Yawning I stood beside Zachan. In front, my view of the clearing's entrance was partly obscured by Chief Kono. All together as a people, we waited for the Zeahev Tribe.

I was forced awake by Jaida in the dark hours of the morning. I could barely comprehend what was happening as she dressed me, and braided my hair in two puffy braids that linked to one on the base of my head. In the ends feathers of reds, blues and yellows scattered outwards. The mask I had painted was placed over my eyes and I was whisked away at dawn to stand for the next hour outside.

No-one had spoke, only faint whispers that carried out from the crowd of people behind me. Zachan had only acknowledged my presence with the nod of his head. Chief Kono had given me a smile, yet it was more nervous then anything.

My feet felt frozen in place, yet aching and hot from standing for so long. I was looking at them now, studying my small boots tinged with white rabbit fur at the tops with the soft brown leather covering the rest.

A horn sounded and I looked up. Approaching in the distance, blurry behind pine trees was a large group of people. I felt myself become overly nervous, my body locking into place out of fear. My hands clasp together in front of my torso so tightly my fingernails dig into my skin.

"Sharnoo." I hear Zachan whisper beside me. I look up to him, his face mainly obscured by his mask, but his head is craned the slightest in my downward direction. He was talking to me.

"Pardon?" I whisper back, eyebrows furrowed as I keep one eye on the approaching tribe's people.

"The Chief leader is Chief Sharnoo." He tells me. Not sure what else to say I nod, my thoughts cloudy in panic.

"He will be..." I hear Zachan add, his voice not only soft in tone, but nature." Unsure about you, but do not fear him or the others. Our people will make sure nothing happens to you."

At the moment I was not feeling the asurety and compassion the words, I am sure, were supposed to make me feel. Instead I am left more fearful that their Chief is going to take one look at me and want me harmed... or worse.

My mind was still in a muddle when Chief Kono stepped forward. I look to see that our guests had arrived. I realized why they looked so large and ominous as they were moving towards us, many of the men and women were on horseback.

Besides the thump of hooves hitting the earth, a rattling followed every step. It was almost like a slight jingle, but not as refined as tin bells. The noise that was making it was strings of shells around the horse's necks. Some had smaller shell chains around the horse's ankles as well, adding to the rhythmic sound.

Their clothes were similar to the people here, leathers and lose materials. But the tones were cooler colors, of darker greens, blues and purples. They also wore masks, but instead of paint decorating the wood, shells of creams, whites, blacks, pinks and purples are plastered on. The most elaborate of them all is the man sitting on a pinto horse, leading the rest of the entourage. Lining his eyes were misshapen bubbled pearls, but pearls nonetheless. With a mattering of other shells, oysters were also stuck on, their iridescent insides gleaming in the early morning light. I didn't realize I was staring so intensely at it until one brown eye and one blue eye stared back at me.

I don't think I have ever looked away quicker.

I turn my attention back to Chief Kono, approaching the man on the pinto horse. Chief Kono to had a mask on, the top lined with colorful feathers sprouting out to the sky. He wore a bright smile as he spoke to the man. But I felt those eyes still on me.

Chief Kono walked to the left of the horse; his hands raised in greeting, his spear no longer touching the ground. He spoke loudly, and I understood the traditional welcoming.

The man on the pinto horse, who I am now assuming is Chief Sharnoo nods, a tight smile forming under his mask. I felt like I could breathe again as I sensed no more of his heated stare. Yet the moment didn't last long as Zachan takes a step forward, and as his wife I must move with him.

Luckily I didn't trip over my feet on the first step. But I felt like I could any moment as I approached the Chief of the Zeahev tribe.

"Welcome back to our haven, Chief Sharnoo." Zachan says with a surprisingly friendly manner, however I think everyone else could tell his tone had a slight edge. My husband cranes his head to the side to look for me, but I had stood slightly behind him, hiding myself like a shy child. I knew I must have looked scared, and slightly pathetic but I dreaded to think what this man would think of me.

Zachan to my horror steps aside, revealing me." This is my wife, Aleenia."

Having a full view now of the Chief on his horseback I could see him more clearly. His right eye wasn't naturally blue, but cloudy and opalescent. His left eye was in fact a large pearl. It was beautiful, yet gruesome. His other eye however, a dark barky brown was pierced and focused on me.

"Your wife?" He grits his teeth, his rage not hidden behind his mask. It was not a question but an accusation. His wild eye turns to Chief Kono. " You agreed then. You let your son marry this pale filth."

I flinch at the word, my cheeks turning a blazing red. I felt lucky I had the mask to hide them. For a moment then, I wished I hadn't learned the Southern Lands language.

Looking to Zachan he took looked discouraged by what was said. His hands were balled into fists, his mouth a tight line. The humiliation has my anger flaring, and with the little will I can muster up from somewhere inside me, I take a brave step forward.

Even the horse seems to dislike my presence as it bucks, Chief Sharnoo pulling tightly on the reins. His eye was watching me with the utmost volatile attention.

" It is an honor to meet you Chief Sharnoo." I say to him in their language, my head bowing. Looking back up his surprise look dissolves quickly, into one of pure rage. I fear for a moment he was going to let his horse trample all over me. Instead, he turns his gaze back to Chief Kono, dismissing me entirely.

"Where is my tribe to sleep?" he asks him, his tone clipped.

