Sephtis

36. My love is not fickle!

At last Eleutheros sits by me, though not comfortably, but squatting with his spear in hand, ready at any moment to leap up and defend himself.

"Why have you come Eleutheros?"

He dares to move his gaze from the wolves and briefly glances at Amitz who still lays at my side, he then looks at me. I had forgotten how blue his eyes were, how clear, and how beautiful his face was. There is a long cut down his cheek, only a day or so old.

"I need to know what you've chosen," he says.

"Chosen what?"

"Have you forgotten?! By the gods woman! Whether you will marry me, or not!"

I stare at him, to shocked to speak.

"I have been waiting for your answer!" He cries, suddenly angry. "A few days I gave you. Over two full moons you have kept me waiting!"

"I thought that all meant nothing now," I replied, "since Sehara is with your child."

"She lied, the cycle of woman has come and is with her again. There was no child. You have mistaken everything. It is you that I love wolf-woman."

"Then why did you believe her when she said she had your child? I saw your face. The whole village did, and knew your guilt. I learnt then that your heart was not with me."

"My heart it with you!" He cried, "with you, and not with her! It's the other part she got. Well, I think she did. I am not fully sure. But it matters not, for I have rejected her, in front of the whole village."

"How can you be sure?" I ask, noticing his hesitance, and vague answers, "How can you do that with her, and not be sure?! Did you lose your mind to her as well?"

"No! I was confused by ale! It was the third night after my arrival, the big victory feast, remember? I drank to much, I remember I went outside, and two women followed me, one was Sehara. I think - I remember, it is all a great muddle in my head ... that they- we, in the wheat in the storage house. I don't-"

"Both of them?! In the wheat? Eleutheros!"

"I don't know! It might have been neither of them, I was probably incapable."

We are silent, and he stares at the wolves again. It is only then I notice Amitz's hot breath against my cheek, he is standing, hackles raised because we were shouting. Kavah is also standing, his teeth bared, they know there is anger between us. The cubs sleep, and Zahar watches us cautiously.

My heart and head are with Eleutheros' words, and I am only half mindful of the wolves.

"I wish you had not come," I say. "I thought you had chosen her, and that was the end of it. I was happy with the wolves, with my life here. Oh, how I wish you had not come.'

I weep, and am furious with myself for it. My two worlds clash in him, causing me great pain. I force myself to continue speaking. "I will not be your wife. I do not wish to return to the village."

"There is no reason for you to return to your old village. You shall come to my clan, with me. You will be accepted there."

I look at him, his face is pleading, his cheek swollen from the poisoned wound. "Why has Horiki not taken the poison from your wound?" I ask.

"He is dying, he took a poisoned arrow to the chest. Six of us were hurt, all by a poison our bodies cannot break. We fought badly with-out Droug's leadership. Merikh has been appointed the new king, due to him still, apparently being the fallen kings only son, even though he is not of his blood. But he is self centered, and does not fight wisely. When the old warriors are not complaining of their injuries they are talking of who should challenge Merikh to a duel for the right of king. We have great problems Sephtis."

"Can you not heal yourselves? Are you not able to drain the poison?"

"We try. But only Horiki knows the purposes of the herbs. That young boy you were teaching mixes us potions for the pain, but he cannot stop the foulness of poison, nor the fever it brings."

"Why did you fight if you were so poorly organised? Were you attacked?"

He laughs with scorn. "None would dare attack us. Even when we are unorganized! No. We raided a village, only a few days past. Why?"

I jump up and begin to pace, Amitz quickly stands and slinks away, to avoid my feet which I harshly beat against the earth. "I saw what remained of your raid! Eleutheros I cannot understand you! Fae are so treacherous, so evil."

He sits there, staring at me. His face displays what he does not voice. He does not understand.

"I cannot go back with you. I cannot abide the way you live, the thing you call bravery, and the fickle way you love. I cannot understand your words, your actions... nor your heart."

He stands and throws his spear to the ground as he confronts me. "What have I done now?" he cries. "I tell you we raided a village, and you turn on me like a rabid she-wolf! By the gods you perplex me! I walk a day in the forest, tracking you -  I risk my life facing the wolves, to talk to you - I offer you my love, my life, and you tell me I'm fickle! Well, I am not! I have suffered the taunts and mockery of the village for you, taken their ridicule! To marry you, I am giving up my place of pledge-son, and returning to my own people, to be just another son, and to plough the fields and scatter seeds. For you I do this! So I can call you my wife, and hold you in my arms at night, and have my children by you! That is not fickle!"