Page 11 of The Barbarian's Claim
“I-I’m t-t-trying,” he murmured, almost low enough that I could not hear. There was a tremor that wasn’t just his difficultywith speech, and I could see the tears in his eyes as he said, “I-it’s h-hard.”
I hummed my acknowledgment. It had been hard to learn the common tongue. I hadn’t been taught as other warriors were by the clan. I had to learn while traveling alone, as I sometimes ran into townsfolk who meant harm to me. It was a companion who asked to travel with me to another town in exchange for coin that taught me. I was not a good student. Only his persistent encouragement kept me from giving up entirely. And his offer to suck my cock every time I had a full conversation with him.
Glancing at the tribute out of the corner of my eye, I considered that option. I had not lain with another in a long while. But then I remembered what Uttin had said. The tribute was here for a bondmate. I could not offer him that, and I did not want to make him think otherwise.
I left him alone after that. He’d explained as much as he was able, and I understood better why he was so quiet. Perhaps, with time and encouragement, he would gain back his voice. Only the goddess knew for sure. And I would worry about him learning my language later. He was supposed to be learning with Finn. Whether or not he was speaking it, he should have been able to understand. The lessons weren’t working for him.
He seemed surprised when I shared the korzak with him. I often ate my own meal separately from him, so this didn’t surprise me. He seemed pleased with it, though, and his face was relaxed and happy as he ate. He only lost that brightness when Rath came to speak with me, his bondmate at his side.
“Brother,” he greeted politely with a nod.
I grunted in response. I wasn’t known to be chatty. It was why the tribute and I got along thus far. Though my reasoning was more simple than his. I just didn’t care to put in the effort. I had better things to do than stand around and chat.
“I’ve come with a request,” he said without prompting. His bondmate looked nervously between me and him, clinging to his side like my tribute did when he was overwhelmed.
For a moment, I considered walking away. Too often now, my brothers had been showing up with requests. I was used to them avoiding me, and I’d grown accustomed to it. I wasn’t pleased that they were coming around now.
“What?” I growled, tearing apart the rest of the bird for later. Now that I had a tribute, I could not leave like I wanted to. He couldn’t be left alone.
“I need a bow made for Finn. He is to learn to protect himself. I still have the one I traded you for. You are the best. Better than Kes. I will make trade for it.”
Kes made the bows for the clan, but he used the wrong wood to do it. They didn’t warm as easily and broke often. My bows were better. I considered his request, and my gaze drifted to where my tribute sat, his eyes on the ground as he avoided joining the conversation. I could teach him myself, but I was not known for my patience. Lessons with Rath, who was the strongest hunter of the clan, would be beneficial.
“I will trade. A bow for your Finn, in exchange for lessons for my tribute. He will learn to hunt.”
As we spoke in our mother tongue, I knew my tribute did not understand. He looked up when I said tribute, but his confusion was clear on his face. He was not able to follow along.
Turning to the couple, I narrowed my eyes on Finn. “And lessons alone for his language. He is not yet understanding.”
Finn looked surprised; he obviously hadn’t noticed the tribute struggling, and worry soon followed. I paid him no mind, raising my eyebrow at Rath. “Do we have a deal?”
Rath glanced at my tribute for a moment before nodding once. “Deal. After the bow is made, you can bring him to mefor lessons. Finn will discuss with Matthew about their language lessons in private later.”
Several times, I’d heard the tribute’s name. I’d ignored it before because I didn’t care to get too close to him. He was only with me temporarily. But it was obvious after the night prior that he would be with me longer than I’d originally intended. I would need to use his name now.
MATTHEW
“Matthew.”
My head jerked up in surprise. I had been cleaning the bowls we used after a meal when Einar said my name. I had never heard him use it before. The few times he spoke to his clanmates, the only word I understood that he used regarding me was tribute. I wasn’t entirely sure he even knew it.
He dropped a bag beside me, jerking his chin at me. “We will journey into the forest. We will be gone a few days. Pack the clothes I got you.”
Einar had grown stubborn since I admitted my struggle with speaking a few days prior. If we were alone, he wouldn’t answer any questioning looks I gave him. He made me ask him instead. It was frustrating sometimes, but he never rushed me or got angry with me for it. After a few days of this, I felt safer to try.
“W-w-what f-for?”
“Wood. I will make a new bow for you, and one to trade with Rath.”
That made me curious. I dried my hands and followed him into his tent, packing the clothes he got me. The barbarians didn’t change clothes daily like in town, so I didn’t need many,but if we were going to be gone a while, having extra would be a good idea.
Einar packed clothes, as well as more weapons and a few tools. I also saw him pack a small bag of spices, which made me smile. He was particular about his food. I’d noticed that after we spent some time together. I wasn’t sure anyone else had realized. It felt like a little secret only I knew.
After he was through packing, he handed me a few things to put in my bag. A wrapped loaf of bread, some bandages, which made me a little nervous, worrying about why we’d need to carry that around, and?—
“A r-rock?” I asked because the rest made sense. This didn’t.
He grunted. “You are strong. It will make you stronger. Put it at the bottom.”
