Nature's Tribe

by Jacky Gray

  Subtle changes in his body suggested he, too felt the attraction between them. But what must he think of her now, having heard what she’d done?

  “None of this is your fault, Eanje. Nothing you could have done would have stopped them doing what they did to you. If ever I come across those weaklings … well, that’s never going to happen. Such despicable people will never be allowed to cross over.”

  She shuffled round to face him. Even though she couldn’t see his face, it felt better to say it like this. “On the third time I grasped what drove them. Although they punished me, they really wanted me to punish them. Once I realised that, my life got easier.”

  “What do you mean?” His tone suggested how little he knew of such things, and she didn’t want to be the one to take away his innocence.

  “Let us just say they enjoyed being whipped. Once they admitted to it, and saw how much pleasure I could give them, I refused to do it unless they paid me. In jewels and gold coins.”

  His voice sounded strained. “Good for you.”

  “They taught me a valuable lesson about how much men were prepared to pay to pleasure themselves at my expense. It saw me in good stead for the next decade.”

  “I don’t think I want to hear any more.”

  “Really? I am finding this extremely beneficial. Finally to admit things about myself and the life I have lead – it is doing me the power of good.”

  “I’m glad. But no more tonight. I do not think I can stand any more details about such unsavoury things.”

  She chuckled, reaching out a hand and finding his cheek. “Poor Lyran. Such an innocent. So you don’t want to hear how women were threatened by my beauty and men would stop at nothing to own a part of it. Or so they thought.” As she spoke, her hand trailed down his chest, getting ever lower until she reached the part of his body which had responded to her proximity.

  He jumped as her hand brushed over the front of his breeches, and grasped her wrist. “What are you doing?”

  Her eyes had adjusted to the dim light so she barely fumbled as she closed the gap to press her lips to his. After a brief resistance, she felt him give in to his body’s natural instincts. “Please, Lyran. Let me know the love of a good man. That is the best healing you could give me.”

  No more words were said as their bodies joined in a sweet, pure coupling which cleansed and healed and purified her soul.

  The following day, it poured with rain and the three men stayed inside as Tasker declared they could do little more at the quarry without some proper equipment and a few more pairs of hands. The implements they had were set to work creating alternatives to the many metal tools they had become used to in the other world.

  Jarl gave the benefit of his military experience and Tasker’s masonry skills came in useful. Eanje marvelled at the many different uses of bones, stones and wood as they created shovels, hammers and several different cutting tools resembling knives, axes, and an adze for hollowing out wood.

  Senna wove the willow branches into the wooden frames Jarl made, creating sturdy shelves for storing many things. As they toiled together, Lyran showed Eanje how to use one of the sharpened stones to scrape a cow hide.

  “Not a very pleasant job, but it has so many uses.”

  “Like more barrels for brewing ale.” Jarl shouted from across the room. “And I want to get started on the plum wine, too.”

  “You can never have too many barrels. I’d like to have one outside to catch the rainwater.” As he spoke, he demonstrated how to use the tool.

  When she tried, she could not get the same action, so he bent over her, adjusting her grip, and showing her the most efficient action. The heat from his body warmed as his subtle scent enveloped her, and she struggled to focus on the task. He had split the hide in two, and he draped his half over the other side of the stone bench she used to work on.

  Jarl and Bryce kept them entertained singing sea-shanties, and she found this helped as she matched her rhythm with that of the songs.

  Her eyes kept straying to where Lyran worked. As he smoothed his strong, capable hands over the patch he’d just cleaned, looking for any missed bits, she had a strong memory of the same hands smoothing over her skin. She heated up, remembering the pleasure it evoked. Pleasure she had not experienced for a very long time, and was keen to repeat.

  He glanced up, as though hearing her thoughts, and she blushed at the echoing light in his eyes.

  Jarl chose that moment to sneeze with such a force she jumped and her tool skittered across her other hand, drawing blood.

  Lyran reacted quickly, using a linen kerchief to bind the wound, curbing the blood. “Oh dear, maybe you should have a less dangerous task.”

  Eanje snorted. “Jarl’s sneezes are the only dangerous thing around here.” But she felt much happier binding the curved rib bones together to create frames to support the hide. She wove some of the flexible willow branches to create a base.

  “Excellent. These will be handy for so many things.” Lyran fitted a hide inside it, and together they fastened it in place with another willow branch. Lyran put it to work straight away, collecting some of the rain water.

  Bryce showed them how to make pungent glue, drawing on his years’ experience as an apprentice to a bowyer back in Scotland. They experimented with making ropes from several different materials, an activity which benefitted from the cooperation of all six and filled the hour after dinner until they lost the light.

  Eanje willed them all to retire to their cots early again so she could spend another couple of hours alone with Lyran. After the incident with the hide, she had been aware of him all day, finding herself watching the dexterity of those hands as he applied himself to every task. She delighted at his low, vibrant speaking voice and admired his cool, intelligent assessment of every potential problem.

