Chapter Eight
RAIA DIDN’T KNOW these elders, but she sensed an ancient power calling to her. Like the phelthar she and her bond-mates now shared, the elders possessed a tie to the land she felt in her bones.
“Ah, so it is true.” Elder Ihlar smiled at her. “Welcome, Sehvar.”
“Sehvar,” Elder Ohgren said to Skehl, his eyes wide as he took in Skehl’s healing.
Elder Xehlett bowed his head to Arghet, who stood frozen. “Sehvar.”
“Wait, what?” Arghet frowned, the warrior apparently having forgotten deferential respect for his elders. “I am Arghet of the Vyctore.”
“You were.”
“Elder Xehlett, why do you call us Sehvar? What does that even mean?”
“We had not expected such a blessing. It’s been many moons and suns since the Maker gave the Cloud Tribe such a gift.”
The elders knelt before them, and Raia sensed the horror from her mates at what was happening. She laughed. “Oh, come on. Get up. We’re the same people we were yesterday.”
“No.” Elder Ihlar slowly stood. “You are not. You are more.”
“What exactly are we?” Arghet ran a hand through his hair, and Raia noted the healthy shine, as well as the golden glow of his skin.
“You are the best of us, Arghet. Tied with the wonders of the Maker. Your phelthar is what we hope to one day achieve, a community of spirit with all life in our world.”
For a bunch of barbarians, these guys sound a little like religious zealots.She’d seen her share on Earth and Vulcan 4. Talk about wacky aliens.
Skehl frowned. “I am nothing special.”
Not true,Raia and Arghet said at the same time. Arghet frowned at her. She frowned right back. Stubborn male. She’d need to work on that.
Skehl gave them a brief glance filled with warmth. “Well, to my mates I am special. But to the others, I am a warrior of the Vyctore, previously of the Nasuhl. Nothing more.”
Elders Ohgren and Xehlett stood, and Ohgren said, “You are not just a warrior, Skehl. You are our people’s greatest treasure. For not only do you fight with a pure heart, you heal with one as well. Only when the Sehvar are three will our people know hope, that ills may wash away in the wake of selfless purity.” The words sounded familiar to her, as if she’d heard them long ago.
“It was thought the last of the Sehvar were killed in a raiding party centuries past.” Elder Ihlar frowned. “The facial marker is a sign of potential power, but not a definite attribute. We knew of your marker some time ago, Skehl, and we studied you as a boy.”
Interesting they had studied Skehl but did nothing to help him. Raia liked these leaders less and less.
“That you were with the Nasuhl and an intimidating fighter convinced us you were not what we sought.”
“Sought?” Arghet repeated.
Elder Xehlett nodded. “We have always had healers in the past, but for hundreds of years, this has not been the case. The only ones in existence, before you three, can be found in the Fire Tribe. But they want nothing to do with us. When our ancestors begged for training and a true path, they were told they were not worthy. Only the Maker can bless a healthy tribe with life-giving power.”
Elder Ihlar sighed. “And now we have you. We had never thought this day would come.”
“Wait.” Arghet cleared his throat. “Elder Ihlar, what does this mean?”
“It means, dear boy, that you three will guide us into a new era of prosperity. You shall each take mates and spread your abilities throughout our clans. And once again, we will be strong, able to heal our clanmates in times of great need.”
Skehl frowned. “We have mated already. Arghet, Raia, and me. We are one.”
Elder Ihlar nodded. “To become Sehvar, you must take the bond. But the greatest sacrifice you give back to the tribe is each other. You will end your ties and go forth among the clans, repopulating our tribe with Sehvar.”
“No.” Raia glared at the old men. They weren’t her elders. “This is why your society is so backward. You have old men ruling with their heads in the clouds.” She would have called attention to her bad pun, but she thought the situation warranted a bit of seriousness. “I am no one’s pet, not ever again. Nor is Skehl. We are free to live as we like. And if the Maker did indeed bless your tribe, it is because we have already sacrificed.
“Our childhoods were spent in abuse and enslavement. Skehl was forced to think himself unworthy, fighting for a clan that didn’t deserve to call itself barbarian. I was forced to take lives I had no business taking. Arghet is a fitting warrior, but even he knew a sense of isolation, aloneness from the others.” She saw her mate start, disconcerted that she’d read him, apparently.
