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randomlifeunit · 3 years

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“Not All Who Wander”

Chapter 13

Previous chapter / (Ch. 1)

The morning sun sent shafts of light piercing between the wooden slats that shuttered the windows in their little hut. Rune stirred, then sat up, blinking and yawning. Looking over towards the other bunk, she stifled a giggle. Ransom was on his back with his mouth open and arms over his head, and Wes had snuggled up to him at some point in the night. They looked very cozy together, and she shook with silent laughter. Wes had always been a cuddler, and some nights, she was the one he would unintentionally pull close or fling an arm over. She didn't really mind too much--it was kind of endearing.

Soft snores came from the cuddle pile, and Rune grinned as she pushed her hair away from her face and crept from the bed, trying not to disturb Sean. By contrast, he always seemed to want his space when sleeping, so she made sure to give him plenty of room whenever possible. Though she did wonder whether he might secretly enjoy the times when their little clan was forced to sleep in close quarters. He was somewhat of an enigma to her, yet at the same time, he often wore his heart on his sleeve. Warmth stole over her heart as she surveyed the sleeping members of their little makeshift family, and she renewed the vow in her heart to protect them at all costs. She scowled, recalling how helpless she had felt the day before, being trussed up like a slave and judged by the village elder. She gripped the handle of the knife at her waist, and her lip curled slightly in anger at the thought. She would be on her guard around these people.

Rune situated herself at the bench seat at the table, writing in her little notebook while she waited for the others to awaken.

It was a good hour before anyone stirred. Ransom came to first, blinking with a heavy-lidded gaze and rubbing his face. His brows furrowed when he saw Wes plastered to his side, and Rune giggled from her place as she watched him give Wes a less-than-gentle shove. Wes mumbled something unintelligible and tried to scoot closer again, eliciting a grouchy, "Get off," from his bunkmate. Wes whined with his eyes closed, but finally rolled away and yawned. Ransom snorted, partly in humor and partly in disgust, and got out of bed. He nodded to Rune. "Sleep well?" he asked, voice rough. She nodded, then couldn't help but add, You two sure looked cute. She fluttered her eyelashes and clasped her hands under her chin with a giggle, and Ransom sputtered in quiet laughter. "You just wait till you're the one he's snuggling up to, and see how 'cute' it feels then," he said with an exasperated smile, shaking a finger at her. She shrugged nonchalantly, signing, I don't mind.

"I know you're talking about me," Wes said sluggishly from the bunk. "You bet we are, Sunshine," Ransom answered. "Now get your ass out of bed." Wes yawned and stretched languidly. "But it's so nice here. Five more minutes." Rune snorted and flipped him off when he looked over.

Sean began to stir, and Rune winked at Wes and put a finger to her lips.

The four warily made their way out of the hut a little later. All around them was a bustle of activity-- people loudly calling greetings to one another, gathering wood, cooking, cleaning, or chasing after the children that scampered about. They got plenty of openly curious looks, but no one approached them for the time being.

They made their way to the large fire pit at the center of the activity, and simply observed for awhile. Ransom wondered what their place was here, and Rune surreptitiously kept a grip on the handle of her knife.

Wes finally broke away from his friends and strode confidently over to a small knot of women near the fire that looked close to his age. They were chatting amongst themselves, but soon he was regaling them with what looked to be some wild tale, if his sweeping gestures were any indication. Rune snorted and rolled her eyes at the scene, then warily scanned their surroundings.

Ransom shifted from foot to foot, then announced, "I think I'm going to see if I can find out who's in charge here. Try to learn whether these people mean us any harm. I can't say that I enjoyed the welcome we received." Rune nodded, and jumped to her feet. We should stick together, she signed. Well, except for him, she inclined her head towards Wes with a wry grin. He looks like he's doing just fine. Ransom chuckled. "Sure seems to be," he said, crossing his arms. "Let's go."

The three made their way towards a larger group of people near a cluster of huts.

