Page 21 of Married By Wind
I giggled again. It was refreshingly odd to have this experience with him.
“I’m glad you’re not hurt,” he murmured against my ear. “I suppose we should return before they think we’re dead.”
“There’s still the problem of what to do about water.” I pointed to the pool.
Vinn studied it for a moment. “Water is dripping in from somewhere beyond this cave wall. Perhaps the source is further in the cavern and flows to this pool. If we can find it, we can give the tribe uncontaminated water.”
I nodded, and a question about whether it would be worth the extra time rose to my lips before I recalled we were not in a hurry. The time spent assisting the tribe would be to our benefit, and perhaps in the future, they’d become trade allies. They didn’t know about my tribe or the supposed bad luck. “They’ll want to know the monster is dead and see proof. It’s likely they’ll strip it down, use the bones for weapons, the skin and scales for clothing.”
“Resourceful,” Vinn mused. “Is that what all tribes do with the dead and forgotten?”
I raised an eyebrow. “We don’t find monsters often, so we do what we can.”
Vinn slipped his hand into mine, and together we left the cavern.
The tribe was ecstatic when we told them about the death of the monster, and everyone wanted to come see it. They were less upset about the water supply and encouraged by our generosity to help them find another source. I had to admit, it was good to be around people again, and for the first time in my life, I was surrounded by strangers. I wondered if this was what it was like for Uncle Noah when he went on his trading trips, not knowing what would happen but proud of the result and encouraged by the people he met.
Leban and his people swarmed the cave with torches, knives, and spears. They went straight to the pool of water and, after prodding the monster a few times to ensure it was quite dead, started skinning, chopping, and discussing whether the meat would be okay to eat. Soon they had pots filled and ran them back and forth from the cavern, back up to the surface.
Meanwhile, Vinn and I explored further, with the murmurs of the tribe and the cadence of their song echoing behind us. Eventually, we found a crevice in the wall where water dripped out with a slow and steady rhythm. We set a pot under it to collect the water, then shared a few sips before leaving it to fill up. Once we told Leban, he sent a few of his people to collect the water while they finished cutting up the monster.
“Look at them,” Vinn said, leaning against the cave wall, arms folded as we watched the activity surrounding us. “They are happy even at the prospect of having their watering hole back, and they are celebrating their success with their tribe. These are the kinds of things gods take for granted.”
I studied the museful look on his face, his expression I couldn’t quite read. “What does it feel like? Being part of this?”
“It gives my life purpose.”
Purpose. I considered that word as the day passed. What was the purpose of life? To live well, share experiences with loved ones, and bring joy to the people I met? But when I glanced at Vinn, a soft smile played around my face. The purpose of life was to love, as long as time would allow.
27
Vinn
“Come back with us!” Leban announced, spreading his arms wide.
Behind him, one of the men carried the head of the water lizard, mounted on a pike. Its forked tongue hung out, thick and bloated, and its eyes were closed. The smell of it was sharp and pungent if one was standing in the wrong direction.
“You’ve saved us,” Leban continued, “and we have that deal to make good on. We’ll supply you with food and water as you continue your journey. I warn you though, the further you go into the desert, the more desolate it gets. What did you say you’re after again?”
“Sand devils,” Ulika spoke up quickly. “Have they attacked your tribe?”
Leban frowned and rubbed his jaw. “I haven’t seen them with my own eyes, but scouts reported about some monster crossing the desert. A whirl of horns and wind and sand and red eyes, bigger than a mountain. I assumed it was gibberish. You know the desert can make you lose your mind. Too much time in the heart and one starts making up stories.”
“It’s no story,” I confirmed, “and they are dangerous. Your tribe is lucky they haven’t bothered you, but we’re going to the place they come from to destroy them.”
“Is that so?” Leban grunted. “Because of what you’ve done for us, I’d wager a few men would go with you and fight.” He balled his hands into fists and punched the air.
I chuckled. “We’d be grateful, but these are supernatural beings like the water lizard. It’s better if few lose their lives.”
“No need to decide tonight.” Leban waved his hands. “Come, let’s go celebrate!”
The drums started up again, but this time, the thump was not in warning but a celebratory dance. Once again, Ulika and I were headed toward a feast, another victory, and I looked forward to it. In the future, I would spend my life as a half mortal, half god, knowing I’d always return to a tribe or from my travels with Ulika. Soon. I glanced at the sun hanging low in the sky. As long as the gods of Val Ether remained unaware of how I’d interfered with mortals against the gods’ wishes, all would be well.
I recognized the home of the tribe when we arrived. A grove situated close to the cave, perhaps an hour’s walk, no more. Tents made of skins set in a half circle dotted the area, but surrounding them were cacti—some ten or twelve feet tall—stunted bushes, and a group of camels and little foxes that trotted around, sniffing for animals burrowed under the dirt.
I’d blown past this tribe often, for they were clever hunters, more likely to trap animals with their ploys than actually slay them. Every few months, they moved to a new location. They were always hunting, always searching, and I wondered what kept them on the move, as though they couldn’t find what they were looking for.
We strode into the middle of the circle, where the drums intensified, and I glanced around for the women and children. Something was off, odd about them. Usually they had smoldering remains of campfires, for they baked their food under the sand, a smart way to keep from roasting under the heat of the fire. Typically, the children ran around naked, playing with sticks and stones, shouting at each other or feeding the goats and camels.
