by Alia Johnson
“Odesha want other tribe? Vo lo cos suti ba suta.” The last sentence he growled hard, menacingly.
Odesha frowned in concentration at the phrase again, but she was unable to translate it.
Hellfire to sorceress tricks! Esmerelda had blocked it from her mind! Kunchok walked through the marketplace. Some tribe members stopped to watch the spectacle, shaking their heads with their disbelief.
She huffed as Kunchok spoke again, “Kunchok hunt Ranna. Back two moons. Odesha stay Dek home.”
Kunchok deposited her on her bed. While she sprawled out, bouncing on the feathered area, he left hastily, still angry over her near miss with the crazed creature. Her death would've mattered to him. Couldn't she see the tribe accepted her as one of their own?
Halana, Fanni and Dede visited her in her room, asking what had happened when Kunchok left. Tribe gossip spread quickly through the marketplace.
Odesha described the creature that had attacked her, and Kunchok's intervention, leaving the part about Esmerelda out, not ready to share her quite yet until she knew Esmerelda's intentions.
“Kunchok save Odesha!” squealed Fanni, holding her heart at the romantic notion.
Odesha sighed, “Yes, Kunchok saved me. I’m exiled to this room until he gets back.” She frowned in mock sadness. “Halana, I’m sorry, you’ll have to bring our Ranna dresses in tonight so I can help you sew.”
Halana’s ignored her request as she asked, “What Odesha tribe wear?” Her brown eyes blinked innocently.
Odesha thought about how to answer Halana’s question, remembering a dress Fanni had brought that had been too large for her. She reached over to her bedside table stacked with neatly folded cloth, pulling out what could be a tent at home, molding it over herself to show a basic example.
“It’s fitted at the top, see this, Halana? It cinches your waist to appear more feminine. It flows down to your feet, falling in waves, but the bottom is different compared to the person’s shape. The latest style was a large necklace to sparkle with the dress.”
“What necklace?” Halana frowned in concentration.
“A necklace usually contains stones hanging, like Dek’s bones hang from his neck.” She hadn’t seen anyone other than Dek and Kunchok wearing them yet, only beads adorning hair.
“Chief wear bone necklace,” Halana stated emphatically.
Odesha tried to explain better. She added, “Chief wear bone necklace, yes. Women wear stone necklace.” Halana frowned, envisioning that type of necklace in her head.
Odesha reclined on her bed, giving her friends room to sit. She explained, “Frankly, the court dresses are stifling. Oh, they are beautiful, that’s for sure. When the women dance with the men at court, it’s absolutely magical to see.”
She hummed a melody softly to the group, remembering the dances.
Fanni piped in, “Tell more Odesha tribe!”
So Odesha talked more about her home, relaxing with friends she had never imagined having.
Chapter 13
Odesha ran up to Fanni’s hide, pounding on the wooden door frame. “Fanni! Fanni, it’s Ranna day! I must've fallen asleep after you left. Halana didn’t come by during the night to finish the sewing!” She was frantic, worried she wouldn’t be able to participate and win over Kunchok. She hadn't even bothered to comb her hair or change her tunic, running from her room to wake up Fanni in desperation. Fanni groggily opened the hide, groaning softly. Odesha wondered if she had been taste testing the loma the night before again because her eyes were reddened.
Odesha sighed miserably, “I don’t know what to do, Fanni.”
Fanni groaned in misery at Odesha's loud words, her head pounding with pain. Scratching her furry arm, she smacked her lips, replying, “Fanni forget. Present Odesha.” She walked back in her room, Dek’s quiet snores echoing throughout the hall. She came back, dropping a small, fur-wrapped package in Odesha's hands. Running her fingertips over it gently, Odesha decided she wanted to wait until she was alone before she opened it.
Remembering Odesha's initial worries, Fanni replied, “Fanni find Halana. Ask Ranna dress. Men return last moon. Ranna tonight. Get much rest.” She suggestively wiggled her large furry brows, causing Odesha to giggle.
