Chapter Twenty-Six

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~ One and a half years later ~

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A little-known secret lies outside of the village. Concealed within the dense forest is a meadow. It is so small someone might easily pass by without ever being aware of its existence. Nevertheless, it is well worth the walk to see it. The meadow is beautiful this time of year. All the winter snow has melted, leaving behind a clearing bursting with color.

Ewar and I are lying on our backs behind a curtain of thick grass, hidden from sight. On this day, he and I are appreciating the view above our heads.

"That one looks like a bird," I say, pointing at a cloud.

He stares at it briefly before responding - in English, no less. Even after I agreed to stay with him, he insisted that he needed to continue learning my language. He's gotten quite good at it too. English is great for when he and I want to keep our conversations private.

It's funny. I always wanted a guy with an accent. Of course, before I ended up in the Ice Age, I was thinking more along the lines of finding someone with British citizenship. Ewar is nothing like that. He tends to roll his R's and overly emphasizes certain vowels - as far from the traditional English cadence as you can get. Am I disappointed? Not even slightly. I adore his accent more than anything.

"I have never seen a bird with three wings," he says while studying the cloud.

"Well, you have now."

His lips twitch with amusement. "True." He squints against the sunlight, once again gazing upward. "I see... a bone."

"Where?"

He tilts my head to the left. "There."

"Oh. I see it now. And look! It's next to a face."

He scrunches his nose at the misshapen cloud. "I would feel sorry for a man with a face like that."

"Really? And here I thought it looked a lot like you."

Ewar rolls over and attacks me with his fingers. He has already mapped out all of my weak spots, so tickling me isn't a difficult task.

Laughing with tears in my eyes, I push him off of me. "Stop! I take it back. You are much more handsome than any face in the sky!"

He crosses his arms behind his head, looking very pleased with himself. "Thank you."

I snuggle up beside him again, still cloud-watching. After a prolonged pause, he releases a sigh. It feels like there is a meaning behind it. My eyes dart away from the scenery above to look at him.

"What's wrong?"

"There is nothing wrong. I was thinking."

"About what?"

"You said that we live on a pu-lan... pu-lan..."

"Planet."

"Yes, plan-et. We live on a planet called Earth." He studies the sky, as though searching for its secrets. "I remember you said there are many other planets. Do people live on them?"

"No, nothing lives on them - at least, nothing that I know of."

His brows lift. "No animals?"

"Nope. No people. No animals. No plants."

"Why?"

"I'll show you."

He and I scoot closer to a patch of dirt. It is our makeshift chalkboard for times like this one. A part of Ewar will always cling to the old ways of thinking, where forces of nature are often explained as "magic" and "the doings of the Great Spirits." But he also possesses a hunger for knowledge and is willing to listen to alternative theories.

Using my fingers, I draw a large circle plus several more smaller ones.

"Pretend this is the sun," I say. "And these are the planets in our solar system. They're all round like a cranberry, but it's easier for me to draw them this way. Do you understand so far?" He nods and I continue. "Good. If you recall, each planet moves around the sun. Some are so close to it that the heat would boil you alive. Others are so far away that the sun's light barely touches their surface. Earth is different, though. It's not too close or too far away from the sun. I guess you could say it's in the perfect spot. Because of that, Earth stays warm enough to support life."

With my palm, I erase the shapes I drew. This time I draw a single, large circle in the dirt to represent Earth. "Our planet has land and oceans. None of the other planets have both land and liquid water. Some people think that's another reason why Earth has life and the rest do not."

The world map I create is crude but gets the point across fairly well. Ewar listens as I describe how each landmass on Earth has a name. I tell him that one day in the future there will be cities and countries. Living on these continents will be billions and billions of people. And although the planet is immense, there will be things called airplanes that can fly you from one side of the world to the other in a single day.

After I have explained the subject to the best of my ability, his expression turns introspective. "Everything you say sounds..."

I smirk at him. "Impossible? As in, no way any of it could be true?"

"Yes. But I believe you."

Touched by his faith in me, I cup his face. "That makes me very happy. I wouldn't want my husband to think I was nuts."

"Nuts? Like the ones growing on trees?" He shakes his head and chuckles. "I would hope I would never confuse you with a nut, Bella."

"Very funny, but I'm being serious. Remember how a word can sometimes have more than one meaning? Nuts can mean crazy, too. I have no idea why, though."

