Page 83 of Mates for the Raskarrans #1-6

Preparations for the evening meal are underway when Gregar calls the tribe together.

His linasha, Liv, directs most of the females to continue cooking.

It is a task that many of them have taken up with enthusiasm, Shemza says.

Apparently, they have been fed many bad meals in their lifetimes, and they have much interest in learning how to better feed themselves.

I cast my eyes over them - notice how many have lost the hard edge that hunger gave them, their flesh fuller, their eyes brighter.

I cannot imagine how it must have been to hunger for so long.

It fills my heartspace with gladness that Lina’s forests supply them with foods they can enjoy and grow strong from eating.

Only Liv and Sally sit in on the meeting. Our new chieftess listens attentively as Gregar speaks of my idea, her sister translating his raskarran words into their musical ones.

“I think the idea is sound,” Gregar says. “I suggest we send messengers to both Darran’s tribe and Walset’s. These two are the only ones we can reach, convince and have return to us before the big rains.”

Harton nods. As counsellor to Gregar, he is the one who must be most convinced of the plan.

“Who would you send as messenger?” he says.

“I think it would be better to risk sending warriors,” Gregar says.

“We need all hunters busy gathering supplies for the big rains. While I do not like to leave our village less protected, it could be many sunsets yet, or never at all, that the Cliff Top tribes reach us. The rains will come, and soon. We must not fail to prepare for them.”

“I am familiar with a few of the males in Walset’s tribe,” Maldek says, then grins. “I think they would not shoot me on sight. Perhaps I would be a good choice as messenger.”

“I can travel to Darran,” I say.

Gregar shakes his head. “You have strength yet to recover, brother.”

“I know. And if I stay here, you are yet another warrior down. I have not the strength to fight, but I can walk. Save someone with their strength to defend the village.”

Gregar looks to Shemza.

“Another good meal tonight, another good sleep, and Vantos should have strength enough for such a journey. Darran is not as far as Walset. It is the better choice of the two journeys for him to take.”

I sense Gregar’s reluctance, but he is a good leader. He knows when one choice is better than the other.

“Eat and sleep well tonight, then, Vantos. We will assess your strength in the morning. I will send Endzoh in your place if there is any doubt.”

I nod. This is fair. But I also vow to eat a double portion of whatever is our meal tonight. I cannot control the depth of my rest, but I can give my body the fuel it needs to recover.

Liv taps Gregar’s arm.

“How easy do you think these tribes will be to convince?” she asks through Sally.

“They have no reason to mistrust what I am saying,” Gregar says. “We have traded for supplies in the past and have no grievances.”

Liv’s smile is patient. “You’re asking them to give up their homes. I think it might not be so easy. What if they only agree to send another messenger back? Is there time for that messenger to return to his tribe and for the tribe to then travel to us?”

The big rains are not a precise thing. There is no way of knowing exactly when they will arrive. But I think it is unlikely, and so does Gregar.

“No, linasha. They would have to wait until after the rains to travel.”

“And are we more at risk if they join us after the rains?”

Gregar nods. “It is not safe for a tribe to relocate their homes in the rains. Their supplies would be destroyed. They cannot build sufficient shelters. Their elders could take ill and struggle to recover. But a group of young, strong warriors travelling light - they could traverse the forest in the rains. I do not know if the Cliff Top tribe will seek vengeance. Perhaps they never will and all this is for nothing. But if we do not have the other tribes with us before the rains, then we will spend many sunsets sleeping with one eye open as we wait for them to pass.”

“Then my sisters must travel to these new tribes also,” Liv says.

A wave of discussion follows this statement. I cannot hear all the words spoken, but I sense reluctance among my brothers to let the females out of sight. Gregar raises a hand for silence and gestures for Liv to speak.

“You are going to them with word of females that need protecting,” she says. “You are asking them to sacrifice their homes, to risk their lives fighting for our safety.”

“As any good raskarran should wish to,” Rardek says.

Liv gives him an indulgent smile. “Of course, but don’t you think it would be more persuasive if they can see what they are doing it for?”

Gregar’s lips are pressed tight together, and I know he is displeased with the idea. I think he recognises that Liv is right, that two of the females must be asked to leave the home they are only just growing accustomed to and undertake these journeys.

“Liv’s counsel is wise, Gregar,” Harton says. “It is easier to ignore the plight of something which you cannot see. We must give Walset and Darran no reason to hesitate.”

“I know,” Gregar says, turning to Liv. “I hate that I have to ask this of your sisters.”

“You don’t,” Liv says. “I do.”

She looks to Maldek.

“I think Sam would be comfortable to travel with you to Walset’s tribe.”

Maldek smiles. “If she is happy to travel with me, I would be happy to travel with her. And I will protect your Sam’s life with my own.”

“I know you will,” Liv says. The smile she gives to Maldek fades as she turns to me. “I am unsure who is best to ask to travel with you, Vantos.”

I bow my head to her. “The only females I have spent any time with are Grace and Rachel.”

Liv glances across at her sister. “I know Grace does not wish to leave the village. She wants to be present for the birth so she can learn. Perhaps Rachel. I will speak with her.”

And, foolish male that I am, my heartspace bursts with joy to think that I can spend more time with Rachel if she agrees.