Odesha, distracted by the present she held in her hands, said her goodbye, running back to her room holding it tightly to her breast. Sitting on her bed, she unwrapped the fur all the time wondering what it could be. The small rope untangled easily, falling softly to the bed. Inside, diamonds sparkled in the dim light. She lifted it up and gasped, recognizing it. The coronet from Antiqua. The one she was wearing when she was trying to escape the orik. Her eyes watered at the small piece of home, at the memory that felt so long ago. It must've been picked up by a hunter during the chase, somehow in perfect condition. Suddenly determined to find Halana to make sure their Ranna dress was done, Odesha realized was ready for the night to begin.
Running excitedly through the marketplace, Odesha didn't even remember to knock before entering Halana's small home. She pushed the hide aside and announced, “Halana, I'm ready for…holy Freyja, what's wrong!?”
Odesha ran to Halana. She was sprawled over her sewing desk, sobbing uncontrollably. She gently stroked the large yeti's back, waiting for Halana to speak. Halana's sniffles slowed when Odesha helped mop her wet fur with a stray cloth. “Sashi visit,” whispered Halana miserably.
Odesha gasped, “What did that witch do?”
Halana bit her lip. She answered, “Sashi talk Ranna Kunchok. Sashi see Halana dress. Sashi angry. Say mean word.” Halana's large eyes flow with fresh tears. “Sashi tell Halana Boni no good mate!”
Halana's body shook with her sorrow, the unstoppable tears splashing on the desk. Odesha thought Sashi was the worst type of friend for Halana, preying on her innocence and good nature, but this was cruel even for her. The large yeti was beautiful in her own way, especially on the inside. Halana's family must be important to her to influence her so.
“Halana, Sashi is jealous of you. Can't you see that?”
Halana looked up in astonishment. “Sashi jealous? Odesha drink Fanni loma?”
Odesha snorted at this. She was beginning to doubt if there was any left. “No, I'm serious. Sashi is a bitter, selfish friend. She sees the good inside of you and wants to attack it. To take out your light that shines so bright. Your dress you made for Ranna shows her she can't influence you. She's not able to change you.”
Halana replied swiftly, “Sashi rotten. Halana afraid see Sashi Ranna.” Odesha giggled, Halana eventually joining in, mopping up her tears with a piece of fabric.
Odesha reached to the table she had placed the hidden package saying, “I have a gift for you Halana.”
Halana perked up, looking at the small package holding the small coronet. Halana let out a soft grunt in astonishment. She whispered in awe, “Pretty stones. Small Halana's big head. Odesha keep. Halana wear dress. Halana give Odesha.”
Halana hurried to her pile of cloth, rummaging through it. She held up her own wrapped package to Odesha. “Odesha Ranna dress done.”
Odesha's eyes widened. “I was so worried it wasn't done! I was going to spend all day helping you sew.”
“Halana fast sew cloth. Halana come Fanni's hut. Help Odesha dress Ranna. Eat first.”
“Thank you so much, Halana. Bring your dress too. We'll get ready together, there's plenty of room.”
Odesha hesitated at the doorway. “Halana? About Boni, he is a good tribe. He has a good heart.”
Halana nodded her head shyly, staring at her pile of blue cloth. She had always known that, but she had to find her own confidence first.
The women congregated at the marketplace, empty of men, breaking their fast. They chattered happily about the coming night. Odesha hurried past them, waving her greeting in response when they called her name. She had become friends with many of the tribe members at market and knew most by name. Odesha was going to visit the meat shed before Ranna tonight, needing more than just a chalice
of blood. She rushed off to do that.
A high pile of sticks sat in the clearing, ready for the fire to be lit. Several freshly crafted wooden tables sat around the fire. The circle designed for dancing was clearly designated in the dim light. Odesha stared at the circle planning her dance steps and how far she could move. The meat shed door slammed shut. A large male exited, wiping his hands on a cloth while scooping up more snow to clean himself. He walked towards the huts in the distance, oblivious to her presence. She hurried inside, shutting the door to drink from the fresh buckets. When done, she ran back to Dek's home.
It was time to get ready to make the choice that could affect her entire life.
The darkening sky had the tribal yeti at the ceremony already shouting for loma. It was truly the beginning. The nervous flutters of Odesha's heart beat loudly. Fanni waited for Odesha patiently in her room. Fanni was dressed in her Ranna clothing, sitting on the bed, sipping from a large chalice of loma already. The chalice was made so large, Fanni was barely able to wrap her hands around.
