“It’s egg white and whiskey,” Karisha did not move from my side and continued to jiggle the mug in my face.
“Sounds disgusting,” my nose wrinkled at the description. The last thing I wanted was to put that in my already upset stomach.
“Sounds like it’s the only thing that will make you feel like a human again if you want to get ready for the party tonight.” The tribe lady did not move from my side until I begrudgingly accepted the drink.
Not wanting to give myself enough time to sulk in my own nausea, I tipped the mug back and poured its contents into my mouth. The tasteless slimy liquid made me want to spit it out, but I forced it down my throat and swallowed a few times as the burn of the whiskey lit up my trachea. I stuck out my tongue once I finished, both to show Karisha that I had indeed swallowed the disgusting liquid and to give my taste buds a chance to breathe.
“I take it back. That was foul on so many levels. And it’s… orange?” I looked into the mug to see a trail of orange lingering with un-swallowed bits.
“That’s from the turmeric. And black pepper,” the tribe lady explained. “For the headache.”
“Thanks…” I grumbled and leaned back on the pillow, the well-deserved award for swallowing that dreadful concoction.
“You can nap for another hour or so, until I have my bath. I already told Mira to come earlier and help you get ready,” I heard Karisha announce but as soon as she said, ‘nap for another hour’, I let my body fall into the deep relaxation of her bed and closed my eyes.
Four hours later, I was feeling and looking brand new, with much-needed help of the tribe lady and Mira, who retired early to get herself ready as well. After a good napping session and a long bath where I soaked the alcohol out of my pores, I started to feel like myself again. I even got hungry and nibbled at one thing or another as Mira helped with Karisha’s braids.
I was beyond surprised to see Karisha adopting the tribe’s leathery fashion, since I was so used to seeing her in her stunning garments, but I could not deny it, she looked absolutely beautiful. Her skin was a bit too light compared to everyone else’s in the camp and even my own, but still, she sported the vest and skirt like one who was ready to make a fashion statement.
“How does it feel to wear no underwear?” I giggled when she came out from behind the panel she had situated on the side of the room, to allow me privacy to bathe in peace and her enough space to get dressed.
“Who said I am wearing any underneath my dress?” she smirked playfully. “I am a mated woman, after all…”
“Ewww, Karishaaa,” I started laughing and sent a splash of water in her direction, which she elegantly avoided.
Once I was out of the tub, I had to accept my own fate and allow the two women to primp me and put my hair in the same sort of plaits everyone else around me seemed to wear. When we got out of the tent and joined the already formed convoy of people who started walking towards the west, I was surprised to see that even most men — those that wore their hair longer than their shoulders — followed the same braiding fashion to unify the camp.
We walked like that, following the steps of the crowd, with more and more people joining as we passed their tents until we reached the warrior’s area. To find them all forming long lines and carrying torches, already waiting for us.
Markos and Dahr walked in front of the crowd, welcoming us and stopping just a few steps away from Karisha and I.
“For another year, we welcome the spring season and rejoice in the arrival of new life. May the month of March and the three that follow it find us fruitful and safe,” Markos took the lead and addressed the crowd, he too wearing the training leathers, just like his mate, perfectly blending into the crowd of drakes, assembled around the warrior camp to hear his speech.
By my side, the tribe lady brimmed with pride. I turned my head slowly towards her to find her struggling to blink away tears, a permanent smile painted on her face.
“We thank Grannicus for keeping us under his protection, for the sacrifices he makes and for another month of life. May Belgarath lead your path to victory, brother,” Markos turned towards Dahr, the torch he carried illuminating the sweat on Dahr’s sculpted muscles, “and may the fire guide you home.”
Dahr simply dipped his chin in gratitude. For some reason, I knew that he would not be doing a speech like Markos had and would simply join in the festivities, whatever they were.
“May the fire guide us all home,” the warrior said as his eyes found mine.
The entire crowd burst with the sound of this cheer, all of them repeating the same words. Some, more hopeful than others. Some, shouting them into the sky. Others, whispering them to the gods.
“May the fire guide us all home,” I said to myself, unable to unhook my gaze from Dahr’s.
I assumed that must have been the entire ceremony, because the leader abandoned his position and started walking towards Karisha and I, with Markos in tune, the warrior part of the camp mixing with the rest of its people, the light of the torches they carried mingling into the crowd.
“You look beautiful tonight,” Dahr leaned in and placed a kiss on my lips. In front of everyone.
I was in so much shock I didn’t even react when he grabbed my hand in his. Earning everyone’s attention.
“The hard part is over, little flame. Now we walk to your other love,” he murmured into my ear before he turned on his heels to level with me, both of us facing west. With the corner of my eye, I saw people moving and shifting to the side, all of them working to form a long line. Then I turned to find Karisha and Markos, holding hands. With the tribe leader carrying a torch, the same as Dahr was.
Dahr started walking and invited me along, my steps and his, our joining hands and the trail our feet left into the sand forming a way for all others to join.
I wasn’t the best person to take the lead in this kind of situation. I hated being the centre of attention and I had been living in a constant state of anxiety for the first few months when I started teaching, at the mere thought that thirty pairs of eyes were constantly fixed on me, for multiple hours a day. I hated presenting at art shows, because I had to constantly speak to people about what had inspired me for that particular piece,and I almost passed out when I had to do my dissertation paper presentation.
But here, now, with Dahr at my side, I felt like I could conquer the world. I did not shy away from walking side by side with this mountain of a man and watching his features be illuminated by the flame he carried. I actually felt a dash of excitement flicker through my bones when I saw his powerful and determined stance, and I almost melted with pride at the fact that he had chosen me to walk beside him.
