The thunder of mydarukkarson theirpyrokibehind me alerted the horde to my return. With satisfaction, I saw that the wall had been built in my absence, a necessary defense inungiraterritory. The gate was open and I spied Hedna, mypujerak, sitting atop hispyrokiat the entrance.
His expression was stoic as he took in the white-hairedvekkirifemale sitting across my lap.
“Greetings, my friend,” I rasped in Dakkari.
He reached across the gap between us when I pulled Nillima next to hispyroki. We clasped arms, though his gaze strayed to the female who was looking up at him with large, unblinking eyes.
I almost smiled. Had her fear returned? She feared anything and anyone new. My skittishleikavi.
Hedna’s brow rose when he met my gaze. “Have you followed the path of Rath Kitala and Rath Tuviri?”
I huffed out an amused yet harsh laugh. “Nik.”
“Then she comes to bring destruction to our horde?”
“Perhaps just destruction tome,” I returned. His head tilted but I didn’t elaborate on my words. “Anything pressing for tonight?”
“Nik,” he replied. “Rest. I know you do not sleep on these journeys.”
“Srikkisan,” I agreed. Tomorrow. I hadn’t slept since…since the night I’d discovered the female in my lap sneaking aroundDothik.
“Will you need avolikifor her?” he asked.
“Nik,” I rasped. “She stays in my furs.”
Mypujeraksighed. “Then I will send a bath and food shortly.”
“Kakkira vor,” I murmured.
“I am glad you are home,Vorakkar.”
I turned Nillima towards the entrance gate. “I fear it will not be for long,pujerak, but I will tell you all in the morning.”
Hedna frowned but inclined his head. I couldn’t have asked for a betterpujerak, a better friend. We were complete opposites in every way. He was calm and cool-headed, whereas my temper ran hot. Ours was a relationship that worked well, one that served the horde well.
“Vorakkar,” came the cries as we entered the encampment. The female on my lap stiffened as we encountered the sight of dozens and dozens of Dakkari, rushing forward to greet me.
Nillima tossed her neck but my fickle beast enjoyed the attention as hands reached out to stroke her, passing over her side and then my legs. It was customary for the Dakkari to greet theirVorakkaras such...though a part of me would never feel completely comfortable with the countless hands that stroked over my flesh in the process.
None of my horde met my gaze out of respect but I saw the way their wide eyes lingered on Vienne. The whispers and murmurings began to start. Some shrank back quickly after they offered their greeting, making certain not to touch her.
It was expected. Not only was she a strangevekkiri—some of my horde had probably never seen a human before—but she would remind them of our ancient legend, of the female sorceress.
It was unavoidable, however. In the crowd, I sought out Lokkaru but I didn’t see the elderly female anywhere.
The land I’d chosen for my horde backed up into one of the smaller mountains in the eastern lands, providing protection from the back, so we would not have to enclose the entire encampment. At the base of the mountain was where myvolikilay, close to thepyrokienclosures. With satisfaction, I saw the water well had been dug and erected so that we would not have to travel every day for our supply. I saw that to the west, our crops had already been sowed. I saw the stone grinder for the last of ourleisocrop had been prepared as well.
The horde had accomplished everything I’d wanted in my absence.
There was still much to be done. We would stay in the east longer than usual this year so more preparation was necessary. Added to that was what was to come…the threat of the Ghertun, the heartstone, the possibility of battle.
Tomorrow, I thought. This night, I needed rest.
The horde members fell away the deeper we rode into the encampment until there was blissful silence once more. Even thevekkiriin my arms seemed to relax.
When we came to thepyrokienclosure, I slid thekallesdown to the earth and jumped down from Nillima. Themrikro,thepyrokimaster, was waiting to take her, approaching us, though his gaze kept straying to Vienne.
“Mrikro,” I greeted, sliding my hand across Nillima’s bandaged flank. “She was injured fromjrikkia.”
