Page 38 of Valka

“We’ll come back to bring food tomorrow,” Katva said.

“Valka have food.”

“But, not fresh food. I’ll bring some.”

“Fine, go,” Valka said, waving them on.

Bettina led the way toward the entrance, looking back to offer Valka a little bit of a wave and a smile before she stepped out onto the ledge, slid past the skaevin and moved out of sight, with Katva following.

Valka got to his feet and jogged after them. He reached out pulling Katva closer and backed up into the entrance of his cave, pulling Katva with him.

“What is it?” Katva asked.

“Claim Raska female. Good female. Scary female. Kind female.”

Katva smiled. “I plan to.”

“Good. No skaevin,” Valka said, reminding him not to allow her to befriend a skaevin.

Katva laughed. “No. No skaevin.”

~~~

“Where are you taking me now? I don’t want to go back to Raska’s home.”

“You can’t stay at Raska’s alone.”

“Then where will I stay?”

“With Katva.”

“Who’s Katva? Is he like Raska?”

“No, he’s not like Raska. Katva is proud and honorable. He’s brave and fair. He’s strong and does not take advantage of others, though many have tried to take advantage of him.”

“Will he try to claim me?”

“Maybe. Maybe he will allow you to choose him instead.”

“If I don’t choose him?”

“You must choose someone.”

“I don’t know any of the males. All I know is that I’d like someone who will appreciate me.”

Katva gave her a single nod to indicate his understanding.

“I mean, how do I know who that is?” she asked. “I don’t know any of the males here. Do I have time to get to know them?”

Katva shook his head.

“Great. Choose who you’re going to belong to, but you can’t know who they are first,” she grumbled under her breath.

Katva hid his smirk as he watched her.

Suddenly she looked at him, an idea occurring to her. “Who would you choose if you were in my position?”

“Katva.”