“When I noticed the thinning resources, I decided to investigate further. I fear I stayed too long as they have picked up on Amber’s scent.”
“Can you be certain?”
“Yes. As soon as I realized they were in the area, I made Amber bathe in mud, which angered her into aggression.”
“It does not take much with her,” Grixis mumbles.
“All is not lost. There were only two. I debated killing them but worried it would draw the others to our side. I can only hope that since there are no signs of living women, they assume they had crashed and died shortly after.”
“It could be that the other half of the boat the women came on is on their shores,” Fenrick suggests, “and if that is the case, the Veriskans might have been looking for more wreckage, or survivors.”
Grixis contemplates his words. “This I have not considered, and perhaps this development is for the best, as they are likely to believe they did not survive, or if they had, they died shortly after making it to land.”
Fenrick nods. “One can hope.”
After mulling over my revelation, Grixis lifts his head, speaking to us as chieftain. “We should get back to the village and think on what we have learned. Burden no one else with this knowledge, as we do not want to incite fear or blood lust.”
“Amber has agreed not to speak of the Veriskans, and I believe she will keep her word as she fears being exiled from the tribe again,” I tell him.
Grixis nods. “Good.”
Before Grixis stalks off, I remind him, “The girl named Asha must leave my dwelling.”
A look of annoyance washes over Grixis’s face. “I have been told she is weaving ahead of the cold season, and to move her work would be grievous to her progress.”
“I care not.”
“Is it because you wish to mate with Amber?” Fenrick teases.
Molten fury courses through my veins. “If I were to bring Amber anywhere, it would be to a cliff to toss her off!”
“Mayhap it would be better to toss them all off,” Haelden says under his breath.
“Enough!” Grixis warns. “The women are here to stay, and that is final.”
“While I accept their presence, I do not accept that they are allowed to take over my home,” I snarl.
“Perhaps you can stay at The Tomb or an outpost?” Grixis suggests.
That Grixis would say such nonsense inflames me. “I built my home with my own two hands and refuse to be run off by a lesser!”
“You have every right to be upset, but with the coming cold, we must allow the women to better prepare,” Grixis reasons. “Each of them will need blankets and gear to get by. I am not even sure if we can keep them in the village for long with the cooling temperatures, but that is a worry for another day.”
“That matters not, for I am not giving up my home,” I insist.
“You do not have to, but you must share it until she is done with her weaves, however many they might need.”
Blinding rage grips me, but I tame my aggression, knowing better than to argue when he has so much on his mind with the Veriskans and pregnant Elena.
“Return to the village,” Grixis commands. “All except you, Eddard.”
2
ASHA
When the dust finally settles, Harold sneaks out from his hiding place and sits on a pile of soft threads, looking at me as if in question.
I scratch his head, which has two ridiculous horns that look like they belong on a goat curling from his temples around his ears. “You’ll be fine. I won’t let the mean blue man hurt you.”
