WM105: Taming Attempt #12

The group arrived at the river not too long later. Galileo and Kangee stopped when they reached the edge of the mountain river and waited for their companions. Rorin walked up beside them and Orion followed close behind bounding into the water past the other Tokotas and Rorin. The waters here, at the mouth of the river, where fast moving and as you got closer to the Bay the river widened and deepened. While Orion enjoyed the cool water, Rorin looked for the best place for the group to set up. Further down, the river was forked, split around a couple of deltas, they were mostly gravel, with a few larger rocks poking out of the water, the perfect place to fish. “Orion, find me some firewood.” Rorin said with a smile. Orion excitedly sprinted out of the water and into the forest off behind them. “Alright, what do you say to this idea guys,” Rorin said turning to Kangee and Galileo, “I think we should wade through this part of the river to the first delta there.” Rorin paused, walking past the Tokotas and point to the first, and larger delta, “We can fish the whole river, its dry enough that I can dry what we don’t eat. And…” Rorin started to say before a loud crack and the sound of rustling leaves broke his train of thought, he turned to see Orion dragging a sapling out of the woods. Rorin laughed as Orion dragged the young tree onto the gravel and finished what he was saying, “And we’ll hear anyone and be ready for them before they get to us.”

With it decided the Tokotas started to ford the river. Kangee went first, taking his time with each step, careful as the water rushed around his legs, he dug his claws in with each step, Galileo followed next, the normally tense Tokota seemed rather undaunted by the river as he walked steadily behind Kangee. Lastly came Orion and Rorin. Rorin took off his boots and stuffed his socks inside them, and rolled up his pant legs before climbing onto Orion’s back, with the fishing rod, “Alight pal, hand me the firewood.” Rorin said. Orion walked over and grabbed the thin tree and held it out for Rorin on his back.

Rorin dragged the tree onto Orion’s back as well, in between himself and Orion’s neck and rested it on his lap, along with the fishing rod. “Okay big guy, this will make this walk a little more difficult.” As Rorin spoke Orion took his first steps into the water, “Just take it slow, nice and easy. If you want to stop we can stop, and if it’s too much we’ll drop the tree. No problem.” Orion took his time taking one step at a time, careful to have at least two feet on the riverbed at all times.

In front of him Kangee and Galileo were travelling the same way. As they reached the middle of this part of the river, the water was at it deepest. For Kangee it came right up to the bottom of his chest, his mane starting to dip into the rushing water. Galileo, being much shorter, had the water starting to splash against this flank, but he didn’t slow, or show signs of distress, he simply kept ploughing against the torrent. Orion had a much better time, being the tallest, but with Rorin, whose feet were just barely above the water, and the tree which was dragging its leaves through the river, he travelled slower than he was used to.

Kangee finally reached the other side. As soon as he stepped out of the water and onto the gravel shore he turned around to watch his companions, ready to jump in to help. Galileo was close behind but Rorin could see he was starting to get tired, “Pick up the pace a little Orion,” he said pointing in front of them towards the sphinx, “Just in case.” Orion did as he was told, and they started to move a little faster, closing the small distance between themselves and the smaller Tokota. From the shore Kangee urged them on, barking, his tail wagging. In the end, Rorin was worried for nothing, Galileo trudged up onto relatively dry land and shook the water from his short coat. As Orion got into the shallower part of the river, close to the bank, Rorin hopped down, dragging the tree off Orion’s shoulders with him. With one hand he held the long fishing rod and pulled the tree through the last few feet of river and with the other he held a handful of Orion’s mane for support careful not to pull too hard. When everyone was out of the water they moved away from the more fast moving parts, and more towards the center of the small delta.

Rorin threw the tree down onto the gravel along with his fishing rod. He looked around him, first at the forests to either side of the river then to the Tokotas around him. “Alright gang, you guys can fish if you want, I think I’ll chop this up,” Rorin said pointing at the thin tree as spoke, “I’ll get a fire going and then we should good for the day. Sound good?” Rorin clapped his hand and rubbed them together, before pulling the axe off his shoulder. Rorin and Galileo watched Orion and Kangee walked to the other end of the small island where the two rivers joined back together and joined the Bay. The water was slower there and underwater foliage was able to grow.

“You can go with them if you want Galileo,” Rorin said getting the sphinx’s attention, “You don’t have to stay here, you can fish or relax, it’s okay.” Rorin’s voice was soothing, and he smiled warmly at the smaller Tokota, and when Galileo didn’t move, “Or you can stay, I’m thankful for the company.” Rorin started stripping the small tree of its branches, using his axe to break them off where they connected to the trunk. Galileo laid down on the gravel and watched him work, occasionally looking past him to where Orion and Kangee were, half fishing and half just swimming in the warm spring sun.

Rorin worked quickly and before long the small tree had been stripped of its larger branches and Rorin was cutting it down into usable pieces, and still Galileo stayed with him. Rorin would periodically look over at the sphinx but he was always watching him. Rorin had thought maybe he was tired after having to cross the river but it seemed he just wanted to relax in peace. When the tree was finally broken down, Rorin began to gather stones. He didn’t really need to, considering there wasn’t any dry foliage on the small delta but it was a habit. When Rorin started to walk around the island looking Galileo got up, “Oh you stay here Galileo, I’m just looking for rocks, for the fire.” It didn’t stop the smaller Tokota, he followed Rorin around occasionally chuffing at him when he found a rock he thought Rorin could use and eventually they returned to the spot where they had landed, Rorin’s arms full with several rocks. Once again Galileo laid down and watched as Rorin placed the rocks in a small circle and pulled a few of the smaller pieces of wood into it.

Rorin reached into his pocket and pulled out the piece of flint he used to light the fires, and struck it once on his axe, when the sparks flew Galileo perked up, his ears standing at attention. He watched Rorin do it a few more times before smoke started to flutter out of the small ring and then a second later he saw flames peak over the rocks. “There, not too bad huh?” Rorin said standing back up, dusting off his hands before reaching down for his fishing rod, “Now how about we go show them what real fishing looks like?"