Tarashana by Rachel Neumeier (little red riding hood ebook TXT) 📕

as well to show mercy to this very young man. I am very sorry to have displeased my father, but ... a young man should be taught to behave properly, not sent to stand before the gods with lies on his tongue and dishonorable acts in his hands. If you will permit, I will tell you exactly how it happened.”

My father nodded thoughtfully. “I will listen, my son.”

I told him everything. At the end, I said, “I know sometimes a father may dislike his son, but I had not realized it could happen that a father might hate his son and treat him as an enemy. I do not understand how this could happen.”

“I have seen it before. There are ways it can happen. But the problem is seldom allowed to become as serious as you describe.”

“I think my father is right to say that the inTasiyo are honorless people. But I think this young man can learn to behave properly. I think he will learn that.”

My father poured more liqueur into his cup and sipped it, very slowly, taking time to think through everything I had told him. Eventually, he said, “You think a young man of little courage and less honor may choose to behave properly. I am not certain this is so.”

“I think he sees now that he can learn to do better. What young man would not want that, once he sees that it is possible?”

“I have known one and another who would not want that,” my father said. “I do not imagine Yaro inTasiyo would ever have desired to know anything of proper behavior.” He was silent for some time. I said nothing. After a little while, he went on. “So. Perhaps you have made a mistake, my son, and this young man will prove worthless, or worse than worthless. But perhaps you are right and he may become an honorable and respected inGara warrior and never look toward his former tribe for anything. That is a different way to take a man’s son from him.”

I had not thought of it in that way, but I bowed to show I understood this idea.

“The young man is inGara now. I will expect him to behave properly.”

“I ask my father to teach him to behave before expecting him to behave as he should.”

Our eyes met. I did not look down. After a moment, my father said, “I will not need to teach him anything. His brother will do that. So. Tell me of your journey, Ryo. How does our land lie between this border of the winter country and the southern river? What people did you meet besides this young man who used to be inTasiyo, and how do the deer and the other beasts prosper upon the land?”

 -11-

We spoke for some time, so by the time my father and I came out of his tent, the women had prepared a great deal of food. They had brought it all to a place where many rugs had been laid over the earth, with low tables set on the rugs. Garoyo stood some little distance from the gathering place, speaking to a small number of other warriors, including one—two—warriors I recognized as inVotaro. Our king must have sent them to make sure he heard everything that happened here. Aras stood with my brother. If his presence made the inVotaro warriors uneasy, I could not see that in them.

My father stood considering the camp and thinking his own thoughts. I stood beside him, waiting. Beyond the open place, the tents rose up against the darkening sky, and beyond those the rounded silhouettes of wagons, though in a camp of this kind more people lived in tents and fewer in wagons. Wagons are more use to those of our people who travel with the herds.

This was a camp of women and children. Of course some men were here as well, but in this season, most of the warriors and almost all the herdsmen were out on the steppe or far south in the great forest. Here in this camp, most of the men were craftsmen, those who worked with wood or metal or bone. Among Ugaro, those are crafts normally taken up by men, as women work with furs and wool and cloth. The custom is not strict, so sometimes a man will teach his daughter to make bows, or a mother may teach her son to finish furs.

Early stars glittered in a clear sky, especially to the north, above the mountains. The Moon stood low in the sky, half turned that way, toward the north. I wondered what she saw tonight in that country, whether any people moved there or whether all was silent save the wind.

Finally my father led the way forward. My mother and my sister were laying out the food they had prepared. Lalani was helping them. She was laughing at something Tasig had said, happy and at ease.

“Wise of your Lau sorcerer to bring a woman,” my father remarked. “That has pleased everyone.”

“I told him it would be so.”

“Of course you did, Ryo. I see your Lau have given your new brother a place among them.”

Tano was sitting next to Geras. His manner was contained, and he was not looking at anyone. I said, “Geras is experienced with teaching young men. Tano is experienced with not giving offense to people who may be enemies.”

“Yes, you said this,” my father agreed. “Go greet your mother, my son.” He walked away, toward Aras and Garoyo and the other warriors.

I went to the fire and settled by a table near Geras and Suyet. Almost at once, my mother came and sat down beside me, letting children and young women take on the task of serving everyone. I bowed my head to her, and she touched my hand, smiling. “You have been gone from