  The other men listened to the solutions he suggested, quick to agree with them. Whether deliberate or not, he barely exchanged two words with Senna, and the envious part of Eanje saw this as a victory. Totally unreasonable, but wholly justified – it wasn’t fair for Senna to still have sway over him when she had Jarl.

  This time, she went to bed first, lying awake as she listened to the sounds of the others preparing to sleep, willing him to come to her. She had actually dozed off when she felt a sudden draught of cold at her back, quickly replaced by his warmth.

  “I hope you don’t mind, but I have been unable to think of anything but you all day.”

  “If you had not turned up when you did, I would have come out to share your cot.” She rolled over to face him.

  “That’s one way of letting the others know. Although I believe Senna already does.”

  The sadness in his voice stopped her from snuggling up immediately and giving in to the cravings her body had demanded all day. She sensed his need to talk and, with her normal lack of diplomacy, went straight to the crux of the matter. “Do you mind seeing your wife with another man?”

  “Honestly? It tears me in two.” Once the words were out he gasped, as though acknowledging the hurt gave it substance. He paused for a long while, and she lay still and quiet, allowing him to deal with it.

  Finally, he exhaled a shaky breath. “This is a mess of my own making. I suppose if I had known the full extent of Gaia’s plan, I might not have forced Jarl into promising to marry her.” His shoulders tensed and released. “But I could not risk leaving Domenyk a way of claiming her. That would have been an entirely different story.”

  “Oh, Lyran. Please stop berating yourself so. We all know you had no choice about it. What’s done is done.”

  “It is not fair on either of them. I have seen their thoughts long enough to know both of them feel a huge guilt over the fact I am now here, alive. I have caught Jarl looking at me often as though he is waiting for me to assert my prior claim to his wife.”

  “I have noticed how Senna is never as carefree when you are around. I’m sorry if that is hard to hear, but I agree your presence is putting a
strain on their relationship.”

  “I knew it! She seems different here – they both do.”

  His misery cut deeply, and she knew no matter what, he would never stop loving his wife. Unless she did something drastic, she could see three good lives being ruined. Thankfully, he was a reasonable man, and the evidence spoke for itself. “They were much more relaxed and affectionate in the old world, but I have noticed them scolding each other over the most inconsequential things.”

  “You have noticed that, too? I hoped they only did it while I was around.”

  “It definitely gets worse. Jarl seems to find reasons to cross you over things he would not normally care about.”

  Lyran groaned. “This is hopeless.”

  She could bear the pain in his voice no longer, reaching to press her lips to his in a sisterly kiss meant only to console and support. But the fire between them ignited as though consuming the driest piece of birch kindling.

  Unlike the previous night, this coupling had an urgency and intensity which raised a sweat and left them both panting. He clung onto her, and she relished the feeling of this strong, sensitive man inside her.

  “I’m so sorry. I have been wanting to do that all day.”

  “Why would you apologise? It was truly wonderful. Different to last night, but still so caring.”

  “You are easy to care for.”

  “Really?” She never expected to hear such a sentiment from a man.

  “Absolutely. Just like Senna, you are warm, intelligent and generous beyond belief.”

  Eanje did not know quite how to feel about his compliment. Although pleased with his opinion of her, the fact he’d mentioned Senna first, dulled its shine.

  He realised his mistake instantly, hugging her close. “Can you forgive me? I could not be more of a dullard if I tried. Eanje, you have stolen my heart. I could not imagine someone as beautiful, talented and courageous as you would ever look twice at a man like me. Especially after Jarl …”

  The last thing she wanted was to discuss any part of her complex relationship with Jarl – something she had not come to terms with herself. So she distracted him with an attack, having been assured it was the best form of defence. “So now I am supposed to assuage your guilt by assuring you how worthy you are of such a paragon of virtue? Or am I supposed to modestly deny such virtues? I shall do neither.” She pushed at his chest and he released her, putting some distance between them.

  She sensed the shake of his head, and heard the humility in his tone.

  “Once again I have caused offence when I only meant to let you know how much I admire you.”

  “I suppose I shall have to take your admiration if it is all you have to offer.” She strove to keep amusement out of her voice, gratified to hear a smothered chuckle.

  “What am I to do with you? I would call you a minx, but I suspect I would not be the first.”

  “I can think of one thing which would improve my opinion of you.” She flashed a dark glance, forgetting he would not be able to see it.

  He had already anticipated such a statement and his fingers stroked down her bare arm with every bit of gentleness he had shown the previous night. This time, they made long, slow, tender love as he took the greatest care to pleasure every part of her body.

  The final, shuddering climax was so exquisite she felt tears moistening the corners of her eyes. A tiny sniff suggested he had been similarly moved, and she kissed his cheeks, tasting the tell-tale salt.

  “Sweetheart, that was truly beautiful. I …”

  She pressed a finger to his lips. “No words. Let me sleep with the feel and taste of you delighting my senses.”

  He did as she bade and, for the first time in as long as she could remember, her dreams were demon-free.

  The following morn, his stealthy attempt to leave awoke her, and she clung onto him. “Stay.”

