John and Argent by cmsix

Chapter 33

I woke rested and feeling good the next morning. I knew it was going to be a big day and it made me glad when I realized that even though a lot of freighting would be going on soon, I would be home with my mates while others were doing it.

Dalia and Shelalliea had come to our bed sometime during the night. They woke Roweea getting into bed and I guess she spilled the beans. I was restrained again and my dick was hard before I woke up. The two of them gave me another good workout. Dieta and Delia helped hold me then they and Roweea took a turn before they let me go back to sleep. I could live with problems like this.

Maia and Gema were on either side of me this morning. They were both already awake and had stayed in bed, as I had requested some time ago, so that I wouldn't wake up alone. They led me to the shower, gave me a thorough washing then drying and we left the bathroom butt naked to dress near the bed.

I was feeling pretty pampered and felt more so when I sat at the table. Waaya was there with my coffee and Winna had my breakfast. I didn't waste any time and after thanking them I dug in. I decided that I might need to show them how to make hash browns and red eye gravy. Maybe a little lesson for buttermilk biscuits would add some spice to my mornings too.

Georgo and Ladeliea came along then and when Georgo got his meal I had someone to keep me company while I ate. We didn't talk though, just ate.

After we'd finished and were working on our second mug of coffee Georgo spoke up.

"I guess most will be leaving today." He said.

"I think so. I'm not sure if there is any point in sending Racaato to do my hunting for Barbo's camp today though. It would probably be better if he waited until they were through with my original wagon so he could take it and help carry his kills back to camp for them."

"I believe you are right. My buckboard can't carry enough bison to matter. If he gets five or more it would take three trips with the buckboard and there would be much trouble loading them. They would have to be skinned and cut up where they were shot." He agreed.

"I know that is the way it has always been done but it is more troublesome. You end up with a lot of fresh killed meat in one place and some will have to keep watch to make sure no predators come up to try and steal it. I think it is much easier to carry the bison back to camp whole, or nearly so to gut, skin and cut up."

"It is easier if that is an option. I wonder if Barbo will see it that way?" Georgo asked.

"If he doesn't I'm sure Racaato will be happy to stand guard while they are cutting up the bison and carrying it back by hand." I said and laughed.

It was a little worrisome for me though. I didn't want Racaato to deliberately cause hard feelings and I was sure that he wouldn't; but I was going to let him know that his first duty was to make sure he wasn't abused or put in danger. He and I could go over that while the others were freighting.

Raalto, Jareena and Reeana came in then. Jareena and Reeana headed toward the cooking but my mates shooed them to the table, advising them to save their energy for their trip.

"Raalto has told us to stay here and prepare a permanent sleeping place. He will be going back for our things." Reeana said.

"Well don't start on it yet. You will be staying on this side of the canyon." I told them all.

"All of the caves over here are occupied aren't they? I won't move anyone out of their home." Raalto said.

"I can not promise anything Raalto but the spirits have been very helpful in these matters. You will see when you return." I said.

"Very well. I do not want to displace anyone though. I'm sure it would cause hard feelings even if they did not say so." Raalto said.

"You will not be displacing anyone. Do not worry about it."

Georgo and I remained at the table drinking coffee while the others ate. Bigglieo, Suleita and Daleana came in soon followed shortly by Barago and Britta. I decided to go outside to finish my coffee and Georgo came with me.

I considered starting with the wild horses after the others were on their way but since my wranglers were all going I would put it off. Since Sally and Jane were not needed for the wagon any more maybe I would start on riding lessons for my mates. They were probably ready for a break from Frank's cooking lessons.

Raalto came out soon and came to meet with Georgo and I down by the horse pens.

"Most of my men and women want to go back to do their own packing John, I assume that will be acceptable." He said.

"Of course it is. Since Jareena and Reeana won't really have much to do here don't you think that they might want to go also?" I asked, and if dicky could have kicked me in the balls I'm sure he would have.

"I told Jareena and Reeana that if they stayed they might discover how to get some of the new clothes your mates and some of the other women have." Raalto said and then laughed.

"He is smarter than he looks Georgo. I thought that you and I were the only men to know that little fact."

