#history challenge

The following days were quiet. Oyw spent most of his time by the fire.

Hdajk was busy with her duties, and was unusually quiet.

One day Dubi came to check in on them, and brought with her the twins. That seemed to lift Oyw’s mood a little bit, even if he called Lute Aahou.

Hdajk felt lonely. Everybody has a special someone in their life, she thought to herself. Even Nobi and Tjen have each other. I think I will be bound to be alone for the rest of my life….

- I miss him too you know, Oyw suddenly said.

- What?

- The stranger. Rusa. I miss him too. But I think you miss him more.

- Well I … Hdajk swallowed. Maybe I do. But it doesn’t matter. Nobody seems to like him, and especially not my brothers, so I don’t think it’s worthwhile to get my hopes up, anyway. It’s just ….

- Your future is not up to your brothers.

- But, father don’t you see, I can’t elope or anything! What about the kids? What about you? Who will take care of you?

- That’s not exactly what I meant, but if it was so, there would still be solutions. That aside, I think you will have to stand up to your brothers. You have to tell them that you care about Rusa and that you want him in your life. When you think about it, what can they do about it? Not talk to you for a summer or two? Well so be it. It will be their loss.

- Father, sometimes you make totally sense! You can be so clever!

- I am! Oyw said. I am very very clever! And I love you honey-boney. And it will all be okay, don’t worry. I will help you, you just wait and see.

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Life felt easier for Hdajk. There were still work to do, but after the siblings started helping it was not overwhelming, and there were time for good moments.

Oyw had good days and bad days (haven’t we all?), but most of the time he was in a good mood, even if he couldn’t remember things and was more easily tired.

Sometimes “The Stranger”, as they all called him, visited. He seemed to enjoy the talks with Oyw. “He reminds me of my grandpa back in my home valley”, he said, “I loved him very much”.

Not everybody in the family, or in the village for that matter, was happy about The Stranger’s presence.

- I really don’t understand what he wants here! Efhag said. It’s suspicious how he talks and talks with father, as he was the village chief or something.

Sometimes things were even said straight to The Stranger’s face, which was not very kind-hearted.

- Stop asking our father about tips and tricks! Klyg was clearly annoyed. And you father should stop telling him all your secret! You don’t know what he will use it for!

- Come on, Klyg! Hdajk jumped in. What’s he gonna do with it? Sell the information to the highest bidder? He is just being friendly and interested.

- Really, I have no evil ulterior motives, Rusa said. I just like talking with him.

- I find that hard to believe, Klyg answered back. And you! He turned to his sister.

- Why are YOUdefending him? Do you fancy him, or what is it?!

Hdajk turned red, and gave her brother a look that could kill.

- I refuse to hear such rubbish, Klyg. You really disappoint me.

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That night there was enough food for everyone.

- So how do you think it went father? Did the boys behave?

- Oh yes, yes, yes. They all behaved very well.

- And you did get a lot of game didn’t you?

- Yes, yes, we did. I think we had two deer and some rabbits. Or did we get only one?

- No you did get two father, Dubi and Hdajk is preparing the second one to distribute to the rest of our clan now, and the first one is on the table. Or in our belly!. 

- Yes, yes! We are good hunters!

- You truly are, father! You want to eat some more?

- Yes! Very good meat. Very good, very good!

- Father is right, Klyg said. This isvery good meat! And very nicely grilled Boui!

- Thank you!

- So, my brothers, how did it go? I still think father seems quite confused…

- Actually it went rather well, Efhag declared. It feels like he is much more forgetful and confused when he is here at the camp. At the savannah he was in his waters so to speak.

- I think we need to keep him busy, Won suggested. It makes him feel useful, and that makes him happy as well.

- This was a nice day, wasn’t it father? Ooops, be careful with that stick!

- Oh! Sorry! Yes, very nice day. Tomorrow I will go hunting.

- Eh.. Actually Won and Lea wanted you to join them tomorrow. They are going to the woods to find roots and mushrooms. You know some very good places for mushrooms, don’t you?

- Oh yeeees! Oyw nodded. I know very good places.

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- Sorry father, Boui hurried to say, that was a bad choice of words. We know you are a proud man, but now that your hair is white and your strength is redused, we don’t want you to go hunting alone. That’s why we thought it was a good idea for our brothers to accompany you.

- And don’t forget that you can teach them a thing or two about hunting. I’m sure your grandchildren would love to join too. That would be very exciting for them!

- He he, I know some tricks about hunting, don’t I, Oyw smiled.

- You sure do father!

The next week the boys were ready for a hunt. A new acquaintance of Koryi, Rusa, was also present. He came from a place far to the east (or was it north?). Oyw and the others met him for the first time. He talked a bit strange, but understandable, and also brought with him new technology - a bow and arrows. Most of the guys were not that impressed, it looked very flimsy, and it was unclear to them if, and how, it would even work.

It did not take long before the first deer were observed.

- There! Just in front of us, Oyw whispered.

The hunting team was not impressively well organized.

- Meshaloob Klyg! I almost had him!!

But then Rusa got a well-aimed shot.

- Ooh Be Gah!! That arrow went very fast and very long! Klyg was divided between jealousy and admiration.

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- Okay, the first thing we need to do is make sure father takes a bath. I will take on that task, Boui said firmly. Dubi, can you get the kids to help you clean up here, and Hdajk, maybe you can collect wood and fruit? 

- Sure, Hdajk nodded.

- When that is done we need to talk about what to do. We can’t have it that Hdajk should carry all this on her shoulders, don’t you agree Dubi?

- Absolutely!

- Come on now, father! I’ve filled the bathtub for you. You really need a bath. Badly. What would mother think if she saw you like this!?

That seemed to do the trick. The water turned black, but the stench that had surrounded Oyw slowly disappeared.

The toddlers were next.

And the camp itself.

Finally it was time to sit down to discuss what to do.

- Hdajk will need assistance in the camp and with the kids, but most importantly we need someone to take care of father. We should ask Won, Efhag and Klyg if they can help out.

- Take care of! I DON’T WANT TO BE TAKEN CARE OF!! I DON’T WANT A BABYSITTER! I can take care of myself!! Oyw was very upset with his daughters.

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