WM105: Taming Attempt #3

Rorin woke up to the sound of birds singing in the trees above his small tent, and the combined snoring of Orion and Kangee outside it. With a heavy sigh, and a loud yawn he crawled out to greet his companions. Immediately he noticed Galileo’s absence, Well I guess we can’t expect him to stick around after just one night with us, but at least he’s coming around, he thought as he knelt down beside the ring of stones that he used to hold their fire. He quietly relit the fire, striking his flint on the blade of his axe, sending sparks spraying into the small circle until they finally caught on the knidling.

The Tokotas woke up to the smell of breakfast being cooked on cast iron, and the sound of flames crackling on wet wood. Orion got up first, his nose twitching, “Oh good morning to you too pal.” Rorin said as the Tokota got up and happily trotted to his side for his meal, “Aren’t you full? You ate twice yesterday.” Rorin could tell his words were falling on deaf ears with Orion, who only had eyes for the meats in the pan. Kangee followed Orion’s lead and and trotted to sit beside Rorin and while the older Tokota was more restrained, he was hungry as well.

While the Kangee and Orion ate Rorin took down his tent and began cleaning up their small camp. He grabbed the large cast iron pan to clean it in the lake. As he walked away from the campsite he noticed the deer carcass that Orion and Galileo had shared that night was gone. Surprised, Rorin looked over his shoulder to Orion briefly, that’s weird, I mean, I know they didn’t eat the entire thing last night. His musing was cut short when he reached the waters edge. He rinsed the pan and the utensils he used to prepare their breakfast and walked back to camp shaking the cold water off.

When everything was back safety in the saddle bags Rorin helped Kangee back into his traveling harness, and strapped the saddle back onto Orion’s back. “Alright gang, we’re heading south, into Yakone territory,” as he spoke Rorin swung himself up into the saddle on Orion’s back, “more specifically, we’re heading for where the West River meets the Kesuk, there we should be able to set up a decent camp, and hopefully keep ourselves well fed.” he emphasized the word we and scratched Orion’s neck as he finished his thought. “I have a feeling our new friend won’t be far behind us.” Rorin said looking back up and around the trio as he grabbed the reins.

***

The day was warm which made the travel even more enjoyable, a cool breeze blew out of the south which carried the smells of the forest in their direction. Rorin was careful to keep the Superiors in their line of sight through the trees, but otherwise it was carefree meandering through the southern parts of the Aqtuquaq.

Rorin had been right. Galileo was close behind. Rorin caught a glimpse of the black sphinx off in the trees to their right within the first half hour. The smaller Tokota was careful, he kept his distance and was very mindful of even the lightest changes in the wind. Kangee knew they were being followed not long after Rorin, his eagle kept a watch over the trio and spotted Galileo as well. The eagle landed on Kangee’s shoulder and the two shared a knowing look before the eagle once again flew off, gliding in between the tall trunks of the conifer forest.

Orion was the last to notice their shadow though he was less subtle. A sudden shift in the winds carried Galileo’s scent to the group, with his heightened senses even Rorin noticed a whiff of the smaller Tokota. When Orion noticed he stopped walking and lifted his head, scenting the air for a moment before turning in the scents direction, “Easy pal,” Rorin said as the Tokota began to shift turn, “We knew he would follow, I don’t know if we want to scare him though, if we lose him now there’s no guarantee we find him again.” Rorin’s words once again fell on deaf ears.

Orion barked a few times in Galileo’s direction. There was no response. “Hey pal, it’s alright, he’ll catch up,” Rorin started to say, leaning forward in the saddle to scratch Orion’s neck, right as Orion threw back his head and howled, a melodic and resonant cry, rung through the conifers. Before the sound had ceased to echo in the distance Galileo had appeared from behind a particularly thick spruce in the middle distance. “Well Orion.” Rorin whispered, “When you’re right, you’re right.”

For a moment the trio simply stood in the forest staring at Galileo while he stared back. Orion took another step in the Tokotas direction and Kangee followed, when Orion stopped Kangee took a few more. Kangee took a few steps ahead of Orion and took a page of his great grandsons book. He howled, another beautiful and haunting cry broke the stillness of the spring forest. Galileo’s ears perked up, he shifted his weight from side to side, as if weighing his options for a moment. Rorin knew better than to try and fake a Tokota howl, instead he hopped down from the saddle and raised his hand high in the air and slowly waved, Welcome to the group pal, last move is all yours. He thought as he put his arm on Orion’s flank and waited for the sphinx to make his next move.

For a few heartbeats nothing happened, after a few painful seconds Galileo began to trot towards the group his head down, ever cautious. Within seconds he was less than ten feet away from the trio. Orion moved towards Galileo, walking up alongside Kangee and greeted the sphinx as an old friend, his happiness obvious. Kangee followed suit, happily greeting Galileo like a returning member of the pack. Rorin moved up last, taking long and slow strides to where the Tokotas were standing. When he was even with his companions he reached out his hand as he had the night before, “Welcome back Galileo, it’s good to see you, glad you’re here.”

Galileo stood as still as a statue for a moment, staring at Orion for help, all Orion did was turn and nuzzle Rorin’s ribs, the act was seemingly enough for the smaller Tokota, who took another step and rested Rorin outstretched hand onto his muzzle. Rorin held his hand their for a few moments, gently stroking the side of Galileo’s black muzzle with his thumb, careful to avoid the fangs and the twitching whiskers.

“We’re heading to the Bay, Galileo.” Rorin said taking his hand back slowly, “Fishing should be good, salmon fry will be migrating into the bay which will bring the trout, and who knows what else,” Rorin paused to look at Kangee and Orion, “and besides, we’ll do better together than we will apart.” as he spoke Rorin put his arm over Orion’s neck, “So pal, why don’t you travel with us, that way you don’t have to slink around alone during the day, that coat of yours is better suited for the night anyways, we’ll watch out for you. Promise.”