"I did not know it but I was pretty sure what it signified, especially since Jara got new clothes after Barbo's drunken evening." Raalto said and chuckled again.

"You have found me out and tricked me into admitting it."

"Just be sure to make my mates feel welcome here. Daaggo will take care of all the packing for them. He is in a very good humor since his talk with you and then Georgo." Raalto said.

"I am glad. It will make him happy to be here maybe."

"He is already happy that we are joining you. Daaggo likes to wash every day. He was sold on your bathing facility from the first." Raalto said.

Danlo, Nadlo and Jonoco came down then with Bigglieo, Galto, Dargo and Barago. They were going to catch the horses and get things ready to leave. Barago wasn't going to make the trip but he did want to try his hand at helping with the horses. I asked them to leave Sally, Jane and Bonehead here along with all the Quarter Horses and Red. Georgo wasn't going either so Danlo, Jonoco and Nadlo got into a good-natured argument about who was going to drive the buckboard. They would probably be arguing about which one had to drive it before this operation was over.

Georgo and I left them with it. We headed back to my cave and when we got there Georgo headed to his for a little meditation I guess.

"My mates later today we will have some riding lessons. I know that some of you might not be too excited but I think that all of you should be able to ride a horse and also know how to use a travois."

"Remembering my last ride makes me think it might not be so bad. We should make sure to take a fur with us though." Geera said.

"Why would you need a fur, the weather is still warm?" Roweea asked.

"Take my advice, do not let John get you on the back of a horse without bringing a fur along. He has been known to take advantage of his riding students." Geera told her and giggled.

"Oh, it sounds exciting. I have been waiting for a chance to be taken advantage of in the daylight." Roweea said and smiled.

"It seems to me that I was the one that was abused last night."

"Yes that is true. You must make sure to return the favor during the riding lessons." Winna said.

"You are right. Remember that you should all wear your trousers though. They will be better for riding and they come off easily enough."

About an hour later everyone was outside to see the travelers off. Barbo and Jara were riding on the buckboard's seat with Danlo driving. I felt a little twinge seeing Jara riding off and doubted Barbo would be bringing his camp back for a visit anytime soon. Maybe they would have a mating at their camp and we could visit. If they did and served bruga I was sure I would get some time alone with Jara. Maybe if they had a meeting I would bring the bruga, just to help with the celebration of course.

Soon all that were going had left. Since my mates and I were near the horse cave anyway I gathered them for their lessons. Daleana and Sulieta were with us also but they didn't have their trousers on. I sent them back to put them on and told them to bring any of the other women that had time to learn to ride today. Reeana and Jareena were with us also but still dressed in their normal clothes. I was looking forward to seeing them in Wilma dresses in the morning.

Bonehead, Sally and Jane were already saddled and tied to the fence. I helped Jaada onto Bonehead and Geera onto Sally. Since they had both been on a horse before I had them start by just trying to ride up and down the canyon, not getting out of sight on either end.

While they were practicing I caught and then saddled the three Quarter Horse mares. I made a round or two on each of them to make sure they would behave. When I was satisfied I had Maia get up in front of me on one and we headed up the canyon and then back down. When I thought she had the idea I got off, got the next mare and the next mate and repeated the process.

By the time I had a mate practicing on all the available horses I stopped Jaada and let her get down taking Bonehead and letting my next mate in line try her hand. We rotated this way until all my mates plus Ladeliea, Daleana, Sulieta, Jareena, Reeana, Erieta and Failiela had taken two turns riding. We took a break for lunch then.

Erieta had told me that Racaato was in the practice cave so I went to see him while the women started on the meal. He wasn't firing when I entered; he was in the study room watching Phil when I joined him.

"I think that I finally understand about the bullet dropping now." He said when I entered.

"Good, do you understand about the wind also?"

"Yes, it was easier for me to understand. The hardest part was understanding how the bullet could strike higher than the point of aim if the target was closer, as if it were climbing instead of falling at first." He told me.

"It is climbing only because the barrel is not completely level. When you are adjusting the sight for three hundred yards the barrel will be pointed slightly upward, this causes the bullet to intersect the line of sight once on the way up and then farther out it intersects it again on the way down. I know that it must be confusing but that is what happens."

