John and Argent by cmsix

Chapter 99

Shelalliea brought the next step in a good morning to me after a few minutes. Frank, Ralph or Phil must have been reading my mind or else they were re-reading old files that Argent had on me from before I took up with space-men. I could tell from what she was bringing me for breakfast.

Shelalliea had a big platter of scrambled eggs that were smothered in about two bowls of chili poured over them. Geera was with her and she had a big plate of fresh cathead biscuits, she'd even buttered them already; she was also wagging another plate with what looked like a pound or more of thick sliced bacon piled on it.

I smiled wide and dug in as soon as they put it on the table and it was all so good I ate until I was nearly sick, then I was a little pissed off because I couldn't get anymore down. It probably tasted so good because the biscuits were almost exactly like the ones my grandmother used to make.

The scrambled eggs and chili weren't anything granny made and I don't even remember where I started eating them like that. They were a hell of a lot better this morning than what I was accustomed to. Mostly when I'd had them before I just scrambled a half-dozen eggs and warmed up a can of Austex chili to pour over them. Even if it was her first try Shelalliea had Austex beat all to hell and back.

When I knew that I couldn't hold another bite I got up and went over to all the cooks and helpers and gave them all a thorough kissing and thanking. They refilled my coffee mug and I decided to take a look outside and check on the weather.

God Damn! It was cold outside and it was snowing to beat the band. It didn't take me very long at all to check it out.

We'd never had a snow like this in Texas, not in the part I'd lived in anyway. The wind must have been blowing twenty-five or thirty miles an hour and I couldn't even see to the river, much less the other side of the canyon. I hoped Danlo hadn't headed for the horse cave by himself and I decided to ask around to find out.

Danlo satisfied my curiosity as soon as I turned around. He was sitting at the table making a miniature pig of himself too. Others were coming in by now and from the noises and talk I could tell that I wasn't the only one that enjoyed this type of cooking. There wasn't much talking going on but there was a lot of lip smacking and chewing in progress. I went over to sit by Danlo to see if I could get a word in.

Danlo's table manners weren't the best and I could tell he was making the same mistake most people do when food is so good. He was eating too fast and he wouldn't be able to get down nearly as much as he was going to want to. I didn't care, if they all did that there might be plenty left in case I found another place to stuff some later.

Watching them eat made me think of something I was going to ask Ralph, Frank or Phil to get me. When spring came I wanted some milch cows and I didn't want to hear a bunch of crap about it being too much trouble. If they could bring me a young herd of horses and Clydesdales and alter smiley they could help me out with a few dairy cows. I was up for some fresh whole milk and buttermilk not to mention some fresh butter. If they had to dig out another cave for a barn then they had to.

Man, the scrambled eggs and chili had me all in a lather. Maybe I was feeling my oats over all my new mates, whatever it was I needed to just take a breath and relax for a few seconds. If I didn't I might decide I needed an autobahn and a sports car or something equally ridiculous.

Danlo finally brought it to a close and while he was sitting there watching the food and wishing he could eat some more I spoke up.

"Have you looked outside yet Danlo?"

"No, when I saw this new type of food for breakfast I didn't go any farther," he said.

"Well just don't try to go anywhere outside alone. The wind is blowing pretty hard and the snow is really coming down. It wouldn't be hard to get lost or in trouble somehow out there by yourself."

"I'll wait for all the others and we can go together. I guess we should put out plenty of hay in case we can't get back down there tomorrow," he said.

"Good idea. In fact, I think you should put out enough hay for several days if you can. If this snow keeps up, going down there could be a real job. We won't let them go without care for too long though. We have enough shovels here to dig our way there if we have to."

"I hope it doesn't come to that, it's a long way down there for that," he said.

"We'll probably get by without having to but if we need to we can."

Of course I wasn't too worried about getting to the horse cave; if it came down to it I could get Ralph to dig us a tunnel. I didn't want to have to do that though and one of the reasons was that it smelled bad down there. Short of putting an air lock in such a tunnel there was nothing that could keep the smell from drifting our way.

