They walked in silence, following the shoreline.

Priya could see the hunters more clearly. They were out of the water, pulling trousers over their wet breechcloths, the thin tan fabric that covered their man parts.

Arcas saw them and ran over, a small bundle in his arms. “Here,” he said, handing it to Priya. “It's from this morning’s kill. Fresh. We brought down a large elk. Well, Kuji did. The rest of us helped box it in. It was huge, Priya!”

Aaron reached over and grabbed the bundle of meat from Priya, weighing it in his hands. Unwrapping the hide that covered it, he looked at the contents, nodding approvingly before wrapping it back up. “You men did well.”

Arcas bowed his head. “Thank you, Aaron.”

“You’ll thank your parents for us, yes?”

“I will, Aaron. Thank you.”

“We have extra viands in our garden, if you would like to take some back to your family.” Arcas nodded. “Walk with us,” Aaron said, tucking the bundle under his arm.

Arcas waved to the other hunters and fell in step with Priya. He held out a hand for the mare’s lead, but Priya held onto it, crossing her arms.

“I have it,” Priya said, curtly.

“I was only offering to help,” mumbled Arcas.

“It isn’t much work to hold a lead for a horse that is already walking,” Priya responded.

“Priya,” Aaron grumbled as a warning.

“Sorry, Arcas.”

“You know,” Arcas began, “just because you’re a woman now doesn’t mean a friend can’t offer to help.”

Priya held the lead out to him. “Here then.”

Arcas took it in hand and the mare cantered up behind him, nudging him with her muzzle, causing him to stumble.

Priya laughed, holding a hand over her mouth. “She doesn’t know you, so she’s going to test you. Even though you’re a man, the beasts won’t listen to you unless you show them that you hold domain over them.”

The mare tried to nudge him again, but this time Arcas turned, using the flat of his hand to smack her muzzle.

“No, Arcas,” admonished Priya. “You don’t hit a beast to show them that you’re in charge. You can use your hand, but suddenly and swiftly and you warn them with your voice.” She paused, lifting her hand, palming facing away and giving a sharp, “Ah!” The mare’s ears twisted forward at the sound.

They walked for a while in silence, Priya watching Arcas and Arcas watching the horse, waiting for her to try to knock him again and sure enough, after a few minutes, the mare sidled up to Arcas, dipping her muzzle, leaning forward and Arcas darted forward a few steps, turned, holding out his hand and gave a sharp cry. The mare lifted her head, snorting.

“See?” Priya said. “You don’t need force.”

Arcas nodded in agreement.

“How was your passage last night?” Arcas asked.

“Is that all anybody ever wants to know about anymore,” Priya sighed.

“Well then, how have you been?”

“The usual. Eat, sleep, and do chores. So, fine I guess?” Priya laughed. “It’s all pretty mundane now after the passage.”

“So,” Arcas drew the word out as long as he could, “how was it?”

“Intense. But I survived it.”

“That’s it?” Arcas asked.

“Well, how was your passage?”

Arcas blew out a long breath, shaking his head. “Intense. But I survived it.”

“There’s a reason why the women and men of the village don’t share what they learned or saw during their passage,” Aaron spoke up.

“Aye,” Priya and Arcas said together.

“I had heard mother whispering that you had a vision during your passage,” Arcas said.

“Boy,” Aaron warned. “There is a reason why we don’t speak of our passages.”

“Eusou’s balls,” Arcas grumbled.

“Do you think Eusou has balls?” Priya asked.

“Priya,” Aaron growled.

“He is a man,” Arcas replied. “And men have balls, so yes.”

“You are not children anymore,” admonished Aaron. “Stop talking of childish things.”

When they reached the gate, Aaron handed the bundle of meat to Priya and took the mare’s lead from Arcas. “I’ll take care of these horses,” he said. “You two go around to the garden. Arcas, take as much as your family needs.”

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“Aye, Aaron,” Arcas said, dipping his head. “Thank you, Aaron.”

Priya led the way around the side of the house to the garden. Their garden was twice the size of their house and it was in full bloom. Bees buzzed from flower to flower. Roses, nasturtiums, lilies, chrysanthemums and marigolds spread their scent to the air.

Waving her arms, Priya shooed away several ravens that perched on the roof, hungerly eyeing the pumpkins and other squashes that lay on the ground, nearly ready to be harvested. The ravens flew off reluctantly, cursing Priya and Arcas with their call.

On a bench that leaned against the frame of the house several wooden baskets were stacked. Priya grabbed one and handed it to Arcas. “Take whatever you’d like for your family. We have an overabundance of tomatoes that need to be harvested over there.” Priya pointed to a wild tangle of vines in the far corner. “And there’s plenty of root vegetables here.” Priya walked over a few steps and knelt in the shade of the house, pointing to the green tops of carrots and the larger stems and flowers of potato plants.

Arcas busied himself amongst the tomato plants while Priya dug into the ground with her bare hands, pulling up onions along with several carrots and sweet potatoes. She uncovered the root of what she believed was a turnip, its skin a mixture of browns and oranges. As with every other harvest, Priya rubbed her hand up and down its length, brushing the dirt from it. Once it was clean, Priya set it in her basket with the other vegetables.

