Kavio
The next morning, another woman joined Ruga, Lambo, and Kavio for breakfast. Her name was Kuruga, Ruga's younger sister and Lambo's wife. She looked like a calmer version of Ruga—still a little too off-balance to be called pretty, but she had more black than gray in her hair, and her eyes seemed more thoughtful.
As they ate, Kuruga talked about small news from the clan with Ruga. Lambo barely said a word, and Kavio said even less. No one mentioned Gremo, who had slept beside his boulder and started walking in circles again as soon as the sun rose.
Kavio spent the whole day sitting by the fence, studying Gremo, the ropes, and the rock. When someone set bread beside him, he ate it, but otherwise, he didn't move. The magical tangle of ropes still confused him.
That evening, when it became clear Kavio would not join the family for the meal, Kuruga brought food to him.
"Lambo was right," she said after a while. "You're not like the others who said they could heal Gremo."
"I never said I could," Kavio replied.
"I know. But Ruga won't believe that, no matter how often you say it. And when you fail, it will break her heart. The longer you stay, the more she hopes. The more she hopes, the more it will hurt when she's disappointed. You should leave tonight. Don't say anything. Just go."
Kavio looked at her carefully. "Strange advice from an aunt who loves her nephew."
"There's something you should know," she said. "Something Gremo doesn't know himself. He was fathered by the spear."
"Raided?" Kavio asked.
Kuruga nodded. "Blue Waters warriors came up the river. They attacked our clanhold. Ruga was left with a child in her belly. The Tavaedies gave her a potion to get rid of it, but it didn't work. The baby kept kicking. When the child was born, everyone told her to send it down the river. She tried. She threw him into the water. But when she saw him turn blue, she pulled him out. Later, when he could walk and talk, people told her again to get rid of him. One night, she tied him to the black stone of the Deathsworn. But when morning came and he was still alive, she brought him back again."
Kuruga's face darkened.
"Everyone thought she was weak. But we couldn't stop her. So no one was surprised when Gremo grew up wrong."
"There's no law that says a woman must throw away her baby," Kavio said. "Even if he came from pain. Are you telling me someone hated the boy so much they hexed him?"
"I'm just telling the truth," she said.
Kavio shrugged. "It doesn't matter to me who his father was. A man throws his own spear in battle—not his father's."
Kuruga narrowed her eyes. "You're arrogant. I know your kind. Young. Strong. Too proud. I'm sure you've fought in raids. Earned a Shining Name. Maybe you had a rival—just like you—young and full of fire. You fought. He beat you. You were forced to leave. But you still plan to return. Win next time. Or die trying."
Kavio gave the tiniest smile. He shrugged again. "Your guess is mostly right. Except one part. I'll never go back."
Kuruga tilted her head. "And all those weapons in your pack? You think I didn't notice? That leather is stretched too tight to hide the sharp bits. You say you're not fighting, but are you carrying a war in that pack, Outtribber?"
Kavio kept his tone calm. "Your sister asked me to heal, not fight. That's what I'll do."
"You'll fail," Kuruga said, without hesitation. "Everyone who tried to heal Gremo failed. You will too."
"I still have to try."
"Why?"
"Let me ask you something," he said. "Is there anyone in the clan who hated Gremo enough to curse him?"
"To curse him that badly? I'm not sure. But many wanted him gone. Many were ashamed he even lived." Kuruga's eyes turned cold. "I'll be honest. None of us—none of our Tavaedies, even—have the kind of magic power needed to create a curse like that. Only one person would never want him cursed."
"Ruga," Kavio said.
Kuruga nodded.