"And what happened to Maa’ti?" came a third voice, a much taller, stronger man joined the pair.
Somewhere in Rob's mind, he knew this man was the captain of the guards. A pit of fear filled his stomach. He knew this was not his first run in with the captain.
"Pouk'at, Igbo, grab the poor girl before these two drop her. Take her to the medicine man immediately. It would be my neck if the Chief found any harm had been done to his son's betrothed."
In a while of action, the two men pushed the boys aside and grabbed Martin from them and immediately began marching off to the medicine tent. The action was so swift, neither boy had a chance to see what had become of Martin.
Her? Rob's thoughts began, just as the captain's hand landed on his wrist. The captain practically towered over the boy and used his impressive strength to pull up Ruut by the arm. Bending down, he brought his face inches from Rob's. A sneer painted his face, and his brown eyes were filled with anger.
"I should have known it was Ruut." His breath was hot against Ruut's face, steaming with anger "Yet another act of shame you bring on your line. I don't know what that medicine man sees in you."
Turning, he grabbed Chad with his other arm. Caught by surprise, Chad let out a small yelp as he was hoisted by his arm, brought face to face with the captain. Fear filled his brown eyes.
"And Chatok, how are you supposed to lead if you keep letting this Demon child convince you to venture out into that jungle? You know its forbidden after moon rise! And if I find Ruut brought you anywhere near the Forbidden Land that will be the last time you ever talk to that boy."
"I-I'm sorry, We lost track of the sun. And we didn't go near the Forbidden Land! I-I promise." Chad stammered, his voice cracking as worry filled him.
The captain studied his eyes, enjoying the fear he saw in them.
"And you put Maa’ti in danger." He continued, "It's only been seven suns since the chief selected her as your future wife, and this is how you treat her? A chief's family is the most honored part of the tribe, yet in you I see no such honor."
"Wife?" Chad replied, the alien term triggering something in his mind, filling it with instant confusion. Before the captain's gaze, his eyes shifted to green.
The captain shifted back slightly. Looking into his eyes, Chad noticed their color slowly shifting from brown to green. The man looked confused, blinking.
"Let me go!" Came Ruut's high pitched voice as he pulled back against the captain. As he turned to handle the recalcitrant boy, Chad noticed his eyes had returned to their original brown.
"If you don't stop fighting, I'm going to beat you with a branch!" He sneered.
Memories of past switching filled Ruut's mind, instantly calming his rabid resistance attempts.
Without explanation, the boys were suddenly tugged by the bigger man who wordlessly began marching them towards whatever punishment he had in mind. moments later, they were outside the medicine man's tents. Gripping Ruut's arm tight, he tugged the boy to his face once more.
"I'd have beaten you already Ruut, but your master likely needs help reviving that poor girl. Do this tribe the bar minimum and help him clean up after your devilry."
Ruut's heart pounded, yet a sense of relief filled him. Dealing with the medicine man would be easier than the captain.
Releasing him, the captain pushed the boy in through the tent's entry. Chad heard Ruut yelp slightly as he disappeared into the enclosure.
Wasting no beats, the captain then marched Chad to the Chief's tents.
"You're in for it now boy" He sneered at Chad as he pulled back the flaps.