The Riders of Hah-nu-nah (An Americas TL)

The ice, the never ending, towering walls of ice, loomed over the people as they pushed their way through the thin valley, tracking the large, fur covered creatures that their lives depended upon for everything. The animals gave their bones to make their tools, and weapons, they gave their fur and hide to make their clothing and their shelters. They gave their flesh so that the men and women could eat. But most importantly, they gave their souls, their strength so that the people could be strong enough to continue on. The beasts were all important, everything revolved around them.

Leblo, a hunter moved further and further into the ice fields, his hunt brothers staying low far behind him. The three men stayed low the the ground, moving like the strange fat animals that would sometimes climb out of the water and on to the ice. They were fast, hard to catch, and would often slip back into the waters before the tribe even knew they were there. But when caught, their fat and their meat could feed many, and their hides provided the best and softest furs. But they had not been seen for many moons now. Some of the people were worried, at what the disappearance of the strange small creature could mean. The medicine men, and elder women said that it was a sign to be taken with joy. The small creatures appeared several moons after their trek began through the ice, now that they were gone, the ice soon too would vanish and the people could live well again.

A sound to his left caught Leblo's attention. One of his brothers was signalling, their prey was in sight. The three men shifted their direction, sliding across the snow, coming to rest on top of a large snowy hill. Squinting, as the great light from the sky reflected off the glowing white surface of the world, Leblo could see the animals they had been following for days. Great beasts, larger than men, with large branches like trees protruding from their heads. They stood, calling to one another, digging at the snow. They had become thinner, smaller than when they had first taken to the ice. For a long time the animals had been unable to find greens to feed themselves. There were not many of them left.

Leblo readied his spear, lifting himself slightly to get his knees under his chest. "I'm going to take down the one with the broken branch." He said, his brothers nodded slightly. "You two try to take down some smaller ones in the panic." Again his brothers nodded. Leblo, leaned back on his knees, adjusting the spear in his hands, and let it go.

The weapon flew perfectly in the air, like a bird taking flight, before coming to rest deep in the throat of its target. The larger beast with it,s broken branch jumped and tried to call out, the snow all around it turning read. At this moment, the others lifted, firing stone tipped arrows into the herd. After the chaos ended, three smaller beasts lay dead, or dying, along with the great beast. The hunters moved down the snowy hill to collect their kill. It would be good to return to the people again. There would be much food now, for many days, even more if the other hunters were as successful. The three men joked and laughed, no longer trying to hide themselves from the world around them. Leblo reached his kill, lifting it's head, it was not yet old, it's meet would be good. Leblo noticed small, brown strains sticking out from between it's teeth, Leblo reached down to pluck one, examining it closely. When one of his brothers called out. Leblo turned, watching the other hunter brush away only a small amount of snow. More brown stains stuck up, weak and feeble looking, surrounded by dark brown. He and his brothers both looked at the growth for a moment, before, as one, speaking.

"Grass. Land."


Chepin, her brother, and their friends sat at the edge of their people's settlement. They followed the horses, of who there were less and less each passing year. This year, her brother and their other friends, would be old enough to go on the hunt. The young men were excited and talking loudly. Telling the stories their fathers had told them of the hunt. Of tracking the horses across the world. Chepin, sighed, placing her head on her knees trucked up close to her body. She was only a year younger than her brother, but would never be able to hunt. A boy, her own age sat next to her, happily listening to the older boys talk. Finally, Latana, her cousin stood, she had heard enough of the boasting from boys who had just let go of their mother's hands. She stormed off, almost reaching the first tent before stopping, turning around with a smile on her face.

"You boys talk far to much." She said, placing her fists on her hips. The boys all fell silent looking back at the girl. "Anyone can hunt and kill a horse. All our fathers have. It wont make you special at all."

"It is a passage to manhood!" On of the boys said, hitting a fist on his thin chest. The other boys cheered.

"Oh? Just like everyone before you? Sooooo special." Latana said mockingly. The boys started to look angry. Borda, Chepin's brother walked up, his face nearly touching Latana's.

"And what would you have us do then?" He asked. Latana didn't even flinch.

"Do something no one has before. Catch one with out killing it. Or... or..." She seemed to think. "Ride one."

