Chapter 21
Ortak
Hunting with these males has been the most rewarding thing I have done in a long time.
Benham and Jodah were far more patient in their demonstrations than I expected.
Although, considering the large weapon maker is the one who most often takes out Talek and Cecily to hunt, he would need to have much patience.
Kala and I worked well together and brought down three dreri and four dhibani between the two of us.
The Tavikhi were equally as successful. We have so many kills we were unable to carry them all ourselves.
Instead, we had to craft a sled in order to haul them all back to the village.
I’m filled with the greatest sense of pride in being able to provide for the tribe, but most importantly for Gannen and Elodie.
However, it took everything in me to not think of her while hunting. Instead, I focused all my energy on making a good impression on the Tavikhi warriors and proving to them I am a valuable member of the tribe. Given the praise I received once our kills were counted, I succeeded.
We enter the forest beyond the bari field that separates it from the mountains we recently left and make our way toward the front gate of the village.
We are arriving later than we expected. Given the position of the sun, we have missed the evening meal.
I hope Elodie is not worried. The mated females would have assured her all is well.
Benham and Jodah said they have returned home this late more than once.
One Tavikhi and one Krijese guard the entrance and greet us.
We are also given praise on all we have returned with.
This is perhaps the first time I am excited to hunt again.
Often, it is a task I dread, because far too often I returned to our village in disappointment.
If we are this successful each time, it will ease so burdens I have bore about the future of the Krijese.
Word of our arrival must have spread, because Gannen runs toward us calling out for me.
“Gogo, you are home!” He comes to a skidding halt and stares in awe at the bounty we pull behind us. “You felled all of those this turn?”
Kala and the two Tavikhi laugh. It is not a sound I have made before nor is it the time for me to try. “I cannot take credit for all of the kills, but I did fell many of them.”
“I would like to go hunting again with you soon.”
“We will make sure to plan a turn.” Gannen’s skills have greatly improved since that first turn I allowed him to come and we found Elodie.
“Talek and Cecily will be joining me on a hunt in two turns. You and your gogo are welcome as well,” Benham tells my kit.
“Yes, we will be happy to join you,” Gannen answers for both of us.
Movement calls my attention, and I turn. Elodie rushes toward me and suddenly I am enclosed in a smothering—but welcome—embrace. “You told me you’d be back before the evening meal. I’ve been freaking out that something happened to you.”
I glance quickly at the other males who observe us before I return her hug. “I did not mean to cause you to worry. We tracked a herd of dhibani farther than expected. It is why it took us longer to return, but all is well.”
Elodie draws back and when she notices the other males watching us, she blushes and ducks her head slightly. “Maeve, Sage, and Iris told me you guys were fine and just running late, but I couldn’t help it. This is my first experience with sending somebody off to hunt for the day.”
“I cannot always promise I will not return later than planned in the future, but I will always do my best.”
“You better,” Elodie mumbles.
Jodah claps my shoulder. “Why don’t you go with Elodie and your kit and get something to eat. There is always food waiting at the central fire for any hunters who return home late.”
“I should help with the bounty we brought back.”
“You deserve to celebrate,” Benham says. “Go. We will take care of this.”
For a moment, I hesitate, but finally dip my head and fist my chest. “You have my thanks.”
All three males return the gesture and proceed ahead, dragging the sled behind them in the direction of the tanning tent. I face Elodie and Gannen who has moved to stand next to her. They both smile at me.
“Come on,” she says. “Let’s get you fed. Plus, your son has been bursting at the seams waiting for you to get home so he can tell you all about his day.”
The two of them turn and start toward where the central fire lies, leaving me to follow. Gannen glances over his shoulder.
“Elodie and I practiced throwing my war axe.” He laughs. “I do not think there is enough practice in the world that will make her better.”
She sputters. “You’re supposed to be telling me I didn’t do as bad as I thought and that no doubt I’ll get better. It’s just going to take some time.”
“It is wrong to lie,” Gannen says, but his amusement is evident, as is Elodie’s.
“Yeah, yeah.” She swivels her head. “I can admit how badly I sucked and that I’m pretty sure no amount of practice or guidance is going to change that. But I still had fun and would do it again if for nothing else than to entertain you.”
“You will have to show me your technique. Perhaps I can help.” It is the perfect excuse to hold her close so that I may show her the proper way to throw.
We reach the central fire where a few people linger. A large pot still hangs over the flames that burn low. Elodie glances at me.
“Trust me, there is no helping the disaster that I am at axe throwing. It’s fine though.
