Winter in Eden

into another, stretched on through the long days of summer, until, suddenly, it was autumn again. Kerrick was torn two ways then. Angry at himself for not making the time to leave and go north for Armun. Yet feeling a relief that it would be impossible to go now since he would never get there and back before the winter snows. He would plan better now, finish his work by early spring, have Sanone remind him of the passing days. Then go north and bring her here. At least she was safe, she and the baby; that gave him a feeling of security whenever he missed her the most.
    Kalaleq was not frightened by the sudden appearance of the Tanu. He had met them before—and was also well aware that he was now in their hunting grounds. But he could see that the woman was afraid of him.
    "Be without fear, snow-hair," he called out, then laughed aloud to show how friendly he was. This had little good affect for the woman stepped back, still fearful, and raised her spear. As did the child with her.
    The baby on the travois began to cry lustily. Kalaleq lowered his eyes, unhappy that he had caused distress, then saw his hands and knife dripping with blood from the slaughter of the fur-creature that lay before him. He quickly dropped the knife and put his hands behind his back, smiling what he hoped was a friendly smile.
    "What did you say?" Angajorqaq called out, pushing aside the skins that hung in the open doorway as she Winter in Eden - Harry Harrison
    emerged from the hut—stopping rigid when she saw the newcomers there.
    "Look how their hair shines! Their skins, so white. Are they Tanu?" she asked.
    "They are."
    "Where are the hunters?"
    "I have no knowledge—I see but these."
    "A woman, a child, a baby. Their hunter must be dead if they are alone and they will grieve. Speak to them, make them at ease."
    Kalaleq sighed heavily. "I have no skill in their tongue. I can say only meat and water and goodbye."
    "Do not say goodbye yet. Offer water, that is always nice."
    Armun's first fear was eased when the furry-faced one dropped his knife and stepped back. He was a Paramutan, if he were here on the shore, one of the hunters who lived always in the north by the sea. She had heard of them but had never seen one before. Slowly she lowered the point of her spear, yet still gripped it tightly when another one of them emerged from the hut. But it was a woman, not another hunter, and she was greatly relieved. The two of them talked in incomprehensible, high-pitched voices.
    Then the hunter smiled broadly and spoke a single word.
    "Waw-terr." The smile faded when she did not respond and he repeated it. "Waw-terr, waw-terr!"
    "Is he saying water?" Harl asked.
    "Perhaps he is. Water, yes—water." She nodded and smiled as well and the dark woman slipped back into the tent. When she emerged again she was carrying a black leather cup; she held it out. Harl stepped forward and took it, looked inside—then drank.
    "Water," he said. "Tastes terrible."
    His words disarmed Armun. Her fear was gone but was replaced by a great tiredness, so much so that she swayed and had to jam the butt of the spear into the ground and lean on it for support. The sight of the friendly, fur-covered faces, the knowledge that she was no longer alone let in the fatigue she had so long kept at bay. The other woman saw this and waddled quickly over to her, took the spear from her loose grasp and eased her down to the ground. Armun submitted without thinking, there seemed no danger here—and if there were it was too late to turn back. The baby was crying so lustily now that she had to stand and take him up, balance him on one hip while she found a piece of smoked meat for him to suck upon. The Paramutan woman made appreciative clucking noises as she reached down and touched Winter in Eden - Harry Harrison
    Arnwheet's pale hair.
    Armun was not even startled when there was a call from the distance, a highpitched shout. A small boy, his face-fur a lighter brown than the adults', trotted along the shore holding a rabbit high by the snare that had caught it. He stopped and gaped when he saw the newcomers. Harl, with the curiosity of all boys, went over to look at the rabbit. The Paramutan boy appeared to be older than Harl, though he was half a head shorter. They accepted each other's presence easily. Through her great fatigue Armun felt a sudden welling of hope. They might still be alive in the spring!
    Kalaleq was a good hunter and well able to provide food for many. Also,