5
(Fenjaday – cont.)
Zley Falls Pueblo, Kri’enden
A hot summer breeze settled down the narrow canyon. A young man wearing only a pair of loose-fitting shorts tended to crops next to the river. Had the late-afternoon breeze blown the other direction, he might have had a little spray from the massive waterfall which continually replenished the river Zley. The young man’s chocolate skin glistened with sweat as he returned to tending the plants, a long tool helping ensure the weeds would not outgrow the young squashes. Roots exposed, the weeds quickly shriveled in the sun then mulched the crop to keep in precious moisture. Next to the river, they had plenty of water and the hot sun gave them plenty of energy to grow.
The young man looked up briefly and saw a young child running up the steps of the pueblo, calling the name of the chieftain’s eldest daughter.
“Soala!” came the call through the pueblo.
The young man chuckled, knowing that Soala could be just about anywhere. She was rarely in the same place for more than about five minutes and frequently got herself into trouble. Just went to show that even being the daughter of Chief Andac didn’t give the privilege of being right.
♥
The dark-skinned teenager sighed as she heard her name being called.
“What is it, Havon?” Soala asked the small boy, who was as dark as she.
“Father wants you. He is up at the Falls. He says it’s urgent.”
“Everything is urgent,” she grumbled, slowly rising to her feet. She followed her half-brother down the steep steps. It wasn’t so long ago when she would have scampered up and down as fast as the 7-year-old, but now she was more careful – as befitted a woman in her tribe.
The other reason Soala remained slow was because it was only a couple of weeks until Vestharya – the greatest festival in Kri’enden – signifying the beginning of the main harvest season. Not only was she expected to go to the capital to enjoy the festivities there, but as a 16-year-old, she was considered to be mature enough to take a husband. She was tired of broaching that subject again.
Havon didn’t accompany her to the falls, rather scampered off with one of his friends – probably hoping to not get given another task too quickly.
Soala saw her father, tall, thin, dark with graying long hair. He stood on the smallest pierf – a special fishing platform her ancestors had developed to help catch the fish that leapt up and down the waterfall with the seasons.
“Soala,” the old man called when he saw her.
“Yes, Father,” she said as she joined him.
“I’ve been asked to talk with you about the subject of your marriage,” the man said.
“Father, you know my feelings on that subject!” Soala cried in reply.
“I do. And I feel that I’ve been as understanding as I possibly can. But how can you hope to succeed me as chieftain if you are not married? How do our people know you have been blessed by the Guardians if you do not have children of your own?”
“I am 16!” she cried. “Mother had many children in her 30s.”
“She had you when she was 15. Your stepmother was married to me when she was 15 as well, having her first child before your age now. You are expected to provide for the people. You are my eldest, it is your right to succeed me as chieftain, but only if you bear children… and you need a man to achieve that!”
“But you must have been much older when you became chieftain.”
“It is true. I was much, much too old when I started having children,” the old man replied. “But men can produce heirs as long as they are young enough to get the job done. It doesn’t tax the man’s body the way it does the woman’s.”
“I will only marry someone I love,” Soala resolved.
“So, you have said – many times. What does it say of our tribe that you cannot find a mate within our own ranks?”
“It says that I don’t want my children to be inbred!” Soala said.
“My children are not inbred!” the chieftain replied sternly.
“No, we are not. But with half of the village related to me, it’s hard for me to find a man I can love to whom I’m not related!” Soala said, not bothering to hide her frustration.
“I will let this go for the time being. Maybe when we go to Vestharya, there will be a man there who will take your fancy. Remember that he doesn’t even have to be particularly young,” her father reminded.
“I know, Father. I will keep my eyes open, but try not to get your hopes up too high,” Soala said. “I’d rather remain single all my days and lose my position than to marry someone I cannot love!” She turned to leave.
“Wait, Soala,” he said shaking his head. “The topic of marriage was not the only reason I called you out here. I have had word that the Yeziling are invading our territory again. They are threatening our livestock out there – and those who tend the animals. They are our people too and require defending.”
“What is your plan, Father?”
“We will take our best warriors out there and try to get them to leave us alone.”
“Why does that involve me?” she asked.
“Because you’re a much prettier face for them to know – not my old man face. Maybe they’ll play fairly because of you.” he said.
“That is so superficial!” she complained. “Why can’t we just reason with them?”
“They respond best to reasoning with a Veleda,” the man replied. “I would like to not lose any warriors this time, so if they would respond to your beauty, lives will be spared. All I’m asking is for you to come along on our raid tomorrow.”
“Yes, Father,” Soala replied.
♥
If you have enjoyed this book, I would be grateful if you could put your thoughts as a review on Goodreads for me.
Other Chapters of this set
Acting the Part - chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Building on Promise - Chapter 1
Acting the Part, part 2 - Chapter 10
Spice of Strength - Chapter 1
Acting the Part, part 3 - Chapter 19
Sands of Survival - Chapter 1
Maps and Guides
- continents of Alacantis and Kranisis (five maps)
- continent of Almara (five maps)
- countries of Kri'enden and Yezi'im (four maps plus "other places")
- characters, pronunciation and glossary
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Lori Svensen
author/designer at A'mara Books
photographer/graphic artist for Viking Visual
verified author on Goodreads
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also on: Whaleshares, WeKu
