FIRST WEDDING 1

Akira walked in with her mother standing behind her. She had beaded strings covering her face and chest area with a woolen skirt reaching above her knees. Thaggar appreciated her beauty in silence, his eyes running over her slowly as if he wanted to savour the sight of her. She shivered when his eyes remained on her face as if he wanted to see behind the gleaming beads.

"This is Akira, my younger sister and only daughter of the late Maki." Tak introduced her as he extended his hand promoting her to moved toward him. Before she could move however, Thaggar interrupted.

"In my culture, a bride greets her husband first else she will be considered unclean."

Akira froze, as did everyone else. Quickly composing herself, Akira changed her course and moved towards him, her legs stiff from fear. Apart from worrying about her life and those of the villagers she now had to make sure she didn't break this man's traditions.

She stood before him and knelt. Thaggar gulped when the beads moved out of place and he caught a glimpse of her nipple.

"I, Akira, greet you, Thaggar the warrior, my h-husband."

Tak was watching Akira closely, seeing her shaking like a leaf, but he didn't regret his decision to marry her to Thaggar. She'd be safer and Thaggar was known for honouring his promises so Tak was certain he wouldn't hurt Akira.

"Look at me." Thaggar said, Kanaq noted his voice was softer.

Akira raised her head but didn't look straight at him. Instead she settled her eyes on his chest thinking of how he looked if his chest had so many scars.

"Do you not wish to look at me Akira?" He asked lifting her head further with his finger.

Surprised, Akira finally looked into his eyes and found herself unable to look away.

Thaggar let her go and she looked down again quickly and as if on que, to women walked in, Thaggar's people. They made Akira stand back up and led her away. Akira looked at Tak, her mother and Kanaq but they weren't looking at her.

'What is this?'

"Aren't you staying the night?" Kanaq asked feeling sorry for Akira.

"No. It's the tradition. Only her family may follow if they want to witness the wedding."

Kanaq nodded and Akira's mother, Rai, quickly walked out, feeling elated the she could go with her daughter. Tak too nodded and left.

"Before you leave," Kanaq started before Thaggar could leave,"we too have an important tradition you two must fulfill before you take her away."

"I'll be happy to comply if it will ease her."

Kanaq nodded and led Thaggar outside. The sun was still high and bright, a big contrast to the dark hut. Thaggar looked at where Akira stood with her mother and his sisters.

Rai took Akira's hand and brought her to Thaggar. She bound their hands together.

"You follow behind me to the ancestral tree and as we move, you can send a prayer of how you'd like your shared life to proceed." Rai explained looking at Thaggar and then at Akira.

The couple nodded and Rai begun to chant as she led the way to the tree. The other villagers joined in the chant, even the children. Thaggar couldn't concentrate as all he could concentrate on was Akira's small hand in his own.

They reached the tree and knelt as Rai instructed.

"Don't try to look beyond it." Akira's soft voice rang from beside Thaggar, stopping him in his tracks as he wanted to look up at the mountain face behind it,"It will bring bad luck."

Thaggar nodded and bowed properly. He waited patiently for the ceremony to finish but just when he thought it was over, something else had to be done. He even had to be drenched in water several times and had to be danced around by the villagers a few times.

"You're hurting me...." Akira winced bringing him out of his thoughts.

He had subconsciously tightened his grip on Akira's hand and he noticed her fingertips had even become pale from the restricted blood flow. He let her hand go and apologized, his voice so gentle that those who heard it failed to believe the words were his own.

"I'm.... I'm alright." Akira whispered with a subtle blush.

She was glad that no one would be able to see it and sighed internally.

"That's a bad omen...." Kanaq said quietly but it was loud enough for everyone to hear and collective gasps from the elderly could be heard.

"What?" Thaggar asked looking at the chief who seemed lost in thought.

"You've released her hand...."

"So?!"

"So she might die." Rai answered also sounding impatient,"You can't leave with her like this. Not until the ancestors are consulted. We need our shaman here."

Thaggar used his free hand to massage his tempos. He nodded quietly and help Akira's hand once more. He tried to be patient and waited but it became obvious that this shaman would be taking his time. Roughly an hour later, an old man walked in front of the tree and two younger men helped him lift his arms, balancing him. Thaggar's jaw dropped comically as he watched the unfolding scene.

"We call him death's favourite." He heard Akira's hushed voice but it was obvious she was smiling or trying not to laughed so he closed his mouth,"He is a hundred ad sixty-nine years old."

Thaggar's jaw dropped again and this time many others laughed with Akira, even the older people.