Last night Zachan and I didn't protest to the idea of sharing a bed. I still slept awkwardly though, fully aware that there was someone next to me. I was very conscious not to move or make a noise, worried to stir Zachan awake. Yet it was better then sleeping on the ground.

This morning however I was the first to wake. I was surprised to see Zachan lying there, sound asleep. I had thought that his face would relax in slumber, yet it was still tense; worry lines creasing his tanned forehead.

I quickly got changed, had a small breakfast left by Jaida and made my way out of the tent. Today was the jewelers meeting, and I looked forward to seeing the women and doing something I loved.

However arriving in Tula's tent, something was different.

Instead of jewelry scattered around the women, wooden masks lay there in their stead. Pots full of thick white clay where placed beside them as well, their fingers or sticks dunked in them before being used to draw designs on the masks.

They stop their work when seeing me emerge from the flap. They smile, greeting me in there language. I do the same, forcing myself to try and always use their language when ever in these meetings.

"What are these for?" I ask, hoping my pronunciation is correct. Two of the women make room for me in the circle; I give a smile of gratitude.

At my question, Tula and the rest give each other puzzled looks. She speaks up." I thought you would have been told; the Zeahev Tribe is visiting these coming days. We are making the masks for their arrival."

In my head I process the new language, however I was left more confused. The only thing that was clear was the making of the masks, as there were worn in special occasions. Yet I knew nothing of the visiting tribe, or the purpose for it.

My answer is a nod, a tight smile forming on my lips. It is obvious to the other women I, once again, was not informed of the coming events. Thankfully none of the women question further, going back to their work, talking quietly amongst themselves.

A tap on my knee has me looking over to Imani, a small young woman who seemed the less nervous to befriend me. At first apprehensive, she quickly became intrigued by my drawing style. As she spoke little English, at first it was hard to answer her questions. But that's why I liked drawing, as it is a worldly language. And through my scribbled drawings and disconnected sentences we built an understanding.

But today I could tell by her pity smile she understood that I was not well informed. "The Zeahav Tribe live west, on the shores of the ocean." She tells me, threading a colourful piece of twine through the holes on the side of a wooden mask." They are known for fishing, and their love of the sea. They come here yearly for the trip to Orka Point."

The bits and pieces I gathered from her fast speech, I am left with more questions." Orka Point?"

Imani gives me a hesitant look." I think it would be best if you ask Zachan... he will probably explain it better then me."

I want to protest, but I can practically see the other women's ears piping up to hear the conversation. I know they very much like gossiping, and what better than talk of their leader- to -be. Instead of pushing for more information I let out a sigh, giving my friend a nod with a smile. Satisfied, she hands me a mask.

"We thought you could paint your own." She tells me.

I do, for the next couple hours. Having so many frustrations and questions I decided instead to pour my energy into my work. I concentrated on the swirls, dots and swipes that I painted onto the wood. It might have been more intricate then the others, but I got carried away in what I loved.

.-.-.---.-.-..-.--..-.--.-.-..-.-

It was past midday when I had finished with the jewelers, the masks all painted and nearly dry. I didn't need to go to the farm today, but I was lucky, because I had other intentions anyway.

I didn't know what Zachan's day consisted of, or if he even left the tent. But I did know that I was mad at him once again.

He sat in the dining/drawing room, a map sprawled out in front of him. His eyes peer up to me, and when he sees my scowl, the map is rolled back up. Then his gaze wanders down to the two masks that are dangling from my hands. When they knock, a hollow clatter fills the room.

"When were you going to tell me?" I raise an eyebrow, waiting for an answer. I decided to talk to Zachan in English always. I was scared if I speak their language it would spark another argument, reminding him who was teaching it to me.

"I was going to tell you now." He says plainly, ignoring my visible anger.

"You didn't think to tell me last night, or before I had the jewelers meeting this morning. It was humiliating not to be told." I grit my teeth, remembering the embarrassment has pink creeping up onto my cheeks.

"Hu-mil-i-a-ting" he sounds out quietly, his eyes shutting tight in thought, remembering. I thought I would have to reword my statement but he continues." In what way was it humiliating?"

Childishly I wanted to stomp my foot and cross my arms at the lack of understanding from my husband. Instead I take in a huge breath, and let it out of my nose." You are the leader to be, your father the tribe leader, and I am your wife. Not knowing these things makes me look a fool... but it doesn't matter." I add" The women know that you..."

I drift off, stopping myself from finishing the sentence. Firstly it was because I feared insulting him, especially when it came to the thoughts of the tribe's peoples. Secondly, I didn't know how that sentence would end. 'That you are... stubborn, stern, reserved, harsh... that you don't even seem to care about me....'

