At sunset the pyres were lit, their warm light lasting long into the night as the Trateri celebrated the lives and deaths of those they'd lost.
It was a loud affair that spoke of both happiness for the time they’d shared and sadness for the dead's departure. The ceremony would continue as long as the funeral pyres burned.
Tomorrow they'd set off for the herd lands, but tonight was about the people they'd lost. A time for remembrance.
Eva moved along the outskirts of the camp, keeping her distance from the fires. She was in a weird place in her mind. Happy she'd survived but still trying to process the guilt of Drake's death.
Movement in the darkness ahead caused Eva to pause as Chirron yanked his arm out of Van's hold. Eva debated whether she should interfere. As irritated as Chirron looked, she wasn't seeing violence.
There was patience on Van's face as he tried to reason with the other.
Eva's decision would be helped if she knew whether the two were friends or enemies. Sometimes it was hard to tell.
"I wouldn't," Gawain said as Eva started forward.
Gawain appeared out of the darkness as a slap sounded in the air.
Eva glanced back to find Van's face turned to the side from the force of the hit. He touched his tongue to the cut in his lip as he slowly glanced back at Chirron, a predatory look on his face.
Rather than upset, his expression was anticipatory. There was a prowl in his steps as he closed in on Chirron.
The healer stumbled backward before recovering his balance, lifting his chin at Lion Clan's leader in challenge.
"Protest all you want, but you're going to rest. I'm not going to watch you kill yourself," Van informed Chirron. "Just for that slap, you're also going to eat. I don't want to hear another word about how I don't have the right."
They both glared.
Then they started for each other at the same time, coming together in an embrace as their lips clung to each other's with a passion that almost made Eva blush.
After several seconds locked together, Van dipped, sweeping Chirron into his arms and striding away.
"Told you," Gawain said.
Eva shook her head, still not quite believing what she'd seen. "I thought they hated each other."
Gawain hummed. "Sometimes I think they do. There are feelings between them, but there's also a fundamental difference in their priorities. It's a barrier neither is willing to compromise on and so they remain stuck. Yearning for the other but not quite willing to set down their shields."
Eva stared at Gawain.
Seeing her look, he smiled. "Their story is an old one. It goes all the way back to their childhood. Chirron was in line to be the next clan leader when he gave it all up to become a healer. Van never forgave him. To him, Chirron threw away something precious to follow a path their clan considers weak."
"Chirron's not weak," Eva defended.
"No. That man is probably deadlier than all of us—your commander included," Gawain admitted.
Eva was quiet as she stared at the spot where they'd just been. "It seems like a waste."
"You're not wrong," Gawain admitted as they began walking again. "Everyone sees it except them."
They lapsed into silence. Gawain's presence unexpectedly peaceful.
"This place is so different from our home." Gawain's gaze lingered on the dark shapes of the mountains framed by a starry sky.
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Eva asked.
Gawain drew his attention from the scenery. "I haven't decided yet."
Eva watched him for a moment. "Something tells me you suit this place."
