WM105: Taming Attempt #16

Rorin and Galileo sat beside the fire for a while. Rorin whittled the long sticks to a point and stripped the bark where they’d go through the fish. Galileo watched the man as he worked, occasionally leaning forward to sniff or pick up one of the small curls of wood that would fall off as the knife glided across the sticks. While he worked Rorin also kept an eye on the fire, waiting for it to burn through the pieces had added until only red and white coals remained. When the skewers were all sharpened and the fire was near to what he needed for cooking Rorin got back up to gather the fish.

Rorin walked back the large piece of driftwood where he had tied the stringer so the fish would be in the river as they bled. Off to his right Orion was on the shore eating another large clam, his fur still dripping and with small strings of seaweed and kelp-like underwater foliage wrapped in his mane. Farther in that direction Rorin could see Kangee sitting beside his eagle, eating as well, having caught another fish already.

Rorin untied the stringer and pulled the fish out of the running water, turning back to Galileo, “It seems we were right to come here today. We’ve been lucky to do this well.” Rorin began to pull the fish off the stringer, while Galileo watched. One by one Rorin unstrung the fish and deftly gutted them, using the cut he had already made under their gills he’d slice the fish down the length of their bellies and pull the gills and organs out in one motion. Since he had bled the fish previously it wasn’t too messy. But after each Rorin still washed the fish in the clean river water, and cleaned his hands.

Galileo watched Rorin work and soon all seven fish were gutted. Rorin threw most of the guts in the water for other animals to eat, but he kept the few he knew large predators usually went for, like the livers and kidneys. Held out a few of those organs in his palm to Galileo, “I imagine you’d prefer these uncooked.” the sphinx padded up to him and licked his fingertips, and sniffed the organs. Galileo carefully took the meat from Rorn hand, mindful of his fangs. With his other hand Rorin scratched Galileo’s head, between the ears.

When the sphinx had taken what he wanted Rorin finished up the work on the fish. With one heavy cut for each he removed the fishes head and tossed those in the rushing water as well. “Alright, let’s get these skewered and on the coals.” Rorin said his arms, full. As they walked Rorin gave a loud whistle getting the other Tokotas Attention, “I left you guys a present!” He yelled, and already Orion was standing up, he knew Rorin had left the rest of the organs  for the other Tokotas, “Kangee gets first pick, Orion wait your turn.” And just like that Orion sat back down with a hefty thud, and turned to look over his shoulder at Kangee as the older Tokota took his time to walk over to the piece of driftwood, all the while Orion whined at him to hurry up.

“Care to join me Galileo? We can see this through together.” Rorin tipping his head in the fires direction. The smaller Tokota nuzzled Kangee as he got to the log and as Kangee began to pick his share Galileo trotted after Rorin.

Rorin and Galileo walked back to the fire leaving Kangee and Orion to share their prize. As they walked Rorin could hear Orion whine, though he didn’t move, he knew Rorin meant what he said and he respected it, he didn’t have to like it though. “It’s good to remind him his size isn’t everything.” Rorin said looking down at Galileo, “Orion’s still young but their are Tokotas out there that respect and look up to him already, and he still has a lot to learn before he’ll be ready to lead as well as I know he can. And besides,” Rorin paused to look over his shoulder as kangee finally nodded for Orion to join him, “It’s good to let Kangee have some fun with his family as well.”

Rorin and Galileo reached the fire ring, inside it the fire had burned down to where Rorin needed it, only coals remained, burning low, glowing red and white. Rorin laid the fish out on the gravel and sat on his legs as he worked. Galileo laid down near him to watch him cook. The sphinx was hungry and excited to see what Rorin was going to do with the fish. He always like the smell of human food, and the smoke of their fires. Rorin picked up one of the fish and carefully skewered it lengthwise through the thickest part, near the spine and laid the fish, scales down, on the coals.

Galileo stared wide eyed and without even realizing whined, with apprehension.

“Oh calm down friend.” Rorin said with amusement, “You’re starting to sound like Orion.” As he spoke he skewered another fish and placed it beside the first fish on the coals. Rorin turned to look at Galileo, “Don’t worry, I’ve been doing this longer than you or Orion have been alive. A few minutes, a turn or two, and these fish will be cooked and flaky, perfect to eat.” Rorin moved his legs out from underneath himself and sat on his butt, cross legged. Galileo watched the man as he spoke and when finished the sphinx rested his chin on his paws, deciding to trust his new companion.

Rorin sat for a few minutes with his elbows resting on his knees and with his chin resting on his interlocked fingers, He watched as Orion and Kangee finished the organs that he had left them. And then as Orion got Kangee to play and splash in the water with him before the older Tokota returned to fish alongside his eagle. He watched Galileo as the smaller Tokota watched the fish resting on the coals, its skin beginning to crackle and the scales peel as the meat was heated. Rorin gently picked up the skewers and carefully flipped the fish to the other side to continue to cook, and then did the same for the second fish.

“Shouldn’t be long now.” he said sitting back. While the other side cooked Galileo watched the man as he brushed his hands on his pant legs, trying to remove the little bit of ash and scales that still clung to them. Galileo nodded forward, craning his neck over to Rorin to help. Rorin smiled and held out his hand slightly as the smaller Tokota licked at his fingertips and the thick nails that grew off the ends of them. When he was satisfied, Galileo pulled back and licked his chops, cleaning his tongue. Rorin chuckled, “Thanks Galileo. That’s the only thing I hate about fish. ” Rorin sat forward, seeing the fish had finished cooking, and lifting their skewers off the coals, “The scales stick to everything. Everytime we fish Orion and I come back glittering.”

Rorin gently pulled one fish of its skewer and after cooling it in his hands and brushing off any of the too burnt scales, placed it in front of Galileo. “First one’s your pal. Try it.” Rorin pulled his knife off his belt and cut a small piece off his fish and ate it, to show Galileo. “It’s good, promise.”