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

Day 15:

Bora looks at the pot she made yesterday. It is quite different from what she is used to from before passing the mountain. At home, or what used to be home, the mostly wide bowls were always decorated with animal patterns, sometimes with lines made by pushing rope into the still wet clay. What she did with the women here was a much narrower eared vessel, with geometric shapes only. Once baked, they painted the outside in distinctive black and red patterns. She decided she liked the style.

Pato had followed Aryna to look at the metalworker in this settlement. He wondered whether it was just this man, or that the metalworking at home was much more developed. It was nothing like the intricate patterns he was come to get used to. But would he be in his right to point this out to the man, maybe give him a few tips? It might offend him. In the end he let it go. He would ask Vinco. Then the metalworkers saw the pendant Aryna was wearing around her neck and started asking questions. With Aryna as an interpreter, Pato got to give his tips and tricks after all. When they left, he saw a new glow in the eyes of the metalworker. The man barely had time to say them farewell before he went on to test his new knowledge.

Vinco had taken Joni to check out the livestock and grape vines with one of the farmers, leaving Keela together with Yusna and Aggen. Yusna wondered why her sister is so grumpy, when she was the one with a real problem. Apparently Keela was not in the mood to elaborate on her problem, sulking in a corner until she fell asleep

That was yesterday.

This morning they all gather again in the hut where Aggen is still suffering. His skin tone has taken on a waxy quality. Sweat pearls off his face. Things do not appear to be well with him. In hushed voices further plans are discussed, but Aggen is a problem in all of them. Aryna and Keela do not feel like leaving their sister here, alone with her crippled husband. Pato and Vinco agree while Joni does not have an opinion either way. Then Aggen speaks, saying that the Clan needs to be made aware of the presence of their future leader, and that waiting for too long would be unwise. He proposes to leave tomorrow anyway and take him with them, so that whatever comes of him, he will be able to see their parents and introduce his wife into the Clan. The pleading look in his eyes make that all the others agree immediately, scared of what Aggen may already know is going to come.

Vinco takes Pato and Joni with him to arrange transport. He commandeers two oxen while Pato and Joni work with some woodworkers to build a wagon from scratch. Pato’s knowledge comes in very handy, so before midday the framework, yoke and wheels start to take shape. Seeing that all goes smoothly Pato takes Vinco to the metalworker he met yesterday and asks him to make some rings for the halters he wants to put on the oxen for steering

Meanwhile, Bora, Aryna and Keela go to work to find a way to transport Aggen in comfort. They come up with a sort of cradle of fabric and ropes that can be suspended from the top rail of the Wagon. With other women from the settlement, they decide to add embroidery round the edges for some extra style. Extra pieces of cloth are added to create a small protective tent overhead against the elements.

When Vinco and Pato return with leather strips to the metalworker to assemble a halter, they are in awe of what the man has wrought. He has made several beautiful rings with intricate patterns. Half geometrical, half natural. It is clear that the knowledge imparted yesterday has fallen to the right ears. Vinco grins at Pato knowingly.

By the end of the day the whole settlement gathers round to gawp at the fruits of todays labours, before moving on to a small farewell party for their guests.

You have admirably translated the knowledge archaeologists glean from potsherds and artefacts into a living reality!

Well done!

You've shown us the way skills spread in practice.