Adia’s heart was heavy that Oh’Dar had been away so much, but she wanted the boy to be happy; however that had to be. She knew he was a big help to Honovi and Ithua, and that he was learning a great deal during his stays there.
Though it was surely not possible in only a few weeks, Adia was certain that Oh’Dar had grown. He was taking on more and more of the Brothers’ characteristics and letting his straight black hair grow long. Only his blue eyes gave him away.
She smiled and nodded her approval at the pile of hides, knowing how important it was for Oh’Dar to learn how to make his own clothes.
Kthama is too cold for him during the cooler months. He is so creative; I wonder what he’ll come up with using these heavier skins?
Based on the improvements Oh’Dar had made to other things around Kthama, Adia did not doubt that his sewing would be of interest to others.
The females who wear wrappings will be anxious to talk to him about his new skill. I am sure many would appreciate some more delicate designs!
Suddenly, someone pressed a fluffy bundle of squirming wolf cub into her hands. She startled, then laughed and grabbed it up to her face, letting it cover her with licky kisses. Seeing her son’s beaming face, she could not be angry, though she did pretend to squint angrily at Acaraho.
She had lived through Oh’Dar’s younger days, which he spent getting into everything in their Quarters and turning it all upside down, and she guessed she could get through this, seeing how happy the cub made her son.
Oh, how I hope it is broken to outside, she thought to herself, reasonably positive it was not.
Nootau waited impatiently for his turn to hold the cub. “What did you name him?” he asked his brother.
“Kweeuu,” replied Oh’Dar. They laughed at his unusual lack of creativity in naming the cub Wolf.
“It looks as if you are going to have a busy season,” said Acaraho to Oh’Dar. “I think it is time we convert one of the extra rooms into a workshop for you. That way, you can spread all your tools and supplies out and not have to pack them up all the time,” he explained.
“Really, Father? Oh, that would be great. Thank you!” replied Oh’Dar.
Adia looked hopefully at her son’s beaming face and thought perhaps things would turn around for him now.
Having nothing else on his agenda for the day, Acaraho said, “Let’s go down there now and pick one out, and then this afternoon I can help you set things up. I imagine you will need work tables and seating. Maybe we should install beams overhead for you to hang materials from.”
Nootau spoke up, “I want to help!” And so the three of them went off to select a workroom for Oh’Dar.
Adia felt the sting of tears welling in her eyes, her heart full of hope that this might be the start of her odd-man-out Waschini son finding his place in the community.
Acaraho, Oh’Dar, and Nootau—with some help from a couple of other males—spent the rest of the afternoon starting to set up Oh’Dar’s workshop. Under Acaraho’s guidance, they had selected a room not far from the Healer’s Quarters, and like hers, along an outer wall so they could make light tunnels to brighten the room. Because Oh’Dar lacked the People’s better low light vision, Acaraho wanted to make sure that he would have use of the room for as much of the day as possible. Mapiya and Haiwee offered to whitewash it with chalk to lighten it further after the males finished setting up the tables, seating, and shelves. Phosphorescent rocks would provide some light after dark.
Oh’Dar beamed with excitement. He had never thought of having a room of his own. There he could lay out all his materials without having to pack and unpack constantly, trying to keep them out of everyone else’s way. The helpers let him tell them where he wanted everything placed, allowing him to make it truly his own.
The room was going to come together much more easily than expected.“As long as the weather holds up over the next few days, we will work on digging the light tunnels,” explained Acaraho, his arm around Oh’Dar’s shoulders as they stood admiring their accomplishment.
“As soon as all the digging is done, we’ll lighten the walls for you, Oh’Dar,” Mapiya reminded him.
The females could not be working while the males were. Poking up through the ceiling to create the first channel was likely to bring all sorts of debris into the room—not to mention the mess when they dug the shaft.
Adia was dying to see what they had done, but she also knew that Oh’Dar would want to show her himself when it was finally ready. She paced around the room, leaving her work undone.
Meanwhile, Kweeuu was making short work of the leaves and stems that had dropped from the worktable. She watched as Nadiwani peeked underneath to see him shredding them into a million pieces, his little tail going a mile a minute.
Adia smiled. She was happy to have him occupied, hoping he would tire himself out before it was time to turn in. Between Oh’Dar’s new projects and caring for this cub, she was hoping he would be busy enough to keep his mind off his troubles.
Finally, after just a few days, the workroom was complete.
Acaraho and the others who had helped, waited in the room to share in the celebration while Oh’Dar went to fetch Adia and Nadiwani.
He took each by the hand to lead them to the workroom. Kweeuu followed happily along, stopping to sniff the walls and pathway every few feet, then running quickly to catch up.
“Close your eyes, and no peeking until I tell you to look,” said Oh’Dar. Then, “Now!” he announced, and the two opened their eyes and looked around.
They stared in amazement. It was an inviting workspace. The usual stone door had been replaced with a wooden one that Oh’Dar could easily open and close. There was a huge stone worktable situated under two light tunnels, just as one was arranged in the Healer’s Quarters. Three massive beams traversed overhead, no doubt for hanging and drying items.
