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Chapter 7

Buffy looked through Kaia’s eyes at the clan members. All eyes were on her as they awaited her announcement. She searched for Kaia once more before she made her decision known. Kaia, be strong. I am here for you. This is a difficult decision, but you will be stronger because of it. Trust in me to help you through it.

She looked to the Elders and finished her statement.

“I have decided… that I will accept Kahn’s proposal, but under certain conditions. Should we not be able to reach an agreement, then I will leave immediately.” Buffy didn’t have to wait to long for a reaction.

Kahn spoke first, “Conditions? Who are you to place conditions on me? I am an Elder of this clan and you should be honored that I would even consider allowing you at my hearth!” He stomped his feet, throwing a temper tantrum like a child. The clan members below him were mumbling amongst themselves, shocked.

The senior Elder, Hourak, stood to address the situation, which was quickly growing out of control. “Silence!” He paused, allowing the crowd—and Kahn—to still. “Kahn, I will hear Kaia’s request. She is training to be our medicine woman and will one day sit at my side. I am pleased to see she has a sharp tongue to match her mind. You will sit and listen to her request, and I will have the final say as to whether or not it will be honored.” Turning to the girl he urged her on. “Kaia, please speak of the conditions of this union.”

The only sound in the cave was the crackling of the fire. Even the small children seemed to be waiting for her to speak.

“Hourak, I mean no disrespect to you or any of the Elders, but I must speak freely.”

Hourak smiled. He had not had the chance to do more than observe this child with Groma, and had secretly been pleased with her defiance toward Kahn. “Please continue, Kaia. You may speak freely.” Not all of the Elders agreed with Hourak’s decision. Everybody respected him, and few of the clansmen had ever spoken to him as Kaia had today—no woman had ever dared to.

Buffy noted his amusement and hoped she was reading him correctly. She proceeded with caution, but determination.

“I will accept Kahn’s offer to become his wife, to share his hearth with his first wife, Ullah, on these terms. I will continue my days with Groma, learning her teachings, studying the ways of the clan, so that one day I may sit proudly by Hourak’s side as your medicine woman. I will assist Ullah with her duties pertaining to the evening meal, so long as I am not needed by Groma.” Buffy thought for a moment as to how to phrase the next part. “I request for Kahn to forfeit his rights to my body until the Spirit Guide shows you I have become a woman. Groma will provide you with the proof when the time comes. Until that time I will live at Groma’s hearth, as I am still a child in the eyes of the clan.” Buffy took a deep breath and waited for Hourak’s response.

Groma had stopped crying and was looking at her child. She was in awe of the maturity and strength the child was showing faced with the situation. She couldn’t ever remember being so proud, but feared what would happen if Hourak denied her request. Fidgeting nervously, she waited by her daughter’s side for the man’s verdict.

Hourak considered this strange child standing before him. She seemed far wiser and older than her years, unlike the other children of the clan. Her courage awed him more than anything else. She had been scorned and shunned from the first day Groma had brought her to the cave. He himself had stated he thought she would become a burden on the clan. He remembered Groma on that day; she had beamed with pride at the babe. Kaia had looked so different from the rest of them, yet Groma had seen past it. Hourak looked to Groma now, seeing her fear. She had raised this child alone. No other mother in the clan had ever had to raise a child alone, but Groma had. No one had ever helped her in any way. She had no man to support her, yet she and Kaia had thrived. Before him now stood the strongest child the clan had ever seen. Pride suddenly swelled within him as he looked to the woman and her child. He had reached his decision.

“Groma, please stand with your daughter.” He waited till Groma was at Kaia’s side before he continued. “Groma, you have sat beside me at the clan’s hearth for many years. You are a wise medicine woman and have served your clan well. Your child has come before me and requested conditions to her marriage, a task not one other woman, let alone a child, has ever done. Before today, I might have considered this brazen, but as Kaia stands strong before me, I feel nothing but pride for the two of you.” He graced the girl with a smile. “Your request is a simple one, yet one that is made with the knowledge that precedent will be set, Kaia. You stand before me, full of courage and fear, yet you do not waiver. You are strong willed and wise, and others should be honored to be in your presence. Kahn, you are an Elder of this clan, as was your father, and his father. You are a great warrior and provider for your hearth. Ullah is a good wife to you and seems prepared to share her hearth with another woman, however, Kaia is not yet a woman. Her knowledge and strength may fool you, but she is not yet of age to marry. Because of this, I will grant Kaia’s request. Kahn, will you accept Kaia’s conditions?”

Kahn was furious. “Hourak, how could you consider the request of an unruly, disrespectful child? She stands before you and our clan, mocking our ways. She should be grateful for all we have given her, and eager to repay our generosity. I will not be shamed by this woman and her mouth.” Kahn was breathing heavily but cut short as Hourak raised his hand to Kahn to silence him.

“Kahn, speak no more of Kaia to me or I shall see fit to challenge your seat as an Elder. You may not speak to me, or any member of the Elders, in that manner. I must point out that you indicated in your rant that you too think Kaia to be a child. She spoke to me in a far more respectful manner than you have today; therefore, my position remains the same. I have approved Kaia’s request, do you accept?”


~~~*~~~


Spike entered Willie’s Bar which seemed a bit quieter than normal. Pulling up a stool at the counter, he raised his hand to Willie.

“Shot of Jack, pint of ox blood, and an answer to my question.” He pulled his pack of cigarettes and his Zippo lighter out of his pocket while he waited.

Willie grabbed Spike’s order and cringed as he approached the vampire. He never knew what to expect from him. Sometimes, just a question. Sometimes a sock in the nose. “What can I do for ya, Spike?” He smiled, hoping that was one of those just a question nights.

“Seen Buffy tonight?” Spike asked as he lit a cigarette.

“No I haven’t, Boss. Haven’t seen her in a few days actually.”

“Heard about anything new in town? A big bad perhaps?” The vampire eyed Willie closely, taking deep drags of his smoke.

“Nope, not a thing. And I ain’t just blowing smoke!” Willie laughed nervously. “Seriously, it’s been quiet in here for days. But if I hear anything I will let you know. Or the Slayer. I could tell her too.”

Spike downed his shot, grabbed the pint and stood up. “Thanks, Willie. I’m gonna ask around a bit. Keep the shots coming.” Placing some cash on the counter, he scanned the room and decided to start with the large green demon in the corner booth. It was going to be a long night.