Stepping out of the long grass and into the yard that surrounded Bowen and Fallon's little house was an invisible line between reality and some strange dreamlike place where no one she loved lived. This line was palpable to Petra. But as she lead the men closer, each moment took on a blurry perception in both visage and time. As Petra walked by slowly she patted the goat that bleated in recognition, ( the nanny nuzzled her hip). She shooed the chickens t'wards the coop ( each one in turn, disappeared inside). Moving slow and feeling a bit like she was in a cave or tunnel, she drew her slender fingers to her mouth and gave a long whistle, then called " Hoga ?...."
From behind them came a great rustling through the grass. Her dream state melted away at the sound. A mountain of a beast appeared, a dog of sorts. As Petra made hand gestures and a few short chirp like whistles, the beast circled and corralled the men into a tighter group further off from Petra. She made eye contact with the leader in the buckskin, then held her hand up as if to say : "Stay there". So, he did telling the others: "Men we'll wait and see what she has planned ". And of all the strange things of that day Petra was somewhat stunned to watched him sit down, right there in the dust. The other men stood pensively, looking down in awe. The massive dog walked to and fro, with and occasional growl from what seemed to emanate from the bowels of the earth .
Petra faded away,( having gathered her wits) to where they could not guess.
Around and around the dog circled, moving a little further away each time. Until one by one the men sat down aside the man in the dust. Carefully each was setting things down, gingerly tilting their scabbards to aid their descent. One man began to speak and the dog grew closer and the growing renewed and intensified. This beast had a trained eye and was watching for the slightest sign of aggression. The leader gave an weak smile at the men, then leaned back on his elbow. Again, one by one, the men reclined and settled down for what seemed might be a good while. The circles continued and spiraled outward and then all at once (or so it seemed). They were alone.
One of the men noticed the dog had left and stood saying " We had best....." The leader went to take him by the arm, but before he could, there was the briefest sound like thunder, then the dog was upon the man. Front paws on either shoulder, a bark, no....a howl - almost a roar issued from the throat of the great beast ( who stood taller than the man). Trembling he dropped to his knees. The deafening sound, and snapping teeth caused each man to ready their swords. But the leader's hand went up,"Steady Men !" Apparently the man was not repentant enough: the huge paws pressed him to the ground and planted the man's chest and face into the dust. Before his fellows could move, another series of growls began. Up went the buckskin clad leader's hand again "Wait Men ! " He dropped his hand and head, in a sign of acquiescence , the others followed his example. The growling ceased and they peeked carefully past shielding brows. Tension vibrated through the men as they waited to see what they should do.
"Hoga," called Petra,..." Come", she pointed to her feet and the beast took his weight off the mans back and head, and bounded for her. She took him by either jowl and drew his face to hers " Good Hoga" and she kissed him between those huge dark orbs. The brute clearly loved her and took orders from this girl. Turning to her side a sentinel waiting for her bidding.
While the men were still bowed witnessing the spectacle, a woman appeared from behind the girl. Taller, with wavy, blonde hair. Her bearing was graceful, controlled and almost regal. She took in the scene: the men, Petra, the things they had deposited on the ground and Hoga. Her face changed and she quickly set down the water pots she had been carrying. Again her face changed, it seemed to irrupt as her thin lips parted, she gaped and then burst with laughter. She leapt forward much like the beast, but grabbing the leader up onto his feet, she embraced him and continued laughing, to the point of wheezing. Her face grew red and as she was compelled to gather her self. "Ah. cousin ! Has marriage changed me so much ?!" Again her laughter punctuated the silence like a volcano. " Petra.." ( she managed to spit out) as Fallon motioned to her niece to come forward. Taking the leader's right wrist and Petra's right wrist , she raised them both to their fullest extension shaking them and said: " Family ! do you hear me this is my family !" With that she began swiftly walking (dragging them behind her), t'wards then into the house, bubbling as she went. At the doorway she had pulled her two baffled captives behind her so swiftly she wedged them side by side, breaking her grasp and sending herself tumbling to the floor of the modest circle house. It was quiet for a moment, then she irrupted once again. Soon her levity was joined with the two who had just managed to extricate themselves from the doorway. (Which was a challenge with the beast leaning heavy trying to get to his mistress.)
Once through the narrow doorway they were almost bowled over as Hoga pressed past to reach Fallon, soon he was on the floor and her lap. Confused but happy Hoga's tail beat a rhythm any bodhranist would be envious of. "Yes, yes my boy, all is well ..." Fallon patted Hoga vigorously on his broad shoulders, then began picking burrs out of his coat and tossing them into the small fire in the middle of the room.
The amber sunset had splashed shafts of light through the open doorway, but now were obscured by the shadows of the three men who had been left out side to wait ....
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