by Ruby Dixon
She scowls over in his direction and then looks back at the men who are competing. “After this, you will have shown off all your skills. She will know of your prowess as hunters and providers. If Tiffany wants a guy’s attention, she’ll come to you. Understand?”
Silence.
“It is understood,” Aehako answers on their behalf. He crosses his arms over his brawny chest and gazes over at me and Josie. “Let us proceed.”
“All right,” Josie says, and steps forward. “Like I said, this last competition is split into four parts. There’s one for brains.” She ticks off a finger, then another. “Brawn. Talent. The last one is for effort, and the tribe itself will vote on who has put in the most effort for the day. And we’re going to go ahead and start with brains. That’s why we’re standing out here next to the cliff.” She turns and points up.
I turn to look at what she’s pointing at, and so does everyone else. There are five specks of color high on the cliff, a bright red that I didn’t notice until now.
“Up there are five bone medallions that have been dyed red so you can see them. All four medallions are the same, and all four are hanging several feet down from the lip of the cliff. Your job is to get one medallion down and bring it back to me. The first one to place a medallion in my hands gets a seed to add to their count.”
I eye the sheer cliff with more than a bit of trepidation. Already I can see the men sizing up the climb, and I worry – it’s extremely steep and there aren’t a lot of hand-holds. Climbing up will be extremely dangerous, and I don’t want anyone to fall and hurt themselves. I cling to Kira’s arm, panicking at the thought. The healer’s a half a day away in the other caves. What if Salukh gets hurt? What if someone pushes him off the cliff?
“There’s only one rule – you cannot climb the cliff wall,” Josie adds. “Everything else is fair game.”
I’m relieved to hear it. I clutch Kira’s arm a little less tightly now, relaxing.
“Everyone ready?” Josie raises a hand in the air, and all five men tense. Then, she brings her arm down. “Begin!”
The men pause, and I can see the wheels turning in their heads. Salukh glances over at me, and our eyes make contact. He’s got that intense look on his face that tells me he’s going to give it his all, and I want to shout encouragement to him.
Before I can say anything, though, he turns and begins a sprint along the cliff. I’m confused at first, and then as two other men – Vaza and Bek – take off after him, I realize he’s going to go the long route and hike up the cliff from behind, then retrieve a medallion and bring it back. He’s banking on the fact that the others won’t be able to do it faster. I cross my fingers quietly behind my back, hoping he’s right. I’m a little worried that Vaza and Bek – not the most easygoing twosome – are hiking along with him.
Taushen and Hassen remain at the base of the cliff. As I watch, Taushen moves around, all nervous energy, and then wads a snowball into one hand, tossing it at the medallions. It doesn’t have much impact, and it’s clear that’s not going to work. Hassen merely rubs his chin, thoughtful, staring up at the medallions and thinking hard.
Next to me, Kira leans in. “What do you think?” She juggles the baby in her arms, smoothing the blankets around Kae’s small face. “Does Salukh stand a chance?”
“I don’t know.” And I don’t. I’m not sure what to think. I’m sure he can win a footrace against the other two if it’s fair, but the clincher is the ‘fair’ part. I’m also a little worried that they’ll take too long. Taushen’s running around like a chicken with his head cut off, but Hassen’s cool and just studying the medallions. There’s a shrewd look on his face that tells me he’s got something in mind but isn’t ready to act on it yet.
A moment later, I’m surprised when Hassen breaks through the crowd and begins to run for the main cave. A few people murmur, but no one leaves the competition area, especially since Taushen is now finding rocks to put in his snowballs and lobbing them harder, all to no avail. I hear Farli stifle a giggle behind her hand. Poor Taushen. Brains are clearly not his strong suit.
Hassen returns a few minutes later with a sling in hand, just as a light snow starts to fall. I pull my furs tighter around my body, watching with a worried sort of anticipation as Hassen fits a stone into the cradle of his sling and then begins to whirl the leather over his head with easy, powerful strokes. Then, he lets the stone fly.