"Yes I understand now but Phil had to go over it many times." Racaato said.

"I'm sure that he didn't mind."

We left and headed for the food. My cave seemed a little vacant since most of those who had been eating with us were off on the journey. It was a quiet meal with only a little teasing about the riding lessons.

Afternoon brought more of the same. More practice in the cave for Racaato and more riding lessons for the women. We kept at it until nearly sunset when we retired to my cave so my mates could see about supper.

After we'd eaten I invited my mates, Jareena, Reeana, Sulieta and Daleana into the biggest hot tub for a little relaxing. It didn't relax dicky a bit. Jareena and Reeana were the tiniest bit shy at first but when they realized that we were all naked and ready to play they lost that feeling.

I had been looking forward to seeing them in the altogether and I wasn't disappointed. After a little time for soaking I invited Jareena into my lap so I could wash her hair. She joined me giggling a little and I soon had a good lather going. I let Maia and Merita take over the duties with her hair while I concentrated on washing her firm round titties and then snuck a hand down to play in her submerged bush.

I dropped all pretenses soon and eased her up enough to fit dicky into the entrance to her pussy. As she lowered herself onto me it sent a shiver through both of us and we were soon rocking and making waves. Her pussy was snug and warm and her insides had a rhythm of their own. Merita was the first to abandon Jareena's hair and she put her lips to Jareena's for some kisses. Maia and I took turns and finally ended up with a titty each. Even though the feelings dicky was getting were wonderful I was able to maintain control while Jareena lost it and exploded, letting her keening moan announce her completion.

Maia and Merita helped her move off me and proceeded to cuddle and kiss her as Reeana climbed aboard for a shampoo of her own. Delia and Dalia helped with her hair while dicky hid himself up her tight slit. She felt different than Jareena but equally good and when the waves were going again I concentrated on getting us both off. When I started pumping cum into her I diddled her erect little clitty with a finger and we found the finish at the same time. For a second I wondered if I could be giving her a baby and then it hit me that there weren't any babies. I hadn't seen one baby or even any pregnant women the whole time I'd been here. I hadn't even seen any women menstruating, none that I'd noticed anyway. I pushed that aside for later since when Reeana moved off me Daleana and Sulieta came over and took the shrinking dicky in hand to stop the shrinking.

It was a wonderful night in the tub and an even better one in the bed.

When I woke just after sunrise, I found Jareena and Reeana had the 'keep John company' detail this morning. They were both still actually asleep. I played with Jareena's nipples until they were hard and pulsing and she finally opened her eyes and smiled at me.

"Good morning."

"Is it?" She asked.

"It is from where I am, alas I have to get up though."

"I suppose I should too." She said.

"You must. You have new clothes to try on." I told her laughing.

She crawled over me then, toward Reeana and I got up and went to the pisser. When I got back she and Reeana were both up and trying on their new Wilma dresses with my mates gathered round to see the show.

"Remember, no need to wear the thongs while you are in our cave." Dieta told them.

I admired the flesh for a while myself but eventually drifted to the table where Erieta was waiting with a mug of coffee for me. Since I didn't see Racaato anywhere I gave her lips a kiss and her ass a feel up under her dress as I took my coffee with my other hand. I sat down to wait for breakfast then.

I didn't have long to wait. Soon Shelalliea brought me a plate with a stack of pancakes and several sausage patties.

"Surprise, Frank told us how to make pancakes." She said smiling.

"Shelalliea you forgot this, Frank said he would need it with them." Delia said bringing a large bottle of syrup.

"I didn't forget, I thought you might want your ass fondled this morning too." She told Delia while I was indeed giving her ass a little attention.

"You are very thoughtful. I would like his hands on me for a little while at that." Delia agreed.

"I think that I would also." Said Gema as she brought the butter.

I did my best for the three of them and then dug into the pancakes, smearing them with the butter and drowning them in the syrup. Georgo and Ladeliea came in to join us then.

"What is on schedule for today." Georgo asked me as he sat down with his coffee.

"More riding lessons I think. The women are catching on and I think this afternoon we will start with lessons on saddling and minor care for the mounts."

"Where has Racaato kept himself? I have barely seen him since the others left." Georgo asked.