"Ride one?" Borda asked looking taken aback. Latana nodded and smiled.

"Unless you can't. I understand." Latana said, before turning and starting to walk away. "It's ok, boys, I'm sure your fathers will be so proud of you, being just like them."

"It's, it's too dangerous." Borda said looking down.

"Uh-huh." Latana said rounding the tent, and walking out of sight. The boys stayed quiet for the rest of the afternoon. The fun taken out of their words, they seemed lost. Chepin thought what her friend had done had been very funny, though, it was almost cruel to have crushed the spirits of the boys. That night, around the fire as the people ate their food the elders told stories of the people's past, of fleeing their enemies, and crossing a great frozen lake, following the animal spirits to a new, safe home. Then, each family went back to their tents, to sleep and await the return of the sun.

But Chepin was woken up, with the moon and stars still blanketing the world. Her borhter wrapped a hand around her mouth, whispering for her to stay quiet. Behind him stood two other boys, and Latana. "We're going to go out. Do you want to come?" Borda asked. Cheplin nodded and started getting out of the sleeping skins, almost before she knew what was going on. The small group met up with a few more on the start of the grass lands, far away from the settlement. A few of the boys, and one of the girls were holding torches, giving light to the world around them. Some of the boys had bone axes or bows and arrows with them.

"I thought we were going to ride them." Latana asked.

"These are not for the horses." Borda said. "They are for wolves or lions. We have to keep you girls safe." With his words the boys all laughed, Latana gave Borda an angry look, but said nothing. The group, of about ten, move across the grass lands, the boys bickering over tracking the animals. Finally, Theyano convinced the others to move to the hills, and the creek near by. All the group feel to the ground, and crawled along on their stomachs as they approached the hilly lands. A leap of excitement ran through Chepin as she heard the sound of the horses. Latana grabbed her hand giving her an equally excited look. Theyano stood up, looking down near the creek.

"They are there." He said. "It looks like the group our father's have been hunting. There are not many of them though, others might be on the other bank." He turned back to the group looking up to him. "So... who goes first?"

After drawing lots, Chepa, the young boy who had sat next to Chepin was selected to be the first to try to ride. It was decided that he should try to approach slowly, from the side. As it was well known the back legs were very dangerous. But each time he came with in a few feet, the horse would startle and run a distance away. After only a few attempts Chepa, returned to the group, looking disappointed. Theyano patted him on the shoulder.

"Don't worry. You were very brave, the first of us to ever try." The words of the largest, most well respected of the boys silenced the mocking of the others before it even started. Each boy tried, one in each turn, and each time, they failed. Theyano was the the first to get onto the back of a horse, but only for a very short time, before being thrown to the earth. Finally, Borda made his attempt. He too managed to get onto the back of a horse. Chepin cheered for her brother, but he was quickly thrown off as well, landing on his arm with a loud snap. Chepin, Theyano, and Latana ran out helping him to his feet, he was staying strong, despite tears in his eyes. "My arm is broken." He said holding it against his chest. "My arm is broken. Father is going to kill me. They will kill all of us."

"Not... no if we can do it." Latana said. Theyano and Chepin looked at the other girl. Theyano, anger in his eyes, Chepin, agreement.

"No of us can do it. We've all tried. We must return home, and get the medicine man to help."

"You've tried. Latana said stubbornly. "Chepin hasn't." She said suddenly sounding scared.

"What?" Chepin hissped.

"It's only a few miles back to the tents. Your brother will be fine." Latana's pride was thick in her words. "Show the boys who's best." Chepin looked at her friend, then to her brother who had a smile on his face, despite the pain.

"If you break something too, at least mother and father will send us both to the next world." Borda said. Theyano rolled his eyes.

"We don't have time for this. Come along you stupid little girls. This idea of yours has caused enough pain."

Chepin eyes narrowed, she stood and walked out to the horses. She chose a smaller one, not much taller than Theyano was. Chepin tore a large handful of grass from the earth, holding it before her as she slowly approached the horse. "It's ok. It's ok. I'm not going to hurt you. Good... uh..." She looked into the horses eyes. "Good girl?" The horse wasn't running away. But instead sniffed and nuzzled at grass. Chepin reached out with one hand, the horse pulled away slightly, but didn't run. It started to nibble at the grass, and Chepin managed to stroke it's neck. "Good girl. Good girl." She slowly moved around to it's side, being sure to give her more and more grass. Finally, she jumped onto the back of the horse, and tightly wrapped her arms around it's neck. She kicked and bucked for a moment before stopping sniffing at Chepin's hands looking for more grass. Chepin sat up, looking out at her friends.

