Of Fire and Fury (Book 1: Light-Born Series)

Chapter 12 - Stone

Omarihom had not seen war in years, and as a result many of the best warriors of Minaloa were too old, or too far buried in the earth to be of much use. Their weapons, the once feared teeth of the Minaloa lands, had been kept sharp for hunting, but not for battle. Though the people were required to train combat skills daily, the greatest Omari warriors lived on in stories—all but Akecheta and Blood Wolf. Akecheta, one not even born Omari, was the youngest warrior to ever fight the Hauks, and he had never forgotten.

It took Akecheta and eight other men an entire day to expand the training field just outside the walls of Omarihom. They added forty man-like structures for archery practice, using dried grass, clay and sticks, and binding it together with twine. The structures stood up in a line in the field. While they were busy working on the training field, Akecheta had tasked every fighter in the village with sharpening their knives, restringing their bows, and carving more arrow heads. The entire tribe seemed more alive than ever, burning with a purpose they had long forgotten.

The sun had just moved to the tops of the trees when they began to train. The men and some select women stood together in a mass of four hundred fighters. Akecheta and the other seasoned warriors stood facing them. Black Bird, the Chief, White Hawk, and three others who had fought in the Hauk lands under Chief Blood Wolf’s lead, stood in front of the crowd. As Akecheta spoke, they each looked their fighters up and down, nodding along to Akecheta’s words.

“Killing men is not like killing animals.” He began, his hands clasped behind his back as he paced before them. “Men were never meant to kill other men. No matter your feelings, your hatred, what they took from you: it is never easy. It should not be. This  must  be  remembered. This is what keeps us men, not monsters. Now…” He slid his knife out of his boot. “pick up your weapon of choice.”

They were separated into groups: those who used bows moved off to practice shooting targets on the hill, while those who preferred blades began to practice on the stick figures that stood in a line in the center of the field. Stone, loving both, started with the bowmen. He was skilled with a bow, as he had practiced nearly every day as he had grown older. With ease, he hit every target he shot at.

Akecheta came from behind him and watched Stone’s arrow fly straight into the center of the furthest target. He grabbed the bow from his hand and threw it on the ground.

“Let’s see what happens when you lose your weapon.” He said, bending his knees slightly and bringing his hands up, challenging Stone to hand to hand combat. Stone had been born a good fighter, but he paused as he glanced over Akecheta’s long limbs. The other archers stopped shooting to watch.

“You will lead this army.” Akecheta mocked. “You best not lead it with fear.”

At that, Stone charged him, throwing his full weight against Akecheta’s stomach. They locked together for a few moments, but then Akecheta stepped to the side, easily knocking Stone to the ground. Stone stood quickly, determined to not be humiliated. He threw himself at Akecheta again, grappling against his long arms and landing two punches to his abdomen before he shoved Stone to the ground again.

“You may be strong, but you lack brains.” He hissed at Stone from above. Stone clenched his jaw, standing again. This time, he stayed further away, forcing Akecheta to move forward. Akecheta shot his arm out, and Stone dodged, landing a punch to the larger man’s cheek as he blew past. Anger flickered in Akecheta’s eyes as they danced around each other, landing blows, blocking others. Both of them were breathing hard, sweat dripping off their toned bodies.

Finally, Akecheta landed a punch against Stone’s cheek that split his head, sending him to the ground. He spat blood as he pushed up to his hands and knees, spitting bright red onto the dirt.

“That spirit will either win this war or get you killed.” Akecheta pointed a finger, grinning wildly. He tapped his temple, “Now, think. What advantage do you have that I do not?” 

Stone took a moment to catch his breath, thinking. Akecheta’s large frame and long arms gave him a distinct advantage, but it also made him slower. Stone pushed himself to his feet, shaking the earth from his hands as he held up his fists. Akecheta smirked again. 

Unrelenting, he sped toward him, landing a flurry of blows as Stone held his hands in front of his face, waiting for an opportunity. Finally, Stone had space to feign a punch. As Akecheta dodged, Stone lunged toward him, knocking him to the ground and landing a solid hit to the nose. He shoved his knee under Akecheta’s chin, and pressed against it until he nodded, coughing. 

The men stood, Akecheta was still coughing, but he nodded with respect.

“That’s how you use an advantage.” He croaked, patting Stone on the shoulder. “Good job.”

After several rounds of sparring and strength exercises, Akecheta sent the warriors away for a break and some food. Stone went back to Red Moon’s teepee to check on Rabid. Inside, he found Red Moon humming and dancing, waving smoking sage over Rabid’s unmoving body. She watched him enter, not ceasing her dance or song. Stone eyed Rabid’s frail body, bundled underneath furs and cradled in smoke. He couldn’t help but see Alea under those furs. The feeling tightened his stomach, so he turned and left Red Moon to her deliverance dance. He headed back into the sunlight, where the unwelcome feelings did not follow.

“You really should just let that girl go.” a familiar voice said from behind him. Stone turned to see Fox’s slender body leaning against a totem pole. Her perfect smile was pasted on her face as she spun two fingers in her hair.

“Fox.” He said, turning away from her.

“You never answered me, you know. After the great  celebration.” Her sarcasm dripped off the last word.

“It will never happen, Fox. I will not dishonor her.”

“Honor is for the old ones.” Fox rolled her eyes. “Besides. We didn’t go to bed before because you didn’t know what you were missing, but now that you know what it’s  like...” She grinned and grabbed the front of Stone’s shirt, pulling him toward her and shoving her mouth to his. 

Her thick lips tasted like a sweet fruit, he remembered it distinctly. His heart began to pound in his ears and the rest of his body responded. He remembered her touch from the hundred times they had spent with their mouths locked together. But that was before he had left for the council meeting, before he had bound himself in honor and vows. It was no longer a torture to push her away. The memory of Rabid’s face, slashed with blue and red paint, and their hands bound with twine, made the decision for him.

Stone pushed Fox off of him and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

“Stop it, Fox. This will not happen again.” he said, glaring at her before he chanced a look around, hoping no one saw. She laughed her shrill laugh, unsettling him.

“You really want that  Napua  girl?” Fox said, intentionally raising her voice so that others would overhear. She kept the smile pasted to her face, but her dangerous brooding was hovering just beneath it. Fox was used to getting her way.

“If I wanted  you, I would have taken you.” Stone said, intending to anger her. It went against every fiber of his being, playing such mind games. He just hoped that if she was angry she would make it simple and just leave him alone. Then, he wouldn’t have to worry about his body betraying him.

“You’re a fool, and you’ll see that soon enough.” Fox hissed, her smile faded and was replaced with a storm. She turned on her heels and stalked off.

“A fool, maybe, but with honor at least.” Stone said back, knowing she didn’t hear him as she disappeared. 

He sighed, proudly, as she disappeared toward the training field. Though it felt like the right decision, something gnawed at him. What if he was making a mistake, sending away the woman who wanted him for one who wanted nothing to do with him? He gritted his teeth and looked back at Red Moon’s tent, where Rabid lay buried under the furs. He pushed the uncertainty away, and reluctantly followed Fox back to their training.