Bravest of Hearts

“Heaven bent to take my hand
And lead me through the fire
Be the long awaited answer
To a long and painful fight”
Sarah McLachlan

When my family was told we were to be part of a contingent going to the Love Wars, there was never question that we would go. It was an honor. By the very nature of how we live, we were ready for the approach to the walled city within a day or so. We pass close to Turia upon our treks north, letting them see the might and vastness of our Tribe, so why would we not be fond of an extra display? This small showing would be grand in its own right. It was an opportunity to be right in their faces and serve them up a taste of Tuchuk.

Grandmother had chosen a few of her verr to take along with us. Perhaps she could trade for things we could not come by so easily. Pretty, dainty things maybe, that do not often survive the journey across the plains by caravan or neglected by the merchants when they visit. It may be something as simple as a gift for a loved one or as common as chocolates. What ever it was she may want to barter for then she would have her several hundred head of verr to use as collateral.

I, however, had much on my mind as I walked along the edge of them to keep any from straying. There is no secret that the first stake of Love Wars is a test of strength and courage between Ubars. I had a vested interest in this year's game. I liked the idea one of those warriors being more victorious than the other. A lot more.

It was Grandmother that saw him first when this wild streak of taking his life into his own hands got the better of him and he charged his kaiila alongside us .. his hand stretched down over the side of his mount as he neared. Couldn't save it for the Turians, it seemed, so he would test his skills against someone far more skilled and fierce ... my Grandmother.

I looked to her and she gave me that .. now don't you be foolish girl .. look, then ...

I looked to that handsome scarred face and the over sized grin he had.

I looked back at her with a matching smile and held my hand up.

Forgive me Grandmother, I love you but fair was fair. This was an offer of a ride for one previous. Not even her arch of brow nor the scowled threat of thunder in her expression had been any deterrence. I caught his hand and he swung me up into the saddle behind him. Smart man that he is, he kicked the stirrups hard enough to provide distance between us and that wave of her staff in our direction. Yeah, we knew we were going to be in trouble when we got back. Sometimes you just have to live dangerously.

To keep from toppling off the back, I locked my arms around his waist. He smelled nice, like leather and the fragrance of the sun and dirt. I liked it. The wind snatched my greeting, leaving it trailing behind us somewhere behind us, "Is this any way to treat a spex"? He quipped very quickly, "Why would a spex expect any better treatment than a Ubar"? I could feel his laughter vibrate against my chest. It was a warm wonderful feeling, the kind you want to last and last. It was all followed by a warning to hold on and being the good Tuchuk that I was ... I did ... tightly. Good thing. Being wound out for speed is a thrill regardless of how you get there ... but someone should always warn you of those sudden stops. I ended up all kinds of close and personal when he pulled the reins to skid us to a halt next to Sev and Fonce. I think Ayguili did it on purpose. Wily Tuchuk. I had to shift from behind his back all pink cheeked to speak to the others. Probably because he was bragging about what he had found walking among the verr. He said he might even have to change his opinions of the fuzzy little beasts.

We were laughing.

We were all laughing in the face of what would come of the Games .. of the blood bath that would wet the ground at the Plains of a thousand stakes.

From the rise on the back of his saddle, I could sit a little higher, see a little further and was not one to miss an opportunity. Then just because I could, I ducked my head around his arm to see his expressions too. That was when he leaned and kissed my cheek. Right there in front of everybody! Now if looks could ... I opened my mouth and my eyes went wide right before my elbow nudged his side. Not the true love pat that would leave a bruise but deep enough to get a grunt. It all ended with a smile before I spun around to find Cana. I was quite proud of my accomplishment and motioned to the warrior that had given me a ride.

"I caught a verr herder k'napper."

While I was glancing back I did try to see if Grandmother had caught up with us.

"Are we in trouble, yet"?

Not yet but she could still be headed this way.

There was thrill and excitement in the air and dread and complacency. The banter had an edge to it. We were talking about venturing into the midst of the Turians, you know.

"I am interested in the spices for one thing, and maybe finding some sweets for the children."

"More than anything I like to watch the people, I find them extremely funny and interesting."

"I don't like shopping."

"I don't like Turians."

Everyone had an opinion.

