by Seven Steps
Pennick shrugged, “How can I not?” He turned and jogged to catch up with Seven.
Nadira scoffed and turned to Kiln. “And you?”
“It depends,” Kiln said. “Who do you think is more important? These creatures or Venians?”
“It’s not a matter of who is more important,” Nadira said. “Arees is evil, plain and simple, and she must be punished for what she’s done.”
“Think about it for a moment,” Kiln said. “If she didn’t fall through the hole to this tunnel, she wouldn’t be here to help these people.”
“She wouldn’t have fallen through the hole if she hadn’t murdered an entire planet.”
“Okay, okay,” Kiln said. “But don’t you see? She’s serving her sentence right here.” He gestured to the room around him.
“So it’s okay that she killed all of those people?” Nadira asked.
“I’m not saying what she did was right,” Kiln said. “But-”
“Visitors!” someone shouted.
Nadira and Kiln looked up in time to see a group of people flock in. They weren’t deformed, but by the paleness of their skin and the deep set of their eyes, they definitely lived underground.
Arees came out of the kitchen and walked to the middle of the Habby to greet them, bowing gracefully.
“Arees,” said the short, gray-haired man at the front of the small group. “My name is Amuck. We have heard great things about you. They say you are a god.”
“The people say many things,” Arees said.
“Is it true that you have fallen from the sky?” Amuck asked.
“That much I can confirm,” Arees said.
The visitors muttered excitedly among themselves.
Amuck smiled. “We have traveled a great distance to be here. We have much to discuss with you.”
“Please, join me in my chambers,” Arees said. “I will have refreshments brought immediately.”
Arees walked in front of the small group in the direction of her chamber, and they followed closely behind.
Arees looked into the faces of the travelers.
Amuck was accompanied by his wife and his advisor. His wife was a tall woman with jet black hair and black eyes. His advisor was a middle aged man with silver eyes and brown hair. They introduced themselves as Cyndi and Chonsey.
“Tell us about the explosives,” Amuck said.
“We take sugar, compact it tightly, put it in a bag, light it on fire, and throw it in the gator’s mouths,” Arees said. “Then ... poof.”
The visitors looked at her amazed.
“And how did you know to do this?” Amuck asked.
“It was actually my chef’s idea,” Arees said.
The visitors looked slightly disappointed.
“Do you trade?” Arees asked.
Amuck nodded. “Yes, we have been trading for years with the other communities.”
“It is a shame that my people have been left out of such plenty,” Arees said.
“Well, as you are aware, your people are, uh, different from the rest of us,” Amuck said.
“Yes, but they are still people,” Arees said. “Still families, and children. They still need hope and support just like any other group.”
“And now that you’re here, they shall receive such,” Amuck said.
“And if I never fell from the sky?”
The visitors shifted in their seats and looked away.
Tamping down her anger at their hypocrisy, Arees leaned back in her chair and tried to lighten the mood. “I have heard that your community makes stunning clothes.”
Cyndi leaned forward, eager to be back in the god’s good graces. “My people make beautiful clothes from bark thread.”
Arees looked at the drab brown clothing the visitors wore.
“Of course we don’t travel in the clothes,” Cyndi said. “We wouldn’t want to attract any undue attention.”
Arees nodded. “Of course.”
“We are willing to begin trade with you,” Chonsey said. “Clothing and weapons to start.”
“What kind of weapons?” Arees asked.
“We have arrows with tips that can penetrate gator hide,” Chonsey said.
“What are they made from?” Arees asked.
“A very special gemstone,” Chonsey said.
Arees nodded. “I am willing to set up trade with you. Your weapons would be useful. Food would be nice as well, and, as you can see, we are in dire need of clothing. However, I must ask that your trade include your women.”
“Women?” Chonsey asked.
“Yes,” Arees said. “My people are isolated. They inbreed, making their condition worse. Have some of your people mix with mine. In a few generations, we can breed out our toxins and begin to heal.”
