Hominins: Past & Present by Maurice Schmidt

Author:Maurice Schmidt [Schmidt, Maurice]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

12 Settlement

Runt leads the way into the settlement with Moraine following with Tusk in tow. Slate walks alongside Runt as they stride into the central clearing. Prior, while still on the crest overlooking the commune from the concealment of the vegetation, additional attempts at removing the bone weapon from Tusk are met with squeals of pain, resulting in the abandonment of the effort. After a discussion with Moraine interpreting for Slate, Runt convinces them that he will take the lead in convincing the clan and Gramater in particular, to spare Moraine from further punishment and allow Slate to depart unharmed. Runt inwardly has newfound confidence bolstered by a conviction that these strangers are peace-loving people and in the belief that they should be awarded respect. Steeling himself, he commits to this conviction knowing that despite his meager shape and standing in the community, he is not deficient in his ability to convince and lead through a keener understanding of the underlying motivations of the people.

Stepping into the open, a gasp spreads from the first to another and another as the word spreads, and they gather to silently gape in disbelief at the spectacle before them. Gramater emerges from a shelter to stand dumbfounded in shock.

Runt moves forward with confidence rising as he directs his attention at Gramater and says, “Yes, you can stare. The injustice you metered out on Moraine has been met with a just outcome. She single-handed brought Tusk to submission. You effectively sentenced her to his evil attempt at the rape. She retaliated, with righteousness on her side, to wound the man with a knife, which even now is embedded in his body. You see his knee, swollen in pain. That he did to himself in his attempt to escape the harm that he attempted on her. His genitals are bared for you to see the humiliation he intended on her. Providence had him lose his loincloth in the crossing of a stream. That too was providence metering out its justice, not Moraine’s doing. The rope around his neck should not shock you because that is the same injustice you condoned when Tusk led her out of here three days ago.”

The bystanders stand frozen by what they hear and see, unaccustomed to Runt’s authority. All eyes turn to Gramater as Tusk grovels in complete dishonor and indignity, still whimpering to add to his shame, but no words escape her.

Runt continues, “For too long, you have brought unhappiness to this congregation, pitting one against another until all suffer under your caustic rules.”

With a rising voice, he proclaims, “No! That will end now.”

Allowing silence to emphasize his ultimatum, he waits while Gramater struggles to gather her composure, but before she can speak, Scat steps forward from the crowd, and everyone turns to him as he shouts, “Runt is right. We put up with Tusk for too long, the coward that he is. He is exposed for what he is!” Scat’s towering bulk adds emphasis to his words. For moments

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