The awkwardness faded when the pair passed by, and I watched with amusement as Godr leaned heavily against one of the horses, murmuring something that I didn’t catch but the horse nodded in agreement to whatever it was.
Tyos led me away from the flustered horsemaster, guiding me with a hand on my back to where a few older barbarians in robes were waiting. He put his fist against his chest, bowing slightly in greeting before introducing me to one of them.
“Arlen, this is Idrull, clan leader of Velgraz Clan. Clan leader, this is my Arlen.”
His casual way of claiming me made my cheeks flame and my heart skip a beat. I held my breath, waiting for the clan leader’s response, and was stunned and pleased when he greeted me with a kind smile and a nod.
“Greetings, Arlen. It is nice to meet you. You are the first group to arrive, but the rest should be here soon. I received word only one was delayed.”
Tyos’s brows snapped together, and I felt him stiffen beside me. “Delayed? Why?”
He was so protective that he looked ready to get on his horse and return to Eldara to assist his fellow clan brothers. Thankfully, Idrull stopped him with a raised hand and a patient smile. “Be at ease, Tyos. It was only an issue with the wagon. A wheel broke, and they had to get another. They passed over the border just yesterday. They are safe.”
Tyos let out a slow breath and nodded once in response. He still looked concerned, and I got the feeling he had been against splitting up in the first place, but I knew it was necessary. They wouldn’t have moved so quickly in the end if we weren’t at risk of being caught. If there were three wagons traveling together, we would’ve been that much slower and easier to catch. Splitting up kept us all safe, despite how harrowing it got.
Patting him on the shoulder, Idrull tipped his head toward the other barbarians in robes. “Greet the clan leaders, then bring Arlen to the Northern Clan’s receiving tent. The visitors will stay there until–”
Tyos’s arm went around my waist, hauling me against his side, and he looked outraged at the suggestion. He didn’t respond like he might have to Dras or the others during the journey, but his words were tight with restraint as he spoke in his language. Thanks to Simon’s lessons, I caught a little of what he said.
“No. Arlen stays with me. He’s–” He said more I didn't understand before finishing with, “I want him with me.”
The clan leader’s eyes narrowed, but before he could speak, someone further down the line spoke up in the common tongue. “What does Arlen have to say?”
Jerking my head in that direction, I noticed a man standing with one of the robed barbarians who was definitely not a barbarian himself. For one thing, I hadn’t seen a barbarian yet with copper hair like his. For another, he was dressed differently, in a simple tunic and trousers, though he did have his fingers tangled with the barbarian’s at his side. A bondmate, maybe?
“Um… I didn’t quite catch all of what he said at the end.”
The man nodded in understanding. “That’s okay. There are language lessons being offered to all new arrivals in both Erabi and the barbarian language. Tyos wants you to stay with him in his tent. He said you’re together, and he doesn’t want the two of you to be separated. Clan leader Idrull wanted you brought to our receiving tent because that’s where most of the other townsfolk are staying until we move onto our permanent location and a tent can be put up for you. All the clan leaders thought it would make the new arrivals feel more secure if they kept us together when we first arrived.”
That made sense. And if I hadn’t been so enamored with Tyos already, I would’ve been grateful to stick close to people I was at least familiar with. One look at Tyos though, and I could tell he wouldn’t be happy if I chose to stay with the others. He looked moments from pouting at me. I rolled my lips between my teeth, trying to hide a smile, but the redhead snickered, like he could tell I was losing the battle and knew exactly why.
“I, uh… I’d like to stay with Tyos. He’s my…” I hesitated, frowning. What did I call him? My intended? He said we were courting, and that he wanted us to be together always, but didthat mean he wanted marriage? I wished I knew more about barbarian customs. I felt like I was constantly floundering with what to say and how to react.
