Rolling my eyes, I tied my robe shut, jerking my chin at their bondmates. “Those two need a task. They are causing too much trouble so soon after their return.”
Feigrind and Uttin had indulgent smiles on their faces as they ushered their bondmates away. I ignored the comments the two were still making about me as they went, shaking my head at their antics. They were troublemakers but great assets to our clan. Especially Simon, who had saved my life once before. I would put up with his teasing after the gift he’d given me.
Some of the new arrivals had already descended from the wagon and stood off to one side, looking around with wide eyed awe, so different from what I was used to after years of accepting tributes into our clan. They looked a little nervous, which I’d expected, but the fear was gone. No tears, no pale, terrified faces. Something in my chest warmed at seeing the open curiosity and hope on their faces. It was nice to have new arrivals who didn’t arrive scared and hopeless. A welcome change to add to the many others since we arrived in our new home.
CHAPTER THREE
CEDRIC
Stretching my limbs after such a long journey, I looked around the area we would call home for the time being. It was nothing like I was used to, with tents instead of houses and a grand fire pit in the middle, but unlike home, everyone who came to help greeted us with friendly smiles. You’d be lucky to get that kind of treatment from merchants trying to sell their wares in town. Our town just wasn’t that friendly.
“Over here,” Simon called, waving us toward a larger tent nearby. I kept an eye on Tobias, who looked too eager to pay close attention to his surroundings. He was so young compared to me, I felt the need to watch over him, guiding him with a hand on his shoulder into the tent Simon indicated. Inside there were rugs laid out, with pillows atop them to sit on and lanterns strung along the ceiling of the tent for better lighting. The flap in front and at the back were also open to allow more light in, as well as a breeze that was warm but felt nice against my heated skin. It’d take some getting used to, the constant heat like this.
After we were all seated and comfortable, large platters of food were brought in, and a few new faces moved to stand in the middle of the tent, introducing themselves with welcoming smiles.
“Hello, everyone,” the female said, her accent thick but not impossible to decipher. “I am Amina. I will be teaching you the ways of Al Nuzem, and Erabi, our culture’s tongue.”
The smaller man beside her stepped forward, his smile a little more shy as he waved awkwardly. “And I’m Finn. I’ll be teaching you the barbarian language and customs in case you’d prefer to stay with the clans. I know you probably feel overwhelmed right now, so lessons won’t start for a day or two, but we wanted to introduce ourselves so you know you can come to us if you need any help.”
Tobias’s hand shot into the air, his expression eager as he waited to be called on. Amina nodded at him to encourage him to speak. “Um, is it really true we’re free to love who we wish?”
My gaze flew to the pair in the middle, waiting for any sign that they might not be pleased with the idea. I was relieved when they both smiled and nodded without a moment’s hesitation.
“That’s right,” Amina agreed. “Both our peoples believe in the sanctity of bonding. Who you bond with is not our place to judge, as long as the person you bond with is of age and consents.” She furrowed her brow a little. “How old are you?”
“Nineteen,” he answered uneasily. “But I’ll be twenty soon!”
“Good,” she nodded. “Once you are twenty, you will be of age and can bond. Until that time, you can focus on learning our ways and the ways of the clans. You may find someone to your liking during that time. If not, there will be a journey to Al Nuzem’s capital city once all that have gathered here have decided where they wish to go. There will also be several journeys during the year if you change your mind.”
Finn spoke up next, bouncing on his toes a little. “This is actually only a temporary settlement while we work on logistics. Some clans will return to a nomadic life, while others are setting up a more permanent settlement near the forest farther south. Amina is right that whatever choice you make now doesn’t have to be forever. There are plenty of journeys for trade or business between clans that you can join to explore throughout the year. You’re free to do as you wish here.”
Free. The word hit me not like a blow but like hope made real. We truly were free here. We could choose to stay or go with no consequence, to love who we wished, to just be without fear of being discovered. I felt tears gather in my eyes at the enormity of the situation, and the sniffles and watery smiles of those around me told me I wasn’t the only one who felt that way.
Amina’s smile was kind as she addressed us again. “I understand this is a big change for you. Finn and I are around to answer questions, as well as several others who will introduce themselves to you soon. Not all speak the common tongue, but those that don’t will seek out someone for you if you cannot find them yourselves. For now, you will rest and eat. You can stay in here or, if you’re feeling brave, you can join the clan at the community area just outside. Once the sun goes down, there will be a large fire to sit around, which is quite nice when the weather cools. I’ve met most of the clan by now, and I can promise you, they are very kind. They look forward to meeting you all.”
They left us to rest and adjust to our new reality, giving me a chance to think. I covered my face with my hands, overwhelmed with the situation. At my age, I didn’t think I would ever have a chance at true happiness. I wasn’t sure how to handle the possibility of something real.
“Cedric? Are you alright?” Leyna murmured, putting a hand on my shoulder and squeezing gently.
Drawing in a deep breath, I dropped my hands, giving her a tremulous smile. “I am. Just overwhelmed. I… I’d given up on falling in love.”
She hummed, nodding. “As did I. I’m honestly not sure where to start.”
Tobias bounced a little on his cushion, his expression filled with the hope I’d lost over the years. “We should start by meeting the clan. This is only one of them, right? If we don’t find someone here, there are plenty of others. And there’s also the capital. I’m looking forward to seeing it. Do you think if I did find my person here that they’d bring me anyway? I’ve never traveled before.”
Chuckling, I lifted a shoulder. “You know as much as I do. But they said there were several journeys to the capital each year. I’m betting you could make the request to go for a visit.”
As Tobias continued to gush over the possibilities, I looked around the tent, taking in all the hopeful expressions and eager tones. It wasn’t where I thought I’d end up, but sitting here, surrounded by hope, I couldn’t help but think it might be better. Even in my wildest dreams, I didn’t think I’d be able to love someone out loud, with no fear or judgment. Here, I had a chance to finally be free.
Tobias eventually convinced us to leave the safety of the tent we’d been resting in. As I stepped out into the bright sunlight, I felt my nerves threaten to get the better of me. There were more barbarians around than before, most erecting some kind of canopies to protect people from the sun. Others sat in a circle in front of a fire pit that looked like it was quite large when actually lit. Men, women, and children all laughed amongst themselvesand chatted together, and when we stepped out, they greeted us with warm smiles and calls of welcome.
“The first brave souls have come to join us,” an older male voice spoke, drawing my attention. He had silver hair and robes, but he was still tall and formidable-looking, a few scars here and there proving that he hadn’t lived life without challenges. His smile was kind, though, and he gestured to the circle of people, inviting us to join them. “Please, sit. Did everyone get enough to eat?”
“I believe so,” I answered, sitting on some cushions under one of the sunshades. The older barbarian sat beside us, smiling at a few children who ran past. I felt my cheeks heat as I studied him a little closer. He had smile lines around his eyes, his long silver hair shaved on the sides and braided on top to hang down his back. When he pushed back the sleeves of his robes, he exposed thickly muscled forearms covered in inked symbols on his skin. He was gorgeous, and I found myself staring unknowingly. I hadn’t felt attraction toward someone else in such a long time, I’d forgotten what it felt like. Knowing the people in my town all my life, being the clerk of petitions, I knew how the men in my town thought. It made it easy to ignore that part of myself when none of those men would ever accept my affliction.
“I am Orthorr,” the older barbarian introduced himself, giving us a polite nod of his head. “I am– was the clan leader of the Northern Clan.” He gestured to the people around him. “If you have questions, I would be happy to answer them.”
“Was?” I asked.