WM105: Taming Attempt #14

Rorin watched the fish the fish quickly swim away, disappearing into the swirling waters of the West River. Rorin washed his hands in the water and picked up his fishing rod, checking the fly again. He turned away from the water at his companions, he could see Orion underwater, swimming in and amongst the underwater foliage, on the other side of the gravel delta Kangee was standing ankle deep in the fork of the river, scanning the river, his eagle resting on his shoulder. Galileo watched the eagle and Tokota as well as the bird took to the air, flying fast and low, only a foot above the water. “Oh, he’s got something in his eye.” Rorin said excited, putting a hand over his eyes to block the sun.

The bird flew another twenty feet before swinging its talons down into the water, pulling out a fish as it continued to fly, “That is amazing to see every time.” Rorin said as he looked over at Galileo, “I bet he won’t share though.” Rorin chuckled as he readied himself for another cast. “Alright Galileo, this one is for real, let’s make it count.” Once again the sphinx sat up in awe of the display. In another fluid motion, Rorin pulled the rod back like a whip and watched as the line unfurled behind him, and when he had enough length, he shun it forward in the same motion, the weight of the line carrying the fly downriver, when it finally hit the water it sank slightly.

Rorin waited patiently, his finger on the line, waiting for anything that felt like a fish. Occasionally he’d pull the line, or move the fishing rod a little, giving the the fly at the end the appearance of movement. Galileo watched with equal patience, enthralled in the mans movements. It didn’t take long for Rorin land another fish, jerking the rod back. Rorin reeled the fish in quickly, he could tell as he reeled the hook wasn’t set as well as the first one. Galileo watched Rorin pull the fish out of the water, but before he could get a good hold on the trout it leapt from his hands, landing on the gravel near his bare feet.

Before Rorin could react Galileo had lunged at the fish. Rorin took a step back and Galileo lifted his head to Rorin, in his jaws the fish flicked its tail once before Galileo bit down on its head. With a chunk the fish went limp and the sphinx dropped the fish back at Rorin’s feet, licking scales and a little blood from his fangs. “Well,” Rorin said, kneeling down, “That wasn’t perfect, but it gets the job done just as quick.” Rorin checked to make sure the fish was dead and once he was sure he pulled the stringer out of his pocket. Galileo watched as Rorin fed a piece of metal connected to a string through the fish’s gills, and then loop the string together.

“There we go, first one done.” Rorin looked down at Galileo, “Not bad for the first.” Galileo sat on his haunches and watched Rorin. The man once again put his hand above his eyes to block the sun as he turned to look at the other Tokotas, Kangee had just lunged into the water and was carrying another fish to the shore, not far away the eagle was eating the one it had caught earlier. Orion had just resurfaced for air, taking a few deep breaths before he dove back down.

“Hey Galileo, why don’t you go get the fish from Kangee? I can string them up and maybe we can start cooking them, have a nice little lunch.” Rorin pointed to Kangee, getting the older Tokotas attention. Rorin waved and Galileo turned, Kangee wagged his tail a few times and barked before turning back to the water. “Think you can do that for me pal?” Rorin asked reaching his hand out for the Tokota. Galileo licked his fingers and began to cross the gravel island.

Behind him Rorin washed his hands again before repeating the casting action. Galileo passed by where Orion was collected his mussels and clams. There was several now, drying in the spring sun, sitting in a loose collection on the gravel. Galileo padded over quietly and sniffed one just as Orion resurfaced, another large clam in his mouth. Water poured off the Tokota as he trudged out of the water. Galileo hopped back to avoid the splatter. Upon seeing Galileo Orion charged forward, his tail wagging excitedly behind him, sending water in all direction. Orion greeted the smaller Tokota warmly, rubbing his dripping face and mane against the other Tokota. Galileo accepted and returned the greeting with only a small degree of discomfort before continuing across the delta to where Kangee was fishing.

Behind him he could here Orion thump onto the gravel, resting in the sun for awhile. Following the sound of the larger Tokota sitting down was a series of loud cracks, Galileo looked over his shoulder to watch as Orion broke open his most recent catch in his jaws. He cracked the clam and then dropped it on the gravel in front of him, using his claws and his teeth to move the shell out of the way of the meat inside.

The eagle noticed Galileo first, though it didn’t stop eating to alert Kangee to the visitor. Kangee was back in his place, his front paws in the water, his back to Galileo and the rest of his companions. He scanned the portion river in front of him, especially the shallows that were in the shade of the trees from the other bank, where the Iluq Forest loomed. Galileo wasn’t sure if he should interrupt Kangee’s concentration, or wait or just take the fish. In the end he didn’t have to choose.

Kangee suddenly lunged forward, crashing headfirst into the river in front of him. The eagle and Galileo stared as Kangee turned around holding two fish in his mouth, both already dead. Kangee looked at the eagle and then at the sphinx. He nodded to Galileo before tossing the fish onto the small he was creating in the shade, already there were three fish laying on the gravel, and now five with his addition. Hello Galileo. Kangee chuffed, as he rubbed his cheek on Galileo’s, I see you’ve been helping Rorin, Kangee continued, sniffing at the few scales still shimmering on Galileo’s muzzle, That is very kind of you. As Kangee pulled his head back he felt the water that Orion had left on Galileo from his greeting, And you’ve been to see Orion as well, Kangee said with a sly smile. Kangee sat on his haunches watching his companions, nodding to the spot beside him for Galileo to sit as well.

The pair watched Orion finish the clam he was eating and quickly walk back into the water to find more. On the other side of the delta Rorin reeled in another fish, and with a quick stab from his knife on the fish’s head he killed it adding it to the string with the other, looking up he smiled and waved at Kangee and Galileo before turning back to the water. He asked me if I could collect your fish so he could cook them. Galileo said turning to Kangee, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if you kept a couple for yourself though. Kangee turned to look at the sphinx, That’s okay, there’s plenty to be caught these waters are flush with them. Kangee got up, Here I’ll help you carry them, you take those two, I’ll take these, Kangee barked at the eagle and pointed his his nose to the last fish, the eagle blinked and nodded once, before hopping over to pick up the last fish.