It hits the mark perfectly, of course. He’s a skilled hunter and has excellent aim. The medallion shivers in place and sways, but remains put. I suck in a breath, surprised.
“They’re hooked onto a rock lip,” Josie whispers, moving toward us. “Just smacking it isn’t going to do anything.”
Nearby, Haeden grunts. “This is foolishness. If anyone needs me, I will be off hunting and providing for the tribe like the rest of these fools should be.” He casts a baleful glare at all of us and storms away.
“Grumpy pants,” Josie mutters. “I’m freaking brilliant with this competition. He’s just in a pissy mood as usual.”
I do have to admit that Josie’s competitions have been clever and tailored toward useful things. Maybe not so much today, but the men have been hunting a great deal and the supplies in the cave have been steadily growing greater. This competition hasn’t been all bad, I suppose. At least not for the tribe.
Taushen, meanwhile, hurries off to the caves to retrieve his own weapon, no doubt, as Hassen rubs his chin again. As Taushen returns with a spear, Hassen leaves once more. To no one’s surprise, Taushen’s spear appears to be equally ineffective in retrieving a medallion, and he makes a noise of frustration before heading back into the cave again.
“Look up,” Kira whispers. “They must have run the entire way.”
I shield my eyes and gaze up at the top of the cliff. There’s a tall figure squatting down against the edge of the cliff, and as I watch, he goes to his stomach and leans an arm over, neatly plucking one of the medallions from the cliff wall. That sweep of dark, beautiful hair can’t be anyone but Salukh, and my heart pitter-pats in my breast.
The moment he disappears from sight again, the two others are right behind him, and I hold my breath. It’s going to be close if it comes down to the footrace.
Hassen returns with something new – a twisted, large bone fishhook tied onto a length of leather-braided rope. He kneels in the snow and ties one of his sling-stones into the leather near the hook, and then begins to swing it over his head like he did the sling. A moment later, the weighted hook goes flying and smacks against the cliff wall. It doesn’t connect, and Hassen pulls the rope back and tries again.
On his second attempt, it’s hooked, and I watch with dismay as he pulls the medallion down off the cliff wall and trots over to retrieve it. He brings it to Josie, a triumphant look in his eyes.
“The winner for the brains category is Hassen,” Josie declares and hands him one of the brightly-painted red seeds. Hassen takes it with a little bow and then nods in my direction as if to say see how capable I am?
I give him a faint smile, even though I’m tempted to run back into the cave and hide. Oh, Salukh. He’s not going to win. I should have spoke up, and now it’s too late. I’m in this mess hip deep.
Taushen hides his disappointment well, congratulating Hassen. Then we all wait for the three runners to return. I’m surprised that both Vaza and Bek show up ahead of Salukh. He was in first – what happened between when he’d arrived at the top of the cliff and now?
I get my answer in the exchange of smug looks between Bek and Vaza. Several minutes later, Salukh shows up with his medallion…and a bloody nose. There are several bruises and scratches on his chest and face and I suck in a breath, noting that one of his eyes is blackened and swollen. It’s my fault the others are taking out their frustration on him, because I invited him to my furs.
Aehako steps forward, a thunderous frown on his face as he studies Salukh. “What happened?”
“Nothing,” Salukh says fla
tly.
“That is dvisti piss and you know it.” Aehako casts a baleful look at Bek and Vaza. “This competition ends now. It is clear to me that you cannot be men and must behave like kits.”
The men make noises of protest, clearly pissed that they’re not going to get a chance for more seeds. I don’t care. Right now all I can see is the blood trickling from Salukh’s nostril.
“No,” Salukh says. “The contest should continue.”
I suck in a breath. Aehako frowns at him.
“It is dangerous if no one can control themselves. I will not allow—“
“It will not happen again,” Salukh says flatly. “I will not give up my claim on Tee-fah-nee because of a scuffle.”
I look over at Vaza and Bek, and realize for the first time that Vaza’s got a fat lip and Bek’s got a bruise shadowing one cheek. At least Salukh was able to hit back.
“We are not continuing unless I am assured by all that this will not happen again.” Aehako turns and glares at the men.
