Meeting the Family

Gonyaul was sat across from Tiponi again for the evening meal. This time the entire family was forced to be there as well, the mother had quite the sway. The younger sister, around 12 years of age, was called Sikya. She wanted to be there, especially after what her older sister had told her about the day. The younger brother 17 years of age was Kachada. He wanted to be there because he was suddenly imagining Gonyaul would share some secret and he would be able to best the other young men at wrestling. The mother’s name was Honovi and the father Tocho. The mother was the master orchestrator behind the scenes, trying hard on her eldest, and long time unmarried, daughter’s behalf to find her a good husband.

The father, did not want to be there and it was obvious. Yes, he had heard it through the grapevine that this strange young man was a bonecaster (which he really wasn’t), that he had beaten Dorgarag in a fight, that he was a friend of Erewhon, that he freed Dorgarag from captivity and helped in the process of burial rites. These were all things, if true, were positives in the case for offering his daughter.

Tocho was not closed minded, willing to overlook that he was not Odsier, but he did have some legitimate concerns. For starters, could this man ride a horse, hunt, protect and provide for his daughter. He knew not the answers to these things. And after an argument with his wife, prior to the meal, he was now irritated that he would be spending time with Gonyaul tomorrow to get the answers he needed to come to a conclusion.

This did not bode well for Gonyaul. He didn’t know how to hunt the Odsier way, use weaponry or ride well on a horse. In fact, as far as Tocho had gathered, Gonyaul seemed more adept at the work usually assigned to the women or children. He needed a son-in-law, not another dependent daughter.

The meal was delicious and pleasant. Regardless of anyones inner misgivings, everyone was behaving and the conversations flowed. Tiponi had become even more proactive in trying to help Gonyaul master the language. The thought of bridging the language gap was exciting to her. By the end of the meal, Gonyaul was pretty well versed in the basics of Odsier words associated with eating and drinking.

Occasionally Gonyaul would be asked a pointed question. And as always he tried his best to understand and then gesture back; however, they were taking note that he was slipping in a Odsier word every now and then. They appreciated he was trying and were impressed with his intellect to pick up things quickly.

Gonyaul was like a sponge. His senses on overload as he gathered input on his surroundings and the people. He paid attention to even the smallest of details. He tried to evaluate the social dynamics and relationships. Yet, he was still clueless he was so close to potentially having a wife.

He wasn’t clueless though on how lovely Tiponi looked across from him, or how animated and vibrant she was talking with her family. Nor did he miss the adoring looks she would sneak in, and at times even a bold look which unsettled him in a good way. He was concerned by these growing feelings.

As he looked around at the Odsier, he couldn’t help but think that this lifestyle could be one he could get used to. Out of all the ones he had experienced on his travels, this may be the best to date and had some familiarity to it. Unfortunately it was still an incomplete picture he was basing his thoughts on. The Odsier may be getting along within their own tribe; however, they weren’t exactly kind or friendly with other tribes of their own people. No, the Vauxian way was truly one of a kind in both Helias and Arcadia.