Epilogue
Eastern Britain, 6,000 years ago
The wilds were generous with gifts, enabling Ur’salla and Su’lan plenty of opportunity to feed me until my leg is mended. We felt it prudent to move further north and west, to put distance between ourselves and horrible Oma. This we did as soon as I was able to walk with the aid of a crutch. We continue to move further away from all degeneracy. Su’lan wishes for us to travel in such a direction, and why not? He retold us his tale of the Bearded Bull,
‘There was one tongue, and there were no nations. Our free ancestors camped in tents of Bearded Bull’s skin. On endless prairies the first hunters freely followed Bearded Bull. From South to North and from East to West. The bellies of hunters were always full. All loved Bearded Bull’.
Using the skills taught to us by the Tiaa, we four stitched together hides to make for ourselves a tent, and as one family we move north and we move west. Wherever we travel, we find neolithic barbarians are in ascent. Whenever we see their smoke, or hear the cattle, we detour. Yet still we remain most cheerful. We’re happy in freedom, reunion and in friendship. I hold Su’lans hand, whilst Ur’salla holds onto the hand of Qan. Our special boy now has a father and two mothers. Since his summoning of the spirit, Qan has barely ceased chattering. Like the songbirds of the riverside, his voice is honey to our ears.
Ur’salla leans closer to catch my private ear, for she wishes to share with me a secret,
‘Tashkilla, I was told by the kindly young witch of Oma, I’m with child, and I have just felt it move! She told me I'll safely bear a daughter, and…’ she whispers to me, ‘her name will be Xagu.
Overjoyed, I kiss Ur’salla on her cheek and squeeze her spare hand with my own. I take this opportunity to share my own secret,
‘Ur’salla. I’m also with child! A wise sorceress has told me it will be a daughter, and her name, which is equally foreign, will be…’ I lean closer to pronounce my own whisper, I'-tee-doo.