Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
CEDRIC
Stretching my limbs after such a long journey, I looked around the area we would call home for the time being.
It was nothing like I was used to, with tents instead of houses and a grand fire pit in the middle, but unlike home, everyone who came to help greeted us with friendly smiles.
You’d be lucky to get that kind of treatment from merchants trying to sell their wares in town. Our town just wasn’t that friendly.
“Over here,” Simon called, waving us toward a larger tent nearby.
I kept an eye on Tobias, who looked too eager to pay close attention to his surroundings.
He was so young compared to me, I felt the need to watch over him, guiding him with a hand on his shoulder into the tent Simon indicated.
Inside there were rugs laid out, with pillows atop them to sit on and lanterns strung along the ceiling of the tent for better lighting.
The flap in front and at the back were also open to allow more light in, as well as a breeze that was warm but felt nice against my heated skin.
It’d take some getting used to, the constant heat like this.
After we were all seated and comfortable, large platters of food were brought in, and a few new faces moved to stand in the middle of the tent, introducing themselves with welcoming smiles.
“Hello, everyone,” the female said, her accent thick but not impossible to decipher. “I am Amina. I will be teaching you the ways of Al Nuzem, and Erabi, our culture’s tongue.”
The smaller man beside her stepped forward, his smile a little more shy as he waved awkwardly.
“And I’m Finn. I’ll be teaching you the barbarian language and customs in case you’d prefer to stay with the clans.
I know you probably feel overwhelmed right now, so lessons won’t start for a day or two, but we wanted to introduce ourselves so you know you can come to us if you need any help. ”
Tobias’s hand shot into the air, his expression eager as he waited to be called on. Amina nodded at him to encourage him to speak. “Um, is it really true we’re free to love who we wish?”
My gaze flew to the pair in the middle, waiting for any sign that they might not be pleased with the idea. I was relieved when they both smiled and nodded without a moment’s hesitation.
“That’s right,” Amina agreed. “Both our peoples believe in the sanctity of bonding. Who you bond with is not our place to judge, as long as the person you bond with is of age and consents.” She furrowed her brow a little. “How old are you?”
“Nineteen,” he answered uneasily. “But I’ll be twenty soon!”
“Good,” she nodded. “Once you are twenty, you will be of age and can bond. Until that time, you can focus on learning our ways and the ways of the clans. You may find someone to your liking during that time. If not, there will be a journey to Al Nuzem’s capital city once all that have gathered here have decided where they wish to go.
There will also be several journeys during the year if you change your mind. ”
Finn spoke up next, bouncing on his toes a little.
“This is actually only a temporary settlement while we work on logistics. Some clans will return to a nomadic life, while others are setting up a more permanent settlement near the forest farther south. Amina is right that whatever choice you make now doesn’t have to be forever.
There are plenty of journeys for trade or business between clans that you can join to explore throughout the year. You’re free to do as you wish here.”
Free. The word hit me not like a blow but like hope made real.
We truly were free here. We could choose to stay or go with no consequence, to love who we wished, to just be without fear of being discovered.
I felt tears gather in my eyes at the enormity of the situation, and the sniffles and watery smiles of those around me told me I wasn’t the only one who felt that way.
Amina’s smile was kind as she addressed us again.
“I understand this is a big change for you. Finn and I are around to answer questions, as well as several others who will introduce themselves to you soon. Not all speak the common tongue, but those that don’t will seek out someone for you if you cannot find them yourselves.
For now, you will rest and eat. You can stay in here or, if you’re feeling brave, you can join the clan at the community area just outside.
Once the sun goes down, there will be a large fire to sit around, which is quite nice when the weather cools.
I’ve met most of the clan by now, and I can promise you, they are very kind. They look forward to meeting you all.”
They left us to rest and adjust to our new reality, giving me a chance to think. I covered my face with my hands, overwhelmed with the situation. At my age, I didn’t think I would ever have a chance at true happiness. I wasn’t sure how to handle the possibility of something real.
“Cedric? Are you alright?” Leyna murmured, putting a hand on my shoulder and squeezing gently.
Drawing in a deep breath, I dropped my hands, giving her a tremulous smile. “I am. Just overwhelmed. I… I’d given up on falling in love.”
She hummed, nodding. “As did I. I’m honestly not sure where to start.”
Tobias bounced a little on his cushion, his expression filled with the hope I’d lost over the years.
“We should start by meeting the clan. This is only one of them, right? If we don’t find someone here, there are plenty of others.
And there’s also the capital. I’m looking forward to seeing it.
Do you think if I did find my person here that they’d bring me anyway? I’ve never traveled before.”
