by Orr, Krystal
Unsure how to respond, Talliea leaned her forehead against Arizira's and let a silence fall around them. She could feel the heat from their fire warming her tired and achy body, as well as hear the frequent howls of the winter wind. Outside, a steady snow fell and quietly cushioned the forest floor. With the moon being so high in the sky, Talliea was able to see much of the trees and surrounding fauna so near to the cave.
"We can spend our time in the shadow of night. We have not the need to travel as once we did,” she whispered.
Arizira took in the words but remained silent. As much as she had enjoyed getting to know Talliea and show her the many marvels of the forest, she had not known how much being away from the moon and stars would affect her. Her people held elaborate ceremonies many nights of any given month, and being away from such hallowed rituals had left her feeling slightly unbalanced. Traveling during the day, with the sun constantly in her eyes, had proven to be draining.
Her forest did not look the same with the light of the sun as it did with the rays of the moon. The only thing that had made the whole adjustment easier to bear was Talliea. With her, Arizira had not noticed the desires of her own heart as much. Tonight, however, as she had lain in her lover's arms, she had been keenly aware of the moon beaming down outside. Like a call, it had pulled her from her sleep and asked her to venerate it. So, she had.
"Your eyes do not allow you to walk with certain steps during the moon's reign, Tah-li."
"You could be my guide. On nights such as this, when the moon is high and full, you could show me more of the forest as you see it," Talliea pushed. Sighing, a small smile touching her lips, Arizira placed her hands on top of the ones around her middle and nodded. "If that is your wish."
"It is."
Silence settled around them once more. Insects chirped a melody that seemed to set the tempo for which the rest of the forest sang. Owls hooted far away in the distance while the sound of foxes scurrying into underbrush caught Arizira's keen attention.
Talliea sat with Arizira, her chest pressed so closely to the smaller woman's back that she could feel the beat of her heart, and sighed. She was so at peace. Words could never appropriately express the sense of contentment she felt. Being able to kiss and touch Arizira was now her greatest pleasure. It was as if the Arniran woman's body had become an extension of her own. She was now able to run her hands and fingers over Arizira's skin however she liked as often as she liked. Her actions were not met with any sort of resistance. Her caresses were welcome.
Sitting with Arizira in such a peaceful way, Talliea could think of nothing else her heart desired. She moved her left hand from Arizira's tight stomach and placed it upon her upper thigh. With her cheek resting against a fair shoulder, she traced senseless patterns across Arizira's leg. Several more minutes passed as each woman enjoyed the night and the company of one another.
"Ari-sera?" A pause. "Hmm?"
"When we were joined physically, your life was as if a story behind my eyes. I saw you as a child, as a young woman. Your experiences were my experiences."
Arizira nodded, her fingers linking with Talliea's hand on her thigh. "I know of what you speak," she said softly. "The experience was new for me, too."
Talliea squeezed Arizira's fingers and kissed her shoulder again. She knew there was nothing much either one of them could say to explain how such a phenomenon had occurred. It was something special that they had shared, something that did not require an explanation or a name at present.
Still, there was something Talliea had witnessed, something that had not been made clear to her. "I witnessed your first kiss," she said. Her voice was all but steady except for the small quiver toward the end that hinted at a baseless jealousy.
Arizira nodded but did not comment any farther. She knew Talliea had more to say. "She was pretty, Ari." Again, Arizira only nodded and snuggled closer to her love. After a moment, the nature of their current conversation became evident. "Who was she? The woman with eyes the color of summer grass?"
Bringing Talliea's hand to her lips, Arizira placed a tender and reverent kiss amongst her knuckles. She thought back to the time in question and a melancholy smile graced her mouth. She remembered times when she had been young and had believed the yearnings of her body dictated the love in her heart. How wrong she had been.
Her youthful exuberance had brought pain to another. Pain she had not intended, yet had brought into being nonetheless. After a quiet moment of thought, she responded to Talliea's question. "Her name is Bela'luin. She was marked as older than I by a few winters. I thought she was graceful and elegant. We studied our skills and our lore together and I grew fond of her as she did of me."
