“It is a two-way bond,” Tabor said. “I have a gift to offer our new kinsmen.” He gestured and a quartet of soldiers brought forth General Makki. He wore a simply brown tunic and had been stripped of all jewelry and adornment. His hands were bound.
The soldiers made Makki kneel in front of Lake Wolf.
“This is the one who destroyed your homes,” Tabor said. “He is now the gift of the Eagle clan to the Wolf clan. Do with him as you will.”
Makki did not bow his head but stared defiantly at Lake Wolf.
“Will they kill him?” Ceti asked.
Sky shook her head. “No, that is not our way. Watch.”
“We accept this gift,” Lake Wolf said. “He will be watched as a child would be and forced to help rebuild our home.”
Makki winced, but said nothing.
Makki had been made a slave to the Lenape. Ceti suspected the Roman general viewed that as a worse punishment than death.
As Lenape warriors led away Makki, Tabor stepped back to Ceti.
“That was well done, sir,” Ceti said.
“But not easily done. Some wanted Makki executed. I also had to convince some of Manhatos’s citizens that allowing the Lenape, as part of our tribe, to have a say in our governance.” Tabor grinned, wolflike. “I must admit, owing our victory to their help made it easier. A month from now, it would not have gone as well.”
“Sky, state your intention,” said Lake Wolf as she stepped forward
“I would have Licinius Ceti of the Eagle clan as my husband,” Sky said.
Husband.
Sky took his hand. “Do you still wish to keep to your promise under the aquila?”
“Of course!” He grinned. “You must have been certain or you would have asked before surprising me.”
She smiled. “I had thought you felt this way. But, listen. There is more.”
“Licinius Ceti, do you accept Bringer of Fire from the Sky of the Wolf Clan as your wife?” Lake Wolf asked.
Sky had taken a new formal name. Ceti swallowed. Suddenly, the air around him seemed thick and heavy. Something otherworldly.
“Yes,” he said.
“Then so it is agreed!” Lake Wolf raised her arms. “All rejoice.”
Ceti seemed to be enveloped in noise. Gaius clapped him on the back. Best of all, Sky leaned over for a long kiss. “The medicus says some things may be done between us now, if I am careful,” she whispered into his ear.
Careful? May Vulcan’s hammer strike him dead, but he would not be careful when bedding Sky. His wife. He grinned.
Ghost Wolf raised his arms. The noise died down. All the Lenape sat on the lawn. Gaius and Mykle helped Ceti out of the chair and settled him on the grass next to Sky.
Sky settled next to Ceti. He leaned over and kissed her again.
Ghost Wolf was the only one who remained standing.
“This is the tale of Sky of the People and Ceti of the Romans,” Ghost Wolf said. “Listen, learn, and let word of this go forth to all.”
A word about the author...
Corrina Lawson is former newspaper reporter with a degree in journalism from Boston University. She turned to writing fiction after her twins were born (they were kids three and four) to save her sanity. The twins are eleven now and she’s written eight books, a blend of romance with various genres.
Corrina is currently an editor of GeekMom and a core contributor to its brother site, Geek Dad on Wired.com. She also writes for Sequential Tart, a webzine about comics and pop culture written solely by women. Often you can find her hanging out on comic book writer Gail Simone’s forum on Jinxworld or at her Website at:
www.corrinalawson.wordpress.com
She has been a finalist in the national Golden Heart contest sponsored by the Romance Writers of America and is the winner of several regional RWA contests.
Her first published book, Dinah of Seneca, an alternate history romance, is currently available from The Wild Rose Press. She’s also had an essay published in Chicken Soup for the Soul—“Thanks, Mom!”
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Eagle of Seneca Page 29