When she rose, her honey hair plastered to her face, her wet dress clung to her golden breasts, eliciting a prompt reaction from Kahuel. He hoped the cool water would chill this awkward reflex. He couldn't act upon it in plain view of the waking camp.
Diablo, swimming around the couple, playfully swatted at the back of Kahuel's head. Whirling in the water, Kahuel rolled with Diablo into the surf, then Talina joined in the fun, and the three of them fell, slapped by a larger wave. As Kahuel helped her stand again, Diablo shook his hide, showering them with drops, eliciting more laughter.
Birds cried overhead. Glancing up, Kahuel noticed vultures gliding in circles among the seabirds. They reminded him of his grim morning duty.
“I must oversee the preparation of the burning pyres before we leave.” Reluctantly, he waded out of the water to retrieve his boots.
Talina followed him but Diablo remained behind, splashing in the swells.
Stepping on the sand, Talina pulled the front of her dress away from her body, shaking the thin fabric. “I'm giving the breeze a chance to dry it.”
“You better.” Kahuel chuckled and pulled on his boots.
He snatched his tunic and slipped it overhead. As he buckled his baldric, he shot a glance at Talina's dress. Although not quite dry, at least it didn't cling to her skin anymore. He didn’t want his men to lust over her beautiful body.
He held out his hand. She took it and they strolled toward the encampment. The aroma of the cooking fires made Kahuel's stomach grumble. Fish and tubers. He struggled to keep his overflowing lightness in check and managed a serious expression in front of his warriors.
Men and women saluted them both with knowing smiles as they passed by. Kahuel hoped his budding tryst with Talina would not curtail his authority, especially in the absence of Princess Esperana and the Mutants to remind them of the chain of command.
“I wonder why the Lost Daughter has not returned,” Talina said, as if reading his thoughts. Coincidence?
Kahuel decided to trust her and sighed. “I hope they didn't perish in a snake attack.”
“No. She is alive. I would have felt her dying.” Talina smiled reassuringly.
“Can you feel her mind?” Kahuel wondered why he hadn't thought of using Talina to communicate with Esperana earlier.
“No.” Talina had a sad smile. “She closed her mind to me the last time I tried to make contact. I understand now that I was violating her privacy.” She let go of his hand to wave at people and embrace the felines that flocked to her and butted their heads against her hips, calling for attention.
She seemed comfortable with their new state of intimacy. She inquired about everyone's health and gave advice on cooking the tubers, like a wise, powerful leader used to giving orders. The warriors didn't seem to mind and welcomed her with kind comments, except for one woman who stomped away at her approach. But Kahuel couldn't expect everyone to approve.
Talina touched his shoulder gently. “I should go visit the wounded. Some of them may still need help.”
“They will appreciate that.” Kahuel kissed her forehead.
“I will return as quickly as I can.” She rose on the tip of her toes and pecked his cheek.
Kahuel couldn't help but encircle her waist and draw her closer. “Remember, we are leaving soon.”
When she walked away, Kahuel watched the sway of her hips, guessing the outline of her naked body under the thin white dress.
He glanced around for signs of disapproval among his warriors, but except for that one woman, no one seemed to care. Of course, everyone was from Yalta and knew of his reputation. They would expect such behavior from him.
Around camp, sailors and warriors went about the task of cooking breakfast. Others relieved the guard. Others yet gathered driftwood. Black Jaguar’s new state of affairs had not disturbed the camp's organized routine.
Leading a gray steed by a makeshift bridle of twine, a grizzled cavalry officer, his blue uniform in tatters, walked up to Kahuel. “Still no word from the mounted patrol you sent out that first morning. It's been three days. You don't suppose...”
“Don't worry. They are seasoned warriors. I'm sure they are fine.” Kahuel figured Talina would have told him if they had met with foul play, like she told him the Mutants were unharmed. “Let's hope they bring good news when they return.”
The old officer caressed the horse's neck. “Maybe they'll find a good location for a permanent encampment. Some place easier to defend.”
