It had been three days since I'd joined the ever expanding village and now that I was an official member of the tribe, despite not being Wenja, I was feeling very much a part of the tribe. Since I was now living with them, Takkar thought it would be a good idea for me to learn some more skills in fighting and hunting, the latter I had never tried before. So my training began and after lessons with Karoosh, who seemed to think going all out on a woman was a good idea, Jayma the hunter took me out into the forest to track down a goat. I was a little disappointed to be hunting something so small and harmless, despite being a little nervous, but she calmly explained that a child needs to walk before they can run.
Like that wasn't insulting enough, I ended up scaring our goat when I tripped on a rock falling on my rear with a loud thump. Earning myself the nickname 'Cave Bear' apparently because I make just as much noise. The next time I convinced Jayma to give me another chance I succeeded in using a bow to take down a goat much to the amusement of Jayma, hitting the beast in the forehead.
A day after Roshani 'joined' our village, Takkar brought back Dah commander of the Udam who was kept caged in a cave away from the other Wenja. No one wanted him there especially Sayla who immediately confronted Takkar, furious that one of their worst enemies was roaming around their tribe.
At first I understood her anger, knowing their tribe kidnapped and ate their victims and it wasn't until a group of Wenja tried to drown Dah that I began to feel just a little sorry for the Udam commander. Especially since finding out he was suffering from the 'skull fever' that had wiped out most of their tribe and would one day claim his life, too. But Roshani on the other hand I didn't feel the least bit sorry for as he muttered constantly about being dragged back to the Izila as a slave, just like his tribe did to anyone unfortunate to be captured by them. Or even burned as a sacrifice to their sun goddness, Suxli. Plus the guy did shoot me with an arrow and now I had the scar to prove it.
Still even if he is a selfish jerk I'm not sure leaving him to face Tensay alone is fair, after what Batari and her followers did to the shaman. Keeping him a prisoner for a year and burning him. With those pleasant thoughts in my head I decided to take a walk in the forest, whistling for my cave lion who appeared just as I left the safetly of the village.
"Hey boy." I said, giving his snout a rub before I set out for the forest. Hopefully it'll clear my head.
Sadly wandering the forest until nightfall didn't clear my head though I did bring back a goat...which I had to drag most of the way back. It wasn't until I reached the village that Kion ran off and I watched him disappear into the trees, knowing he'd be back by morning. By the time I dragged the goat into the village sweat poured off me and I wished, once again, that I'd spent more time training with the other hunters.
"Can't be helped now but maybe I'll ask Takkar or Karoosh to train me a little more. At least I can hunt now and take down a goat...mostly with Kion's help of course." I muttered, dropping the goat at my feet. Wiping my forehead I heard the sounds of drumming and laughter, making me wish I didn't have a heavy goat to drag into the village all by myself.
"You could use a hand." Takkar said and I yelped as he appeared from the darkness. His lips curling into a tiny smile, he bent down and retrieved the goat. Throwing it over his shoulder he headed into the village towards the music and I hurried after him, not wanting to be left alone in the dark. As we reached the sounds of drumming I laughed at Tensay, who was waving his staff around as one of the male villagers banged on the drums.
"Where is everyone?" I asked as Takkar nodded at his friends, continuing further into the distance as I followed. "Did Tensay get tired of tormenting Roshani?"
"That is the first time you called him by name." Takkar pointed out and I shrugged as he reached his hut. Dropping the goat on the ground he pointed towards Roshani's hut. "You should speak to him."
"Huh why me?" I asked, tilting my head to one side as he headed back the way we'd come. "Takkar?" He just pointed towards the Izilla's hut and I turned slightly to stare at the hut before I turned back only to find myself alone. "How does he do that?" I whispered, slightly annoyed at the Wenja leader before I took his advice. It took me a few minutes to reach the spot just outside the village and just for a moment I smiled, remembering the first day Takkar brought the Izila commander back.
Man was Roshani pissed, I thought giggling as the moment Takkar shoved him into the cage came to mind. It was even funnier after Tensay found out an Izila was in the Wenja village, I thought. Bet it took ages to wash the smell of Tensay's urine from his clothes and body. Serves him right for hitting me with an arrow, I thought looking down at the pale scar on my thigh with a sigh.
Reaching his hut I found a small campfire burning but no one tending it which was strange. "Wonder where the 'commander' went?" I whispered, not hearing quiet footsteps behind me.
