35. Amma

Chapter 35

Amma

A mma sat with Suni's family as the village gathered to celebrate the six males who were now full warriors. Long, low tables had been set up outside the gates in a circular pattern. Everyone sat with their family and friends, and the tables were filled with roasted meats, vegetables, and all manner of foods. It reminded her of her family celebration. She looked up and was a little disappointed there wasn't a ring of long-dead ancestors ready to celebrate.

"What are you frowning at?" Mia said. She leaned over Julian, who was stuffing her mouth with sweets, to talk to Amma.

"I was thinking about the last time I saw our family at the celebration. It was like this, only without the two moons or warriors planning to dance."

Mia grabbed a cup Julian almost upended. "Everything will work out. I read the cards earlier. Everything will work out."

"Now you sound like a seer," Amma teased. "I am going to try to enjoy the night. I am surrounded by my new family, my old family, and friends. Mike," Amma snatched the male off the table before he dove headfirst into the cooked meat in gravy. "No one wants to taste your fur. Where's Sam?"

With Nora. She is feeding him too much. Mike answered.

"Well, you need to behave. Sit down and I will make you a small plate." Amma quickly did as she said and put the plate in front of Mike. "When you want more, ask."

"They are like children," Mia chuckled. "You will be ready when you have your own calves."

"Did you just say ‘calves?'" Amma asked. "Like it was normal?"

"It is the normal term here. Julian, slow down. The food is not going anywhere."

"Mama," Julian started with a full mouth.

"Baby girl, I raised you with better manners."

Julian swallowed. "Can I go sit with Granddam?"

"Nora," Mia called. "Do you mind Julian sitting with you?"

"Not at all," Nora said. She opened her arms and caught Julian as she flew across the grass. "She is one of my favorite grandcalves. Don't tell anyone."

"I'm the best!" Julian chanted. "I'm the best!"

"How much energy does that girl have?" Amma asked.

"Too much. And all this is after she practiced fighting this morning. I'm thinking she might need to do something else too, like running."

Suddenly, the clearing went silent before the sound of drums thundered through the valley. Every hair on Amma's body stood on end as an eerie howl filled the air. It was a cry of victory, a cry of power, a cry that would make her run and hide if she wasn't surrounded by others. The drums picked up their pace as the first four warriors stepped from the tree line. They were naked except for a small cloth covering their loins. Suni and Ni'em stood next to each other proudly with their weapons drawn. The other two warriors were also armed and postering for the audience. Amma couldn't take her eyes off her male as he went through a routine to show off his physique and skill with his morning star. Their eyes met and it was like no one else existed. He was dancing for her. Every muscle was on display with the promise of pleasures.

The drums changed again, and the four warriors turned to face each other with their weapons held high. At first, Amma thought they would have a mock fight, but then Gar stepped from the tree line. He was dressed as the others, except he didn't have a weapon. A table to her right started chanting his name as he started an acrobatic routine that would put all Olympians to shame. Once he reached the end of the four, he stepped to his right and dropped to his knees. The same thing was repeated until six young warriors knelt with their heads down.

Kellan stood and walked to stand in front of the young warriors. "Rise to your feet and become the warriors you were trained to be. You have shown your skill at hunting, scouting, tracking, and battle. I ask you now, do you swear your allegiance to me, to Lnuuk?"

"I do." All six new warriors jumped to their feet and thumbed a fist over their heart. "I will give my life for the safety of Lnuuk and strive to be the warrior I was trained to be," they answered in unison.

"Who here challenges these warriors?" Kellan shouted, and turned to face the tables.

"We do," the four older warriors' voices rang out powerful and true.

Amma had been told the new warriors would be challenged, but she hadn't known Suni would be one of the ones challenging them.

Mia gripped her arm and whispered, "You cannot show fear. Everyone is watching your reaction."

Amma gave her a small nod and reached for her drink. She had seen him fight, and this wasn't a real one. He could take care of himself. With a stronger resolve, she straightened her shoulders. She would be the mate Suni needed.

The scrimmage was brutal. There was no holding back as the older warriors threw everything they had at the younger ones. Amma marveled at their ability to spar without leaving any lasting damage. Suni and Ni'em fought so smoothly together that no one came close to hitting either of them. Amma yelled and cheered with the rest of the family as one by one the younger warriors were defeated, leaving their elders heaving and sweating.

"Defeat is nothing more than a training tool," Kellan said. "You have done well. Welcome to the rank of warrior."

The village went crazy. Howls, growls, stomping, laughing, cheering; there was a little of everything. Amma jumped to her feet and ran with everyone else onto the field. Suni caught her and pulled her in for a kiss. She didn't care that he was soaked with sweat and had a little blood on his face. He was hers, and he was magnificent.

The End - For now.