The redhead stepped out of the line, coming to stand in front of me and putting a hand on my shoulder. His easy smile helped settle me a little, and when he drew in a deep breath, encouraging me to do the same, I followed his lead, letting it out slowly. “Relax. You’re safe here. No one is going to hold it against you if you say something incorrect or guess wrong. The lessons in the barbarian language also include information about the clans in general and what life is like here. You’ll find your footing faster than you expect, I promise.”
“How long have you been here?” I croaked. His words were encouraging, but I still felt overwhelmed and his steady conviction felt a little like a lifeline.
He tipped his head, his expression thoughtful. “A few weeks? I arrived with the first batch of townsfolk who were rescued.” He gestured behind himself with a sheepish expression. “As you can no doubt tell, I’m more than familiar with how easily these barbarians win you over. I get that it feels overwhelming. How about this? Join the others in the receiving tent for the day. They’ll bring food and give you your first lesson on the barbarian clans and language while you rest after your journey. Then, when they take a break for the night, you can rejoin Tyos and make the final decision on where you’d like to sleep. Does that sound alright?”
“Can you make all my decisions for me from here on out?” I asked, only half joking. The man knew exactly what I needed to help me feel more comfortable.
He laughed, shaking his head, and squeezed my shoulder gently. “I’m afraid I’ve got enough on my hands wrangling that one.” He jerked his thumb over his shoulder at his barbarian again, who gave him a smouldering look in response that mademeblush. It was no wonder he’d gotten swept away so quickly. “But I promise I’ll be around to help if you have any questions or just need someone to talk to. I was clerk of petitions in my town, so I’m more than comfortable being a go-between for you if you’re uncomfortable talking to the leaders. Though, you don’t have to worry about approaching them if you need something. I’ve met them. They’re nothing like the leaders in the towns. They’d be happy to help.” He paused, like he could tell I was getting overwhelmed again, and shook his head with a smile, dropping his hand from my shoulder and looping our arms together instead. “Tell you what. I’ll walk you to the receiving tent while my bondmate explains to Tyos that you aren’t leaving him forever so he can stop making that face. I’m Cedric, by the way.”
“Arlen,” I replied distractedly, looking over my shoulder at the distressed look on Tyos’s face as Cedric pulled me away. I wanted to turn around immediately and go to him, reassure him that I was planning on staying with him, but Cedric’s barbarian stepped forward with an indulgent smile, already speaking to him in the barbarian language just like Cedric said he would. When Tyos glanced at me with a little less heartbreak in his expression, I shot him what I hoped was a reassuring look. I didn’t want him to think for even one moment I’d choose to spend the night anywhere else but with him. I’d gotten used to sleeping in his arms. I didn’t want to give that up if I didn't have to.
Leaning in close, Cedric whispered, “After all the rumors, it’s disarming just how charming they are, isn’t it?”
Finally tearing my gaze away from Tyos, I let out an awkward laugh. “That’s one word for it. Tyos literally saved my life, then continued sweeping me off my feet ever since. I didn’t stand a chance.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
TYOS
It felt good to return home after such a long journey, but it was hard for me to enjoy it while separated from Arlen. Orthorr explained to me that he was only to be gone for a short period to get introduced to our ways and get a better grasp of our language, but I still hated to be separated from him. Since the day I found him in the forest, he hadn’t left my side for more than a few moments. Being away from him now felt wrong.
“You look ready to crawl out of your own skin,” someone commented. When I turned, I noticed Orthorr’s bondmate watching me with an indulgent smile from where he sat on the cushions, a few papers in his hand and a book in his lap that he was writing in. I hadn’t met him yet, aside from our short interaction when he took Arlen away from me, but he seemed like a friendly person. And he helped Arlen when he looked overwhelmed. I appreciated that, even if I didn't like the separation.
“How long are the lessons?” I asked, glancing toward the tent where the lessons were being held again. The sun had nearlymade its journey across the sky and still Arlen had not come out. What were the chances they were convincing him not to stay with me? There was a teacher who was explaining the Al Nuzem customs. They could convince him to leave to the city instead of staying with the clan.