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That surprised me. I was sure it was widely known by now that I’d run twice and made their precious Finn cry. Why would they care what happened to me?

Feigrind looked down at me for a moment, worry overtaking his features. He cared too, despite all the trouble I’d caused him. These barbarians were either dumber than I thought, that I could so easily manipulate them, or the rumors about them being cruel were baseless. If they were cruel, they wouldn’t care so much.

“Where is Godr?”

The new barbarian’s brows snapped together. “In the field. Why? He is not a fighter.”

“No, but he is Rath’s brother. They were trained together. And I can’t leave Simon with Rath. Not after he hurt Finn. Godr is the next choice.”

I couldn’t ask what was happening, not without giving away that I understood them, so I only listened, a frown locked in place, like I was confused. Neither of them paid me much mind as they were discussing whether it was safer to bring me to the village center or stash me somewhere. I could’ve told them there wasn’t a chance I’d let them stash me anywhere, but I kept that to myself. Whoever they were sticking me with probably wasn’t as observant as Feigrind. I’d sneak away when I could to see what was happening.

Knowledge was power, after all. Maybe this other clan would bring me back home.

After the barbarian left to alert the other warriors, Feigrind gently took my elbow, leading me quickly but carefully through the tents to a fenced-off area on the opposite side of the forest. A field absolutely filled with enormous horses.

“Great Goddess,” I breathed, staring at them. They were bigger than any horse I’d ever seen, with hooves as big as my face and muscles that matched the man next to me. I’d caught glimpses of them on the journey, but with my face being covered with the bag in the beginning and spending the rest of the trip ina covered carriage, I didn’t truly get to experience their size until just now.

Feigrind didn’t hear my exclamation. He called out to someone in the field, waving them over. The barbarian who joined us had long dark hair, the back pulled into two braids over his shoulders, shaved on the sides, with a bun on top. It was an interesting mixture, to be sure. He wasn’t as wide as the other barbarians, but he made up for it in speed as he jogged across the field. He was damn fast.

“Feigrind, my brother! You called for me?”

“Godr. I need a favor. The Fer’na clan is coming. I need you to watch over Simon.”

Godr glanced at me and back at Feigrind again. “Whatever you need. Is there to be trouble?”

Feigrind shook his head. “We do not know. But they are coming without much warning. They will be here by nightfall.”

The barbarian’s eyebrows flew up so fast, it was almost comical. “That’s… soon. And worrisome. Where is Rath? I will join him in case Finn needs to be moved as well.”

Ugh. I had to concentrate really hard on not making a face. Why was it always about that guy?

“He will probably be in the village center. But…” He shot me a quick look before turning back to Godr. “Keep a sharp eye. Simon has been… difficult.”

That didn’t seem to surprise Godr that much. He just chuckled. “Your tributes are all the same. Do not worry. I will keep an eye on him. All tributes like the stallions. We will stay here until supper, and then I will ask Rath where we should go.”

Feigrind dipped his chin in acknowledgement before turning his focus onto me. He put his hands in a staying motion, then pointed to the ground at our feet. “Stay with Godr. I must go.”

Staring blankly at him, I didn’t give him anything. He took that as a good sign and took a few slow steps back, like he waschecking if I’d run. I wasn’t going to do that, I didn't have a death wish, but I wasn’t going to tell him that right now. I just enjoyed how stupid he looked as he walked backwards and stared at me until he was out of sight.

I saw several other barbarians with swords running in the same direction he did. I had no idea why they were so worried about this clan visiting, but it put me on guard. Maybe the rumors weren’t unfounded after all.

Thankfully,I didn’t have to sneak off to find out what was happening. Godr brought me to the village center for supper just like he said and conferred with someone he called Rath. I recognized him as Finn’s bondmate. He was decked out in weapons, a fierce scowl on his face, and his bondmate plastered against his side. Finn wore a similar outfit to the rest of the barbarians, including a necklace they all seemed to share with a circular medallion on his chest. The outfit didn’t really help him fit in, but it was better than what I was wearing. My lounge clothes were starting to look grimy, and I hated it. I wished I had something to change into that was more… substantial than this. At least it was better than the silks I wore while working, but not by much.

I wasn’t entirely sure of the clan's size, but it felt like a good deal of the clan was there. The barbarians were all crowded around the fire, all armed. They murmured amongst themselves, the tension in the air so thick you could cut through it with a sword. The ones missing were the older clan members and women with children. And the other tributes. All except me.

Should I be happy about that? Or pissed?

I didn’t have time to decide before I heard the thundering of hooves in the distance. It was barely loud enough to be heard over the noises of the clan, but one by one, the barbarians fell silent, listening.

“Rath…” Finn whispered uncertainly.

“Be at ease, kolrav. You are safe,” the barbarian murmured back, cupping Finn’s head against his chest. My irritation with him softened minutely. If I had that kind of affection regularly, would I give up my town and my family to keep it? Even at the expense of all the males in the country?

I didn’t know. I’d never had anything like that before.

“Warriors. On guard,” a familiar older man barked. The clan leader, Orthorr, I realized. He stood near the fire with a pensive expression. All the warriors, Feigrind included, straightened and faced the direction of the noise. My eyes locked on the barbarian. My supposed protector. What would happen to me if he got hurt? Would the next protector be so patient? Or would I end up with someone like the one in the forest? It was possible this situation could get much, much worse.

I would not admit even to myself that I was worried for my protector. I wouldn’t.