There are mumbles of assent, and it’s agreed that the challenge will continue. I have a sick feeling in my stomach as I watch the men line up again. Escorting me to the Elders’ Cave isn’t worth this. It’s not worth fighting amongst men that have been friends from childhood.
They are willing to do anything for a chance at a mate. I should be flattered, but it scares me.
• • •
The day wears on and it becomes clear to me that Salukh never stood a chance at winning. The ‘brawn’ competition involves the men racing to retrieve boulders from a nearby plain and then carrying them through an obstacle course that Josie has set up. Though I know Salukh is strong and fast, the other men work against him. They leave the largest of boulders for him to carry, and they push and shove at him as they run. They knock over obstacles into Salukh’s path that slow him down. It’s not a fair fight and both Josie and Aehako are making unhappy noises when a triumphant Bek arrives for the win.
For the ‘talent’ competition, Josie gives the men a list of creatures to hunt: a scythe-beak, a fang-face, and a quill-beast. One is a bird, one is a fish, and one is a land creature. They’re to bring them back to the cave, and whoever returns the quickest with all three kills will be the winner. If they have nothing by sunset, they are to head back to the cave, the contest over.
The men set off in different directions with their weapons. As I watch Salukh jog away from the cave, I’m surprised to see Vaza change course and head after him.
“That cheater,” Kira murmurs. “He’s going to tail him and scare away his game. Vaza knows he’s not going to win so he’s going to make sure that Salukh fails at all of the challenges.”
My guilt chokes me. I head back to the cave with the others, but there’s no joy in the afternoon for me. I spend some time with Chompy, brushing him and cleaning out his cave. Farli hangs around with me, but she’s silent company since we don’t speak the same language. That suits me fine – I’m not in a talking mood anyhow.
It seems like an eternity before someone returns back to the cave with their trophies. It’s Taushen, utterly triumphant. Hassen returns a short time after, and he’s less than pleased. He deposits his kills and then stalks to his cave to sulk. Bek arrives at sunset, only two kills out of three in his hand.
Salukh and Vaza show up when it’s fully dark, and there is no kill in Salukh’s hand. The frustration on his face is evident.
“Congratulations, Taushen,” Josie says as the tribe tucks into the fresh meat. I don’t eat a thing, because I have no appetite. She awards the hunter his latest seed and then glances around the cavern. “The only contest left is that of ‘Effort’. The tribe is supposed to judge it, but it doesn’t matter at this point. Taushen is the clear winner. He has more seeds than anyone else.”
The young hunter whoops in delight and rushes over to me, looking for encouragement.
I give him a faint smile, even though I feel like throwing up.
“When shall I escort you to the Elders’ Cave, Ti-fa-ni?” He squats on the ground near me, his face puppyish in its adoration. I can’t hate him. He’s just lonely and has a crush. I wish it wasn’t on me, though. “Shall we go tomorrow?”
“Sure, tomorrow,” I say. What choice do I have?
Chapter Twelve
SALUKH
Anger burns in my belly as I tear a leg off of the fresh-killed quill-beast and then head out of the cavern to eat under the stars. Normally I would welcome company but tonight, my head is full of frustration and I want to see no one. I want to be alone with my angry thoughts.
Tee-fah-nee has slipped through my grasp for the moment. The others made sure of that. I had no idea they were so very angry at finding me in her furs until Bek and Vaza came after me with their fists. To them, I am a betrayer.
I do not care what they think, though. Only Tee-fah-nee. But she has been silent, and when Taushen won, she smiled at him and agreed to leave with him in the morning.
My jealousy is fierce. I should have all her smiles. I should be the one taking her to the Elders’ Cave. I should be inside even now, feeding her choice tidbits of meat to ensure that my mate is healthy. Instead, I am outside, angrily gnawing on a quill-beast leg and seething.
Why is my khui silent? Now is the time to claim her. Now is the time to declare that she belongs to me and only me. I do not trust Taushen to keep her safe. He is a good hunter, but younger than I am and easily distracted. He will have two precious females with him and while the trail is safe, there are always risks.
