Chapter 5
Abby
The Tavikhi warrior surprised me with his apology and acceptance of responsibility. Especially because of how sincere it appeared to be. I’ve never met a man before who actually admitted he was wrong. Not even my father. It feels like a trick. A tiny amount of guilt trickles in that I may be holding onto a grudge unnecessarily, but experience has proven time and time again that the second I think the best of someone, they show me otherwise.
I take my bowl and follow Carter, who still trails London and the guy I recognize as the Tavikhi tribe’s leader. Up until tonight, I’ve only ever seen him from a distance. They join a group of couples all seated on stumps and crudely constructed benches not far from the fire. My brother and I share a narrow bench on the perimeter. A few people glance our way, but I shift my body’s position to face Carter and hopefully discourage conversation. At least until after he and I talk.
“You had me worried.” I finally break the silence, keeping my voice low. “What if you’d gotten lost?”
“I’m not dumb, you know.”
“I never said you were.” Lord, give me patience . “It doesn’t change the fact that you took off into the forest without knowing exactly where you were going or what you might have come across while trying to get here.”
Carter shrugs. “I had a general idea where the village was, and I knew that once I got close enough, the Tavikhi scouts would give me directions the rest of the way.”
“How did you even know there were scouts out there?” I didn’t until one made me aware of his presence.
“Because I pay attention,” he says with a hint of exasperation. “Plus, Felix and I followed one of the warriors more than halfway here once shortly before winter. I wanted to make sure I knew where to go if we ever needed help.”
I shouldn’t be surprised. It’s not like I didn’t know the two boys were often outside the settlement walls exploring the area.
“You should have told me.”
“Why?” Carter mumbles around a mouthful of soup. “You’re the one who refuses to ever ask anyone for help.”
There’s no reply I can make that would change the fact he’s right. Except now I’m being forced to accept it. It’s a bitter pill to swallow. I choke down the rest of my meal and observe everyone around me. While the majority of the people surrounding the fire are Tavikhi—and to my shock, some are female and children—there are also humans. They’re not sitting apart, either. Why I had assumed they would be I’m not sure.
“Zander tells me you and Carter will be staying in the village,” London finally says.
“It would appear that way.” I have enough wherewithal to wince at how ungrateful I sound. “Sorry. Yes, we are.”
She smiles. “We’re happy to have you. I know Talek, Cecily, and the rest of the kids will enjoy making a new friend. And once you two get settled, I’ll show you around and introduce you to everyone.”
While I’m glad there are children near Carter’s age he can hang out it with, I’m not on the look out for new friends. “I appreciate the offer, but you don’t have to do that. I tend to keep to myself.”
London holds up a hand. “Well, if you change your mind, just let me know.”
I won’t, but I nod. One by one, people finish their meal and take their bowls to the fire, including London and Zander. They add them to two stacks already forming and I watch as two others—a Tavikhi female and human male—each pick one up and head away from where everyone is gathered.
“They’re taking them to the river to wash,” a tall, fit brunette carrying a long wooden staff says from a few feet away. “Everyone here pitches in with the chores. We rotate every few days.”
“We’ll carry our weight.”
“See that you do.” The woman walks away and joins a Tavikhi warrior standing nearby. His tail twines around her waist and they leave together.
“Don’t mind Remi,” another female voice says and I turn toward it.A petite blonde strides forward. “She’s a little over-protective of the tribe. I’m Zara, by the way.”
“Abby.”
“And Carter.” She waves in my brother’s direction. “Yeah, I know. Word travels pretty quickly around here. I heard you all were moving in, as well. So, if you want to leave your bowls over there and follow me, I’ll take you to your tent.”
He and I exchange a glance and let Zara lead us after we add our dishes to another growing stack. The sun has mostly set behind the low mountain range that runs along the back of the village. Both moons are out and still give off enough light to see. I take in everything. Tents are scattered throughout, some bigger than others. People wander and voices travel in the air. Kids dart around, each one laughing without a care in the world.
