An Alex Hawk Time Travel Adventure | Book 3 | Return from Kragdon-Ah, стр. 45
“Fine, bring them up.” Alex leaned over the ledge and looked down into the enclosure, which was open to the sky. He raised his voice and called to the Winten-ah guards who stood outside. “Three men are about to come out and join us here. Let them pass.”
Klipta-ak called the names of the three men and told them they were free to join them above. As he waited for them to climb up, he pointed to one of the logs about one third of the way up the cabin. “Do you see that log? It’s not much, but it has a slight bend in it. That will require more chinking and might let a cold wind through by the end of winter. If you want, you can send your warriors out with my men and they can find a better tree and we can replace it.”
Klipta-ak looked at Alex, seeing how he was taking the criticism. When he didn’t seem offended, he said, “If you want, we can put all my men who are healthy to work. They would rather be working, cutting firewood, doing whatever is needed, than be sitting around all day. It isn’t natural.”
While Alex contemplated that, Klipta-ak continued. “We have no reason to try and cause a disturbance. There is no reason why Draka-ak the Younger will say no. At least none that I can think of. But,” he added, waggling a finger, “he does not necessarily mean what he says. If it was me, I would not trust his word.”
“You and your men can start work here. I will think on this and return.”
Alex found Sekun-ak checking the food stores. Caring for the prisoners was putting a strain on their food supply. When he saw Alex, Sekun-ak said, “We are going to have to make some extra hunting trips. Our stores are running lower than I like.”
“Good,” Alex said. “I am ready to hunt.” He paused, then said, “Klipta-ak is helping me build my home and has asked if his men can help with other jobs around the camp.”
“That sounds like slavery.” Sekun-ak asked. “The Winten-ah will never enslave another tribe. It is wrong.”
“I don’t think it is slavery if they volunteer for the work. Klipta-ak says they will be happier doing something useful, and he feels sure Draka-ak the Younger will agree to my terms.”
“What do you know about him? Why should we trust him?”
“Draka-ak? Klipta-ak says we shouldn’t trust him. So, you two are probably right. But, if we trust him, what are we losing? We aren’t killing these men. That’s all.” Alex glanced at Sekun-ak. “Now that you know them, do you want to kill them?”
“No. It is easy to kill a stranger or kill someone in anger or on the battlefield. But hard to kill someone you have grown to know.” Sekun-ak inhaled deeply, then let his breath hiss between his teeth. “That’s what we’ll do then. If Draka-ak agrees, we will set them free and equip them enough that they have a chance to survive. Until we hear from him, let them work if they want to work, but no one is forced to do anything.”
“Thank you, brother,” Alex said, and returned to his homesite, where Klipta-ak was already hard at work. He had undone part of what Alex had thought was finished and was kneeling alongside a wall, running a hand along the foundation.
“Sekun-ak says your men can work if they want, but the Winten-ah do not use slaves. If they do not want to work, they can stay in the encampment.”
“Thank you, Manta-ak. Those who are healthy enough will want to help. I will tell you what skills they have. You can decide what to do with them, but we have a talented cook who can help in the kitchen, a weapon maker, and quite a few who have a strong back and a weak mind.”
“We can find work for all of them. For now, show me what you are changing.”
WITHIN TWO WEEKS, ALEX, Senta-eh, and Monda-ak’s new home was complete. It was more than Alex had ever hoped for. Klipta-ak had not only completed the exterior of the home, but had also redesigned the interior and set up a pipe system that flowed water from the pool into the house.
Alex Hawk had the first indoor running water in Winten-ah.
WHEN THE HOME WAS COMPLETE, Klipta-ak set his best woodworkers and craftsmen to the task of building two beds, a long flat island for preparing food, and a table and four chairs.
“If we had more time, I would have my man who is an excellent stone mason make you a stone floor, but I expect the traka-ta to be back any day.”
Alex put his hand on Klipta-ak’s shoulder. “We will be fine sweeping the natural floor every day.” Alex looked around at the interior of the cabin. The roof beams reached up at the center, giving the small room a more spacious feel. The logs had been hand-hewn and chinked with a mixture of ash, dirt, and moss and felt exceptionally solid. “You have given us more than I ever hoped for.”
“It’s only fair,” Klipta-ak added with a smile. “You gave all of us our lives. How many of us do you want to come with you to gather the message from Draka-ak the Younger?”
“None. You stay here. I will take a few warriors with me and will return with the answer as soon as