Alex was overwhelmed with this gift. For the second time in a few hours, his throat tightened, and he found it difficult to speak. Finally, he managed to say, “Thank you,” and gratefully sat back down.
While the wooden plates were carried away, Lanta-eh and Sekun-ak started their chant and the karak-ta egg was distributed to everyone.
Alex and Senta-eh had talked about it and both decided that on this night, they both wanted to keep their full faculties about them. So, they took a ceremonial first bite, but actually swallowed almost none of the egg. Then, they acted as servers, carrying the cooked egg to everyone.
When they came to Reggie, he passed as well. He didn’t want to take a trip with Tinka-eh beside him.
As was custom, they served Lanta-eh and Sekun-ak last.
Alex noticed that Lanta-eh took a much-larger-than-normal piece of the egg, but didn’t think much of it.
He still hadn’t accepted her as The Chosen One, but she had proven time and again that when she was around, miraculous things happened. He figured she could take care of herself.
The newly bound couple acted as hosts, making sure that everyone who needed it was helped to the floor and made comfortable.
When the rest of the tribe was tuned out and turned on, Alex and Senta-eh slipped off to the small cave set aside especially for them for the night.
They had been patient with each other for three years.
It was worth the wait.
Chapter ThirteenAsleep
The next morning, Alex and Senta-eh emerged from the private cave—the Kragdon-ah version of the honeymoon suite—like it was any other day. The people they ran into did the same—“Gunta, Manta-ak, Senta-eh,”—though they may have smiled while they said it. Many things about human behavior are universal.
It had begun to grow light, and people were scurrying around the big gathering room, clearing food and plates. Here and there, a few people who had absorbed a bit too much of the karak-ta egg were just sitting up, happy but groggy.
Alex was not too surprised when he saw that Lanta-eh had not stirred. He kneeled beside her and checked her pulse, which was steady. Her skin was cool to the touch and her face was calm.
“I’ve never seen her take so long to come out of it,” Senta-eh observed.
“I noticed she took a big piece last night. I’m sure she’ll be fine. I’ll carry her to her sleeping room.”
Alex picked Lanta-eh up and carried her to the room she shared with her sisters. She might be The Chosen One, but in Winten-ah, no one had private quarters.
Except, perhaps for Alex and Senta-eh if they got their small cottage built.
He ran into Niten-eh in the passageway and asked her to check in on Lanta-eh during the day to make sure she was all right.
The world of Kragdon-ah looked slightly different to Alex on this morning. For the previous seven years, he had woken up, wondering if or when he was going to be able to go home. On this morning, he knew it was not possible, but he had Senta-eh at his side. Thoughts of Amy would never leave him, but he knew he needed to commit to this life now. He could no longer live in two worlds.
Alex and Senta-eh walked to the bottom of the cliffside and found Sekun-ak waiting for them.
“Would you like to see where you can build your shelter?”
Alex heard the pride in his voice. “Of course, brother. This is the greatest gift I could ask for.”
Sekun-ak waved the praise away. “This is a small thing. Your greatest gift came when she decided to wait for you,” he glanced at Senta-eh, who pointedly ignored him, “no matter how long you took.”
Sekun-ak led him to a spot on the southern end of the cliff, ten strides away from the natural rock pool. The cliff cut back in at that spot, so whatever Alex built would have rock behind it and on at least half of two other sides. Almost instant access to the clean water source was even better.
“Will this be good?”
Alex put his arm on Sekun-ak’s shoulder. “This is the perfect spot. It’s more than I deserve.”
“We wanted to show you our thanks for all you have done for us. If we had attacked Denta-ah without you, I do not think the battle would have gone the same. I can’t think of anyone who could have brought Lanta-eh home besides the two of you. This is a small thank you.” Sekun-ak waved his hand. Behind him, five Winten-ah stood, grinning. “This is your work crew. Don’t take it too easy on them.”
Alex looked them over. Four men and a woman. Three of the men were young—one was only a few years older than Werda-ak, Alex judged. The other man, called Tranta-ak, was older, with a heavily lined face. The woman looked like so many Winten-ah—tall, straight posture, and piercing brown eyes. They all looked lean and strong and ready to work.
Sekun-ak took his leave and Alex and Senta-eh faced their workers. “We need to start with wood. We will need lots of it. Grab your axes and I will show you what kind of trees we will need to take down.”
When they left, Senta-eh said, “Do you know how to build our house?”
“Well, I’ve never done it before, but when have I ever let that stop me?”
When his crew returned, Alex saw that Harta-ak and Reggie were with them. Reggie carried Tinka-eh on his shoulders.
“We didn’t have a gift to bring you to commemorate your ceremony,” Harta-ak said, “so Versa-eh decided I should take a few days to help you. I am your gift.” He showed Alex a saw, a sharp axe, and a strong hammer he had brought with him from Lasta-ah. “I think these will help.” He leaned in close and said, “The Winten-ah are a wonderful people, beautiful and friendly, but their tools are not good.”
Alex looked at Reggie.
“I want to help, too. It would