His mouth puckers slightly while he absorbs the information. "That is... strange."

"Welcome to the joys of the English language, where one word might have ten completely different meanings." Glancing down at the dirt map I made, I return to our previous lesson. "So, did you understand everything?"

"Yes." An inexplicable gleam appears in his eyes. "I would like to go over it with you again... so I will remember."

"Sure. That's a good idea."

He crawls closer, nudging me to lie down. I do so willingly, but I am also confused. This confusion increases when he hovers above me. My tunic inches upwards thanks to his hand.

"The Earth is made up of continents." He begins to draw shapes on my exposed belly. It feels like heaven. I realize belatedly that he is recreating the shapes of Africa and South America. "The continents are sometimes separated by oceans." He licks a long, wet trail up my body, in between the "continents" he traced on my skin.

He lifts his head once he reaches my upper torso. His hands mold themselves to my breasts, fondling in a way that makes my eyes want to cross.

"The Earth... is round." He gives my breasts a light squeeze, a sly grin on his face. "Warm." His thumb grazes a nipple. "And so beautiful."

For someone still learning English, he never fails to stun me with his words.

I grab him by the nape of the neck and drag him closer. "You're such a good student."

He chuckles. I smother him with a kiss. He returns the affection with equal gusto. The lesson is officially over for the time being. Honestly, it's a miracle he and I ever get anything done. We get distracted regularly.

We are just beginning to get into the swing of things when I hear the distinct snap of a branch.

I spring up into a sitting position and peek over the high grass. We are out in the open. Only a ring of knee-high grass hides us from any potential peeping Toms.

"What was that?" I whisper.

Ewar plays with the knot holding up my leggings. "Do you see anything?"

"No..."

"Then it is nothing." He begins untying the knot, eager to remove all physical barriers between us.

I cover his hand with my own.

"Let me check first," I say.

"Bel-la..."

"Come on. If it's 'nothing', it shouldn't take long for me to make sure we are really alone."

He exhales and releases his hold of my pants. "You are right. I will look too."

Using hand signals, the two of us devise a plan. He will check the eastern side of the meadow while I cover the western half. We each take our weapon of choice. His spear is poised for attack. I keep my bow at the ready. A quiver of arrows hangs from my belt.

I scan the forest edge as I walk. My footsteps are light, a skill Ewar taught me so as to not scare off any game in the area. I have almost checked my designated section entirely when I spot a blur of movement from within the forest.

I follow after it.

Sunlight fades the further I venture into the forest depths. There is a dark greenish tint thanks to the leaves filtering the light. Carefully, I sidestep around a large tree. A few steps more and I find the culprit who disturbed our peace.

A lynx.

The wild cat is facing away from me. A cluster of bushes has captured its interest. I suspect it has picked up the scent of potential prey hiding within the bramble. Coincidentally, the creature isn't aware that it is also being hunted. The lynx's coat is a gorgeous yellow with black spots. It would make a warm and luxurious fur coat for Ewar come next winter.

I notch an arrow and aim, but I don't immediately fire. Shooting it now would be foolish. An arrow to its hindquarters is not a killing shot. The animal would take off running only to die hours later, beyond my reach. It is better to wait for the lynx to move to a more favorable position.

My patience pays off. The lynx creeps forward. It begins patrolling the perimeter of the bushes, searching for a gap large enough to wiggle inside. When it drops into a crouch, I finally get my chance. The ribcage is in prime position. I draw back the bowstring, ready to release my arrow.

Before I can send the projectile flying, a blackbird decides this is the perfect time to defend its nest.

The bird squawks shrilly and persistently from a tree. It is as though an alarm has been triggered. The wild cat spins around to check for danger. One look in my direction and the lynx flees. I don't follow. It is faster than I am. There is no chance I could ever catch it.

With a huff, I put away my unused arrow. I aim a scathing glare at the tattletale perched on a tree branch.

"Thanks a lot, you little shit. You scared 'em off! I hope that lynx comes back later and eats you."

An unexpected chuckle from behind catches me off guard. Ewar wraps an arm around my waist. I relax. He is a master at sneaking up on me.

"You almost got it," he says.

"I know! I had plans for that lynx, but that dumb bird ruined everything."

"I am sorry." The end of his nose skims my neck. Goosebumps start sprouting everywhere he touches. "I love watching you hunt," he says huskily. "You look so..." He exhales. "I do not have the words to describe it."