Chief Kono looks angry now, and the last time I witnessed that was on the day I first arrived on the beach here. But he does not express himself, only using his spear to point to the right. The area was set up for their stay, close to the farms.

With out warning Chief Sharnoo steers his horse to the right. I stumble back as the large creature swings it's neck in my direction. I hit a solid chest behind me, and a moment later a hand curls itself around my shoulder. My head casts itself to see it is Zachan's hand, making sure I don't tumble. My head then casts itself to the ground, watching the hooves of the horses flanking their leader trod through the mud.

Time slowed as I was guided to turn, one hand still securely on my shoulder. " Come, Aleenia." Was whispered in English near my ear. And blindly I was led through the disbanding mass of masked people by Zachan, back to our tent.

I think at the time all emotions drained from my body. I believe it was because I had not been looked upon like that in a while, someone making a quick assumption of me from the color of my skin. But looking back I had done the same to these people... maybe it was some form of irony, passed down by whatever god was real or not.

We stood now in the dining room of our tent.

Silence.

It lasted a long time. Ticking away uncomfortably between us. And all the while, my husband's hand was still on my shoulder. When the realization hits me I look to it, thinking I was imagining the situation. But looking towards Zachan he must have noticed to, as he retracts his hand away rather quickly.

"Chief Sharnoo..." he breaks the silence between us." He is unforgiving like the sea he lives by, as well as unpredictable."

I say nothing in return, not sure where Zachan is going with this.

"But you can change the tides... change his mind."

The sentence breaks my trance like state. I felt my anger rising again. Looking to my husband, his mask now lay on the low table. His face was uncovered, but still he wore an impassive mask.

" Why must I be the one to change his mind, what could I possibly do to persuade him I am not the piece of filth he believes me to be... and if anything I don't need to prove anything to that man, I feel he doesn't deserve it." I say, my arms crossing in defiance.

"You have changed the minds of the people here, why are they so different?" Zachan calmly asks.

"Because." I bristle." The Zeahev Tribe took one look at me and decided what I was, and in such a short time I doubt they will change their minds."

" You can-" Zachan starts but I cut him off.

"Why is it so important to you?"

Zachan looks angry I had cut him short, but answers." Because the agreement of our marriage, we explained will not only benefit our tribe, but the whole of the land... it is clear though that many of the tribes still feel that such an agreement was unneeded."

"If they were going to object, then why marry me then?"

It was a question I had pondered over many nights after our wedding. First of all Zachan was in love with another woman, Saria. Although there was little hope for her, he was still in love with her when I had come and as she went. Now many, if not all the other tribes were objecting this marriage. Another factor to the reasons we should not be where we are today.

Zachan pauses, his eyes turning hard, his whole relaxed demeanor had changed. He takes a step toward me." I feel an agreement between your home and mine was needed. It was only a matter of time before your people came over here looking for more. And I feel peace was much better then war... you made your sacrifice, I made mine."

His statement had me in a muddle of anger and confusion. I knew little of politics, as I was not permitted to understand them as a woman back home. But either way Zachan's last statement was ringing in my ears." Was your sacrifice your happiness?"

He looks away, his jaw ground tight." At the time it felt like it..." he looks back to me, his eyes questioning. " Are you unhappy, Aleenia?"

As simple a question as it sounds, it was much deeper and harder to answer. But I answered honestly, truthfully as I promised him. "No... but I think I am not entirely happy nor unhappy."

His eyes squint in my direction, as if trying to decipher what my words meant. But I think he figured it was the truth, and maybe this truth to him wasn't entirely understandable yet.

"I will ask of you not to leave the tent, it will be guarded... as a precaution." He informs me, slipping by me.

I swallow hard at the statement." You don't think..." I drift off.

Zachan sensing my unease stops at the tent flap." I doubt Chief Sharnoo would want to be the main reason a civil war begins."

His words have my heart beating faster, my eyebrows pinched." My death would be worth a civil war?"

Zachan seems shocked by the question." Our tribe have you in their hearts, your death would cause their search for justice." He tells me his tone full of genuine remark." Besides, I have been looking a long time for a reason to stick Chief Sharnoo's head up his horse's ass."

A tick of silence passes before a laugh bursts out of me. It wasn't entirely the joke, but it was the fact Zachan had said a joke. Never would I imagine him to be the person to possess a funny bone in his large rigid body.

At my laugh his one serious tone softens to a small smile, one I share with him. But after a moment he sobers, his eyes turning serious again." They will not harm you Aleenia, I will make sure they don't even touch you."

And with that statement he was gone.

Hello my Lovely Readers, update as promised. I hope you enjoyed that chapter, and I hope your liking these chapters with Aleenia and Zacarn. Also what do you think of the Zeahav tribe's arrival?

Also for this chapter, I don't condone any form of racism. This is purely for fictional and story purposes, also to illustrate what has happened in the past, and sadly I find still happens to today. And hopefully by bringing awareness to the matter it can be stopped!!!

So please Comment and Vote, I love hearing from you.

We also made it to the top 1000 in Werewolf!!! Number 922. Thanks so much you guys!!! I was so excited!!

Lastly do you like the new cover? Or do you like the old one, or want some changes done or have any ideas let me know. (Jul 25th 2017 Cover)

Update in 2 days.

Love U

(Sorry if baldly edited... let me know if you find any mistakes.)