Across the back wall were more large tables. Acaraho had brought in the skins and hides, and Oh’Dar had divided them with like stacked upon like. Another beam spanned the back wall, again, probably for drying items, including sinew for thread. In one corner was a contraption made of wooden poles lashed together, used to stretch and dry the hides.
The chalk on the wall lightened everything. Adia could see that Oh’Dar had put a lot of thought into the layout. Being converted living quarters, it had all the comforts Oh’Dar would need to spend hours and hours there enjoying himself. And located where it was, he could easily find his way back to their Quarters, even through the darkened tunnels.
Adia clasped her hands and exclaimed, “Oh’Dar, It is truly wonderful. You did a great job.”
“Thank you, Mama. I helped with some of the lighter work, but I mostly just said where to put things. Acaraho and Awan and the others did all the heavy work,” he replied humbly.
Kweeuu had caught up by now and ran happily over to Oh’Dar. The cub did not pay the room any notice but was thrilled to see his young master. Oh’Dar picked him up and signed to him that he was a good cub.
Nadiwani remarked, “You’re teaching him Handspeak?”
“Yes! I started at the Brothers’ village. Watch!” And he plopped the cub gently back down on the floor in front of him.
Oh’Dar signed, “Sit,” and Kweeuu sat. Oh’Dar signed, “Roll over,” and the cub rolled over. Everyone laughed freely, never having thought to try teaching tricks to a pet—and using Handspeak, no less.
“He also knows no, good cub, and outside, Oh’Dar explained.
Nadiwani laughed, “Well, I wish I had known about no when he was shredding all the roots and leaves under the worktable!”
The lighthearted spirit within the group lifted Adia’s heart.
Later, back in the Healer’s Quarters, Nadiwani took out Oh’Dar’s Keeping Stone and marked the day his workshop was finished. She stopped for a moment to reflect on the trials and joys of the years that had passed. It was hard to believe that Oh’Dar was almost a grown man. In a few years, if he were not
already, he would be thinking of taking a mate.
Chapter 3
Within a few short months, the cooler air had set in. Oh’Dar busied himself with making warmer full-length coverings for himself. He had learned from Honovi how to dye the skins, turning them a beautiful soft brown. He fashioned warm moccasins for himself as well as various carrying belts. When he was done, he admired his work and felt prepared to winter over in Kthama’s cool rooms and corridors.
As it did every year, the People spent more time inside socializing through the cold months.
This meant it was harder for Khon’Tor to avoid Adia and her son. He did not like the reminders and especially did not like the fact that Adia knew that she was his intended First Choice—thanks to Hakani, who had blurted it out before she died. He wished she had taken that information to the grave with her. That Adia knew he had initially wanted her as his mate must give her some kind of hold over him.
Khon’Tor was sitting in his usual spot in the room when Adia and Nootau entered. He scowled unconsciously at the young male as he looked for signs of himself. He did not know the offspring because he tried to avoid him and his mother, but Khon’Tor indulged himself this time. He admitted that he could see parts of himself in Nootau, who had grown over the summer, and the Leader realized the young male would soon be of pairing age.
The boy will eventually have my height. Time will tell if he will inherit my build.
The thought that Nootau would be ready to mate within a few years gave Khon’Tor pause, however.
Has that much time passed? If I am going to produce an heir, I will have to do something soon. I am sure many are wondering why I have not taken another mate.
The People knew that he and Hakani were estranged off and on throughout their relationship. No-one could believe that he was still too grief-stricken to select another partner. Khon’Tor wondered; if he picked the youngest female allowable, could he bend her ignorance to his desires. He doubted he could even perform any more without the excitement that domination brought him.
How would she know any better? he thought.
Couples would flirt with each other, occasionally pressing the line of propriety, but they did not openly discuss mating practices. Those waiting to be paired were only taught about mating in preparatory sessions called the Ashwea Tare.
Adia noticed Khon’Tor watching them.
Does he ever regret not claiming Nootau? He still has not taken another mate, but he has to be thinking about it—though there is no guarantee his offspring would be male.
Adia did not let herself think about Nootau’s sister, Nimida. She knew from Urilla Wuti that the girl was healthy and safe. She did not want to know more, lest the temptation to try to contact her daughter won out. Only a handful knew of her existence—Nadiwani, Acaraho, Urilla Wuti, and the two attendants who had helped smuggle the newborn offspring out of Kthama. Adia often struggled with the desire to claim Nimida and bring her home. But she still believed she had made the best, most unselfish decision to give Nimida a chance at a better life—a life free of any repercussions from Khon’Tor and without the risk of being burdened and shamed should the facts of her conception be revealed. Aside from that, if Adia had claimed Nimida, word would have reached the High Council members, and there was no doubt they would have forced her to give up the offspring and place her elsewhere anyway. Nimida was now almost grown up, and no good would come of ripping her from where Urilla Wuti had settled her.
Adia’s thoughts turned to Oh’Dar. If Nootau would soon be of pairing age, so would Oh’Dar, though he seemed to be maturing more slowly than Nootau. She did not doubt Nootau’s suitability to be paired. But Oh’Dar; that offspring’s future had plagued them all from the beginning.
