บท 21: Bo and Mawi

Taru rode into town at noon and passed through the town square. During the past three days he had gathered some information that he felt Feng and Zoraya ought to know. Even as a corpse, Mawi still played a role in their lives. He wondered if there would ever be an end to it.

Amidst the noise and commotion, Taru heard his name being called out. He turned back to see Yoi and Naz. He couldn't remember the last time he had seen both women. He jumped off his mount and gave them both an affectionate hug which nearly squeezed the life out of them.

"Its so good to see you both."

"The last time I saw you, you had three pumpkins for a stomach but now it looks like you ate two baby buffalo-yaks," Naz replied.

Taru gave a big smile. "My friends feed me well."

"A little too well if you ask me," said Yoi. "But in any case, am glad you are well."

"So what are you ladies looking for?"

"Some blankets, towels and raw meat. Your hunting party hasn't been doing well of late. And not to mention that they are about to have a new mother. June wants to be ready for the winter. She isn't leaving anything to chance."

Taru looked confused. "Who is expecting?"

"Mari, the shirshu. We just found out a few days ago. "

The two women walked with Taru and on their way to the campsite they filled him in on all the crazy ideas that June had come up with and how Feng had to write to Naz, inviting her to come over and be June's right hand. Now that the acclaimed animal expert was back in town, maybe he would take Naz's position.

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As soon as she saw Taru, June leapt out of the simple makeshift cage they had created for the shirshu. She charged towards Taru and after greeting him, she dragged him to where Mari was lying down.

"So how far is she? How many will they be? Are you able to help her deliver? Should we get a real veterinary?"

That last question didn't sit well with her uncle. "Okay, first off, just because someone has glasses and an office doesn't make them a real anything. Second, you are talking too much that I can't hear myself think, be quiet for a second."

She stood quietly beside him as he worked. One of the things she noted was how he moved his hands around her belly.

"Well, I would say a few weeks from now."

"Okay, so what will she need."

"From what your mom and Naz have told me, you have everything but a so-called real veterinary to deliver the pups."

June smiled. "Oh c'mon uncle Taru. You of all people should know that a pair of glasses and an office doesn't make someone a real anything."

"Right you are my girl."

"Will you please help her with the delivery?"

"Sure thing little one."

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Later in the evening, Taru found some time to talk to Feng and Zoraya, a little way off from the camp fire.

"You look like you're about to wet yourself, what happened?" asked Zoraya.

Taru wasn't in the mood of playing games so he just cut right to it. "Did any of you know that Mawi had a son? He's young man now, goes by the name Bo."

He watched his two friends as they looked at each other and then back at him. No one knew that Mawi had a child.

Zoraya asked, "Before or after that day...."

"Before...... Well before."

Feng looked intently at him. "It's sad but I don't see why you are bringing this up now."

"Because brother, I met Kiki, the twins' mother. She told me that she had been hearing rumours and last week, she may have met him. She can't be sure of course but she says that a young man approached her and asked if she had ever met a man with a scar above his right eye; a man called Mawi. When she refused, the boy then asked if she knew a bounty hunter called Feng."