Free Outlaw by Ted Dekker

say this. The one who is strong will be this chief. If he can make babies.”
    So then, I had stumbled upon the conflict between them. The strongest would take the throne when the current chief died. Among other considerations, children were a sign of strength because producing offspring was difficult.
    Lela suddenly hopped up onto the stone table, stood to my height, and pulled open my lips. She showed them my teeth and spoke in excited terms. She turned and beamed at me.
    “I tell them you are very healthy, miss. You have made baby and are still young and strong. You must speak only of making this baby.”
    I resigned myself then to the mere task of survival.
    “It’s true,” I said. “I am very healthy and can make many babies.”
    Kirutu, prince of the Warik tribe, stepped forward, spoke three words, “ Ti an umandek ,” and set two clamshells on the stone.
    Lela hopped down, grinning wide. “This lord will take you. You will be saved.”
    The idea terrified me. “I don’t want this lord!”
    Lela’s smile vanished, replaced by a genuinely frightened look. “No, miss, you must not say this! It is great insult.”
    Seeing Kirutu’s glare, I knew he could not have misunderstood my tone. His eyes darkened.
    But I saw something else in his face. Pain. He was wounded. This prince wasn’t accustomed to being turned down. He likely couldn’t understand why anyone, particularly one as lowly as me, the white wam, would object to the prospect of marrying him. It should be the pinnacle of my existence, a great honor.
    Again reason came to my aide. I cast my gaze into the fire. “Tell Kirutu, the great prince of Tulim, that I am overwhelmed with gratitude at his choosing,” I said.
    Lela quickly told him and listened to his response.
    “He says you will suffer most painful death if you lie to this lord.”
    “Tell him I have not lied.”
    She did and gave his response, once again smiling. “You will bear him many strong children.”
    The thought of allowing Kirutu to touch me was deeply repulsive, but I managed to hold the feeling back, thinking that I would agree then and make myself revolting to him later.
    “Yes.”
    The prince Kirutu addressed the others and nodded at the two shells. The clans discussed his offer for a minute, then nodded in agreement, all but Wilam, son of the Impirum chief, who didn’t seem interested in the talk of payment.
    “This is very good price, miss,” Lela informed me.
    “He’s paying two shells for me?”
    “This is this trade. They must pay the chief.”
    I caught the eye of the prince called Wilam, who studied me with a curious expression that made me wonder what he was thinking.
    He spoke without taking his eyes from me, then turned to Kirutu and exchanged several words with the man. I wondered if he was making a bid for me as well.
    As one they turned to me. Wilam nodded at Lela. “ Yoru .”
    “This Wilam says you are making them fools,” Lela said. “He says you lie to this lords. That you don’t want to be with this prince. This is insult. The prince will not force any woman.”
    Wilam had exposed me, and I felt as though I had no choice but to offer my honesty. “What does he expect from me? To want this? I was taken from the sea by force. I’ve been bound for three days in a canoe, like a pig. They’ve thrown me in a hole and hurt me and they expect me to be thankful!”
    “This is very dangerous to say, miss,” Lela whispered.
    “It’s the truth.”
    “I think this lord Wilam does not want the other to have you. Maybe he not like you making this babies with Kirutu. It gives Kirutu power.”
    “Then tell Wilam to take me.”
    “No, it cannot be. All must agree.”
    For the first time the shaman with the mask asked a question, to which Wilam responded. The exchange between them came to an end. Without further delay, each one of the three tribal leaders spoke the same verdict.
    “ Kamburak .”
    Nothing about these people met my expectations of the word