The Reindeer People by Megan Lindholm Page A

own. We can't trade healing for meat and garments anymore. So I am going to have to sew our clothing for us, and hunt our food. Even though I never used to do those things. And you will have to do things you didn't do before, either.'
    Tillu paused to look at him. His brow was wrinkled, but his look of stubbornness had diminished slightly. He had pushed his lips out as he thought. It was a lesson that her years with Kerlew had taught her. Other children might be told firmly, or be persuaded with the threat of punishment. Kerlew would go unmoved by such tactics. As slow-witted as he seemed, he would not do a thing until he had firmly in mind the reasons why he must do it. Once persuaded, however, he would not be swayed from what he perceived as necessary. Such as the need to flee from bears, and to keep the fire burning.
    'So why can't I hunt, then?' he asked suddenly.
    'You don't know how. I thought you would want to learn simple things first, like carving and making tools for us, while I hunted.'
    'Other boys my age hunt. Graado was always off hunting, before he died.'
    'I know. Graado was a very good hunter. But it had taken him a long time to learn. Now isn't a good time for you to be learning to hunt, because if you accidentally miss, we won't have anything to eat that night. But it is a good time for you to learn to make bowls and knives and other useful things. Do you see what I'm saying?'
    'Yes.' Grudgingly. 'I'd rather learn to hunt.'
    'You'll learn to do both this winter,' Tillu promised, surprised to find she meant it. Now, living alone with the boy, she could teach him some skills, both useful and social. Perhaps the next time they joined a group of people, his differences would not be so apparent.
    'It would be easier for you if we just found another group of people for you to heal.' Kerlew spoke with insight Tillu had not known he possessed. She looked at him sharply.
    'What makes you say that?' she demanded.
    He shrugged stubbornly.
    'Well, it might be easier, but there's no one around here for me to heal, Kerlew. So we'll have to do for ourselves.'
    He looked at her without speaking, not denying her words, but withholding his agreement. She sighed. He had made up his mind that there was another way to solve their problems. And he'd cling to his own solution for as long as he could.
    'Is it done now?'
    She gave the meat soup another stir and nodded. He jumped up to fetch the carved wooden bowls, and to watch ravenously as she poured out their shares. They drank it in a companionable silence, Tillu thinking and Kerlew completely absorbed in eating.
    It was finished too soon. Tillu rose to gather her supplies for the day. Taking up a soft leather pouch, she tied its sturdy belt around her waist. Into this went the bone knife, a long hank of braided sinew, and the smaller pouch that carried her healer's supplies. Ever since her days on the riverbank when her great-aunt had first instructed her in the skills of a healer, she had carried such a pouch. In it were a few powdered herbs in bone vials and a roll of soft leather for bandages. Over all, she dragged on her heavy outer coat. It had been cured with the hollow-shafted hairs on it and, when new, they had trapped the heat and held it close. Rut reindeer hair was brittle, breaking off easily, and in places the coat was now rubbed nearly bare. As she often did, she wondered if the weight of the leather was worth the warmth. But she knew that if a storm came up, or if she were caught out overnight, she would be glad of it. The garment was a long-sleeved tunic that could be belted at the waist.
    As she tugged up her mittens, she told Kerlew, 'Today you should tend the fire and gather firewood, as much as you can. Pile up a lot so that you won't have to go after wood tomorrow or the next day. And watch for pieces that might make a good bowl or spoon. Tonight, when I get back, we will try some carving.'
    'Can't I go hunting with you today, so I can start to learn?'
    Was