The shock of yesterday's battle had left its mark on the warriors. Kahuel gazed up the slopes to the black cliff jutting off the green canopy in the distance. The verdant plateau on top of it would make a perfect shelf to build a fort. But even tall walls might not stop a reptile attack.
Kahuel hoped it wouldn't come to that. He had a better plan. “I want to set up another expedition today. Twenty riders. Ten beastmasters on foot with their felines.”
“As you command, Black Jaguar.” The old officer quickly erased a devilish smile and cleared his throat. “Will the native princess be riding with you?”
“Yes. I'll take the lead with Princess Talina.” Blast the man for knowing him so well. Kahuel resented him for considering Talina as one of his many conquests.
“I have the gentlest mare for her.” The old rider winked.
“Good. You are coming, too. We leave within the hour. Pack enough provisions for two days.”
“Certainly, Black Jaguar.” The man now grinned. “Where are we going?”
“Can't tell you yet.” Kahuel grinned back and winked. Even if he explained, the man wouldn't understand that finding religious relics could be their only chance to get back home.
The gray steed snorted, and the old rider calmed him by caressing its muzzle, keeping his gaze on Kahuel. “Is it dangerous?”
“With the natives on the warpath, it might be.” Kahuel patted his sword hilt. “But they don't bear arms and we do.”
“Good to know.” The old officer nodded. “What about snakes or other wild animals?”
“The felines will warn us, and Talina can help.”
The officer saluted and led his steed by the rope toward the improvised corral, gesturing and calling to his aides.
Kahuel lengthened his stride toward the north end of the cove, downwind, where the six casualties of yesterday's battle had been laid for the night, five warriors and one tiger. The arrangement of the driftwood piles for the pyre, although smaller, reminded Kahuel of the first burning. Hard to believe it had only been a few days since the shipwreck. So much had happened... so many things had changed... Kahuel had changed.
A couple of old sailors finished sewing the bodies of the five dead warriors into white sailcloth.
As he approached them, Kahuel watched the men carry the dead to the top of the pyre. Memories of Basilk assailed his mind. Kahuel's previous happiness vanished, and he couldn't shake the feeling of doom that now hung like a dark cloud over his head. Forgive me, brother, if I didn't always listen to you when I had the chance. I certainly could use your advice now.
Kahuel couldn't understand why more people had to die, and he couldn't help thinking he had failed them. He was in charge. He was responsible. Long ago, his bloodthirsty ancestors would have rejoiced at the prospect of battle, but the Zerkers had evolved since these savage days. Kahuel must stop the violence.
And to make things worse, Kahuel had found refuge at a woman's breast to calm his battle fever... just like he used to. He'd told Basilk before that fatal storm that he'd changed his ways... but had he, really?
After giving specific orders for the burning of the dead, Kahuel returned to camp, where horses, riders, felines and beastmasters waited. He wouldn’t attend this burning ceremony. He must see to the safety of the survivors.
A frail warrior walked toward him, carrying a banana leaf loaded with food. Kahuel almost didn't recognize Talina. She'd hitched her dress like a white tunic into a pair of tan breeches and wore leather boots on her feet.
She'd gathered her honey hair into a ponytail, and a long dagger hung at her belt. She smiled and spun around, as if seeking his approval. Even in warrior's attire, she looked delicate and oh-so-feminine. All Kahuel could see was inviting curves.
She held out to him her improvised platter. “You must eat before we go.”
Kahuel smiled and snatched a piece of warm fish from the leaf, enjoying the unfamiliar aromatic herbs. “It tastes sweet.”
“Your cooks have much to learn.” She stuck another piece of fish into his mouth with her fingers then licked them.
Kahuel laughed. “And I bet you'll teach them the right way.”
“So I will.” Her turquoise stare hardened with determination. “Here, take it all.” She stuck the leaf in his hands and turned away.
While eating, Kahuel resumed his walk toward the ragtag group of waiting riders. Something tugged at the edge of his consciousness. He glanced back to see Talina talking to a young warrior. Was his happiness too good to be true?
