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The next day, Leotie’s hands ached from making arrows. This didn’t stop her from thinking back to last night’s lovemaking. She relived every touch, every longing desire in her mind. It was impossible to get Keme out of her mind, and she hoped for another night alone.
“Leotie, take those arrows over to the men,” said an older woman.
Leotie grumbled. If it wasn’t for the white liars, she could have a ceremony or be off hunting for the day. She picked up the basket full of arrows and carried it over to the field where Keme was helping young men become better at aiming, and plopped them down. He was a good marksman, but if anyone who could teach the young warriors how to improve their aiming technique, it was her. Keme glanced over and waved. She waved while other men hurried over, eager to fill their quivers. Leotie folded her arms and tapped her foot.
She spotted Wayna moving through the group. He was the grandson of Anti and Izrah, who had been most disappointed when they broke up.
Wayna smiled teasingly at her, took an arrow, and looked it over. “Hmm, not quite up to your standards.”
She rolled her eyes at him. “The good arrows aren’t for practice.”
“That’s very wise of you. I should’ve known.” He paused. “You also look beautiful, even after making arrows all day.”
She scowled at him for flirting. Would his thick head ever understand she would never be interested in him again?
“So is Keme treating you well?”
“Of course he is.” She wanted to tell him they were now bonded, but not until Keme told her father tonight.
“Ah, I know you would put up with nothing less.” Wayna smiled cautiously.
“Don’t you have to get back to practice?” she asked.
“I suppose.”
“Good, because I have more arrows to deliver.” Leotie walked away, not wanting Keme to notice. He didn’t need to get into another fight.
As she walked past all those practicing, she longed to be out there with them, and came closer to the men practicing on their ponies. However, instead of practicing, there was a lot of yelling. Nobody even noticed her with the arrows. The shouting came from Chapa.
Wayna’s brother, Jolan, knelt on the ground, hunched over. The pony next to him was keeping weight off its left rear leg.
Chapa stood over Jolan, his face twisting in anger. “What are you doing? This is not your place. You are not a warrior!” Chapa circled around him. “And now you’ve injured a pony just when we need them all.”
“I’m sorry. I just wanted to...” Jolan tried to get up.
Chapa kicked him in the ribs and sent him sprawling to the ground.
“You need to realize that you’re too small and weak to be a warrior.” Chapa grabbed Jolan’s head and forced him to look at the horse. “See what you’ve done? See how he limps. I’m going to make sure you stay home. I’m going to snap your ankle like a twig.”
Chapa motioned for two other men to hold Jolan still.
Leotie was about to run and get Keme and Wayna, but there was no time. Jolan’s ankle would be broken by then. She looked around for a friend, and spotted Hinto, a sixteen-year-old boy, watching with wide eyes. She hurried over to him. “Go get Wayna and Keme. Tell them what’s happening. Hurry...”
Hinto nodded and ran off.
“Hey Chapa!” she yelled, and sprinted out to Jolan.
Chapa looked up and scowled. “What are you doing in my business, woman?”
“You have humiliated him enough.”
Chapa looked at his friends on each side of him, then back to Leotie. “This fool sneaked over, jumped on one our best ponies, and tried to prove he could do something. Instead, he broke the pony’s ankle.”
“The pony bolted when I was about to round the tree. It’s not my fault.”
“That’s no excuse! You’re too puny.” He turned to her. “Now go Leotie, go back to that coward lover of yours.” Chapa grabbed Jolan by his tunic.
Leotie stood still. “It’s better to be small instead of stupid, like you.”
Chapa released his grip on the tunic. “It seems I must take care of you first. You know, Leotie, I could show you what a real man is all about.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re so predictable. Why don’t you try and get me?”
Chapa smiled and came toward her. She considered throwing a knife into his leg, but they needed him for the battle. To stall him, she turned to run, and saw Keme approaching fast.
He rushed past her and crashed right to Chapa, knocking him to the ground. “As if you’re brave dragging Jolan around?”
Chapa scrambled to his feet. He looked to the left of Keme. “Is your woman going to fight for you?”
Leotie stood with a hand on her knife, ready to pull it from her belt. She would slash it across Chapa’s neck if he hurt Keme.
“Leotie...” He pointed for her to move off to the side. “Go on.”
She huffed and went over to Jolan, helping him on his feet.
Chapa looked across the field, and flinched. Matwau walked quickly toward them. He towered above everyone even without the full headdress, the feathers flowing back in the wind. He folded his arms. “What’s going on here?”
Chapa’s expression lightened. “Your daughter is trying to tell me how to train my men.”
“That’s not true,” Leotie said. “He was about to break Jolan’s ankle.”
Chapa sneered. “Jolan came on the training field without permission and destroyed a pony.”
Jolan’s fists tightened. “The pony bolted...”
“Enough!” Matwau said, firmly. “We have to be a united people if we are to stand strong against Clawson’s men.” He went over to the pony and checked its leg. “The pony’s ankle is not broken, only strained. It will live to fight another day. A decision will be made here and now.” He looked them over. “Jolan, we need men to guard the camp during battles. However, I will not hold you back. You can fight if you wish.”
Jolan stood straighter. “Thank you.”
Chapa rolled his eyes and brooded.
“What about me?” Leotie asked. “You know I want to fight too. When do I get the right?”
Her father took a long stare at her. “You’re my daughter. It’s not easy for me to let you become a warrior, but you’re one of our best hunters. I won’t deny your hard work. You too can fight, if that is what you wish.”
Leotie jumped up with a squeal. Progress had finally been made. Keme’s mouth dropped open. He shook his head. She expected a hard time from him, despite his promises. He looked about to tell her father they were bonded, but father kept talking.
“Keme, you’re a decent warrior, but I have seen you working with the healers as well. If you wish, I will advise your father to allow you to be a healer. Meanwhile, it’s important for you to accept my daughter for who she is, no matter how difficult that might be.”
Keme nodded hesitantly. Leotie knew her father meant it was also difficult for him, but she loved him all the more for it.
Matwau turned to Chapa. “Chapa, as much as I want to see you as a war chief, you’re not ready. You’re too impulsive, and your heart is bitter from the death of your parents.”
Chapa fists tightened, and his entire body shook with anger. “There will be no question I’m a war chief after my men and I lead us to victory.”
“We’ll see about that,” Father said.
“E-excuse me,” Keme said. “I wanted to tell you this in private, but...” Keme stopped at the sound of shouting coming from the camp.
One of the scouts ran all the way up to Matwau, and spoke while trying to catch his breath. “The soldiers are headed this way.”
“Spread the word. We must face them now,” Matwau said. “Chapa, take your riders and head out.”
Chapa nodded and ran off with his men. Others hurried to get their bows, axes and spears.
Matwau stepped over to them. “Keme, stay toward the rear of the battle and help with the wounded. If your father says anything about it, say the order came from me. Leotie, go with the group of tree archers and take positions.”
Keme touched her hand. “Be careful.”
She hugged him, kissed his cheek, and whispered in his ear. “If things go wrong, don’t you hesitate to run again.”
He nodded, but his expression said he wouldn’t do it. Keme wanted his honor back too much.
