I nodded slowly. “Not all clans will settle, though. I’ve never asked why. It wasn’t relevant to me.”
Pursing her lips, she ushered me toward the cooking tent so we could fetch our breakfast together. “For some clans, it’s a way of life. The idea of staying in one place doesn’t make any sense to them. Rituals, ceremonies, even some of the words they use are influenced by the way they move. It feels wrong to settle, like they’re giving up part of who they are.”
“And the other clans?” I asked, giving a polite thanks to the cooks who offered me a bowl of food. I followed Zoya back out to the community fire, sitting next to her with her baby between us so she could give the little boy small bites of her food without worrying about him toppling over or needing to keep him in her lap.
Her head tipped thoughtfully. “Well, for some, they don’t get along with other clans. It's better if they keep their distance. But I know there are at least two who are young compared to other clans. They wander because they can, because they have the energy to do so and can’t sit still. I’ve seen them around for now, but I doubt they’ll be able to manage staying much longer. I’m glad the clan leaders are talking about moving on fromhere. Bored barbarians drink, and drunk barbarians pick fights. I don’t want to have to spend all my time patching them back together if they do stupid things while drunk.”
Letting out a startled laugh, I asked, “Wait, do they really hurt each other if they’re bored?”
Snickering, she nodded. “They truly do. Which is why I told Khaul not to let this meeting drag out. The sooner they get back, the sooner we can get the clans moving and prevent anything awful from happening.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
ORTHORR
I was meeting with King Zohaib about the clans moving on from our temporary home when there was a knock on the office door.
“Enter!” King Zohaib called, his attention still on the map we’d spread out in front of us to mark the final location of our settlement. It was agreed by the clan leaders that when clans wished to rest, they would return to that settlement, but King Zohaib was pointing out places the nomadic tribes might want to visit versus where to steer clear merely to avoid the heat. I was grateful to be part of the clans that would stay in place. King Zohaib’s country was much more vast than I thought, and I didn’t like to admit it, but moves were getting harder on me. I wanted to spend my time with Cedric. I could still go for rides with him, without the strain of having to take down tents and keep track of my clan every mooncycle.
Hakim entered with a bow, and when he straightened with a bright smile, hope filled my chest. “You have news?”
He nodded once, looking pleased to announce, “Prince Zakai’s company was seen on the horizon. They’ll be here within the hour.”
“Thank the goddess,” King Zohaib breathed, sitting heavily in one of the empty chairs.
“I’ll keep you updated, your grace, and send Zakai to you once he’s arrived.”
King Zohaib snorted. “Let him bathe first or he’ll never stop complaining. We’ll meet them for dinner.”
Which meant I would be late returning to Cedric, as I wanted to be present for that meeting as well. I hoped he wouldn’t be too angry with me for the delay. If I managed to sneak in some time to speak with Simon privately, I might be able to make it up to him in a way I knew he craved. As long as Simon wasn’t too surly from traveling.
After Hakim excused himself, I shot a look at the king. “You look relieved. I thought King Gordon pulled his men back after you sent your emissary.”
Blowing out a long breath, King Zohaib nodded. “He did, and the messages I received since all confirmed as much, but… When it comes to my children, I admit I am not always rational. I got a lot of pushback about joining in the search for Zakai when he was taken. I threatened to remove a few heads before they gave in. When I heard the knights were blocking Zakai’s passage, I worried for his safety. I would have gone to war if they tried to hurt my son again.”
I hummed and nodded. “I understand. I have been worried as well. Even more so since Einar’s return with the last group of townspeople. I’d wished for him to stay with Uttin and protect them, but I couldn’t demand that when they were planning for a fight. Einar’s one priority is his bondmate. Not even his clan means more to him. He would not risk Matthew even if I begged him to stay.”
King Zohaib’s nose wrinkled. “I want to be angry that he didn't prioritize my son, but I suppose I would feel the same way if it was Raiza. I wouldn’t want her walking into a fight either. Is Einar’s bondmate unable to protect himself?”
“Oh, no,” I laughed, shaking my head. “Matthew was trained by the clan. He learned to hunt from Rath, who is the best hunter. He learned to fight with daggers from Simon, who saved my life once with his skill. And he learned the rest from Einar himself. Einar is dangerous in his own right and refused to let his bondmate be unprepared. Matthew is the most capable bondmate in the clan when it comes to fighting. But he is also a gentle soul. He trained because Einar asked it of him, but violence isn’t in his nature. Einar would not have wanted him near bloodshed if he could help it.”
“A gentle fighter. I’ve never heard of such a thing,” King Zohaib murmured curiously. “Do you think I could meet him and see his skills?”
I shook my head ruefully. “Matthew goes nowhere without Einar, and you don’t want Einar in the city where someone could piss him off. They don’t call him Einar the Feral for nothing.”
The title startled the king, and he gaped at me incredulously. “You sent someone known as feral to protect my son?”
“No. I sent Matthew to protect your son,” I corrected with a grin. “Einar protects Matthew and anyone under Matthew’s care, making Zakai as safe as I could possibly make him.”
King Zohaib’s disgruntled frown made me chuckle. He couldn’t argue with my logic. Einar fought with the strength of a gronnok, and those who wished Zakai harm would have to go through him merely because Matthew stood in their way.
We finished our discussions just as the group arrived. Uttin, being the responsible man he was, refused to go to his rooms without checking in with me first. Which meant Zakai came with him, complaining just like King Zohaib had warned. I could hear him coming down the hall, the pout in his voice even from a distance.
“They said we could bathe first! Why must we speak to them before?” he whined.
“Because it is my duty. You are welcome to go to our rooms and wait for me there. I won’t be long,” was Uttin’s patient reply. He wasn’t a patient man in general, but for Zakai, he enjoyed the challenge.
A knock on the office door preceded their entrance just as Zakai muttered, “I can’t get fucked if you’re not going to come with me.”