Page 49 of Wind Rider

“Aren’t the Saleesh also called Teteplates?” Wilkes asked.

“Only if you’re trying to offend them. Their servants are called Teteplates—not them,” said Antreas.

“Servants?” Danita frowned. “I don’t like the sound of that.”

“Yeah,” Jenna said as she finished cleaning her bowl and packing it into her basket. “Do you mean servants or slaves?”

Antreas shrugged. “They call the Teteplates their servants. I don’t know them intimately, but I have made the dam crossing several times, and even stayed the night in their camp. The Teteplates seem happy. They’re free to come and go. But they do serve the Saleesh.”

“What do the Saleesh give them in return for their service?” Mari asked.

“Their payment is through food and lodging. The Saleesh are incredible farmers and spend almost all their time tending their crops—up and down the river, which they use as irrigation. Their tribe is nomadic, so they never stay in one camp too long. The Teteplates don’t tend crops or hunt. They care for the Saleesh—keep their homes clean, look after their children, make their clothes, and a lot of other things, but they never worry about going hungry or not having shelter.”

“I don’t know if that sounds fair,” said Jenna.

“It’s their culture, and their people—Saleesh and Teteplates—thrive.” Antreas cleared his throat before continuing. “Something you all must understand is that we are not in a position to judge the practices of other Tribes and Clans. If someone is in trouble, we may help them—especially if they are injured. But it is not our business or our right to interfere in the lives of others, especially when we do not truly know them.”

Jenna opened her mouth, obviously ready to argue with Antreas, but Mari’s raised hand silenced her.

“What Antreas says is wise. It takes a special kind of arrogance to believe that our way is the best way—or the only way—to live, and that everyone who chooses differently is wrong or somehow lesser than us. Isn’t that the kind of thinking that allowed the Tribe to enslave Earth Walkers for generations? They believed their needs and beliefs were superior to ours—yet they knew nothing about us except that we madeplants grow. They saw us as childlike because they did not understand us. Let us not make their mistake.”

“I agree with Mari,” Sora said. “If we’re asked for help, that is one thing, and we will try to give it.”

“Ifgiving help doesn’t put the Pack in danger, correct?” Nik said.

“Correct,” Mari agreed.

“But if we are not asked for help, then we should not meddle in that which is not our business,” finished Sora.

“That sounds reasonable as well as wise,” Nik said. “And Mari is right. The Tribe of the Trees was arrogant. We believed we were superior to others, especially Earth Walkers. We were wrong, and look where the Tribe is now—what is left of it is led by hatred. It sickens me.” He turned to Mari. “I fully support respecting the ways of others andnotjudging them.”

Mari’s heart filled with appreciation for her lover. This was Nik publicly supporting her and showing respect for her—proving to her that he would be the mate she needed him to be.

“I agree with Nik and Mari and Sora,” Wilkes said, stepping up beside Nik. “It makes me sad, but the Tribe took a wrong path some time ago, and that path allowed our people to accept Thaddeus’s hatred as their rallying cry. I watched it happen from the inside, and I never want to be part of anything like that again.”

“Thank you, Nik and Wilkes,” said Mari. “Pack? Do you agree?”

“Agreed!” they shouted.

“All right then, we mind our own business,” Antreas said, obviously relieved. “Let us cast off. The sun is just topping the pines, so the timing is perfect.”

“I would ask our Moon Women if we could wait just a few moments before we cast off while those of us who choose to do so join me in greeting the sun,” Nik said.

“Of course! I’m sorry I didn’t think of it,” Mari said. “Pack, those of you who wish to greet the sun, please follow our Sun Priest… where, Nik?”

“Here on the beach is just fine.” Nik moved to a spot a few yards awayfrom the water and turned to the east and the sun that was just topping the pines. “Spread out behind me and face the sun.”

“Nik, do we have to be Companions to greet the sun?” Jenna asked, sounding hesitant and unsure of herself.

“No! Absolutely not! Anyone may greet the sun,” Nik said.

“Well, then, I would like to try it,” Jenna said. “I saw the Tribe greeting the sun while I was a prisoner. I used to wonder why a people who could be so beautiful and loving could also be so cruel.”

Wilkes went to Jenna and put his hand gently on her shoulder. “We took a wrong path, but no more. Never again. Please join us.” The Warrior’s gaze took in the Pack, and he met the eyes of each Earth Walker. “Those of us who are here have changed—we woke up. I give you my oath as a Companion on that.”

With tears filling her eyes, Mari watched almost the entire Pack spread out behind Nik and Laru and the rest of the Companion pairs.

“Want to join them?” Mari asked Sora.