She got up quietly, dressed in her training clothes, and walked out to the training ground just as dawn broke over the mountains.
The twenty young warriors were already there, standing in formation, backs straight, waiting.
But something had changed.
"Good morning, Tribe Leader's Wife," one of them said, bowing slightly.
Kaya stopped mid-step. "What?"
"Good morning, Tribe Leader's Wife," another repeated, also bowing.
Kaya's eye twitched. "Stop that."
"Stop what, Tribe Leader's Wife?"
"That. The title. Just call me Instructor like you did yesterday."
One of the warriors shifted uncomfortably. "But... you're married to the tribe leader now. It would be disrespectful to—"
"It's disrespectful to waste my time with formalities," Kaya cut him off. "You want to show respect? Do your exercises properly. Now drop and give me fifty push-ups."
They hesitated, glancing at each other.
"NOW!"
They dropped.
