Quest for Fire by J. -H. Rosny

Author:J. -H. Rosny [Rosny, J. -H.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bruin Books, LLC
Published: 2020-05-23T07:00:00+00:00

7

Life with the Mammoths

NAM had skillfully tended the Fire in their absence. It was burning bright and clean in its cage when Naoh found him. And although his injuries tormented him, with his most grievous wound biting his flesh like a wolf, and though his head still buzzed with fever, the son of the Leopard experienced a great moment of happiness when he saw how well Nam had cared for their prize. In his broad chest beat all the hope of humanity. The beautiful flames made him forget the last few calamitous days and his close brush with death. The resurgence of youth throbbed in him, and to him it felt as if he would live forever. Hope and renewal lived in the marsh and bubbling springs. When the reeds’ tender arrows flutter together in the breeze, when the poplars, alders and willows take on their green and white fur, when the teals, the herons, the pine martens, the tits speak to each other, when the rain falls so lightly that it is as if Life itself was drizzling on the earth, the echoes of nature thrill the heart. And before the waters, and on the grass, and among the trees, the face of posterity was found in the face of Faouhm’s niece. The memory of Gammla resonated in Naoh’s mind: her graceful limber body, her fine arms covered with the softest hair that caught every glimmer of the sun, and her pleasantly round belly that promised the future of the Oulhamr people.

To ensure the Fire’s safety, and because he understood that the alliance with the mammoth had to be renewed every day, Naoh plucked roots and tender plants so that he could pay homage to the chief of the mammoths. Only after fulfilling these duties and assured that the Fire was safely in the care of Nam, did he choose a retreat in the center of the great herd. He laid down to rest there, surrounded by the protective wholly wall.

—If the mammoths leave the pasture, Nam said, I will wake up the Leopard’s son.

—Pastures are abundant, replied Naoh. The mammoths will feed until evening.

He fell into a sleep as deep as death.

When he awoke, the sun was bending over the savannah. Shale-colored clouds were piling up and slowly buried the sun’s yellow disk like a large lily pad. As Naoh gently awoke he felt the pains in his torn muscles and strained ligaments. The toxic fever ran through his skull and down his spine, but the fiery buzzing was weakening in his ears and the pain of his shoulder was receding. His body was on the mend, but he still languished with exhaustion.

He got up, first assuring himself that the Fire was alive, and watched as Nam tended it. Then he said:

—Did the Kzamms come back?

—They have not moved away yet . . . They are waiting, on the edge of the river, half hidden by the woods, in front of the high poplar island . . .

—It is good! replied the Leopard’s son.

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