"First, I did not sneak. I walked right up. Second, a morka is not a monster, just a hungry animal. Now that you've blinded him, he'll be some other hungry animal's food."
"Better him than me."
"I thought you wanted to be a morka's dinner the way you went back out on that trail."
"Listen, I'm new here, all I know is that I'm to follow that path till dawn, and somehow I'll know where I'm going. I have a feeling I'm behind schedule now."
"You were told to follow this path through these woods at night?"
"Yeah."
"You were told to do this by someone else at whom you've pointed that rama, weren't you?"
"No, it was a guy named Mag'Osnik.”
Just then, it started to rain.
"Could this night get any better?" Cris asked aloud.
"Vemde," she said. Cris asked himself why he was hearing that rather than the English translation. Vemde, he remembered the little man, the first intelligent life he had encountered on this world, and it got the little man killed. Vemde.
The woman took his hand and led him away a short distance. The ground under Cris's feet changed to stone, and the rain no longer fell on him. The dank smell was telling.
"Watch your head," the woman warned.
"We're in a cave?"
"It would appear you don't need eyes. You wait here, I'll be right back."
Cris heard her depart. Soon, all he could hear was the rain outside and the dripping of water inside the cave.
Now alone, Cris pulled up his trouser leg and felt for the wound. There was a twelve-centimeter-long gash about center of his calf. It was deep and bloody. The warm blood ran down his leg and into his boot. He reached into his satchel and withdrew the first aid kit. Inside, he felt for a small metal tube of medical cyanoacrylate and used it to close the wound.
Reaching back into the first aid kit, he felt the row of compressed and tightly packed bandages. He withdrew and opened one, placed the bandage over the injury and tied it tight. The medication in the bandage would disinfect the injury.
He felt the sticky blood on his hands, so he stepped back toward the cave entrance and washed it off in the falling rain, then limped back to the rock where he'd been sitting. The pain in his calf was now epic.
Cris wiped his brow and nonchalantly opened the bladder Mag'Osnik had given him, and took a swig. To his utter amazement, the pain vanished.
A few minutes later, Cris heard the woman return.
"Did you miss me?" she asked.
"Yeah, were did you go?"
"I asked the forest for some things to start a fire. I felt your hand. You're cold."
"I've been colder, but thanks."
As she worked to get a fire started, the woman said, "Let me tell you where you would have ended up, moving at your pace, by dawn. About seven mal down the road where there is another tree-covered hill."
"You use miles here?"
"Miles? No, I said mal."
"What's a mal?"
"Distance: six habmals make a mal, and six mals is a full kronmal."
"Hold it. I've no frame of reference, none of this means anything to me."
"You don't know mals and kronmals? You really are new here. Just where are you from?”
"A planet called Earth."
"Planet—you're from space?"
"Yes."
"Oh, krum, you're the alien Caval Du Mal wants."
"Yeah—that's me." Cris suddenly wished he'd reloaded his pistol.
Then, the woman ignited the fire. At first, the light hurt Cris's eyes. It took him several moments of blinking before he could squint at his surroundings. He had to blink more to ensure his eyes were working correctly because of the sight he now beheld. Before him squatted a woman, at least as tall has he, her hair was raven black and braided down her back. Woven into her hair were small devices, perhaps cast off little bits of electronics. Her face was heart-shaped, her mouth small with full lips, her nose tiny, but it was her eyes that demanded attention. They were almond-shaped like Bell's but much larger, perhaps twice the size of Cris's eyes. Her sclera were not white, as were Cris's, but a pale aquamarine color. Her irises were enormous, and emerald green. The pupils in the center were small in comparison to the large irises. It was obvious that those irises were currently dilated, but in the dark would open up to allow in infinitely more light than his human eyes, thus was she able to see in the dark.
She had removed her wet clothes and wore only a sort of loincloth, but was otherwise naked. She was a breathtaking beauty, her proportions would have made her the envy of any woman on Earth, and she displayed a muscular build indicative of her obviously primitive lifestyle.
Then, she turned toward him. She observed his eyes fall to her breasts. She moved with shocking speed like a bolt of lightning to gather her clothes, then dodged behind a rock.
"Geldba! You told me you were blind!"
"Yes, in the dark, like everyone else."
"On your Earth maybe, most here on Nazer can see quite well in the dark."
"I'm sorry, I thought you understood."
"So, on this Earth of yours—you all just assume that everyone else lives as animals?"
"Look, I said I'm sorry."
"I hope your eyes were filled, for you'll not see me be klided again."
"You're a beautiful woman."
"I'm a what?" She sounded even angrier.
"Woman. It's what we call our adult females on Earth."
She peered around the rock as she dressed. "I am a full grown lawberow of the western lawberow, a member of the Geldneth people, daughter of Geldno Bogle, who once was leader of all Geldneth, and I am a direct descendant of Geldnar Bogle who slew the great Sorgina of Darlok in the year of the red moons. Who are you?" She was angry and indignant.
Cris cleared his throat. "I am a Captain in the United States Air Force, veteran of two combat tours. I am an astronaut and fly Eagles on—"
"Titles and lore, tell me who you are," she interrupted.
Following her example, he said, "I’m from Earth, and a citizen of the United States. I am the son of Ferdinand and Katie Salazar. My father is a geologist and my mother a physicist."
This seemed to pacify her. She buttoned the last button on her leather garment and sat back down.
"Now, the time has come for names," she said. "As—woman—I will begin." She paused, turned on the rock where she sat to face him directly, and lowered her head. Slowly, she brought her head up until she was looking him straight in the face. "I am," she stood and looked down on him, "Tattie Bogle, huntress and pilot." She then sat back down.