Ransom made some inquiries and was directed to several tribal members who had subtle marks of leadership on their person. Elaborate decorations on their clothing and an air of authority set apart two women and three men from the rest. A couple had distinctive tattoos as well. Ransom engaged in a serious conversation with the five of them, while Rune hung back with Sean and observed. Sean seemed somewhat subdued so Rune decided to distract him with a simple child's game. She signed to him the color of something she could see, and he looked around and tried to guess what it might be. He decided to practice using sign language when it was his turn. His hands were clumsier than hers, and she had to correct him occasionally, but he did passably well in her opinion.

Rune noticed Ransom seemed to be finishing up, so she put a hand on Sean's arm and nodded in that direction.

Think this is a place for us? she asked him, simply. He whispered back, "I guess that depends on what Ransom finds out." She hummed in the affirmative.

Ransom shook hands with several of the leaders, then broke away from the group of people to speak with his friends. He drew them away to a more private-looking area and talked to them in a low voice. "I think we can trust these people," he began, then held up a hand as Rune immediately began to object. "Hear me out. Apparently, they treat all visitors with the same ritual, binding them first and submitting them for appraisal by their revered elder. She serves as the spiritual guide and healer for the tribe. If she approves, visitors are treated as an honorary member of the clan while they are here. If not, they are sent on their way," he explained. "They guard their home zealously and only wish to ensure the safety of their clan." Sean nodded slowly. "I guess that seems reasonable. If you're okay with this, I trust your judgement," he said. Rune's brow furrowed, and she hesitated in thought for a moment longer. You trust them, after what they did? she signed, her gaze intense. Ransom looked her in the eye and nodded. "I don't sense any deception. But I welcome your doubts, too. You spent a lot of time surviving on your own before we met, and I have faith in your instincts, my friend." He smiled and gripped her shoulder. Her stance relaxed at his words. How about you make your friends, and I keep my knife sharp? she signed with a half-smile. Ransom grinned. "You've got yourself a deal," he said, and they shook on it.

The smell of food drew them back to the fire pit, where meat was being roasted over the flames. Wes was seated on a rough-hewn bench looking very pleased, a piece of meat in one hand and a woman cozied up to each side of him. One passed him a drink with a smile, and he took it with a nod of thanks.

The other three comrades were given food and drink as well, and they sat and ate their fill. From the other side of the fire, a slow, steady drum beat began, softly at first, then more staccato as one villager, then another, jumped to their feet and began to dance around the fire circle. A few that were seated began to clap and chant in time with the beat of the drum. The children present danced with abandon, obviously enjoying themselves. One child tripped and took three others down with him, collapsing in giggles on the hard-packed earth. Rune smiled at their antics, and found her toes beginning to tap along with the beat. From where he sat, Wes stood with a flourish and began to dance with one of the women next to him, pulling her along and laughing as he imitated their style of dance as best he could.

Ransom stood and gave a chuckle at his friend, then began to clap along. Another drummer joined the first, echoing the steady beat. Rune decided to yield to the moment and stood, beginning to dance in her own way, her hands making fluid motions as her feet followed the throb of the drum. Sean clapped, his metal palm rapping against his opposite hand.

The simple dance continued for awhile before the sound of the drums slowly subsided, and the dancers and listeners gave a short applause before dispersing. Wes made his way over to his friends, and introduced the two women who hung off of each of his arms. One was a fiery redhead, the other had dark tresses.

"Guys, this is Anya and Rhishi," he said, trilling the R on the latter's name. "Ladies, meet my friends, Ransom, Rune, and Sean," he said, indicating each one in turn. "These folks know how to enjoy themselves, eh?" Ransom agreed. "Apparently, you do too, Wes," he said with a wink. Wes laughed. "You guys all gonna be okay if I disappear for awhile?" he asked more seriously. "We'll be fine. Go enjoy yourself," Ransom smiled, making a shooing motion. Rune caught his eye. Be good to them, she signed, and Wes nodded, coloring slightly. He gave his friends a smile and then pulled away, beginning to chat more animatedly with his new acquaintances.

Next chapter

#not all who wander #ransom #rune #wes #sean #my ocs #my writing #dystopian future #wilderness #travels #team as family #my ocs are my babies

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