Arakan’s village

I kept me eyes closed and Arakan travels at a breakneck pace through the forest. After at least 30 minutes had passed, we slowed to a stop.

"Here we are!" Arakan beems proudly as he set me down.

The village was much larger than I had expected. There were many houses built out of a canvas material; they reminded me of Yurts I had seen in a travel magazine. It seemed like there many smaller houses around the outside of the village , close together and that the houses became more spread out and bigger the farther into the village you went.

"Arakan's back! Let the village know!" A man slightly smaller than Arakan with grey horns yelled.

There was more yelling and some of the men came closer to greet Arakan . The men all have two horns like Arakan, but Arakan is easily the largest by height and muscle. All the men are wearing a loincloth similar to Arakan. They greeted each other by slapping the others left arm with their right hands. The men were smiling and didn't seem to act like it hurt. However, I hope that is not how they greet females. I lean closer into Arakan. He smiles and introduces me.

"This is Willow, she is the one who may be my mate!" The men all cheer and try to step closer. However, Arakan holds up one of his massive arms and says "give her space. She has been through a lot."

"It's nice to meet all of you." I say and smile at the men who obviously respect Arakan.

"These are the single men of the village. They live on the edge to protect the rest of the village from attack. " Arakan explains. "Every man spends 2-10 years guarding the villages once they come of age."

"Some men take longer, right Sami" one of the men joke and push an older looking male.

"I can't help that I'm just too strong to take a wife. The village needs me too much," he jokes and all the men laugh. However their laughter is drowned out by Arakan's thunderous laugh. I can't help but smile at how normal this all seems.

"Let's get going," Arakan says to me " I will make sure that the young females bring you all food from the banquet!" He promises as he holds out a massive arm for me to hold onto.

About 200 meters away, we pass some of the medium sized yurts. Women with babies and small children start to come out and come over to greet us. The women are shorter than the men, and more slender too. However they are still a good head above me and, although they are slender, you can see that they are strong. Their horns are smaller as well and while the men have two horns, the women only have one. The women are wearing the same material, a softened deerskin like material, as the men. They have skirts that go just above their knees and they also have a halter top that goes to right above where the skirt ends. On the bottom of the halter top and the skirt is a design of animals sewn in. The women's designs match the ones that the children were wearing. The babies had a simple diaper like cover and all the younger children had a long smock like dress.

A mother who has a deer design on her dress came over , two smoked children with deer designs followed.

"Welcome to our village, future mate of Arakan. " the women greeted me and then smiled as her children ran up to me.

"Look mommy! Her hair is the color of summer fruit! I want summer fruit hair too!" The first child who is the height of my waste says as she reaches up towards my hair, unable to reach.

"That silly, you can't change your hair. Your as dump as a rabbit!" The other child who is about the height of halfway to shoulder says as they stick out their tongue.

"That is enough ! Shasi and Kana mind your manners!" The women explains in a tone that only mothers can use.

"That's ok,"I say, as I lean down to the small one. " I'm glad you like my hair, I like yours too!"

"I'm Kana and you can be my friend" she smiles as she takes my hand. "That's my mommy, Anora, and that's my stupid brother Shasi."

Both Arakan and Anora laugh while Sashi simply crises his arms and walks back to his mother.

"I love the deer on your dress" I tell Kana.

"That's because my dad is the second best hunter, only Arakan is better!" Kana beems proudly.

"Alright Kana , lets let Arakan show Willow the rest of the village. You can see her again at the banquet tonight." Anora says, as she holds out a hand for Kana.

"Sit by me tonight, K!" Kana says as she goes to her mother.

"She is going to sit with me," Arakan explains but leans down and whispers "but maybe she can dance with you tonight if you ask her".

"These are the houses of the married. Men and women raise their families here until the children come of age. When that time comes, the young men go to the edge of the village and the young women go here." He explains and point further into the circle of houses. There are two large yurts next with young women, about the age of high schoolers, rushing about. Some are skinning animals, some are cooking, and some are sewing.

"The young women serve the village same as the young men, however, they only serve for two years before they chose a husband from the single men." Arakan explains.

One of the young women approaches and gives a little bow to me before addressing Arakan. "Your order is in you house." She says with a smile and then walks away.

"They seem very busy," I note

"They are, but not as busy as they will be when they have young ones." Arakan laughs.

"I noticed her dress didn't have any animals on it," I state.

"That is because young men and women who are old enough to service the village but not have a family do not have markings yet. When they are married, they will get their own special design." Arakan explains. "Speaking of clothes," Arakan continues, " let's continue to my house."

Arakan points to the single large yurt in the very middle of the village.

"Welcome home," Arakan says as he opens the flaps to the yurt and walks inside.