O0o 14 Teaching Lucien

"These two pegs we've made keep the p.r.o.ngs wide apart," Jules told Hal's brother, showing how to moor them in an X. "It's better to have the points wide, because that means more success." He corrected Lucien's last peg. "I'm using the bamboo because it's fast and easy to make another spear, and, because bamboo is freakin' sharp. But it splinters. If you were going to make a spear to last more than a few fish, you'd use willow, or something more forgiving."

Lucien accepted a thin bladed knife from Halian, and began to shave his points. "Why not a net?" He asked.

"Well, this is on-the-go fis.h.i.+ng," Jules explained. "It's ?????? to have a net. You can get a lot of fish quicker that way. But, I didn't have a net when I needed to fish. All I had was a stolen kitchen knife. Bamboo and willow was everywhere, so I made do." He took the ball of twine that Bill gave him, and showed Lucien how to place the first bit of string.

Lucien watched him closely. Jules expected he would, because all forms of hunting were alpha pursuits. He was able to take over when Jules gave him the spear and twine.

"Good, great," Jules praised. "You're keeping the tension nice and strong. That makes it harder for your spear to shatter up the shaft."

"It feels wrong to use the fat end of the bamboo," Lucien complained. "Why do it this way, Jules?"

"Three reasons," Jules said. "One, it's the heavier end, and causes more force when striking the fish. Two, the heavier end is stronger. Three, it makes a larger tool."

"Oh." Lucien nodded slightly. "Sensible."

"Yeah, it's about practicality," Jules said, smiling. "When you're hungry you just do what works best, and ignore everything else. I'm sure there are people out there that can fish with a d.a.m.ned needle, but I'm not that patient. I want to eat as soon as my belly starts making noise."

Lucien kind of half smiled as he worked to make the barbs of his spear smaller and deadlier. "Yeah," he agreed. "But, what about how you aim? Water causes a distortion."

"That's why the p.r.o.ngs are spread out," Jules informed. "Sometimes your best guess is a bad one. More p.r.o.ngs, wide apart, and you might at least wing the fish. That's why, when you strike, you reach down and keep the fish in place while you haul him out of the water."

"I see..." Lucien presented his spear. "What now?"

"Now we give it a quick fire-hardening to make it a little more durable." Jules held Lucien's spear over their small campfire, turning it at an even pace. "Fire hardens off the green, sappy wood. Doing this means maybe ten strikes. Without it, less than five."

"Almost fifty percent, or maybe better," Lucien said. "Noteworthy difference if you don't have anything else, and you're hungry."

"Yeah," Jules said, giving him back the spear. "You don't have to do it this way, though. I showed you how because it's useful. Bill has metal-ended spears he made for this."

"It's... interesting," Lucien said, hefting the spear he'd made and giving it a long look. "Well, maybe the word I need to use is 'honest'." He stood up and looked pointedly at the spear Jules had made on the first run of showing him what was what. "Show me how you aim."

"Okay." Jules hauled himself upward, and took the spear. "You're gonna need to get wet. Sorry. I know the water's cold."

"I can take it," Lucien a.s.sured. "Go on. I need to see how you do this your way."

Jules nodded, and led Lucien to the water. He waded in, aware of Halian's watchful eyes. He stood still awhile to trick the fish into thinking he was new scenery, then held his arm up and went still.

It only took two minutes before a huge, fat carp lazily swam into his vision. He brought his pole down quick as lightning, bent and grabbed. He tossed the fish onto the bank, and smiled at the Novars.

Lucien slowly waded in to stand beside of Jules. He copied his position, his arm stance, and waited. Jules tracked an enormous carp swimming close, easily nine or ten pounds. "Easy," he said. "Here he comes. Meat enough for two or three people after you get rid of the bones. That big guy will keep some kid from starving."

"I see him," Lucien said, whispering. "Oh, he's ?????????!"

"He's ?????," Jules replied. "Got him in your sights?"

"Yeah," Lucien said.

"Get him," Jules ordered.

Lucien struck, and it was an excellent hit. He pinned that fish clean.

"Yeah!" Jules crouched over to help the boy keep the fish on the spear. "You just fed someone, Lucien," he said, showing him the bleeding, flopping fish. "Keep at it, buddy!"

Jules stood at Lucien's side, his feet and lower legs going numb bit by bit. Together, they speared twenty fish before their spears gave out. Lucien waded out ahead of Jules slightly, eyes instantly going to his older brother. "Did you see?" He asked.

"I saw." Halian smiled a tiny bit. "What you've caught will help people to keep from starving to death, brother. You've done well. I'm proud."

Lucien smiled broadly. His blue eyes sparkled with delight. "How many people?" He asked.

Halian looked toward the ice-lined cart a moment. "You and Jules have caught enough fish to feed four families two days," he calculated. "Not bad for less than a half hour of fis.h.i.+ng."

Lucien absolutely grinned. "That feels good," he said loudly, as if it were a grand achievement. And, Jules suspected it ??? for the kid. "Could I get a metal-tipped, more permanent spear, and keep going?"

"Of course." Halian pa.s.sed his brother a spear that had an X-shaped end with eight barbs. "One hundred points for thinking of someone other than yourself, and one hundred more for being good at spear fis.h.i.+ng."
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Lucien threw his brother a beaming smile, and waded back out into the frigid water.

"Thank you, Jules," Halian said quietly. "You talk to him with honesty and warmth. He's responding to it. He likes this, and it might translate in depth when we deliver the food and blankets."