I can't stay in here...I have to go out...

He departed his longhouse after strapping on his bow and quiver. It was almost dawn. He didn't expect to run into trouble, so he saw no need for his axe. Besides, he'd have his skinning knife with him if he absolutely needed to defend himself close up. As he headed out towards the wilds, one of his best warriors, Bikendi, approached.

"Honored Jaunko...may I ask where you're headed?" Ekain smiled softly and nodded to his compatriot.

"I go on the hunt. My jainko is restless, and so to calm both of us, I seek to increase our food stores while I work off my frustrations." Bikendi nodded turning to a gathered group of nearby warriors, currently relaxing around a small fire.

"Come gudari'anaiai*. We escort our Jaunko on the hunt!" Before the warriors stood, Ekain held up his hand, stopping them in their tracks.

"Your enthusiasm is appreciated adiskide**, but I do not need a warrior escort to hunt. Just be on the watch, is all I ask." Bikendi nodded, clapping him on the back.

"Very well, Ekain. Do come back in one piece, yes?" Ekain smiled warmly to his long-time friend.

"Of course. Don't I always?" He offered a friendly wink to the man who'd saved his life more then once before departing. As he headed out of the village, a thought pranced briefly through his head.

I wouldn't mind some company though... Should any follow him, even Bikendi, he would not turn them away...though he knew Bikendi would not come. He respected Ekain too much to do something that could be misinterpreted as belligerent, even if Ekain would not think it so.

Wearing only his breeches and moccasins, bow and quiver slung across his back, he departed into the woods, his body instantly moving with a more animalistic grace then it had in the village. Something about moving through the wilds had a tendency to bring out the more feral side of him, and so as he moved through the wilds with almost feline stealth and agility. Despite his young age, he was naturally gifted at most tasks he tried, which was why he was such a respected leader even at such a young age.

It wasn't long before he began to pick up the trail. Droppings, and they were still fresh. A buck, by the look of them and the tracks, and a relatively large one. Even if he managed to kill and gut it, if it wandered too far from where he was currently tracking, he might not be able to heft it the rest of the way back to the gathered Eduri himself.

Ekaini, he mentally corrected. He still made that mistake, though luckily not aloud. In his mind they were still his father's people, until he managed to find a way to prove himself worthy. He stalked the woods quietly, tracking the beast. It wouldn't be long now, he hoped. Company would be nice, especially for the gutting and skinning of the animal, but if none came, he could make do.

Nekane...arreba'emazte...I've always loved you the most...do you think of me, even now? What have those interlopers done with you...?



*Brothers-in-Arms; lit. Warrior-Brothers
**friend

It had been a peaceful morning for Miren, as she had completed all of her daily tasks early and with interruption. She had awoken to find her husband gone, most likely out in the wild, and she decided that she would spend her free time looking for him. Lately he had been so busy with matters of seriousness that she had missed his company and would take this opportunity to seek him out.

She cam upon a few of the warriors, and after inquiring of her emaita's* whereabouts, she had grabbed a skinning knife and set off in the direction they had pointed her in. She move as silently as she could, so as not to spoil his hunt, but when she finally came upon him, there was no animal in sight.

She weaved through the trees, the feelings of her jainko* on her mind. Her zakur* spirit had always been loyal and honest towards her husband, but in the past few weeks she had felt a large distance between them. As first wife, she felt some of her duties had been neglected, and she subconsciously rubbed a hand over her flat stomach. 'Perhaps he is angry with me' she thought darkly, 'because I have not fulfilled my duties to him'.

She look forward and saw her leader and husband with full weaponry, stopping, then stalking towards some figure in the distance. To see her husband hunt, she believed, was to see him in his true form.

“What are you hunting, jaunko-emaita?*” she asked quietly, not wanting to disturb his silent hunt or to surprise him. She hiked her loose cotton dress up to her knees in order to catch up to her husband. She wore no leggings today, only a dress and moccasins, and she felt the leaves brushing against her legs as she walked. She stood low beside him, always amazed at how tall and strong he was. She was not considered small amongst the women of the Ekaini, but standing next to him always made her feel tiny.

