She’d gotten her chance.
Chapter 9
The next day, it was a little easier for Addie to communicate with Melmie, Oh’na, and Illied when the four of them made their second foray to the Elm bush plateau. Chele didn’t come, busy with something at the settlement.
Melmie chattered like a bird, and Illied appeared more relaxed without Chele. She asked her questions freely, and she had a lot of them.
Surprisingly, Yuux Ihr and Ehr interested her the most. Illied had a Yuux that followed her. But she wanted to know why Addie had two. Like Sathe before her, Illied interpreted Addie’s two Yuux companions as a sign of something special about Addie’s person.
After the women filled their containers with Elm fruit, they set out to the For settlement. But the closer they drew, the slower Addie’s steps became. She remembered every detail of the chief’s sharp eyes and massive body radiating inhuman strength even in repose. She remembered how strong were the hands of his friend “Hoban” - whose actual name was Vuskas, she learned from Illied - when he dragged her to the camp. She could picture the High Counselor Yellow Robes’ ascetic face, self-reflective and maniacal. The conceited Queen Qalae. All the people that looked on when she limped to the door on her lacerated feet.
But most of all, she remembered Zoark’s deadened eyes and his warning to stay away from the tribe.
She wasn’t welcome, and she knew it.
But while she hemmed and hawed on the inside, debating whether she should show herself so soon in the Fors’ midst, their small group was upon the tribe. A child shouted something, and people turned to look their way.
Addie stopped.
Reading her uncertainty, Illied pushed her gently in the back. “Come. They won’t hurt you. Besides, most men are gone on a hunt.”
Chele appeared and hurried over, looking busy. She and Illied engaged in a rapid discussion that Addie only marginally understood.
A striking young woman with reddish-brown hair and asymmetrical but still arresting features walked up to them, staring boldly at Addie.
“Here, Vircea,” Chele motioned at her. “Take the fruit from Addie-woman.”
Vircea extended her arms toward Addie and helped untie her sack before taking it off her back.
“Grateful,” Addie murmured, and Vircea smiled. It was a dazzling smile, despite the long sharp teeth.
Vircea held the heavy sack with ease, her bare arms showing an impressive muscle play. With one long glance at Addie’s face, she turned and left, flipping her long hair.
Melmie tugged at her. “Will you come with me? I’ll show you my tent.”
Addie hesitated. With Chief Net’ok and most men being out, it would look like she was sneaking in. She didn’t want her reappearance at the settlement to be under questionable terms.
“Next time, Melmie. I will go home now.”
Melmie looked crestfallen. “We’re done gathering Elm fruit. That means I won’t see you again.”
“You can come to visit me at any time. I will start drying the Tek meat tomorrow, so it’ll be ready soon. Will you be my tester?”
“Me! I want to be the tester!” Oh’na squeezed her plump body between Addie and Melmie.
“Oh, go away, Oh’na. You’re such a pest,” Melmie looked annoyed.
Addie was just going to offer they both come over when she sensed a presence behind. Her heart shrunk.
Zoark.
The girls quietly dispersed.
She turned slowly and experienced a curious mix of relief and disappointment. It wasn’t Zoark. It was Vuskas, and to his side stood Queen Qalae.
“Hello,” Addie greeted them, wondering if she should perform a curtsy.
Vuskas slid an ironic glance at Qalae and raised one heavy eyebrow as if saying,What do you think ofthat, my queen?
