Page 51 of Valka

Valka nodded. “Leave females. More come.”

“Liuka and Hulda did return when we drove them away with their males. It won’t be long until they’re ready for a new male. They’d already be claimed if you hadn’t made it a law that the females get to choose which male they want. But there are only two of them.”

“Must take male. But female choose.”

“It does keep the males from fighting,” Oscal said.

Valka nodded again.

“What more?” Valka finally asked, trying to make Oscal cut his visit short. He always lingered too long as far as Valka was concerned.

“Elkva asked that I tell you that he and Patricia moved into Raska’s cave. They are settling in and he will come to update you himself soon.”

“Female cry?”

Oscal laughed. “She only cries a little when she’s happy now.”

“Why? Why?!” Valka demanded.

“I’m just glad I didn’t choose her, but Elkva seems happy he did.”

Valka shook his head. “Hate cry,” he grumbled.

Oscal laughed again. “I don’t hate it as much as you, but I do hate it, too.”

“Is there anything you need?”

“No, go home.”

Oscal laughed. “I could stay for a while.”

“No! Go!” Valka insisted.

“Alright, I’ll go. One of us will check in with you tomorrow.”

“No. Valka good. Delia close to good.”

“When she is all good, we’ll stop coming every day because then you will feel more comfortable leaving your home if you need to. Until then, every day one of us will come until your female is well enough to leave your cave with you. If you need something, or want a message delivered to the tribe, call for us. We will hear if you whistle for us.”

Valka nodded. “Bye.”

Oscal left, still laughing.

Valka grabbed more of the smoked fish and walked over to have a seat next to Delia as he munched on his breakfast.

“I really like him. He’s always smiling and laughing.”

“Oscal good,” Valka said.

“Do you mind if I ask you something?”

Valka’s gaze met hers as he sensed this was not one of their normal conversations.

“Why do you speak differently from the others? I mean, I don’t mind. I kind of like it. It’s charming to me. But, why? No one but you speaks as you do. Is it hard for you to make sentences?”

Valka’s whole demeanor changed and he sat chewing on his smoked fish as he thought about her question. She deserved thetruth, but he didn’t like to talk about it. He looked over at Delia again, sitting patiently, waiting for an answer. “No.”

“So, you could speak like the others if you chose to?”