I should go along with them to protect. It is the only wise thing to do.
Footsteps crunch behind me in the snow and I stiffen.
“Ho, friend,” Aehako calls out into the darkness. “Mind if I join you?”
“Yes.”
He laughs and comes to my side anyhow, gazing up at the stars. “It is a nice night.”
I grunt. It was nicer when I was alone.
“Come,” Aehako says and claps me on my arm. “Do not be surly like Haeden. Today was bad. Tomorrow will be better.”
“She leaves tomorrow for the Elders’ Cave,” I say, voice flat with anger. “With Taushen.”
“Yes, she does.” Aehako is silent for a moment and when I look over, he’s gazing up at the stars. “It is hard to think, sometimes, that they are a very different people than us. Most times, my Kira is easy to predict, but then she will say something that I cannot comprehend, and I remember where they come from. The place called Urth.”
I say nothing. I know all too well that Tee-fah-nee is different than a sa-khui woman. I need no reminder. I like her differences. I accept all her unique traits.
“They have different courting rituals on Urth,” Aehako continues. “Strange ones. Perhaps that is why she does not speak up to declare that she wants you, when it is clear she has affection for you and not the others.”
She does not speak up because she is afraid. I know this, and some of my anger burns away. Bek and Vaza used their fists on me this day. I did not care, because I am strong and can handle anything they might try. But Tee-fah-nee fears that they will become violent against her. The thought of a male striking a precious female is incomprehensible, and yet she has been hurt by others in the past. “She has her reasons.”
“She must,” Aehako says easily. He squeezes my shoulder, and I wince when he touches a bruised spot. “And we must respect the human rituals. That is why you cannot go after them when they go to the Elders’ Cave.”
I scowl. How did he know what I intended? I look over at Aehako and his face is grim.
“I know you are thinking it because I would do the same for my Kira,” he says. “But you must not. If you value tribe harmony, you will claim one of the hunting trails and go out for several days. Cool your head. Get your mind back to where it should be. Do not think about the female.”
As if I can simply push thoughts of Tee-fah-nee from my mind. I snort at the ridiculous thought.
“I am telling you as a
chief,” Aehako says. “I am sending Bek and Vaza and Hassen out on hunting trails as well. It is time we stop with all the foolishness of fighting over females and return to our true task – providing enough food for the brutal season. There have been far too many distractions as of late.”
He’s not wrong. I have spent more time with Tee-fah-nee than hunting lately. I think of my mother and father, my younger sister Farli. My brothers Pashov and Dagesh and their mates and young. They do not deserve to go hungry simply because I cannot focus.
But Tee-fah-nee is not safe with only Taushen to protect her. The humans are all too vulnerable. “I will hunt the trails,” I tell Aehako. There are many familiar paths our hunters take, and along the way there are scattered caves and icy caches of frozen kills that will be useful in the brutal season. Those caches must be replenished, and hunting the trails will keep me away from the main cave for many days in a row.
It is a lie, though.
Instead of hunting, I shall follow Tee-fah-nee and ensure that she is safe.
• • •
TIFFANY
“You watch dvisti?” I point at little Chompy in his pen and Farli nods at me eagerly. She spits out a stream of fluid syllables and gesticulates with her hands. I have no idea what she’s saying, but she’s nodding and pointing at the baby animal, so I’m sure she’s agreeing to watch him. One good thing out of this trip will be the language-dump. I’m ready to understand what all the sa-khui are saying. I’ve picked up some of the language in the last year and a half, but it’s so fluid and so many of the hunters speak English to us that I’m not as good with it as I should be.
Farli looks at me, smiling. Her hand strays down to Chompy’s little triangle-shaped head and the dvisti bleats and licks her fingers. He loves her, not me, because she’s been the one tirelessly taking care of him while I deal with my issues.
“When I get back, you and I are going to have a long talk about animal husbandry,” I tell her. I’ll give her the little animal for her own and help her raise him, but at this point? He’s her pet, not mine.