Senta-eh looked seriously at Tinka-eh and said, “You two did good.”
“Verda-eh did all the hard work,” Reggie said, finding his smile when he looked at his child.
“What happened?” Alex asked.
“Something’s happening. Mothers have started dying in childbirth. In the last year, we’ve had fourteen babies born. Eight of the mothers died, including Verda-eh.”
“We heard the same thing in Rinta-ah,” Alex said, concern etched on his face.
“I came through there again on the way here. They gave me a ride across the river. I met your friends Harta-ak and Versa-eh, too. They had to complete a few tasks, then they said they were coming here for your ceremony. Congratulations.” Reggie glanced at Senta-eh. “At least congratulations to you, Manta-ak. My condolences to you, Senta-eh.”
That momentarily broke the spell of sadness that hovered over them and they walked toward the cliffside.
“We’ll take care of your horse for you, until you’re ready to go again. What are you doing now? Back to the wandering lifestyle?”
“I honestly don’t know. It’s not great, trying to keep a child safe in this wilderness, but I just couldn’t stay in Tonton-ah anymore. Everywhere I looked, I saw signs of the life we had planned, things that reminded me of Verda-eh. I decided to come here and see if you were successful in your quest to retrieve The Chosen One. Your friend Versa-eh told me some pretty crazy stories. Something about you single-handedly burning down a city?”
“You know how stories are,” Alex said. “The more often it gets told, the less like the reality it is. Come on, I’ll introduce you to Sekun-ak, our chief. We’ll find a place for you to stay.” An idea occurred to Alex. “Hey, would you sing a song for us at our ceremony?”
“I will give you the fellow time traveler discount,” Reggie answered. “I’ll trade a song for room and board over the next few days.”
Alex looked up to see at least ten of the Winten-ah women heading straight for them, smiling, and already holding their arms out for Tinka-eh.
“I don’t think you’ll have a hard time finding childcare while you’re here.”
HARTA-AK AND VERSA-eh arrived the next day. The hunting expedition returned with their single karak-ta egg, and it felt like the time was right for the binding ceremony.
The ceremony was held at the base of the cliffs in the golden hour just before sunset. Long shadows crisscrossed the meadow and a soft breeze blew.
Both Senta-eh and Alex wore the same clothes they did every day, though Senta-eh did wear a spray of wildflowers in her hair.
When it was time for the ceremony to start, the entire tribe gathered around in a circle, leaving just enough room for the two of them to pass. Once they entered the circle, that closed as well and their friends and family surrounded them. The members of the tribe laid their hand on the shoulders of the people beside them and everyone swayed right, then left, and on and on. It gave the impression of a wave of humanity surrounding Alex and Senta-eh.
Sekun-ak stood directly in front of them. He took a long piece of leather and wrapped it loosely around both their hands.
“We do not tie the knot tight, because the strength of the binding is the commitment you make to each other. If each of you stands forever for the other, nothing but death can ever separate you. Do you agree?”
Senta-eh, her expression as calm and placid as ever, stared into Alex’s eyes. “I agree and I will never leave you until I am taken away.”
Alex Hawk, soldier, warrior, killer of men, felt his eyes begin to leak. He struggled to find his voice while his throat grew thick. He said, simply, “I will never leave you.”
A riotous cheer went up from those assembled around them and the circle closed in, enveloping them, making them one more part of the whole.
Standing on the lowest level of the cliffs, baby Tinka-eh sitting on the ground beside him, Reggie strummed his lute-like instrument. In the universal language of Kragdon-ah, he sang Wedding Song (There is Love).
Alex would have never guessed Reggie knew that song. As he listened to the haunting lyrics, staring at the woman he had just pledged his life to, he knew he would never forget this moment.
After the song was finished, everyone dispersed, ready to feast.
The tribe reconvened in the largest cave at the top of the cliffside. A dozen torches gave off a warm and crackling light in the dusk. The tribe’s cooks brought out all the delicacies they had been saving and everyone ate until they could eat no more.
Sekun-ak stood and addressed the assembled Winten-ah and guests.
“More than seven Summer Solstices ago, Manta-ak dropped into our laps. It was not an auspicious beginning.”
A few of the warriors who had been along on that first day when Alex had been captured chuckled softly.
“But now, he is one of us. Our brother. And Senta-eh, our strength, our warrior, our beauty. We are so fortunate to have you both as part of our family. As many of you know, Manta-ak came from somewhere else. Because of that, he is shy about his natural habits.”
Alex felt himself blush. He closed his eyes and waited for the moment to pass.
“We want you to have something. We want you to have a home of your own. The Winten-ah are not builders, but we are strong, fast, and we can learn. I am giving you a space of your own at the base of the cliff. Starting tomorrow, after the effects of the karak-ta egg has worn off—”
More laughter spread in anticipation.
“—I will assign five brothers and sisters to you, Manta-ak, to help you build your own home. You will design and build it, but we will give you the best spot we have, and these men and women will work with
