Cursed: Traitor's Trail

Chapter 9 Part 1

Aya stood in the unmarried women's tent, staring numbly at the sleeping arrangements. At least, that's what she would appear to be doing should someone walk in and spot her.

In truth, her mind raced. The unmarried women's tent was a big event in the lives of most clan girls; it was where they stayed between the time of their betrothal and the actual marriage. It represented a new stage of life, excitement, change, and sometimes despair. Women who shared the tent—often two to three at a time—were all new to the clan of their intended, and as such, bonded as sisters.

In this tent several women crowded, and it wasn't a place of anxious anticipation, but would the occupants still bond?

If she stayed with the Monthoda. If nothing of the last few days had occurred, she would soon be seeing the same sight; the inside of a similar tent, in her betrothed's clan, with an entire camp of strangers waiting outside. Odd, how everything and nothing had changed.

She sighed, and tried to focus her thoughts. Jaob insisted she gained a clan here. Was it that different a fate? It would be tolerable, and she might even adjust to it, but Grandmother's devastated face haunted her. A look that said she thought Aya betrayed her; that she chose the change, or it resulted from her choices, anyhow.

She couldn't allow the old woman to suffer that. If Aya could just talk to her, tell her how it was a...what? A mistake? An accident? How would she be able to explain it when she had no idea herself?

The clan taught that the change seeped through fissures of evil in the soul. Since that was clearly untrue, what did cause it? Would any amount of proof ever be enough?

Light flickered on the dirt floor as the tent flap stirred and Nauni peered inside. Her face glowed with youth, but it was a little too thin. Heavy braids pulled back and spilled over her shoulders, and long nose gave her an angled and harsh appearance. But her lips were full and her eyes kind. A smile appeared when she met Aya's gaze.

“Aya?” she began shyly. “Will you help me with some chores?”

Over the last few days, Nauni asked for her help often. Jaob had likely put her to it, though the woman seemed to genuinely wish to make friends.

“Of course I will.”

Eagerness filled Aya, having no responsibilities left her with too much time to tumble events and ideas in her mind, leaving her confused about what to do next. Chores would help keep her busy. Plus, she didn't want to burden these people. They had enough of their own problems.

Nauni turned and left, letting the tent flap drop, briefly cutting Aya's view of the village. For a moment, she was alone. Isolated.

God I miss Grandmother.

Then, she pushed past the sorrow and forced her feet forward and out of the tent. Dusk's light shone down upon the village. The heat of the day had dissipated, and the Magi worked hard in the cooler temperatures.

She caught up with Nauni easily, as she stepped between tents and led onward toward the mud bricked cylinder that served as New Hope's well.

“Jaob has organized the village to make tending the crops easier,” Nauni explained. “In most villages placement next to the well goes to those with highest status.” Aya nodded; it was such with the Monthoda. “Here,” Nauni gestured beyond the tents where long rows of green plants stood, “the crops get priority.”

“How did Jaob come to lead the village?” Aya wondered out loud. “Do you not have elders?”

Nauni shrugged. “It was so when I arrived here, I think it has been so from the beginning. Jaob founded New Hope, along with Bane. I've wondered myself at times why Bane does not lead, he is the strongest warrior. Or a council of elders, such as the nomads do. But Bane follows only Jaob, and all who have arrived seem to commit to this structure. It might be unusual, but Jaob is a good leader, he cares for the people.”