"What happened, love?" Talliea asked softly. Another pause, a breath of silent contemplation.
"Her heart asked more of me than I was able to offer. Youth often disguises physical lust for emotional love. I saw this. She did not. We separated our paths and maintained our respect. She dedicated herself to Aitla and to the protection of the tribe and I..." Her words trailed off. A smirk tugged at the corners of her mouth.
"You what?" Arizira turned and looked into Talliea's questioning eyes. Her smirk grew. "I followed Salira's jest one night and found you. I fell in love with a dream, a myth of my people's imagination."
Talliea laughed, her eyes bright and her smile happy, as she stared into the most perfect and beautiful face she had ever known. She felt herself being pushed onto her back. Arizira straddled her hips and looked down at her. Hands began to roam over her chest and shoulders and she felt the familiar twinge of arousal spring to life in her stomach.
Arizira leaned down next to her ear, their breasts coming into contact, and whispered, "There are many different ways for me to express my love for you, failira." Before she could respond, she felt Arizira repositioning herself on top of her. A moment later, her center came into contact with Arizira's and she moaned. She could feel the wet heat coming from her love's sex and it excited her.
Arizira chose that moment to gently rock her hips and Talliea gasped at feeling something so intimate. Wrapping her arms around her love's back, she turned her head and whispered, "Teach me."
And, Arizira did just that.
* * * * * *
Talyn paced inside the wide and circular area that made up Raekir's base. Her thoughts were disordered and wayward. She found it difficult to focus too long on any one thought. When Bela'luin had come to her a few days before and informed her of Arizira's so-called treachery, it had taken every ounce of self-control Tayln possessed to not reveal Cynra's words to her. Of course she knew that Arizira was with the enemy!
That thought had kept her up for many days. She still found it difficult to reconcile that Arizira's great destiny, the fate said to have been woven in the stars themselves, was nothing more than a fanciful love with an Esu female. What could be so special about this one dark skin? The idea of the Doira'Liim was known to all Arniran children. Every woman that reached adulthood knew of the stories surrounding the connection said to exist. Most women eventually dismissed the idea, but there were some, like Arizira, who remained forever enchanted by the story.
Could it all be true? Could Cynra's words to her weeks ago about Arizira finding her Doira'Liim actually be fact? Even if such a connection of spirits existed, Talyn found it difficult to believe that a follower of Esuval could have any part in an Arniran belief. An all powerful, all consuming, love between an Esu and an Arniran? Honestly...
As Talyn paced, she felt her anxiety continuing to grow. When Bela'luin had come to her about Arizira, the young hunter's words had been quite forceful. The edge in them had shocked Talyn. She recalled the day in question for what felt like the hundredth time.
'Nai'iris.'
'Bela, it is hardly customary for a single hunter to ask audience of me. What matter of import do you bring to break tradition so?'
'This is a rather delicate issue, Nai'iris. I thought to speak to you without the prying ears of the other El
ders.'
'Then speak quickly. There is much my mind needs to think upon.'
Bela'luin nodded, her eyes never leaving Talyn's. 'I come before you this day to bring news on the movements of one of our own.'
Talyn felt her stomach drop. All of the scouts patrolling the forest and monitoring the Esu camp were accounted for. That only left Cynra and Arizira that Bela'luin could possibly be referring to. Had something happened? Did Bela'luin hold information on the fate of one of the women?
Interest piqued, Talyn schooled her features and replied, 'Yes? Of whom do you speak?'
'Arizira, Nai'iris. Arizira Ahmanae.'
Talyn watched Bela'luin's eyes. She could see something dark pass over her lean face, but it passed too quickly to be identified. 'The Child of Whispers is on a Spirit Quest. Her movements are of no concern to the tribe,' Talyn said trying to steer the conversation away from the truth.
'I have reason to believe that she is on anything but, Nai'iris.' Standing, Talyn took a step toward Bela'luin who was kneeling before her, head bowed. 'To interfere in something so revered is an offense to Aitla.' The voice was cold and clipped.
