Searching for a poorly remembered sci-fi book.

[Migro]

I read it in the early 90's, in swedish. But probably translated from English and from 70's or 80's. A hardback not too thick, maybe 250 pages and all I remember of the story was that it started as some kind of historical/fantasy story set in a hunter/hutliving kind of society. A boy and his father travels for some reason, something is threatening their society. They travel by running and they are some sort of runners. And soon it becomes clear to the reader that its an actual sci-fi story and some spaceship or old technology is hidden in their world. Could be that the people are even remnants of space farers coming there long ago. This is all from long ago so I can be wrong on the details. I would say the book was part of some sci-fi bookclub or series, like sci-fi masters or something.

 

[PaulMmn]

There was a similar story in Analog magazine about 6 years ago... don't recall if they were 100% runners; I think in part of the story they were riding on ridey-beasts (or something similar). I'm afraid I don't recall the name of the series, and can't access my back issues right now.

 

[Migro]

There was a similar story in Analog magazine about 6 years ago... don't recall if they were 100% runners; I think in part of the story they were riding on ridey-beasts (or something similar). I'm afraid I don't recall the name of the series, and can't access my back issues right now.

Thank you, I can see if I find it.

 

[PaulMmn]

I found the story I was thinking of-- from ANALOG magazine July/August 2013-- Story was THAW by Arlan Andrews, Sr.

The hero and his father were riding "two-legs" (bird-like creatures (similar concept to ostriches, is how I imagine them)). They were traveling towards 'the cold.'

The father could read; reading was evidently not a common talent. Reading (and writing) was a Braille-like carving.

On their journey they are called to look at something found and sent to one of the regional 'war lords.' It's a body of a God. Apparently 2-3x taller than the people in the story; more like a human.

The last lines of the story were of an inscription copied from one of the god-creatures possessions-- seemed to be (perhaps) a dog tag or other ID...