Norseman Chief by Jason Born Read Free Book Online

expeditions.
    Ahanu stood up then which effectively silenced the shouts.  “I am glad you’ve returned young hunters.”  The chief walked to them and placed a hand upon their shoulders.  “Were you successful in bringing in food for our families?”
    The young men exchanged glances, confused that the shouting they walked into had ceased and Ahanu so easily questioned the details of their day.  Hassun broke the silence, “Yes, Ahanu.  We brought two deer and much fowl.”  Rowtag spoke of similar results.
    “That is good news.  Tell the warriors of your family, Rowtag, to prepare to leave in the morning.  You will lead an expedition.  I am sure the children listening outside can tell you what it will entail so do not question me on the subject.  Etleloo and the warriors of his band will be your guides.  Enkoodabooaoo will go as well to serve as interpreter or to fight or to die as the case may be.”
    Etleloo, angry at the apparent demotion and at my presence on their raid, began to sputter a retort, but Ahanu cut him off with an angry hiss, “You will be silent young leader!  You will also be held accountable for Halldorr’s well-being and he for yours.  I expect you both to be best of friends upon your safe return tomorrow.”
    Ahanu turned his attention to Hassun, who was Nootau’s son.  The young man’s shoulders slumped on the chief’s next news, “Your clan will stay behind in the village tomorrow in case we require your defense.”
    With that the men began climbing back to their feet and ducking back out through the door flap.  I saw that the sun had fallen completely below the trees indicating that we had argued for much longer than I thought.  I nodded to Ahanu and turned to leave, but my friend called to me, “I will have you stay behind Halldorr so that we may talk.”  Etleloo scowled as he passed by, intentionally brushing his wide shoulders against my chest.  I wanted to grab him by his long black hair and jerk his head back into the fire, but resisted.  A laugh unexpectedly burst forth from deep within my belly as I realized that I must be aging to avoid a fight in such a way.  My laugh brought more scowls.
    I heard the chattering outside begin as soon as all the men were among their families.  The women and children had many questions as I heard their higher pitched voices singing countless inquiries before the men even had a chance to answer.  I heard some of the men cuff their children as they quickly grew tired of their breathless questioning.  But soon the sounds died away as they filed to their mamateeks to make the evening meal while hiding from the falling cold.
    “What is it you wanted to talk about, friend?”
    Ahanu groaned as he set himself down next to the fire once more, tossing two sections of firewood on top to renew the warmth.  “The grey hair beginning to fill your head tells me that you are old enough to show patience yet you still seem content to speak with impulsiveness.”  I laughed to myself then, thinking about how I had just been proud of myself and the restraint I demonstrated with regard to Etleloo.  Ahanu laughed as well, finally adding, “Friend, I wish to talk with you about many subjects tonight.  But first we will smoke.”
    “There seems to be enough smoke in here already,” I said, confused.
    Ahanu chuckled at my ignorance and reached for a long smooth pouch that leaned against the wall.  The pouch was soft leather decorated with many colors of beads, especially blue.  Feathers of different birds hung from short hide thongs dangling from the length of one side of the pouch.  His strong hands carefully slid a long wooden tube from the pouch.  Equally as beautiful as the pouch, the tube was obviously carved by masterful hands then ornamented with at least three different red hues.  The shaft had a shorter tube affixed to one end at a right angle.  After setting the purse on a bear skin to the side, Ahanu pulled a smaller