No, we would wait and see how things went. If this rate of snowfall kept up we would probably end up digging our way down there, either through the snow or through the rock. I decided to go and ask Ralph how much snow we could expect.

"Good morning John, " Ralph said as I entered the office.

"To you too, Ralph. Got any idea how much snow we'll be getting?"

"Eighteen to twenty-four inches at least. With the strong wind you will get some substantial drifting between here and the horse cave too. You might indeed have to dig your way down there. Danlo and the others should be able to make it without that this morning but tomorrow will be more difficult," he said.

"Do you have any better ideas?"

"We can provide an entrance through the limestone," he said.

"I don't really want to go that far unless we have to."

"I thought not. If you do dig your way down you should probably plan on a robust snow tunnel. There is a good possibility of another storm four or five days from now with more heavy snow," he said.

"So you think we should try to dig a tunnel through the snow instead of just carving out a deep trench through it?"

"From the historical weather patterns in this area I'm sure that will be the best way. Some of the drifting against the wall on this side of the canyon has already reached twelve feet in height. I think that they should walk out closer to the river to get down there this morning and then try to get the animals in shape to get by without attention for a day; by the next day there will be plenty of snow to dig a tunnel through," he said.

"I wasn't worried about not getting enough snow."

"I know but to make a tunnel it will need to be high enough and packed firmly enough to hold up," he said.

"I see what you mean. How long do you think the snow will stay?"

"I wouldn't be surprised if it was still here four or five weeks from now, possibly it will even be longer," he said.

I went back out into my cave, got a refill on my mug of coffee and snagged a couple of left-over biscuits to give my jaws something to do besides flap. I didn't see Danlo in here anywhere so I headed for his quarters and found him there with Nadlo, Jonoco, Sahto and Talvo and their assorted mates. I asked and they said they were ready to make a try at going to the horse cave.

With our excellent cold weather gear I wasn't worried about anyone freezing to death but I was afraid that someone could get lost. We put on snowshoes when we were at my cave's entrance and then I poked my head out.

I had to step up onto the snow that was at least twelve inches deep by now. The others followed me and we didn't have a lot of trouble getting to the horse cave. On the hike I saw that the snow was drifting high against the canyon wall on our side. I couldn't see the other side.

Once we were inside we took off the snowshoes and went to work getting the animals set up to take care of themselves for a day or two. We put out plenty of hay for the horses and also all the grain we dared. Horses can be pretty stupid and sometimes they will keep eating even after they've had plenty.

They can't regurgitate so once they've eaten something it stays down until it comes out the other end. More than several horses have eaten too much and ended up with colic. If the pain gets bad enough they will lie down and roll around, sometimes banging their head against the ground.

This behavior wasn't foreseen when a horse was designed and they can easily twist an intestine, knock out and eye or such. A twisted intestine is a death sentence for a horse and it isn't unusual for them to injure themselves fatally by knocking their heads around either.

Anyway you have to be careful about leaving too much food around for horses. It isn't as bad when they are well fed but you can never take it for granted. We left them some grain but plenty of hay. They don't really over eat hay, the main thing to watch out for with hay is mould; or with alfalfa hay, blister beetles can be deadly. We didn't have any alfalfa hay though and the hay we did have wasn't moldy.

We also put out plenty of hay for the mammoths and we made sure the pigs and piglets had plenty of grain. We spent over an hour making sure that the wagons, buckboards and sleighs were arranged to form pens to keep them all separated into groups, sort of. Next spring we'd need to build some real stalls and pens in here.

When we'd done what we could we donned our snowshoes again and went back. The snow was deeper this time and it seemed to be coming down even harder. No doubt Ralph was right and we would be digging our way back down here the day after tomorrow.

Lunch was ready when we got back but it was nothing like the feed this morning. That was just as well since I wasn't very hungry and I doubted anyone else was either. I couldn't let my mates think I didn't like their cooking though so I did my best.

