Page 90 of Scarred

Suddenly, the clearing went silent before the sound of drums thundered through the valley. Every hair on Amma’s body stood on end as an eerie howl filled the air. It was a cry of victory, a cry of power, a cry that would make her run and hide if she wasn’t surrounded by others. The drums picked up their pace as the first four warriors stepped from the tree line. They were naked except for a small cloth covering their loins. Suni and Ni’em stood next to each other proudly with their weapons drawn. The other two warriors were also armed and postering for the audience. Amma couldn’t take her eyes off her male as he went through a routine to show off his physique and skill with his morning star. Their eyes met and it was like no one else existed. He was dancing for her. Every muscle was on display with the promise of pleasures.

The drums changed again, and the four warriors turned to face each other with their weapons held high. At first, Amma thought they would have a mock fight, but then Gar stepped from the tree line. He was dressed as the others, except he didn’t have a weapon. A table to her right started chanting his name as he started an acrobatic routine that would put all Olympians to shame. Once he reached the end of the four, he stepped to his right and dropped to his knees. The same thing was repeated until six young warriors knelt with their heads down.

Kellan stood and walked to stand in front of the young warriors. “Rise to your feet and become the warriors you were trained to be. You have shown your skill at hunting, scouting, tracking, and battle. I ask you now, do you swear your allegiance to me, to Lnuuk?”

“I do.” All six new warriors jumped to their feet and thumbed a fist over their heart. “I will give my life for the safety of Lnuuk and strive to be the warrior I was trained to be,” they answered in unison.

“Who here challenges these warriors?” Kellan shouted, and turned to face the tables.

“We do,” the four older warriors’ voices rang out powerful and true.

Amma had been told the new warriors would be challenged, but she hadn’t known Suni would be one of the ones challenging them.

Mia gripped her arm and whispered, “You cannot show fear. Everyone is watching your reaction.”

Amma gave her a small nod and reached for her drink. She had seen him fight, and this wasn’t a real one. He could take care of himself. With a stronger resolve, she straightened her shoulders. She would be the mate Suni needed.

The scrimmage was brutal. There was no holding back as the older warriors threw everything they had at the younger ones. Amma marveled at their ability to spar without leaving any lasting damage. Suni and Ni’em fought so smoothly together that no one came close to hitting either of them. Amma yelled and cheered with the rest of the family as one by one the younger warriors were defeated, leaving their elders heaving and sweating.

“Defeat is nothing more than a training tool,” Kellan said. “You have done well. Welcome to the rank of warrior.”

The village went crazy. Howls, growls, stomping, laughing, cheering; there was a little of everything. Amma jumped to her feet and ran with everyone else onto the field. Suni caught her and pulled her in for a kiss. She didn’t care that he was soaked with sweat and had a little blood on his face. He was hers, and he was magnificent.

The End - For now.