Page 70 of Corvak's Challenge

As it grows darker, the skies clear and I'm relieved to see that there is no sign of the Northern Lights, the "sky waters" as the snow-people call it. They will think I took the sky waters with me, hopefully, and it will reinforce our story.

U'dron sprinkles a handful of herbs into a warming pouch over the fire, making tea. Valmir eyes the tent, as if hoping that April will appear and fling herself at him. Thrand eyes me.

"How many tourneys?" the a'ani asks.

I wonder how much information to give him, then decide the truth is easiest. "None."

His dark brows go up. "None?"

"I am a new splice. There is nothing to recall in my memories yet save rules and fighting moves." I straighten, glaring at him. "And there is nothing wrong with that."

"I didn't say there was." He puts his hands up. "If you were as famous as Crulden the Ruiner, though, you might have a hard time adjusting to life here. There are no tournaments, no glory, no nothing here. Everyone here has children and wants to live a quiet life."

"Even you?" I cannot imagine what an a'ani child would look like, or how it would act.

"Even me."

"You will like everyone," U'dron says. His tone is mild, unruffled. For an enormous sort, his demeanor is easy. I can see why he is well-liked. "We all get along in the village."

I grunt. I am not sure how I'm going to "get along" with many strangers, but it is not my decision. Aidy will be safer there, so we will go there.

"You don't have to like everyone," Thrand points out. "I don't like Valmir."

Valmir throws a handful of snow at him from across the fire.

I snort, amused by the easy ribbing. This I am familiar with—even gladiators banter amongst one another. "No one likes Valmir."

The praxiian turns his scowl upon me. The others smile, though, and I relax a little. Perhaps this will not be so difficult after all, being normal. Perhaps I will manage to blend in after all, and Aidy will be happy.

"I personally am wondering why you ran away," Thrand comments. He leans forward, arms resting on his knees, a challenge in his expression. "Your bracelet said exactly what was going on."

"I thought it was a tracker." I shrug. "And I thought quick reflexes would get us out of the situation before others had time to attack us." It's a partial truth. The moment I saw the lid on Aidy's pod open, I thought she was a prize, and I was determined to run off with her and make her mine. There was no part of me that wanted to leave it open to chance.

Thrand grunts, considering this. "I might have done the same. But the khui? How did you figure it out?"

"He watched us," Valmir comments dryly. "He stalked us and learned from our group when we got khuis for the women."

"And you never saw him?" Thrand arches a brow at the cat-alien. "So much for the vaunted praxiian senses."

Another handful of snow heads Thrand's way. "I was distracted, idiot."

"Doubtful," I say, just because it's fun to needle Valmir. He's been annoying me for days now and it's nice to hear another giving him trouble. Snow gets flung my way, too, but I don't mind it. I am relaxing, bit by bit. "So tell me about living on this beach. What am I to expect? How can I prove myself as a warrior if there are no competitions?"

Thrand gets to his feet and scoops a bit of the tea into a bone cup, skimming the leaves off the top with a finger and flinging them into the fire. "You won't miss them. There is very little time to do anything like that. I remember when I was a fighter, waiting weeks between bouts, doing nothing but training and practicing over and over again for a brief moment of glory. It was monotonous, and that moment was over too soon every time."

"And now your very brief moment of glory comes between the furs when you claim your mate, eh? Has she complained about your speed?" Valmir jabs.

"No joking about mates," U'dron says in a stern voice. "That is off limits."

"She has not," Thrand retorts, ignoring U'dron's warning. "And at least Igetto touch her. How's it working with April, friend? She tossed any more food in your face?"

Valmir just scowls. U'dron clears his throat, breaking the tension.

"I thought so." Thrand turns back to me. "One thing about living at the beach—you will never find it dull. There is hunting to be done, always, and supplies to be made for hunts. There is fishing, too, but my brother Vordis has far more patience for that than I do. Skins to be cured, meat to be smoked, clothes to be sewn, dishes to be carved…"

"Drums to bang and songs to sing," U'dron adds with a small smile. "And then there are the kits."

Thrand chuckles, a fond expression creasing his face as he drinks his tea. "The kits are never, ever boring."

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