CHAPTER 2 - AN UNLIKELY COMPANION
With limited access to structure-type mycelium, the Tengsun would use each of their buildings for multiple purposes. For example, the Halls would be the home of the Chiefs family, the village meeting place and would shelter any travelers who would come through the villages.
Tengsu, A History Chapter 5.5
Ash was already awake by the time the light of Jóss began to seep into the Hall. He had again slept lightly that night with anticipation keeping his mind awake throughout the night. He watched as the red light danced its way over his brother Syskón’s face. The light caused Syskón to stir but it would take more than a little light to wake a deep sleeper such as him. He rolled over and continued to lightly snore next to Ash. As the light arrived at Ash’s mat he arose to his knees and began to offer thanks to Ulfadír, the One who carries a star
“Mighty Ulfadír, on this new morn I thank thee for bringing Jóss to me once more. I will seek out the new light that you bring on this day. May my shoulders have the strength to bear weight like unto thee. May my patience be unwavering. Let me conquer another day.”
Ash arose from his prayer and quickly worked his way through the dozing Hall. The soft spongy floor kept his footfalls silent. He picked his path carefully keeping himself as far from his Father, Chief Mir as space allowed. As he arrived at the smaller opening out of the Hall the brisk morning air bit at his skin. He shivered, still not used to the morning air. Ash was not one to rise early. Chief Mir normally had to force Ash and his brother awake each morning to get to their morning chores. They would sluggishly leave the Hall and generally complain to each other about the early hour and wanting to return to the warm hearth.
The last couple days however had been different. Ash had something new and exciting to look forward to now. He had Frae.
Ash quickly crossed the central square of Bjorn to the village’s smokehouse. As he entered the short building the pleasant smell of smoldering eik tree filled his senses. He took a moment to enjoy the warmth and taste of the air before heading to the closest drying rack. Sets of duran meat lined the rack readying themselves for the upcoming winter months. Ash himself had helped with this kill. He quickly gave a silent prayer to the duran goddess Dvalli in thanks for the meat that sustained his people as he rearranged the drying meat on the rack. He made sure to evenly space the remaining slices of duran jerky so that Rekyr the smokegrower would not notice the missing pieces so easily.
As he left the smoky room he began to put the small piece of jerky into his slingsack. As he looked back up he barely had a moment to stop himself from running into somebody hunched over in front of him. Ash recovered and put his hands up in front of him to cushion the blow.
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“So sorry Gamall!” Ash said as he recognized who he had almost knocked over. “I didn’t see you there.”
Ash helped Gamall steady himself and Gamall took a couple breaths before replying.
“Always with thoughts so moldy Ash”, Gamall said in a raspy old voice “One must take some time to see what is in front of them before looking forward.”
Ash rolled his eyes as he stepped around Gamall. The Elder of Bjorn always had some piece of wisdom for him or another.
“Why are you about so early?” Gamall asked, “Few are awake as early as I. Not much rest for these old bones.”
“Just trying to get a head start on the Growths! Much to do today!” Ash said as he ran off, not giving Gamall a chance to reply.
He headed out toward the fields of the hutshroom where he prepped seeds each day. Glancing over his shoulder as he ran he made sure that Gamall was well out of sight before changing his path towards the nearby eik trees at the edge of the forest near to Bjorn.
As Ash arrived at the forest he found the tree that he had marked with his blade the previous day. He felt the shallow mark in the tree as he remembered the path he had taken. He felt his way tree by tree with the marks guiding his way deeper into the forest. After a couple of minutes finding his way through the forest he came to the clearing he was looking for.
The trees here opened, breaking up the darkness with soft morning light. On the far side of the clearing Ash could see the start of the small hut he had started growing up against the trunk of a large eik tree. As he stepped into the clearing he heard Frae rustling in the hut, waking to the sound of Ash’s steps. Frae’s little head popped out from the open top of his kennel and his pointed ears turned themselves in the direction of Ash. The pup’s purple tongue fell loose past its glistening canine’s panting in happiness to see his care-taker. Its thick tail pounded against the sides of the hut as it wagged furiously.
“Hey boy!” Ash said as he walked up to the hut.
He reached down and picked up Frae. The pup immediately began to try and kiss him with his wet tongue.
“Calm down boy!” Ash chuckled, holding Frae at arm's length. “I told you I’d come back”
Ash then squeezed the pup tight before setting him down in the long grass of the clearing. Frae began to run between Ash’s legs in a figure eight. Ash marveled at the blue blur of fur as Frae moved faster and faster.
Ash tore away a piece of the duran jerky out of his slingsack and tossed it above his head. Frae quickly changed directions and ran up Ash’s back leaping into the air. The pup snatched the morsel out of the air at its apex and fell back to the floor of the clearing. Its paws hardly made a sound as it gracefully landed rolling into a ball to attack at the meat.
Ash sat down against the hut as Frae tore into the jerky. Its six feet would take turns pawing at the meat to tear pieces away. Ash himself began to pick at the piece he had left himself. He looked at Frae in awe.
What a majestic creature… The first of its kind that Ash had seen. And to think he had taken it for himself. His very own Rev-Vísir.