The Blue Stone... Part 1

Elan was not yet a man.   Among the people he was also an orphan and was housed and fed by his uncle.   Elan spent time hunting what small animals that he could and would help gather roots and fruit when they were available.  As much as possible he avoided his uncle who often showed his resentment in violent ways and making Elan feel small and useless.  This meant that Elan spent much time alone. 
It was getting dusk and Elan had wandered off following a rabbit that he had not been able to kill with the stone thrower that he was using.  When he noticed the sun going down and how far he had wandered from the encampment he began to panic.  Not because he could not find his way back, that was not problem, but he knew that he would get a beating from his uncle, especially because he would not be bringing home food.   He turned to make his way back to the camp as quickly as possible when he almost ran into two people.   He stopped abruptly and stared because they looked like none of the people he knew.   He and his people were dark from the sun but these two had skin that was pink and white like the underbelly of the small creatures he often killed for food.   And they were wrapped in skins the like of which he had never seen.   These were soft and smooth and they were long and had no seams.   Deciding he might need to defend himself he took a step back and raised his stone thrower.   But before he could launch a stone one of them spoke.
“Elan, child of the people, we know you.”   They spoke his language but it was not accented in the guttural way that he was used to.  And it seemed that he could see their lips move but he would hear their voice inside his head.  The voice was soft and not threatening.  Nothing like that of his uncle. 
“Elan, we know of your life with the people and we are here because we have things to teach you and to help you and to help your people when you grow older.  We want you to go back to your people but come this way every day.  We will help you so that no one will know that you have been away.  Would you come see us again and learn from us?” 
Elan was intelligent and it did not take him long to make up his mind.  He would be beaten whether they helped him or not so he decided to learn what they had to teach.
“I will come.  I will be beaten whether I see you or not.  I will come this way in one more sun as it is now.”
“It is agreed then.” 
The other reached behind the rock and produced a basket much like his uncle’s wife made.  It was filled with roots and fruit and other plants from the earth that his people ate.  
“Take this to your people.   And Elan take this also.  It will help protect you.”
He reached out to Elan and opened his hand.  In it was a small blue  gemstone that glowed with a light.  It was lying on a small skill bag also much like his people made and wore.   “Put this around your neck.  The others will not notice it.  But this stone will help you.” 
Elan thanked them and hanging the bag around his neck he picked up the basket and headed back to the people.  He reached down and touched the soft leather bag feeling the stone inside.  Even in the bag he could see and feel it begin to glow.  It was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen and he had not felt this good for many seasons.