"He is practicing with the rifle and with the Glock I think. He will be better than I am with them soon. That is good though. It will mean that he can teach the others instead of me. I am growing fond of teaching one or two and then letting them teach the others."

"It is the best way John, you can be deciding on other things while lessons are being given." He said.

"When are you going to try to find another shaman to perform the matings for you and your two new mates?"

"I will probably go as soon as the others are through with my buckboard. Ladeliea is ready for the mating also." He said.

"They may be back with your wagon late today. I think that it was going to Caato's camp."

"Yes they should be back today but they may need it for another trip. We will see." Georgo said.

I noticed that Georgo saw Jareena and Reeana in the kitchen wearing their new clothes just then, it so happened that I also saw Racaato coming toward us from the practice cave at the same time. Georgo opened his mouth to speak and I was sure he was about to mention the dresses. I kicked him under the table and when he looked at me open mouthed I spoke up to Racaato.

"Shooting already this morning Racaato?"

"Yes, I can't seem to get enough of it." He replied.

"Come and sit for breakfast at least." I said.

He joined Georgo and I and Erieta brought him some coffee and then Jareena brought him breakfast. He asked what we were eating and I told him, explaining about the butter and syrup. He lathered up the pancakes and dug in. Georgo gave me a nod of understanding when Racaato focused on his food.

After breakfast we all headed outside. Racaato joined us for more riding lessons of his own. We were still short of horses that had been trained and after I had someone mounted on every available horse except Red and Bob, I saddled Bob and asked Racaato to do the gate shuffling while I made a try at hazing all the wild horses into the pens.

After explaining what I had in mind to Racaato I rode Bob through the open gate in the back fence and into the blind canyons. The wild horses were all more or less gathered together and it didn't take long to get behind them. When I turned Bob toward them they moved away naturally as we approached. Getting them into the large pen was easier than I thought it would be. Once they were shut up there it was only the work of about another forty-five minutes to get them all into one of the training pens. We took a break to let them settle down a little.

Later Merita and Maia help Racaato and I separate out the yearlings and foals. When they were all loose in the bigger pen I opened the gate between the two capture pens and roughly divided the wild horses into two even groups. We broke for lunch then and I was glad of it.

After eating it was back to the horses with lariat in hand. Once again it was difficult to rope a horse among the group and work it to a snubbing post. By the time I had a horse tied to all eight snubbing post my original wagon and Georgo's buckboard along with many loaded travois horses were arriving from their trip.

All my wranglers were back but I saw at once that they would be too tired to be of much use to me until tomorrow. I then found out that they would be leaving early the next morning for another load.

After going to Caato's camp first to unload passengers they had gone to Colonto's camp with the wagon, buckboard and all travois horses. At that camp they had packed up everything of value and since they had room left they went back by Caato's camp and packed everything that they could before returning here.

Danlo told me that they would be able to bring everything back from Caato's camp with this next load and would probably have unused capacity. He didn't feel like he had enough experience to give me a good guess about exactly how many horses he would need though. I told him to leave me a couple of the original travois horses for riding lessons and take all the rest to make sure they could bring everything with one more trip.

I left all the horses at the snubbing post and all the other mature ones in the training pens. We called it a day and headed for our homes for food. I was a little worn down myself tonight and after supper and a little banter with my mates we all showered, joined by Jareena, Reeana, Sulieta and Daleana and then we all dried and piled into the big bed to sleep.

I had been asleep for a couple of hours I guess when I found myself in an Argent dream. I was glad because I had something to ask him.

"How are you John?" He asked.

"I'm fine but curious. Why are there no babies here and why are none of the women pregnant or even menstruating?" I asked right off the bat.

"It is our doing of course. We had been planning this experiment for a couple of years before we contacted you. The women's reproductive cycles have all been, how should I explain it, put on hold would suffice I guess." Argent explained.

"Why?" I asked.

"In preparation for your coming. We don't necessarily intend for you to impregnate them all, but we felt that things would go more smoothly at first if there were no considerations along those lines. We have made sure that none of them will notice and I'm sure you know that they haven't. We can initiate the resumption at any time. Are you ready to father some children?" Argent asked me.