Odesha chided her, “Fanni, so help me if I have to drag you around again on this Ranna day I will give tribe blood a taste!” Her smile showed she wasn't serious, but Fanni didn't realize that. Fanni hiccupped in distress, placing it on the bedside table, adjusting her green bandeau top, trying to hold her giant breasts in the scant fabric.
Odesha shook her head. What an interesting night this was going to be. The thump of footsteps reached her. The hide was pushed to the side. Halana stepped through, holding the stack of packages she had been preparing in her room when Odesha had visited.
Odesha hurried to help her, bringing them in to place on the bed. She asked, “What all do you have here, Halana?”
The yeti handed over her items to each person. She replied, “Halana sew many present. Fanni open present. Odesha open.” Halana sat on the bed beside Fanni, grinning happily. The tears were dried from her face and her hair was brushed to a perfect sheen. Fanni gently opened her package, occasionally letting a hiccup escape.
“Halana give Fanni rock?” Fanni asked in confusion.
Halana snorted loudly. “Odesha tell tribe story. Necklace. Halafren make Fanni necklace.” Fanni gasped holding up the small stones to see clearer. The amber stones were beautifully carved, threaded with hide string to hold the stones around Fanni's neck.
“Lisha vo Halana. Stone pretty,” Fanni whispered, tying it around her neck.
Odesha asked curiously, “Who is Halafren?”
“Brother,” stated Halana, with no emotion.
Odesha gasped excitedly, “You have a brother, Halana?! Why haven't I met him yet?” She would have loved to meet a brother of Halana.
Halana thought for a moment before answering, “Halafren loner. Work hands market. No hunter. Father no happy.”
“That explains why your father is so set on you mating with a hunter for Ranna,” Odesha remarked casually. Halana nodded, distressed. “Your father still cares for Halafren, doesn't he?” Halana nodded again, hesitantly. “Then wouldn't he still care for you, if you found happiness? I would think that would mean more to a father than anything.”
It would mean so much to her own father that she had found happiness after sending her to Antiqua. Odesha opened her package carefully. White threads caught the light of the glowing candle. A criss cross of fabric formed the halter neckline of the small top, small bones woven in. The second piece, short white fringe, fell in the front, growing longer in the back. Halana had deftly woven the fringe around strips of fabric so peeks of Odesha's flesh would be shown, but not too much.
Odesha turned to Halana. She whispered with awe, “This is more than I could have ever imagined. But…bones? I thought only Dek could wear?”
Halana nodded her head sagely. “Leader wear bone. Odesha leader. Show tribe Odesha leader.”
“This must have taken much work and time. Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Halana.” Halana nodded her head sheepishly. Odesha noticed a lone package sitting unopened on the bed, adding, “What’s in the last package?”
Halana sighed. “Halana Ranna dress. Halana no wear.” She had changed her mind many times on her way to Dek’s home.
“Show us!” commanded Fanni, sneaking a large gulp from her chalice behind Odesha’s back. She put the chalice back, turning around with a smile of innocence when Odesha’s narrowed eyes cut to her. Halana opened her package slowly, holding the long blue cloth aloft for the two women to admire.
“By Freya’s ghost, it’s exactly like I described,” whispered Odesha. The blue cloth had been crafted into a long court dress, cinched at the waist. The flow of the fabric looked beautiful against Halana’s skin. She would look like a princess from a foreign land.
“The whole tribe will be jealous of your beauty, Halana. If you won't wear it, I won't go out there,” Odesha promised.
Halana blushed. “Hurry. Change dress. Before Halana change mind.”
Odesha laughed as her friends help her dress. The cloth Halana had made her fit perfectly, the gently swish of the fringe inspiring her. She hummed to herself, moving about the room.
Odesha called for the ice magic, weaving the fringe into sparkling icicles. The tinkling sounds caused by the icicles clinking together flowed through the room. She placed the sparkling coronet on her head.
