Chapter 25 - Zyntarr
“You did not fly with the rest of us,” Zarriko comments, after I had touched foot on his village grounds and told them how I am to join their exchange.
I grunt. “I was late to leave with the rest of you.”
He and his males eye me. I am larger than almost all of his males. “You are injured, and your eye is truly unseeing,” Zarriko comments now that he is seeing me without a patch.
“Zee!” his little female says, chastising him with a playful swat to his stomach. “That’s rude! What he means is, welcome, it’s nice to have you with us.”
I do not think that is what High Spear Zarriko meant at all, but I nod my head in thanks. “I am injured, yes. But I am healed by the healing tool and am still useful to the tribe.”
“We were hoping for more females, not an unsightly, injured male to feed,” someone from the gathered crowd mutters, earning them a glare from their High Spear.
I level Zarriko with a look of my own, and despite my mis-matched eyes, I hope he can see the intent within them. “I will be useful to you and your tribe.”
I am looked up and down, my size clearly being assessed. “Yes,” Zarriko says. “Even we have heard of your strength, Zyntarr. I will not be turning you away this day.”
Sophia, his High Spearess, swats him again. “Of course we’re not turning him away! Come, some of the other guys from Rynn’s tribe are over here prepping the fish for the smokehouse.”
My jaw tightens. I do not wish to spend time with males or females from my tribe this day.
Sophia must witness as much in my expression. Halting, she glances quickly to her mate. A silent exchange occurs between them - an exchange in which they are clearly trying to decide what is to be done with me.
“If it pleases you, I am skilled with a blade,” I sniff, looking off to the side where there is a group of males gathered, watching me like they fear I am about to launch my spear at them.
I am earning a glare from one of those males.
He looks at me as though I’d just stood on his tail.
He looks familiar too, but it does not matter to me.
I turn back to my new High Spearess. “If your Hunters bring kills in need of gutting, skinning and preparing for the fires, I can do this work for you, and I will do it alone.”
“Ok, sure. Whatever you want to do.”
Whatever I want to do? I want to fly three thousand wingbeats back to my Bea. I want to scoop her up and take her away from every other male so that no other heart-stars may ignite in her presence. I want to hide her away, just for myself.
Sophia’s smile falters when I do not return it. “Why don’t you come and eat before starting any chores? You must be hungry,” she says, turning and walking away for me to follow.
“I am not,” I mutter, only for my shoulder to be forcefully shoved from behind.
I glance back to see my new High Spear fixing me with a stare that could leave scars. “You will show respect to my Sophia,” he grits out dark and low, skin-stars dancing up and down his arms like he’s itching to use them to tear me apart.
I cannot argue this. Nodding, I turn to follow his mate.