As directed by my mother, I stay among the Fiyori for a week then return for more people from distant Marshland villages that have finally made their way around the toxic waters to my mother's head village. As such, I do not have to work too hard to avoid Vegas and the feelings that are consistently growing in my heart for him. My people keep me busy enough, and besides that, the Fiyori approach me with plans.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KcvfSoCry
It is exhausting creating a timeline, drawing up rules, contracts, dealing with disputes, and deciding who will continue to train our own young warriors since most of the older warriors have stayed behind with my mother waiting for more arrivals from the last distant villages. I decide that Wren will take charge in training, along with three of his friends: Russell, Brittany, and her younger brother, Blakely. I also assign Popplar a shift. For the rest of our stay, the clearing is ours, the Fiyori tell us. I assign women who are trained as medics to make sure it is kept clean.
The horses are cared for by the young warriors, and I assign them to build a pen in another clearing I have approved by Lady Vanessa. Among the Fiyori, the women are who attend to the horses: all of their dealings, their pedigrees, and their care; part of their territory that is shared with the Canvasi of the Wolflands is prairie where the non-personal horses run wild during the cold months to care for themselves and are rounded up in spring when they foal.
"You do a good job."
I turn to the unfamiliar voice.
"You have only been here a short while, but you have accomplished so much. I do not think I would have been able to accomplish as much in your shoes," Ariel replies.
"Hello, Ariel, so nice to see you again, and I am thankful for the compassion of your people; so I want to make sure that I am respectful."
She nods. "Your mother has trained you well."
"Indeed she has," my grandmother makes her way over to us. "The people are very satisfied with your leadership, Jenna."
For once, I feel confident in my abilities. As I look around the clearing, I see elders sharing stories, and my grandmother joins them with my grandfather. I see children playing, both Fiyori and Marshlander alike. I see tents being built in the afternoon sun and young warriors from both tribes practicing and comparing battle moves.215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXXrYZkfMH
Even Popplar has allowed a young Fiyori into his training company. I am surprised to see Lady Frances sparring with him and outdoing him easily with her swift acrobatics. Another warrior watches from a branch, shouting encouragement to her; she is more thickly built, and the branch bends under her weight, but her natural fluidity and balance keeps her in the tree with ease. No wonder the Fiyori are considered the greatest warriors among the four warrior tribes.
"My sister is almost sixteen," Ariel replies. "She is almost done with her training. Everyone wants her initiated early as a warrior, but she is such an energetic and happy child, Mother wishes her to remain young for as long as possible. The other girl is her trainer and best friend, Wendi. She became a warrior just two years ago and is quite advanced, so she was chosen personally to train my younger sister."
I catch sight of Vegas joining them; Frances greets him enthusiastically. I do not feel anything, not even hurt. He deserves better; he deserves true love, and my heart, no matter how much it longs for him, will not allow me to be selfish. I cannot have him, so someone should...someone noble and honorable as he. I spin his bracelet around my wrist; he let me keep it. 215Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4SCR8LYI0
"She has a little crush on Vegas. I do not know if anything will become of it, but it is good for her to have such experiences." Ariel puts her fingers to her cheek, and I study the intricate tribal tattoo on her arm to the back of her hand: a horse followed by spiraling rings of blue lightning, merging with the blue dotted rings around her wrists. She notices my gaze. "Because I am fast, one of the fastest, and I train my other tribe mates in perfecting their speed."
I give a one-sided smile, intrigued, then frown. "Did it hurt?"
"Very much, but I am used to it by now. It is my fourth one."
"What do they mean?"
"They are a way to tell our story, a way to remind us of the trials we have been through. They remind us of our strength," she answers, flexing her knuckles. "Just the fact that we can bear getting this burned into our skin reflects that we are stronger than most."
"So true." No matter what, I am glad I am not Fiyori; nobody deserves that fate, in my opinion. Not even our toxin immunity trials seem as bad that; at least we are given the necessary medical treatments to help us bear it.
"Our ancestors passed on these traditions, the king oppresses us, but we must always be true to ourselves. It is one thing I always respect about Franny."
We watch as her sister goes from a concentrated, dexterous warrior to a typical, giggling little teenager. Vegas does a magic trick and presents she and Wendi with colorful wildflowers; they both applaud while Popplar marvels at his skill.
"If you love him, you should be with him," she replies.
"But..."
"My sister will have many crushes in her lifetime. Besides, it is important that she also learns heartbreak."
I shake my head. "I could never.."
"Trust me, he is one of many in my sister's heart; she is fickle. You are good for him. I have seen how he looks at you and how you look at him...like my brother looks at his forbidden love of the Canvasi every ceremony when he sees her." She laughs at herself. "Call it 'twin'tuition."
I laugh a little at her simple cleverness. I have little time to wonder about her brother, though.
"Franny, I need your help with the horses," she calls, and Frances bounds over to her. "Go for it," she murmurs to me, and they head back to their village.
I join Popplar, Vegas, and Wendi.
Vegas pulls flower out of his sleeve, "Flowers for a queen?"
I take the pink and gold amaryllis flower native to our territory, though extremely rare; I recognize them because Richard once brought them to my mother. Before I know it, I lean up and kiss him. Popplar and Wendi remain quiet, and I scold myself. What was I thinking? But he smiles at me, and I slip my hand into his. He squeezes tight, and at that moment, I know I never want to lose him.
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