I lick at my lips. "I think I understand. I feel the same when you hunt. You get this intense look in your eyes. And you move like a predator, with smooth, precise steps."

"Yes. But, with you, there is more. Your cheeks become pinker. You breathe heavier. And when your hair blows in the wind..." He groans. "It is too much."

He suddenly yanks at the knot holding up my leggings. They go loose around my hips. My posture goes rigid. "Ewar, wh-what are you doing?"

"Helping you feel better."

He tugs at my clothing. The leggings slip to my ankles, leaving my lower half fully exposed.

Anxiety sets in. I glance all around. There isn't much underbrush in this area of the forest. If anyone were to pass nearby, they might see me in my current state of undress.

I meet his gaze. "You want to do it here? Out in the open? What if someone sees us?"

He does not immediately answer. His fingers are kneading my behind like a ball of dough. Inevitably, I am drawn closer. My body lines up perfectly with his. I inhale sharply once I feel how hard he is for me.

"No one will come out this far today," he whispers hotly. "It is only you and me." He bites down on my earlobe until I whimper. "Please, my Bella. I need you."

And that is all it takes to convince me. I throw my arms around his neck and kiss him so hard he forgets that he was initially the one doing the seducing.

Eventually, the blackbird on the limb stops bitching at us for invading its territory. Even a creature as dumb as it knows when to give up a fight. Ewar and I have no plans on leaving anytime soon. After all, my husband is a thorough lover.

The sun sits higher in the sky by the time we make it back to the village. We both have chores to take care of. He and I part ways with a quick peck on the cheek and the assurance we will meet again later this evening.

I am on the way to our house when someone catches up to me.

"There you are. I've looked everywhere for you!" Alie chirps. "Mother checked the traps downstream and caught a huge beaver. She needs help butchering it and preserving the hide. She plans on dividing the meat between all three of our households!"

Beaver tastes like pork when it is slow-roasted. It is delicious. I slip easily into the native tongue. "I would love to help. Lead the way."

Alie engages in small talk as we walk. It isn't until the village is well behind us that she takes a long, probing look at me. "Where did you go this morning? I noticed Ewar was gone as well."

"We... went hunting."

Her mouth twists. "Hmm. Hunting. Are you sure about that?"

"Yes. What else is there to do in the woods?"

"I don't know." She breaks into a grin, plucks a leaf from the top of my head, and waves it under my nose. "But you have many more of these on your clothes and in your hair. I have never heard of anyone hunting while lying down on their back on the forest floor!"

I snatch the leaf from her grasp, red-faced. "I must have forgotten to dust myself off..."

Alie giggles and bumps shoulders with me. "Do not be ashamed. I am glad you and Ewar aren't bored with one another."

Her positive response sets me at ease. I smile in remembrance. "Ewar is far from boring."

She gasps at my faraway expression. "You must tell me! What is it like to be with a man in the forest? How is it done? There are no beds!"

I do a double-take. Alie and Jas have been married for as long as Ewar and me. It is unfathomable that they have limited themselves to house sex only.

"Alie, who said you need a bed to be with your husband? Laying on a pile of leaves works nicely too." I bite my lower lip. "Or bent over a fallen log... The experience can be amazing."

"You are not afraid of being ambushed by dangerous animals?"

I hesitate, debating if I should share more. One glance at Alie's attentive face and I relent. "No. Your senses become heightened. It's like you can hear and see everything around you better than ever. I doubt any animal could sneak up without one of us being aware of it." I smile a little. "You also need to have a lot of trust in your mate. But if that isn't a problem, you will feel closer together than ever."

She sighs dreamily. "That does sound wonderful. Jas and I have been so busy with the baby, we have barely kissed."

I shake my head at that revelation. "That is unacceptable. I will watch the baby whenever you need me. Take Jas out in the woods and have some fun."

"Thank you! I will talk to him tonight. Maybe we can get away as soon as tomorrow!" As we approach the stream where Ehmay waits, Alie drops her voice so we won't be overheard. "Is there anything else I should know before I take him out there?"

"Just relax and enjoy yourself. Oh, and don't forget..." I pause, searching for the equivalent of "foreplay" in her ancient language. There is none I know of, unfortunately. "Um. Don't forget to do things before you lay with him to set the mood," I hint.

She scrunches her forehead. "What things?"

"Kissing and touching using your mouth and fingers."

"Kissing and touching what?" she asks innocently.

