Chapter 3
Three
GODR
“ T hat’s it. Easy now,” I coaxed, nudging the young stallion forward. He took a few steps, and I hoped I’d finally gotten through to him, but the thought barely went through my mind before he reared up and took off, bucking until I was tossed off his back and onto the ground.
Clapping caught my attention. The wind had been knocked from my lungs, so I wasn’t quick to stand.
Instead, I lifted my middle finger in a gesture Simon had taught me some weeks back.
It was a clever gesture to show my displeasure, and I heard my clan brother laugh in response.
His smug smile came into view as he stood over me, but he at least offered me a hand before he began his teasing.
“I thought you were supposed to ride them. How useful is it to have them throw you like that?”
I scowled, brushing the dirt from my clothes. “He’s still learning. Why are you here, Verus?”
His eyes still danced with mirth, but he let it go, saying instead, “I want to borrow a stallion. Patrick wishes to learn to ride on his own.”
I hummed, letting my gaze run over the herd. Patrick was a gentle soul, but bigger than most tributes. He could handle a stallion on his own as long as the temperament was right.
“What about Dael? He is a calm stallion and good with beginners.”
Verus shrugged. “I trust your judgment, horsemaster. Can we take him now?”
I nodded, waving him away. “Go get your bondmate. I will bring Dael and Dhellgas to the fence for you.”
He gave me a sunny smile in response and jogged off to find his bondmate.
I shook my head with a smirk. Many of my brothers had found love recently.
It was a joy to see them all so content in their lives.
It almost made me wish for a bondmate of my own.
But then I thought of being tied down and shuddered.
I liked my freedom too much to give it up.
Dhellgas was a spoiled stallion, but it worked in my favor.
Promises of treats got him to go where I wanted him, and he got along well with Dael.
They both munched happily on the grass while waiting for their charges, listening to me talk.
Few of my clan brothers believed the stallions could understand, but I knew better.
They were the best companions a man could ask for.
“... I told him the match wasn’t well suited, but he didn’t listen to me. He was bucked off within minutes and decided to blame me for the pain he suffered!” I rolled my eyes, and Dael nodded in agreement with my irritation. Some were just not suited to ride.
“Godr!” a familiar voice called, catching my attention. I glanced over my shoulder at Drin, raising an eyebrow at him.
“You’re late.”
He made a face, waving me off. “I was speaking with Orthorr. The new tributes have arrived, and he wants to speak with you. You don’t think he’ll make you a protector, do you?”
I frowned. I had never been a protector before. Usually those who were looking to settle down volunteered for such tasks. There were very few times when a tribute was put with someone who wasn’t looking for love. But if our clan leader wanted to see me, I wasn’t going to argue. It wasn’t my place.
Jumping over the fence, I waved toward the pair nearby. “Verus and Patrick are coming to practice riding. Watch over them, will you?”
I didn’t like leaving new riders alone. Verus was a decent rider, and his stallion liked him, but he wasn’t a horsemaster. All who wished to ride went through me, or the few who assisted me. Drin was one of my assistants and trusted to watch over the herd. He was a suitable replacement in my stead.
“Sure. I’ll see you later?”
The question was filled with heat, and normally I would be interested in joining him in his tent for some fun, but until I knew more about what Orthorr wanted from me, I didn’t want to make any promises.
“I will see what Orthorr wants first.”
I went to walk away, but his voice stopped me before I could get more than a few feet. “You don’t have to accept, you know. You can always say no.”
I frowned at him over my shoulder. It was true—no one was required to be a protector—but I would do anything to serve my clan. Watching over a new tribute wasn’t a big deal.
Choosing not to reply to Drin’s pout, I jogged off toward the town center.
The tributes were kept in the receiving tent until their protectors were chosen, then they were moved to their protector’s personal tent for privacy while they acclimated to our clan.
Orthorr always watched over the tributes and picked the best protectors from the volunteers.
He stood near the fire, speaking low with Uttin, who was frowning beside him.
Then again, Uttin was almost always frowning nowadays.
He was favored to take over the clan after Orthorr, and he clearly felt the weight of the position even now.
