AKLESH (Under Strange Skies) (34 page)

“That is wrong, High Mother!” she protested. “I have marked him three times! The title is still mine! Are you blind? Did you not see?!” The High Mother sighed as she addressed Vol.

“Look down at your feet, child.”

An expression of confusion was written on the warrior’s face, but she did look down and, to her horror, saw her foot covered in her own blood. It took a couple of moments for the truth of what happened to sink in.

Tyro had not tried to throw her off balance.

He’d actually gone in for a strike when he grabbed her foot and had gotten it. She’d just been too focused on him to realize it. He had marked her a third time before she had pinned him.

“But…but…but, this can’t be right,” she stammered. “He can’t lead us. He’s only been in charge of a group of outsiders and freaks. No one will follow him.” Vol turned to the crowd. “Do you really want someone like that leading the warriors? He’s weak. His group is weak. He’ll make us weak!”

She was met with the empty eyes of the tribe. No one would back her.

“I made the third mark, High Mother,” she said desperately to the crowd. “I marked him three times! Surely you can see I am the better warrior. I should be the lead. Not him. The only place he will lead us is to chaos. Can’t you see that?”

“That is not what I see,” said the High Mother to the bewildered Vol. “You have grown careless in your position. You have misused your authority and abused others with it. This is not the mark of a true leader. We will not guide this tribe with fear.

It is time for you to step down and let another take your place.”

Vol became bitter.

She was surrounded by the entire tribe yet no one supported her, not even her own hunting group.

The silence was deafening as they witnessed her unravel. “What is to become of me then, Tyro? Am I out? Will you enjoy tearing apart my group? Will that give you the satisfaction you desire?”

“No,” said Tyro resolutely. Seema had walked over to her partner’s side with Tilo. They looked pityingly upon Vol.

“Then what?” she hissed.

“You will stay leader of your group. It will weaken us to lose you. You must remain and hunt.

You are a warrior. It’s what you are meant to do.” Vol’s eyes become slits. She spat at him.

“Already making bad choices,” she said and turned to leave. “You are pathetic and you are going to fail.”

She clutched her side and slowly walked out of the circle and into the morning light. The Aklesh people silently parted the way and watched her go.

No one followed.

Mercifully, no one prevented Gar from going back to sleep for a while after all the excitement of the challenge.

When he awoke later that morning he felt ten times better than he had at dawn. Hangovers were never pretty, especially after drinking the sludge the Aklesh called Amsu.

Kai was nowhere to be seen, but Gar knew he was somewhere nearby. His senses told him that much. He got up, put on fresh clothes, washed and exited the hut. Outside Seema was working on some clothes and humming to herself while Tilo was playing with Orna.

Kai’s mother was coming out of her hut more often now. She had grown more comfortable with having a stranger in their space. Still, she kept a good distance away whenever he was around.

“Aren’t you supposed to be helping to prepare the feast?” Gar asked with some curiosity. As he understood it, the whole tribe was involved somehow. Even up until that day, his work with Hatha had been pretty busy.

“Oh, I got a little sick, so I had to come back for a while,” she said off-handedly. “I’ll return and help them a little later.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” said Gar. “Are you okay?” She looked up from her work and smiled kindly at Gar for his concern.

“I’m fine, really. It’s normal after all.” Gar walked over and grabbed a piece of fruit on a red mat sitting next to her, wiped it against his shirt and took a bite.

“Being sick is not normal,” he said. “If you’re ill they really can’t expect that you’d…” It was in that moment Gar realized what was going on with his pretty friend.

Seema’s mood had been much happier and light for some time. Now that he really took a moment to think about it, she also looked slightly fuller in her face and other areas He kicked himself for not noticing the differences sooner.

Seema wasn’t sick, she was pregnant.

The change of his expression tipped her off to the fact that he had figured it out.

“Tyro doesn’t know,” she said, indicating their hut.

After the events of earlier that morning, Tyro had gone to rest and recover. Most likely he was out like a light. Gar wasn’t surprised. He would have been too if he’d had to fight like that. “Please don’t say anything.” Her manner was secretive, but by no means disappointed.

“But, this is such wonderful news,” said Gar, lowering his voice, though not exactly sure why.

“If I were you I’d want to tell him immediately.

Hell, I’d want to tell everyone!”

She laughed musically. “I appreciate your enthusiasm but I think Tyro has had enough shock for one day. It’ll keep a little while longer, that is…” She raised her eyebrows at Gar warningly.

“But, can’t he just, you know, tell?” Gar asked.

“You do live together in such close quarters.”

“He’s a man,” she said. “It’s just not something he’s expected to notice.”

“Well, I won’t breathe a word,” he said, holding up his right hand with the piece of fruit and crossing his heart with his finger. “I promise. Does anyone else know?”

“You’re the first,” she said. The young Aklesh woman was practically glowing. It suited her.

“Then thank you for telling me,” said Gar, really not sure of what to say in the situation.

She nodded. “Of course, I wanted to keep it in the family.”

Her unexpected sentiment and inclusion touched him. She really did consider him a part of her family. Seema’s kindness, for as long as he was going to be with them, meant everything. And if he ever did get off the planet and back to Orestus he would not forget her.

“Kai is at the teaching hut. There’s going to be a joining,” she informed him. Gar hadn’t asked her about him, but the thought was in his mind. “He said if you woke up in time you should come and take part.”

“I wouldn’t want to…“ he started, but she cut him off.

