Every day among her new companions shifted her worldview. The physical differences between the Etari and imperials weren’t great, but the difference in how they lived was tremendous.
The first difference she noticed was their attitude toward responsibility. The family, as this traveling group called themselves, looked out for one another. But at the same time, everyone was expected to contribute their effort and skills. If an individual failed at a task, they always accepted responsibility. Alena started to understand what Sooni had said back in Tonno. She took all responsibility for her decision to have Alena join them. Likewise, if a hunter came back without food for the group, they voluntarily fasted through the evening and into the next day.
No one slept in, and no one shirked duties. Even Alena, as she gained the skills necessary to help the family, was expected to take part.
And they were a very physical people.
They embraced upon greeting and danced at night. When they paused throughout the day, the younger Etari raced one another or kicked a small ball of hide around.
And at night, they kept Alena awake.
The sounds of coupling made it difficult to rest, especially when the sounds came from less than two paces away. Others went about their work as though nothing unusual was happening.
In the empire, the traditions of courtship were well-established.
Here, most days ended in coupling, and Alena noted that the couples were usually different. She wanted to ask Azaleth about the practices and expectations, but worried she might send him the wrong idea. The longer she spent with him, the more she worried his kindness wasn’t entirely altruistic.
She never felt at risk, though. It appeared as though women initiated most, if not all, of the liaisons. At least, Alena thought so. She still struggled to understand the hand-signing language. Gestures didn’t represent words so much as they did ideas, with a nuance Alena couldn’t quite pick up on.
They traveled alone for a week before they saw anyone else. It was a collection of shelters, round homes with wooden frames and leather stretched around. Alena counted more than a dozen when they came into view.
The caravan was welcomed with open arms by the residents of the shelters. Alena wasn’t sure what to call the place. Was it a settlement, or a village? Even a glance told her that this new family could easily pick up their belongings and move within a day.
Hugs were exchanged all around, with Alena being the sole exception. Words passed back and forth between the Etari, Alena picking up small snippets from what Azaleth had taught her.
She had been warned that most Etari couldn’t understand her. The merchant clans studied the imperial tongue as children, but few others bothered. Until she learned Etari, navigating daily life would be a difficult process.
Alena detached from the scene and observed. The other clan dressed in a wide variety of clothing, but Alena didn’t see a scrap of red anywhere that wasn’t on one of Sooni’s clan. There were other commonalities, though. The Etari, in general, seemed to wear less than imperials. What clothes they wore were often loose fitting, providing ease of movement.
The whole area buzzed with activity as the two groups came together. Several Etari approached the carts the merchants had brought this far, sifting through the goods from Tonno as well as the spoils of the battle.
Alena still hadn’t made peace with the desecration of the imperial bodies. Sooni insisted the Etari burned their dead as well, but it seemed convenient that the burning destroyed all evidence of the mercenary company. The Etari clearly didn’t fear bringing the wrath of the dead upon them. Even Alena, who found most superstitions about the gates foolish, was discomfited by the lack of respect afforded to the dead.
She hadn’t known what to do in response, except to stay far away from the stolen armor.
The clan they met shared Sooni’s clan’s lack of respect for the dead. They rifled through armor, weapons, and clothes as though they were everyday items, not stripped from corpses. Alena couldn’t follow the language, but she recognized haggling when she saw it.
The bartering for the goods of dead soldiers broke through her enforced separation. She couldn’t stand to watch, so she went off to find something else to observe. She hadn’t gotten far before Sooni stopped her with a hand gesture, signaling that Alena should approach.
Alena obeyed. Sooni stood next to another man, probably in his fifties. Physically, he didn’t seem like much, but there was an air of menace about him. He intimidated Alena, though he gave no outward sign of violence.
“Rotger, this is Alena. She has been with us since Tonno, and the reason we were attacked. Alena, this is Rotger. He is the head of this family.”
Alena bowed, not knowing how else to show the man respect.
He laughed, a low rumble from deep in his belly.
Somehow, even his laughter frightened her.
He led the three of them into one of the structures near the center of the village. Alena’s eyes took a moment to adjust, and she was surprised by the interior.
Furs were scattered throughout the space, with a clearing made in the middle for a fire. The day outside was warm, but it was cool inside. Rotger settled on the furs with a grace Alena’s father would have envied. Sooni and Alena followed suit.
“You may tell your story now, Alena. What is the secret that has made you such powerful enemies?” Sooni glanced at Rotger. “And please speak slowly. Rotger understands your imperial tongue somewhat well, but
