jumped to his feet, “Enter, and be welcome,” he called back as he headed for the front of the tent.
Korey stepped into the tent, “Hi Ash.”
“Father,” Ash said, “how’s Mother?”
“Adjusting,” Korey said, “I know it must have been difficult for you, but I think she’ll come with us.”
“Us?” Ash replied.
“You’re starting a new tribe, you have no idea how many people will be with you or if you’ll be able to provide for them. I am a trader, Ash. If nothing else, I’ll go with you to the plains and introduce you to some of my contacts there.”
“But you just got back,” Ash said, “Mother always misses you when you leave, and the boys need their father.”
“Exactly,” Korey replied, “My son needs his father. Besides, how do you plan to carry all your belongings? If I go with you, we’ll bring the mules.”
Ash flushed, “I hadn’t thought of that.”
“You’ll learn, Ash,” Korey said, “it will just take time.” He reached out and squeezed Ash’s shoulder, “Now, I brought saddle packs for you to use to store your belongings, would you like help with that?”
Ash shook his head, “I remember how to do that, Father. Besides, I’m expecting more people to come by tonight.”
Korey smiled, “Let me know if you need any help.”
“I will,” Ash replied.
The rest of the night was spent entertaining members of the village, most of whom seemed content to yell at him while he packed away the things that were most important to him. The worst of the lot fled when Gavin was tired of listening to them and snarled at them.
“You don’t have to do that,” Ash told the fox as the last of the tribal members left.
“They have no right to talk to you like that,” Gavin replied harshly, “Let them run. They are the sort that would bring our world to darkness if they are not stopped.”
Ash sighed, “Scaring them isn’t the best way to save them, Gavin. When people are afraid they can be pushed to do worse things than at any other time.” He closed his eyes against the memories that threatened to overwhelm him.
“Ash?” Gavin asked.
Ash opened his mouth to reassure Gavin, but his stomach surged and he threw himself at the tent flap. He stumbled outside, past someone approaching the tent, and threw up.
“Ash?”
Finally, Ash’s stomach settled and he straightened up.
“Are you all right?”
Ash turned and blushed. Madelina and Eren, the tribe’s prettiest young women, were watching him in the flickering torchlight. “Hello Madelina, Eren,” he managed. “I’m all right. I think I ate something I shouldn’t have.”
“Are you really leaving tomorrow?” Eren asked.
“I have to,” Ash replied, “I gave my word.” He tried a smile, “Will you come?”
“Glynn wants to,” Madelina replied, “I think we will.”
Eren shook her head, “Father wouldn’t dream of going against Uncle Brennus.”
“I am sorry you might be parted,” Ash said, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you apart.”
“Like you and Brett,” Eren said.
Ash bit his lip, and stared into the shadows beyond his torches, “Brett’s actions were his own, and his words cut like so many knives. When he can admit that what he did was wrong, and truly feel remorse, then I’d like to be his friend again.”
“Ash,” Madelina said.
“He scared Ryanne so much that she left,” Ash said. He stopped, “She left, Madelina, because she didn’t feel safe around Brett. She might never come back, even if my family leaves with us. If Brett can understand and accept that his actions played a part in that decision.” He stopped again, “I apologize,” Ash continued, “I still have trouble dealing with what happened.”
Madelina smiled, “It’s all right, Ash.”
A warm weight pressed against Ash’s leg, “Mistress Eren,” Gavin said, catching the women’s attention.
“Yes,” Eren said slowly.
“Madelina, Eren, this is Gavin. Gavin is a companion to the Goddess I follow,” Ash said.
“Master Fox,” Madelina said tartly.
“Gavin,” Gavin said bluntly, “and I have a message for you, Mistress Eren.”
“What message?” Eren asked.
“In the eyes of your tribe, a woman must see fifteen winters before marriage, among the Clans, it is sixteen; you have seen eighteen winters, and thus are an adult by any measure you might use. Think on this, a daughter’s duty to her father is important, but when the father’s actions have gone beyond the acceptable, when pain becomes the motivator, not love, then a woman’s duty to herself is greater than her duty to anyone else.” Gavin paced forward, “Think on that, Mistress.”