*husband, *spirit, *dog, *leader-husband

He had eyed the figure of the buck a short while ago, and had very meticulously worked his way downwind so as to get close and get off a clear shot. Bow in hand, arrow knocked but not drawn, He circled slowly. The beast had been an elusive one, but few animals could escape a Warlord on the hunt. He'd hunted men who'd trained in forest stealth. Hunting animals that weren't trying stood little chance. They were quick when alerted, but the trick, as with any good hunter, was to not let your prey know that it was just that until it was too late. He heard the soft voice of his first wife croon out to him, and he saw an ear on the buck twitch.

Damn! Holding the bow and knocked arrow rather awkwardly for a moment, he held up his hand to request silence. Any wrong move and he could lose this shot...and he was close. He had hit a target from farther, but part of the pride of a hunter was not only the accuracy of his strike, but the ability to stalk one's prey closer then any other. He was not foolish, however, and was careful not to let his pride ruin the hunt. Once he had a good balance of range and accuracy, he drew the knocked arrow. His left eye closed as his right lined up the shot.

There.

He released the bow string, taught with an insane amount of tension, and with a quiet twang the arrow flew free. A quiet whistling could be heard as it took its path, and an instant later, the bronze-tipped arrow found its sweet spot. The animal had been struck in a vital area on the first shot and dropped, dead before it even hit the ground. Hunting men was a whole different ball game, but hunting food, as he'd been trained to do since he was old enough to draw a bow, was quite literally child's play.

His body relaxed now that the hunt was over, and he glanced over to his wife, smiling apologetically.

"I've downed a good buck. We'll have venison for a few nights. We'll eat well." He moved towards the animal, glancing at his first wife. In truth, he hadn't really expected her to come. She had seemed distant as of late, but he knew full well it could also have been his own doing. He had been rather distracted as of late with the abduction of his arreba-emazte. Perhaps his distance had been of his own doing, though not on purpose. His (admittedly) favored wife was gone, and he was spending much time with his new wife to help her acclimate, so it was no surprise that Miren would feel a sort of gap, both physical and emotional, between them lately. He'd need to fix that.

"Thank you for coming, emazte, but what brings you out here? You're not on the hunt, as you're lacking the gear. You're not foraging, because you have no baskets." He winced even as he spoke, knowing it sounded almost accusatory, and spoke up again in a softer tone.

"Not that I'm not glad to see you, emazte, just curious is all." He suspected she felt guilty because even as his first wife she'd not borne him a son, but in all fairness, neither had his second wife, his sister. His new wife had proven her fertility, and so might soon bear him a child, but that remained to be seen. There was no doubt that Miren was likely feeling a bit jealous, and he hoped to soon find a way to ease her mind.

She realized her mistake as soon as Ekain raised his hand, and she stood as still as possible until after the arrow had reached its target. She allowed a small smile to grace her features at her husband's success, though she was not surprised by his accuracy. Few creatures stood a chance when Ekain raised his bow against them and she was proud of his accomplishments as a warrior.

Her heart felt lighter when Ekain smiled at her and she allowed herself to relax in his presence. She knew fair well that she had never been Ekain's favourite, even before he had married his second wife, but she always held in high esteem the fact that she was his first wife. “We always eat well emaita, especially when you hold the bow.”

She moved closer to the downed animal, crouching near its head and running a hand down its neck. It seemed a large and sturdy animal that would provide much meat, and Miren was already contemplating the best places to store it.

She lowered her eyes, once again feeling chastised by her husband. It was not her custom to trail Ekain through the forest just to spend time with him, but she was feeling lonely and was not too proud to show it. She loved Ekain with all her heart and had never loved another, but she had a feeling that Ekain would never feel the same amount of devotion. She clutched the skinning knife tightly in her hand, her knuckles turning white.

“I though you would enjoy the company emaita, I have not seen much of you lately.” She tried to say the words as softly and serenely as possible, but there was an underlying bite to them. Miren had never been a spiteful person, but the jealousy she felt in her heart was becoming a harder burden to bear, especially with a new wife in the picture.

His smile widened at her kind words, and he nodded to her. She moved to the creature, skinning knife at the ready, and began to work it. He'd downed it, and he was not so possessive of his kill that he would not let his own wife gut and skin it. He would have done it had she not taken the initiative, but since she had, he would not dishonor her by taking the task from her.