Leaning back on her heels, she watched Arcas search for ripe tomatoes, pushing aside the vines and leaves, looking deeper, his eyebrows arching in delight as he found a hidden fruit, plucking it and setting it gently into the basket.

“Do you remember the story of Varuni and his seven treasures?” Arcas asked as he disappeared behind a particularly tall bush.

“Aye,” Priya replied. “They were hidden in the four corners of Terra, in the deepest sea, the tallest mountain, and…” She trailed off, looking up at the clouds, trying to remember.

“And with his love, Apsara,” Arcas called. “Eusou gave Varuni a vision showing him great wealth and happiness. Varuni searched high and low, finding treasures of all sorts. I feel like Varuni and these,” Arcas held up a plump tomato for Priya to see, “are my treasures.”

Priya laughed. “You are much happier with your findings than Varuni was. Even though he had found the greatest treasures in all of Terra, he was still unhappy. The vision that Eusou had given him was incomplete.”

Arcas carried his basket of tomatoes and knelt down next to Priya. Priya began to trade some of her root vegetables for his tomatoes.

Clearing his throat, Arcas said, “It wasn’t until Varuni saw Apsara for the first time that he knew his vision was complete.”

Priya looked up and saw Arcas watching her. “Hag’s teats, Arcas. If you’re about to tell me that I am your Varuni.”

Arcas stuttered. “I… well… You’re very beautiful.”

“And you smell.”

Arcas coughed, clearing his throat. He lifted a piece of his tunic to his nose and gave it a sniff. “I do not. I just bathed.”

“You smell like boys. Like all boys do.” Priya sighed. “Besides, even if you didn’t smell, you are not my path.”

“What do you mean?” Arcas asked.

“I am taking the Path of The Crone.”

Arcas is quiet.

Priya didn’t dare look at him, her eyes were on her hands, folded in her lap. “Please don’t tell anyone. I haven’t told Aaron or Anissa.”

“I won’t tell anyone,” Arcas mumbled.

Priya reached for his hand, taking it in her own. “I’m sorry. And you don’t really smell. At least right now. The lake did you some good.” She offered him a soft smile, which he returned. “You’ll find your Varuni.”

Arcas took his hand from hers and stood up, brushing a few bits of dirt off his trousers. “Priya, you’re the only woman that’s near my age in the village. It is going to be a long while before anyone else is of age.”

“Then you’ll have plenty of time to wander the vale searching for Varuni’s other treasures.”

Bending down, Arcas picked up one of the baskets of vegetables. “Thank you for sharing your garden with my family.”

“You’re very welcome, Arcas.”

“I am glad you found your path, Priya.”

“Thank you, Arcas.”

Arcas turned to leave, but paused, turning back to Priya. “Galia was asking after you this morning and I know my mother would be happy to see you. Come by when you can.”

“I will,” Priya said.

Offering a final wave, Arcas began his walk back to the heart of the village where his family lived.

Priya watched him go, then turned back to her work, harvesting a few herbs to add to her basket. She held a bundle to her nose, breathing in their scent, thinking about how all of these victuals would taste with the fresh meat.

Picking up her basket with both hands, Priya left the garden, following in Arcas’ steps. The basket bumped against the front of her legs as she walked. Looking out towards the western mountains, she could see that the sun had nearly reached their peaks. As she rounded the house, she saw the silhouette of Anissa returning from Serah’s, walking the footpath from the village. As Anissa passed Arcas, Priya saw her offer him a small wave.

“Mother! Anissa!” Priya called, catching her eye.

Anissa raised her hand in greeting.

Raising the latch to the door, Priya stepped inside their home.

Aaron was already inside, sitting at the table, carving the elk meat into smaller pieces. “Did I hear you call to your mother?”

“Aye,” Priya replied, setting down the basket of vegetables next to him. “She will be here shortly.”

Turning, Priya grabbed a heavy, black iron pot from the counter and heaved it onto the table. With a knife she began to rough chop the large vegetables. She cleaned up some of the pieces that had blemishes or new growth sprouts, but for the most part, left each as she had harvested it.

Aaron watched her work. “Not too much. We can take what remains into the village to share tomorrow.”

Priya cut up a final carrot and threw it into the pot as the door opened and Anissa stepped inside.

“How was Zachael?” Aaron asked.

“He is well,” Anissa replied, hanging up her shawl beside the door. “One of his ewes is not, though. Her babe is turned in her womb and Zachael expects a troubling birth.”

Aaron grunted. “I’ll go and see him in the morning and see what I can do to help him.”

“Tohki should go as well,” Anissa said. “She has helped with many challenging births.”

Grabbing a nearby pitcher of water, Priya poured it in the iron pot until it covered the vegetables. “I should go as well, then.”

Picking up the salt box from the counter, Anissa sprinkled some into the pot. “Why?” she asked. “You’ll have your chores to do in the morning.”

Aaron took the iron pot over to their smoldering fire and hung it from a metal hook. He added another log to the fire, pushing it in as the coals snapped and sparked.

Priya waited till he was done before she answered quietly. “I chose the Path of The Crone.”

Her words hung in the air as her parents studied her in silence.

Aaron rubbed his beard. “Mother’s Mercy,” he murmured.

“Very well,” Anissa said. “Be up before the sun is over the peaks and make sure your chores are done.”

Priya smiled as she stirred the stew with a wooden spoon. “Aye, Anissa. I will.”