Knowing the men valued strength, she relentlessly accosted me, telling others how useless I was and petitioning for my exile.
When the men left, and my weaves became necessary for survival, her tune changed, but I haven’t forgotten how she treated me.
Living with Ramsey, my life will already be hard enough, and I can’t afford to let her turn more people against me. Which she very well could, because she’s too loud to ignore.
And perhaps she’s discovered ways of dealing with Ramsey that will help me.
“How have we fared since arriving here?” Amber asks.
“There are a few men that grumble at our presence, but for the most part, we’ve been accepted.”
“You have me to thank for that, you know. If I hadn’t told the men Elena was pregnant, they’d have never taken us in.”
I don’t tell her about what actually happened. That I scurried my way through walls I’d never imagined existed to fix something I had no business knowing about.
As I look around the village, I’m reminded of that place, as their primitive huts and tents are adorned with metal in ways that speak to vast knowledge.
Judging by the way Amber is looking at the huts and stands, I’d say she sees it too.
“Violet told me Meg went over a cliff.” Amber smirks.
“It happened our first morning here, and she bolted at the sight of Eddard, though I know not why. He took her away to heal, and they’d just made it back before you came.”
“So they’re a couple?”
I nod.
“Which men are left?”
“What do you mean?”
“Elena and Grixis are a couple, as are Eddard and Meg. Who is left?”
I lift my shoulders in a big shrug. “Nori and Dogan seem close, but you never know with her. I suspect Fiona and Ulof will be living together soon, and Elric and Araelya have gotten close.” I decide not to tell her there’s chatter they’ve been intimate.
“That’s all? I thought we were supposed to be mating these men?”
“We are, but Grixis drilled it into his people’s heads that they need to practice proper courtship, and since we are demanding only one mate each, they seem to care about getting to know us first, to make sure they make the right choice.”
“What about Fenrick?”
“He’s been around the longhouse a lot, getting to know each of the women.”
“But he hasn’t taken a fancy to any of them.”
I strongly suspect she’s asking about Fenrick because he’s a part of the council, as power means almost as much to her as survival.
“I wouldn’t know.”
“Have any of the men taken a fancy to you?” She chuckles in a mocking tone.
If I wasn’t so desperate, I’d leave, refusing to suffer her company, but I may need her help if Ramsey tries to oust me from the village. Not that Elena would let him. But the tribe doesn’t need to suffer more conflict.
When I don’t take the bait, she asks, “What’s your job in the village?”
“I’ve been weaving.”
“Are your weaves even necessary with the hides and furs the men will provide for us?”
