Chapter 13
Ortak
I have managed to divert Gannen’s attention to our hunt for nearly the entire turn.
While it was purely luck on his part, he managed to help me bring down a dreri.
He has been consistently practicing his axe throwing every evening when we return to the village.
Sorin has joined him and offered advice on his technique.
The excitement of his hard-earned kill kept him occupied for some time as he went over and over again what he had done right and what he could have improved upon.
Of course, he could not wait to share the news of his accomplishment with Elodie.
“She will no doubt be just as proud of you as I am.” I hold up my hand when he would have continued.
“Your strike was a killing one, but you have to be able to repeat it again and again. One dreri has only enough meat to feed a small portion of our tribe for a single meal. We need to bring home at least four of them, along with a number of smaller game for a turn to be considered a true success.”
Gannen drops his head in defeat. “What if I am not able to bring down that much prey?”
“Eyes on me.” I wait for him to comply. “You will, because I will teach you how. It will require you to focus and not get distracted by other things. Not even Elodie. Not while we are out here where potential dangers surround us. You must always remain alert for signs of what we hunt. Only then will you succeed.”
“I understand, Gogo.”
“Good. Now, let us keep going. Perhaps we will come upon another herd and add to our bounty. Sunlight is still plentiful, which gives us time before we will need to head back to the village.” I clasp his shoulder.
“You have done well this turn. We will travel to the Tavikhi village later so you may share the news of your successful kill with Elodie.”
Gannen smiles up at me and nods. “You think she will be proud of me?”
“Aye.”
Perhaps luck is with us, because we manage to locate not only a second herd of dreri but one of dhibani as well.
While my kit did not contribute to the death of the additional two creatures, Gannen caught two leburin.
Their meat is not the most tender, but it is satisfying in a stew.
With the help of the Tavikhi, we have found uses for other parts of the animal, so none of it goes to waste.
It is still well before the evening meal when we finally return to our village.
Three warlords and several of the elders are seated outside one of our storage tents tending to the bounty brought back by the other hunters.
We leave our kills with them with our thanks and wash up in the river to rid ourselves of the dirt and blood we carried back with us.
The next turn, we will trade positions with the hunters who remained behind, and it will be our task to tend to what is brought in. It is one of the many ways we have adapted to our new way of life since forming our small village.
“I am clean,” Gannen announces as he stands from the river bank, water dripping from his face and arms. “Can we go see Elodie now?”
Since he will not cease asking, there is no point in putting it off. “Gather your war axe.”
He scrambles to do my bidding and takes off in the direction of the trail that will lead us down the hillside to the bari field that stretches out at the base of it.
I let him go, but keep watch for signs of danger since Gannen is not.
He pauses at the concealed exit at the bottom of the path and waits until I reach him.
“It is good that you are being cautious and did not go barreling out into the open.”
“You have taught me well, Gogo.”
I ruffle his floks and we continue on our journey.
As we travel through the bari field, I cannot help but marvel at how tall Gannen is getting.
While he is still not nearly the size Sorin is—nor do I think he ever will be—he has grown much the past three sun cycles.
The first time we walked this path, the bari grass was level with his chest. This turn, it is below his waist. For me, it is no higher than my knees.
It is bittersweet how quickly time passes.
At the farthest edge of the bari field where it meets the tree line of the forest is the call of a mellenje. I return its call with the roar of a dhembe. Moments later a Tavikhi scout drops from his perch. Gannen and I fist our chests the the warrior does the same.
“Greetings, Ortak of the Krijese.”
“Greetings. We come in peace and friendship.” I lay my hand on Gannen’s shoulder. “My kit would like to visit with the human Elodie and I would share the news of a successful hunt with the shefir.”
“May Deeka continue to bless you,” the Tavikhi offers.
I nod in acknowledgement. He calls out with the sound of a mellenje once more and it is echoed back to us from somewhere in the distance.
I guide Gannen to keep moving, and the warrior returns to his post up in the tree.
We trek through the forest with the occasional bird call leading our path until at last we reach the village entrance, guarded by two mated males that are familiar to me.
“Greetings, Rojtar and Zalik.”
“Greetings, Ortak and Gannen,” the former replies while the latter fists his chest.
We echo the gesture and pass by. There is far more noise in this village than in our own given the Tavikhi have greater than five times the number of people in their tribe than we do. The smell of the central fire is strong as is whatever is being prepared the evening meal.
People wander by. Some carry their kills from their hunt while others carry baskets overflowing with fruit and various root vegetables.
Females—Tavikhi and human—stroll side by side, their chatter carrying over the other sounds.