When I jogged up to join them, they paused their conversation. Putting a fist across my chest, I bowed my head to Orthorr.
“Clan leader, you called for me?”
“Yes, thank you for coming. A few clans have decided to keep the tributes here for a few weeks to learn from Finn. We are taking on more than normal until their new protectors return to claim them. I would ask that you take on one of the males who arrived this night. Just until the Ilvos clan sends someone to get him in a few weeks’ time. ”
It was no longer surprising that males were accepted as tributes.
Ever since Finn came to join us a few years ago, more and more males were sent along to give comfort and companionship to those who weren’t interested in pairings with females.
Not many compared to females, but the males’ presence had been a welcome change to those who had wished for a match.
It was surprising that clans were leaving their tributes with us, but I supposed it made sense.
Finn’s language lessons had been a godsend since he established them.
Those lessons meant the tributes understood quicker and were more at ease with the clan thanks to his reassurances.
To be able to understand their new beginnings was a gift, and our allies were smart to take advantage of these lessons.
“As you wish, clan leader.” I paused, frowning. “He’s not like Simon, is he?”
I liked Simon—he was a good clan brother—but he was also a brat and had tried several times to run when he first arrived. He was also skilled with blades and not afraid to use them. I feared for my life if I pissed him off.
Uttin snorted, a smile finally breaking his scowl. “None are like Simon this cycle, thank the gods. No, he was well-behaved on the journey here. He does seem… troubled.”
That wasn’t unusual for tributes, so if Uttin was saying it, it meant the tribute was probably more upset than most. I’d need to keep an eye on him.
“I’ll do my best to reassure him. Where is he?”
Uttin led the way into the receiving tent.
It was mostly empty, which meant most were with their protectors now.
Only three were left, and only one of them was male.
Uttin said something to him in the common tongue and he stood, his lips pressed into a thin line. He was obviously unhappy to be here.
I was surprised at his stature. Most male tributes who had joined the clan so far were smaller.
Patrick was the tallest, and he was still smaller than Verus.
This male was as tall as I was. He was thin, not much weight on him that I could tell, but his height was surprising.
His silky black hair was cut short, and he had a light dusting of stubble on his jaw.
Round glasses sat perched on his nose, and he had a wrinkle between his eyebrows that made me think he frowned often.
He studied me suspiciously, and I saw a muscle jump in his jaw.
He reminded me of a wild stallion, distrustful and ready to explode should I make a wrong move. I would need to take care with him.
Most tributes were carried to their protectors’ tents, too upset to walk on their own, but I knew better than to try it with this male. Instead, I turned to Uttin.
“Can you ask him to follow me?”
He glanced at the male, then back at me. “Smart move. I don’t think he’ll accept being treated like most tributes.”
No, I could see that wouldn’t end well. Thankfully, I had practice wearing down stubborn stallions. I could be patient.
Uttin spoke in the common tongue to the male, and he gave a sharp nod in response, turning his suspicious gaze my way again.
Tipping my head, I gestured him toward the exit and led the way, glancing back on occasion to make sure he followed.
He did so, though his eyes scanned his surroundings with heavy misgiving.
That was normal. Tributes were often told they would be treated poorly with the clans.
Finn’s language lessons would help dissuade him of that idea.
That, and it was my job as his protector to show him he was safe here. We would only be together for a few weeks, but I would make sure he was taken care of in the meantime.
As we approached my tent that sat right next to the fenced in area where the stallions resided, I saw Drin explaining things to Patrick while Verus stood watch.
He looked over his shoulder at me, a deep frown on his face when he noticed the tribute behind me.
I shook my head minutely. While we had our fun together, neither of us were interested in more.
It wasn’t a relationship. He could wait until the tribute moved on before we fooled around again.
He scowled, crossing his arms petulantly, but I ignored him.
It wouldn’t be pleasant to go so long without sex, but that couldn’t be helped.
Tributes were precious. Even if this one would be given to another clan, he deserved my full attention.
I would make sure he felt safe and cared for until he was ready to move on to his next clan.
Maybe the time apart from Drin would be good.
He had been getting a little possessive lately.
Some distance would help to remind him he had other options.