"Like, his... you know."

She catches on quickly. She stops walking and inhales sharply. "You mean I have to touch his manhood with my mouth? Why would I do that?"

"Alie! You've been with Jas this long and never pleasured him that way before? Poor Jas..."

She bursts out laughing. "It was a joke, Bella. I know exactly how to please Jas. I promise my husband is a very happy man. I just wanted to see the face you would make if I pretended not to know how!"

I roll my eyes. Alie is my best friend. She is practically my sister. But, sometimes, I also want to strangle her. Which I guess is typical when it comes to sisters. I'm not positive on that, though. I was born an only child.

"Just wait," I warn ominously. "I am going to get you back for that."

"What are you going to do?" She says this much too cheerfully.

"Maybe Jas needs some advice too. I'll get Ewar to tell him all about something that's popular where I come from. It's called BDSM."

"Beedee Es Em? What is that?"

I whisper into her ear. Her eyes get so big, they almost pop out of their sockets.

"Tie me up with ropes and spank me?! That is horrible! Is that something you and Ewar do?"

I smirk. "Sometimes. I'll strap him to a tree trunk and spank him until he screams. He loves it."

"Really?!"

"No."

Her naive expression turns annoyed at my trick. I dissolve into laughter. Revenge is sweet.

Ehmay's voice calls from nearby. "Alie, are you teasing Bella again?"

Alie sends me another reproachful look. "Yes, Mother. But Bella always teases me right back!"

Ehmay nods. "As she should."

Alie and I both laugh.

A baby is being bounced on Ehmay's lap, her first grandchild. He is now a little over one year old and currently gnawing on a wood bead teething bracelet.

Alie makes a beeline to her child and hefts him onto her hip. "Hello, Paytah. Did you miss me?"

He gazes at her in wide-eyed glee.

She kisses his nose. "Can you guess who I found while I was gone? Look. It's Bella! Do you want her to hold you while I take care of some things?"

He stretches wiggling arms above his head. "Bey-yah!"

Alie smiles at me. "I think he said 'yes'."

I take Paytah and immediately blow a raspberry into his chubby cheek. He erupts into giggles. "You are getting heavy. You're going to have to learn how to walk soon, little man."

He tugs at my hair in response to my critique.

Alie takes the baby again and maneuvers him on her back. A long cloth is wrapped around them both and tucked in at strategic places. Paytah is attached securely in piggyback position, leaving Alie's hands free. He drifts off to sleep as his mother works.

Ehmay, Alie, and I peel off the skin of the beaver first. It will be preserved and turned into clothing. Every scrap of meat is saved. The fat, too. A gland near its tail will be used as medicine. The intestines are braided like rope and will be dried for later consumption. Nothing is wasted. We have enough meat to last for a couple of weeks if smoked properly.

The three of us are washing our bloody hands in the stream when someone collides with me from behind. Based on their high-pitched giggles and crushing hug, I can guess who it is.

"Hello, Afrin," I say without looking.

She releases her hold and whines. "How did you know it was me?"

"I have eyes on the back of my head."

Alie holds back a giggle at my fib. Ehmay smiles.

Afrin goes quiet for several seconds. I can imagine her squinting curiously at my head. "Where are they? I only see your hair."

"Are you sure you're looking hard enough? You should check."

She moves closer, pebbles crunching underfoot, and lifts my hair. "I don't see anything."

I turn around and start feeling around frantically. "Oh no. They fell out! Now I only have one set of eyes!"

Ehmay and Alie can no longer hold back their amusement. Their combined laughter clues Afrin in. She grins. "That's not true!"

Oza appears lugging a basket. "Afrin!" she scolds "How many times do I have to tell you not to run ahead of me? Danger could be anywhere."

"Sorry, Mother. I heard Bella's voice, so I knew it would be safe. She always has her bow!"

Oza sighs, glancing at my bow lying nearby. While I have been accepted into the tribe wholeheartedly, my preferred weapon has not. Most people act like my bow might start magically shooting arrows at them all on its own.

Oza shakes off her wariness and changes the subject. "Hello, all. I have interesting news to share - especially for you, Bella."

I point at myself. "Me?"

Oza drops her basket at the water's edge and rolls her leggings to her knees. Her family's fish trap is nearby. "Yes. A tribe has come to visit. They visited the Cave of Life recently, and since they were coming to our village afterward, Mayant-hattatar asked them to deliver a gift. Ewar is waiting so the two of you can receive it together. I told him I would pass on the message to you."

