Free Two Rivers by Zoe Saadia

of the Northern
River, of that Two Rivers was sure.
    “A raid in two dawns,” cried out the young man, slapping his
thigh with such force the smacking sound echoed between the trees. “Oh, how can
life get any better?”
    The other men laughed, their elation matching.
    “They are in a hurry to proceed with the War Dance, aren’t
they?” commented Two Rivers, trying to share their excitement.
    What was wrong with him? he wondered. He was no coward. Why
couldn’t he help but to think about the futility of it all?
    “Well, there is no need to postpone the ceremony. The warriors
should get into the right mood. And maybe we will be able to start out even
earlier, if the Clans’ Councils would prepare our supplies in a hurry.”
    “Also, it would be wise to make this raid official, before the
Clans’ Mothers should change their minds.” Two Rivers found it hard to suppress
his grin. “With those women, one never knows.”
    The grins of the others sparkled mischievously.
    “Yes, that’s true, of course. One could never be too careful
with the leaders of the Clans and their switching moods.” Seeta, an impressive,
wide-shouldered warrior, chuckled. “Women!”
    “They would never dare to go back on their word,” cried out
Iraquas. “It would be just too much.”
    But the others laughed.
    “You are young, Iraquas. You haven’t seen much,” said Seeta.
“And you haven’t taken a wife yet. Wait and see until you learn how their
devious minds work. You will be amazed.”
    “So what?” protested the young man, his eyes flashing. “I know
how our councils work, and I say that the Clan Mothers had better not try to
change our plans!” He glanced at Two Rivers, still seething. “Can they do that?
I mean, can they tell us not to go after they had agreed? Would our customs
permit something like that?”
    “Yes, they can.” Two Rivers hid his grin, amused by his friend
naivety, but unwilling to humiliate him by showing his amusement. The open
laughter of the others was more than enough. “It would be frowned upon. And
yes, it might not be too lawful. But they can do that. After all, they are the
ones expected to provide us with food and clothing for the journey.”
    “Oh, yes? And we are the ones expected to protect them, aren’t
we?”
    “Yes, of course. That’s why they don’t use their right of veto
too often.”
    “They are using it often enough,” muttered one of the men. “But
yes, Two Rivers is right. Our laws and ways are well-balanced.”
    “Not well enough,” insisted Iraquas, kicking at a stone. “We
should not be forced into asking their permission at all. We are men, and our
leaders are chosen and know better. We should be allowed to do our work
uninterrupted.”
    “Chosen by those same Mothers of the Clans. Didn’t you know
even this?” Seeta’s grin was challenging, openly amused. He enjoyed baiting the
young man, taking pleasure in putting him in his place, and it made Two Rivers
angry.
    “He knows who is appointing whom,” he said impatiently. “Don’t
start feeling too good with yourself just yet. You are not that well-versed in
our laws, either. You are not the War Chief and not the Council member.”
    “And you are neither of these, too,” growled Seeta, coming a
step closer, threatening. “And you will never be one of them. You will spend
your life arguing, speaking of your nonsense, not listened to at all.”
    “That’s what you think.” Two Rivers didn’t move, glaring at the
darkening face of the man, knowing that no attack would come, not this time.
Seeta was a good warrior and a brave man, but he was bluffing more often than
not. “You just wait and see.” He shrugged, turning back toward the trail. “Go
and talk to the rest of our party. They were leaving the field too, but might
have been lingering.”
    “Don’t give us orders, foreigners’ lover!” Seeta’s voice
trembled now, his rage spilling. “I wonder what you are doing, spending your
time in