Sometimes love endured, but often it was a fleeting illusion, and sometimes a disastrous mistake. Would Talina break his heart? Or would he break hers like he had broken the hearts of other women in Yalta? She had accepted him so easily, so fast. He'd rushed into things without thinking, and now he feared he'd made a mistake.
Talina caught up with his quick steps and smiled. “All the wounded are recovering nicely... even the amputee.”
“That's great news.” Kahuel couldn't lose any more warriors. He nibbled a few bites from the leaf then gave her back the food.
She took it and ate from it.
The riders had lined up the horses on the beach, leaving two mounts at the head of the column, a black stallion for Kahuel, and a white mare for Talina. Since they'd lost the saddles in the wreck, they'd have to ride bareback.
Kahuel checked the twin suns now high above the ocean. “Time to go. Can I help you mount?”
Patting the animal's neck, Talina watched the other riders vault on their mounts. “On her back? Why burden the poor creature? I can walk or run.”
Kahuel chuckled. “The mare doesn't mind. To her, you are light.”
Talina kissed the equine's nose. “She says she likes me. I don't understand why all these animals are so dedicated to you when you control them and can't speak with them.”
“It's because we love them, and they know it.” Kahuel linked his hands and bent his knees to offer her an easy foothold.
“Yes, they know you love them.” Ignoring his foothold, Talina grabbed the mane and vaulted like the other riders, with surprising agility.
Kahuel shook his head. “Don't tell me it's your first time on a horse.”
“It is.” She laughed and ruffled the mare's mane. “And I think I like it.”
“Keep a hold on the mane for balance.”
“I know.” Talina chuckled. “She's telling me what to do.”
Kahuel leapt upon his black stallion, Zerker style, like he did as a boy to race bareback on the lakeshore with his brothers. Then he turned to Talina. “Where to?”
She pointed to the black cliff and a jutting boulder several miles in the distance, due north. “That way.”
It was the direction Esperana and the Mutants had taken.
Kahuel whistled, and Diablo came loping. The feline slowed and fell in step with the black stallion. As the mounted party rode through the undergrowth, beneath the tall green canopy, birdcalls and monkey screams assailed his ears.
Kahuel reminded himself that he might be leading his warriors into a dangerous situation. Fortunately, Talina gave him the advantage with her knowledge of the terrain. He also hoped to have the element of surprise on his side.
As he watched Talina sideways, Kahuel couldn't help but secretly admire her exceptional balance for a first-time rider. “Thank you again for your dedication to my people.”
“Now they are my people, too.” Talina smiled sweetly. “You shouldn't worry. Vanaru is pigheaded, and I hold him responsible for the unforgivable bloodshed of reptiles and people. But the Chosen as a people are very peaceful.”
Kahuel suspected even the Chosen might react violently to the destruction of their sacred relics. He was certain by now that these relics were the energy source for the dampening field that prevented communications with the rest of the planet. There must also be a cloaking device that kept the satellites from detecting the island and its population.
Destroying the relics was his best option, the fastest way to bring his people home. “I hope this can be done peacefully.”
“As your consort, I will do my very best to help them understand.” There it was again, this hint of pride and power. Or was it the way she rode, straight, yet flexible.
“My consort?” Kahuel liked the sound of that but wondered whether he had misled the girl. Maybe her clan used the word loosely. Kahuel chuckled. “We hardly know each other.”
“Our bodies and lips did more talking in one embrace than any mind-talk I've ever experienced.” She gazed upon him with serene confidence. “Besides, I have plenty of time to learn.”
“Indeed.” Kahuel relished the prospect. “It might take us months to find a way off this place.”
She smiled sweetly. “You will enjoy life here. We are meant to be, you and I...”
Kahuel enjoyed her happy disposition and didn't mind entertaining her fantasy of predestination. He'd never met a woman as lovely and eager to please despite the rough conditions of his present existence. Most of his previous conquests would have ditched him at the first hardship. How could he ever get tired of her?