"Looking for someone, woman?" Roshani asked and I yelped, whirling around. Swinging the club Takkar had made me at his face, he yelled ducking before he fell on his backside.
"Don't sneak up on me! Not at night unless you want to lose your head!" I snapped as he glared at me, still lying on his back. "Idiot and my name's Valery in case you forgot." I mumbled, offering a hand which he knocked back. Rising to his feet, Roshani dusted himself off before he narrowed his eyes at me.
"You are no good as a fighter." Roshani commented and I stomped towards him, poking his chest with the club. "Back away." He ordered and I just grinned, shoving him hard. This time he stumbled back before he grabbed my club, yanking it out of my hands. Growling, I lunged and he kicked out landing a swift kick to my stomach. Winded, I sprawled on the hard ground as he grinned at me.
"Moron!" I coughed, trying to stand. Giving me a raised eyebrow he reached for my outstretched hand only for me to yank hard on his hand. In a heartbeat he landed on me, winding me further as the club rolled just out of reach. For a few seconds I gasped, trying to breathe with Roshani cutting off my air. He finally rolled off me, eyes wide as I lay back still coughing.
"Hmph. I'm surprised you're still alive." Roshani taunted as I finally got my feet under me, rubbing my sore stomach with an open palm. Keeping a close eye on Roshani, who just grinned at me, I retrieved my fallen weapon.
"Next time I'll set my lion on you." I coughed, heading back to my hut as he blinked at me. It wasn't until I reached the hut that I leant against the wall, taking deep breaths to control my breathing. "Stupid, arrogant, Izila taking up space." I gasped, a dull ache in my chest. Stumbling towards my own hut I resolved to rest and hopefully heal from the kick.
I woke with a groan the very next morning, finding the ache hadn't dulled since the night before. Worse still I found a large purple and black bruise covering my stomach and the pain only got worse with every step as I went in search of breakfast.
"I am going to feed him to Kion as soon as I can." I grumbled, wincing as I headed into the centre of the village. Once I located Sayla she stared as I limped over. "Roshani did this." I sighed, pointing to my stomach.
"Show me." She said, motioning me towards her hut and I nodded as I entered through the animal skin doorway. Once inside I lifted the animal skin and she stared at the bruise covering me from my ribs to my navel. "He did this?" She asked as she prodded my bruise, making me wince.
"Yes but I'll make him pay. Kion might like the taste of Izila meat." I replied as she pressed a sweet smelling green paste across my stomach.
"You should." Sayla advised, covering the bruise with a large green leaf and I giggled as I covered my abdoman. "Takkar should have let him roast with the rest of his kind."
"Well maybe not roast. Seems a little harsh." I replied and she tilted her head, exactly like I did to Takkar. "Is there something strange about that?"
"No." Sayla answered, heading outside and I followed with a shrug. Not explaining herself, Sayla left to find Takkar so I was left alone.
"Maybe I should launch a sneak attack on that annoying jerk." I whispered, limping a little towards his hut. It wasn't until I reached it that I raised my club, intending to knock him on his backside for last night. Right until I found him standing over the makeshift fields that I hesitated, lowering the club as I watched him tending the fields.
In a heartbeat he spun around, a cloud of dust ending up in my eyes. With a startled cry I dropped the club and he dived at me, knocking me on my backside for a second time. "Oww what the hell?!" I snapped, wiping my teary eyes as he pinned me.
"If you let someone sneak up on you you're already dead." Roshani commented and I glared, vision slightly blurred. "And you call me pathetic."
"When did I say that? Now get off me!" I yelled, shoving him but he grabbed my arms pinning them above my head. "I said get off me!" I shouted but he just laughed in my face, way too close for comfort. After a pause he climbed to his feet, offering a hand that I accepted. I had only just started to stand when he yanked me to my feet. Now overbalanced I stumbled.
Purely on instinct he caught me, arms a little to close to my backside for my liking. Breathing hard I stood perfectly still and it wasn't until I caught my breath that I realized just how close we were. Even Roshani noticed, staring directly into my eyes.
"You can let go of me now." I mumbled, heart beating a little quicker than I would have liked it. After a few more seconds of staring he finally removed his arms and I took a few quick steps back. "Thanks for the help." I quickly muttered, hurrying away before he could speak.
What were we doing, I thought feeling my cheeks burn as I fled back to my own hut. And why did I like it?