This was a turn of events I hadn't considered. The first question that entered my mind was how long I would be allowed to stay. I didn't want to father a bunch of children and be whisked away after they were born. I decided I needed to ask what my long-term status would be.

"How long will you be keeping me here Argent?"

"What do you mean John?" He asked in return.

"I mean how long will I be here. I don't want to have children coming and have to leave them. Will I be spending the rest of my life here? You posed this to me as an experiment. How long will it last?"

"You may stay here as long as you like John. I can not guarantee that we will always stay here watching over you but if we do leave we can leave you here if that it your wish." He said.

"I think that will be my wish but can you give me any idea of how long you will be here?"

"I know that we are scheduled to be here watching you for three years, that would mean we will be here for at least two and a half more. Considering the success of the experiment so far I imagine we will be here longer than that though I can not promise it." He said.

"If you do leave will I be allowed additional freight before you go?"

"We will give you all the warning we can before you leave if we are going to leave. We will make every effort to furnish anything you ask for in that case." He assured me.

"Then I think I would like for you to restore the women to fertility. Can you do it for a few at a time or must it be all at once?"

"We can do it in anyway that you choose." He said.

"Good, then restore them randomly, three per month."

"All of them or just your mates?" He asked.

"All of them. Try to make sure that at least one of my mates is restored every month, or at least one of the women I am often with."

"What about the men?" He asked.

"I didn't realize that the men had also been manipulated."

"Yes all the men are also 'firing blanks' so to speak." He said.

"Excellent, then please do not restore any of the men unless I have already impregnated their mate."

"I see; it seems that you want at least one child from each woman." He said.

"Why not, there is no sense in my being selfish with my genes."

"We will take care of it." Argent said as I drifted out of the dream and back to sleep.

I woke snuggled up behind Daleana the next morning. My arm was over her and my hand was resting on a fat firm titty. I began toying with the redhead's nipple and it began swelling almost at once. I let my hand drift down into her bush and began teasing her slit. It moistened almost at once and finally she stirred awake. I kissed on the back of her neck as she began pushing that sweet little round ass back against my boner.

When I reached to take hold of dicky Daleana raised her top leg a little to give me room for exploration. I didn't need long to find her entrance and I put my cock's knob against it and then pushed. She moaned out loud, pushing herself back toward me.

"Oh, it feels so good and so long John, and its day now too. Hold me tight and push harder." She sighed.

Those were my thoughts exactly and I did my best to comply with her wishes. She felt wonderfully wet and warm inside and her inner muscles danced along my shaft driving dicky to distraction. I wondered at once if Argent had removed his lock on Daleana's cycle and if so if she would start where she left off or at ovulation or just where she would be in her cycle if in fact she was one of those restored to fertility. It gave me a different feeling than before and actually excited me even more than previously. As we pumped against each other I wondered if I was about to make my first baby in this time and place, my first ever in fact, since I'd never had children in my old life.

I couldn't last long this time and I didn't try. When I felt Daleana's hips lose their rhythm and begin the spastic jerking I let go too and it seemed like I blasted off more completely than I had in a long while. I was truly spent in minutes and I sagged back into the big bed's mattress panting. Daleana was winded too but later she turned to face me and kissed me sweetly telling me that it had been wonderful.

I got out of bed and took a quick shower then I made my way to the table where coffee was forthcoming and breakfast not far behind it. Nadlo, Jonoco, Danlo and all their mates joined me soon along with Georgo and Ladeliea. I started first so I finished first and I left for the training pens with a mug of coffee.

All the tied horses were where I'd left them and the ground around the snubbing post showed that they had tried their best to get away. They didn't look like they felt like trying any more. I didn't release any of them though. I waited until some help appeared.

Maia, Merita and Delia were along in about twenty minutes. With them helping I started showing the trainees how to follow on a lead rope. We worked through the hustle and bustle of the others leaving with the wagons and travois horses. After the third trainee had seen the light and been tied to the fence we took a break to get the riding lessons going. Shelalliea, Dalia, Geera, Jaada and Dieta took over this chore shortly though and we went back to halter breaking. I finished with the last snubbed mare and then took my lariat and caught four more.