I'm curious about the people a little but maybe I could find something for Mother. Ayg asked me what I thought she would like? Something woven .. all uneven and rough textured perhaps so she can boast how hers is far superior and maybe something pretty for her wagon. See? Turians did have a purpose after all.

I bet we can find that. What kind of pretty. Pretty like in one of those rug things that hangs up, or a rug that goes on the floor? Something like that? I was listening to him as he ran through this maze of things that maybe, just maybe Mother might like. And of course, it will have to match. Was he being soft? Not at all, it was probably the most courageous battle a man could ever wage. I'd noticed his socks didn't even match. He was trying and that said a lot right there.

"Been a long time since I have shopped with a woman." Been a long time for me too .. oh wait I have never been.

"We are going shopping", I spun around on the back of the saddle to tell Tarra when she arrived. I had no clue really what that meant but it seemed exciting just listening. "You will come too." Might as well share the adventure with my family and friends. She was just so overjoyed wih emotion that all she could do was mutter beneath her breath. The only part of it all I heard was "like" and "shopping". Well there you go, I made her day.

Every Tuchuk needs to know how to haggle. If not, those Turians will steal you blind. Heard that from my Father many times before Ayg said it. Everyone there agree whole heartedly. Must be true.

Cana's son Also was walking next to Lei with that soft kind of look a warrior can get when he sort of likes a female. Doesn't matter what age they are, the look is much the same. It is a little boy look in a man's body, that need to protect, the want to find communication, the fear of not being all they can be, the determination to give it their best try and the hope .. yes that is what shines brightest on the faces ... the hope that whatever it is they have to offer will be enough. We were picking on the warrior about his nephew being mated before he would be. Cana was anyway. I was just sitting there smiling and listening and observing and soaking up how delightful it felt to be right where I was, right when I was. I patted his back all reassuringly and told him that it would be alright, we would find someone for him before he got all gray and wrinkled. Now the tone of his voice was all playful and teasing but that look in his eyes when he turned around was .. not. "Woman, do not tempt me." When he turned around he was whistling.

It was concern for Cana that brought everyone's attention around. We all knew she had not been herself lately. The fatigued dimmed her eyes and darkened the crescents beneath them. She had drifted off to sleep in the saddle. He continued to whistle maybe to help her have some peace. The melody not all too familiar to me but I was taking it in and half humming the parts of the chorus where it repeated. The light tune had done its magic but on the wrong one. I ended up resting my cheek against Ayg's shoulder. While the two spoke I may have been watching the wagons or the bosk or I might have dozed. I, however, cannot fault her for doing what I might just done.
I'm not telling but I felt his fingers caress over the back of mine where they still pressed against his chest holding him against me.

"We will be stopping soon. Do you think we can get by with you having dinner at the mani fires tonight?" There was all these emotions all pent up in one place squeezing together so they could find vent in some form or another and there I was with this death grip on them only able to hold them back enough to find a little bit of voice. I would ask. Mother usually shoos me forward to the first fires and Grandmother tends to keep me busy. Add the fact that I had skipped a day of verr herding to go off with this warrior that let his wild streak loose and taken his life in his own hands to see to that. It was a toss up. He felt like we needed to find something really nice for Mother. I almost laughed. He said besides .. he liked her. They both think he is a nice boy, except for that whole late night at the wagons thing.

You would have thought that was a compliment when I told him but he looked almost wounded. Boy? They thought he was a nice boy? Well, yes. Didn't I just say that? Men can be so ... so .. aggravating and lovable all at the same time, can't they? He laid his head back and just roared with laughter. All that speed earlier had not threatened to dislodge me from my fit in the saddle behind him but the lust of his laughter certainly did. It is infectious .. his laughing is. I ended up laughing with him even when he lifted my hand with his to wipe the tears from it all off the scars on his cheek.

He sent a messenger to tell Mother and Grandmother I would be at his fires that evening and even the messenger who had no idea what or why his commander couldn't say it all at one breath because he was still laughing so hard ... began laughing. Good, because I did not envy him delivering that bit of news to Grandmother. As we rode back through the lanes of the camp, Ayg would break into a new fit of merriment tellng everyone we passed ..

"And I nice boy!"