, finding to her delight he penetrated deeper within her.
Amoukar began to thrust. He gained the rhythm quickly, hips moving hard against her groin, Olah crying out softly in pleasure. Their bodies moved in unison, Amoukar's long, powerful frame rocking her harder and harder, the tall warrior looking at the ecstasy on her face as she lay beneath him. He was pleasing his Olah, he was sure, and he moved faster, soft, lusty grunts coming from him as he lost himself in the joy of it.
Olah felt a great pleasure begin to course through her body. As Amoukar moved in her he was touching something that sent shudders of feeling through her small, sturdy frame and instinctively she wrapped her legs tighter around his bucking hips. As she did so he rumbled a deep groan at the sensation of her legs around him and he quickened, his thrusts becoming almost uncontrolled as he headed inexorably towards completion.
But Olah was there with him. She clutched and moaned and shuddered, and Amoukar felt his manhood harden even more as her sheath tightened and convulsed around him. Her cries suddenly came, hands gripping his hips pulling him into her further, needing more, and her body writhed beneath him as she reached the height of pleasure.
His last, driving thrusts slammed into her, his back arching above her pleasure-ridden body and he finally exploded deep, deep within Olah's welcoming belly, semen filling her in shuddering spurts. His head threw back and a roar of triumph was ripped from him, primal in its need, as Olah felt the hot pulse of his seed flooding her.
At that moment she was sure he had given her a child. She felt the ripeness within her, the eagerness with which she received all he had to give. She saw his body above her, poised in his pleasure as he strained against her, his last, spasmodic thrusts slowing … and then he was still for a heart's beat, his possession of his mate now complete.
She held him tight as he collapsed on her, his manhood still buried deep and warm within, his groaning sighs of joy soft and satisfied as his cheek rubbed against hers in affection. Regaining a little of his strength he withdrew, and rolled onto his back into the warm dry grass. Olah lay sprawled, unable to move, revelling in the afterglow of their first mating. She finally managed to catch her breath and lifted herself on her elbow to look over at the recumbent Amoukar, his long body languid with pleasure. His now-soft manhood glistened with the juices of their loving, and she reached over to touch it, hearing his grunt as she stroked the tender flesh. They were both hot and sticky and on impulse she caught his hand and motioned to Amoukar that he was to follow her.
Curious, he stood, gathered up his skins and watched as she headed off down the hill towards the secluded stream below, and understanding what she wanted he followed, still naked, his big frame enjoying the freedom and warmth of the afternoon sun.
When he got to the stream she was already hip-deep in the pool the tribe used on occasion for cooling themselves when the weather became too hot. There were no members of the Ulam there, Amoukar knowing they were probably dozing in the welcome shade of the big cave in the afternoon heat.
He dumped his skins beside hers on a huge, flat rock and joined her, the cold water making him shiver momentarily, but then he became used to it and enjoyed the sensation of it lapping on his skin. Olah smiled at him, the knowing of their mating still fresh in her mind, and she waded through the water and began to wash his broad body.
Amoukar was entranced. The feel of her small hands on him made him sigh as she smoothed the muscles of his shoulders, and she tenderly traced the healing scars on his chest and side. He had gained them honourably, and forever more his tale of bravery would enthral the tribe as it was told around fires for generations to come. He looked at her small breasts, the water tracing rivulets down her flat belly, and was astounded to feel his manhood stir once more. He couldn't get enough of her! He reached out and stroked her stomach, then placed his big hand flat against it. Maybe she carried a child now, he hoped. But soon his curiosity got the better of him and his hand slid lower and cupped the curls between her legs. He jumped with surprise as she moaned loudly and parted her thighs a little. Olah clutched at his hand, pushing his fingers into the soft, welcoming folds and cried out as he touched something that made her hips thrust forwards. She began to ride his fingers, Amoukar astonished and delighted at the response he brought from his mate.
Dropping her other hand from his body she turned into his touch, her back pressing against his chest, buttocks coming to rest against his now rigid penis. Instinct led him, and his mouth nuzzled and nipped at the base of her neck and Olah pushed her hips back into him in invitation, mewling softly. She wanted him.