A gift from Alistair! That could mean only one thing.

Shaking the excess water from my hands, I stand up to leave. "Thank you for telling me, Oza."

"Wait! There is something else you should know. The tribe that came here... It is the Fox People."

My feet skid to a halt. The Fox People showed up in our village six months ago. They were here to join us and the Wolf People for Binding Day. The single members of the three tribes were allowed to meet and mingle.

Our tribe had two female participants to choose from - the sisterly duo, Essa and Len.

Len already had an understanding with Akob. The two of them were inseparable all evening. Essa had previously expressed resentment that her younger sister had snatched the future leader of a tribe. She wanted a man with similar credentials too. And since Ewar was no longer available (thanks to me), Essa concluded that she would take just about anyone as long as they would boost her social status.

This is where the leader of the Fox People comes in.

He lost his wife during the prior winter and was searching for a replacement, hence why he agreed to participate in our village's annual Binding Day celebration. Yes, he was at least a decade older than Essa and came with baggage in the form of three young children, but she couldn't afford to be picky. So, Essa smiled and flirted her way into his good graces. The two of them were married alongside Len and Akob on the very same day they were introduced. The next morning, both sisters left the village to live with their husbands' respective tribe. I haven't seen either of them since last autumn.

Now, as soon as the snow melted, Essa and her husband are back in the village.

I pray they are merely visiting.

Oza continues to share what she learned with the rest of us. "I just overheard Essa's husband speaking with her father. He said she was nothing like he was led to believe. She refused to help care for his children and complained frequently. But that is nothing compared to how she treated the other women. She would make them do her work and threatened to expel them from the tribe if they did not!"

Ehmay frowns. "That is disgraceful. Her poor parents... I am sure they are ashamed of her behavior."

"They are! Her father said that she will be responsible for all of his household's hard labor until she finds another mate to live with."

I hold up a hand to interrupt. "Oza, please don't say what I think this means."

"I am sorry, but yes. Essa and her husband are parting ways. She is back to live in our village."

Alie groans to show her displeasure. Ehmay sighs. And I fall back on my old tried and true method of releasing frustration.

"I'm stuck with Essa again? That fucking cock-gargling, cuntmuffin... twatwaffle!"

The women surrounding me are not familiar with English. Regardless, they know me well enough to conclude that I am upset. Essa's reappearance is not something any of us would celebrate.

Ehmay gazes back sympathetically. "It will be all right, Bella. Essa's tongue is sharp, but her mind and body are weak. You have no reason to fear her."

Alie snort laughs. "Mother, no one is afraid of Essa. If anything, we should be afraid for her."

"What do you mean?"

I grab my bow and reattach my quiver around my waist. "I think Alie is saying that Essa is going to end up with a very bad hair day if she dares to even look in Ewar's direction. Back when I was first training with my bow, I would imagine the targets were her head." I smile. "I rarely missed."

Alie and Ehmay assure me that they can handle the remainder of the work on their own, so I leave them to it. The village is buzzing with activity. Evidently, Essa has holed herself inside her parents' house, not yet ready to face the humiliation of explaining how she ended up divorced. The hut she once shared with Ichel is no longer available. It became community property the instant she gave up residency. It now waits for a new family to take over ownership.

I find Arl and her ex in conversation with Ewar.

"Ah, there she is," Arl says jovially. "Bella, have you heard? The great Mayant-hattatar has sent you another gift!"

Ewar and I share a quick look before I respond. We agreed long ago that the true contents could never be revealed. No one would believe us, anyway.

"Yes. I'm sure it is another blessing for our village," I say with a straight face.

Arl turns to the leader of the Fox People to explain. "Bella is good friends with Mayant-hattatar. He sends her blessings at least twice during the warm season! They are burnt as offerings to the spirits. It is a mysterious ceremony. Only Ewar is allowed to assist her."

Essa's ex-husband digs inside the bag sitting at his feet and extracts a seemingly plain animal hide. It is folded tightly, secured with twine, and sealed with beeswax. He hands the bundle to me. "It was an honor to be given the task of delivering such an important gift."

"And I thank you for bringing it all the way here." I latch on to Ewar's wrist. "Excuse us, but my husband and I have work to do."

"Yes!" exclaims Arl. "By all means. Do not let us stand in your way."

