Circumvention

Taelo looked across the valley at the misty cloud sparkling in the sunlight. His twin sons were playing in the compound with Lasher.

He and Golden Hawk spent many a night sitting in the warmth of their bathing area discussing what their next adventure would be. They had waited until the children were old enough to ride a mount and be able to travel for an extended time.

They were not prepared for the laughter of their mates when they shared their vision of their next trip. Taelo had picked up a smooth round granite stone and described the next journey as one going west until they returned to where they started.

Throughout the snowy days Taelo and Golden Hawk accumulated the provisions they thought would be necessary for their journey. Quiet Rabbit and Busy Bee joined the effort in support. They were making sure that the needs of their young would be thought of.

Once again a visit to Broken Spear set the tone of the upcoming journey. Broken Spear shared that he had in discussions with the Ancients been instructed to make sure that strong warriors of the Others were part of the team. He asked that six members of the other be part of the team. Taelo was pleased that the six were none other than one of his best friends Burley Bear and Meadow Flower. The other four, Saber Scar, Marigold, Single Leaf and Sharp Blade. They were all veterans of previous journeys.

Taelo had accepted Lilly and Slow Walker's offer to be cook and camp leader. Floating cloud insisted that one cook would not be enough and insisted to be included. Quiet Rabbit was concerned about her grandmother's age, but she knew that Floating Cloud would be a great help in taking care of the two boys.

The team was augmented by Talking Wren and Little Otter who arrived several sun cycles prior to the time of departure. They arrived with the members of the Others, a load of meat on four mounts that pulled four travois with sleds mounted on them. The team was equipped in a similar manner as they had been for their Dangerous Passage journey.

The journey to the Eastern Sea was smooth and problem free. The trip past the coast was a treacherous, and overwhelming challenge. It was one that Taelo doubted could be accomplished going with the sun.

Taelo and Golden Hawk both commented that they had to be right, or they might have to establish a totally new Elk Clan, "The Isolated Elk Clan".

Their travels though challenging produced numerous positive experiences. They met a black Prince and his troop of twelve warriors. Taelo greeted him and received a warm reply. The Prince wanted to join Taelo for at least part of the journey.

What now looked very much like a small army approached a village on a river that ran to the north.

Two eagles flew circles in the sky.

A tall person backed by what seemed a formidable group of warriors met t...