With a soft growl he lifted her and carried her to the edge of the stream where the flat rock lay jutting out into the water, and there he placed her on her hands and knees, Olah still pushing back into him with lusty cries. Still knee deep in the water Amoukar stood behind her, entranced by the pink, moist folds of her most secret place, waiting for his entrance.
Looking down at his erection straining away from his body, he quickly positioned himself behind her and pushed into her snug sheath, his body shuddering at the sensation of her tightness around him, Olah crying out at his hard thickness as he slid slowly into her depths. Clutching at her hips, he seated himself fully, feeling her buttocks tight against his wet flanks.
Olah pushed back instinctively, feeling his long thighs against hers, his hands holding her still as he began to thrust, his body moving hers as he groaned out his ecstasy with each stroke. His hips moved faster, flexing against her, her body prone as he arched above her, hips working frantically as his need to reach orgasm grew. Amoukar couldn't believe how much he wanted her. He thrust powerfully, his groans becoming growls of need, rhythmic, rubbing against the pleasurable place that made Olah cry out in want. He rode her hard, letting go, venting all of his desire with this woman, his mate, the woman who would be mother to his children. Her cries were loud and sobbing now, urging him on, the sun glistening on her straining back and the soft buttocks that were snug to his belly, and he watched as his organ thrust deeper in her, feeling himself swell even more.
Suddenly she lunged back into him, her muscular sheath throbbing around him, her pleasure consuming her as she reached climax. Amoukar called out, his voice desperate now and he thrust uncontrollably, lost in his woman. His fingers tightened at her hips holding her still and finally, desperately, he ejaculated, his body straining against hers, his head thrown back in pure pleasure as he spent himself to distraction, the spurt of his seed filling her until he was drained, on and on.
For long moments they stilled, bodies tense in the last throes of passion, the warmth of the sunlight bathing quivering flanks and flexed muscles. Olah felt Amoukar pressed against her, within her, hearing his soft groans as he stood holding her to him, his semen spilling deep within Olah's body. She felt the wet heat of his loins and the final, gentle throb of his manhood as he finished inside her. And then he relaxed forward, boneless in his relief, big body resting on hers.
Shifting his hips slightly Olah cried out as he slid from her, still semi-erect, the young woman feeling the trickle of his seed down her thighs. But Amoukar rested quietly, his hands lazily stroking her breasts and belly, one drifting lower to tease the damp curls at her groin.
Slowly she sank down onto the roughened sun-kissed surface of the rock and turned, catching Amoukar in her arms as she felt him ease down to lie beside her. He draped his long, muscular body on hers and studied with hazy, contented eyes the small, sturdy body of his mate. She was glorious. Her small breasts tempted him and he rubbed his face against them in delight, hoping he would soon see them heavy with milk for their child when it came. Her belly was flat but he knew how beautiful it would look when it swelled with life, and Amoukar rejoiced. Olah was his. At last.
Olah looked up into eyes the colour of a summer sky, blue and clear, and she touched his face, tracing with delight and adoration the line of his strong jaw. Then she smiled and pushed him back down onto the warm rock, pulling the skins over to create a pillow. She curled next to him, her head on his shoulder, and heard him sigh with happiness.
For a fleeting moment she remembered with a shudder how ill he had been, how dreadfully hurt, but her care had healed him and brought him back to her. His great deed had rid Amoukar of his low status forever, and Olah knew now he would be respected and honoured by all members of the Ulam as one of their greatest hunters. She, Olah, mate to the legendary Amoukar of the Quest, would give him many sons.
For the rest of the afternoon they lazed, enjoying the heat of this summer's day, and when they weren't sleeping on the flat rock they sported in the stream like small children, spraying each other with water and watching the droplets glisten like rock crystal on each other's bodies. They mated once more, slowly, gently, Amoukar learning quickly that he delighted in pleasing his little, voluptuous Olah, his attentions bringing her to completion at the same time as he emptied himself in her to exhaustion.