Ewar and I head toward our house. He switches to English so no one can eavesdrop. "Did Oza tell you..."

"That Essa is back? Yes, she did."

He takes my hand and squeezes it. "I am sorry."

"Don't be. It's not your fault. I lived in the same community as Essa before without killing her. I can do it again... I hope."

He presses a kiss to my temple. "You will."

We arrive at our home. He ignites a fire without needing any prompting. Once the flames are bright enough to see by, I cover the doorway so no one will enter. The animal skin Alistair sent is spread out on the floor between the two of us. It is another letter, of course. The "ink" is crushed charcoal mixed with animal fat. I encourage Ewar to read the message aloud. It's good practice. He rarely gets to read anything except the words I scribble in the dirt.

"Hello, dear friends." Ewar's index finger moves underneath the words written in Alistair's hand. "I hope this letter finds you and your loved ones in good health. Onya and I are doing well. It has been quite boring here at the Cave of Life. I am trying to convince her to take a journey to the ocean with me this summer, but she is un- ..." Ewar stops reading. "Bella, what does this say?"

"Unenthusiastic. It means not being excited or interested in something."

He nods and continues reading. "But she is un-en-thu-si-as-tic. Perhaps I can convince her to go if you and Ewar were to come along as well." Ewar pauses and addresses me directly. "I wonder why Onya does not want to go to the ocean."

I smile. "Probably because instead of enjoying a romantic stroll on the beach, Alistair would be running around collecting rock and soil specimens to study. The man thinks the world is one giant science experiment." I give Ewar's arm a shake. "Go on and read the rest. You're doing great."

He clears his throat before refocusing on the parchment. "Whether you decide to accompany us or not, we do look forward to your annual pilgrimage to the Cave of Life. Onya has been collecting a variety of medical herbs for you to take home to your people. Seti has also expressed excitement about your visit. He has changed as boys his age often do. He has grown half a foot at least! You will hardly recognize him.

"With warm regards, Alistair and Onya."

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Spring evolves into summer. Our trip to the Cave of Life is put on indefinite hold due to an unforeseen circumstance. A severe drought has taken over the region. The stream shrinks from knee-high to ankle-deep. The leaves on trees lose their brilliant green due to lack of water. Many fruits and nuts drop before they are fully ripe. Every able-bodied villager has to devote their time and energy to gathering food before all the plants die.

It is a disappointment not being able to visit Onya and Alistair. Ewar assures me that they will understand. We can always see them next year.

On one of the last warm days before autumn is set to arrive, storm clouds gather. The winds pick up. It rains for several days straight. Everything that was bone-dry becomes soaking wet. Rooftops have to be repaired and cracks in walls recoated with clay. While it is good that the drought finally ended, it is too late for much of anything to grow. Hunting is more important now than ever.

On one fine day, Ewar coaxes me away from the many chores that needed to be done. He declares we deserve a break for once. We sneak off to our favorite spot, a place we were unable to visit much this warm season due to the heavy workload.

The lake is noticeably smaller due to the drought, but it is still as cool and refreshing as ever. Ewar pulls his shirt off and tosses it behind him, leaving his hair in a messy state.

"Bella," he says in English. "I want to..." He pauses to search for the word he is thinking of. "... race."

An idea brews inside my head. I keep it to myself. "All right. What kind of 'race' are we talking about? First person who reaches the other side of the lake wins?"

"Yes." A grin slides up one side of his face. "But you must be naked."

"Deal."

I pull off my remaining clothes and he does the same. On the sly, I admire his toned physique. It's hard focusing on a race when all you want to do is twirl your fingers in that patch of hair under his navel.

Shaking the image from my head, I remind myself that fun will soon be taking place. I can't screw this up yet.

"Ewar, do you mind if I do the signal? When I count to three, the race begins."

He accepts. Along with reading and writing, counting was relatively simple for him to learn. His people use a rudimentary tally system, cutting notches on sticks when the numbers go beyond a handful. Putting a name to the greater numbers made sense to him.

The race is set to begin. The water's edge laps at our toes. I sneak in one last peek at him. He doesn't suspect a thing.

"Ok, Ewar. One... two, three!"

I counted faster than I was supposed to. I take off running before he realizes what's up. A head start is critical for my success. Ewar is faster than me on both land and water. This is my only chance at beating him.

I dive headfirst into the lake as soon as it is deep enough. My hands slice through the water. I swim as fast as I possibly can. Unsurprisingly, it is a hopeless endeavor. Ewar is like a fish. He catches up to me by the time I reach the middle of the lake.

