The Journey Begins

While Alpen was pulling the second travois, he could not nurse an egg and Bebe had to tend to both eggs, a difficult task. They faced the sun as they journeyed south, so she kept the eggs in the pouch behind her. She had to stop frequently to rotate the eggs and this slowed the progress of the whole group. Drindl helped out by pulling the travois more and Bebe and Alpen shared egg caretaking.

They stopped at midday. Alpen and Drindl went to the river to fill up their water containers while Bebe settled in the shade. "Glad we only have our one egg," Alithea said to Fallon as she drew him aside near the travois. "Drindl's in musth."

Fallon gave her a doubting look as he untied Erthen. "He's not acting aggressive. Has he done anything with you or Bebe?"

"No, I don't think he would be interested in us like that. We are both tending eggs. But I can smell it on him as he sweats."

Fallon shrugged. "I just smell sweat from working hard when I'm near him."

"We pay attention to that kind of thing," Alithea said. "Maybe you or Alpen could talk to him."

"That's Alpen's place. He's Drindl's warrior mentor," Fallon said and added, "A warrior in full musth is fearful in battle, but doesn't think very well. Drindl will work off some of that energy pulling the travois. I'll tell Alpen tonight."
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Bebe brought some berries to Fallon. "For the Faerie," she said. "His cage needs to be protected from the sun."

"Is it a he?" Fallon asked. "I can't tell one Faerie from another."

Bebe put a few berries in the cage and the Faerie ate. "The males have more pointed ears," she said. "You can move his cage to our travois. There is more room." The Faerie squeaked. "More energy, you little piglet Faerie?" Bebe asked with a laugh.

"He says the berries aren't quite ripe yet," Fallon answered. "The kettle berries are good at this time of year."

Bebe held her egg pouch as she bowed to the Faerie. "Your majesty." She turned to Fallon. "There are some kettle bushes toward the river. I will pick those and you tie up the cage. Alpen is almost done."

As she turned to leave, Fallon asked, "Do you think Drindl is in musth? Alithea says she smells it." He wanted Bebe to tell Alpen.

Bebe nodded. "It's early yet. He's at that age. Didn't he visit the medical tent?"

"No, Altiss closed…" Fallon paused. It was so obvious now. "Altiss' tent was closed the night before the battle to keep the younger warriors primed. But it was closed the following night after negotiations began. Sarten had already planned the slaughter. Warriors in musth and an extra dose of energy."