As the sun began to set they wandered back down to the cave where food was already roasting on the fire at the entrance. The Ulam watched the couple with amusement and affection, knowing the deed was done - and done well, if the look on Olah's face was anything to go by. And didn't Amoukar look more confident, they thought, the hesitation gone from his big frame.
Naoh smiled. It had been a difficult time, and the tribe had feared for Amoukar's life after he had done such a wonderful deed at such a great cost to himself. But he was strong, and had survived to win his mate, as Ika had assured Naoh he would.
He looked at the old women studying Olah's pert, strong little body. Yes, he thought. They'll be watching for the sign of a little one soon. Then they'll be satisfied. He snorted. Busybodies. But a child would do Amoukar good, he knew. Olah would keep him happy and content, and a child would make him complete - Amoukar liked children, and children liked him. He would spend hours teaching the boys how to make and throw the atlatl, and the little girls would tease him and groom his hair as the big, brawny warrior sat patiently under their sometimes none-too-gentle attention.
The evening wore on and the tribe relaxed happily, knowing things were boding well for the Ulam. Amoukar's deed had enhanced their reputation beyond belief, and now they clamoured for the young warrior to tell the tale of it.
Looking at Olah, he saw the imperceptible bow of her head, knowing she was encouraging him. It would be the first time he would tell the story of his fight with the great bear. Standing up, he began, his tall, muscular frame graceful as he told his tale, his voice making the darkness echo with the unearthly growls of the great beast. The children shrieked in mock fear as he told how the huge animal had attacked him and how he had fought back, his telling of it sending flickering shadows against the ancient walls of the cave. The battle became real to them, eyes round with fascination and delight, mesmerised with Amoukar's skilful storytelling - his shouts of anger as the great bear swept its huge, armoured paws at him, and he staggered as the blood spurted from his side, but he fought bravely, knowing he had to kill the beast and bring home its claws as his Olah's bride price. They saw him finally kill the creature, felt his elation and groaned at his terrible wounds, and sighed with satisfaction at the winning of his mate. At the end they shouted in victory, Amoukar suddenly shy in the realisation that they thought him so brave. But nothing compared with the look on Olah's face - pride, adoration and contentment. He had done this thing for her and her alone, and to the end of her days she would treasure the bear claw she wore around her neck.
The tribe began to wander into the cave, sleep beckoning, murmuring appreciation of a fine day. Amoukar and Olah were mated, and he had finally told them of his deed. They smiled knowingly as Olah followed Amoukar to the hollow in the cave wall where he had lain so wounded, remembering how she had sat beside him and tended him faithfully. The huge bearskin was laid out in preparation - a present from Olah's mother, a gift to the young couple. Olah lay down beside him, relaxing against his big body, secure in the knowledge he would protect her with his life if need be.
Through the night one of the old women awoke to soft sounds … groaning sighs and quiet cries of pleasure as Amoukar moved lustily in his Olah, and she nodded in approval - the big warrior knew how to please a woman. There would be many children, she was sure.
Sighing, she turned over, elbowing her daughter to move over and give her a little more room, and went back to sleep.
It was high summer, and warmth bathed the high places of the world, the golden light glinting off the distant water of the meandering stream, and a herd of aurochs grazed in the distance, the newest crop of calves well-grown on the rich grass of the tundra.
High on a promontory, looking out over the great plain spread out beneath him, was Amoukar of the Quest. He sat on his customary rock, thinking on the happenings of the past seasons - the comfort of the Ulam as they had coped with another harsh winter, and the birth of children when spring came.
He looked down at the child cradled in his powerful arms. He had thought today should be the day when he brought his son to this special place, the place where he had decided to try and win his Olah, and the place to which he had retreated when she had given birth to their son.
The winter had been surprisingly easy this time. Food had stayed frozen in the underground cache, and they had not starved. Indeed, even the Old Ones had come through the harsh weather with little discomfort, apart from aching joints and the odd cough and sniffle.