He saw by her behavior just how his words had affected her, and this time his visibly winced as he slung his bow across his back. He loved her, that was true. He loved all his wives, even his newest one, though clearly not as much yet, as there hadn't been time for that love to mature. Nekane had indeed always been his favorite, but Miren too held a special place in his heart, there was no denying it. Each had something the others did not, and all were beautiful in their own way. Miren's steadfast loyalty to him had always been a constant source of admiration by the Warlord.

"I am sorry for that, emazte," he commented. He moved to her side, carefully cutting his arrow free and cleaning it quickly. He examined the tip and nodded. It was still usable. He slid it into his quiver. He stood quietly for a long moment, trying to contemplate what he could say, and how he could say it. Managing the Ekaini people were almost as a breeze compared to dealing with just three wives. He had no idea how the Warlords with twenty had managed.

He reached down, taking her arm gently, and pulled her to her feet. He knew he was distracting her from her task, but he had something he needed to say. A hand raised to brush across her cheek, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as he spoke gently, his hooded dark eyes gazing into her own.

"Know this, emazte. Yes, I am upset over the loss of Nekane, and I apologize for that. I've been paying much attention to Maite too because she's new and I wish to help her cope with the change, this is also true. But among everything that has ever and will ever happen to me as Warlord, you have been my source of strength. Your love and loyalty has kept me strong when I've felt the urge to crumble. I could not have survived Nekane's vanishing were it not for you. Not only do I owe you a great deal, but all our people do. You are and always will be irreplaceable to me. You are my first, emazte, and every moment you desire to spend with me I cherish as a gift." He leaned forward and very gently caressed her lips with his before stepping back, letting her return to her task of gutting and skinning the beast.

Whether she knew it or not, she really was important to him, just as Nekane and even Maite was. He hoped she realized that. Sometimes being Warlord was a curse, but one he would bear willingly so that none others had to. A curse that only those who'd experienced it could understand, for so many men would kill to have multiple wives. Such a thing was not always as great as it was cracked up to be.

Skinning was a task the Miren had undertaken many times, and this large animal was no different. She often aided the men and women in the camp with tasks such as this and with all her experience she could practically skin with her eyes closed. This monotony of the skinning was welcome, as she did not believe she would be able to keep her mind on something more complicated at the moment.

She knew that Ekain had no wish to harm her, yet she felt slighted. She had always been loyal to her husband, and yet she felt he had not always been loyal to her. The name Nekane stuck out strongly in her mind. She knew that she had her own shortcoming, specifically when it came to fertility, but she did not feel she deserved a lack of attention just because she was accustomed to her marriage, unlike Maite, whom she did not dislike.

She smiled at his apology and watched distractedly as he removed the arrow. He must have known of her feelings by now, and she felt guilty for placing more responsibility on his shoulders. It was difficult enough being leader, without having the irrational jealousy of his wife to add onto his worries.

He pulled her up, and his gentle word and actions soothed her troubled mind. She felt a few tears prickle at her eyes, but her practicality and strength would not allow them to fall. She had no wish for her husband to see her vulnerability, especially when he was at such a vulnerable moment in his life as well. “I know emaita, you should not worry so about me. Many difficult things have happened and I know you have done your best to cope with them.” She felt very guilty for being so self-centered and decided that she would no longer play the wounded wife. She had to be strong for Ekain, as was her duty as his wife.

Instead of returning to the skinning, she place a soft hand on Ekain's arm and gently squeezed it, if only to reassure him that her presence was near his. “I know you love me,” she faltered slightly before continuing, “And Nekane. And Maite. We all owe you so much and I am sorry for being selfish.”

Miren had spent much of her life with Ekain, and she liked to believe that they shared a special connection. They had many similar characteristics, and she had done him well as first wife. She had no reason to think that anything could encroach upon their bond, and yet, in the back of her mind, the name Nekane still rose out of her thoughts.

When she spoke, it brought a soft smile to his face and he shook his head.

"I'm sorry if it bothers you, emazte, but I cannot help but worry about you. You have taken the greatest burden of all of my wives, and yet you've done so silently and with steadfast goodwill. You have always been by my side, and I cannot possibly thank you enough for that." He knew of her feelings, and wished desperately she would not feel so. "You have every right to feel selfish. Most women do not have to put up with a husband with other wives...they do not have to deal with the problems you do. Please believe me, emazte, when I say I wish for you to be happy. You have done well as my first wife, and I would not replace you for all the stars in the night sky."