When we had the four newbies tied to the post we switched pens and started leading again. We worked at it until lunchtime and then took a break. Things seemed to be going well with the horses.

Racaato had been in the practice cave learning and firing all morning but he appeared at lunch. He told me that he thought he was doing well now and I asked if he thought he could get some of my mates started with their rifles. He agreed to try it and after we'd eaten Waaya, Winna, Roweea and Gema joined him in the practice cave while the rest of us went back to the horses.

We worked with them for about three hours. I had just tied the newly leading horses to the fence and tied four more to the snubbing post when Raalto and his group came rolling up. It was a good place to stop for the day and I did, going to greet Raalto and check on his progress.

When I approached the big wagon Raalto hopped off as Bigglieo took it on to the big cave for unloading.

"We did well John but we will need at least one more trip." He said.

"I was sure that you wouldn't be able to bring it all in one go."

"I was surprised at the amount of things that we had, especially skins and furs. We were intending to bring all our huts too but the leader of a camp close to us came to visit and when he learned that we were leaving he wanted to trade for them. I knew that they were more useful where they were than they would be if we took them all apart and tried to haul them so I let him make a deal. We got very many more skins and furs and much food that they had gathered. I didn't even think about trading for any dried meat." He said and laughed.

"I'm sure that you did the best thing. We still have the remains of Barago's camp's huts and such and probably will never find a good use for them."

"It is good that I traded then. Have the others been back?" He asked.

"Yes but they left again this morning very early. It is possible that they will be back tonight. They brought all of the things from Colonto's camp with the first load and many of the things from Caato's. Danlo said that he was sure that they would be able to bring everything else with this load."

"That is good. If we can take the other wagons with us along with the horses we will be able to bring all the rest with one more trip. Jakado, the other leader I spoke of will not be back with the rest of our trade goods until tomorrow. It will be best if we wait for the other wagons even if they do not come back until then." Raalto said.

"I'm sure that is right. It will be better to wait on them than to make two more trips. You must be hungry, let's go to my cave and see if we can find women cooking."

He laughed and we headed that way. It hit me as we were walking that I hadn't said a thing to Argent about Raalto's accommodations. I don't guess it really mattered since he would be making another trip but I did feel a little absent-minded over it.

When we got to my cave there was cooking going on but no food was ready yet. Racaato was sitting at the table and we joined him. Raalto repeated his news and then Racaato told us that he had a good start teaching the women to use their rifles. This was news to Raalto but he was pleased that they would soon be able to shoot also. I told him that Reeana and Jareena had begun riding while he was gone and this seemed to please him too.

We ate early and were finished before sunset. Raalto went with his mates to help with the unpacking. He had smiled at me when he saw them in their new clothes. I went back to the training pens and led the horses tied to the fence, one at a time, to get water and then took them back and let them loose in the smaller pens. By the time I was through the sun had set and I went back to my cave.

I figured that the others would probably not be back tonight and after a communal bath with my mates and the four newly mated girls we all retired to the big bed where I finally got a sample of Shallea, Shaala, Melieta and Jaiya. I was inspired again as I thought that I might be putting a bun in someone's oven and while I couldn't put a good shot into each of them, even with Argent's improvements to my equipment, I did manage to leave a deposit in every second woman I fucked. I also managed to arrange it so each of the visiting girls got a dose of love potion.

I was actually glad that night when Argent came to my dream. We didn't have much to talk about but he did ask me what I wanted in the way of quarters for Raalto. I asked him to make a place for Raalto and one for Daaggo with the others on this side of the canyon. He said that he would be back later before dawn with plans and a virtual tour for me but I begged off and asked him to just take care of it. We decided to let the new accommodations just appear with no dramatics this time and planned to do it whenever they caught everyone outside tomorrow.

I was up and at 'em early the next morning, tugging on and teasing my mates out of bed for a change. They were a little surprised and asked me what I was so happy about. I didn't have an answer but I felt good and when my eyes had come open they had snapped open and I was ready for the day somehow.

They took it well and at least Dalia was quick with the coffee. The newly mated stumbled off toward their own quarters and I thought that they just might get right back into bed. It didn't matter to me but I was up and wired for some reason.

