The Great Hunt (Eurona Duology, #1)(35)
Harrison was the first to give a small bow of his head. “Welcome to Lochlanach.”
Paxton wasn’t sure if the woman understood, but she inclined her head as well, and the rest of them did the same, showing their respect.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” Tiern said, and Paxton sensed a babble coming on. “We’ve grown up hearing about the Zandalee, but we didn’t know if you were real. High seas, you’re amazing! You’re—”
“Tiern,” Paxton cut in. “That’s enough.”
Tiern, unperturbed, turned his awestruck eyes back to the girl before him, who appeared to be the youngest. She reached up and grabbed his chin, giving it a pinch in her fingertips. Zandora chuckled.
“Khoshteep,” she purred in Zorfinan, and the women gave mischievous laughs.
Tiern let out a nervous laugh of his own as the women sized him up. Paxton coughed into his hand to hide his mirth.
“Join us for a meal?” Harrison asked, pointing to the tables, which were currently being laden with food. Other hunters were beginning to make their way over again.
As the Lochlan men turned to lead their group to the table, the younger Zandalee squeezed Tiern on the bottom, making him yelp, his eyes going round. The women kept walking, and Paxton could not hold back a chuckle at the scandalized look on his brother’s face. Thankfully none of the other hunters seemed to have noticed.
“By the tides,” Tiern hissed. “I feel like a piece of meat!” He didn’t sound particularly upset about it, though.
“Aye.” Samuel chuckled under his breath. “I think someone wanted a slice of Tiern for supper.”
Tiern couldn’t stop smiling, unlike the other hunters, who were all still frowning and stewing about this newest development.
The Zandalee didn’t back down from anyone. They met the stares head on, throwing off airs of confrontation. Paxton was enjoying the addition of the huntresses more and more, especially as they sat down to eat with their weathered hands, grubbing with the best of them. When one of the Zorfinan hunters stared at them from under his head wrap, a snarl of contempt on his face, Zandora held up two curved fingers, like snake fangs, and hissed at him. He pursed his lips and dropped his eyes. The women laughed.
Paxton wondered what the story there was. Zorfina, like most of Eurona, was patriarchal. Were the men from other tribes ashamed of this matriarchal tribe in their midst? Kingdom politics were a funny thing. To each his own.
The Seabolt brothers grabbed turkey legs and slices of hearty bread before gearing up for the night’s hunt. The sun had already dipped low over the sea, casting shadows within the west commons, as lingering sunlight sparkled off the far waters of the ocean. The beat of the Kalorian drum rose up. Sounds of the hotlands ritual filled every space of the commons as the men and women prepared.
Anticipation filled the space between the hunters. As a whole, they kept their voices down, speaking only as needed. Quivers and bows were donned, long daggers sheathed, and leather boots tied. In a moment of surprised unity, men and women of all the nationalities nodded in respect as their eyes met.
The hunters raised their gazes as people filled the balcony above. In front was the entire royal family, come to see them off. The woman standing next to Lady Wyneth dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. All around them were servants and guards. Nobody spoke, but an understanding stretched along the autumn winds.
Paxton spared his last look for Princess Aerity. Even from afar she seemed to be looking right at him. She brought her slender fingertips to her lips and left them there, as if her hand could keep her emotions from escaping.
Paxton heard Tiern sigh. The sap.
In silence, the hunters grouped together, the Zandalee joining the Lochlans without question as they set out. Paxton did not look up again.
Chapter
15
The Lochlan and Zandalee hunters exited royal lands through the south hold and followed along the North Creek, keeping an eye out for animal tracks. Now and then someone would point to deer prints, but nothing of major interest. The rich men walked loudly through the dry leaves, leading with hard heels. Zandora turned with pinched eyebrows to see who was making all the noise, and though the men looked momentarily frightened at her pointed attention, they didn’t seem to understand why she was throwing hostile looks their way.
When Paxton gritted his teeth in annoyance, Tiern backtracked to the men and began showing them how to walk light-footed. They were surprisingly open to the suggestions and made progress, quieting a fraction as they became more aware of their bodies and the earth beneath them. The way a hunter should.
Paxton breathed easier, admiring his brother’s gentle way with people. It’s good there were men like Tiern alive, or there’d be no peace in all Eurona.
The night was blessedly warm. Paxton and Tiern found a large half-hollowed log and hunkered behind it, back to back, pulling their quivers to the side. The Zandalee refused to sit, opting to lean against trees so they could see in different directions.
Paxton’s eyes adjusted as darkness descended, his hearing heightened as sounds of night came to life.
He settled into his body’s awareness of his surroundings, muscles tense and ready to move at a moment’s notice. But like last time, all was still for many hours. The Zandalee never sat or moved. Their determination and stamina was unmatched by any of the men, who often fidgeted or grunted quietly.