Clan of the Wolf by Avery Kloss

Author:Avery Kloss [Kloss, Avery]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Ancient World, coming of age, fantasy, Fiction, historical, Romance, Science Fiction
ISBN: 9781546660187
Google: J1MrswEACAAJ
Amazon: B071HSYZDP
Publisher: Freedom To Wander Publications
Published: 2017-05-13T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Three

On days when it rained, we found refuge in the cave, the women weaving baskets and preparing hide, while the men slept or ate, often taking one of the women onto their pelt to mate. The sun set later and later, the shadows of evening lingering during the warm season. Bena, Ara, and I often ran around outside, despite spending the day foraging.

As Penua grew, the baby pulling himself up to walk, it became clear that all the women of the clan had fallen pregnant. I knew this by overhearing a conversation one morning while foraging.

“I thought so too,” said Anna. “I haven’t bled in quite a while.”

Although Ara and Bena and I had begun to learn the language of Kia’s people, the women struggled with it, mainly speaking their native tongue. I could now understand most of what the men said, although I desired to improve on that, wanting to be fluent. Ara, having the worst trouble, had yet to say more than a few words.

“This should not be surprising,” said Kia. She held a basket, bending to pull something from the ground.

A sad sort of look flitted across Anna’s face. “I miss my husband. I miss my children. I often wonder if they aren’t alive somewhere. I feel guilt for not trying to find them.”

“What can you do?” asked Ena. “There isn’t anything we could’ve done differently.” We skirted the edge of the wooded area, birdcalls noisy in the trees. “All of us were in the forest when it happened. The men were on the plain. They didn’t have trees to climb. They had to swim. We saw the bodies … so many of them.”

“None of them returned to the camp,” said Ola. “But, there wasn’t anything left anyhow.” She stared into the distance, her hair braided down her back. “The men didn’t look for us either. They couldn’t. If they could, I’m certain they would’ve.”

“I still hold out hope of finding my husband,” said Anna. “I adored that man. Lorro is good to me, but … I’ll never feel for him what I felt for my husband.”

“Of course not,” said Ola. “We all wish we could go back and have the lives we lost. I think about it every day.”

“So do I,” murmured Ena.

Having pulled a leafy green plant from the ground, Kia began to walk, the women falling in line behind her. Being Magnon’s favorite, she had become queen of the clan, everyone deferring to her.

“You’re happy,” said Anna.

Kia glanced over her shoulder. “Me?”

“Yes. You’re with your people.”

“I am content. True.”

I caught up with her, walking alongside.

“Ara and I were never truly welcome in your clan. I don’t wish to belabor the fact, and I don’t hold grudges. It’s all in the past now. I’m sorry you’re still struggling. It’s understandable. When I lost contact with my clan—many, many seasons ago—I felt sad too. I’ve never seen my parents or my siblings since. I’ve no clue where they are.”

We stood in the woods, finding a bush with berries.

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