Charity awoke refreshed in the morning, at Dove's light shaking. "Come, it is time to make the morning meal," she told the other girl, who sat up and smiled at her. Quickly she donned her clothing, and followed Dove to where foodstuffs were kept. She glanced at the girl, seeing her eyes shine in the early morning light.
"You look happy this morning," she commented, and the other girl nodded.
"I was fortunate to spend some time with Hawk last night."
"He seems very sweet. He's very devoted to Raven, isn't he?"
Dove smiled, as they worked. "Oh, yes. They have been friends and brothers a long time. They love each other very much."
Charity was happy to hear that the two young men liked each other as much as they seemed to. She was growing fond of both of them, in a very short period of time, and she couldn't help but feel that they shared her feelings. All the women worked well together, and soon breakfast was ready. All the other members of the tribe gathered around, and sat together to eat. Raven and Hawk walked up together, sending warm smiles her way, which she returned, and she and Dove took them something to eat. She did not see the look Storm sent her way, as she handed Raven his food, but he took note of it, and was careful not to be too affectionate with her, for her own protection.
After breakfast, the men gathered together to do some hunting, and Dove took Charity to where extra skins were kept, to show her how to prepare some clothing for herself. They worked the rest of the morning, and soon she had made herself a simple tunic and leggings, with Dove's help. It was harder than it looked, but her new friend showed her some tricks to make things easier, and she felt proud when she had finished. They stopped for a noon meal, then went into the nearby forest to gather herbs for cooking and medicine. In this, Charity was as well-versed as Dove, so they chatted as they worked. Dusk was falling before they knew it, and they hurried back to the camp to help with the evening meal.
So the days moved on at a steady pace, turning into weeks, and then months, with Charity making a place for herself within the tribe. She was quick to help others, and became well-liked by all, save one. Storm would have liked her as well, if Raven had not been interested in her, but because of that, she only tolerated her. No one but Raven and Hawk would ever have known, for she pretended to like Charity as much as the others. She had managed to seduce Raven several more times, but each time, he had made it clear that it was a physical need that brought him to her, nothing more. He would not lead her on, when his heart belonged elsewhere. She would not give up in her quest, and began to try to think of a way to rid herself of the other girl for good.
Hawk and Raven continued to grow closer to the young woman they loved and had rescued. They desired her more each day that she lived there, but continued to hold back, not wanting to push her or frighten her. One day, Charity had gone alone to pick berries for drying in the forest, and as she filled her basket, she hummed softly. She couldn't believe how long she had now been living with her new people, and how happy she was. As she continued to glean the fruit, she heard a twig snap nearby, and glanced around. Standing there, eying her hungrily was a large bear. She gasped softly, and felt her heart begin to pound. There was nowhere to go. The animal seemed to sense this, as it did not move toward her just yet. It sniffed at the air and growled, still staying where it was. She didn't know what to do. She knew if she ran, she was dead, and she was afraid if she screamed, she would only anger the animal as well, and it might charge her. She saw a long pink tongue come out of its mouth and it licked it chops, and moved a step toward her. She shrank back into the bushes a bit, and it growled again, moving closer with measured steps.
The animal seemed to know it had nothing to fear from her, and that she could not escape her fate, for it was in no hurry whatsoever. It moved to its hind legs and towered over her, its mouth open now to crush her throat. She felt her legs give way, and she crumpled to the ground, darkness overtaking her. She did not hear the war cry or see the bear's giant head whip around, snarling as the lithe figure came rushing out of the trees at it, ready to fight to the death. An arrow pierced the beast's side and it roared in pain and moved from the girl to its attacker. Again, and arrow flew and hit, and finally, one sank into its eye and through its brain, ending its life. The bear moved a few more steps and then fell to the forest floor. As soon as it had stopped moving, Raven dashed over to Charity where she lay still and pale as death. He caught her up in his arms, holding her to him, and saw that she was breathing. Quickly, he checked her body for wounds, but there were none, as well as no broken bones.
"Thank the Gods," he muttered, and then he pulled her into his arms again, and lowered his mouth gently to hers. He had only meant to kiss her for a moment, but her lips stirred beneath his own, and he was lost. He moved his mouth against hers, coaxing her lips open slightly, and slid his tongue inside to touch her own. Her eyelids began to flutter, and she came awake to find him kissing her with a passion that startled her. She did not pull away, for it felt wonderful and she returned the kiss warmly. Her whole body tingled from the touch of his lips on her own, and she slid her arms around him, hugging him tightly. Blinking, Raven pulled back, looking down into her face. She smiled tremulously at him.
