Welcome back to my post-post-apocalyptic novel, Ada’s Children, and thanks for reading! If you’re new to the story, please don’t be surprised that it’s paywalled. The Prologue and first three chapters are free, and you can start reading them here. The previous chapter, “Farewells,” here.
The last time we were with Sila, she made a mess of things with Brina by letting her eye wander to Rea, another female hunter from a different village. Here Sila continues in her headstrong way, while trying to smooth things over with Brina at the same time. And of course Jun is on the sidelines, talking nonsense about people walking on the moon and other stories he heard from Mar Gan.
SILA saw the female hunter from Deer Village the morning after the opening dance, when the young people gathered for the Forager-Hunter Relay. This was one of many events leading up to the Dance of the Full Moon. It was open to all the young people, not just those approved to take mates. Even those who had already set their eyes on a partner would sometimes team up with a stranger, so why shouldn’t Sila approach this other huntress? Besides, Brina had been frosty with her this morning. Maybe they needed some time apart.
She took a breath and stepped up to the young woman, trying to calm her growing jitters. Why was she feeling nervous? Maybe it was something in the way the female hunter stood so confidently, scanning the crowd of young women for a partner while studiously ignoring those begging to race with her. She was both intimidating and alluring, though Sila guessed she wasn’t more than seventeen or eighteen.
“Have you picked a partner yet?”
The female hunter turned to her, her large brown eyes showing surprise. An improvement on the challenge of the previous night, at least. “No. You?”
“Not yet.” Sila hesitated. Why was the girl so stand-offish? “I’m Sila.” She held out her hand for a forearm embrace, but the huntress didn’t take it.
“I know. I’ve seen you at other Rendezvous.”
“But this is the first time I’ve seen you.”
The huntress looked away. “I earned my spot in the Hunt last fall. Before that, I was just another girl you would never notice.” Something in her voice sounded bitter. Could it be she was the one who was intimidated?
“You’ve been a hunter for less than a year, and your Wise Women already pronounced you ready to take a mate? Impressive!”
The young woman looked back at her with half a grin. Now, if only Sila could turn it into a full-fledged smile.
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