h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Pato wakes up in the hide tent he normally only uses when on the road. It is just after daybreak. A lot of work still needs to be done, so he scrambles everyone present. After a makeshift meal of crushed roasted grain, dried meat and some local berries they remove the tarpaulin that temporarily protected the burial chamber and feed the large watch-fires that mark the mound axis points.
Using a long earthen ramp, the big flat stone is man- and ox-handled onto the mound. During this slow and tiresome process, Bora and Pato take a last glance at their late father. At the last moment, just before the stone settles into place, Bora drops one of her golden earrings into the burial chamber, as a last private gift. A tear runs down her cheek as she and Pato turn away to pack up.

They leave for the village after some discussion with Uri’s younger brother, who will take over the management of the remaining work from now. Covering the complete mound in stone will still take an enormous effort in time and human power, carting large rocks from the riverbed and placing them in the correct pattern. It is just before midday and more important things lie ahead for the siblings. On horseback, they swiftly ride Southwest to the river called Malka, following it upstream for some time, then fording it to the South-eastern side.

According to lore, this area used to be densely forested and lusher than the current grassy plains. This all changed after a particularly violent message from the mountain, ages ago, when the climate was still warmer. That was also when the clan was split up.

Across the river, the track turns into a road and the village comes into view.

Pato looks at the village and sees it for the first time since he has become the Chief. Nested on top of the embankment some way up the riverbank, a range of oval dwellings connected by paths is followed by the flat high ground with crops and fenced off pastures with some cows, sheep and pigs. The houses are quite big, all made with a stone base with a ring shaped wooden upper structure. Some of the clan people have stayed behind to mind the animals and the fires.

Bora enters the family home through the doorway with two stone columns, another one of Uri’s ideas. She checks at the food store, containing the grain and dried meat, and wonders what they will need for their journey, and how they will manage to take all that across the rough terrain they will surely meet. Since the day is running to an end, this will have to wait for tomorrow, so she takes their precious horses to the enclosed central area of the house, for safekeeping.

Great stuff, thanks!

I'm worried about that mountain. That's hanging there like Chekhov's Gun.

I am familiar with Damocles' Sword. Looking up that gun right now…

Ah. I see.

I can tell you: It will be fired at some point.

Fitting to have a Russian gun included in my story.

Given the nature of my approach to this project, I am afraid that the risk of loose ends is clear and present. Creating possible cliffhangers in the early chapters gives me possibilities further on.

This story has great potential!

I am all for a bit of foreshadowing, myself.

Will there be an herb lady? They didn't have modern medicine.