Page 20 of Mates for the Raskarrans #1-6

We bury the human Penny the next morning.

My Liv agreed to it in the dreamspace, then this morning I watched as she went round each of her tribe in turn and explained it to them.

They stand together now, many of them clutching at each other, tears tracking down their faces as Vantos and Shemza lower Penny’s body in to the ground.

Maldek and Rardek stand to one side, digging tools in hand, their usually cheerful faces solemn.

Once the body is in place, my Liv steps forwards and says a few of her musical words.

Another of the females, the one with the sunset hair, steps up beside her and says some more, struggling through her grief to speak.

Then my Liv nods to me, and I nod to Maldek and Rardek.

They start the task of covering the grave in the sandy soil.

When it is done, my tribe brothers come to me.

“What is our plan?” Rardek asks.

“The injured female, Lorna,” Shemza says the name as if it tastes strange, though it is at least the right shape for a name.

Not short like my Liv, or long like her warrior Khadija.

“The human healer fetched me to her side last night. She was full of fever. I had to tend to her throughout the night. The fever has broken now, but she is exhausted. Her delirium last night meant she knocked her injured arm again. She will be in much pain. She needs more rest.”

It makes my decision simple. I will not risk moving her when she is so fragile.

“Then we wait another night,” I say. “Anghar has not returned yet either, it gives him more time.”

“The longer we delay here, the more chance that another tribe arrives,” Vantos says.

“I know,” I say. “We must scout the woods often. Rardek, without Anghar, you are my sole hunter. You are tasked with finding food enough to feed these females well, but keep your headspace about you. Look for signs of others.”

“I will go now,” Rardek says, nodding to me before heading off to find his tools.

“Shemza, remain with the females. Do not interfere with their comings and goings unless they stray too far. Keep them close to the fire if you can. Maldek, Vantos, split the patrol of the sands and the scouting of the jungle between you. If you come across a tribe and they look like trouble, then head back to the village with all the females. I would not like to force them, but if it is for their survival…”

Vantos nods. His heartspace is bigger than his expression suggests. I trust him to do right by the females. I trust all of them.

“What are you going to do?” Maldek asks.

“My Liv wishes to look for the human Ellie.”

“Anghar’s linasha?” Shemza says.

“Yes. I have assured her that Anghar will find her and keep her safe, but she is worried for her. She wishes me to take her to look for them. I am uneasy about it. I do not like the idea of dividing the tribe further.”

Maldek casts his eyes over to the females.

“Brother, we must consider that even all six of us would not be much defence against a marauding tribe if they decide they want the females. Sarkry and his like do not attack our territory only because they know we outnumber them as a whole, that a victory against us would come at too heavy a cost. Here we are already much divided. If a marauding tribe comes, I will lay down my life to protect the females with gladness in my heartspace. You know this. But you also know it would be for nothing. They would cut through us and take what they want. We have to trust that Lina will protect us, that the injured human will be well enough to travel long before another tribe arrives.”

“Lina can only do so much to protect fools,” I say, a phrase often said by elders to young males with mischief in their thoughts.

Maldek grins. “She has always protected this fool. We can still keep a watch. Still scout the area looking for signs. And if we find any, we can leave, head for the village. Use the cover of the trees to our advantage. We do not need our chief for such things. If your linasha wishes to look for her tribe sister, I say take her.”

I look to Vantos and Shemza. They both nod in agreement.

“Spend a moment alone with her, brother,” Maldek says, his grin widening. “You know you will not get another once we are back at the village.”

I grin back. His thoughts are on mating, but I think my Liv is not quite ready for that yet.

She did promise to listen about what it means to be mates, though, and being alone with her for a short time would give me plenty of chance.

Not to speak - for we have no words we can understand outside the dreamspace - but to show her just how dedicated a mate I can be.

I will search tirelessly for her Ellie to show how important her tribe sisters are to me.

I will hunt and provide for her as we travel so that she can see how well I am able to care for her every need.

The more I think on it, the more I am sure this is the right path.

That Lina’s hand is once again showing me the way.