“I don’t know of any woman who would want to breed with your people,” Cyndi said.
“Everyone has a price,” Arees said. “Make it a thing of honor. Give them special recognition, a bigger living space, riches. Whatever it takes.”
Amuck, Cyndi, and Chonsey looked at each other.
Arees sighed. “Of course, if you don’t want to honor the gods, well ...”
“We also have an issue with inbreeding,” Amuck said quickly, “though certainly not as severe as yours. If we were to do this, then we would need a wider variety of communities to participate. That will not be so easy to obtain.”
“The other groups are in fear of your people,” Cyndi said. “They think that if they come too close to them, they will catch the disease that they have.”
“My people are not diseased,” Arees said. “They are mutated. But if we can stop all of the inbreeding, we can be normal again.” She paused. “The gods assure it.”
“You will have to talk to the other groups to assure them,” Amuck said. “They will want assurance that the gods will bless them for such a, uh, sacrifice.”
“They will have their blessings,” Arees said.
“Perhaps we can call it a tribute?” Chonsey suggested. “Make it mandatory. Perhaps annually or a few times a year?”
“And if what Arees says is true, then it won’t be forever,” Cyndi added. “Just for a few years.”
They began to discuss the matter among themselves with great urgency.
Arees sat back in her chair, a small smile of victory on her face.
After much debate, all of the details were hashed out. Arees would travel to each community in the mountain. She would set up trade for food, clothes, gems, wares, and women. In return, she would deliver promises that she couldn’t begin to keep.
Her people would be isolated no longer.
“Arees, I have never met a woman like you before,” Amuck said. “I am sure that the other leaders will want to work with you. Many are on their way now.”
Arees nodded gracefully. “Please feel free to refresh yourselves by dining with us.”
“We will do that,” Amuck said. “When I get back, I will send my people to spread the word. We may finally be united after all.”
Arees squeezed her lips together to keep her tears from falling. Feeling an overwhelming sense of accomplishment, she shook each visitor’s hand and escorted them from her chambers.
CHAPTER 41
By the time Eva found Nadira and Seven in the Habby, she was fuming.
Nadira and Seven were surrounded by female creatures who could only be identified by the large, lumpy breasts that hung down around their stomachs. Some were in dresses while others walked about nude.
The creatures reverently felt on Nadira and Seven’s clothing, touched their hair, and felt their skin. They asked where they were from and what their plans were now that they were here. They asked whose man was whose and if the red-haired one was sent to marry Arees. Nadira and Seven carefully deferred these questions, instead complimenting the women on their lovely homes and the manners of their children.
Pennick, Kiln, and Lex helped the men do the final cleanup of the gator carcass and set to repairing the dama
ge the gator had caused to the tunnel walls.
“Where have you been?” Eva demanded. “I was in Arees’ chamber, and then she came in with all of these people. Did no one think to come looking for me?”
Nadira took her hand as she came forward. “We were kind of occupied,” she said. “A giant gator got into the tunnel and attacked us.”
“A giant gator? What kind of a place are we in? When are we leaving? A day surely has already passed. I’m beginning to lose my memories.”
Nadira shrugged. “You’ll have to ask Lex.”
“Ask Lex,” Eva said. “All I hear is ‘ask Lex.’ When will we take matters into our own hands? We know where Arees is. You have the Toma. Let’s just snatch her and get out of here before I forget who I am.”
“Keep your voice down,” Nadira whispered. “There is no telling what these people would do if they knew that we were here to take her.”
“I don’t care what they do! You have the Tomas. Use them!”
“Shh,” Nadira whispered. “Be patient.”
Cy-Cy and Monk appeared at Eva’s back. Cy-Cy pulled on Eva’s dress.
“Excuse me,” he said.
Eva turned to him, snatching her dress away.
Cy-Cy frowned at her.
“The dinner bell will ring soon,” Cy-Cy said, “And Arees said that we could escort you.”
“I’ll bet she did,” Eva said.
