Page 5 of The Physician's Barbarian
Clapping caught my attention. The wind had been knocked from my lungs, so I wasn’t quick to stand. Instead, I lifted my middle finger in a gesture Simon had taught me some weeks back. It was a clever gesture to show my displeasure, and I heard my clan brother laugh in response. His smug smile came into view as he stood over me, but he at least offered me a hand before he began his teasing.
“I thought you were supposed to ride them. How useful is it to have them throw you like that?”
I scowled, brushing the dirt from my clothes. “He’s still learning. Why are you here, Verus?”
His eyes still danced with mirth, but he let it go, saying instead, “I want to borrow a stallion. Patrick wishes to learn to ride on his own.”
I hummed, letting my gaze run over the herd. Patrick was a gentle soul, but bigger than most tributes. He could handle a stallion on his own as long as the temperament was right.
“What about Dael? He is a calm stallion and good with beginners.”
Verus shrugged. “I trust your judgment, horsemaster. Can we take him now?”
I nodded, waving him away. “Go get your bondmate. I will bring Dael and Dhellgas to the fence for you.”
He gave me a sunny smile in response and jogged off to find his bondmate. I shook my head with a smirk. Many of my brothers had found love recently. It was a joy to see them all so content in their lives. It almost made me wish for a bondmate of my own. But then I thought of being tied down and shuddered. I liked my freedom too much to give it up.
Dhellgas was a spoiled stallion, but it worked in my favor. Promises of treats got him to go where I wanted him, and he got along well with Dael. They both munched happily on the grass while waiting for their charges, listening to me talk. Few of my clan brothers believed the stallions could understand, but I knew better. They were the best companions a man could ask for.
“... I told him the match wasn’t well suited, but he didn’t listen to me. He was bucked off within minutes and decided to blame me for the pain he suffered!” I rolled my eyes, and Dael nodded in agreement with my irritation. Some were just not suited to ride.
“Godr!” a familiar voice called, catching my attention. I glanced over my shoulder at Drin, raising an eyebrow at him.
“You’re late.”
He made a face, waving me off. “I was speaking with Orthorr. The new tributes have arrived, and he wants to speak with you. You don’t think he’ll make you a protector, do you?”
I frowned. I had never been a protector before. Usually those who were looking to settle down volunteered for such tasks. There were very few times when a tribute was put with someone who wasn’t looking for love. But if our clan leader wanted to see me, I wasn’t going to argue. It wasn’t my place.
Jumping over the fence, I waved toward the pair nearby. “Verus and Patrick are coming to practice riding. Watch over them, will you?”
I didn’t like leaving new riders alone. Verus was a decent rider, and his stallion liked him, but he wasn’t a horsemaster. All who wished to ride went through me, or the few who assisted me. Drin was one of my assistants and trusted to watch over the herd. He was a suitable replacement in my stead.
“Sure. I’ll see you later?”
The question was filled with heat, and normally I would be interested in joining him in his tent for some fun, but until I knew more about what Orthorr wanted from me, I didn’t want to make any promises.
“I will see what Orthorr wants first.”
I went to walk away, but his voice stopped me before I could get more than a few feet. “You don’t have to accept, you know. You can always say no.”
I frowned at him over my shoulder. It was true—no one was required to be a protector—but I would do anything to serve my clan. Watching over a new tribute wasn’t a big deal.
Choosing not to reply to Drin’s pout, I jogged off toward the town center. The tributes were kept in the receiving tent until their protectors were chosen, then they were moved to their protector’s personal tent for privacy while they acclimated to our clan. Orthorr always watched over the tributes and pickedthe best protectors from the volunteers. He stood near the fire, speaking low with Uttin, who was frowning beside him. Then again, Uttin was almost always frowning nowadays. He was favored to take over the clan after Orthorr, and he clearly felt the weight of the position even now.
When I jogged up to join them, they paused their conversation. Putting a fist across my chest, I bowed my head to Orthorr.
“Clan leader, you called for me?”
“Yes, thank you for coming. A few clans have decided to keep the tributes here for a few weeks to learn from Finn. We are taking on more than normal until their new protectors return to claim them. I would ask that you take on one of the males who arrived this night. Just until the Ilvos clan sends someone to get him in a few weeks’ time.”
It was no longer surprising that males were accepted as tributes. Ever since Finn came to join us a few years ago, more and more males were sent along to give comfort and companionship to those who weren’t interested in pairings with females. Not many compared to females, but the males’ presence had been a welcome change to those who had wished for a match.
It was surprising that clans were leaving their tributes with us, but I supposed it made sense. Finn’s language lessons had been a godsend since he established them. Those lessons meant the tributes understood quicker and were more at ease with the clan thanks to his reassurances. To be able to understand their new beginnings was a gift, and our allies were smart to take advantage of these lessons.
“As you wish, clan leader.” I paused, frowning. “He’s not like Simon, is he?”
I liked Simon—he was a good clan brother—but he was also a brat and had tried several times to run when he first arrived. Hewas also skilled with blades and not afraid to use them. I feared for my life if I pissed him off.