Where will he find a mate? The only possibility is one of the Brothers’ maidens. Thanks to Acaraho and Is’Taqa, his skills are growing at a good rate, so he will have no trouble providing for a family should the opportunity for one arise.
Though she was living unpaired, it was not a path Adia would wish on her son—or anyone. True, it had been easier before she started noticing Acaraho, and they had begun to care for each other.
Adia struggled with the possibility of stepping down as Healer to become Acaraho’s mate. Her skills were critical to the People, and she was renowned throughout all the People’s communities for her gifts. To lose her as Healer would be devastating for many.
Do I have the right selfishly to choose a life as Acaraho’s mate over honoring my calling? And as far as I can tell, there are not yet any females among the offspring who have the Healer’s gift and could become apprentices.
Adia did not know what to do, but she knew it was getting harder and harder to stop thinking about Acaraho. At night, when all was quiet, she could not keep her thoughts from turning to him. She often struggled to fall asleep, her body filled with desire for his. She did not know how long this could continue. She was certain that Acaraho, too, was suffering. He never mentioned it, but she occasionally caught him watching her in an unguarded moment, the longing on his face telling her that he shared her struggles. She felt she owed it to them both somehow to find a way to end their misery. And sooner rather than later.
The day had finally come to an end. It had been productive, starting with meetings between Acaraho and the other males about the winter assignments. Repairs had to be done on the tunnels; the Gnoaii must be stocked. The females would need help bringing in the rest of the late harvest, and there were watcher and guard schedules to discuss.
There had been a few more sightings of Waschini riders passing through, though Acaraho imagined this would stop with the colder months approaching. He had seen how the Brothers and Oh’Dar struggled with the dropping temperatures every year. Traveling cross country fighting snow and ice would not be an easy journey for the Waschini. Acaraho expected that if their travels were going to pick up, it would be once the weather warmed.
Acaraho was very glad to get home to his quarters. He knew that at least tonight, he would be able to sleep, exhausted as he was. He did his best to keep his mind off Adia, though he usually indulged himself with thoughts of her when he was finally alone. But not tonight. Tonight, he needed a good night’s sleep because tomorrow would not be any easier.
He drifted off to sleep immediately, only to be awakened a few hours later with the feeling that someone was in his room.
He opened his eyes to see a female figure standing near his sleeping mat. He could see the outline of her hair falling to her shoulders; he could see the curve of her waist above her hips. Her arms were resting at her sides, and she was standing there as if she had been watching him for some time.
Acaraho was not alarmed, but he could not fathom who she was, or how she could be in his quarters. Surely, he would have heard the stone door scrape against the floor as it opened? Surely he had not been that tired?
He raised himself on his elbows and was about to speak when she started to walk toward him. At that moment, he awakened enough to recognize Adia. Adia! What is she doing here?
Adia walked slowly over to where he was lying. She loosened her top wrap and let it fall to the floor behind her. Then she knelt over him, straddling his torso and placing her arms on either side of his chest. She lowered herself to him, and her breasts brushed against him, sending a shockwave through him that took his breath away. Before he could move, her lips were on his, and he could not help but respond. They exchanged their first kiss, at first sweet and soft, then yielding to their stored-up passion, deeper and longer. He could not believe she was there.
He knew he should be strong, but it was too late. He had wanted Adia for too long. As long as they did not cross the line, he could control himself—but this was beyond reason, beyond anyone’s ability to resist. He encircled her with his arms and pulled her tightly against him. He ran his hands over her back and down to her hips, pressing them hard into his, his desire for her now past his control.
Then Acaraho gently rolled her onto
her back, careful to keep his weight off her, and buried his face in her neck. The smell of her hair, the softness of her skin, the warmth of her under him; it was more pleasurable than he had imagined. She was holding him tight against her, her arms circling his shoulders and then passing down over the hard muscles in his back. She wrapped a leg around his hips, and there was no mistaking her desire or readiness for him.
He softly whispered her name as he shifted his position, making his intention clear, giving her one last chance to change her mind. She arched her back under him, moaning in pleasure, raising her hips in a motion of invitation. With one smooth, deliberate stroke, Acaraho claimed her as his own. He held his position for a moment, fully and deeply within her as they both savored the gratification of finally being one. He willed time to stop; for this never to end.
They moved together slowly at first, each lost in the other as the ecstasy built between them, relishing each moment, every movement, until they could hold back no longer. Finally—finally—their love for each other was satisfied as they both exploded in long-awaited release.
Their passion spent for the moment, Acaraho collapsed beside Adia. The two lay there together, gratified, content, and Acaraho drifted asleep.
He awoke the next morning and sat up with a start. He reached over on his sleeping mat, but Adia was not there. Somehow, she must have left in the night after I fell asleep. He could not remember anything past letting himself lie down next to her, the sweet smell of her beside him, and the pleasure of release spreading throughout his body, deeply relaxing him.
What are we to do now? What happens next? Acaraho asked himself. What did it mean? Is she stepping down as Healer? Or was it just a lapse in her self-control, never to happen again? He had to know what had caused her to come to him the night before. He had to find Adia.
Oh'Dar's Quest Page 4