“Eva, don’t be rude,” Nadira chided. “Yes, children. We will go with you.”
Cy-Cy and Monk led the way toward the right side of the Habby past the curious eyes in the living quarters and into a long, narrow, silver tube that sat between two platforms.
“So, why are you here?” Monk asked. “I’ve been asking but nobody seems to know.”
“We are here to visit with Arees,” Nadira said.
“How long will you be here?” Monk asked, his eyes shifting between Eva and Nadira.
“Just today,” Nadira replied, avoiding Eva’s stare.
Monk shrugged and walked on, Cy-Cy close behind.
“You’re lying for her now?” Eva whispered.
“We don’t want to upset anyone,” Nadira whispered back.
“We’re here to take her back to Zenith so that she can be punished,” Eva said. “That is our reason, isn’t it? What are we still doing here? We should be heading back right now.”
“Eva, keep your voice down,” Nadira hissed.
“This is the dining room,” Monk announced.
The tube fit neatly between two raised platforms. The doorways were without glass, allowing the creatures to walk freely in and out of the long, silver tube.
Stone benches and tables were placed in a single row within the narrow tube. Between each stone table was a cauldron of fire that threw the creatures into both light and shadow as the flames pleased.
Monk and Cy-Cy escorted them to the middle of the dining room and waved them to an unoccupied table. The hard stone fit three people on each side. Lex sat on the side of Kiln and Pennick. Nadira, Seven, and Eva sat on the other.
Nadira wondered why some creatures wore clothes while others did not. She wondered whether the clothing meant that the person had some sort of station here. She made a mental note to ask Monk or Cy-Cy later.
Arees approached. “Hello again.” Arees beamed. “I would like to introduce you to our cook if you have a moment. I will be right back with him.”
Lex nodded, his eyes following her as she left the tube.
“She is not on a group tour,” Eva said, staring daggers at Lex. “This is serious.”
“I know it is,” Lex said.
“I don’t think she realizes,” Eva said, “that she is about to be taken from the only place that she can remember.”
“I’ve told her, haven’t I?” Lex asked.
“Perhaps you should tell her again. Or are you too busy staring at her?”
Lex’s eyes narrowed at Eva as Arees reappeared, escorting a creature in a brown robe. His long claws were cut back much shorter than the other creatures that they saw. “This is Nock. He is our cook.”
Nock nodded, his large eyelids sliding low over his large eyes. “It is a pleasure.” Nock’s gruff voice held a certain pleasantness.
“How long have you been cooking here, Nock?” Nadira asked.
“All of my life. Cooking is a job that one is bred for, I like to say. My father was a cook, as was his father, as will be my sons, Cy-Cy and Monk. I must say that it has been an honor to cook for Arees.” Nock’s narrow lips lifted to reveal sharp teeth and a large, flat tongue.
“Nock,” Eva said, her stomach rolling from the ugly creature. “I keep hearing how wonderful Arees is and all of the great things that she’s done.” She tilted her head, her eyes wide with mock innocence. “I am sure that the myths of Arees’ greatness can’t all be true, can they?”
Nock smiled. “Yes, they all are. She’s stopped the gators from eating us.”
“I don’t think this is appropriate dinner conversation,” Arees said. “Why don’t we talk about the menu instead?”
“Arees, let Nock talk,” Eva said. “Nock, please explain.”
“The gators usually come through the tunnel every afternoon,” Nock said. “They would pick off a few of us then go about their way. We accepted it as a part of life. But when Arees came, she organized us, showed us how to use weapons and explosives. Now when the gators come through, we can defend ourselves instead of hiding. We don’t fear them anymore.”
“So she taught you how to kill,” Eva said. “Isn’t that just like Arees?”
Nock nodded.
Arees plastered a smile on her face and turned to him, “Thank you, Nock. And the menu?”
Nock looked at Arees then back at the group. “Plant root soup with gator meat.”
