“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 ourthanks 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 rootvegetables. 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.”