The crack of wood against wood, along with the grunts and groans of those fighting, reaches me from the distant training arena that sits on the other side of the village.
This is a place that is teeming with life.
While the final decision is not mine to make, I think it would benefit our tribe greatly to become a part of this one.
“You do not think Elodie has returned to the human settlement, do you?”
“I do not believe so.” Of course, I have no way of knowing.
Gannen says nothing further, but his shoulders are tight and his stride is not as brisk as it was moments ago.
We are greeted warmly by the people we pass, but no one stops us.
Finally, we reach the healer’s tent. The door flap is closed, and I recall what Elodie said about asking for it to be kept open for her to get fresh air and sunshine. That it is shut does not bode well.
We pause outside, and I smack the hide to announce our arrival. Silence greets us. No calls come for us to enter. I hit it again. Perhaps Elodie is sleeping, although she hated doing so in the middle of a turn.
“Greetings, Ortak and Gannen.”
We turn. Kyler approaches.
“Greetings, Healer.”
“Where is Elodie?” Gannen asks with a hint of impatience.
Before I can reprimand him, Kyler laughs. “There is no need to worry, young one. She is in the village somewhere. Or perhaps down by the river. It has become her favorite place to sit. I am happy to direct you to where you may begin your search if you would like.”
“Thank you for your generous offer. We accept.”
Kyler gestures for us to follow. Gannen keeps a steady pace with the Tavikhi although he is nearly running to do so.
Perhaps because he understands my kit’s intense desire to see Elodie, the healer does not slow his steps.
Soon, the river comes into view. Along with it is the form of a human female seated on a bench close to the flowing water.
Gannen must spot her at the same time I do, because he runs ahead. Once again, Kyler laughs. “There is no competing with females when one is nearby. Kits are drawn to them.”
Mine especially so with this particular female.
The Tavikhi healer stops. “I do not believe any further assistance is needed on my part, unless there is anything else you need?”
“No, but you have my thanks.” We grip each other’s forearm and Kyler heads in the opposite direction.
I remain here for another moment and observe my kit with Elodie.
He is animated in a way I have never seen before, his arms flailing and gesturing in frantic movements.
The laughter from the female says she is entertained by whatever tale he is sharing. She nods and claps her hands.
When Elodie throws her head back, my gaze follows the long line of her throat.
Beneath my leg coverings, my cock thickens.
As if sensing my stare, she turns toward me and our eyes lock.
Heat sears my skin, soaking deep into my bones.
Fluid leaks from my hardened cock. I dig my claws into my palms to stop from adjusting my aching length that pushes against the hide that imprisons it while it begs to be freed.
Even from this distance, the color rising in Elodie’s cheeks is visible. Abruptly, she jerks her head to face forward and give her full attention back to Gannen. My feet carry me in their direction as if they have a mind of their own.
“Gogo and I will not be able to visit the next turn, because we will need to remain in our village and tend to the kills that are brought back by the other warlords,” he tells her.
“Perhaps we can craft another sled and you could ride it while Gogo and I pull so that you may visit us there. You can spend the entire turn outside since you enjoy it so much.”
Elodie briefly glances in my direction. “That’s sweet of you to offer, but I’m not sure that’s a feasible idea for several reasons.
Not the least of which is that you should always ask someone if they’re able to help with a task first before you offer their services.
You don’t want to force a person to perform this task or embarrass them because they have to decline. ”
“Gogo does not mind.”
Elodie sighs and pats the empty spot next to her. Gannen quickly takes a seat, and when she places her arm around his shoulders, he leans heavily into her side.
“Did you ask your gogo beforehand?”
“No.”
“So you don’t know for a fact he doesn’t mind.”
“But I am certain—”
“Gannen,” Elodie says his name firmly, but gently.
“We can’t make decisions for other people no matter how certain we might be that they’ll agree.
It’s not the right thing to do. And while I understand you’d like me to come to your village—and I would love to be able to visit—saying your gogo will drag me the entire way on a sled without first asking him if he’s willing to do this is unfair. Not only to him, but to me.”
Gannen raises his head. “I am sorry, Elodie.”
She kisses the side of his head. “Thank you. You should also apologize to your gogo.”
He turns. “Will you accept my apology as well?”
“Aye.” I nod, uncertain what this feeling growing inside me is.
“Now that we’ve got that settled,” Elodie says. “Why don’t you tell me again about this dreri you brought down.”
The reprimand forgotten, Gannen launches into the tale of his first assisted kill. All I can do is stand there and try to figure out what is happening to me.