Just Another Day

The neverending chores resumed in the morning. Shanku continued to preserve their meat, Hilael studyied with Bara, and Katari took Ina with him to begin softening the bison skin.

"This is kind of fun!" Ina said as she pounded the skin. To Ina's relief, the brains had already been fully applied to the hide, so now they only needed to rub off the solution and stretch it until it was flexible again and ready to be smoked.

"Never had to do a day's lick of hard work in her life," Katari whispered to Rajé.

"Even these human ears heard that," Ina grumbled.

When the hides had finished smoking, Rajé wished to decorate hers similar to the old one she was replacing.

"What are you doing?" Ina asked.

"Preserving the stories from the worn covering," Rajé said as she prepared her paints.

"Sounds like you need my help with this part more than the other," Ina said excitedly. "I am a scribe, and that's my job!" Ina began to ask her detailed questions about the pictures and scenes that were displayed on the deteriorating skin as she helped mix the pigments. When she began, Rajé was impressed with her skill and steady hand, and eventually resigned to giving instructions.

"I must say, I'm impressed," Rajé said as she looked over Ina's completed drawings. "This will be a beauty for many years." Ina beamed with pride as she and Shanku helped Rajé replace the covering on her tipi.

"You two did an excellent job," Katari nodded as he finished sewing up a few small pouches.

"What's next on the list?" Ina asked.

"Fresh hip pouches for all of us," Katari said and gave one of his creations to Ina.

"Neat! What do I keep in it?" Ina asked as she looked it over.

"Whatever you want," Katari shrugged. "Anything quick and handy you don't want to dig around in your backpack for."

"Say, Rajé, do you have any paint I can use?" Ina asked.

"Even better, I have some beads you can use," Rajé replied.

Ina grinned broadly and squealed as artistic ideas began flooding her mind when she saw Rajés;'s collection.

"I think I'll go make my deliveries to the others now," Katari said nervously before Ina could decorate his own pouch.

"Hey, Shank, head's up!" Katari called and tossed one of his bags to Shanku.

She caught it midair, ears pricked forward with keen interest as she turned it over and studied it. "Oo, nice! Thanks, Katari!"

"The thread still needs a good coating of wax or resin to make it waterproof," Katari said. "I saw a few bee nests while we were out hunting. I might can get some beeswax later this summer."

"And some honey!" Shanku said excitedly. "I'm up for a little stroll tomorrow if you'd like help."

"I'll take all the help I can get when bees are involved," Katari replied.