Page 64 of Caveman Alien's Bride

On the other hand, he didn’t know that I would bring both his tribes into a nasty war. His friends blame me for all the bad things that have happened. I’m not completely sure they’re wrong.

Korr’ax ends his pep talk and the Borok tribe roars. The deep yell sends shivers down my spine. Those tribesmen have just been prepared for their own deaths.

The gates open, and the battle starts.

17

- Korr’ax -

I’m the last Borok man to step inside the gates before they close.

“How many did we lose?” I ask, so tired I could collapse on the spot.

“Eleven men dead, seventeen badly wounded,” Breti’ax says. “The enemy lost three times as many. At least.”

“And we chased them away,” I add, looking down at my arms. They’re so stained with enemy blood it’s like I dipped them in a jar of it. “We won, and the Krast lost badly.”

“It was a strange attack,” Breti’ax creaks. “Feverish, almost. Tinged with madness. The Krast have never waged war in this way before.”

I wipe sweat from my brow, feeling dead tired. “Let’s thank the Ancestors that they did.”

“The woman,” Warrior Supot’ez growls. “She’s the reason they attacked at all!”

“There’s no doubt aboutthat,” Breti’ax agrees. “If she weren’t here, the Krast would have no reason to wage war against us. They’re satisfied with their turf. They need no more of it. And yet now they’re risking war with both the Borok and the Tretter tribe.” He stops.

“Go on and say what you think you must,” I grunt.

He sighs. “If the Darkness wanted to ruin all three tribes, sending a woman is exactly what it would do. It’s not just me saying this, Chief. Both shamans said the same, before they were killed. Bryar is a pleasant woman, by all means. She’s skilled with her mirror, and she has a remarkable way to lead men. But she also sows discord and trouble like no swarm of irox could ever hope to. None of your tribes have shamans now, Chief! You lost a dozen men in one day. Overonewoman!”

“What would you have me do?” I growl. “She’s my wife. I have promised to protect her, as you well know.”

“The omens are terrible. We lost two shamans. We’re at war. And the skarp could turn up at any moment.” The Elder shakes his head and wanders over to the shadow of the wall, where our eleven dead warriors are lined up on the ground.

“Build a pyre,” I order. “We shall burn our warriors tonight.”

I want to lie down on the ground and rest. But I am the chief, and I must look strong.

Making my way over to the totem wall, I think about Breti’ax’s words. He’s not given to nonsense. And Bryar did say she was brought to Xren by the Plood. The Plood are the servants of the Darkness.

Could it be true? Bryar and Piper were brought here to ruin the tribes? To ruinme?

I glance up at the totem wall and the giant picture of the red-haired woman.

If I could give Piper to the Krast, then this would all be over. They would make me their chief, and I could command all three tribes to be friends and brothers.

I call Supot’ez over.

He slaps the hilt of his sword in salute. “Yes, Chief?”

“Tribesman, we must make our tribe secure. Here are your orders…”

18

- Bryar -

The pyre burns hot, throwing a flickering light over the Borok tribe. Just like last time, everyone goes back inside the village while the pyre burns. The drums are beating, and the chants give the whole event a somber mood.

But things have changed. Now, every man looks away whenever I approach. Nobody speaks to me, and there’s a small circle of empty ground around me everywhere I go.

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