That was true. He loved her like he loved no other. His marriage to her had withstood the tests of time beyond that of the other two. The only one in his life that knew him better was his sister, and she was a hostage...and not even she knew him as Miren did.

"Miren..." He felt her arm on his and smiled at her, a warm smile that he reserved only for his first wife. "I love you more then you could ever know..." It could be heart-wrenching to love so many people as strongly as he did, but he supposed that capacity was part of what made him a good leader.

He ran his hand through her hair once again, hoping she truly did understand. He knew that both the others worried about Nekane, and he knew that jealousy over his affection would happen and there was little he could do about it. That didn't alter the fact that he would try with all his heart to show each of them how much he loved them, and how much they meant to him apart from the others. They were more alike then even most husbands and wives throughout the Ekaini, a wonderful match that would have been unparalleled except for the bond he shared with his arreba-emazte., and even that bond was of a different kind, though no less or more intense.

After a long moment of gazing lovingly into her eyes he stepped away, turning his face away.

"It's best to tend to the animal while it's fresh. If insects lay their eggs, it could spoil every bit of the meat." So he said, but truth be known, he was turning away to wipe free the tears that threatened to fall. He only wanted the best for everyone...so why did so many people loving him sometimes make him feel so alone?

“I am happy, and my selfishness is nothing compared to what you must be feeling. I know it will be difficult to balance three wives.” Was her immediate response. She had no wish to guilt her husband into feeling sorry for her, as she knew the situation was difficult for him as well. Not only did he have to deal with two wives in the camp, but also the worry he felt for Nekane, who she truthfully did hope was alright.

“And I love you Ekain. I will continue to stay by your side.” She had stayed by him this long and she would not do anything to jeopardize things for them in the future. Their relationship was strong, and even though she had not yet produced him a son, she felt that they would do alright with any new changes that arose

She turned back to tend to the meat, a smile gracing her features. She felt as though they had reached an unspoken agreement. Now that Ekain knew of her feelings, he would try to make things better for everyone and that was all she wanted. It was one thing for her to be happy, but if he was not happy as well then there was no equality.

Sighing, she wiped her hands on the grass and placed the on her knees. She hadn't meant for their conversation to turn so sour, but she figured since she had the opportunity, she would air something else that had been weighing on her mind. “Emaita...I would also like to apologize...” she drifted off, not really wanting to speak her thoughts but knowing she should. She felt she had failed in her inability to produce children and she wanted Ekain to know it. Perhaps if they worked together and she could have the courage to go and see a shaman, they would be able to remedy another problem.

She fingered the small copper dog that was attached to a circle of copper around her wrist and asked her [i]jainko[i] for guidance. It had been too long into their marriage for this infertility to be chance, and perhaps the aid of a shaman would allow her an opportunity that other women had. It would not help her jealousy if Maite or Nekane were to produce children for Ekain before she did.

As she spoke, he smiled in soft appreciation. Miren was always so understanding. It was one of her most amazing qualities, Ekain firmly believed. As she turned back to the buck to begin her work, he too believed they had come to an unspoken agreement. He had been a bit unfair to her, and he would work at refraining from such in the future. Yes he worried about Nekane, and yes he wanted Maite to feel welcome and at home, but Miren should not have to suffer for that. He had been taking her loyal and understanding nature for granted, something he would refrain from doing from now on.

"I'm glad," was his warm reply. He truly did love her, and he appreciated her devotion like no other. He spent a few moment simply enjoying the soft breeze that gently caressed them; listening to the rustling grass and foliage as the breeze flowed through it. His mind drifted, briefly, to his quiver, upon which his spirit animal, the horse, had been placed. Headstrong, load-bearing, affectionate creatures who seemed able to sense and respond to the world around them--pleasures and dangers both, and often before man ever realized it was present--but who could also charge into battle or even off of cliffs when necessary, so there was no question of their bravery either. They could be both gentle and fierce; both quick and enduring.

As she spoke he turned to face her again, his brow furrowing slightly. Was she still apologizing over this? ...No, he could see it in her eyes. There was something else. A much more deep-seated guilt she was attempting to air. He came close, kneeling next to her, and placed his hand on the small of her back. He noticed her finger her jainko charm. She did that when she was nervous or needed quiet reassurance from her spirit.