But Zachan notices my sudden pause, his eyes squinted in question looking to me." The women know I am what, Aleenia?" he asks calmly, yet coldly.

I match his gaze, yet my heart was beating fast from those dark eyes. I knew my eyes lacked intensity, and they were probably showing the slight fear now forming in the pit of my stomach." Nothing..." I clear my throat, shaking my head, breaking my gaze from Zachan." It doesn't matter... thank you for telling me now, at least."

I make a move to walk away but I am stopped by Zachan's voice." I do not like when you do that."

I stop short, furrowing my eyebrows." What do you mean?"

I can see him struggling to find the right words." You say something as if to compliment me, yet... at the same time, it is not a compliment."

I purse my lips; whishing in some way I didn't understand what he was referring to. I was known to be passive aggressive and sarcastic, a trait I used to hurt those I felt hurt me. I knew for the people here things were taken quite literally, but I honestly hadn't thought they would understand my double meanings. Now I felt bad, knowing that for Zachan all those times he had understood... yet not so bad, when I compare his behavior to mine.

"Then I must apologize, I will try to be more truthful in the future." I say, hoping he would know I meant it. He nods, unrolling the map on the table once again.

"Can I ask why you speak the truth so much?" I find myself questioning. Beyond anywhere I have been, truth is one of the most important things to share here. I can tell he finds it an odd question as I come to sit opposite him. He looks as if I have just asked the obvious, like what colour is the sky.

" Because it is the truth, nothing else matters."

"But what if the truth hurts?" I question further. This time he looks stumped for an answer. His mouth turns into a hard line.

"It must be said."

I bite my lip to hold in a smile. The way he turns so serious when he has no proper answer is entertaining to see. A crack in a hard shell.

" What if...." I ponder aloud " a woman asks you if you think her beautiful, and you don't. Would you tell her the truth even if it hurt her feelings?"

Zachan does not look amused by the question, only irritated." I would tell the woman what she wants to hear, only until she has earned the truth will I speak it to her."

Holding back an eye roll I watch my husband study the map laid out in front of him." And how would this woman earn the truth?" I inquire slyly, a smirk forming on my lips.

"I'm not sure yet..." he murmurs, eyes still downcast. My amusement is gone, now confused by his answer. About to expand on it he speaks first." The Zeahev Tribe will be arriving tomorrow, together our tribes travel to Orka Point, will you be joining us?"

I still find it tempting to go back to what we were discussing before, but my intrigue is now to what Zachan has just said." What is at Orka Point ?"

Zachan turns the map, sliding it around so it is facing me the right way. Instantly I see the difference in the maps I am use to. No lines strike down and up, indicating longitude and latitude. No number or mathematics to be seen. It was just the southern landmass, illustrated with forests, lakes and rivers. The map doesn't look to scale, but I doubt the people here need science to find their way around. I witnessed their sense of direction in the forest, and their skilled navigation.

Zachan's finger slides to the left of the map, pointing to a small opening near the shoreline to the west. I didn't understand their written language yet, but by the illustrations of the boats and the knowledge I required from Imani about the tribe being filled with fisherman, I guessed where it was.

"That is the Zeahev Tribe." He tells me. His finger then slides coarsely over the parchment to the high east. A strip of land stretches out to the sea, the ending dropping out to a cliff. In the ocean a large whale's tail peaks out from the waves." That is Orka Point... every year we go and watch the orkas travel north, it marks the middle of the warming season."

"Orka's? as in whales?" I clarify.

" They are similar... you must come, if you wish to see them."

I look back up at him, no known expression on his face. He seemed indifferent if I came or not. " How long is the journey?"

"Two days there. Yet depending on the Orka we could be there a day to half a moon cycle."

Feeling myself closing in, afraid to leave to unfamiliar territory I shake it off. It would be good to leave here, travel and explore. Find more about the Southern lands, the mystery that I get to truly know, compared to everyone I knew growing up.

"I will go."

Zachan nods, reaching for the map again, turning it back to him. Silence descends, so I decide to get up. The rattle of the masks still in my hand cause me to look down at them. With my other hand I place the mask I made my husband on the low table beside the map.

His eyes peer at the intricate designs on the face of the wood. Yet I don't fully see his reaction as I turn away, heading for our room.

Sorry for the wait guys, I had a busy birthday and yesterday went to see Dunkirk, it was amazing !!!! Anyways I hope you enjoyed that chapter, and hopefully looking forward to what is to come.

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Update in 2 days.

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