Page 30 of Scarred

“Suni, you are in control while we are hiking. I have no desire to end up walking into the mouth of a hungry animal.”

“I would not allow that to happen.” He would stand between her and any danger.

“I like your confidence. Which direction are we walking? I couldn’t tell you which way was north if you held a gun to my head.”

“What is a gun?”

“A gun is a projectile weapon,” she answered. “It’s a common weapon on my world. It’s used for a lot of different things.”

Suni reared back with a snarl. “Why would I hold such a thing to your head? Why would anyone?”

“It is done in my world more often than I would like to admit. Weak people usually hide behind guns.”

“You think of me as weak?” Suni’s ears snapped back. What had he done to give her that impression? “I am a warrior!”

“Suni,” Amma laid a hand on his arm. “I don’t think you are weak. I was talking about those in my world. It came out wrong.”

Suni grunted. He would have to show her how strong he was. “We will walk toward the setting suns. We can walk half the night before finding somewhere to camp.”

“Why not the whole night?”.

“Once we leave my tribe's territory, we will be in danger. We will have to keep out of sight of any hunters we see.”

“Are you guys at war with the other tribes?” Amma asked.

“No, but that does not matter.” Suni checked the clearing once more to make sure they hadn’t left behind any remnants of their camping. “We will be on their land without permission from either our chief or theirs.”

“I guess that makes sense. We hated it when people tried to come onto our property, but I think we should walk until one of us gets tired. That way we can reach our destination before the other tribe knows we are in their territory.”

Suni chuckled. A warrior could walk, wounded, for days before needing to rest. He doubted Amma would be able to keep up with him if she tried. He would just have to make sure he watched her and claimed to be tired when she was. “We will see,” he said. “Shall we start?”

“You know, I am conflicted.” She turned her face toward the sky. “On one hand, I can’t wait to be reunited with my family. On the other, I’m enjoying being alone. Except for the animals talking, it has been peaceful.”

“We can stay,” Suni offered. “I do not have a schedule to return to my tribe.” He did, but he was sure his chief would understand.

“If I stay, I will feel guilty.” She shook her head. “Some of my ancestors would probably show up and tell me to get my butt moving.”

“You mentioned your ancestors’ presence before,” he said. He wondered how anyone who had died could come back. “What do you mean?”

Amma smiled. “I can talk to those who are dead. There is a lot more to it, but it will take time to explain.”

“We have time.”

“I guess I should explain so you can decide if you want to be part of my family or not,” Amma chuckled. “One of the joys of being part of my family is that those who have passed beyond the veil can still meddle in your life.”

Suni knew about honoring the ancestors, but he had never heard of talking to them as if they were still alive. “Why would they come back to talk to you?”

“They are busybodies. Especially during our gatherings. Those who go before us watch over us very closely. I’m sure I can get some of your ancestors to communicate with me.”

Suni stared off into the foliage for a moment before answering. “No but thank you for offering. I love my grandsire and granddam, but I want them to be at peace where they are, rather than having to come talk to me.”

Amma smiled. “Oh, I bet your grandparents are watching over you daily, wishing they could point you in what they believe is the right direction. Those who have close blood ties to the living rarely stray far from the veil.”

“Maybe one day you will convince me to talk to my grandsire.” Suni started walking and Amma fell into step beside him. “He was a great warrior who is still revered today.”

“I cannot wait to meet him. I am sure he has a lot he wants to tell you. Once we stop for the night, we can see if he wants to talk.”

Suni’s ears flicked. “Not tonight. I do not think I am ready.”

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