Bela'luin hardly noticed. Glancing up, she shook her head. 'Words spoken truly. I have witnessed Arizira on my patrols. A Spirit Quest does not have need of an Esu woman. A Spirit Quest does not demand that Arizira lay in passion with an enemy of the Arniran people. A truer offense could not be presented, Nai'iris. One of your hunters has betrayed you. Action must be swift.'
Talyn felt as if the air had been removed from her lungs. She turned away from Bela'luin quickly. What was she to say? How was she to respond? Cynra had not mentioned such an occurrence! How was Talyn to protect Arizira when she had been seen with this great love of hers? Taking a deep breath, Talyn turned back around to find Bela'luin watching her reaction.
A thought came to mind, a possible way to avoid future potential problems. 'Bela?'
'Yes, Nai'iris?'
'Your love for Arizira is hardly something to have passed in the night. Many winters have seen you still trying to win back her affections.' Bela'luin stiffened. Her eyes turned dark. Her shoulders rolled. 'That is hardly of any--'
'I think it is,' Talyn finished for her. Her tone was sure and authoritative. 'You come before me and make allegations against one of your sisters. I am inclined to seek proof. Do you have it? Are words your only weapon here amongst me? A cruel hand the spirit of love cast upon you, Bela, but to come before me with words of treason on your tongue in regard to one you lost? That is a greater offense.'
Bela'luin stood up. Her entire stance spoke of a livid nature. 'You choose not to act? You choose to disregard your duty to the tribe in lieu of further condemning the sorrows of my heart? My love for Arizira is not blinding me to the truth. Yours is, Nai'iris. Arizira could be speaking of our location, our defenses, to her lustful Esu woman! Our tribe could be awaiting a war with its eyes closed. If you will not do what must be done, then I am forced to seek the aid of the other Elders. A decision you have made, Nai'iris, but if the other Elders overrule you, then all we will wait upon is the break of winter.'
Talyn felt a retort burn upon her tongue. She wished to impart everything Cynra had told her, but she knew she could not. The Dream Speaker's words had not been for Bela'luin. The overzealous hunter would not understand. Her feelings for Arizira would forever cloud her judgment. 'You would walk down this path, Bela? You would have the other Elders convene to rethink the wisdom of my decision?'
Bela'luin scoffed. 'Wisdom? What wisdom in there in awaiting death? What wisdom is there in allowing a disease to suffocate the living? The Esu are a plague. If allowed to walk freely, they will most assuredly bring decay to our people and our lands. Wisdom has failed you, Nai'iris, if this you deem a just course.'
Before Talyn could say anything further, Bela'luin turned and departed. A calling of the other Elders would take a matter of days. What was she to do?
Talyn inhaled and let her eyes go out of focus. She wondered how she had gotten to where she was. Just a few short months ago she and the tribe were in perfect harmony. There was only love and life and the appreciation of everything Aitla had bestowed upon Her children. Now there was discourse and anarchy. There were day walkers in the valley among Arniran borders. The Child of Whispers was in love with an Esu woman and Bela'luin was aiming to have Talyn’s decision overthrown.
In a matter of minutes, the other Elders would enter Raekir. In a matter of minutes, the whole of Talyn's tribe would gather to hear of the ruling matter. In a matter of minutes, everything Talyn had fought for could be cast aside.
As she waited for the others to begin filling Raekir, Talyn could not help but think back upon some of Cynra's last words to her.
'Anger always lets loose the first volley.'
Had Cynra's cryptic words been, in reality, a portent of future events? Was the anger spoken of Bela'luin's? If such was true, then Talyn knew the first volley would be the ruling the other Elders had decided upon. As Ma'nolira entered Raekir and looked in her direction, Talyn knew Cynra had been correct all along.
War was imminent. The first volley was soon to be fired.
Chapter 31: The Ignorance of Bliss
Days passed. Nights returned only to bid farewell to the world with the coming of the sun. Life continued. While Talliea and Arizira were blissfully unaware of events that would soon impact them greatly, and while Talyn stood within Raekir listening to the other Elders' decision, life in the Esu camp was also moving forward at a much faster pace.