I still had fun and it’s not like I have to be good at it.
” She does have a point. “As long as we stay far away from people when it’s my turn to throw, it’ll all be fine.
We don’t need any rogue axes lopping off someone’s head. ”
“I am not certain the shefir would approve.”
Elodie stares at me for a moment. “Did you just make a joke?”
“Perhaps.”
She grins and rolls her eyes. “We’re going to sit. Gannen, will you please grab your dad some food?”
He hustles to where a female Tavikhi is scooping meat and a root vegetable onto a platter.
She passes it to him and he races back to where Elodie and I have already reached her favorite seat.
Normally, it is Gannen who sits beside her, but this time, she gestures for me to take the spot next to her.
“You’ve had a long day and deserve a small bit of comfort. This is, after all, the perfect log for it.” She laughs.
Gannen shoves the platter under my nose. “Here is your meal, Gogo.”
“You have my thanks.” I take it from him and have my first bite. “Did you go swimming?”
He bounces on his feet in front of me. “We did. Even the halflings came into the water with us. Dasha cried when Graham splashed her. I do not think he meant to do so though. She did not care, because after, she grabbed a peshku in her bare hands and threw it at him. It was a terrible throw and she missed, but when it landed in the water, it jumped out again and smacked him in the face with its tail.”
Elodie snorts and covers her mouth with her hand.
“It was quite the interaction. I suspect Graham is going to think twice in the future about messing with the shefir’s daughter.
He might be bigger than her, but he’s younger and she has no fear.
She’s going to be like Cecily when she gets older, I’m sure.
No boy is going to do anything she can’t do and she’ll maybe even do it better. ”
“The shefira’s oldest kit is filled with fire. I suspect she will grow to be a great leader.”
Elodie glances at me. “Do you have an issue with a female leader?”
“What reason would I have? Females can be powerful beings. Dasha is being raised by a great shefir who will teach her all he knows. Being physically strong is not the only thing that makes a leader. It is also intelligence, patience, respect, and the desire to do what is best for their people so they may thrive and continue growing. It is perhaps females who are actually more suited to be leaders than some males are.”
Elodie’s softness presses against my side as she leans close. Her breath is warm caress along my ear and the sensation makes my cock hard and my knot swell. “That is probably one of the sexiest things you could have ever said.”
She sits back and all I can do is stare and will my hardened length to soften.
Gannen’s gaze bounces between us as if he too is trying to understand what is occurring between Elodie and me.
She spoke so quietly I am certain he did not hear her.
The way she is looking at me is the same way she looked the prior turn when we were leaving the river.
The way Iris looks at Kala. It is the way Elodie looked at me outside her tent last night after we kissed.
She gently nudges me. “You better eat before it gets cold.”
Words get lodged in my throat. Instead of trying to push them out, I do as she bids and go back to my meal.
Gannen returns to filling the silence with his recitation of how he and Elodie had remained occupied for the rest of the turn.
Once I am finished, he takes my platter and runs it over to the fire where a small stack still needing to be cleaned lies.
“That was called flirting,” she tells me while he is gone. “In case you were wondering.”
“I do not know this human word.”
Elodie chuckles. “Ah, of course you don’t. I doubt flirting exists in your culture. It’s a way a person shows another person they like them. It’s a kind of…teasing I suppose. Like sexy banter. Or a lingering look or touch.”
“You have done this flirting with me before.” I do not pose it as one, but it is a question nonetheless.
“I’ve tried, but our wires got a little crossed. Flirting is useless if the other person doesn’t know you’re doing it.”
A noise rumbles in my throat. “I will pay closer attention in the future so that I might recognize this flirting that you do.”
“Feel free to try your own flirting, if you want,” she tells me.
“Perhaps I will practice this ritual the next time we are alone.” I attempt to change the tone of my voice. To one I would use with her if we were together in my furs.
Elodie smiles broadly. “If that was your first attempt, then I think you’re going to be a quick learner.”
Any chance I have to try this flirting again is gone when Gannen returns. “You both have weird looks on your faces. What were you talking about?”
I am not certain I know how to explain what is happening between Elodie and me. Luckily I do not have to, because she answers before I can. “Your Gogo and I were discussing whether he is a better student or not than I am. Given how poorly I did with axe throwing, he might have me beat.”
“Kala is far superior in his axe throwing skills than Gogo, so perhaps he is not the best student either.”
Elodie laughs loudly and the way her eyes bore into mine sends arousal running through me. “I don’t know. I think he’s a better one than you’re giving him credit for.”