Ash closed his eyes for a long moment, then looked at Madelina and Eren, “I have much to do this evening, Madelina, Eren. I will see you in the morning,” he turned, then paused, “if you need help with transporting your belongings, speak with my father. He intends to come along and bring his mules with him.”
He heard their farewells even as he ducked back into the tent. Gavin followed him, “Do you want to talk about it?” Gavin asked hesitantly.
Ash looked down at the fox, seeing the wisdom and the compassion in his eyes. “Not right now, Gavin,” he said. “It’s not a story to tell when you have a lot to do. Someday, I will tell you.”
“Someday,” Gavin said, “I will listen.”
Ash finally fell asleep, long after the torches had burned out and the tribe slept. His dreams were uneasy and he finally found himself laying awake as the sounds of the predawn camp began. With a sigh, Ash sat up, “Gavin?”
“I’m awake,” Gavin said, “I guess we should head out.”
“Right,” Ash said.
Ash dressed quickly, fingers pulling laces and tightening buckles as he checked over the tent for any personal affects he might have forgotten. He was tying the laces on his wrist as he stepped out of the tent. People were gathering around his tent, most of them carrying bags or pack frames. Others were beginning to take down tents.
“Well,” Gavin said as he followed Ash out of the tent, “more than you thought?”
“Obviously,” Ash muttered.
Evelina came through the crowd, “I’m sorry,” she told Ash as she approached, “I reacted badly.”
“I forgive you,” Ash said, and held out his arms. “No matter what you’ve decided.”
Evelina hugged him, “We’re going with you, Ash.”
Ash squeezed back, closing his eyes tightly and sending his gratitude to Vanora for this small blessing. “I need to get my packs.”
Evelina stepped back, “Codie, Pacey, get your brother’s things and take them to the pack train.”
“Yes Mama,” Codie said as the brunet followed his black haired brother.
“They don’t,” Ash began.
“Nonsense,” Evelina said, “the work will do them good.”
Ash looked down as Gavin pawed at his leg, and then he bent over and picked up the fox. “So,” he said, looking at the group, “You all wish to join Fox Clan then?”
The variety of affirmatives made him grin, “All right,” he glanced down at Gavin, “anything special we need to know about?”
Gavin considered the group, then placed his front paws on Ash’s shoulder, “No, I think there’s someone else who can handle this.”
Ash looked over his shoulder, and then back towards the group as people began to talk. Vanora stood there between Ash and the group, looking at Ash. “Vanora,” Ash said as Gavin jumped to the grown.
“Good morning Ash,” Vanora said, she turned to look at the group, “this is an auspicious beginning. My Wolves weren’t even allowed to bring their belongings when they answered the call.” She snapped her fingers and assumed her older form, “Good morning, my Foxes! I am honored that you have chosen to stand amongst my people. For now, you ha
ve a three-day journey to the plains my people call home. The Hawks and the Stags will meet you there to see you are prepared for your new life. Being a member of my Clans is a better life than you have known, but it is not a life of ease. You will work hard, and live hard, but your rewards will be equal to your work.” Another snap and she was in her child form, “When you come to the plains, you will view the world in a new way, so that all may know that you are the Fox Clan, my Foxes.”
Cheers filled the early morning as Vanora vanished.
“All right,” Korey announced, coming up to stand beside Ash, “we’re ready to leave on my part. Lady Vanora was correct in that we have a three day journey, so the sooner we get started the better.”
As the group moved forward, Ash hesitated.
“What?” Gavin asked, “We’re being left behind.
Ash looked down at the fox, “What Vanora said, about me being able to see the future sometimes?”
“That is correct,” Gavin said.
Ash looked over his shoulder, “My dad will make a good Clan Chief, don’t you think.”
Gavin laughed, “We’re being left behind, Ash, we’d better go.”
Ash collected his weapons from inside the storyteller tent and headed for the road.
“You’re really leaving then.”
Ash turned to find Brett waiting just past the last tent, “We are,” Ash replied. He gestured, “You are welcome to join us, Brett.”
The blond haired tribesman leaned over and spat on the ground, “Shake the dirt from your boots then, Ash.”
“Brett,” Ash said, “you are welcome to join us. The friendship we shared, it still matters to me.”
“You stole,” Brett began.
“She never belonged to you,” Ash retorted,