There is no one here from my tribe to tell me it is wrong. Only the stares of my brothers. But in Orik’s tribe, it is common, and I can understand why.
The others all arrive and Orik serves breakfast. I spend more time chewing on my thoughts than I do on the food.
Edilk has been standing and pacing as he eats when he stops, I know he’s about to start the meeting. “We have some tough decisions to make.”
“Yeah, we need to find mates,” Yva says. “And go home.”
“We need to decide if we are going to remain and wait for Aldit to rejoin us,” Edilk corrects.
“What about Tiril?” Sabine asks.
Edilk’s markings flare brightly for a heartbeat. “I do not know if he will be able to rejoin us. He made his choice.”
Because there was no other choice to make.
“How long do you plan on waiting for them?” Hrad licks his spoon and puts his bowl down.
I like that he is considering waiting. “I am in no rush to return to our lands. I am happy to wait for them.”
Bridget smiles at me. “If we are to remain, we will need somewhere better to live. This area will flood.”
“Are we talking about staying here forever, or giving Aldit a chance to return?” Yva wipes his finger around his bowl.
Edilk glances at Sabine. “Traditionally, if the banished find a mate, they return to their tribe. However, the human women don’t want to be separated, and I understand and respect that. Those with human mates would be wise to think about the implication of returning home with one, as we do not know if they will be accepted.”
I glance at Sunif. I’m sure that he and Edilk have been thinking about this since they found the women. No doubt at first they had thought of returning home the way I did.
My gaze drifts to Orik.
Edilk continues. “This is a new situation for us. We are on a new land, with a new tribe of people. I don’t know if we can look at the old rules for guidance. You followed me over the ocean…but none of us expected this.”
“It’s easy for you because you have a mate. You agreed to the no raiding rule because it didn’t affect you.” Yva stands. “There are three of us without mates.”
Orik gives me a half-smile from where he stands by the fire.
“I am aware. But the three of you cannot sail the ship back home either. So we either all sail, or we all stay.” Edilk finishes.
“We should wait for Aldit. At least give him three moons. Perhaps Tiril will also find his way back to us,” Hrad says.
“And bring some women,” Yva laughs, but there is an edge there. If any of us are going to break the no raiding rule, it will be him.
“Are we all in agreement to wait?” Edilk glances at each of us. “Or do we need to vote?”
“When we sailed, we did so because we agreed there was nothing for us back home. We sought something new. And we found it. There may be more to find, so I am in no rush to return.” Sunif clasps Mia’s hand. “But I also agree that we need to find a more suitable location to call home.”
Edilk nods. “Any objections?”
No one raises their voice.
“Sabine said there should be a map of this land on one of their devices. We will review it and find something suitable. Hrad and Yva, can I ask you to walk a wide arc around the camp and leave signs for Aldit and Tiril that lead here? We will then leave a message to tell them where to head next.” Edilk grins. “I believe Bridget is going to attempt to make us socks with the help of Orik and Vari’s rope and net making skills.”
All the attention swivels to Bridget and me.
Bridget’s eyes widen. “Um…it may not work. But I will keep looking for fibers suitable for knitting…sock making.”
“With no tribes to raid except the humans, we will need to become more self-sufficient. That is the downside of remaining.”
“Perhaps it is a good thing there are no other Honey tribes, as there is no one to hunt us.” Hrad stands and gathers the bowl. “If we are not raiding and running and fighting, we will have time to explore and create. And if we find precious gems, as well as our missing brothers, then the trip home will be a pleasant one.”