He latches on to my legs and drags me towards him. I kick and squeal, but I am already aware that escape is out of the question. Not that I would want to get away from him. It's all a part of the game. He enjoys the thrill of the chase as much as I do.

He has me in his clutches yet somehow manages to keep us both afloat. "That was very bad, Bella," he breathes.

I arch my eyebrow in challenge. "I know. What are you going to do about it? Will I be punished?"

"Yes." He squeezes my thigh. "I am going to have you right now... in this lake."

A moan slips out of my mouth. It's been so long since we could indulge ourselves at the lake. Just the thought of it drives me crazy.

"Please," I whimper.

He hauls me like a lifeguard with a drowning victim closer to shore. Cattails growing in waist-high water will conceal our activities. Such precaution is most likely unneeded. It's a long walk to the lake. I doubt anyone will disturb us.

My legs lock around his middle. He and I are too keyed up to draw things out any longer. He takes me quickly but pauses so I can adjust. I inhale at the fullness. His warmth is a delightful contrast to the coolness of the water. We take this moment to taste each other's lips. Our tongues explore, deep and probing. He makes me feel drunk even when sober.

Then, he moves.

All thoughts fly out of my head. I concentrate on the important things, like hanging on to him and listening to his every breath.

The time comes when our climaxes have been reached. Still wrapped up in one another, we bask in the afterglow. Our animalistic desires have been sated for now. Our kisses are sweet and tender. He isn't in any hurry to pull out, and I don't want him to. It becomes clear that we are merely resting. He wants me as much as I want him. Again.

A cacophony of voices puts a damper on our plans.

We remain hidden in the cattails. He places a finger to his lips, signaling that we should keep quiet. I acknowledge him with a single nod.

And there we wait.

Within minutes, a trio appears on the eastern shore. Two men plus a woman who has the wildest mane of red hair. None of them look familiar to me. I can hear them talking but the conversation is too distant to make out.

I lift my eyebrows at Ewar and communicate silently. Do you recognize them?

He shakes his head. No.

My eyes flick briefly to the opposite side of the lake. Our clothes and weapons are over there. I don't like feeling vulnerable. If these people are dangerous, Ewar and I are screwed. Our only hope is that they won't notice us.

We return to spying on the strangers. All three pause to scoop water from the lake, drinking out of their hands. My nose wrinkles. Hello, microbes. Stagnant water isn't the safest drinking source - especially after what Ewar and I were just doing. At least the stream the village relies on is mostly spring-fed.

The darker of the two men points in the general direction of the village. They must be planning to visit. After filling up a couple of leather flasks, the three of them disappear into the forest.

Ewar releases his hold on me. "They did not see the trail," he whispers. "That will make it more difficult for them to find the village. If we dress quickly, we might beat them. The village needs to be warned that strangers are in our territory."

He and I swim across the lake to retrieve our clothing. We throw them on, grab our weapons, and set off toward home. Ewar can run faster than me, but he is unwilling to leave me behind. He maintains the same speed and keeps a lookout for trouble. We are both panting and out of breath when we reach the gorge. The narrow corridors leave us paranoid. You never know who may be hidden around the corner.

The village is tranquilly quiet when we arrive. There are no signs of any strangers.

We made it in time.

He whistles a short tune. It is the signal for possible danger. The tune bounces off the walls, echoing relentlessly down the gorge. Every person drops what they had been doing. Mothers snatch up their young children. Weapons are seized by the men and some of the women.

Arl exits his hut and spots Ewar, who is still damp from our swim. "What is the matter?" he asks in his language.

"Bella and I saw three people down by the lake. I did not recognize them. I think they may be headed this way."

Arl nods in understanding. "We will prepare for the worst but will continue to hope they are peaceful. I will wear ceremonial garb so they can easily identify that I am this tribe's leader."

For the next hour, we wait on pins and needles. Every unidentifiable sound is met with suspicion. Ewar refuses to leave my side.

The group of strangers finally arrive. The redhead is holding the arm of one of the men. Her face is strangely empty. His expression is more alert. He studies everything within sight but doesn't speak a word

The darker-skinned man has a string of amber beads around his neck, indicating his status. "Hello," he greets in a friendly tone. "Does this settlement belong to the Bat People?"

Arl steps forward. "It does. I am Arl, the leader. May I ask who you may be?"