She could not have known at that moment, and indeed over her long, long life, would never come close to knowing the truth. But she, with a handful of grass, had changed all of human history.

So an american domesticates timeline I assume? Interesting. You have great writing btw. I can't speak to the plausibility as I know nothing about this, but it's an interesting timeline that I'll be following nonetheless.

So what's the POD exacly? Is it that she unintentially causes the american horse to not go extinct or something?

Derekc2 said:

So what's the POD exacly? Is it that she unintentially causes the american horse to not go extinct or something?

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Yeah, that is kinda what I was going for with it. Sorry if I didn't make it more clear, I'm new to this.

"Clan of the Cave Bear" redux???

I've got some questions, but given the direction my own TL has gone in...I won't pursue them for now.

Have fun, I hope you become as addicted to your TL as I have become to mine. If you haven't read the Cave Bear books, you may enjoy them.

At first I thought this was an earlier eurasian hore domestication- which would probably put a stop to any Mesopotamian agriculture.

Very interesting.

Interesting Timeline

Interesting start for this timeline.

You have created some very good visual describtions in this story and has created an interesting visual representation of the timeline. The'll be following.

I'll be keeping an eye on this.

Autumn​

The dragon headed longship cut through the dark, freezing waters far off the west coast of Iceland, the singe red and white sail full of the great Northern wind, a great drum guiding the oars of the ship, beating a slow steady rhythm. A man, heavy with armour and clad in thick furs marched forward, his stance shouting his power and prestige to the men and women around him. Ice and bits of snow hung in his deep read beard, his moustache, almost solid in ice from the condensation of his breath. Removing his helm holding it at his side, he used a single powerful arm to hoist himself up to the dragons head at the front of the ship, looking out into the gathering darkness. His cold, ancient blue eyes turned upward, looking to the sky. Green waves of light danced, the "norðrljós", as they were called in his tongue, some said they were the Bifröst Bridge, the path fallen warriors on their way to Valhalla. Erik smiled quietly to himself, his eyes returning to the sea. One day he would walk that path, as his father, and his father before him. The ship jumped suddenly, hitting a strange wave, Erik's hand desperately grasped at the wooden neck of the dragon, saving himself from the dark black waters. He laughed, slapping a open palm down on the wood. He would never get to Valhalla that way. He laughed, his chest heaving as he turned to face his assembled warriors and raiders. The sun setting slowly behind him. "We head for green pastures! New lands to raid, to harvest! More women to satisfy your lust!" A roar came up from the men near him. "Or men!" Another roar from the women on the ship. "For toughs among us who want such things." He said patting one man, Ormar Herlaugrson on the shoulder, the whole of his assembly laughed. Erik the Red looked westward again. What ever the Gods had written for him, it lay over the rising and breaking horizon far from Iceland. He hoped to find his own lands there, become a Lord in his own rights, women and riches at his very word. He walked forward, his mind deep in thought, when he saw it. It was on the horizon, just as he knew the Gods would deliver, it was the horizon, nearly black, far off from where he stood. But solid, unchanging, un bending, there was no chance it could be the sea. "HA!!!" He called out. "There it is!" He slammed a fist down on a shield lining the longship. There was still at least an hour of daylight left, they could get close enough to examine the shore line, find a good place to beach the ship, make camp.