The undergrowth thickened, and they had to ride in a single file. Diablo loped alongside Kahuel's stallion, dangerously close to the hooves. For a while, the chittering of birds and insects, the snorts of horses and the soft thud of hooves on the spongy ground filled the air, punctuated by the never-ending chatting of monkeys. When the forest thinned, allowing two horses abreast, Talina rode up to him.
She barely held the mare's mane and her hips moved in perfect rhythm, reminding Kahuel of their lusty night. “How big is your family back home?”
As an experienced rider, Kahuel admired her ability to adapt to her mount. “I am the youngest of four brothers and two sisters. Basilk, the oldest, designed and built the ship that brought us here...” His voice trailed as his brother's strong, defiant face flashed upon his mind. “But he only came here to die.”
“I am so sorry.” Talina ducked under a low branch without looking at it. “That night, I woke up in the middle of the storm, and I sensed all these souls in distress, people, cats, horses...”
Kahuel remembered as well. “I keep wondering whether I could have done something to help. Why did my brother die? Why do I live? It doesn't seem fair.”
“You had to survive.” She reached out for his hand across the gap between their mounts. “You couldn't possibly have died. How else could we have met?”
Kahuel took her hand and kissed her fingers softly. “I love the way you think, Talina. You see the good in everything, even the worst shipwreck.”
“My people believe in destiny, Black Jaguar.” Her body swayed to the gait of the horse, but her gaze remained fixed on him. “All things happen for a reason.”
Kahuel nodded. If she believed they were destined for each other, that explained why she gave herself to him so readily. Still, something bothered him, and he couldn't figure out what. They rode quietly for a while, the chittering of cicadas and the buzzing of insects filling the warm air.
Talina shook his reverie. “I'm looking forward to meeting your parents, the King and Queen of Yalta.”
“My parents?” He couldn't believe she was so eager to make their affair official.
“Do you think they will approve of me as your consort?” She looked serious, even worried.
Was she thinking about a formal bonding for life? Kahuel had no idea how his family would receive a barefoot native. Things escalated faster than he expected. But Yalta seemed so far away, and
their tryst might end before the time came to return home.
Still, he could imagine a happy life with Talina and wanted to nurture her harmless fantasy. “How could they not love you? Everyone does.”
She let go of his hand as the horses separated to ride on each side of a tree. When they rode abreast again, Talina patted the dagger at her belt. “Will you teach me to use it?”
Kahuel found her request disturbing. “I thought your people didn't approve of weapons.”
“The Chosen don't fight or use blades.” Talina straightened her back and looked ahead. “But since I am yours, I should learn the ways of your tribe.”
Kahuel chuckled. “I may have given you the wrong impression. Not every man and woman in Yalta bears arms. Only the warriors.”
Her face remained determined, her jaw set. “But since you are a warrior, so should I be.”
This sudden change in attitude unsettled Kahuel. “What happened to the peaceful girl I met on that first day by the waterfall?”
“She was betrayed by her brother and by her entire clan.” Birds chirped intruding on their talk. Talina glanced up and smiled at the birds in an exchange that left Kahuel wondering if she spoke to them. Then she returned her attention back to him. “You offered me a home. You are my people now. I want to make you proud.”
Kahuel ordered a stop by a stream to rest the horses. The column halted. The riders dismounted and led the animals to the water. Talina slid down the mare before Kahuel could offer his help. Across the wide river, the black cliff loomed, visible for miles on each side.
Talina pointed to the dizzying heights swarming with large birds. “It's a difficult climb, but there are many eggs there, more so in the spring.”
Kahuel shaded his eyes from the twin suns high above and squinted at the black rock wall. “Yes, I can see the nests.”
“Big eggs, very good for eating. But whenever you send your people to gather them, make sure they always leave two eggs in each nest.” Talina pulled out her dagger and struck an imaginary assailant. “Teach me to use the blade.”
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