He'd been doing a lot of that lately. That simple pressure of lips to her cheek. And for what? What did that even mean? After what she did to him, he should have left her here with these Wildlings and their tentative attachments to their primitive traditions. He swore to leave that world behind, there had been nothing here to hold him.
And yet here he was watching over this strange elven woman that had betrayed him then betrayed her master for him, and nearly broke in the stress of receiving healing. Theiryk shook internally, remembering himself. And where they were being dragged off to.
The Chieftain and his council...
They were thrust into the hut none too gently either. There the shaman that captured them stood before the pair and beside him were four others. His tribunal, Theiryk thought, and watched them back, unable to control the disdain that was broiling in his eyes. He remembered Navarre was beside him. She'd be a prize no less, but then again so was he, son of a rival clan.
"Kneel," the shaman instructed and he stood from the briar throne on which he saw, intertwined wood and vine that carried him and his constituents. "Please. Theiryk Val'keirith and Navarre." He paused a moment. "Or should I call you Theiryk the Hunted."
Theiryk was quiet, dropping his head.
"Speak!"
He raised his head and looked to the warrior shaman. "And say what? Beg for my life?"
"You are Val'keirith's son, aren't you?" he asked levelly. "Maybe you don't remember me? Shirak. It was long ago when you found a place in my camp. Our clans were at war then, and you were spirited away. And now here you are again, in rival territory.... And you don't remember, do you?"
"Can't say that I do. It is a backwards way of life, but life is savagery. You simply learn to survive."
"At least that we can agree on," he said. "You are at a disadvantage, however, Theiryk. Your wife is pregnant, and you are here, a slave yet again. Both of you would fetch quite a price. But you're more valuable than you think..." At this point, Shirak's expression turned grim and he grew angry. "Two moons ago your clan sacked the eastern region of my territory, killed my warriors...and took my child as tribute. And now here you are...not solely by providence."
"That is no longer my clan! And I had nothing to do with your child being taken. I'm sorry for your loss, but I will not be party to it."
"That is not your choice. You're a captive here in my camp. And so is your wife, and if given time, your child." Shirak stepped around the table and knelt beside Navarre. "She is an interesting specimen. And so will your progeny. Perhaps we shall cut her open to find out."