Page 78 of Warlords, Witches & Wolves

Gan glared at them both and stormed out of the tent without saying a word.

Shuree exhaled.

“I’m sorry, Shuree. He’s grieving,” his mother said.

“There is no need to apologise.” She hugged the woman and then her children. “I am so very sorry for your loss.”

“And I am sorry for yours.”

She nodded, unable to speak. Grief would consume their tribe if they let it.

It waslate before she arrived back at her yurt. Amar sat at the table. “You don’t know what you’re doing,” he said. “You’ll be killed.” His voice broke and she swallowed hard as grief reared its ugly head again.

“I have to try something, Amar. We can’t keep fighting.”

“I’ll come with you with some of our warriors.”

She shook her head. “You can’t. Any sign of violence will cause them to attack. If I go, a female alone, they are more likely to listen before they attack.”

“I can’t lose you too.” He stood.

She hugged him. “I’m hoping you won’t, brother, but I need you to stay here to protect the tribe.” She hesitated and then exhaled. “I also need you to promise me one thing.”

He frowned. “What?”

“If I don’t return, you can’t attack the Erseg again. We need to recover, we need to find a replacement for our harvest and figure out how we will survive the winter. It is not the time to continue fighting.”

“I can’t promise you that.”

“You must.” She stepped back, shook his arms. “I go willingly, knowing I might not return. We need to ensure our tribe’s survival.”

“You ask too much of me.” The words sounded as if they were torn from his throat.

“I know. But our tribe needs strong leadership more than they need revenge. Every woman I spoke to is happy I am trying something different.”

He was silent for a long moment. “All right. I promise.”

Relief filled her. “Thank you. Now I need sleep if I am leaving early in the morning.”

She kissed his cheek and went to her sleeping mat. A few minutes later, he extinguished the candle and the yurt fell dark.

“Sleep well, sister.”

She smiled. “You too, brother.”

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