"What is it, emazte? You can tell me anything, you know that..." The first thing that had lept to his mind was the clear fact that she hadn't borne him a child, but truth be told, though he did wish for an heir, he was not about to put her out because of a lack of one. He knew fertility was a point of pride among the women of the Ekaini, and given how long it had been since they'd been together and still he had no child, he could only wonder if perhaps there was some other, underlying reason why it had not happened. He did not blame her for it, though, and he was willing to work with her and a shaman to help her through this problem.

But, for all he knew, it was a different matter entirely. He would wait for her to bring up the issue of fertility, though. He knew it was a touchy subject and didn't wish to upset her any further then she had been lately.

She had been blessed with a caring and understanding husband, she decided. He was a good leader, a good man, and his spirit was a horse, making him extremely lucky. That luck had seen him through many battles, and yet Miren still found cause to worry. She smiled softly to herself. They were both like their spirits in many way, he was stubborn and she had difficulty asking for help.

"I think I need help" She said suddenly, hoping that the faster she got it out, she less painful and embarassing it would feel. "We have been together for a long time, but I have not been able to give you what you need most. It was a sore spot in their relationship, but she couldn't fault either of them for it. She had heard of chieftainesses in other regions, but even that would require some sort of pregnancy, and she had none.

She had decided a few days prior that she would ask to see the shaman. She knew she could see him without any permission, but she wanted Ekain to be a part of her decision. Maybe he didn't want her to be the mother of his heir and that was what his new wife was for. As much as it hurt to ask, she didn't want to make the issue solely about her.

"Perhaps the shaman will have answers and I will be able to produce an heir" Was her quiet suggestion. She knew that she was still young, but most women in her position would have produced at least one child by now, and it wasn't for lack of trying.

She felt a stab of fear that Ekain wouldn't understand her plight, that he would try and reassure her that it wasn't a problem. But she knew it was. She knew that a warlord needed sons and daughters to continue their legacy and she didn't want him to suffer for her infertility.

When she spoke he was surprised at the suddenness of it. To get her to confess to a problem it was usually like prying rotted teeth from one's mouth. As he knelt there next to her, a hand on the small of her back, he brought the hand up to caress her cheek, then take her chin between his thumb and forefinger. He tilted her chin up and over to face him, and within his liquid brown eyes she would find only love. A gentle smile widened upon his face as he gazed at her steadily.

"I do want an heir...but the production of one is not necessarily your failure to bear. It is entirely possible that the spirits and Eguzki do not feel it is the right time yet for one to be brought into our people's lives. I love you, and I won't simply toss you out because one has not been brought forth yet." When she spoke of them going to a shaman, however, his grin widened and he nodded.

"Then let is go together, love, and find out what can be done. I know how hard it must be for you, but I believe our shamans can fix this." One of the prime reasons he hadn't suggested a shaman before now, was that one of their most talented shamans was his other wife, which he imagined to her would be among the penultimate of humiliations. With Nekane's capture, they would need to see a different one, which made this the ideal time to visit one. Unfortunate that Nekane's capture could be used in a positive way--as there was nothing positive about Nekane's capture--but such was life.

"You know," he spoke, looking down into her eyes still, his expression not having changed once, "You are the best of my wives. You always have been, and you always will be." It was true. While Nekane had admittedly been the favored one, Miren had been the best wife, where Nekane's role as shamaness had kept her from being a true wife...not that a woman like Nekane would be content to be relegated to such a role anyway, even if it was the wife of the Warlord. Miren, though...she had always been the perfect wife for him.

He leaned forward slowly, smile still on his lips, and kissed her gently and lovingly. His brown eyes flickered closed as he enjoyed her tender lips for a long moment, so much love, passion and tenderness within the kiss. While a stable rock among the people, when he was alone with his wives he was one of the most open and affectionate people one would ever find, and his kisses usually expressed as much. After a long moment of the gentle kiss he pulled away, realizing he was yet again distracting her from her duty, and stood after stroking her face one more time.

"Just let me know when you'd like to go, and so long as I don't have anything urgent that needs attending, I'll make time to go with you, emazte." He gazed out into the forest and smiled softly.

He'd started the day out restless, but this was turning out to be a good day after all.