Chapter 16: Training Trip - Three Women

After walking for a few minutes, I find myself in a slightly wealthier district of the village. The houses here tend to be larger and much older than those on the outskirts. As I make my way through, I hear a woman's voice call out from nearby.

"Phoebe, it's not every day we see you around here," says a woman with her hair tied back, balancing a basket of laundry on her head. She must be returning from the river at this hour.

"Good morning, Miss Dehut," I stop and offer a slight bow as a polite greeting.

"Oh, there's no need to be so formal, dear," she replies, covering her mouth with her hand as she chuckles.

"If only my son had half her manners, my life would be so much easier!" another woman adds, her voice and expression somewhat stiff. Her long hair sways as she carries an even larger basket on her head.

"Don't even get me started—my girls are still so young, but they can't seem to stay out of trouble," says a third woman with short hair, carrying the largest basket of all.

"Good morning, Miss Mahu. Good morning, Miss Kitri," I repeat my greeting, addressing them both.

These three women have always been together for as long as I can remember—they're practically inseparable.

Miss Dehut, the eldest of the trio, is nearing 40, though I don't know her exact age. I'm not bold enough to ask a woman such a question. She wears a long blue dress adorned with intricate red and pink spirals. It's one of the most extravagant outfits I've ever seen in the tribe, covering everything except her arms and feet. She's a strong and somewhat intimidating woman, but is really nice if you get to know her. If I had to describe her I'd say she's a warm campfire.

Miss Mahu is a bit younger, likely in her early thirties. The tallest of the three, she wears a short yellow dress paired with a green garment that covers her arms and neck. I can't help but notice her... generous figure—just thinking about carrying that weight makes my back ache. She is a sentimental woman, even if she don't show it on her face, even if her height makes her look scary she's really sweetie I had to describe her I'd say she's like a cold breeze, but in a good way.

Lastly, Miss Kitri, the youngest at 24, is nearly the opposite of Miss Mahu. The shortest of the three, her figure is far more modest—to put it lightly. Her attire is distinct: a fitted top and loose, tailored men's trousers, complemented by orange-toned bracelets on her arms. She's energetic and a bit air headed but don't mistake it for foolishness, she's a really sharp woman. If I had to describe her i'd say she's like a spark flying in the air.

You might wonder how three such different women became so close. As the saying goes, "Misery is one of the strongest bonds there is." All three lost their husbands, who were hunters, to the dangers of the wild.

Miss Kitri married her childhood sweetheart at eighteen, but less than a year later, he died on a hunt, leaving her alone with two daughters who hadn't even been born yet.

Miss Mahu also married at eighteen. She had her son at nineteen and enjoyed a wonderful marriage for seven years. One night, after an argument, her husband ventured the forest find a gift to make amends—but he never returned.

Miss Dehut married later than most women in the tribe, at twenty-eight. What was even more unusual was that her husband was much younger, just nineteen. From what I've heard, he pursued her relentlessly for years until she finally gave in. They spent many years together until tragedy struck: one day, her husband took their son into the forest to teach him the ways of a hunter, but they encountered a ferocious beast and didn't survive.

Widows don't fare well here, you know. Marriage becomes a closed door, especially for older women, and society tends to treat them with cold indifference. Why? I have no idea.

Having endured such devastating losses and faced rejection from the tribe, it's only natural that these women leaned on each other for support. When something breaks, you gather the pieces and try to rebuild. These three found strength in their shared pain and decided to help fill the gaps in one another's lives.

As for me, I'm not entirely sure where I fit into their story. They've never treated me with the same coldness as the rest of the tribe. If I had to guess, I'd say they've endured too much suffering to harbor negative feelings. Besides, I think they have a soft spot for children.

They're also remarkably skilled at making clothes, as you can tell from their own outfits. Miss Kitri designs the patterns, Miss Mahu weaves the fabric, and Miss Dehut sews the garments, adding the most vibrant dyes in the tribe. By the way, they were the ones who helped me create my new clothes.

"But then, dear, what brings you here so early in the morning?" Miss Dehut asks me again.

I freeze for a moment, a single drop of cold sweat running down my forehead as I scramble to think of an answer.

"I'm just here to say goodbye to a few people."

"Goodbye? What do you mean, dear?" Miss Mahu asks with a worried look, and the other two women can't hide their concern either.

"There's no need to worry! I'm just going on a trip into the forest with Mama Huiya and—"

"WHAT?!" All three women yell almost in unison.

In the next moment, I find myself completely immobilized, my vision nearly gone. It takes me a few seconds to realize that Miss Mahu has wrapped me in a tight hug. As I mentioned before, Miss Mahu is a remarkably tall woman, even by the tribe's standards, and she's lifted me a few inches off the ground.

"What is that woman thinking?! Taking such a young child into the forest?!" Miss Dehut exclaims indignantly.

"A child has no business being in the forest!" Miss Kitri adds.

"I won't allow it," Miss Mahu says coldly.

"I... can't... breathe!" I manage to gasp out before my arms go limp.

"Mahu, dear, you're suffocating her," Miss Dehut points out after noticing my precarious state. At this, Miss Mahu finally releases me, albeit reluctantly.

"I think... I saw the light..."

...

After taking some time to recover, I finally manage to get back on my feet and explain the situation properly.

"I understand your concerns, but this is something important, and it's non-negotiable. I'm sorry." I finish with a slight bow.

"...Hah, if that's how it is, there's nothing we can do," Miss Kitri says, sounding defeated.

"..." Miss Mahu, please don't look at me with those eyes.

"...Well, if things are like this, I suppose we have no choice but to accept it," Miss Dehut eventually concludes, resting her cheek on her hand. I let out a sigh of relief and feel my tense muscles finally relax. But just as I think it's over, Miss Dehut gives me a small smile and looks straight into my eyes.

"But on one condition: when you come back, you'll be our doll."

At those words, the sadness on the other two women's faces evaporates as if it had never existed, their eyes lighting up with a strange gleam—like predators spotting prey.

...This was exactly what I was afraid of.