After eating I left with a mug of coffee and headed to the practice cave. I had a new telescopic sight to adjust. I knew I didn't need to sight it in like I would have to with other sights but I figured a little trial and error wouldn't hurt anything. I decided to ask Ralph about it.

"Will test firing help anything with my new rifle sighting ability?" I thought to him.

"Yes, empirical data is always desirable even though the performance with the M1 showed that we did an especially thorough job. A few shots with it under controlled conditions would be beneficial. You can also use it for any type of weapon if you'd like. Some of these such as the arrows, spear caster and spears would be much more accurate after some testing," he said.

I fired a few rounds with every firearm I had, even the bolt-action 8mm Mauser that was actually a memento from my past. The M1 was the most accurate right off the bat and I assumed it was because Ralph, Frank and Phil had been able to collect more data for it since I used it most.

The other rifles and the Glocks only needed about ten to twenty round each to bring them online also. It took longer with the bow and the spear caster and spears took some work. A lot of that work was teaching me the best way to use them. I was able to pretty much master them after a while though.

"Can you teach me to throw a knife accurately?" I asked, since I'd always wanted to do it but had never been able to.

"Of course. One of the major problems with throwing a knife is that there are so many types of knives. It's a little like throwing a rock since all rocks have different sizes, weights and hence different trajectories," he said.

"Well I know that it can be done since I've seen people do it."

"Yes, it can be done. Let us make some knives especially for throwing and we will start teaching you tomorrow," he said.

"Good enough. I've always wanted to be able to impress my friends with my knife throwing prowess," I told him and it wasn't that far from the truth.

I'd spent more time than it seemed in the practice cave and when I re-entered my cave I could see that though supper wasn't ready yet it wasn't far off. Strangely I hadn't come out for even one cup of coffee this afternoon so I went to beg the cooks for one now. Yareela was happy to supply me.

I went over to sit down by Georgo who was at the table with a mug of coffee of his own.

"How are things going Georgo?"

"Well, very well, as long as we are inside with plenty to eat. I had a vision about this storm and I'm afraid it is going to last for several days," he said.

"Is that unusual for the winters here?"

"Not really but it is never welcome. I don't know about you but it can be unnerving to be trapped inside your winter quarters by snow. Somehow it just makes me uneasy," he said.

"But you've never had winter quarters as nice as these before have you?"

"No, and I've never had mates or even one mate to keep me company when I was snowed in either," he said.

"This could very well be a learning experience for you then."

"I'm sure it will be and all in all, considering the excellent quarters and my wonderful mates, I might be able to bear up under the strain after all," he admitted.

"What about Dotallto, is he satisfied with his quarters?"

"If he isn't he should be beaten but I'm sure he is," he said.

"Doesn't he want a mate or two, he's been here quite a while but I haven't heard any mention of such."

"I don't think that Dotallto would have any objection to having a mate and in fact I believe he has occasionally been keeping company with one of the unmated Neanderthal women. Dotallto is not sure that he will be welcome here always and I think that is what worries him about taking a mate. He isn't sure that he will be able to provide for one," Georgo said.

"Do you think he will be acceptable as a permanent resident here?"

"Yes, I think it would be good if he made his home here. He will need to travel during better weather but I think it would work out well if he called this camp his home," he said.

"Then why don't you ask him to?"

"I didn't think it was my place to offer him a home," he said.

"I think it is your place. You are our spiritual leader and the camp has grown so that I think you should make sure you secure some help. If you want him tell Dotallto that we would feel honored if he considered this camp his home and if he could help you with the spiritual needs here."

"I will do that then. Should I tell him that you will provide for any mates he acquires as you do for me?" he asked.

"Of course, the time of any shaman is much too valuable to have him wasting it in trying to provide food and support for his mate. In my camp shaman will always be provided for whether they stay a night or always."

"Thank you John, I will seek Dotallto after our meal and ask him to make this his home," he said.

"Wonderful."

Dotallto happened in just then and came over to sit with us. I didn't mention anything to him since I thought it should be Georgo's place to do it and apparently Georgo didn't intend to do it at the table since it wasn't mentioned.