“That’s the healer’s tent.” Zara points out. “You’ll see me in there every so often, since the healer’s my man. And these are your new digs.”
We stop in front of a decent size tent, certainly bigger than the one Carter and I slept in back at the settlement. Two torches spear the ground in front of the hide flap door. The blonde gestures over her shoulder.
“The river is that way, and if you head toward it and make a sharp left about a hundred feet before you reach the banks, you’ll find a couple tents that house the facilities. You can wash up in the water when you’re done,” Zara says. “Tomorrow, someone can take you back to the settlement for you get your things. Someone’s already sent word that you’re here, so no one worries about your absence.”
“We don’t need an escort.” Carter and I got here just fine on our own. We can certainly do it again.
“You’re not really a people person, are you?” Zara laughs not acting offended by my rudeness in any way. “I’m gonna guess bottom tier. Am I right?”
I stiffen involuntarily. She nods. “Thought so. London and Maeve have told us a lot of stories about living there. How it can harden people. I get it, truly, I do. But you should realize something if you’re going to stay in the village. We’re not your enemies. Neither are the Tavikhi.”
Zara salutes me and walks away with a short wave. I stand there until she disappears inside the healer’s tent before I turn to Carter, who’s been far too quiet for too long.
“Let’s go inside.” I grab one of the torches and enter the tent we’ve been assigned.
A shallow pit is dug in the ground in the center and outlined with rocks. On either side, but a fair distance away from it, are two pallets piled with hides and furs from various animals. I move closer to the middle so Carter has some space and glance toward a sturdy looking table that sits against a wall. Even from here, I can tell the large round basin centered on it is filled with water.
“This is way nicer than our tent back home,” Carter notes with a hint of awe and plants his torch in the ground near the fire pit. He slowly turns in place and studies the place like I had. Coming to a stop, he looks at me. I stare back, my anger and disappointment making themselves known.
“I’m sorry,” he finally says. “I didn’t mean to worry you by coming here alone. But it was the only thing I could think of to get you away from Lewis.”
“That wasn’t your decision to make, Carter.” I stab my own torch into the dirt as well. “I’m the adult and you’re the child.”
“I’m almost thirteen. Besides, I made a promise to Dad.” He crosses his arms.
“What promise did you make?”
“That I’d look after you,” he admits. “He said I’m the man of the family now and I should be the one protecting you. Not the other way around.”
Since when has any man protected me?
The Tavikhi did .
I don’t even know his name, either. Not that it matters. It’s not like he and I are friends. I shake off the thought.
“Look, Carter. I appreciate you trying to protect me. I really do. But Dad never should have made you promise that. It’s not fair to you and not your burden to bear.” I soften my tone. “Regardless of the fact you’re nearly a teenager, you’re still a kid who should be doing kid stuff. Not adult things like worrying about your big sister. You’re growing up fast, and I want you to enjoy your childhood. Have fun. Get in trouble…but only a little bit. And only a couple times. Do you think you could do that for me? Please?”
It takes a few seconds, but Carter finally uncrosses his arms and drops his shoulders with a short nod. “Fine.”
“Thank you.” I close the distance between us and venture for a hug, which he reluctantly lets me do. “I love you. You know that, right?”
“I know. I love you too,” he adds a little begrudgingly.
I’ll take it though, because he doesn’t often let me embrace him anymore and rolls his eyes when I tell him I love him. Something I should say a lot more than I do, even if he thinks he’s getting too old to hear it.
“All right. We should probably try and get some sleep. Tomorrow, we’ll go back and get our things.”
Carter picks the pallet closest to the door and crawls within the furs. I use the piece of cloth on the table and wash my face before settling in my new bed as well. I’ll admit it’s a bit more comfortable than the pallet of cheap blankets at the settlement.
“Are we really staying?” he asks after several minutes.
I bite back that I don’t really have a choice since he refused to leave. He’s nearly as tall as I am now so it’s not like I can pick him up or drag him kicking and screaming and forcibly return him to the settlement. Instead I keep it simple. “Yeah, I suppose we’re really staying.”