Sec chief Ganley was first off the boat as they came aground on the south shore of Erie Lake. The beach stretched some twenty feet back from the water, and beyond that was a tangle of deadwood and choked forest.
The sun was just beginning to set, and they would have to hurry to set up camp. Ganley posted a pair of guards at opposite ends of the campsite where the beach met the forest, and then led the expedition to find firewood for the night.
Deadwood proved easy to find, and thirty minutes later they had a roaring fire burning on the sand and a rack of sturgeon steaks cooking on a spit.
“What are you hoping to find when we get there?” Ganley asked as the group huddled around the fire waiting for the fish to cook. “What kind of mates do you all want?”
“My woman’s got to have all her teeth!” one of the group called out.
“Mine should have breeding hips,” another said.
“My man’s gotta be strong,” Rhonda said. “Stronger than me.”
“Not many of those around,” someone quipped.
Ganley agreed. “Seeing you in action, Rhonda, makes me think that there is no such man on the planet.”
“No, he’s out there somewhere,” she said, turning to look over the surface of the water. “And I’m going to find him.”
After a moment’s silence, punctuated by the crackling of the fire, Rhonda looked at Ganley and said, “What about you, Chief? What are you looking for on this trip?”
The sec chief smiled. His only intention was to lead the mission and return as many people safely to the village as he could. The thought that he might take a mate back with him had never even occurred to him. “I’m just looking to get you all back to Reichel ville alive.”
“Come on, Chief, you must have a preference.”
“Well, she would have to be healthy, but that’s obvious.” He paused a moment further to consider the question. “I’ve always liked red hair….”
“See, I told you. Everyone has things they like.”
“And dark skin. One or the other.”
“Well,” Rhonda said, getting up to check on the fish. “We’ll see if we can find one or the other for you. Or maybe even both.”
The travelers smiled and laughed.
“Fish is ready,” Rhonda said.
“Eat up, everyone, then get some rest. We’ve got a long day tomorrow, and it starts with the sun.”