I shield my eyes and gaze up at the top of the cliff. There’s a tall figure squatting down against the edge of the cliff, and as I watch, he goes to his stomach and leans an arm over, neatly plucking one of the medallions from the cliff wall. That sweep of dark, beautiful hair can’t be anyone but Salukh, and my heart pitter-pats in my breast.
The moment he disappears from sight again, the two others are right behind him, and I hold my breath. It’s going to be close if it comes down to the footrace.
Hassen returns with something new – a twisted, large bone fishhook tied onto a length of leather-braided rope. He kneels in the snow and ties one of his sling-stones into the leather near the hook, and then begins to swing it over his head like he did the sling. A moment later, the weighted hook goes flying and smacks against the cliff wall. It doesn’t connect, and Hassen pulls the rope back and tries again.
On his second attempt, it’s hooked, and I watch with dismay as he pulls the medallion down off the cliff wall and trots over to retrieve it. He brings it to Josie, a triumphant look in his eyes.
“The winner for the brains category is Hassen,” Josie declares and hands him one of the brightly-painted red seeds. Hassen takes it with a little bow and then nods in my direction as if to say see how capable I am?
I give him a faint smile, even though I’m tempted to run back into the cave and hide. Oh, Salukh. He’s not going to win. I should have spoke up, and now it’s too late. I’m in this mess hip deep.
Taushen hides his disappointment well, congratulating Hassen. Then we all wait for the three runners to return. I’m surprised that both Vaza and Bek show up ahead of Salukh. He was in first – what happened between when he’d arrived at the top of the cliff and now?
I get my answer in the exchange of smug looks between Bek and Vaza. Several minutes later, Salukh shows up with his medallion…and a bloody nose. There are several bruises and scratches on his chest and face and I suck in a breath, noting that one of his eyes is blackened and swollen. It’s my fault the others are taking out their frustration on him, because I invited him to my furs.
Aehako steps forward, a thunderous frown on his face as he studies Salukh. “What happened?”
“Nothing,” Salukh says flatly.
“That is dvisti piss and you know it.” Aehako casts a baleful look at Bek and Vaza. “This competition ends now. It is clear to me that you cannot be men and must behave like kits.”
The men make noises of protest, clearly pissed that they’re not going to get a chance for more seeds. I don’t care. Right now all I can see is the blood trickling from Salukh’s nostril.
“No,” Salukh says. “The contest should continue.”
I suck in a breath. Aehako frowns at him.
“It is dangerous if no one can control themselves. I will not allow—“
“It will not happen again,” Salukh says flatly. “I will not give up my claim on Tee-fah-nee because of a scuffle.”
I look over at Vaza and Bek, and realize for the first time that Vaza’s got a fat lip and Bek’s got a bruise shadowing one cheek. At least Salukh was able to hit back.
“We are not continuing unless I am assured by all that this will not happen again.” Aehako turns and glares at the men.
There are mumbles of assent, and it’s agreed that the challenge will continue. I have a sick feeling in my stomach as I watch the men line up again. Escorting me to the Elders’ Cave isn’t worth this. It’s not worth fighting amongst men that have been friends from childhood.
They are willing to do anything for a chance at a mate. I should be flattered, but it scares me.
• • •
The day wears on and it becomes clear to me that Salukh never stood a chance at winning. The ‘brawn’ competition involves the men racing to retrieve boulders from a nearby plain and then carrying them through an obstacle course that Josie has set up. Though I know Salukh is strong and fast, the other men work against him. They leave the largest of boulders for him to carry, and they push and shove at him as they run. They knock over obstacles into Salukh’s path that slow him down. It’s not a fair fight and both Josie and Aehako are making unhappy noises when a triumphant Bek arrives for the win.
For the ‘talent’ competition, Josie gives the men a list of creatures to hunt: a scythe-beak, a fang-face, and a quill-beast. One is a bird, one is a fish, and one is a land creature. They’re to bring them back to the cave, and whoever returns the quickest with all three kills will be the winner. If they have nothing by sunset, they are to head back to the cave, the contest over.