Chapter 3

Mathias awoke from a peaceful sleep after his first night in his new life. He climbed out from under the wagon where he had slept the night, curled up with the dogs. He took care of his morning business and set to work making a fire. He had killed a pair of elk on the way home the day before and Kuro had packed first one and then the other home. The dogs and he had eaten one once he had skinned it and the other was skinned and left for the morning.

Once a fire was going, Mathias set a piece to roast while the dogs took their fill from what was left. While the meat was roasting, Mathias went and had a drink from a stream not far from where he was camped.

When he returned, he put his weapon belt on and clipped and slotted on his swords and knives. He had thought about changing his clothes but realised that wouldn't be an option till he had a chance to wash them at a river. He thought about where he intended on heading once he left he and figured that west was a good idea and then maybe head back east; or maybe south. It was all academic anyway.

When the meat was cooked and he had eaten his fill, Mathias took another drink from the stream before he saddled Kuro, and after leaving instructions for Kaiser and Meeka that he should be back by sunset he left at a trot, headed for Bull's camp, spear in hand and the dogs alongside.

His arrival again caused a stir but this time it seemed they were happy to see him. He dismounted and left Kuro to graze with the dogs while he went into the camp. Halfway into the camp, he was met by Bull with a smile.

"Mathias, I'm glad you returned this early. It will give us a chance to talk," Bull said as he led Mathias towards his tent. He pulled back the flap for Mathias, who entered, followed by Bull.

Inside was quite cosy. There were furs on the ground to make it more comfortable to sit. There was a woman inside that looked around 40 years old. Bull invited Mathias to sit as he sat and the woman sat beside him.

"Mathias, this is my mate Tee. She is the mother of my sons Fox and Bear and my daughter Tia. Before we get started, I'd like to know something. As a stranger you would never have met them before so I ask you, how did you originally think Fox and Bear were related?" Bull asked.

"I thought they were only distantly related, if at all. They have the same face but their bodies are so different. It surprised me when they said they were brothers. You must have bore them very close together," Mathias said.

"Yes, very close. It would surprise you then that I bore them at the same time," Tee said. Mathias was surprised to be sure.

"It would surprise me indeed. I have never met a pair born at the same time and yet look so different," Mathias said. Then he got down to business. "Now, why did you ask me into your tent? It must be serious if we are in here instead of outside."

"You are wise for one so young. We asked you here because our daughter Tia wishes to become your mate," Bull said. Mathias was stunned; he didn't know what to say. "Before you say anything, Tia knows that she will be travelling a lot with you and will probably not see us for a long time if at all. She still wants to be your mate."

Mathias didn't know what to say. A female wanting to stay with him and travel, that was definitely new.

"How do you feel about this?" Mathias asked Bull and Tee. They looked at each other for a moment before Bull responded.

"We have never seen our daughter so happy. Ever since she brought you your food yesterday she has been distracted and talking about you incessantly, asking everyone if they thought she was good enough to be your mate," he said. Now Mathias felt like a fool. So caught up was he in the possibility that a female wanted to be with him that he hadn't asked who she was. Now he knew, and wasn't so sure he could go through with it now; after all, she was just a girl.

"I am not sure what to say. Tia is very attractive and all that and I would be honoured to be her mate but why would she want me, I'm too old for her," Mathias replied.

"Tia is only 16 summers, and you cannot be more then 19, it is a good match," Tee replied. Mathias thought about what she said and agreed. He had to remember that he was 18 again, at least in appearance. This was a different time, a different life and Mathias resolved to make good use of it.

"If she wants to be my mate, then who am I to deny her, so long as she understands how I am," Mathias replied.

"She does," Bull said with a smile. "I shall make the arrangements. A shaman will be sent for from a neighbouring camp to perform the mating ceremony. He can be here by tonight and perform the ceremony then. That way we do not hold up your moving on by more then a day or two."

"I thank you Bull. How is the ceremony performed? It has been a long time since I saw one," Mathias asked. It was the truth, the last wedding he had been to was just after he had got out of the military.

"They are quite simple. The shaman has you both stand in front of him; he says what is expected of each of you then proclaims you mated. Before the ceremony there is a feast and then a tent will be given to you for the night, since you do not have one here or near," Bull explained.

"I don't want to set anyone out," Mathias said.

"You won't be. It has been done before when other males have mated our women here before returning to his own camp," Tee said.

"If you say so then," Mathias said as he stood. He walked towards the entrance to the tent where he had left his spear next to Bull's. Behind him Bull spoke.

"Where are you going?" he asked. Mathias stopped and turned.

"If I'm to be mated, I intend to contribute to the celebrations. I'm going to get some meat for feast tonight," Mathias replied and exited the tent with his spear. He walked over to where Kuro was grazing and the dogs were sleeping. He was all set to mount him when Bull and Fox trotted up.