44

Corey was warm and we both fell asleep very easily. May was going to have to finish everything today while we helped her get ready but we couldn't even do that until Coreys father and the examiner arrived. We laid in bed for a little while not wanting to get up and we didn't hear any noises outside the tent which meant that May and Liz either weren't up yet or weren't getting ready for the day yet. The sun hadn't even completely risen yet. There was enough light from it though to be able to see everything. We just laid around and cuddled for a little while. We were so close to one another that it didn't really matter if we talked or not. We both knew what the other was thinking normally and that we were both happy right where we were. Everything works well with us, we know each other's secrets and still feel no resentment for each other. Living together and out few arguments didn't change what we wanted or how much we loved one another though either. We were just simply happy to be with one another. I do miss my brother and my clan though. I want to go back home and see my puppies and my family. It would be nice to teach Liz magic as I think she is a dragon as well just like Corey. Her eyes glow red same with Sams but Coreys glows brighter than any of them. I think if Liz can figure out how to do draw off other things energy around her that she could be a good person to have on our side. She might be able to be very good at magic and maybe it would pull the dragon more out of her. I like to keep my friends and allies close to me because it's easier to protect people who are close. It's also easier to have them help protect you. It's part of why Liz will have to choose to come and stay with us. She'll be giving up her loyalty to her current tribe to give my clan her loyalty and her position will come after that, but she would be giving up her position on how she treated once she truly agrees.

Corey and I finally got up and got dressed. Neither of us wanted to but we knew it was time to and that we had things to do today.

May and Liz got up and came out shortly after me and Corey left our tent. He needed to head out to set up the hunting cabin for tonight and I needed to help Liz and May get everything else they need and start to set up for the ceremony. Corey took his horse and we were off to start are own tasks. Corey had wanted to wait for his dad to come so we were alone and as much as I wanted him here he would of only gotten in the way. This isn't his area of expertise so I didn't want him getting in the way.

We went and gathered berries and flowers so we could have makeup and things ready for Mays hair.

It didn't take long for Corey father and the inspector to come by. We were finishing up the final touches for Mays dress when they came.

They ushered May away to Coreys father tent. They would inspect her there. While they were doing that me and Liz finished up the dress on our own. It was already almost mid day.

"I've been thinking about what you said the other day." Liz whispered.

"I told you don't make a decision until tomorrow."

"How will it work if I say yes though?"

"You will move into our area, you can bring your own outfits and things of course, but once you pledge your loyalty in front of everyone you will become one of us and be able to learn our secrets and be taught."

"What comes with pledging my loyalty?"

"It's an old ritual, it involves magic and it'll bond you to us so we will always know if you are in danger and you will know the same and you sense where the other people are in those situations so you can come to help. It also ties you to thoughts and memories so it's like how me and Corey speak to each other without speaking because we just kind of know what the other is thinking it's also why my tribe is so good at hunting. It's similar to reading thoughts in a way but it's more feelings emotions and reading the other. Also if you make the pledge and become one of us you will find your place within us."

"How would I find my place within you guys though?"

"You will have become one of us, and part of our clan. Just because your high up in your own tribe doesn't mean you will fall in the same place with us. Your abilities will determine that, but we do vote on basically everything so rank isn't that important at the end of the day, it's just know you likely won't get the same respect because honestly the highest of us don't have the same respect and customs that you are used to."

"Basically to learn I have to give up my tribe and become part of yours."

"Yes in a way, you will still be part of your tribe but your loyalty will be ours and after you've learned what we are teaching you then you can return but your loyalty will still put our tribe over yours. Our secrets can't even be spoken about outside of our tribe and with only those who our part of it."

"You all won't betray me, or do anything to hurt us?"

"We are all connected so we all feel each other's sadness and pain and loneliness, but we also feel the happiness and joy of others. It's emotions based so we know when to be there to protect our family, so it would make it hard to betray anyone or hurt any of our own as it would intern hurt all of us. It does mean that sometimes you give things up to protect everyone as you are becoming part of something bigger than yourself."

