He stands his wooden staff upright and leans into it. “I understand this. My thoughts often drifted to Maeve when we were first mated. They still do, but I have been able to have two thoughts at once. One of fighting and one of mykeeshla. I do not let myself get distracted by the second. Let us go again.”
Before I can get ready, Benham swings his staff at my head. I manage to duck in time to avoid a direct hit, but still, he grazes me. It serves as a reminder that were I fighting an enemy, hewould not care if my mind drifts. His only intent would be to kill. My tribe brother is stronger than me, but that does not mean he will defeat me if I am smart.
Benham and I trade blows, although his connect more often than mine. But I do not give up. I remain patient and focused on our training battle. Piper will be upset if I return to our tent with a broken bone or other serious injury. Ah, perhaps this is what Benham means when he says he is able to have two thoughts at once. I use mykeeshlaas an incentive to do better. Will Piper be proud of me if I am able to defeat my tribe brother? Will she reward me with mouth touching—or more—when I return to her victorious? Both of these thoughts spur me on and I become more aggressive in my fighting.
I strike multiple times in a row before a final blow knocks Benham off his feet. A cloud of dust kicks up from around his large frame that collides with the ground with a mighty thud. My own pride swells with the knowledge that I was able to defeat him. Benham is our best warrior as well as our strongest. He is not so easily taken down, and yet, I have done so.
“Well done,” he says.
I reach out for his hand and pull him to his feet.
“Your words honor me.”
“Were you thinking of your mate?” he asks.
“How could you tell?”
“Because your form improved and there was purpose to each move you made. It was as though you were being watched by someone you wanted to impress, but you could only do so if you won.”
I nod. “My thoughts were on whether my mate would be proud if I defeated you. I am certain she would be, so I knew I must.”
“Excellent. Then you understand what I meant by thoughts co-existing.”
“Aye.”
Benham claps me on the shoulder. “It was a victory well won. Now, I wish to spend time with my Maeve and our kit. Go find yourkeeshlaand enjoy your time together.”
I fist my chest and do not hesitate to follow his command. Once I stow the practice staff, I nearly race up the slope that leads out of the training arena and into the main village. My first stop is our tent, but if Piper is not there, then my second will be what she calls the potter’s tent since that is where she will most likely be if she is no longer with Maeve.
Our tent is empty, but her bag lies flat on top of the chest I left for her, which means she has placed her belongings inside. I head toward the forge next. The closer I get, the more I am able to hear pounding within the walls of it. Since Benham has been with me, I must assume it is Zara who is working.
She was his apprentice for three seasons and has now become a fine weapon maker as well. Her blades are almost as perfect as Benham’s, but we have all learned to steer clear of any arrows Zara may have crafted. No matter how many arrowheads she has made over the many seasons, none of them are quite right. Benham made us all vow we would not tell her, because it would hurt her soft human heart. He became far less harsh after Maeve.
The scent of fire is strong as I walk past the forge and into the potter’s tent. However, it too, is empty. There is no sign thateither Piper or Alesha has been here. Worry settles in my gut. I swiftly exit and go in search of my mate. Has she been struck ill again? My pace quickens to a run as I make my way to the healers’ tent. I skid to a halt outside of it and throw open the door flap. Sage is the only one present.
“Katem, is everything okay?”
“I cannot find Piper. She was touring the village with Maeve, but she is neither in our tent or with Alesha working on her clay making.”
“She isn’t still with Maeve somewhere?”
Have I been worried for nothing? “I will continue my search. Please let her know I am seeking her out if you see her.”
“Of course.”
I nod. Some of the fear lessens. My stride is still long and my steps quick. Until this turn I never thought of the village as being that big, but it feels endless as I move about in all directions looking for Piper.
“Sage said you are looking for your mate.” Alanda approaches from the direction of the healer’s tent.
“Have you seen her?”
“Aye. She is down by the river in the place where the shefira teaches the kits the human letters.”
“You have my thanks.”
My racing heart slows, as do my steps, until I return to a normal walk as I get close enough to the river that the sound of its running water reaches me. Within only a few more paces, the top of Piper’s head becomes visible and then the rest of her as Idraw nearer. She must be lost in thought, because she does not appear to hear me. Not even when I come to a stop just behind the bench where she rests.
“Piper.” It is nothing more than a whisper for I have no wish to startle her.
