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

Day 21:

Although no comments have come forth over breakfast, Bora is adamant that private space is of great importance to successfully pursue the other pledge made after her discussion with Vinco. They started on that project anyway, but it still feels kind of awkward. Avi’s grinning face probably trumps any verbal comment not being made.
Seeking out her mother-in-lore, she is surprised to be met in the tongue of the old Clan. As it turns out, Yara, because that is her name, is the younger sister of Uri, her late father, who switched Clans at the same time her mother did the other way round. As such, her mother-in-lore is probably the best person in this Clan to talk to and to be understood. Bora starts off conversation by asking what piece of advice her aunt put on the history stone. Laughing after hearing the answer, Bora tells that she did indeed use the blindfolding to ensure a good outcome during the rituals on the mountain. Figuring out that message had been one of the harder parts of deciphering the stone, but it had been well worth it. Talking about the housing plans, Yara tells that the best approach is to let the man decide on building techniques and keep your foot down on the actual floorplan and furnishings. Looking around, Bora agrees that that seems to have worked out well for this house.

Saddling up for the next stretch of the journey, Pato wonders if it is only last night’s wolves that have kept people from settling in this part of the valley. The flat ground seems to be suitable for agricultural purposes and he suspects the rocky mountainsides could still hold plenty of ores for metalworking. He makes a mental note as a Chief, that if ever the current settlement is not safe anymore or too crowded, this would be a good place to move or expand to.

Because horse riding is not as muddy as walking, Aryna and Yusna have put on the coloured dresses they got as wedding gifts. Yusna notes that the dark blue particularly suits Aryna’s copper hair colour. She in turn is happy to have obtained the bright green one, as it better suits her dark brown locks.
After a while and out of earshot from Pato, Aryna tells Yusna that her planned revenge did not work out as anticipated. Pato had left his bed after the wolf calls she made at night. When he returned and found the icicles she had collected and spread across his side of the bed, he had just rolled her over onto her own icicles and pinned her down. Once they had finished what came afterwards, the icicles had long gone. In an accusing voice, Yusna answers that she already got the gist of this, laying down alone in her own tent, listening to the howling, screaming and panting from the other tent for ages, unable to sleep. Aryna decides that an apology is in place. It must be hard for Yusna, seeing her and Pato together. She privately vows to do everything in her power to make Yusna happy again as soon as they have settled into the new Clan.
Well past midday, the sides of the valley have turned from rocky to grassy and from craggy to hilly. When the valley opens into a wider plain, Pato signs to halt and together, they build a big waymark by stacking stones. They then turn a hard left into another valley. Although more hilly than mountainous, at some points weathered rock faces protrude from the otherwise green surfaces.

Once the valley starts to get steeper again, Aryna points Pato to a nice flat grassed over area next to a small pond to put up the tents.

Once everything is settled in, Pato goes to check out the pond. His toes confirm that this is not one of the hydrothermal springs he passed on the way up the mountain. Despite this, within no time all three of them are splashing around. Just when Pato decides that Aryna may need his help washing her hair a sound behind him makes him turn around. Over the crest of the nearby hill he sees two heads rise. Pato is surprised, he knows these faces! Those shiny rust brown faces with their white striped noses, proud stance, he would recognise them anywhere. Incredibly happy that the two horses survived the volcano, he emerges from the pond, naked, to try and get them back. Making soothing sounds and trying not to make any quick movements, he manages to reach his two friends and take them by their torn leads. Both are led to the pond to drink and to meet Aryna and Yusna who try to concentrate on the horses while Pato gets dressed. After introducing the horses to the other horses and securing new leads, they gather at the fire, still shivering from the ice cold pond.
If Avi’s information is correct, they will be able to get home by tomorrow.

Love the negotiated gender relations!

Insofar that the men may not be aware of it.

Caught up! Great stuff.

I'm glad they got the horses back!

Thanks to you.

Your research is impeccable. Horses were domesticated in Ukraine 6,000 years ago, and spread elsewhere. But you knew that before I did!

Mother-in-lore is a nice pun, too.