Page 52 of Scarred

“Yes,” Jo said with a nod. “I faced off against two of them. One when I dropped into this world, and another once we reached Ru’s home village, Qunic.”

“Come on! Tell me everything, every detail.”

The time flew by as Amma listened to Jo recount her adventures. They laughed, cried, and drank tea like they were back in their family home. For the first time since dropping into the strange world, Amma felt like she had come home.

Chapter 21

Suni

Suni watched Amma walk away with her family and wanted to follow. He hated the thought of her being out of his sight in a strange village. What if she needed him?

“I know the feeling.” Ru slapped a claw on his shoulder. “These human females are strong and can take care of themselves. My mate took on two witches, and they never stood a chance.”

“I do not want my mate fighting,” Suni said with a frown. “Her magic is gentler.”

Ru dropped his claw “Maybe not. But I have seen Shelly do some amazing things with her magic. If she is still a calf, I can only imagine what your mate can do. Have you ever asked her to demonstrate something for you?”

Ru had never thought to ask Amma to show him her magic. After all, he saw her communicating with her animals all the time. “I have not.”

“How about we spar?” Ru suggested. “Your morning star against my hammer.”

Suni chuckled. “I welcome the challenge. I will try not to hurt you too much since your mate is with calf.”

Ru threw his head back and roared with laughter. “You are welcome to try.”

Suni felt an instant kinship to the chief. With a spring in his step, Suni walked beside Ru as they made their way back to the training area. Two large males with broadswords were facing off against each other already, so Ru and Suni had to wait their turn. Suni nodded in approval at the level of skills both warriors showed. Such skills spoke of a good chief who made sure his warriors never slacked on practice. Once one of the males dropped to a knee in surrender, Suni and Ru took the ring.

The roar of the onlookers drowned out the grunts of the males as they clashed. Suni handled his morning star as if he had been born with it in his hand. He knew how much power to put behind it to snap the chain taunt without it bouncing back and hitting him on the rebound. Ru proved to be an opponent he would hate to meet on the battlefield. His hammer was not only an extension of his arm, but he fought with his horns, claws, and hooves. Suni was breathing hard, and his fur was dripping with sweat by the time they called a draw. The groans from the onlookers were met with a snort from their chief.

“They all want to watch me fight, but not many will face me in the ring,” Ru muttered. He huffed out his nose and shook his whole body, from hooves to ears, spraying musky sweat everywhere. “Would you be interested in joining my village?”

“As much as I would like to say yes, I have duties back in my own,” Suni said. He swung his morning star onto his back. “I cannot leave them with one less warrior.”

Ru guided him out of the way of the next two warriors. “I can understand that in these troubling times. I worry the High Coven now has an eye on my village because we destroyed two of their people.”

“I would say retribution is their right, but I have heard of some of the things they have done. I wish there was a way to cut them off on their mountain and not send any more young witches their way.”

“I was talking to my mate about the same thing.” Ru said as he scratched his chin. “Jo also wants to make it impossible for the High Coven to grow. Maybe the way we have been doing things is wrong.”

“Just like we turn young calves into warriors, the High Coven could be turning good young witches bad,” Suni agreed.

“You are an insightful male.” Ru turned back to the fight. “What do you think of the warrior wielding the spiked club?”

Suni studied the male in question. While he was massive, at least three hands taller than Suni himself, he was light on his hooves. It was similar to watching a dancer as he toyed with his opponent. He changed his fighting style to not only match his opponent but reveal the weak points in their defense.

“He has good form,” Suni answered. “He is also a graceful fighter for such an enormous male.”

Ru scratched behind his ear. “I am thinking of making him my second. He has a calm demeanor, even during combat. I have never seen anyone hold back their berserker nature the way he does while still incapacitating their enemies.”

“He would make a great master of arms,” Suni said. “I have never seen anyone fight like he does, and I doubt I ever will again, unless he trains the young.”

“I am thinking the same,” Ru agreed with a nod. “I will ask him to take the position of master of arms. I believe he will excel at it. Thank you for allowing me to bend your ear.”

“A great leader is one who asks others for their options, and takes that advice into account. You remind me of my chief. I am happy to see it is not a rare trait.”

“Chief!” A young male thundered around the corner of the armory. He skidded to a stop. “Chief!”

“Deep breath, Abeo,” Ru ordered, then squatted. The youth tried to catch his breath, and Ru continued, “tell me what you came running to say.”

---