Chuckling, I lifted a shoulder. “You know as much as I do. But they said there were several journeys to the capital each year. I’m betting you could make the request to go for a visit.”
As Tobias continued to gush over the possibilities, I looked around the tent, taking in all the hopeful expressions and eager tones.
It wasn’t where I thought I’d end up, but sitting here, surrounded by hope, I couldn’t help but think it might be better.
Even in my wildest dreams, I didn’t think I’d be able to love someone out loud, with no fear or judgment.
Here, I had a chance to finally be free.
Tobias eventually convinced us to leave the safety of the tent we’d been resting in.
As I stepped out into the bright sunlight, I felt my nerves threaten to get the better of me.
There were more barbarians around than before, most erecting some kind of canopies to protect people from the sun.
Others sat in a circle in front of a fire pit that looked like it was quite large when actually lit.
Men, women, and children all laughed amongst themselves and chatted together, and when we stepped out, they greeted us with warm smiles and calls of welcome.
“The first brave souls have come to join us,” an older male voice spoke, drawing my attention.
He had silver hair and robes, but he was still tall and formidable-looking, a few scars here and there proving that he hadn’t lived life without challenges.
His smile was kind, though, and he gestured to the circle of people, inviting us to join them.
“Please, sit. Did everyone get enough to eat?”
“I believe so,” I answered, sitting on some cushions under one of the sunshades.
The older barbarian sat beside us, smiling at a few children who ran past. I felt my cheeks heat as I studied him a little closer.
He had smile lines around his eyes, his long silver hair shaved on the sides and braided on top to hang down his back.
When he pushed back the sleeves of his robes, he exposed thickly muscled forearms covered in inked symbols on his skin.
He was gorgeous, and I found myself staring unknowingly.
I hadn’t felt attraction toward someone else in such a long time, I’d forgotten what it felt like.
Knowing the people in my town all my life, being the clerk of petitions, I knew how the men in my town thought.
It made it easy to ignore that part of myself when none of those men would ever accept my affliction.
“I am Orthorr,” the older barbarian introduced himself, giving us a polite nod of his head. “I am– was the clan leader of the Northern Clan.” He gestured to the people around him. “If you have questions, I would be happy to answer them.”
“Was?” I asked.
He hummed and nodded, looking over his clan with a soft smile.
“I decided recently to step down from my role. Things were changing, and the younger members of my clan needed a voice to speak for them. Uttin became clan leader in my stead, but I am acting as clan leader until his journey is finished.”
Surprised, I glanced at Uttin, who stood nearby, his expression serious as he spoke to a few unfamiliar barbarians. “He never mentioned he was a clan leader.”
Orthorr snorted, shaking his head. “I believe he still hasn’t fully accepted the title.
He has been busy with his wedding and the alliance with Al Nuzem, and then his journey north to retrieve the townsfolk looking to escape.
” Orthorr turned his attention back to me.
“I’ve heard many things about how people are treated in the towns. Was anyone hurt while you escaped?”
“Thankfully, no.” I wrinkled my nose, shrugging.
“There were some rotten foods thrown at us, but nothing that couldn’t be fixed with a bath.
We were lucky. Some of the people who’d been picked up in the first few towns had been chased out and attacked.
The barbarians had to get in the way to protect them. ”
Orthorr made a disgruntled noise, his frown deep and fierce. “I will suggest more clan brothers return with Uttin’s second trip. You should be able to leave safely without risking your lives.”
I agreed, but I wasn’t entirely sure how to make that happen.
The moment people closed up their shops or let their families know they were leaving, they were put at risk.
The best they could expect was for the town to shun them, but for some towns, alerting anyone of their affliction would be a death sentence.
I wasn’t sure how those people would escape.
“From what I heard, the barbarians only just moved to Al Nuzem. Did you come here for more freedom as well?”
He hummed in agreement. “My people are unable to produce baby girls. It has never happened as far as I’m aware.
We created the idea of tributes so we could continue our line and treated the tributes well, but when offered the opportunity to meet females more naturally, we felt it was the best decision for our future.
Here, it is safe to enter a town or city and meet organically.
Here, we can find love without a traumatic beginning for our partners. It is not a gift we take lightly.”
“Wow,” I breathed, then grimaced when he gave me a questioning look. “I guess with all the rumors, I just assumed you wouldn’t care about how traumatic it is. You really are nothing like I’d expected.”
He didn’t seem to take offense about my assumption, smiling at me in a way that made my heart skip and my cheeks flush. “I’m glad you were brave enough to join us, despite the rumors. You are most welcome here…” he trailed off, and I realized I’d yet to introduce myself.
“Cedric.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Cedric. Welcome to the Northern Clan.”