The clamour in Nieves’ tent was certainly not as loud or raucous as the chief’s tent but there was no denying it was just as festive. Nieves was the softly spoken wife of the chieftain who looked after the women and children, at least until the boys were old enough to serve the men in the chief’s tent. But Nieves was not without a sense of humour and now that her son was well and truly on the mend, she welcomed the friendly, chattering atmosphere which did not discriminate at all.

  Even if Aalis had not impressed the nomads with her healing abilities, dreadlocks were seen on almost all the nomads. Yolana and Emeri’s skin set them apart but in appearance only. The nomads were very welcoming once the initial awkwardness and threats of first contact had been circumvented.

  Nothing endeared one to another than by the timely rescue and healing of the chief’s son.

  The tent was warm and well sealed against the cold winds of the steppelands. The nomads had generations of practice and skill at making their lifestyle as comfortable as possible even when it was only ever a temporary residence. Aalis reclined on furs, taking some of the meat, cheese and wild berries she was offered. She, Yolana and Emeri sat together, not out of fear but mostly because it was almost impossible to communicate outside of the most basic of instructions. Even still, the nomads were eager to talk, gesturing and sounding out the difficult words that were so different from their usual language. Aalis was determined to make the same effort and Emeri was an invaluable asset which was proven two hours into the meal when an older woman with a tangle of brown dreadlocks and a craggy face, began to chatter and point at Aalis then spoke to Nieves then back at Aalis.

  Before Aalis could ask, Emeri leaned forward. “She’s telling you about her son…no…sunu?”

  The old woman shook her head. “Sunasunu.”

  “Oh…sunasunu…her grandson.”

  “Oh…what about him?”

  Emeri concentrated hard as the old woman garbled away and Nieves spoke firmly and quietly then they both looked at Aalis.

  “I think you’ve just been propositioned.”

  “Excuse me?”

  Emeri smiled. “She wants you to be her grandson’s bride.” The old woman pointed to Aalis’ hair. “I think she wants greatgrandchildren with your hued hair.”

  Aalis flushed brightly. “Oh…but…it did not start out this colour. It is not something that I would pass on…I think.”

  Emeri fumbled over the words, doing her best with the most rudimentary of basics. The older woman struck her chest strongly and then indicated high above her head.

  “She’s saying he is strong and tall,” Emeri blushed at the next gesture, “oh…and he is well…endowed…”

  Aalis closed her eyes. “I do not doubt her grandson’s appeal,” she swallowed and shifted forward to hold the grandmother’s eye, “thank you,” she said firmly then put her hand over her chest, “but my heart…is not free.” She put her other hand over the top of the first and shook her head.

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  The grandmother made a chittering noise and Nieves spoke to her. The grandmother nodded and settled back.

  Aalis breathed out in relief. “I thought I was going to be a forced bride for a moment.”

  “For all their bluntness and stubbornness…they won’t force the issue.” Yolana remarked. “It is quite the rare quality.”

  “Refreshing.” Aalis agreed then yawned. “Oh, I am sorry,” she covered her mouth and looked apologetically at Nieves who smiled graciously, “fresh air, good food, plenty of wine…I am done in.”

  “I will walk you back to our tent.” Emeri stood up. They both thanked Nieves for the meal and, wrapping furs around their shoulders, ducked out of the tent, making sure it was sealed behind them. They crossed the campsite of the nomads which was deserted. They slipped into their tent. While not as warm as Nieves’s tent where all the bodies provided plenty of heat, it was pegged tightly to the ground and all the edges were sealed with rolls of furs that then stretched out across the floor. There was a curtain able to be raised or dropped, allowing for some separation. Suvau and Yolana had been encouraged to take the smaller portion of the tent while the others grouped together in the larger space.

  Aalis removed her boots, shaking her head. “I was admiring Nieves’ boots a little too enviously. Mine do not feel like they keep out any of the chill.”

  “I thought the same thing. I think they are lined with fur all the way through.” Emeri sat cross legged on her bedroll and sighed. “Thank you, Aalis.”

  “What for?”

  “For letting my mother have some time off from being her daughter’s keeper.”

  Aalis studied Emeri. “You know then?”

  “What? That my father and mother have an agreement to never let me be on my own ever again?” Emeri wrapped her arms about herself, her little braids shaking as she shook her head. “I feel as though I am suffocating…”

  Aalis licked her bottom lip. “They are worried about you.”

  “I know…and if I was brave I’d tell them to leave me alone and not moddy coddle me as though I were a child…” Emeri closed her eyes and put her cheek on her knees. “But when I am on my own…”

  Aalis sighed. “Emeri, I am going to ask you this once and once only and whatever the answer is, I will accept it…”

  “He did not have his way with me.” Emeri’s words were small and quiet, falling flatly to the floor, not even reaching the sides of the tent. She sniffed. “I suppose…you think I am stupid for being so…traumatised when nothing actually happened…I mean, other women have survived terrible abuse and here I am, rescued and unscathed…” She looked up, haunted and teary. “What is wrong with me, Aalis?”

  “Nothing.” Aalis said softly yet without any room for doubt.

  Emeri shook her head. “Then…”

  “You are surviving, one terrible day at a time,” Aalis swallowed and closed her eyes, “I know it does not feel like it. I know that every waking moment keeps the horror of what happened…what could have happened, closer than a shadow...but you do not say anything because admitting the hurt you bear would be to acknowledge it…”

  “If I close my eyes…maybe it will go away.” Emeri whispered.

  “Yes.” Aalis put her hand over Emeri’s. “But I promise you, Emeri, that these awful days will not last. You will move beyond them and one day, you will be surprised just how long it has been since you imagined the face of your attacker…the terror of the moment…” She caught Emeri’s gaze and was surprised at the sudden and alarming comprehension.

  “Aalis,” Emeri breathed, “did someone hurt you?”

  Unbidden and unexpected, tears trickled down Aalis’ face. She looked aside, wiping at the tears as if she could somehow disguise their presence. Emeri pressed a handkerchief into Aalis’ hand.

  Aalis gave a small, broken laugh and dried her cheeks. “It was a long time ago…another life, really. And there have been so many good days since. I promise it will be the same for you.”

  Emeri smiled, her countenance brightening while remaining empathetic. “I look forward to those days.”