I discarded thoughts of shaman, visions and such then since Yaroola came to me with my plate, piled high with Ranch Style Beans and a thick bison steak. Margeeta was right behind her with a side of fries and a mug of beer. I was set for a while and I attacked my food.

Later, even though my mates offered, I confined my meal to one steak. I was probably going to need to be pretty active again tonight and I'd had more than enough food already today.

My plan was a good one since my numerous mates did have me scheduled to be their evening's entertainment. A leader's work is never done.

I put in a workman-like night if I do say so myself. In fact I was able to get out of bed without waking any of my mates and I had the luxury of a shower by myself. I couldn't decide if it was a good thing or not but it wasn't bad for a change.

After drying off I went back into the bedroom and as best I could tell all my mates were still sawing logs. I dressed quietly and made my way to the kitchen. They were all still in bed since none of them were out here. I started the coffee and it was finished before any of them showed. I thought about stripping off to give naked coffee service to the first one that appeared but I was afraid they would think I was making fun of them so I didn't.

I strolled over to take a casual look outside. Damn it was still a cold bitch out there and the snow was still coming down hard, if anything the wind had picked up a little. I went back inside and met Dalia coming out of the bedroom.

"Good morning beautiful, we're still snowed in and you're all still at my mercy."

"Just where we want to be John," she said, smiling.

She gave me a quick kiss and headed to the kitchen to make my favorite music. Geera, Jaada and Dieta were following in her wake and I got a good morning kiss from all of them.

Danlo came from his quarters before breakfast was ready and he sat at the table to drink coffee with me.

"What has you up so early Danlo?"

"I just don't like the thought of leaving the animals down there without checking on them. I was hoping that after breakfast we could try to get down there without digging our way," he said.

"We can try if you want to. I'm sure that we can make it with our snowshoes unless we get lost from the poor visibility," I said, knowing that it was doubtful we could get so lost that Ralph couldn't steer us back.

We ate our breakfast when it came and then dressed for our trip. At the entrance we put on our snowshoes and had a go at it. We had to step up nearly three feet to get outside and we were lucky in that respect.

For some reason the snow didn't drift against the bison skin covering as much as it did the normal canyon wall. It was drifted a lot on past the opening though. It was eight to ten feet high against the sides and sloped down ten to twelve feet away from them. With the way the snow kept coming down it would surely be much worse tomorrow.

Danlo lead out and I followed closely behind him. We had real difficulty seeing anything and if it weren't for the snow not drifting up to the bison skin coverings we would have never been able to even find the entrance to the horse cave.

All the animals were calm, probably because they had no idea what was going on outside. Danlo and I spent a couple of hours replenishing their feed and hay then we made our way back to my cave. It was still snowing, still cold and the wind was still howling. I was glad to have that chore over and done.

What with the trip down there and the struggle getting back we had spent more time than I'd thought. Lunch was on the table by the time we entered and Danlo and I found our seats as soon as we could get our coats and snowshoes off. I tried not to stuff myself since Ralph had promised me knife-throwing lessons today.

After I'd finished eating I got up and took a look-see around my underground domain. I went first to the residence cave and I was surprised at the number of people that were busily making this or that. Everyone seemed to be involved in weaving, carving or cooking something. I returned through the party cave and there were several people using space in there for their projects.

I went out the entrance to my own cave and headed to the unmated women's quarters, passed through and on around to their outside entrance. I tried to look out through the skins but found that they were frozen together. No doubt lack of use had let the snow build up to seal them. I batted, kicked and pulled at them and finally they came loose.

The build up in front of this entrance was only a little higher than the one at my cave or the horse cave. I realized that Danlo and I had been a little slow on the uptake. We could have saved ourselves nearly a third of the distance outside by leaving from here. I chalked it up to a lesson learned. This entrance was seldom used and we just hadn't thought of it, even after we passed right by it on our previous trips through the snow. At least if we had to dig our way to the horse cave we could start from here and save a lot of tunneling.

