25

A R Y A

➳

Grumbling, I took what felt like the thousandth book from the thick pile that was piling up on the solid wood table. Ever since Zaira and Reah had arrived yesterday morning, the three of us had retreated to the healing chamber on the lower floors of the packing house, snuggled up to the old woman, and rummaged through a number of books in search of the right solutions to umpteen blood bonds.

I sighed and opened the slightly dusty book. Although there was nothing I hated more than reading endlessly long and “boring” paragraphs on a page, I felt very comfortable in this room. I hadn't paid proper respect to the many plants the first time I was in this room, lying on the sparse shelf - they were beautiful. Striking green with brightly colored blooms everywhere you looked. Then there were the heaps of elixirs and herbs that reminded me of the tents of the elders of our tribe. And that wasn't even the only thing that made me happy today. Joy had brought me new clothes today, tight black pants that felt like a second skin and fitted me perfectly, with a fitted navy top that ended just above the waistband;

“Blood Oaths of Promises” - it said in big letters on the first page. As with all other blood oaths, I researched the exact preparation of the potion used to break the oath and wrote down the ingredients and detailed instructions on the slightly yellowed sheet of parchment that lay on the maple tabletop in front of me.

There were a number of different blood oaths. Blood oaths of promises, for example, which were mostly taken to bind a person to himself until he kept the promise and could step out of the oath - otherwise he would be cursed to fulfill all the wishes you cherished. Then there were blood oaths of honor, as well as blood oaths of loyalty, which were usually performed for a chief. There were also sworn brothers and sisters who declared themselves fighting siblings and swore to each other that they would fight to the death—something Rowtag and I had always wanted to do.

I sighed and looked at the clock, sadly realizing that it had only been three minutes since I last checked. Just after noon. It was a good three hours before I was supposed to meet Georgie at the training ground to improve her martial arts. Until then, for better or for worse, I had to occupy myself with reading. “Teeruk”.

After copying the last line, I closed the book and was already reaching for the next one when someone appeared in the open door.

"Arya. I have something to talk to you about."

Would I eventually get used to the sight of him, or would he always leave me speechless? A bit breathless to see him shirtless with just plain pants, I tried to put my pen down and nod instead of continuing to gape at him and embarrass myself in front of Reah and Zaira, who were also present at the table, looking for more blood oaths. "I'm coming."

Calmly, trying not to seem too hasty, I got up from my wooden stool and walked over to Xenos. "What's the matter?" I asked, following him down the paneled corridors.

'About the patrol. If we go to the cliffs tonight and inspect the cave entrance as discussed, we will—”

He said no more as we passed a door at that moment and he quickly opened it, grabbed my waist and threw us inside.

Before I could squeak in surprise, he put a hand over my mouth and at the same time closed the door behind us. Now it was pitch dark, only the faint glow under the door gave us a sparse light.

"What was that about?" I mumbled behind his cupped hand.

He lowered his hand. "You didn't actually think I wanted to talk to you about patrols?"

I furrowed my brows and my heart clenched. 'Of course. Why shouldn't you?"

He shook his head. "No. I'm going to tell you about something much more interesting.” A lewd grin. "Or maybe I'd better show you."

"Oh!" I got that all wrong.

"Hm." His hands settled on my hips and touched my bare skin. "I just started talking about border crossings so Zaira wouldn't think I didn't have other, more pleasurable things to do with you."

I bit my lip.

"I've been longing for you all those hours on the practice ground today." He licked my lower lip.

I gasped and pressed against him. "Me too. I felt you here.” My hand went to my heart. "Right here."

"Oh baby, you're going to feel me in a whole other place." His hot words brushing the back of my neck promised a lot, and as his wandering hands slowly traveled down my back and clutched my bottom, I let out a surprised yelp that was more was a groan than anything else.

“But you mustn't get too loud, “kitten”. Unless you want our pack members to know what we're doing here.”

The twinkle in his eyes told me he wouldn't mind at all.

"I'll be quiet." I traced his lips. "Just one more thing."

He looked at me intently.

"Let me begin this time." As I dropped to my knees, his eyes widened to the point of bulging, and when I touched his hard erection through the leather of his pants, he threw back his head, cursing.

“Agreed, you may go first. But then I will lick you so hard that you can feel me until the morning hours.”

I looked up at him with a teasing smile, undid his pants and savored how vulnerable he was towards me. The dominant wolf let me and my heart opened a bit more for this man.

➳

A R Y A

➳

I clasped my hands behind my back. "Pick a weapon."

Georgie looked at the stone table at the edge of the training ground, where a number of weapons had been exposed and gleamed deadly in the bright sunshine. Swords, daggers, rapiers, crossbows, bows and arrows, spears and much more. After a brief assessment, she decided on the bow.

"Excellent choice." I nodded, then pointed to a spot marked in the dry grass. "Stand here."

Without objecting, Georgie followed my instructions and already put on the bow and arrow.

I raised my hand. "Wait, we're not there yet."

She frowned. "I haven't done much."

"Put down your bow and arrow." I kept my stern expression, waiting for her to do as I was told, but the little werewolf, who must have been around 17 solar orbits, proved more stubborn than expected.

Georgie pressed her lips into a line. “You promised to teach me how to fight. If you act like Beau, then-"

"Wrong," I interrupted, a little harder than I intended. “I promised to teach you the art of gi warfare. Allow me to be your “Tazim”, your teacher.' A “Tazim” was given to all beginning warriors in our tribe - it was an honor to learn the art of war.

