Page 12 of Valka

As Delia struggled for a suitable reply, one of the males leaned forward just enough to make his words seem meant for her ears only. “It is a way to keep all of your females together,” he said, nodding as though he was delivering a secret.

“Stop explaining, Elkva!” Raska snapped.

Delia met the gaze of each of the three women who were paying attention to this.

“Better the devil you know…” Louise said, getting to her feet. “I am a good worker, and I’m loyal. I’m kind to those who are kind to me.”

“I will take you!”

“No, I will take you!” another contradicted.

“Who will offer the most for her?” Raska asked.

“I have family to provide for. I can give you a small portion of my catch for the winter months as I have more mouths to feed,” the second male offered Raska.

“I will give you one third of my catch. There will be only two of us, so I can give you more,” the first male offered, crossing his arms over his thick chest confidently as he looked Louise up and down from head to toe.

“Take her, Toska,” he said to the first man. “She is yours.”

Louise’s heart jumped into her throat, and she looked worriedly at Delia.

“You won’t have to deal with anyone but him. No additional family. It could be good,” Delia said.

“Come,” the first male, Toska, growled, taking Louise’s forearm and pulling her along beside him as he strutted proudly through the stronghold with his new female at his side.

Louise looked back a couple of times, but eventually just focused on keeping up with his stride so he didn’t have a need to pull her in the direction they were going.

“Is she a good worker? I want this one,” another male said pointing to one of the women who’d shutdown.

“I don’t know,” Delia said honestly. “All I know is that if you are fair with any of us, we will be fair with you. If you are brutal, that is all you will get in return,” she said, gesturing toward the three women who gave no indication their futures were even being decided.

The male nodded. “I will take this one. I like the look of her. I will give seven new hooks for fishing.”

“That is not a lot to offer for her,” Raska said.

“I do not even know if she will do more than sit like that,” he said, gesturing to the female staring at the ground she sat upon.

Raska considered the offer. “Nine fishing hooks.”

“Done,” the male said.

“Take her, Oscal. She is yours.”

Two of the other males offered low prices for the other two quiet females, hauling them away over their shoulders with no response at all from the females.

Finally Skala stepped forward. “I deserve a female!” he insisted.

“There will not be enough females for all who want one. Why do you deserve one of them?” Raska asked.

“I am your brother! What other reason is needed? I should have one!” Skala declared.

“I have traded with my brother who is part of the mountain tribe. We will have much meat this winter. I will give you half,” the male said, sure his offer would be accepted.

Raska turned his attention to the male. Meat was prized since they usually had only fish and seafood to eat. “Are you assured of this?”

“I am. I have offered him fish in exchange. We have reached an agreement.”

“Only two are available. The old loud one, and the one who cries.”

---