Chapter Thirty-Three
The arrival of spring meant something different to every person in the village.
As soon as it grew warm, Phile reopened the tannery.
To me, this was a joyous event. Morsimus paid me little mind during the winter months.
Our longest interactions were when he woke me in the middle of the night for a rough fumble or when he came home drunk and spoiling for a fight.
I needed people, and for more than the brief interactions we shared fetching water or collecting wood.
For others, the spring brought the loss of their sons.
Glykeria sobbed for days when the boys headed off with the herd, although her son had done the same thing five times before.
For Phile, spring meant that she and Hirtus would soon be reunited.
But for Aina, spring meant only one thing. The horses.
I had assumed we would have to walk some way to find the herd, so I was surprised when they came into view less than an hour after we left the village.
We had been at the tannery all morning, and the days were still short at this time of year.
We would not have long with the animals before we needed to head back.
From the manner in which Myrina galloped toward us, it was as if she knew.
Aina was wearing her leather shorts, which were loose around the waist and held firmly in place with a piece of twine. She did not hesitate before she launched herself onto the mare’s back. Without missing a stride, the pair were galloping, looping to the forest and back.
I turned back to the horses, searching for one. I found him in the center of the herd, looking straight at me.
“It’s your turn to come to me, Erebus.” I stretched out my hand and locked my eyes on him. “You cannot have me do all the work.”
The horse’s nostrils flared, and though he did not move, he threw back his head with a snort. For several minutes, I stood there, motionless, our gazes fixed. It was a war of wills, which I did not have the patience to win this time.
“Is it always to be this way between us?” I laughed as I made my way toward him. The herd allowed me to pass with little more than sideways glances. “Fine, I will come to you today, but next time, it will be on you.”
He bowed his head low to the ground, allowing me to stretch up and run my fingers through his mane. When we parted, he nudged me gently as if asking me not to wait so long before my next visit.
On the walk back, Aina spoke nonstop.
“There are no marks on my legs. None at all. And I think it may be softer for Myrina too. My robe is too long though. I need something shorter. A tunic perhaps. Do you think Melitta could make me one, Otrera?”
Iphinone took her daughter’s hand and squeezed firmly. “How about for today, we simply show gratitude for the gifts Otrera has already given you?”
I watched on with warmth in my heart.
While the reunion with Erebus was more than I could have hoped for, there was another that I anticipated just as much. One that happened the very next morning when I headed to the tannery.
I was so focused on my early morning run that I did not see him until we almost collided.
“You’re faster,” he said as I drew myself to a sudden stop.
I was struck with the urge to throw my arms around him, the same way I would have done with Althea or even Phile, but I fought it. It was not appropriate to greet another woman’s husband in such a way, so I simply offered him the warmest smile I could.
“You are back,” I said unnecessarily.
“I am. And I have something for you.”
It was then I saw the bow in his hand, which he held out toward me.
“You made this?” I asked, running my fingers along the wooden curves.
“I did, and I think you are right. This shape will give you the power without the size or weight. I think it will fire beautifully.”
I looked at him questioningly. “You have not tried it?”
Hirtus shook his head. “No, this is a special moment for you. You should be the one to send the first arrow flying.”
“Can we do so now?” I asked.
Given how Hirtus had been so keen to show me the weapon, I was certain he would say yes. Instead, he tilted his head to the side.
“How about you let me have a day with my wife first?”
My cheeks flushed with embarrassment as only then did I notice my bow was not the only item he carried. There were satchels across his shoulders, and his own bow was slung across his back. Through no fault of my own, I had accosted him before he had even greeted Phile.
“Tomorrow morning?” I said hopefully.
“I think I can manage a short lesson,” he said and smiled.