Soulmates

Chapter 4: Chetan

The next morning I met Hakan at the river. We talked for a while and it was pleasant. Now I didn't mind. He was charming in a cocky sort of way. Kasa's words were still fresh in my mind, "You will grow to love him." I felt better about the wedding today than yesterday.

"In case you haven't noticed Winona, I'm kind of the best hunter in the tribe.  I think some, no wait, most would say I'm best in the nation." 

I rolled my eyes to myself.  Here we go.  

"Yep I think you got real lucky Winona, your father did a pretty good job of deciding on me, wouldn't you say?"

I took a deep sigh in, "What would you say Hakan?  What about me?"

He seemed taken aback by this question, as if he was thinking, how dare you change the subject away from me?  "Well Winona what can I say?  You're the best girl in the tribe. You're gorgeous and uh, you got nice hair and eyes and stuff.  You're also pretty funny, you know, for a woman and everything.  Tell you what!  Tomorrow let me take you fishing and you can see how great I am at fishing too!  Yep I can sense those fish.  I got like a third eye or something!"

By this point I had, had enough.  With a, "Ok sounds like a plan" and "see you in a bit Hakan", I brushed my way past him and headed straight to camp.

When I got back, I had a bit of time to myself before Kasa, Kineks, and Kimi would want me to start getting ready for the ceremony. Why Kimi had to help I didn't know.  Honestly she sort of scared me!

I decided to go adventuring out in the woods. It would be the last time before I was someone's wife.

As I made my way through the brush and trees I listened to the birds and all the little animals. I closed my eyes. But it only lasted for 11 seconds. I suddenly felt a sharp stabbing pain in my side and snapped my eyes open.

Behind me was a guy I'd never seen before, but the paint on his arm showed he was a part of a different group of my tribe.

I was taken slightly aback by the attractive, yet mysterious man looming behind me.

 "Who are you?" I asked trying hide my anxiety. 

"My name is Chetan, I'm from the cousin tribe. I'm here to talk to Tapu. And who are you?" His voice was almost monotone, but there was something about it that intrigued me.

"I'm Winona, Tapu's my father."

"Can you take me to him?"

"Follow me."

It was a bit awkward walking with him. He wasn't very friendly. I just hoped he couldn't sense I was into him. This walk didn't need to get any worse. However, it was hard to hide it. My heart was pounding and whenever I said something to me I talked all jittery. How embarassing.

"Here we are." I said as we arrived at our destination. "Wait here. I'll get the cheif." I went into my family's wigwam.

Tapu looked up and warmly smiled. "Winona, there you are. You should be getting ready."

"A warrior called Chetan is here to see you?"

"Chetan? All the way here. This is wonderful news!"

"Who is he father?"

"He is the equvilent to Hakan in our sibling tribe. Bring him here."

I let Chetan in. "We need reinforcement Chief Tapu."

My father's face dropped.

Chetan's tribe was having some problems with our enemies and Chetan came to us to ask for help, apparently many warriors had already died and women, children, and the elderly injured.

"Of course we'll help. We'll go tonight."