Nena by Ann Boelter (digital book reader txt) 📕

The chief eyed the mare with the child still aboard. Nena saw his eyes widen slightly as he evaluated the animal. “Of course,” he said. “And I shall do better. I shall give you two horses. One for the girl and one to replace the tired animal you are riding.”

Nena fought back another wave of irritation. Even after she had risked her life to save his, he would still try to take advantage of her, hoping she did not recognize the value of the mare. She focused on the good news—that he was letting them go.

“Again, I appreciate the chief’s most generous offer, but this mare is a gift for my father, when I return.” She hoped the mention of her father would stem his greed, and that he would not risk angering Meln. It worked.

“Of course.” He looked at the mare with resignation. “Give my best to your father. And thank him for your warning. I am in his debt.”

Nena nodded.

After the chief relayed his new instructions to the other warrior and both had left, Nena’s aunt, Darna, arrived in a rush. “Nena. It is true.” The two women embraced, then Darna held her out at arm’s length. “I have not seen you since you were but a girl. It was your first summer as a warrior, as I recall.”

“Yes,” Nena agreed. She looked at her aunt who so resembled her father, not necessarily a good thing for a woman. Her face was round and flat and her nose a little too large, but her eyes were honest and warm.

“And here you have grown into such a beautiful woman, so much like your mother,” Darna said, then glanced at Nena’s arm, “and chosen.” She nodded in approval before she looked closer and realized there was no lineage of a husband in the marks below it. She tipped her head and shrugged to cover her mistake. “There will be many fine warriors awaiting your second choosing.”

“Gratitude for the kind words, Darna, but you must not delay. You must pack and leave this place at once. It is not safe.”

“My husband has heeded your warning and is summoning the council as we speak. Are you sure you will not stay with us until the threat is past? You will be safe here among our warriors. We could become reacquainted and then send a proper escort with you back to your father.”

“Gratitude for the offer, but I cannot stay. I must resume travel immediately. And you must press your people to make haste. Do you have a safe place to go?” Nena asked.

“I’m not sure what they will decide. Either the winter grounds in the hills, or an island that is not far out in the Great Sea. We have avoided danger there before, but it is only suitable for short stays. We cannot take many of the animals in the boats.”

“Anything you leave behind will be lost. And I fear from this particular threat, the island might not be the safest place for you either. These men are very powerful.”

“I know you do not trust the Great Sea, Nena, but it protects these people—now my people.”

“It’s not that. The sea also protects these Northmen. They navigate its depths even farther and easier than you.”

Darna shook her head, disturbed. “We’ve never faced an enemy also favored by the sea. Perhaps the winter lands would be better. I will speak to my husband. Is there anything else you need?”

“I would have a travel hide, if you can spare one—just large enough for the two of us.” Nena motioned toward Exanthia. “Your husband has already made arrangements to provide an extra horse and provisions, but the weather has been so favorable, I forgot to ask for a hide.”

“Of course. I will have one sent to you immediately. Anything else?”

Nena hesitated. “I would also have root of the Taymen.”

Darna stiffened and examined her closely.

“I am not a habituate.” Nena reassured her. “You may check my eyes.” Nena stepped closer and lifted one of her upper eyelids with her finger, then looked down to expose the surface of the white of her eyeball. She wanted her aunt to know her eye did not show the characteristic purple streaks that came with prolonged use of the addictive root.

All Dor knew of the Taymen root. Every Teclan warrior carried a small piece in their war packs, but only to be used in extreme situations where prolonged awareness was needed. Other tribes used it for rituals and even for festivals. Unfortunately, the stimulus of the root was too much for some to resist. Habituates, they were called, partook of the root regularly, and soon became unrecognizable to all those who knew them. No shame, no honor, no care for anything in life other then obtaining more root. Worse, there was no saving them once they reached that point. No bringing them back, even with extreme measures. Because of this, the Teclan banned all non-emergency use of the Taymen root. Any who were caught breaking that law were punished severely. Though her aunt was no longer Teclan, and the Sea Tribe’s laws were known to be more lax, her disapproving frown clearly expressed how she still felt about it.

Darna nodded after examining Nena’s eye. “Why do you want it then?” she asked.

“I believe we are being pursued. I need it to stay awake until we reach the safety of the Teclan mountain.”

“You cannot stay awake that far,” her aunt disagreed. “To use the root for that long could kill you. Your body will need to sleep.”

“I know. I would not use it every day—only in an emergency.”

Her aunt looked unconvinced. “They are but men who pursue you, Nena. They will also have to sleep. The root is too dangerous.”

“I cannot be recaptured,” Nena whispered.

Her aunt wavered.

“I will be careful and only use it sparingly, if I use it at all,” Nena added to further persuade her.

“Very well,” her aunt conceded begrudgingly. “I will find some and have it