"I am Lohr. And this is Jaihem and Tora." He flashes a self-deprecating smile. "As you can see, our tribe is nothing compared to yours. We have not yet even named ourselves."

Arl hums uncommittedly. "Hmm, yes. What brings you to our village today?"

"We come from a distant land. Word reached us that this village possesses a powerful healer that cures infertility." Lohr waves a hand at the people beside him. "Jaihem and Tora have been trying for years to conceive but have not yet had any success. We come here to see if this healer would be kind enough to help them." He chuckles. "Some stories claim it is Damara doing the work. I said I would have to see the Goddess with my own eyes before I would believe that."

Arl breaks into a grin. "You are right to be skeptical. The rumors are only partially true." He waves me over. "Would you please come and explain things to these people?"

Ewar grabs my elbow before I can take a step. His gaze is clouded with concern. It's hard for him to trust people he doesn't know well. In response, I smile to let him know that I can handle it. This isn't the first time people have come here seeking my services. News of Alie's baby being born because of my "magic" ritual spread far and wide. I have a well-rehearsed lie to let them down gently.

"Hello," I begin. "I regret to inform you that I am not Damara. I was her assistant at one time and nothing more. She sent me here on an important mission. I had some healing powers, thanks to the Goddess, but I have since given them up."

Lohr cocks his head in curiosity. "Why would you let go of such power?"

"I chose to remain here with the man I married instead of returning to the land of the Great Spirits. Damara accepted my decision but took away my powers so I could live in peace, as any other person."

"Ah! You went from a devoted servant of Damara to the wife of a mortal man. It is a remarkable story. What a life you have lived!" Lohr glances at the other man and woman before returning his sights to me. His tone turns pleading. "Have you lost influence with the Goddess completely? Jaihem and Tora are desperate for a child to call their own. They would be grateful for any help - any at all."

I hesitate. My conscience gets to me. Hope is the most powerful medicine in this age. Without it, you are damned. It wouldn't hurt if I gave them some modern-day medical advice mixed in with a little magic bullshit.

"I will burn an offering to Damara in their name. For the blessing to work, they must eat well and rest often. Don't stress if nothing happens right away. A woman is more likely to become with child if she and her mate are relaxed and under no pressure."

Lohr unleashes another smile. "Your help is most appreciated." He glances at the couple next to him. Silence descends. When it becomes apparent that the woman isn't planning on responding, he gives an exasperated sigh. "Tora..."

She blinks, as though trying to wake from a spell. "What?"

"Shouldn't you thank the healer? She is doing you a great favor."

"I... Yes, I should." With slow steps, she moves closer to me. She takes my hand in both of hers and kisses the top. Her lips are cold and dry. "Thank you. I am humbled by your kindness."

She moves back where she was before. Her mate does the same as she did. Jaihem ends up directly in front of me. He is so close I can smell the sweat wafting off of him.

"Thank you." He takes my hand and kisses the knuckles. He does not immediately let go afterward like Tora did. His grip becomes tighter. His gaze is unrelenting. It's as though he is soaking in every detail of my face. "I heard many stories about this village's healer. Every one mentioned her beauty. They did not exaggerate. Your husband is a very lucky man."

A presence appears at my side. I know it is Ewar without needing to look.

Ewar extracts my hand from the stranger's grasp. He holds on gently, but his expression is hard as stone. "Yes, I am."

The two of them enter into a stare-down. Neither looks away.

Lohr coughs into his fist to cut the sudden tension. "Jaihem, we must get going. I would like to get back to the grassland before it gets dark. There is a long journey ahead of us."

Jaihem nods in acknowledgment. Then, he looks at me again. "It has been an honor to meet you. May I ask your name?"

"Uh. Bella."

"Bella?" A smirk crawls across his face. "An unusual name, to be sure. I find it lovely. Almost as though Damara herself picked it out. I won't be forgetting it anytime soon."

And with that, the tribe of three leaves the village.

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A/N- This chapter marks the beginning of the Part Two phase of the story. Bella and Ewar are happy as can be, doing the Hokey Pokey as much as they want... but change is coming. Enjoy the lighthearted moments while it lasts!

In case you didn't know, the website hasn't sent email notifications in weeks. You will have to check your account page for updates until they get it fixed. I'm tempted to send an angry mammoth to fanfiction headquarters to scare them into action.

Thanks for reading. :-)