Nineteen
“Go to hell!” she screamed back, lifting her head in an attempt to headbutt me. I stayed out of range, though, so she missed. “Your kind should be hanged! You’re disgusting!”
More clan members joined us, some helping Rath cover the flames with dirt, while others pulled me off the woman and separated us. I didn’t fight against them, they weren’t trying to hurt me like she was, but she didn’t see it the same way. She screamed and lashed out, kicking and scratching anyone who came in range before her arms were pinned to her sides.
“What is the meaning of this?”
The crowd parted for the clan leader, who I recognized from the new birth celebration. He was an older barbarian, but still massive and burly. The only difference being that his hair was white, and he wore robes instead of the legwear and tunics the other barbarians wore. He looked at Rath, the woman, then at me, raising an eyebrow in a silent demand for an explanation.
Still breathing heavily from the fight, I looked around warily. I’d just seen what happened when someone hurt a tribute. Since I was already part of the clan, did those rules pertain to me as well?
A heavy hand on my shoulder drew my attention, and Godr gave me an encouraging nod. “Tell us what happened, brother.”
Bolstered by his support, I turned back to the clan leader. “We came back to Rath’s tent tonight to find it in disarray. I didn't know why at first, nor did Rath. He pulled me back out so we could speak with someone, I’m assuming to get help.” I shot a questioning look at Rath, who nodded in the affirmative. He looked pissed, but not at me. He was glaring at the woman. “Right. So, we were going to leave to handle it, but right before we were out of sight, I glanced back and saw someone sneaking up to our tent with a lantern.” I gestured to the lantern on the ground. “There was spilled oil inside. I feared whoever it was intended to light the oil and burn our things. So I tackled her.” Frowning at my feet, I twisted my fingers nervously. “I know we aren’t supposed to hurt tributes, but she was going to ruin Rath’s things. I’m not sorry for what I did.”
My shoulders came up, waiting for the worst. If I didn’t apologize, would they make me leave? Would I have to walk away from Rath? I could lie if I needed to, but I wouldn’t mean it. I didn’t regret it. She deserved it.
“What is he saying?” the woman screeched, fighting against the hold on her. “He’s lying! He attacked me! He said he would rape me! He should be hanged!”
Horrified, I whipped my head up to look at her, but before I could defend myself, someone in the crowd scoffed.
“He did not. He has no interest in females. You lie to save yourself.”
I knew that voice. Khaul stepped forward to translate, his lip lifted in a sneer as he told the clan what she’d said. I hadn’t realized she didn’t understand the barbarian language.
Looks of disgust crossed the faces of the clan, all aimed at her. The last time someone accused me of something, it endedpoorly for me. This time, no one believed her. The relief was so intense, I felt tears prick my eyes.
“Why attack him?” Khaul demanded of her. “What reason do you have?”
She refused to answer him, instead focusing on struggling against the man who held her. I hadn’t met him yet, but he looked resigned and angry, like he’d dealt with her before.
“I, um…”
The clan leader looked to me again, his expression softening to something more kind. “Finn? Do you have more to say?”
I didn't want to admit that she’d attacked me before. I hadn’t been lying when I said I didn’t see her face, but I knew she was a woman. It might’ve been easier to figure things out if I’d been honest about it. But it was embarrassing, and I hated how easily she’d got the upper hand.
Godr’s hand squeezed gently, reminding me of his support. When I glanced at Rath, he was seething nearby, held back by Verus and a few others to keep him away from the woman. This would only make things worse.
Grimacing, I admitted, “This wasn’t the first time. She cornered me near the trench and attacked me there, too. She doesn’t like men who are not attracted to women. She thinks it’s wrong. Lots of town people do.”
Rath’s eyes widened as he realized what I was saying. His head whipped around and he fought harder against his clan brothers, roaring his fury. I’d never seen him that way before. Even when Godr upset me, he was angry, but not so much that he needed to be held back like that. I think if it had been a man who’d attacked me, the clan wouldn’t have stopped him, but she was half his size. If he hurt her for hurting me, she might not survive it.
“Finn.” The clan leader’s voice was calm, despite the tension in the air. When I looked over my shoulder at him, he jerkedhis chin in Rath’s direction. “Go to him. Only you can settle him now.”
Nodding, I edged around the broken lamp pieces and spilled oil. Rath’s clan brothers released him just as I threw myself at him. He had no choice but to catch me or let me fall. His arms, clutching me tight, kept him from going after the woman. I wrapped my arms around his neck, petting his hair and shushing him to get him to relax.
“I’m okay. I promise.”
He turned away from the crowd, putting a few steps between us and them, and buried his face against my neck. While he took the time to calm down, I listened as the clan leader confronted the woman.
“Well? What do you have to say for yourself?”
“I didn’t do anything! He attacked me! Why aren’t you punishing him?!”
“He was protecting his home,” the clan leader replied calmly. “Unless you have some other explanation as to what you were doing here?”
She screamed and raged about the injustice of them punishing her, but she didn’t offer any explanation. She couldn’t. The evidence was all there. In the end, they tied her hands and took her away, and Godr offered us his tent for the night, volunteering to stay with a friend instead. I was too exhausted to clean up the mess she’d made, and Rath didn’t argue. He kept me in his arms until we were safely ensconced in Godr’s tent, then held me close as I cried until I fell asleep.