Fanni cleared her throat to explain, “Kunchok chase Odesha king bird land. Protect. Odesha fall. Kunchok find Odesha. Keep stone safe.” Fanni pointed to the coronet on Odesha's head, explaining where they had come from. Odesha’s eyes softened at Fanni's confession. Kunchok had kept the coronet safe for her, even though it was replaceable. He didn't know that and had kept good care of it for her to have again one day.
Fanni chided, “No melt pretty ice.” Fanni reached behind her to a second chalice sitting on the wooden table, handing it to Odesha carefully. Bewildered, Odesha took the cup, looking inside. Blood. Fanni nodded her head to the unspoken question when Odesha looked to her.
Kunchok.
Even though she had drunk the blood from the meat shed earlier, this would help warm her before Ranna. A dessert for the dance about to take place. Fanni brought an ice mirror forward for the women to view themselves.
Halana stood in her long blue gown, a painted blue stone around her neck. The yeti looked soft and feminine, ready for the celebration. Her brown eyes sparkled with a hidden excitement. This was the first Ranna she had ever looked forward to.
Odesha's body sparkled in the moonlight, the icy bones clicked together, her long white hair flowed to her waist. The icicles concealed her body depending on her movements. She felt like she was truly showing who she was today. A frozen vampire princess.
Fanni bounced on the bed in excitement, her stones nearly smacking her in the face as she tried taking another quick drink from the large chalice. Her eyebrows wiggled over her blue eyes when Odesha quirked her own eyebrow at her. Halana chuckled out loud.
They were ready.
Chapter 14
Nearing the edge of the ceremony, the tribe congregated together. Laughter flowed throughout the tribe joined together for this one harmonious moment. The yeti present had imbibed much loma already from of the look of the empty wooden barrel on its side near the benches. Sashi stood beside the second loma barrel alone, drinking deeply.
The clipped red cloth barely concealed her private areas, small strings holding it together. The mated women looked at her with barely concealed disgust at her appearance.
Fanni, Halana and Odesha walked together, shoulder to shoulder. Conversations stopped. The large crowd watched their approach. Their eyes traveled from Halana's long dress to Odesha's fringe style with envy. The tribe whispered at the bones Odesha proudly wore, proclaiming her status. They remarked on the necklaces the women wore, feeling their own barren necks. Odesha kept her head held high watching the crowd silently. They reached the middle when the drums started, low and booming.
The women's chatter increased. They stood tall to
fluff their fur. Their attention was turned to a group approaching in the far distance. The excitement raced through the crowd. The group of men had arrived, carrying the large spit of meat to roast.
Kunchok led the silent hunters, helping to carry the front. Their silver plates glinted in the firelight; the long white feathered capes flowed behind them. It was other worldly, but Odesha only had eyes for Kunchok.
His long hair flowed past his shoulders, while small bones tied in the strands declared his title. The pants he wore were tucked into his hide boots that were laced up to his knee. The harsh expression he was wearing would’ve scared many courtiers from Merdi, but his savagery only excited Odesha.
Kunchok directed the men to place the animal on the spit already prepared for their arrival. They hefted the animal into the air, securing it tightly to the spinning wood. The hunters spread out after finishing their task, the single women bringing loma, stumbling over themselves to serve the men while trying to gain attention.
Odesha and Halana watched silently, admiring their men from across the clearing.
Halana inhaled sharply beside Odesha. Boni held tightly to the end of the spit of the meat, standing proudly. It was an honor to carry the meat. Boni had helped greatly to distract the king bird dropping the meat from its claws into the nest during the last hunt.
“Kunchok no see Odesha,” Halana whispered, distracted. Halana knew Boni wouldn't notice her. His eyes never stayed on her for very long at a time. But this time was different. He was chewing on a piece of meat when he spotted her, swallowing roughly. He ended up choking on the meat, bending over at the waist, trying to push it from his throat. A large hand bouncing on Boni's back from Halana’s brother, Halafren, helped bring the meat up. Boni nodded with his thanks, rubbing his sore throat, not meeting Halana's eyes again, embarrassed at the spectacle he had just caused. Boni had always thought himself beneath the shy Halana. Halafren was a good friend to him and had never mentioned Halana's interest in him. He had thought Halana’s silence meant she was uninterested. She was the most creative and gentle lady he had ever known. Boni would never try to reach for her even though that was what he wanted more than anything.