Chapter 21

Pino POV:

“Please explain it one more time.” I said seriously while looking at Attila.

He seemed exasperated, which is fair considering I’d had him run me through the process of making stone tools at least one-hundred times.

Sighing he responded, “First you need to find a sturdy stone, around the size of the blade you want to make.”

After pausing for a moment in anticipation of questions, he continued,

“You’ll then take that stone, and chip it into the wanted shape, by hitting it with another stone, of similar hardness.”

I interjected to ask, “What stones did the Tamul usually use?”

Although it may’ve been insensitive to talk about a sore spot in his past, I needed to know, this is a matter of survival.

Attila looked stunned, but he answered, “For our weapons, we use black rock, but for axes we usually use river stones.”

“Thank you… and sorry.” I said quietly.

There was a small interlude as Attila settled his emotions.

After taking a moment, he pressed onward, “After you find your stone and make it into the shape you prefer, you’ve completed the basics.”

“After that you will need to find a sturdy stick, preferably one with a few good notches at the top or bottom.”

“Notches?!” I once again cut in.

This is the reason that I’ve had him continuously explain the process. Perhaps to him everything is simple knowledge, for that reason, he skips over “minor details, or expects me to just intuitively know what he means.

However, I have no understanding of making tools! Not from my last life or even this current one! Stone tools seem to be a new technology in this region, and not one that’s particularly valued, seeing as even children know how to make them.

Then again… there’s likely no concept or understanding of national security or essential trade and technology secrets…

“...and the notches basically hold the axe head in place, and help to avoid splitting the wood. Do you understand now?” Attila asked, breaking me from my reverie.

“Yes, I think I get it.” I confirmed.

“So once I have a good piece of wood, what's the next step?” I inquired.

“This is the easiest part!” He jubilantly replied.

“From that point, you want to dig a small dip into the wood using your axe head. After that, you will take a hot stone and-” Attila was dictating before I interrupted him.

“Hot stone?” I asked.

“BROTHER! It’s a stone that’s heated by phire! It’s so simple! Why do you have so many questions?!” Attila said, finally unable to bear the constant questioning.

I looked at him somberly, I wasn’t angry, he’s only a kid, but I have to set some ground rules and make it clear that I’m the adult here. That I’m in charge, and that he can’t talk to me in whatever way he sees fit.

I continued to stare at him silently, a tactic I learned from a manager at the store I used to work at part-time.

Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

Finally when he couldn’t maintain eye contact, and began to fidget, I spoke.

“We are running out of firewood, did you know that?” I asked

He didn’t say anything, only stared at me, but once he realised I desired an answer, he shook his head no.

“Well, we are. Did you know that we are running out of meat to eat?” I questioned, continuing my interrogation.

Once again, he shook his head no.

“Well, we are.” I repeated myself.

“I do everything here. From collecting firewood, to hunting prey, to bringing home water, to repairing the house, to teaching you how to be a hunter. Have I lied thus far?” I asked.

While he was shaking his head yet again, I interrupted, “I don’t understand head shakes. Yes or No?”

“N- no.” Attila dejectedly replied.

“Exactly.” I said

Then pressing on while the iron is hot, I continued,

“Stone tools are very important to us, especially now. It will make collecting wood easier, it will make building and repairs easier, and most importantly, it will make our weapons stronger and hunting more efficient. Do you understand that?” I asked.

He went to shake his head again, but a stern look from me caused him to respond with, “Yes.”

“Good.” I said

“For that reason, I need to know exactly what I’m doing, so that if it’s ever necessary, I can use this knowledge even if you aren’t available to help me.” I explained.

After those words left my mouth, Attila jumped up in shock.

“Brother please. I’m sorry, I won’t ever question you again.” He said frantically.

“Please don’t leave me, please don’t abandon me!” He sobbed, clutching tightly to my coarse robe.

I looked at him in surprise, but slowly my expression softened. Because we’d built a comfortable repertoire, I’d forgotten that he wasn't just a normal kid. I’d heard him screaming horribly in his dreams. Whatever happened… it must’ve been traumatising.

“Hey, look at me.” I said softly as I brushed my hand over his cloud-like hair.

“As long as you want me around, I’ll never leave you. Okay?” I vowed.

“R- really?” He asked through his tears.

“Really.” I smiled.

A smile broke the downpour of tears on his face, and after a nice moment, he finished explaining stone tools to me.

The process is pretty simple: Find a good stone, cut it into the desired shape, use a hot rock and chipping method to make a hole in the tree limb in the shape of the axe head, insert said axe head into said limb and seal it with sap, mud, or whatever else is available. After that you can further secure it by tying some rope or hide around it, but that’s just my personal speculation.

Tana-Il POV:

“Essentially, each knot represents the number five.” Togba explained while readjusting his placement in the tent.

“Fyyvuh?” I couldn’t help but to ask.

This strange man had already spent a while trying to explain this “mayth” to me, and now he is describing “nhmbers”

“Yes,” Togba continued with excitement, “Everything that exists has a number, for instance, you have two hands. On each hand you have five fingers. So if you say that your warband has two hands of men, then you have nine plus one men!”

“Why nine plus one? You kept going up in nhmbers, but when you reached nine you went back to one. Why is there no new nhmber after nine?” I questioned.

“That… is also a mystery to me.” Togba said as he stood up and began pacing

“When I asked the wisemen of the Great Plains, they too didn’t know. Perhaps only Aki can tell.” Togba said sagely.

Just as I intended to continue my line of questioning, a disturbance from the front of the tent interuptted our discussion.

“Honorable Il!” Kaito greeted as he entered the tent, glancing slightly at Togba.

“What boy?!” I snapped in annoyance.

It’d become common knowledge around the fire pits that my son was a muttan. He was fearful in front of the enemy, and used muttan tactics to best the Grand Elder. Not that I am against such tactics, but if you are to act dishonorably there must either be a good reason or no witnesses. He’d messed up by allowing the hunter who’d been knocked unconscious return alive.

Kaito flinched at my harsh tone, but reported nevertheless,

“The captives are becoming restless. We must decide what to do with them now!” Kaito said urgently.

Sighing, I looked at Togba and said,

“We will continue this soon.” As I stood and began sauntering towards the entrance of the tent.

Just as I was about to walk out I remembered something as I turned back to him.

“Oh! And before I forget, is there anyone you’d like spared? I can do this for you considering how useful you will be.” I asked.