But as they pulled closer, there was, something else. A break among the darkness. Squinting his eyes, Erik looked out fighting the failing sunlight with all his effort. A settlement, a town, perhaps only a fire. Erik's excitement became mixed, he had hoped to the Gods for an untamed land, a new finding, empty awaiting peopling by the men and women of his choice. His hand traced down his side, feeling the large heavy sword under his thick furs. They could raid the settlement, but who knows what riches it may, or may not hold. This was not Russia, not even England, Ireland, or the mainlands of Europe. There could be nothing here, but an army willing to cross the seas in revenge. Caution, was not a thing many men in his position held dear. But nor was stupidity, and to charge blindly with absolutely zero knowledge of risk or reward. "We go ashore!" He called out. "Do not raise a blade unless given an order." He said turning his head over his shoulder. His warriors looked confused, even angry, but they would follow him. Now, the single like had split, there were several small buildings, and one larger one, a tower of some kind, not a light house, but a small light radiated from its summit. The buildings were not of any like he had seen, tall pointed roofs, solid stone base, all round and lined with furs. There were some small ships pulled up along the beach, and, figures moving between the homes, and a single central fire.

A man near the beached ships looked up, Erik was only just able to make him out against the blackness of the land, now glowing brighter and brighter, much of it was covered in snow and ice. The man looked up, standing and raising a hand he suddenly turned running towards his village. The black figure, now armed with a long poll, returned to the beach, but some distance from the shore, followed by others. Erik's ship ran ashore next to the other beached vessels, their ships, seemed to be built from strong wood, line inside and out with skins, painted with strange creatures, white wolves, seals, and large white bears. As the rocks along the shores were pushed aside, Erik jumped into the water, the freezing Arctic ocean covering his feet, he strode out of the sea, approaching the men along the beach. He could make out the faces of the men, they were shorter, but only just than Erik and his companions, clean shaven, with dark skin and strange narrow eyes, their faces round, hair long and dark, tied into tails behind their heads. All of them, covered in fur, and glimmering armour, large hoods came up around their heads, helms could just be seen under the hoods, draping down the sides of their heads, with a long piece of metal down the centre of their faces. In each of their right hands, they held long iron spears, one, the spear in the hands of the lead man, had large white bear pawn dangling from near it's head.

Erik's men, and the men on the shore stood for a moment. No one moved, nothing made a sound, even the sea itself seemed to be lost for words at the power of this moment. Erik's eyes looked towards the village, there were more armed men there, and armed women. The elderly even held weapons, the children hiding behind them. Erik step forward slowly, raising one hand, the men before him jumped, one lowered his speak pointing it at Erik's heart, but the leader knocked it away, spitting something in a foreign tongue.

Erik walked forward still, slowing his pace. He heard steal sliding from behind him. "Do nothing." He spat, suddenly knowing the words the lead spear man had spoken. He walked halfway up the shore, stopping and lowing his hand. They other man, with out lowering his spear walked to meet him. They stood there, the two leaders, from two worlds, looked over the faces of the other. The small, narrow eyed man smiled, and Erik, with out thought, returned the gesture. The thin eyes man smacked the Viking leader with an open palm, laughing. Erik hit him back, harder, sharply on the shoulder. Again the other man struck the Viking leader laughing, Erik clasped a hand on the other man's shoulder with an audible thud. Both men laughed, as their men behind them slowly joined. The lead man raised a hand to his mouth, making a motion like drinking from a cup. The Viking leader nodded returning the gesture, as the two walked towards the village centre.

Good updating. Interesting, so this is going to a new vinland timeline?

So the horse survive, the natives slowly adopt horseback riding, and now the Norsemen arrives. Quite interesting.

Yes yes yes!

Moooore

Xenophonte said:

Good updating. Interesting, so this is going to a new vinland timeline?

Click to expand...

Not really.

This was the European discovery of Greenland and the Inuit (I'm going to use a butterfly net to keep some of OTL Native groups around). Newfoundland/Vinland would already be heavily populated and well established at this point.


Edit: I like that I had this first contact go so much smoother than OTL first contact.

General Melchett said:

Not really.

This was the European discovery of Greenland and the Inuit (I'm going to use a butterfly net to keep some of OTL Native groups around). Newfoundland/Vinland would already be heavily populated and well established at this point.


Edit: I like that I had this first contact go so much smoother than OTL first contact.

Click to expand...

Ok. Thanks, I'll be keeping an eye on your Story

Iron

It seems that they had, by that time, discovered metallurgy. Any connection to horse domestication?

This is really good. Is it still going on?

Will be Update soon?

So..... how long does this have to be down before someone can adopt it?

Would it be ok if I took this idea, and restarted it? It's a really really interesting idea. But I would like some more focus on the Americas before the meet the Europeans.