After Taetylona had been banished a second time, new reforms, rules, and laws had been put into place. No longer could women deny a man who had claimed her. If she had the audacity to do so, then the man could rightfully take what was his by force. The old law that stated a woman had until her twenty-third birthday to comply with the claiming man's wishes was thrown out and labeled meaningless and archaic.
The Northlands were new. They were challenging and diverse. The Esu could no longer afford to stick to the old ways if they hoped to survive and thrive in a new land. Rules and laws that had given their women even a small amount of freedom and rights were tossed aside. Women like Taetylona and Talliea had shown what freedom could do for a woman. If the Esu were going to survive, the Lat'sa'val said, everyone had to know their place and do their part. Adhering to out-dated laws that proved more frustrating than beneficial had to go.
According to the Lat'sa'val, if Talliea had joined with Markahn when she was supposed to, the two of them would most likely have several children by now. Those children, they said, would have only increased the population, and thus prosperity, of the entire clan. As it stood otherwise, Talliea's refusal and denial had hindered the Esu and set them back.
News laws were put into place that prohibited any woman from being alone without a man present. Daily chores were observed by selected men. The brook that ran along the western side of the camp that the women had used for bathing was no longer restricted for just their use. Men now used the area too and made no show of enjoying the women's naked bodies in the process. Every action, simple or not, was first approved by a man within the settlement. Where before the sound of talk and laughter could be heard from a group of women going about their work, now a dead silence hung upon the air. Such trivialities only decreased the speed in which the women worked, said the Lat'sa'val.
All in all life in the Esu camp, for the men, improved greatly, while life for the women became a more strict existence. The women were no longer people. They were no longer individuals. Instead, they were tools used to achieve an end. They were...cattle.
"You really must take these thoughts and do away with them, Lao'dahn."
Markahn looked over his shoulder at the younger man behind him. For the past several days, Lao'dahn had shown himself to be increasingly agitated. He barely slept, appeared preoccupied in his work, and rarely spoke of anything other than finding Talliea. He refused to believe her to be dead and insisted she was the one who
had shot at him. For days now, he had tried to get the other Lat'sa'val to agree to a small excursion into the forest. He was convinced that he and some other men could find the wretched woman if only they were given an opportunity.
"She made a fool of you! She disgraced Esuval and was rewarded with freedom! Did you honestly believe she would come back to you?" Lao'dahn's words were clipped and cold. His friendship with Markahn had become strained and awkward. The two men rarely spoke anymore and when they did, their conversations usually centered around Talliea.
"I wanted to offer her a chance to be someone other than who she was! I wanted her to see that she needed me and the stability I could offer her. What hope did she truly have out here, Lao'dahn, lost in the woods?"
Lao'dahn looked around at the tall and majestic trees surrounding them. He and Markahn and several other men were currently exploring the eastern side of the forest. They were mapping the area, collecting samples of various plants and fauna, and looking for other sources of food and water. With the heavy snow on the ground, their tasks were proving slow going. The sun was high in the sky, but cloud cover prevented its rays from offering much heat.
"Look around you, friend. This forest is alive! Even with the snow, life is everywhere! Talliea is probably better fed out here than she was in our camp! You gave her a way out and she took it!"
Markahn, tired of Lao'dahn's obsession with Talliea, turned around and took a step in the younger man's direction. "Enough! I will hear no more! The matter was not for you to decide! I claimed her. She was mine. Her life was mine! I chose to grant her freedom in the hope she would return. Instead, the forest claimed her and now she is gone. There is nothing else to discuss! You will drop this, Lao'dahn, and never pick it up again!"
Lao'dahn was silent for a moment. He and Markahn had moved farther away from the other scouting parties and were standing near a magnificent rock formation. The stones soared high into the sky and appeared as if sentries guarding the secrets of the forest. A smile broke out across Lao'dahn's face and a moment later a laugh sounded from his lips.