[50024 Years Ago/ The Lake]
Heba stood with the rest of the tribe looking to the east at the tiny spot on the white sand. The tiny spot grew, then continued to grow until the shape of a man could be told. He was sprinting toward them.
"It's Vint," one of the older men said. "I know his gait."
"It must be good news," the chieftain said.
"I beg the gods that it will be," Tagi said.
When the young man arrived, he came to a stop before the chieftain.
"What's the word, Vint?" the chieftain said.
"Your sons live," Vint said, through heavy breaths. "And they are fine."
The tribe broke into wild celebration. The men slapped their thighs while the women shocked the air with their powerful ululations.
Heba came forward. "Is Mike okay?" she said.
"Yes," Vint said. "He saved the boys. He's a hero."
Heba grinned.
"Where are they?" Tagi said.
"They're tired from their adventure," Vint said. "They're resting but soon will be on their way."
"Tell us the story," the chieftain said. "We must know."
The tribe was in great agreement on this and Vint happily told the tale.
When he had finished the story of Mike and the water snakes, and the tribe had carried out a brief ceremony thanking the gods for their divine role in saving the boys, all turned to see the faraway cluster of men approaching.
Heba fought to remain still. She wanted so much to run to Mike, to grab him and hug him, but this was something a young woman without engagement to a man could not do.
"Thank you, Heba," Tagi said. Heba turned and found herself in the embrace of the head matron of the Lake Tribe. "You saved my sons with your power."
Heba smiled and said, "You're welcome, Matron."
Tagi stood back and looked at Heba as if for the first time. "This is the reason you survived and the reason we found you. You are a seer. Only a seer could have known the blue liquid in the mushrooms is the bane of snakes. Only a seer could have known the uses of a stick and hook in the saving of my boys. The gods wanted us to have you to protect us and help us."
"Yes," the chieftain said, coming to Tagi's side. "We have been without a seer for many years. It was gracious and wise of the gods to send you to us."
Heba put her hands over her mouth and blinked at tears as the matrons came to encircle her and set their hands upon her shoulders and arms and back. They each congratulated her on her new powers from the gods.
As the women stepped away, Pult came up behind Heba and carefully lowered a necklace of red stones strung together on a thin leather strap upon her. "This is for you, Heba," Pult said. "You have earned it."
The women smiled.
"A worthy gift," Tagi said. "You should be honored, Heba."
"I am," Heba said, looking at the red stones. She was glad Pult held no grudge for her declining his advances and she deeply appreciated this gift she felt was some honor given by the hunters. "Thank you, Pult."
"You're welcome," Pult said, smiling his haughty smile, then looked about him. "But I will let Heba and Mike shine. I will not interfere further in the celebration for them."
All smiled to Pult as he stepped away.
"Yes," the chieftain said, "let us focus on Heba and Mike, the heroes of the day."
Mike and the three boys arrived in a few minutes along with many hunters. The three boys came to their parents, and each was embraced by the chieftain, then each was slapped by his mother for his poor judgment, then Tagi hugged them all together and broke down into quite unmatronly tears.
The tribe smiled to this, and then the boys were hugged by their friends, who began asking them questions about their near-death experience.
Heba moved out of the crowd so Mike could see her, and he did. She grinned, but Mike didn't. He had a look as if he'd just been stabbed, as if he were in the greatest pain. Heba looked around for the cause of this and found Pult behind her, staring over her head at Mike. She frowned to Pult being so close, then looked back to Mike. He can't believe I'm with Pult, can he?
"Mike," the chieftain said, "you have done well, and I thank you."
Mike lost his pained expression, and said, "You're welcome, Chieftain."
The chieftain turned to the rest of the tribe. "We will have a great feast to celebrate Mike's heroism and Heba's new powers. And we will thank the gods for giving them to us."
All cheered, other than Pult and his friends who had moved to the edge of the crowd and were looking on as if bored.
"And now, my boy," the chieftain said, putting his arm around Mike's shoulders, "you and I have some things to discuss."
"All right," Mike said, going off with the chieftain, and never looking back at Heba.
She pursed her lips and then pulled them to one side in irritation. Why is he upset with me?
Heba turned away from the happy crowd and wandered down toward the Lake, forgetting everyone else around her as she considered Mike's strange reaction.
Is it because I made him wear the blue stuff on his legs? But it saved his life, and he's a hero now.
She huffed. I have to talk to him.
"Heba!" This was Tagi. "Just because you're a seer now doesn't mean you don't have to do any work. We need help with the fire. And bring that fish that Mike caught."
Heba broke from her thoughts. "Yes, Matron," she said. She picked up the fish and began walking back up the slope to the village. She could see Mike standing with the chieftain on the far side of the village.
I'll just have to talk to him later, she thought.