After eating I went back down to the training pens. I was only half way through with this bunch and that was only with standing tied and rudimentary leading. I was looking forward to my wranglers getting back. I suppose that I should have at least kept Sahto and Talvo here to help me but I had let them travel to help lead the travois horses. When Maia, Merita and Delia joined me we got back to trying to teach the tied horses to lead.

We ran across another stubborn one that acted basically the same as Bonehead had. She would stand tied but when I tried to lead her, no amount of persuasion from behind would make her move. I tied her back to the post and went to the next one. If she didn't improve before I had the use of one of the wagons she would just die of thirst.

The travelers got back just as I finished the last horse in the first pen. I was ready for a break anyway so we met them. Caato looked like he was tired of riding when he got down off the wagon.

"Did you get everything Caato?"

"Yes we did. It took longer for us to pack than we expected so we didn't try to come back yesterday. We were up hours before sunrise this morning to get an early start though. We have it all, even all the huts. I think that we can make coverings for all the cave openings with the skins from those huts and it will let us save the bison skins for other things." He said.

"That was good thinking. I'm afraid we will need to cover the cave openings before the bison skins are fully ready anyway."

"We won't have to worry about that now. We do have to worry about unpacking though." He groaned.

"Let the others take care of it. Come to my cave and let us talk about things first."

Waaya brought us coffee as we sat at the table to join Georgo who was already there. Racaato and Raalto came in from the practice cave just then also.

"I guess that tomorrow will be good enough for you to make your last trip Raalto. I will send all the wagons and most of the horses to make sure that you can get everything."

"We should have no trouble getting it with all of them. Maybe Caato will come and help us since he has so much experience now." Raalto said.

"I will come if you need me but if you can handle it yourself I will appreciate it. The horses and wagons are wonderful but I never knew that one could get so tired from sitting." Caato said.

"I thought as much and I was only joking. We will be able to let you rest from the next trip." Raalto said.

Caato looked at him for a minute and realized that Raalto had been yanking his chain. He laughed then and told Raalto he would laugh again tomorrow when he was relaxing as Raalto was riding again.

"Racaato do you think you will be ready to go to Barbo's camp for some hunting when Raalto and his group are finished with the wagons?" I asked.

"I am ready and anxious to go. I believe I have mastered the rifle and am looking forward to trying it on game." He said.

"Good."

I noticed that all my mates had drifted outside; to help with the unloading I assumed. It seemed like a good time to try and get everyone out of the caves so Argent and company could do their thing. I asked them all to come with me to check over the horses so we could make sure that they were in good shape after their hard work and also to come and see the progress I'd made with the wild horses. They all agreed and we left.

I made a point of inspecting all the horses and wagons. As expected they were all fine so I took my group to see the others and spent some time explaining how the horses were trained. Argent gave me a little tingle during the talking and when I was through we went back toward the big cave.

"Raalto I think you should get Reeana and Jareena so I can show you your new chambers."

"When did I get new chambers?" He asked.

"The spirits have just let me know that you have them now."

Raalto looked surprised and so did the others except for Georgo.

"What would the spirits care of chambers for me?" Raalto asked.

"It is best if we do not question the spirits when they give us gifts. Let us just go and admire them." Georgo broke in to say.

"You are right of course. I would not question the spirits, I was surprised that they would think of me though." Raalto said.

"They have been very good to us here. We should all be sure to thank them often." Georgo added.

Raalto went to find Jareena and Reeana and he came back with them, all my mates and Ladeliea. We went into the other caves then and it wasn't hard to find Raalto's new digs. All the other caves had been moved away from mine to allow room for Raalto's place. It was complete with a well-equipped bathroom and a bed, which would obviously hold more than he and his mates.

"It seems that the spirits are trying to tell you something Raalto." I said.

"What is it? Are they angry?" He asked.

"I guess that depends on your point of view. It seems to me, from the look of your bed, that they are hinting that you might need another mate or two." I said.

Raalto didn't get a chance to reply since first Reeana and Jareena and then my mates and Ladeliea agreed with me and then started in on Raalto about another mate. Georgo, Caato, Racaato and I took this chance to sneak off and leave Raalto to his fate. We went back to my table and were not put out in the least that we had to fetch our own coffee.