It was at the beginning of autumn the tribe had noticed Olah's belly beginning to swell, and had rejoiced. She was delighted, as was Amoukar, as it became obvious she had conceived very quickly - Amoukar secretly hoped it had been when they first mated that warm summer's day as Olah shuddered and cried out beneath him in her pleasure. A child born of such delight would be strong and sturdy, he knew.
The boy had decided to make his appearance when spring brought melting heat and young life came to the world, as it had always done from time immemorial. Olah had remained serene during her pregnancy, keeping healthy and happy, while Amoukar had fretted and worried, concerned for her and the child. When her time came, and she casually told him to fetch her mother and the other women to help, Amoukar had almost panicked on the spot.
Shooing him away, the women had laughed and chattered through the initial few hours of Olah's labour, Olah content to be among friends. Amoukar had retired to his rock on the promontory, eyes round with fear. What if she died? What if the child died? What if he lost them both? What would he do???
When a highly amused Gaw and Naoh had come to fetch him, telling him Olah was close to delivery and he should hear the first cries of his child, he nearly passed out with shock, but swallowing his nerves he came down to the cave and listened - trying hard to look unconcerned - to Olah's cries of pain and the eager murmurs of the attending women. Then there had come one, wrenching sob of effort … and then the lusty cries of a child, wailing through the depths of the cave.
He had sat, his heart thudding in his scarred chest, joy shining from his blue eyes, and waited with bated breath for the women to come and tell him he should meet his new son. When they came, touching his arm in gentle concern for the new father, he had shakily made his way to the hollow in the cave wall where Olah lay with their son, the boy already suckling greedily at her milk-laden breast. He had sat beside her, touching the downy head tucked against Olah's arm, and rejoiced.
A few days later Naoh's woman Ika had given him a daughter, and the tribe was increasing in number at a very satisfying rate. Rich in hunters, infants would not have to be disposed of due to lack of food, as had happened in the past.
He sighed with contentment. The tribe was stronger than it had ever been, the children were well and growing, and the Old Ones were able to still pass on their memories and knowledge to the younger members of the Ulam. Life was good.
The child stirred in his arms, and Amoukar looked down into eyes the same azure blue as his own. Olah told him that he had given her the child that day by the stream, and like his father the blue heart of the water ran strong in him. He would be a great hunter indeed, if Amoukar had anything to do with it, and already he was sturdy and strong, the length of his limbs promising height and power.
Lifting the boy, Amoukar showed him the world laid out before him, showing him all the Ulam had and more. It was rich with life, and burgeoning with promise, and Amoukar vowed he would give him all he had, teaching him to be a good man, a great warrior and a skilled hunter. He would show all of their children, for was it not only last night, as Olah lay happy and sated from a particularly satisfying joining, that she told him that she thought she was once more pregnant. Overjoyed, Amoukar had rubbed his cheeks on her belly, thinking of the small life within, and then reached over to stroke the sleeping child lying next to his mother.
It had been an interesting time, all in all, he decided. The child chuckled in delight at the colours and movement of the grass, and the breath of the warm breeze on his soft skin. Amoukar's hand touched the white scars on his chest, and he nodded to himself. Yes, he thought, life was indeed rich and good, and the tribe prospered, which is the way it should be.
Amoukar of the Quest was, at last, a happy, happy man.
Bibliography
J. H. Rosny, Quest for Fire (New York: Random, 1967)
Robert Ardrey, African Genesis (New York: Dell, 1961)
George Constable & Prof. Ralph S. Solecki, The Neanderthals (New York: Time Life, 1973)
John Gowlett, Ascent to Civilization - The Archaeology of Early Man (London: Collins, 1984)
On-line ResourcesNeanderthals and Modern Humans - a Regional Guide - A superb site that is easily navigated and full of fascinating facts and links.
Neanderthals - A Cyber-perspective - terrific site with loads of information that seeks to correct the misrepresentation of Homo Sapiens Neanderthalensis as well as be immensely informative.
