I would have liked to have visited them both immediately, however, I was unable to do. News of the move and my unpreparedness for it made such visits unacceptable and impossible. So I did what any Tuchuk warrior would do. I prepared not only myself, but those around me for the move to the north rumors of the lush greens that lay in wait were good for the spirits and further rumors of celebration were good for our hearts.
Tarran and I made it a point to tie what was left of our wagons and the wagons of our father together. It didn't take us long. It couldn't. Caravans were already underway and we hadn't yet seen to our herd or prepared them for our move. I felt like it was yet another impossible task facing both myself and my family. It wasn't impossible...it just cost us.
Tarran and I were part of the stragglers. Tarran would make that time up without effort, but I was given the task of staying behind to keep up with those like us and those who hadn't yet left. I did not complain. I was used to this task, and frankly, I was good at it. In the wake of my Tuchuk brothers it was easy to sweep up after them, to get that last look at the harigga before setting my sight on the greener pastures ahead of me. It wasn't hard to look ahead. It wasn't hard to turn a blind eye to the pain and suffering that we would be leaving behind. I could only hope that we will be returning to something better. Something new.
It went well, for a while. I worked hard. I kept my head down. But as the days go by I fell into the routine. I fell into my fathers train of thought and lost myself in the work that needed to be done instead of taking care of myself. The bosk-head shaped wound on my bicep began to ache and bleed. It felt infected. Eloia did the best she could for me, but she wasn't a healer. I knew this, but she did what she could for me with what she had available to her. If it wasn't for her I might have suspected this old arm of mine might have fallen off...but I'm managing. Soon and very soon, though, it will need tending.
Early afternoon came on another day and I had just stopped a wagon in which a woman of the tribe was going to be giving birth. I had taken many trips to the back of the wagons, however, this one seemed to irritate me, if only for a brief moment in time. I found myself wondering why she did not think to have her child before the trip, or better yet, when we arrived. Perhaps it was the fever beneath by bandaging, but I did manage to clear that thought from my head and was able to assist to tbe best of my ability until I was sent further backward to a wagon wheel breakdown that apparently was a little more than a wagon wheel breakdown, something like, a wagon wheel shattering...with casualties.
Ongel was already on the scene tending to Yamka and Seveya, both of whom had clearly been injured, Yamka more than Seveya, but blood could never be good regardless of where it was coming from, especially when it came from the head. The wheel was unrecognizable, splintered and shattered. Slaves were picking up the bits and pieces while Ongel attempt to keep Yamka from falling asleep for fear of a concussion or worse. Ash wasn't far behind, and while I did make an attempt to talk her through it, he was the one who dismounted and got right in her face with the question and answers.
Yamka would reveal more than necessary. While I will not go into it, it did involve myself and her feelings about me or toward me. Seveya did her best to curb Ash's question and answer session, but clearly Yamka was more than willing to tell all. It was suggested that I take her to a spare wagon. I had no spare wagon any longer, save for my own so I suggested that she be taken there. Seveya disapproved, and for good reason. However, I assured her there would be no smudge to Yamka's propriety and even suggested that her mother be notified of where to find Yamka and where. I knew that Noni would also look after her, and when Ongel stated that he would also be sending one of her personal slaves to tend to her aswell, I was convinced that she would be in good hands.
Both Ash and Ongel eased her into my saddle despite the protest of my arm and I managed to get her to where Tarran was still struggling to make up time. I called down to him to stop. He didn't seemed to heed my words at first. So I called out louder (which means I threw things) eventually he stopped, pulling out caravan off to the side and climbing down off the lead to help me reign in my kaiila and transport Yamka from the back of the kaiila and into my sleeping furs. She wasn't there for long before Noni came in and took over. I knew to stay out of the way, but I did not know that I would eventually be shoo'ed away from my own wagon, even when Ongel's slave came and went I wasn't permitted entrance. Again, it was a propriety thing, but it didn't much matter considering...it was MY wagon!
I busied myself with my work after taking a few cups of tea Eiola brewed for my pain after she proceeded to redress my wounds. It suited me fine, but I knew that a healer would have to tend to it, and I knew that from seeing burn wounds before that it would clearly need to be scrubbed.
I will seek out Ongel...soon. For now, there is work to be done.
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