I headed back and when I came to the unmated women's quarters again I spied Jalieta, Failiela, Shateala and three other women having a miniature hen party as they worked at weaving some baskets. I knew that the three women I didn't know were the three that had been at Caato's old camp with Shateala. I stopped to talk to them.

"Hello ladies, how's the weaving going?"

"It's going well but it isn't the most important order of the day. Our real mission is to tease Jalieta and Failiela about their upcoming mating. We're especially teasing Failiela since she hasn't quite achieved womanhood yet," Shateala said.

"It seems a little mean on your parts and it brings to mind a question. Since you were all living at Dutono's camp and since Dutono and his men killed your mates, how is it that you four aren't sleeping in my bed now and being submitted to my tender mercies? Do the four of you find me so repulsive?"

I hadn't come over to them to ask about this and in fact hadn't even thought of it before but even though it was cold outside it was warm in our caves. Failiela was dressed in her honorary Wilma dress, revealing her lovely slim legs and all of the others were dressed in light skin tunics, which were also quite revealing since they were all seated. In fact Shateala and one of her friends, a tall red head with what seemed amazing breasts and bright green eyes, were seated so that they were giving me a probably unintentional view of their bushes and dicky had raised the question in my head.

I could tell from their looks to each other that they didn't really know how to reply. Now that I'd ask though I wasn't going to leave without an answer. I had plenty of mates already but that was beside the point. New pussy was new pussy and now that dicky had poked his nose into the matter I didn't intend to let it slide, especially since a blonde among them had squirmed at my asking and revealed her bush in the process. Hers was an even lighter blonde than the light blonde of her hair and I was pretty sure that I could discern two pouty plump lips just below it.

"We aren't trying to avoid becoming your mates, at least I'm not," Shateala said.

"When Dutono and his men killed our mates and captured us Dutono said that we didn't deserve mates and he kept us only as workers. He kept telling us that we would be prizes in the spring for the men who were the first to bring in big kills," the red head told me.

"Well Dutono is already dead for his foolish ways and in my opinion you four should be my mates, are there any objections?"

None of them spoke up so I took Shateala's arm and pulled her to me for a thorough kissing. She was willing and more so and her tongue was soon exploring my mouth while my hands were trying to get the feel of her cute little ass.

When we broke for air Shateala introduced me to Roxanna, the red head. I didn't waste time talking and just pulled her to me. She seemed eager for the kiss and my hands were eager to get on her ass and an errant finger even crept between her legs from behind to make sure there was some pussy down there. It seemed like a really nice one.

Roxanna and I stopped for breath and she introduced me to a brunette with dark brown eyes and olive skin. Kata was happy to be kissing too and her tunic gave me enough room to look for titty on her. She had some fat round ones and their nipples were tiny at first but only a little touching had them growing. After a minute or two we broke and Kata introduced the little Blonde, Bella.

Bella was shy but she didn't hesitate when I took her in my arms. Her kiss was enthusiastic and her firm round little ass was delightful. That wicked finger told on her, what with watching the treatment the others got and no doubt the anticipation Bella had started to lubricate a little.

I let my finger help her do more of it by teasing her lips, clit and then slipping inside her just a little. Then my hands were off to see if they could reach her titties under her tunic. They could, even though I felt my forearms pulling the hem up, no doubt revealing the ass I'd been groping to everyone in the area.

Her titties were plump and firm and her nipples were already swelling when I got to them. They were firm and pulsing in seconds so I gave them a little twist each to hold them for a while.

When we broke I gave them all the news.

"I think you should all follow me. You four," I nodded toward my new mates, "are overdue for some attention, and you two," I nodded toward Failiela and Jalieta, "need to see what you've got coming soon."

I left, heading for my cave and then my bedroom. I'm sure the six of them were following. When I entered my cave Gema spied me at once and came to me.

"John where have you been? Our bed has just grown again and there are four new sets of dresses in the closet," she said.

"I've been out rounding up strays," I told her and then gave her a kiss of her own.

I continued toward our bedroom with the six still behind me and all thoughts of knife-throwing lessons forgotten.