Eva could barely stop her stomach from flipping. “Can’t wait.”
Arees smiled brightly at them. “I am going to oversee the cooking.”
Eva rolled her eyes, stood, and walked out of the dining tube.
Arees eyed her anxiously. “Will she be back?”
“Not likely.” Lex said.
Arees frowned then left.
“The creatures are ... interesting,” Pennick said.
“Very,” Lex replied.
“Where did Eva go?” Seven asked.
“Who knows,” Lex said.
“What is her problem?” Seven asked. “Why is she so angry?”
Nadira shook her head. “She wants to go home. We come from a different place. Lex used to be her servant, and he’s not anymore. She used to be a councilwoman, and she’s not anymore. And then with the Tomas... she’s just having a hard time adjusting.”
“What’s that like?” Pennick asked, his gaze moving to Lex and Kiln. “Being a servant I mean.”
“It depends on the woman,” Lex said. “If you have a woman who is harsh and cruel, then that is your life. She may send enforcers to beat you. She may have other servants beat you. She may make you work all day and night. You may be traded or mutilated or killed. Sometimes, if you had the build for it and the woman was less than reputable, you could be a prize fighter, which is not so bad I guess. Fortunately, Eva was not unkind to me. Not on Venus anyway.”
“How long have you been with her?” Pennick asked.
“Only a few days,” Lex said. “She picked me up at a Slave Market, we had our ceremony, and that was that.”
“You weren’t afraid of being a slave to some woman you’d never met?” Pennick asked.
“I had no choice.” He sighed. “She loved me once.” He smiled sadly. “But that was in a different place and time. Now ...” He shook his head.
Seven put her hand over his.
Pennick nodded to Kiln. “You?”
Kiln watched as the newest group of visitors sat. “Nadira got me from the Slave Market when I was ten. I wouldn’t say that my life was easy. I had my fair share of beatings from her mother’s prime servant, Maxwell. He was hard on me, bu
t he gave me a lot of guidance too, kept me in line. I loved him, tried to be like him. When he died, it was hard on me. Like losing a father.”
Nadira frowned and looked down at the table.
“Nadira’s mother, Marie, was very strict on our interaction,” Kiln said. “When we were children, Nadira and I were best friends. But as we got older, things changed. We weren’t children anymore. Our feelings towards one another became more... intense. Her mother must’ve noticed because she forbid us from being alone together. If she found us, then she would tell Maxwell and he would ...” Kiln cleared his throat. “But Marie and Max were gone a lot and we were careful. At least I was.”
“What would happen if they found you two together?” Seven asked.
“Death for the servant,” Nadira said. “The woman would be banished or executed, depending on how well connected she was.”
Pennick sucked in a breath.
“Looking back, I was so foolish,” Nadira said. “I just knew that I wanted to be with Kiln every waking moment, and I didn’t care who saw or who knew. It was like I was living in a bubble. I knew that he was a slave, and I knew that if we were caught it would be bad, but it was like we lived in a different world from everyone else. We tried to keep our distance and not look at each other like we did but we couldn’t hide it.” She shook her head. “When I think about all of the times we could have gotten caught, and the times we did, it seems so surreal.”
“We have all come from a place where our love was forbidden, I guess,” Seven said. “And yet, here we are.”
Lex shifted uncomfortably in his seat and was glad when Nock reappeared with Arees behind him. On Nock’s shoulder was a silver tray filled with hot dishes. Nock placed a bowl of brown, cloudy soup and sautéed gator meat in front of each of them.
“Dig in.” Arees stood at the head of the table, watching closely as they took their first bite.
“Mmm.” Lex took a bite, reveling in the nicely seasoned meat and the pleasantly fresh soup. He preferred the flavors of the Chief Byron’s food, but this was good enough to satisfy him. “Very good,” Lex smiled.
“We’re glad you’re enjoying it,” Arees said.
Her back remained straight.
Her eyes remained searching.
Arees didn’t move as they cleaned their plates.