“No one will mind, Gar. You’re practically part of the tribe now.”

To this Gar did not know how to respond either.

The idea that he belonged there made him feel warm. It was a sensation he seldom had in Orestus.

Although it was and always would be his home, life in space could be very cold and frighteningly expansive, so much so he feared at times he would get lost in it.

But now he had another fear, one that he couldn’t quite name.

“Go,” Seema urged gently, forcing him out of his contemplation. “It is something you should see.” She indicated the ramp with her head. Gar smiled and made his way down to the teaching hut.

Gar didn’t exactly take his time getting there, but it was such a beautiful day he did stop on occasion to enjoy it, feeling oddly peaceful.

By the time he had made his way around the large roots to the teaching area, the ceremony was well underway. There were about 12 people gathered and they sat on the carved stone benches facing the large hut.

A couple stood in the center, a young man and woman. They were looking at each with love and admiration, tears of joy running down their smiling faces. They wore long white robes and were holding hands and facing each other. Gar assumed that those who had come to witness were members of their families and at first he felt a little out of place.

Since he was walking up from behind the gathered people no one noticed his presence. Gar did his best to be very quiet as he approached.

Between the couple stood Zaela’vhal, the Healer, dressed in white furs and ornaments.

Instead of her normal white, wooden staff that she also used as her walking stick, she had a straight staff with bright stones and feathers laid into it.

This was the Healer in official capacity, which he had not witnessed yet.

Behind her, standing by the door of the hut and watching closely was Kai. For a moment Gar couldn’t quite figure out why Kai was there until he remembered that the young tribesman was apprenticed to Zaela. Someday he would have to preside over these rituals. But, for the moment, he just stood back and observed politely.

Kai was the only one to notice him and seemed to read his apprehension.

Go ahead and sit down,
he sent warmly.
You are
welcome here.

The Healer also saw him, but made no acknowledgement of his presence, which was perfectly understandable considering her duties.

Gar discreetly took a seat in the back.

He had witnessed many ceremonies on many planets and he always found each culture’s beliefs and religions a source of fascination. The prince might not agree with the dogma of a particular group, but he never begrudged them. Besides, all royalty were taught early on that religion could be manipulated. It was a handy tool to keep a populace in line. At least, that was what his mother always preached to him.

The Healer spoke of unity, love and harmony. Her words were appropriately flowery and sentimental as the occasion required. All eyes were fixed on the couple and her, taking what the tribal leader said to heart. He appreciated the beauty of the moment but was not overly moved by it. He’d attended much grander ceremonies, although he did like how simple and rustic this one was turning out to be. Gar didn’t really tune in until the tone of the little sermon changed.

“…and in joining,” said the Healer, “it is important of you both give of yourself and learn to keep some of yourself back. You must never lose yourself entirely to another, for then you lose the things that make you special. Keep that which is sacred and learn to accept that you will never be alone. The bond of joining will never be broken, can never be broken until one or both of you part from your life. You will be bonded. Treasure that which unites you but also cherish your individuality, for these are what make both of you stronger. Take this strength and the fact that nothing can separate you. You will always, in some way, live in the other. Now please stand.” As the assembled group stood, Gar’s stomach sank. He didn’t really hear the rest of what the Healer said during the ceremony. He thought only about his connection to Kai.

The conflict in him grew. He felt heat rise into his face as questions rose in his mind. The last part of her speech had seemed to be tailored for him specifically and not really for the young couple about to embark on their journey together, although the words had been beautiful.

He watched as the two young people bowed their foreheads as the raised marks on their foreheads, slightly swollen, pressed together. Gar saw as they both shuddered as their essences flowed into each other’s minds. He wondered if they were truly ready for the invasion they were going to experience, the privacy of their minds lost to another.

But then again, they had been conditioned to the experience from birth, having limited telepathy among their immediate family. Those assembled touched a finger to their own foreheads as a sign of respect to the new couple. Gar touched his own forehead as well, his finger running over the small scar that had long since healed.

The wound was gone, but the presence was still in his mind. He had not chosen it, but there it was.

The couple parted and just beyond them Gar could see Kai, who was staring at him. The prince was tempted to try and read the natives emotions but stopped. That was an ability that belonged to these people, not him. He should not have it. He was not
supposed
to have it. It should not have even been possible.

Those around him burst into a hearty applause for the young couple who stood before them as partners in life. They were all smiles. These sounds were a muted to the young prince who felt only panic.

Gar had to get out of there.

As the families came forward to congratulate the young people, Gar slowly backed out, still looking at Kai, who did not follow. When he had gotten far enough away as so not to be noticed, he turned and ran.

So many issues were in conflict inside him.

He wanted to be back home in space. There he was not linked to some stranger he couldn’t get away from. He could be with anyone he wanted and then forget about them moments later. On Orestus he was free.

Or was he?

Gar stopped.

In his haste he had gone farther than he had realized, out past the crops which were now harvested and ready for storage and beyond the bathing area. He now found himself among unfamiliar trees and bushes. Alone.

He’d never been alone on Orestus. There were always attendants, servants, V.I.Ps, royalty, family and others, more than he could count. They all wanted a piece of him. He laughed as he realized the reason he had gotten caught in the whole mess was because he’d been trying to run away.

For once he’d actually succeeded, even if it was by accident.

He thought back to the ceremony and the two people who were joining together out of love. He had never intended on joining with anybody, literally or figuratively. The idea had always repulsed him, but recently it had intrigued him as well.