She decides to stay

Venus was feeling a little lonely. Almost three months had passed since Saraf felt the presence of life within her, and now she was to the point of going into labor at any moment. The males knew that she needed rest and space but that didn't stop them from wanting to visit. Although some of them were still hoping for sex, most of them knew that sex was out of the question for the moment and only wanted to make sure she was comfortable. Unfortunately, having nearly twenty males crowding into her little room competing to make her happy wasn't restful.

Saraf and Taka finally managed to push the last male out even though there was much grumbling and complaining from him and his companions. Taka placed his back to the door and sighed. They males meant well, but Taka wasn't going to allow them to hurt Venus or her children even if by accident.

Saraf walked over to Venus and his hands began to glow over her full stomach. He was quiet for a moment and his eyes were half open as he let his hands roam over her. After a few moments of silence he nodded and withdrew his hands.

"Four. All healthy. It could start any moment now."

Venus caught the sadness in Taka's eyes as he walked over as well.

"Soon more lives for Firebrand to care for. You have done much for us Lok Shea."

The title was still new to Venus. Shea was the tern used for "Life Givers," mothers in human speech. Lok meant honorable or noble. Only the best warriors of someone of great valor among the Martuk received the honor of that title. Being both a warrior, and that she had kept her promise to bare children for the tribe, Venus was worthy of both titles.

"Taka, is something wrong?"

The goblin chieftan wouldn't meet her eyes and remained silent until Saraf sighed and nudged him. The old shaman had taken care of her and had even managed to bring the females into caring for her too. Although they had been jealous of Venus and her beauty in the beginning, they now saw her as part of the tribe and had agreed to raise her children once she was gone.

"You leave soon Shea. You done more for Martuk than any other human. You have learned our language, given us your body, and now you will bare our young. And then you will leave. You will always be part of our tribe, but this isn't your home."

She saw the tears in his eyes and gently rubbed his rought cheek. She spoke to him in his own language, speaking softly.

"You are wrong Taka. I am Firebrand. This is my home and these are my childrem. I will not leave you or them."

The chieftan finally met her eyes, his own wide with shock and happiness. He took her into a warm hug and gave three tongue clicks that showed his happiness.

"Thank you Shea. This is your home and you are family now."

"I'm glad to be home Taka. But I want to make some things clear."

"What is it Shea?" Taka asked as he finally released her.

"I'm staying, so there will be plenty of chances to bare more childrem for the tribe. But that isn't all I want. I'm a warrior and a hunter. I want to be allowed to help and to fight if needed. I'll wear loincloths and dress as Martuk. My tattoos are permanent so even if humans see me with the other hunters they will know that I am Firebrand."

"Alright Shea. You deserve these rights."

"That isn't all Taka. I will still service the males when I have time, but only the ones that have not taken a mate. And this will only last until I am mated as well. I wish to be fully tribe now. Not just a brood mother. One day I want to have a mate to come home to after a long day of hunting."

Taka nodded, whiping at a tear that he had been fighting back. Saraf gave a slight cough to draw their attention.

"Shea, you honor us with this decision. But I would like to request something of you as well. I am old and my time grows short. I have no children and none have shown able replacements for me. Our tribe will need a Shaman when I am gone. I sense potential in you. Would you be willing to fill that role? The training will be long and at times dangerous, but I have faith in you."

A shaman? Venus thought of this for a moment. She was soon going to be a mother, and Taka had agreed to let her fight and hunt with the males. Learning shamanism would make her even more useful to the tribe, but could she handle that responsiblity too?