Gannen’s eyes widen. “You said you had no desire to learn.”
“I changed my mind. Why don’t you run back to your tent and get it while I change my clothes? Come back here and we’ll go find a target to aim for.”
He scrambles to his feet and takes off for the door. “I will be right back.”
“Knock before you enter, please,” I call after him and hope he hears me since he’s already gone.
Not wanting to get caught with my pants down, I hurry as best I can to stand and hop to my chest for a clean outfit. I’m still half naked when there’s a hard slap at my door. “Hold your horses please. I’m not ready yet.”
Thankfully, Gannen doesn’t come in. I finish dressing and call out. “Alright, you’re good. You can come in now.”
The flap swings open and he walks in with his sheathed axe already strapped to his chest and shoulders. I grab my crutches from where I propped them while I got my clothes on and hop over to the table so I can clean my teeth before we go.
Gannen comes and stands next to me. “What are you doing?”
The Tavikhi don’t have real toothpaste, but in addition to the lotion Sage made for everyone, she also created a reasonable substitute. “I’m brushing my teeth.”
Once again, he intently studies what I’m doing. When I’m done, I rinse off the makeshift brush and set it to the side of the basin before I turn toward him. “Alright, I’m ready when you are.”
“I did not know females took so long to prepare in the mornings.”
That makes me laugh and I give him a quick hug. “Come on, you, let’s go.”
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 avaluable 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.”
