I leave Mother and Randall to make their way back to our house as I head off in a different direction. A small pendant bounces against my chest as I walk, attached to a thin cord that loops around my neck. Orrian is king, but I am the Akanian. I had been reluctant to accept the responsibility at first but had eventually agreed to keep the pendant for him until he has a child of his own. Alice and the rest of the children continue to run through the fields as Ida calls nonsensically after them.
I pass the new bakery, rebuilt stronger and larger in the plot of the old one. Rhys gives me a nod from the doorway as I pass. No one has been denied entrance to the new village, even Cecilia. It’s time for everyone to start afresh, us, the tribe, even the remainder of the colony’s forces have integrated themselves into the new city life.
I now walk among all the wooden frames, promises of great structures to come. Bennie and the builders wake up even before Randall and me. Soon, there will be plenty of space in Avlym for everyone. They wave to us in the morning light as we head out to hunt together in the forest. Robyn joins us occasionally, but normally she prefers to hunt alone in the evenings after spending the day helping her mother.
Both of us were village hunters now, my coming-of-age celebrations had been tame but pleasant. I had spent the day itself in the colony, aiding in the efforts and completely unaware of the significance of the day. The others had already travelled back to Avlym and so the day had passed like any other, although they had made certain that I hadn’t forgotten as soon as I returned.
Orrian had given me a strong steed to take carry me back to Avlym. The stallion’s coal hide had disappeared beneath me as I had arrived home in the late hours. The streets had been empty and only the most resilient of flames still flickered, guiding me towards my new home. They had been waiting for me, all of them.
The festivities had gone long into the night, we were a family reunited, reluctant to let even sleep separate us again. I had awoken the following morning to Randall who grinned as he rolled me out of bed and shoved my dad’s hunting spear into my hands. I had joined him in greeting the rising sun every day since. As we headed out each morning, sometimes accompanied by Robyn, Manuel, or Devin, I finally know what it’s like to belong.
I stand at the edge of the village, I don’t have to wait long before a familiar figure appears up ahead walking towards me. He is slightly taller than I am, much more muscular, and has a nest of blonde hair barely hiding a discrete green mark around his left ear. To some he may look like a regular teenager, but he is the king of his people, a man of the forest, and my brother.
“Evening,” I say, patting him on the back.
“Am I the last one?” Orrian asks.
“Still got to get Robyn, but then we should be all set,” I say.
“How was it?” Orrian asks.
“Nice. Fitting,” I say, remembering the names carved into the bark.
“Good,” he smiles.
We walk towards Avlym’s centre, casually discussing Orrian’s plans for the tribe. Much may have changed in Avlym, but nobody’s going to be changing the old fire pits. The village has already gathered around the hearty flames, lounging on the grass and against logs.
Alice runs over as soon as she sees Orrian. He reaches down to scoop her in his arms and lift her high towards the stars. She giggles gleefully demanding that he goes again as he sets her down onto the grass. He feigns complaining before launching her skywards once more. This time he does not set her back down but instead sits her on his shoulders, she laughs as her friends run around beneath her.
“Mother and Randall are going to join us in a bit,” I say with a smile. “Want to go and get Robyn with me?”
Orrian gives me a knowing look.
“It’s alright, I’ll wait for her here,” he says. I nod appreciatively before leaving him to entertain my sister.
Robyn and her parents had, like us, been among the first to obtain a position in the new Avlym. They are over at the other side of the village, but I don’t mind, I enjoy the walk.
Her mother opens the door with a smile.
“Hello Dale, here for Robyn?” she asks, knowing my answer.
“Hey, you,” Robyn says as she edges past and leaps out towards me. Releasing me, she turns back to face her mother. “Are you going to be long?”
“Not at all. Your dad just needs to finish up and then we’ll be on our way,” her mother answers to Robyn’s delight. Robyn closes the door behind her and together we begin our walk back towards the fire.
This is the part I’ve really been nervous for. After the war had been won, there has been so much to do, and everyone had travelled back to their homes at their own pace. Robyn’s family had accompanied Bennie back here while I had volunteered to stay behind with Orrian as the new council was formed. We had met a
