Page 34 of Claimed By the Krijese

“Every evening when I go to bed, I have said a prayer to our god that he would bring a momo. From the moment I saw you, I knew he had answered my prayer. I have prayed every evening since then that you would realize it as well.”

She sniffs as the tears fall from her eyes. “I’m sorry it took me so long.”

“It does not matter. You are here now.” Sorin takes Iris’s hand. “Come, momo, I want to introduce you to our tribespeople.”

He leads her away from me and toward the fire. I fall in line behind them as she glances over her shoulder at me with uncertainty. I nod in encouragement and try to convey without words that I will not leave her side. Several members of our tribe have risen to their feet as well, including Moshi.

Sorin brings her to the head of the circle and stops. Pride shines from him. “Tribe-brothers and -sisters, this is Iris. She is my new momo.”

Iris inclines her head and scans the small number of people. “It’s nice to meet all of you. I’m so happy to be here and to call this village my home. I hope you will teach me your ways, but also be patient with me if I stumble.”

Moshi slowly makes his way over and stops directly in front of her. As one of the elders, his opinion is extremely important to the others. If he does not approve of someone, it is some times difficult for them to be accepted. He reaches for Iris’s arm and holds it between his hands. Although she trembles, she does not jerk it away from him. Instead, she waits for whatever Moshi will do next.

To my surprise, he lowers his head and presses his brow bones to the end of her arm, which is a sign of the greatest respect. He remains in that position as he speaks.

“Greetings Iris, momo of Sorin. I am Moshi. We welcome you to our village and are grateful for your presence.”

He stands upright and Iris inclines her head. There are more tears, but they do not fall. “Thank you for your warm welcome and your kindness, Moshi.”

One-by-one, several more tribespeople approach and offer her the same respect given by the elder, until nearly everyone haswelcomed her. The only few who remain are a few of the elders who have difficulty getting up and down. She speaks softly to Sorin and the two of them walk around the circle, stopping at those who have remained seated. Iris lowers herself and it is she who takes their hand, presses it to her brow, and greets them until there is only one elder leftto receive her.

“Sorin tells me your name is Ashrif. It is an honor to meet you.” Iris moves to lift his hand when he stops her.

Instead, he, like Moshi, is the one to take her incomplete arm in his hands and honors her the same way. “You are a worthy female and I am glad our god answered young Sorin’s prayer.”

“I am equally as glad.”

Now that introductions have been made and Iris has been both accepted and welcomed by our people, it is time for us to eat.

“Sorin will get you food while I take your belongings to our tent. I will return shortly to join you.”

“All right.”

While my kit leads her to the fire to prepare her meal, I walk to our dwelling and place her bag next to my pallet. Tonight, I will sleep out beneath the moons and Iris can use my furs until I can gather enough for her own use. It has been over six sun cycles since I shared a pallet with a female. Near the end of Teeva’s life, she had been far too sick and was placed in our healer’s dwelling for care. I slept alone after that, except for when Sorin would crawl into my pallet with me during the cold seasons in order to stay warm.

I make my way back to the main fire where nearly everyone has already finished eating except Iris. Sorin and she are seatedwhere he and I always sit together until he was angry with me. They have left room for me to join them and my hearts warm at how pleased he is that Iris is here with us. I have not enjoyed the silence I have received from him no matter that I understood why he did not speak with me.

Iris glances up at my arrival and she pats the ground next to her. “We got you a plate already.”

“You have my thanks.” I lower myself next to her and she passes me the platter of food. It holds far more than hers does and I am a little ashamed I do not have more to offer her.

“Sorin was telling me several of the warlords brought back a small herd of dreri.”

“That is welcomed news.”

“He said after the evening meal they will all be skinned and prepared for storage. If you or someone else can show me how, I’ll do my best to help,” Iris offers.

“Momo, I can show you.”

She strokes the length of his floks. “Thank you, sweetie.”

Sorin cocks his head. “What is sweetie?”

“It’s a pet name. A name of affection,” Iris clarifies when he continues to appear confused.

“You have given me an affection name already?” he bounces slightly and she makes her sweet sound.

“Of course. Unless you don’t like it or want me to only call you Sorin.”

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