Zaira's POV
" Seei van geter neet Feira reg peraani. inisu? said the Chief and I had no idea what he was talking about. Although the words sounded soft, the Chief's hard voice, which brooked no contradiction, made up for any beauty of the language. That explained why the gi that brought us here and was currently standing next to the chief, speaking brokenly. It wasn't her mother tongue. From the way the tribal chief was looking at us, she must have told him that we had trespassed on her territory and destroyed her trees in the process.
I shifted nervously from one leg to the other. The chief had a stocky build, his stomach hung a little above his waistband of leather trousers and his long black hair, which he had braided into a ponytail, was enthroned with a magnificent headdress that left no doubt as to who the leader was here.
“You entered our land without asking. Why?" he repeated his question in my language and waited for our answer. He must have noticed that we didn't understand a word of it.
" No, it's good Reah. ", the chief raised an eyebrow in surprise while I gaped in astonishment when Aramis replied. " Mea neen geter... Fehaany. Please."
I almost choked on my own spit. Did I just hear a request ?
"You speak our language. Who are you?"
"An old-"
"Your name." Arami's eyes went cold when the chief interrupted him. There were apparently two men who considered themselves chiefs.
"My name is Calvius Gennadis and I'm from the Dasos pack," he replied without even batting an eyelid. His hand squeezed mine, warning me to expose his lie. My mind rattled.
"Gennadis.", the leader of the Gis scratched his beard and seemed to consider it. He frowned when he finally exclaimed. "Of course, Gennadis! Say that right away! I knew your great-grandfather, Jarl. Great man! "
Aramis just nodded.
“ Seei nion fonesa Calvius. Greetings Calvius. I'm Honaw, Chief to Retani . Chieftain of the Retani." He waved his arms. "I will grant you entry through our territory once the ritual of the gods is complete and you swear to leave only good intentions of a pure heart in our forests."
"Father! seatohu! ", the Gi moved away from Honaw, horrified.
"Shut up, Arya." He waved his hand, silencing her. Her face was flushed with suppressed anger, all that was needed was for her ears to steam. "I decide who enters our land and who doesn't . And Calvius, the Jarl's son, is most welcome to me." A big smile graced his face.
If only he knew...
His gaze wandered to me and his eyes widened. "Oh, who is that?"
Before I could even open my mouth, Aramis answered. "Sarah Clark, Snowrock Pack."
Honaw's eyebrows furrowed and he shook his head. "Don't tell me anything. I travel very little in Anifeira."
I dug my nails into Aramis' palm and mentally growled at him. I was quite capable of introducing myself.
Aramis didn't take his eyes off the chief for a second, but his hand freed itself from the grip and grabbed my waist and pulled me tightly to his side. Extremely possessive.
"Besides, she's my mate," he stated, and the subliminal threat couldn't be overheard. Hearing him say those words, even though I knew he didn't believe them, was a roller coaster of emotions.
The chief nodded. "Well, let me offer you a place to sleep. Arya, take her to the guest house."
"How can you be sure that he really is Calvius?", "Sleeping place?"
Aramis and Arya asked simultaneously.
"You didn't think we could perform the ritual now.", the Chief laughed. "But Calvius, my friend's son! The ritual always begins when the first ray of sun kisses the earth. Not before, not after. Like this the gods decreed it."
"We can't wait that long. We've lost enough time without waiting until dawn."
"Calvius!" Honaw rebuked, raising his index finger. "Don't come at me like that. We have shown you respect, now do us honor as well. You will not cross this land if you refuse to go through the sacred ritual."
I saw Aramis' jaw muscles twitch and his nerves clench. I decided that a laugh was inappropriate, even if it was on the lips.
"Hmmm," Aramis growled, clearly annoyed, and I couldn't help it. My shoulders shook from my silent laughter and my eyes watered.
His head snapped towards me and his eyes narrowed. "Traitor," he whispered.
I blinked innocently. "Revenge is sweet," I mouthed as my silent laughter shook me again.
His teeth shot out and bit my ear. I shuddered and clutched his waistband.
"We're not done here," he said, turning back to Chief Honaw.
"Okay, we're staying. One night."
"I knew you were coming to your senses Calvius!" exclaimed Honaw happily.
Arya regarded us with suspicious eyes. "We cannot trust them, Seetohu ."
"Papperlapapp!" he gestured dismissively. "Show some hospitality."
“Aber-"
" Isura! ", he thundered, his face twisted in annoyance. "You are the first arrow of the tribe, act accordingly!"
She crossed her muscular arms sullenly in front of her chest and snorted as a horse came galloping up, kicking up the earth and tufts of grass.
"Chief!" the rider shouted, reining in the brown horse so it stopped in front of Honaw. "The Seers, they've spotted something on the border!"
Honaw's face turned serious and it sounded like he was asking a question. The rider, whose long hair fell in his face, said something in reply, but it was too quiet and thanks to the horse's constant whinnying, even my supernatural wolf hearing didn't change it.
Curious, I took a step forward, but was immediately stopped by strong arms wrapped around my body.
I turned around. "What are you talking about?"
Aramis shook his head almost imperceptibly. "Not now."
"Come, I'll show you where to sleep for the night," Arya said, grimly gesturing for us to follow her.
She escorted us through the Gi village and, with a friendly smile, greeted the other residents we passed. I didn't recognize her, she seemed like a completely different person. Her otherwise enduring skepticism and seriousness faded away and a lovely friend emerged.
I heard Aramis snarl at the residents, who scrutinized us with their Argus eyes. Nobody took a second look.
"There," she said, opening the wooden door. "Someone will pick you up tomorrow for ritual."
"Thank you," I said, smiling at her. "You guys are very kind to us."
"Don't thank me. If I were Chief, you wouldn't be here." Her voice made me shiver, but I didn't let it show and stuck my chin up.
"Then I'm glad you're not."
She said nothing. "Invited you to dinner tonight. Come to the big place when the horn calls." With that she turned and disappeared between the houses.
One to zero for me.