Page 15 of Scarred

“I will tell them that their oldest son is too scared to face them himself.” Nei’em teased and ducked his punch. “I am only speaking the truth.”

Suni chuckled as he left. He wished he could stay around and watch the calves play, but he had things to do. He waved at a few others who were already out and about as he walked toward the chief’s house. Suni was happy to see him outside drinking tea. It meant he could get permission to leave sooner rather than later.

Kellan, the chief, glanced up and a smile crossed his face. “Suni, welcome. What brings my greatest warrior to see me this early in the morning?”

“I was wondering if you would allow me to go out on patrol for a while.” Suni squatted so he didn’t tower over his chief. “I know there has been some concern about our borders.”

Kellan continued drinking as he stared at Suni. “Something has been bothering you.”

“Nothing you need to worry about,” Suni said. “It will not get in the way of my duties to the tribe.”

“I am not worried about that. I see one of my best warriors starting to pull back from tribal life. Why?”

“I am getting older and my desire for a family is stronger,” Suni answered honestly. “I need to get away just for a little while and clear my mind.”

“I see.” The chief put his cup down and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. “I cannot have you away from the tribe for too long with the unrest on our borders. Why don’t you take the twins out for their last hunting and scouting training before their coming-of-age trial.”

“The twins?” Suni rubbed the bridge of his nose. The twins were just coming of age and loved to play pranks on anyone. “Are you sure they are ready?”

“We have to try,” Kellan answered. “One day, females will be interested in those two, and we cannot have them embarrassing our tribe.”

“I can take them out for five rotations,” Suni said. “That should be enough time for me to test them.”

Kellan sat back. “Five rotations. When you return, we will talk about sending you to other villages to find your mate.”

“I—,” Suni shrugged. “I was thinking the same. We will leave once those two are awake.”

“I think you should go with only your weapons. Don’t carry any food,” Kellan said. “Make them hunt for food and shelter. If you think they can handle it.”

Suni laughed. “They will return as adults.”

“I trust you.”

Suni stood and placed a fist over his heart. “Until we meet again.”

“Go in peace.”

Suni slowly made his way toward the warriors’ barracks, where most of the younger warriors slept before building their own homes. He wasn’t surprised to see the twins sitting outside with their plates piled high. Suni always had a hard time telling them apart since they were the same height, weight, and even had the same markings. It was only when they had their weapons strapped to their backs that he had a chance of telling the brothers apart. He growled when they took too long to notice him.

“Suni,” Gar swallowed and smiled up at him. “To what do we owe the pleasure?”

“I am charged with giving you your last lesson before your warrior trials,” Suni answered. “We leave after first meal.”

“It is an honor,” Rown mumbled. He continued to stuff his face. “Our sire will be happy.”

“Make sure you bring your weapons, sharp, and a water skin. Nothing more,” Suni warned them. “You will need to show me you can track, hunt, and set up camp.”

“We are prepared. You will be impressed,” Rown said with a bright smile.

Suni hid his smirk as he turned away. He remembered being young and overconfident. He’d thought he was destined to become the next chief. He strutted around with a chip on his shoulder. When he lost one of his horns, he finally learned humility. He would make sure his future calves never had to learn the lessons he had.

“Suni, how is your dam?”

“Martha,” Suni stopped in front of the baker’s stall. “My dam is doing well. She is enjoying her grandcalves.”

Martha chuckled. “I bet she is. She was blessed to have such a cute calf as Julian in her family. That little female is going to be trouble.”

“What do you mean, ‘will be’?” Suni asked. “The males of my family are finding new gray fur every day.” He glanced down and couldn’t help but stare at her pastries.

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