And while Georgie might not know it, she still looked a little puzzled. "Very gladly."

I tuck my dark strands of hair, which were fluttering in the warm breeze, behind my ears. "Good. Then let's start with the first phase.” I held up my index finger. “Stage one, understand that the art of archery is more than just nocking arrows, drawing bow and letting go. It's like…” I wrinkled my nose as I searched for the right word in their language. "It's like..." My hand waved in the air. "It's like... a dance."

"“A dance?"“

"“Aee”." I said, then immediately grimaced. Granted, that wasn't the best comparison. “Dancing.” I shuddered - I hated dancing. “Minakto” was absolutely not part of any of my beloved traditions of my tribe. But I couldn't find another word to replace “Zisara”. It described a state, a state that could only be reached with the utmost concentration and precision. Still trying to find the right words, I said, "“Aee”, a dance. Just as the leaves of the trees blow with the wind, like the blade of a sword whirls through the air, like the flames flicker in the fire.”

Georgie looked at me like I was in serious trouble.

I cleared my throat. It definitely sounded better in my language. “The dance consists of several phases that you have to train extensively until they get into your blood, until every shot is identical; until you are the dance itself.”

"Sure" Georgie drew out the word.

"I'll show you." I pointed to the round target several yards in front of us. “Stage two. Do you see the red dot in the middle?”

She nodded.

"Stand like this and align yourself sideways to the target."

She imitated me and put her feet shoulder-width apart.

“Distribute the weight evenly on both feet. Upper body straight, slightly tilted forward.” I pressed into her hollow back. "Shoulders back." Straightened her shoulders. "Cheer up." Her chin lifted. Then I stepped back and looked at her posture. "Good."

Georgie smiled, but that disappeared as quickly as it came as I shoved her with a not-so-gentle push. She staggered and almost fell.

"What was that about?" she growled.

"Your posture was good, your stance lousy." I clicked my tongue and crossed your arms. “If you pushed a dancer into position, not one of her tendons would move. Again."

Georgie stood up again and straightened her stance. I patted her legs and clutched her thigh and shin. “Tense up. They have to be strong. Rooted in the earth like a tree.”

Her muscles tensed instantly and I tried to push her again, this time she stayed where she was. I nodded - while smiling internally. "Not bad."

"And what now?"

"Now we move on to phase three." I handed her the bow. "Relaxedly take the handle between your thumb and forefinger." I tapped her elbow. "Stretch your arm straight." My hands gripped her waist and I turned her slightly. "Turn upper body slightly." Another tap on the bow. "Keep bow in line with target."

"Okay?" she smiled slightly.

"So acceptable that we come to phase four." I handed her the arrow and she nocked it, already drawing the string. "No not like this!"

Georgie faltered.

"Don't pull back with your thumb and forefinger." I pulled her fingers back. “Place your index finger above the arrow, middle finger and ring finger under the arrow. Now slowly pull the string backwards, up to your chin.”

She did as she was told.

A slap on her arm. "Bow and draw-arm in a straight line." Then I pressed her back again. "Tense your back muscles." I studied her carefully. 'Stage five. Aim.” I tapped the arrowhead lightly. "Not with this, but with your eyes."

Georgie narrowed her eyes and fixed the point.

I stood behind her and put my hand on her stomach. "Breathe in. You've fixed the point, now focus on your center. Stable, balanced and stable.”

Georgie took a deep breath, the tendon tight. "What now, “Tazim?"“

I smiled. "The final phase of archery is releasing the arrow." I stepped back. 'Don't quarrel too long. Instinctive aim is key.”

Georgie let go of the string and the arrow shot through the air straight... a good meter from the target. Georgie groaned in frustration. "Great."

I raised my brows. “For your first shot, student? That wasn't so bad."

Georgie looked at me skeptically. "Really?"

“Your fingers have to release the string at the same time, arms have to stay as tight as before the shot. Maintain your posture and don't loosen anything."

She listened carefully and nodded. "Understood." Then she adjusted her stance, adjusted the bow, but then looked at me as she drew the arrow. "So who are you going to the ball with?"

I corrected her posture. "I didn't know you needed a partner."

Slight shock showed on her face. "What? That's “the” topic!' Then she grinned. "I bet Xenos already asked you."

I bit my lip. "Who are you going with?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "Isaac asked me, but I don't know yet."

Isaac, I heard a talented young soldier. I nodded, noticing her gaze that darted to Beau at the other end of the training field. "Isaac is certainly a good choice."

"Sure." But Georgie didn't look confident.

Not knowing how to cheer her up, I did what I did best. "Enough talked about." I patted her arm, not very delicately, to try to tense it. "Again. And this time, I expect your shot to be spotless."

Instantly her expression hardened and the sad expression disappeared. Instead, a determined twinkle spread through her eyes.

"Be an honorable warrior." I lifted her chin. "Be the dance."

““Aee,” “Tazim”. I will."

With that, I stepped back and guided her through “Zisara”, fighting back the tears her words had stirred in me. With the sun on my skin, the dry grass and earth beneath my bare feet, and the sound of battle in the background, I was catapulted back home. And the familiar words made the small, open wound caused by the loss of my tribe rip deeper.