"I would always have to put the tribe before myself then and do what is best for everyone and not just myself afterwards?"

"Yes, it's not always giving up things though as often what makes you happy won't be anything that hurts the tribe so you can still do those things the only thing you won't be able to do is things that could put all of us in danger. My mother and uncle understood this and put our survival first and sacrificed themselves to insure we survived. That's not likely a situation any of us will be in because there are more of us now then before because our family was once separated but after my uncle and mother died we ended up surviving and finding one another. Now that we are together there isn't much that can truly do us harm as we have also grown and brought in new people which is why our tribe has grown. They were stuck in the old ways and wouldn't except others so we could only ever grow from having children which takes years of growing and taking care of them before they can actually help with things. We understand that's not realistic and is why they ended up in a situation that they lost there lives."

"So it's really that big of a commitment, and I think I can safely assume it's one that last until you die naturally or otherwise."

"Yeah, that why I said you really need to think about it and know for sure this is what you want to do before you say yes. You don't need an answer until we return so you have time to still think about it."

"Corey really loves you, to know he won't be king there and doesn't get the same treatment and to be sure that he would give up our tribe and the position he holds within it to be with you. Even if it means he's the lowest in the tribe he doesn't seem to care because it means he has you."

"We both love each other. If you haven't noticed we have done a lot of things for each other that normal people wouldn't even dream of doing to be with someone. Liz I truly hope that one day you can find that kind of love. I think everyone deserves that kind of love and happiness, even though I know the way we live now most people won't ever have that chance. I just got lucky and am in a position where I can find that kind of happiness and so are those within my tribe. My brother found that with someone else who's within our tribe now."

"That's why you want me and your cousin to meet. You think we will find that kind of love and happiness with one another?"

"It's a hope, but it's also why I said if u didn't feel that way then you don't have to pursue it, because once your one of us we want you to also be happy. We don't force people to marry into loveless marriages to create alliances or to get resources or power."

"You guys are definitely different from other tribes. You have different values and it's a good thing. I can see why Corey would be ok giving up everything he has now without a second thought. I will think about it more like you want me to because it'll be hard to know that I'm leaving my dad and my brother. That I'm going to be choosing a different tribe over my own. I get why you said it's a big commitment and not a decision to take lightly. It'll give me power that I wouldn't otherwise have but if I'm driven solely by wanting power then I'd also be giving up power. Losing my spot as a high ranking member and power to put myself first at all times. That's how you guys make it so power won't get abused by outsiders and only goes to people who understand it's not a toy you can play with however you like and that understand what it truly means to know what all you know."

"Exactly, it keep a natural balance this way. Magic can be a force of great good or for evil depending on the person using it. We don't want someone corrupt and driving by power and the wrong motivations. We choose others who will choose loyalty to our people over power and in return they revive a different kind of power."

"It's weird how much you really understand that we all don't know about. It's a different perspective of the world. Hopefully I be able to understand the things you do one day. My father always shelter us so we didn't go through anything traumatic or anything like that, I mean our mom died but we never saw any of it and it wasn't to protect us or anything like that."

I smiled at her.

"We should change the subject I'm sure they are almost done with Mays examination and I wouldn't want them to hear us or try to play a role in making a decision for you."

"Yeah, I feel bad for May. It has to be awkward getting an exam to prove your a Virgin like how do you even prove it. Like what kinda test can do that."

"Honestly no clue but that's a good question. I know I wouldn't want anyone poking and prodding at me, and I can't imagine being naked in front of people while it was happening. I think I'd die of embarrassment."

"I can agree with that. It would be embarrassing and demeaning. They seem to do it to remind women of there place because is there any real way you can prove it."

"Who know but I think your right about it. It's a reminder we are being sold as property and are at the same level as a horse or a dog. Being poked and prodded to prove that they are good and worth the price."

"I don't want to ever go through that."

"We can both agree on that one Liz."