Bergana Tellus, Chapter Two

Chapter Two

Ber’eall remained with the Alphas of all the bears for three days.  During those three days the alphas each made a exact copy of the Book of Law and they discussed it in depth until they had a reasonably fair  understanding of it.  “Brawn’fen” Ber’eall said, “I would return to Den three with you to let the members of your den know that there was no foul play in Bek’fens death. Also, though I did appoint you acting alpha, I expect you will probably face challenge for the position when you return home.  I would see who wins challenge and becomes permanent alpha to Den three.  “Thank you for coming to Den three  High Alpha.  It will be good that there will be no misunderstanding of my brothers death.  I also expect there will be challenge for the position of alpha, though probably not very many.”  “Will you fight to hold the title of alpha, or will you step aside and let the others fight for the position?” Ber’eall asks Brawn’fen.  “Oh, I will definitely fight for the position; I believe I am able to win the challenge and will be a good alpha to my den.”   The alphas were packing up their personal belongings and cleaning the camp site when Ber’eall called them to attention one last time.  “Alphas, I will have each of you choose four warriors from your dens to be my enforcers and runners.  All High Alphas will be forming a joint community where we will each have enforcers of our own kind who will also act as runners when needed.  They will carry any orders or notices we need to send to a den. They will be our eyes and ears among our people.  The warriors will be enforcers to help maintain the order of the home of the High Alphas as well as the security of the gateway as we were instructed to do by the Great Creator.  As I visit each of your dens over the next month, have your four warriors chosen and ready to travel with me to the new home of the High Alphas.”  The alphas let Ber’eall know they would have their chosen ready when he visited their den.  Everyone broke camp and headed out to their home dens.  

Ber’eall and Brawn’fen made it to Den three in only two days, traveling most of the time in there bear form.  When they reached the edge of the clearing of Den three Brawn’fen and Ber’eall returned to there man form.  Ber’eall followed Brawn’fen to the main hall of Den three.  Ber’eall sat in the center seat of the head table.  All the den members quickly gathered around, at first talking all at the same time.  After just a few minutes, Brawn’fen roared, silencing everyone.  With a grin, Ber’eall said “Now that Brawn’fen has gotten everyone’s attention for me, please have a seat and I will tell you what happened to Alpha  Bek’fen as well as other things that need to be spoken of.”  It was another ten minutes before everyone arrived and found their seats in the great hall.  When everyone is there and settled, Ber’eall stood.  “Ok everyone, I know your first question is what happened to your Alpha Bek’fen.  He did not like one of the new laws that had been passed and refused to accept it; instead he chose to challenge me.  He did not win his challenge.  Though I appointed Brawn’fen temporary alpha, we both expect there to be challengers for the position of alpha.  For any who wish to hold the position of Den three Alpha, the challenge will be tomorrow at high sun.  I will be there and witness the winner of the challenge. Once the alpha is determined, any funeral pyres needed will be taken care of.  It may be wise  to gather extra wood today for that cause.  There will be a dinner to honor the new alpha and take care of any other business tomorrow evening.  For the rest of today we need to have extra hunting, food and wood gathering done.  The new laws and changes will be discussed after the alpha position is settled.” With less grumbling than expected, everyone heads out to take care of the assigned tasks.  Ber’eall found an empty sleep chamber and settled in.  After digging through his travel pack a moment, he took a change of clothes and a towel and headed to a stream near the den.  When he got to the stream, he found Brawn’fen also there ready to wash away the travel grime.  As both men striped and waded into the deep part of the stream to wash, Brawn’fen said “ I was surprised you didn’t have the alpha challenge tonight?”  Ber’eall responded “I thought a night to rest from the journey would give you more Brawn’fen concedes.  Both men finished their baths and went their separate ways.  On returning to his sleep chamber, Brawn’fen emptied his travel pack, then sat down for a moment looking at his brothers travel pack.  Brawn’fen and Bek’fen had often disagreed, but he refused to challenge Bek’fen as alpha, not wanting to kill or be killed by his brother; knowing Bek’fen would not back down.  Brawn’fen was fairly sure the rest of his brothers would accept him as alpha as he did Bek’fen.  Tomorrows challenges would be from others in the den.  For tonight he would spend time with his younger brothers as they remembered Bek’fen.  

Den three had one older female and two younger females.  The older female, Benweth is grandma and great grandma to many in the den and is the healer to Den three.  The two younger females are cousins and both great-granddaughters to Benweth.  They are Bella and Bajena.  Bella and Bajena agreed to make a simple stew and flat bread for the last meal of the day, knowing that tomorrow nights meal would take a lot more work and supplies.  “Bajena, will you get the vegetables ready for the stew while I get the meat cut up and browned?” Bella asked her cousin and best friend.  “Sure Bella, give me the heavy job.”  Bajena said with a smirk as she teases Bella before going to the food cellar.  She came back with a basket full of various veggies to peal and cut for the stew.  With well-practiced ease, the two females had the stew cooking with more than enough time to make the flat bread to go with it.  Bella and Bajena both went to the food cellar to get the parm milk, rafe flour, and tell powder  to make the flat bread.  Bajena commented “We need to remind whoever wins the alpha challenge that we need to harvest the rafe.  We are almost out of rafe flour and the frozen months will be here to soon. We need to build up our supplies.”  “True” Bella agreed then added “We are getting low on just about everything and no one has been gathering like we normally do.  Maybe great grandma Benweth can get some-one to listen to her.  Let’s make sure to talk to her about it.”  Bella and Bajena worked peacefully together for quite some time making a very large pile of flat bread before Bajena said “Bella, how are ya holding up about Bek’fen?  I know he was talking to ya about becoming his mate.”  A couple more minutes passed before Bella answered “I feel very confused. I mean I’m upset he’s dead, but I wasn’t comfortable with the idea of him as my mate.  We were cousins, ya know.  I love my home here but we were first cousins and it just wouldn’t have been right.  I  loved him as my cousin and friend as well as a leader.  I will miss him but I didn’t want to be his mate.  At the same time, there is almost no one we are not related to in this den that we can mate with, so what do we do now?”  Bajena said “Yes, great grandma Benweth did say that we are related to everyone else in this den.  I wonder if Bek’fens fight with High Alpha had something to do with this?”  “I think your right, Bek’fen never did like anyone to tell him he couldn’t have or do what he wanted.  I think your right, his fight with High Alpha had to be about mating.”  Benweth walked into the kitchen “Are you  gonna talk all night? The young fellas are here to help you carry out the food for last meal.”  Bella and Bajena both gave Benweth a hug and put the last of the flat bread on a serving tray as Benweth called the males to carry out food for the meal.  Bella and Bajena grabbed the pitchers of water and fruit juice and set them on the side board.  Benweth took the honey pot for the flat bread, after all, they are all bears.