Page 34 of Scarred

Amma wondered what the unknown male had done to cause such hatred. Suni no longer walked with a loose confidence but stalked forward like a male on a mission. His ears turned every few seconds, listening to the sounds of the forest. One hand rested on the handle of his weapon. She tried to walk quieter, but her shoes were just not made to be silent. When he suddenly stopped and dropped into a squat, she followed suit.

“What is it?” Amma whispered. She laid a hand on his back and leaned to see around him. “Is someone here?”

“Not right now,” Suni answered in a low voice. “He was here. I doubt he will return if he scents me. He is a cowardly male.”

“Where is the hut?” she asked. “This isn’t even a clearing.”

Suni chuckled as he stood. “If it was obvious, what good would it be? Look up to horn height and you will see a marking etched into the trunk.”

Amma tilted her head back until she feared her neck would snap. “You mean the triangle shape?” she asked.

“Yes. That means there is a safe place around. Make sure you see this sign and not something else.”

“I take it this sign is the mark for your tribe.” Amma rubbed the back of her neck. “Maybe make it lower for those of us who are smaller.”

“See this branch, and how it is twisted?” he said as he pointed to a branch the thickness of a minotaur’s fist before lifting it up and revealing an opening. “That is another sign that it is safe for you to enter.”

“I wonder what else I missed when I was hiking in the woods. I mean, I probably have passed a few of these hidden gems along the way.” Amma said. She walked into the enclosure and whistled. From the outside, she expected the space to be small and crowded, but it was almost as large as her bedroom back home. The floor was covered with a brownish moss that padded her footsteps as she went further inside. Shelves holding baskets were mounted high up on the wall and some type of dried plants hung from the ceiling. She placed her hands on the wall and was shocked to find it was bark. “Am I inside a tree?”

“Yes.” Suni had to duck, but once inside was able to stand to his immense height. “This type of tree is the best to make these huts from. They are strong, have a natural funnel to keep the smoke out, and they insulate well.” He reached above her head and pulled something from one of the shelves. “Here are furs you can make into a bed while I am away.”

“You’re going to go hunting? I thought we still had meat from last night.”

“We have enough.” He sat his pack on the ground. “I want to check and make sure the area is clear of danger.”

“Should I start a fire?”

“Not until I return.” Suni ducked back outside. “The door locks from the inside. It will not keep anyone out for long, but long enough for me to return.”

“What about my animals?” Amma asked. “How will they find me?”

Here we are. Mike shouted as the three males ran into the shelter.

“I guess that answers your question,” Suni chuckled. “I will also refill my water skin. Does yours need to be refilled?”

“Yes please.” She took out her water bottle, handed it to him, and started laughing.

“What is so funny?” He looked from the bottle to her in confusion.

“To me, that bottle is large, but in your hands, it looks like it belongs to a doll,” Amma snorted. “Maybe we can make me a pouch like yours.”

Suni cracked a half smile and her heart melted. For a second, he looked like a bashful male on a first date. “I will make you one. We can use mine until I find the material.”

“Good. My bottle makes the water taste gross.” She took the bottle back and put it in her bag.

“Do not open the door for anyone but me,” Suni cautioned before closing the door. Amma waited for a moment to see if he was going to open it again before she latched the lock into place.

With Suni gone, Amma decided to get the place set up for the night. She didn’t need all the furs he had given her, and her boys would most likely curl up under the covers with her. With quick efficient moves, she made two pallets, smoothed out the wrinkles, and stood to survey her work. With a sigh, she looked around to see if there was anything else she could do. Finding nothing, Amma laid back on her bed with her arms behind her head and dozed.

Chapter 13

Suni

Suni waited to hear the lock click into position before racing into the forest. He hadn’t wanted to worry Amma, but the scent from the dishonorable male was rank and thicker than he would have liked. Kal and his family had been banished after his sister had accused Suni’s brother of getting her pregnant and kicking her away. In anger and misguided family loyalty, Kal had stabbed his brother with a poison dagger in the back, twice. They should have been far from the tribal lands by now. A snapping twig was the warning Suni needed. He palmed his weapon as he spun to face the betrayer.

“Kal,” he snarled.

“Suni.” Kal’s fur was caked with dirt, his clothes frayed, and he looked skinnier than the last time Suni had seen him. “I did not expect to see anyone this far from the village.”

---