  “What about the others? How will they feel if …”

  “I’m sure Senna and Jarl will welcome the news. It will make them feel a lot better about their union. As for the men, they may be a little awkward around us …”

  “I doubt that. More likely envious. I know the effect of so many lonely nights …”

  “Of course. How insensitive of me.”

  In the event, no announcement was necessary. As Senna dished out her version of oatmeal with berries and nuts, Jarl casually mentioned that if Lyran no longer needed his cot the other two could share the covers as it got mighty chilly in the huge, open hall.

  Eanje froze, fearing the reactions of Senna in particular. But she need not have worried as the woman matched the lascivious grins of the three men with a decidedly roguish chuckle. Everyone hugged and laughed, and many backs were slapped in the making of this joyful celebration.

  Tasker wagged a finger at Eanje. “I’m pleased for you both, but we can’t have you tiring him out. There’s a lot to do for the roundhouse. We have a ton of stones to shift.”

  Jarl added his bit. “And a host of trees to cut and trim for the roof.”

  Bryce nodded. “A few more days of rain will soften the ground enough for us to get started on the foundations.”

  Lyran held up his hands. “Enough. I am fully aware of what needs to be done and I promise to do my share.”

  Jarl chuckled. “Don’t worry, we are only jesting. If all goes to plan, we have another moon before the first families come over. With four of us working at it, we should have somewhere they can shelter and sleep.”

  “Six.” Eanje glared at them. “Senna and I can …”

  “No.” Both Lyran and Jarl shouted together, but Lyran got in first with his assertion that pregnant women should not bend, lift or stretch.

  “Maybe not. But Eanje and I can create thatching bundles.” Senna’s fierce expression had all four men pretending to quake in fear.

  Over breakfast, the men argued over which of the tasks should be done first. Eanje applied logic. “Surely the wood will benefit from drying out in here for a few weeks.”

  “When the rains come it will be harder to move the stones as they will be slippery.” Tasker seemed convinced they should take priority.

  “Are you sure about that?” She challenged him. “Will they not slide along the ground more easily?”

  “If it were all downhill, maybe, but, we would slide around with no footholds.” Passion heated his words, and he appealed to the other men for support.

  Bryce’s tone calmed as he explained they would be using carts whose wheels would stick in mud.

  Eanje wasn’t finished yet. “It is a lot less dangerous to cut trees in dry weather, and if you don’t bring them in before the real rains hit, they will be much damper …”

  “I don’t wish to countermand your ideas, Tasker, but she’s right. Much better to have them as dry as possible for all sorts of reasons.” Jarl spoke kindly and when the other two nodded, the mason shrugged good-naturedly.

  Gaia did her bit to provide the best possible conditions for the team to do what they needed to. The previous day’s downpour had all but disappeared into the dry, dusty earth, and an unseasonably warm sun dried the leaves.

  They had marked out a rough perimeter for the circular structure which would provide a communal living space until they could build more permanent homes. Eanje thought it a little on the small side, but Jarl and Bryce assured her it would suffice.

  “Maybe for soldiers used to living in rough conditions, but not for women, children and especially babes.”

  “And as soon as more people come over, we shall build more of these. If we make it too wide it will be much harder to create the roof. But we can learn from this one and the next will be much easier.”

  Eanje saw the sense of this, and contented herself with collecting fallen branches from both woods. Despite being overruled, Tasker could not be more helpful, fetching one of the carts from the quarry to ease her task. Senna helped Eanje to sort the wood and bind anything suitable into bundles to use as thatch.

  The nex
t few days saw all of them working from dusk to dawn. Without candles they had no choice but to retire soon after sundown, which came a little sooner every day as the nights drew in.

  Eanje appreciated the opportunity to spend time with Lyran as they swapped stories from their lives. It soon became apparent he had never travelled outside of the small island, and he pressed her for details of her adventures on the continent. She played down the bad experiences, focusing instead on the rich variety of places she’d visited and people she’d met. Inevitably, he returned to the story of her captivity and she briefly described her escape from the baron with the aid of a friendly pedlar.

  “I’m still a little confused. Your father had been missing for many moons; what made you think him still alive?”

  She shrugged. “The connection I had to him. We were very close when I was small and, whenever he went away I always knew when he came back from his travels. I had a feeling in my gut for a few days before he arrived.”

  “So you risked everything to roam hostile countries with naught but the clothes on your back? And an oversized dose of courage. And recklessness.”

  He muttered the last epithet and she couldn’t help but notice how much it sounded like Senna describing Jarl. “I had a change of clothing and a small purse of jewels.”

  “Not forgetting your natural intelligence. I’m not even going to ask how you managed the journey down to the coast, let alone across the channel. Or how you survived as a woman alone in countries where people slit your throat for a morsel of bread, let alone a purse of jewels.”

  “You would be surprised by how many people are prepared to help a pregnant war-widow trying to reach her husband’s grave. I met as many people with kindness and generosity in their hearts as I did those who would take advantage.”

  She gave silent thanks when he moved off that aspect to ask how on earth she had managed to trace her father.