I eye the sheer cliff with more than a bit of trepidation. Already I can see the men sizing up the climb, and I worry – it’s extremely steep and there aren’t a lot of hand-holds. Climbing up will be extremely dangerous, and I don’t want anyone to fall and hurt themselves. I cling to Kira’s arm, panicking at the thought. The healer’s a half a day away in the other caves. What if Salukh gets hurt? What if someone pushes him off the cliff?
“There’s only one rule – you cannot climb the cliff wall,” Josie adds. “Everything else is fair game.”
I’m relieved to hear it. I clutch Kira’s arm a little less tightly now, relaxing.
“Everyone ready?” Josie raises a hand in the air, and all five men tense. Then, she brings her arm down. “Begin!”
The men pause, and I can see the wheels turning in their heads. Salukh glances over at me, and our eyes make contact. He’s got that intense look on his face that tells me he’s going to give it his all, and I want to shout encouragement to him.
Before I can say anything, though, he turns and begins a sprint along the cliff. I’m confused at first, and then as two other men – Vaza and Bek – take off after him, I realize he’s going to go the long route and hike up the cliff from behind, then retrieve a medallion and bring it back. He’s banking on the fact that the others won’t be able to do it faster. I cross my fingers quietly behind my back, hoping he’s right. I’m a little worried that Vaza and Bek – not the most easygoing twosome – are hiking along with him.
Taushen and Hassen remain at the base of the cliff. As I watch, Taushen moves around, all nervous energy, and then wads a snowball into one hand, tossing it at the medallions. It doesn’t have much impact, and it’s clear that’s not going to work. Hassen merely rubs his chin, thoughtful, staring up at the medallions and thinking hard.
Next to me, Kira leans in. “What do you think?” She juggles the baby in her arms, smoothing the blankets around Kae’s small face. “Does Salukh stand a chance?”
“I don’t know.” And I don’t. I’m not sure what to think. I’m sure he can win a footrace against the other two if it’s fair, but the clincher is the ‘fair’ part. I’m also a little worried that they’ll take too long. Taushen’s running around like a chicken with his head cut off, but Hassen’s cool and just studying the medallions. There’s a shrewd look on his face that tells me he’s got something in mind but isn’t ready to act on it yet.
A moment later, I’m surprised when Hassen breaks through the crowd and begins to run for the main cave. A few people murmur, but no one leaves the competition area, especially since Taushen is now finding rocks to put in his snowballs and lobbing them harder, all to no avail. I hear Farli stifle a giggle behind her hand. Poor Taushen. Brains are clearly not his strong suit.
Hassen returns a few minutes later with a sling in hand, just as a light snow starts to fall. I pull my furs tighter around my body, watching with a worried sort of anticipation as Hassen fits a stone into the cradle of his sling and then begins to whirl the leather over his head with easy, powerful strokes. Then, he lets the stone fly.
It hits the mark perfectly, of course. He’s a skilled hunter and has excellent aim. The medallion shivers in place and sways, but remains put. I suck in a breath, surprised.
“They’re hooked onto a rock lip,” Josie whispers, moving toward us. “Just smacking it isn’t going to do anything.”
Nearby, Haeden grunts. “This is foolishness. If anyone needs me, I will be off hunting and providing for the tribe like the rest of these fools should be.” He casts a baleful glare at all of us and storms away.
“Grumpy pants,” Josie mutters. “I’m freaking brilliant with this competition. He’s just in a pissy mood as usual.”
I do have to admit that Josie’s competitions have been clever and tailored toward useful things. Maybe not so much today, but the men have been hunting a great deal and the supplies in the cave have been steadily growing greater. This competition hasn’t been all bad, I suppose. At least not for the tribe.
Taushen, meanwhile, hurries off to the caves to retrieve his own weapon, no doubt, as Hassen rubs his chin again. As Taushen returns with a spear, Hassen leaves once more. To no one’s surprise, Taushen’s spear appears to be equally ineffective in retrieving a medallion, and he makes a noise of frustration before heading back into the cave again.
“Look up,” Kira whispers. “They must have run the entire way.”