A Yeti Heart Chapter 14 continuation

This is a collaboration between
@cecicastor and @tatswaru

Chapter 14 - Sashi Continued...

About then, the boys came bounding in ravenously hungry from the morning herding duties. Everyone took their places around the cook fire and Duma began to pass around heaping bowls of vegetable stew and a side dish of warm flat bread. I did not realise just how hungry I was after the morning walk about.

Conversation revolved around what the boys would be taking with Jinpa in the afternoon classes. There was much speculation that it would be a continuation of astronomy lessons. Barati said that he and I would be going into the garden valley again, but this time we would explore the pasture lands. I found this idea intriguing.

The boys trotted merrily off to class accompanied by a few of their friends. Duma excused herself too. She was going to Manjushrim’s clan to help with the weaving chores. This too piqued my curiosity, but Barati was already heading to the cave entrance and I had to scurry to catch up! Yetis have very long legs and take giant strides when they walk.

Barati said not to worry. We would have time to stop by Manjushrim’s later to visit if I so wished. We started off at a quick pace and I wondered why the hurry. Barati said he wanted to meet up with a hunting party in the lower pastures. His friend Rabten, a notable hunter, was leading the expedition and another friend, Phuntsok was leading a group of yetis fishing.

We passed by the valley gardens that I had visited early this morning. We were actually heading to the valley floor. The grass was longer on the gentle slope. Abundant trees swayed softly in the breeze and song birds were sweetly serenading us.

Unexpectedly we came upon the group of hunters, each carrying a bow and quiver of crudely made arrows. Several had stiff rabbit corpses slung over their shoulders.

Rabten strode over and grasped his old friend’s shoulders in a joyful greeting. Barati introduced us and I braced myself for a similar greeting, but instead I received a firm handshake and a sincere welcome. Rabten asked us to join them in the hunt.

They were having good fortune today, and many clans would share in a bountiful meal of fresh rabbit meat. Barati said that we could not join in the hunt today as he did not feel that my strength would allow for such an arduous activity. Rabten did not let his disappointment show for long and he wished us well on our continued journey.

As we walked on, I could hear water gurgling over rocks and exuberant voices coming from over a grassy knoll. Barati’s pace quickened as I struggled to keep up. Over the crest of the knoll was another amazing sight. There stretching out the length of the valley and far beyond my sight was an iridescent gurgling river.

Waists deep in the running water were nine high-spirited yetis fishing with bamboo spears. The closest yeti to the slippery bank called out an enthusiastic greeting to Barati. I was introduced to Gyaltsen, the best fisherman in the clan-gather.

The fish were feisty today and gave a hearty challenge to the fishermen. I could see the schools of shimmering rainbow trout in the crystal clear water. There were fat woven baskets almost filled to the brim with flopping fish! Gyaltsen invited us to stay for afternoon tea which we readily agreed to do.

Gyaltsen led us to a cool shady spot under a sprawling chestnut tree where someone had previously set up a cook fire, over which hung a steaming clay pot. Gyaltsen offered the tea pouring duties to Barati, his oldest and dearest friend. Barati accepted the honour with a deep humility.

There was a great tan coloured blanket spread out under the tree next the cook fire. There was a pale green and yellow woven basket covered with a tight fitting lid sitting in the centre. Gyaltsen invited me to sit close to the basket, across from him. Barati lifted the steaming pot, carefully brought it over and sat it down on the blanket next to the basket. Then he sat down, gracefully crossing those extra long legs into a compact lotus position.

Gyaltsen gently lifted the lid off the basket and set it to one side. Barati lovingly brought out a lemon yellow and apple green chintz tea set (teapot, creamer, sugar bowl, cups with saucers and small octagonal desert plates)!