Alone Together

Chapter Eleven

        Apollo had been wounded in the battle against the Tesera. Moon-Song declared him unable to ever fight again, and he wasn't taking it well. Serana, however, was a blessing for him. She helped in cope, forcing him to do the exercises that the healers insist he do. Helios and I tried to be supported, but most often Apollo bitterly turned us away. We didn't blame him, and we still worked to do things for him. 

We hadn't been well enough to fight, but after a little reluctance, Moon-Song said we were ready to help fortify the camp. We reinforced the log walls surrounding it, made the gate smaller, made more posts to station guards. Still, Fire-Song and Yellow-Peace worked at creating arrows. Whenever I became to sore to lift more logs, I went and sharpened arrows. During the day, Helios and I barely had time to talk we were both kept so busy. The entire camp was launched into the high-speed preparations, and we were spread thin. At the same time as the fortifications to the camp took place, we increased our border patrols. So far, the Tesera hadn't dared to launch a revenge attack, but we didn't lower our guard. Not even as winter turned into spring and Apollo could limp around the camp on his own. After the preparations were made, life got less busy. Now that it was spring, there was a new and energized scent in the air, and more animals emerged. Berries began growing, along with other food. Some of the elders started a garden. Summer held the promise of plenty of food, and the heavy grief that had settled over the tribe began to disappear. Meanwhile, Helios and I were learning how to be...involved. 

As someone who'd spent a lot of time in the cities, I'd learned that advances were not a good thing, and old habits die hard. After the first few times I'd flinched away from Helios' sudden arm around my waist, his brief touches as he went past, he'd gotten offended. So I'd taken him aside and explained as best as I could, and once I'd voiced it, he was fine. He was careful with the ways he touched me, making sure to stay within my comfort zones. After that, it was easier to get closer. 

Now, we'd sleep together, curled up. Ice-Veins had started to expand the camp with the fortifications, letting people make their own small rooms. Everyone took full advantage of the privacy, as it was a privilege they didn't have much of. It was nearing summer when the threat of battle hit a climax. A Tesera warrior had been hunting and aimed at a deer that was just on our side of the borders. Wolf-Wing had been on a border patrol and saw the Tesera cross the border. He had lashed out at Wolf-Wing. Ice-Veins had decided to avoid war, or at least try to, and so had called a peace conference. As Helios and I had not been able to...participate in the battle, he took us, along with Ivory-Veins.