Urg, computer went nuts and then I ran out of inspiration and then when I did finish somat I was sick as a dog…
But at least I’m here now right?
Over-Protective
A shadow fell over Stranger’s face and the Steef opened one eye.
“Howdy Dai.” He muttered. His older brother grinned,
“Chilling out Stranger?” he teased. Stranger grunted but smiled as he closed his eye again.
“Yep.”
“Bailey’s out like a light.” The older, darker Steef commented. Stranger opened his neon green eyes again and picked his head up slightly. Daimen was right, Bailey was snoozing gently against his ribs. Her hat had fallen off but she still had a very torn up green bandana around her forehead. He smiled as his mind went back to when she’d won the hat and his gut clenched when he saw the ragged hole in the brim. A hole caused by a stake… “Does she always wear that?” Daimen asked, bringing Stranger from his reverie.
Stranger blinked,
“What? Oh, yeh, she’s always had it, haven’t really seen ‘er without it since we met.” Daimen folded his legs and stretched out on his stomach.
“You never actually said how you two met.” He said lightly, Stranger swatted at his brother,
“Maybe because it’s embarrassin’, bein’ outmanoeuvred by a thirteen year old. Daimen had his eyes closed by this time and he laughed,
“Now you
have to tell me.” Stranger sighed and shook his head amusedly,
“Fine, fine.” He muttered and began to talk.
¤§¤
“An’ then she poked me with ‘er gun and made fun of me accent.” Daimen chuckled, but before he could say anything, another, drowsy voice added,
“Yeh an’ now I sound like ‘im.” Stranger and Daimen looked over to Bailey as she retrieved her hat before dropping head back onto Stranger. Stranger ‘hrm’ed and poked her. “Eh, no need to get moody wiv me.” Bailey huffed, her eyes closed. Stranger rolled his eyes and raised his eyebrows at Daimen in a ‘see what I mean’ look.
Bailey suddenly frowned and one hazel eye opened quickly. The human sat up, looking annoyed. The two Steef caught her expression and both were put on edge.
“What tis it Bailey.” Stranger murmured.
“Loki.” Bailey muttered and stood up. No sooner had she said it then a young female Steef appeared. It was Loki, she was about Bailey’s height now with her mother’s blue eyes but with extremely pale brown fur, nearer Stranger then Daimen or Alika. She’d grown quickly as summer had come around, shooting up from being only as high as Bailey’s knees to being taller the Bailey herself.
As she approached the two Steef males and the human saw clearly that she was in tears. Daimen stood quickly, Stranger following suit.
“Loki, what’s the matter honeycakes?” Daimen asked his daughter in concern.
“Oh, Dad!” the young Steef wailed and fell into Daimen’s arms. “It’s not fair!” she cried. Stranger and Bailey looked uneasily at each other.
“What happened?” Bailey asked.
“I’ve been,
Chosen!” Loki cried like it was the end of the world. Bailey blinked,
“Chosen, chosen for what!?” Daimen however looked stone-faced. He held Loki’s shoulders and placed her an arm’s length away from him.
“Who baby? Who’s Chosen you?” he asked sternly. Loki choked out a name and at first neither Daimen, Stranger or Bailey could make it out, but when Loki repeated it, they heard.
“Karnan.” And she dissolved into tears again. Daimen hugged his daughter, talking quietly and soothingly. Stranger put a hand on his brother’s shoulder.
“Dai, what is this?” he asked. Daimen looked at his young brother, his eyes blazing in fury.
“We’ll go home, and then I’ll tell you.” He growled and half-carried a weeping Loki towards the huts, Stranger followed, Bailey waited a moment. Stranger turned when he realised she wasn’t with him.
“Bailey?” Bailey shook herself.
“Coming.” She murmured and jogged to catch up.
¤§¤
Loki had stopped crying now, only sniffling occasionally. The family sat around their hut fire, Alika prepared dinner, looking upset, while Daimen comforted Loki. Haigar when he’d heard his sister had been ‘Chosen’ by Karnan looked livid, his fist kept clenching and unclenching. Only Bailey and Stranger were clueless about what was going on and Stranger finally broached the subject.
“What is this all about?” he finally asked in a quiet voice. Daimen spoke while he stroked his daughter’s hair,
“Loki came of age this summer, traditionally she can get married and start her own family.” Bailey’s eyebrows shot up.
“But, but, she’s only a
baby!” she exclaimed, Daimen smiled slightly,
“To you she still may be young, but by Steef standards, she older then you are.” Bailey blinked, and then, of all people looked at Haigar, Haigar blushed but grinned,
“Yeh, I was way older then you when we first met…I would have found a mate by now…” he faded off and looked away. Bailey frowned slightly then turned back to Daimen.
“But you’re right Bailey, even Steef would consider her too young, for at least another year or two, but it’s possible for her to get married now.” Stranger shifted uncomfortably.
“And this Karnan, he doesn’t seem to care about that.” Daimen’s expression became dark.
“No. He never has. He changes mates to some one younger every few years…he’s older then you Stranger.” Bailey looked outraged,
“How can he
do that!? How come you’ve let him!?” Daimen gave Bailey a look at quelled the human’s anger and made her cower slightly,
“We don’t let him do anything Bailey.” Daimen said quietly. “These traditions go back a very long time…not all of them are so acceptable, but that’s just how it’s always been. And Karnan knows how to manipulate the old laws.” Bailey cocked her head.
“How d’yer mean?”
“When a Steef girl is old enough to marry, suitors fight for her, but if there is only one who wants her, well then he can get her without a fight. Unless one of the family will fight in place. But there’s a problem. But the combatants must be evenly matched, Steef honour,” he added to Bailey’s confused look. “Haigar and I cannot challenge him, it would not be a fair fight.” Bailey looked up at Stranger,
“Can’t you do something?” she asked. Stranger looked at Daimen,
“If there is something…” but Daimen was shaking his head,
“As much as I appreciate your offer Stranger, it’s impossible. Karnan won’t fight any of us.” Daimen nodded to Bailey. “He’s only Bailey’s height.”
Bailey growled.
“I should go an’ gouges his eyes out.” She snarled savagely. Stranger put a hand on her shoulder.
“Easy Bailey.” He murmured, but seemed to agree with the sentiment. Bailey became silent and talk during dinner was thin. Bailey didn’t seem to take any notice, an idea was percolating in her mind.
But she would need Haigar’s help.