Cris began to speak, "Wait, you're a pilo—"
Tattie Bogle cleared her throat and looked at him with her enormous eyes.
"What?"
"I'm waiting to hear your name. Do it right, or don't do it at all."
"I'm from out of town, remember?"
"I just showed you how it's done, gimba!"
Cris nodded and turned to face the woman, lowered his head, and brought it up slowly. They made eye contact, and Cris announced, "I am," he stood and as he did, she stood as well, still looking him in the eyes, "Cris Salazar, Captain and astronaut."
Her eyes then darted away from his and she quickly sat down. "That is as much introduction as is necessary, as you are not of my people."
Cris sat down. "Okay."
"Let me see the injury on your back," she said turning back to him.
"Injury on my back?" Cris said, alarmed.
"You do not feel it? Quick, remove your shirt."
Cris stripped off the top of his flight suit and the insulated T-shirt underneath. He looked himself over but could not see a wound.
"Stand," she demanded.
Cris quickly stood.
She also stood and placed her hands on her hips. "Turn around." Cris turned.
He glanced over his shoulder to see her rubbing her chin with one hand and squinting at him.
"Well?" Cris asked urgently.
He heard her make an odd sound low in her throat. "You're a beautiful male," she said, grinning.
Cris slowly turned around, his face displaying ambivalence. "My back's all right?"
"Yes." She brought a hand up in a halfhearted attempt to hide her smile.
"Why—"
"Seems only fair, Cris Salazar."
"Just call me Cris," he said as he put his clothes back on. "And I'll call you Tattie."
"Oh, my—you Earthians do have a memory."
"You said you're a pilot. What is it you fly?"
"I used to fly a Funil, but since—"
"I'm sorry, a what?"
"A Funil, a world hopper. I transported people, equipment, trade goods, whatever, from world to world, but Caval Du Mal forbid all flying except by his troops. My king did not acknowledge Caval Du Mal's claim over our lands, so as a test, the king sent out a few Funil without passengers or cargo. Du Mal had them destroyed. Now, we don't fly."
"Yeah, I hear he's a bad man."
"You are wanted by him for killing his son—"
"I didn't kill him—it was an accident."
"Regardless, when he catches you he'll—well, were I you, I'd not be taken…not alive, anyway. You said Mag'Osnik sent you this way."
"Yes, do you know him?"
"There are few on Nazer who do not. Where is he sending you?"
"Emer Alda, where I'm supposed to find—"
"The Velka Mislay of Emer Alda," Tattie said, her eyes larger than usual. "What is it you want of the great mind?"
"I want to go home. Mag'Osnik told me this guy could help me."
"Guy? The Velka Mislay is not a guy! They are a force of nature, a powerful center of knowledge."
"Well, Mag'Osnik says he—er—it—the great mind, is the only one who can tell me how to get home."
"Did Mag'Osnik tell you of a vision, perchance?"
"Yes, he said he saw me standing before this great mind."
"Is that all?"
"No, he said he saw me standing there with three others."
Tattie's eyes again grew wide and her lips parted.
Moving in that super fast manner of hers, she knelt in front of Cris where he sat. She cupped his face in her hands and looked into his eyes. As Cris looked back, he watched as her irises opened so wide they all but vanished into black, bottomless pools. Her pupils became gigantic black holes into which his thought seemed to fall. All was dark about him when, suddenly, an unseen light illuminated him. He was soon generating a light of his own that grew very bright. He heard a sound that reminded him of the morka's thunderous approach. It was a steady, rhythmic drumming like the beating of a heart. The sound filled him with warmth, even happiness.
The light began to fade away, and his sight returned to him. He was still on the rock he used for a seat. In front of him, Tattie was back on her rock, eyes closed, breathing heavily.
"Are you all right?" he asked her.
She opened her eyes and looked at him, her irises had dilated once again.
"Cris?"
"Yes."
"Cris Salazar, from Earth?"
"Yes, Tattie, are you okay?"
She moved closer to him and placed a hand on his chest. "I am fine, Cristóbal Salazar."
"What was all that about?"
"We—I have looked inside of you, Cris. You are a brave and honest man. But you—you've never—"
"What? What's this all about?"
"Cris, when you told me about yourself, you failed to mention your mate." She sat back near the fire.
"My mate? If you saw me with a mate, you better get those orbs of yours calibrated."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean there is no—" Cris took a deep breath, his voice slowed and lowered, "there is no mate."
"But I saw—"
"I had been planning—it didn't work out."
"Why did you leave her?"
"I didn't leave her, she—" Cris stopped with an odd look on his face. "You're getting mighty personal, here."
"I will not be lied to, Cris. I saw a woman, and felt your strong desire for her. I saw a ring within which you placed a lot of significance, a bonding ring. Did you not make this woman your mate?"
"No," Cris put his head down, "I had planned to. But our paths diverged. As you spoke, just now, I realized something for the first time. You said you felt my strong desire for her. Truth is, I didn't love her. I lusted for her. I'm lucky, really, that it all fell apart." When Cris looked up, Tattie was looking at him, smiling and her pupils were open larger than normal in this light.
"My troubles make you happy?"
"No, Cris, the truth makes me happy. You have not tried to deceive me."
"Well, I understand that. I had an honesty issue with Mag'Osnik, as well."
Tattie straightened her posture and proclaimed, "I am coming with you."
"What? Why would you do that?"
"Because the path is long and dangerous."
"You know I'm a wanted man, and I can't see in the dark?"
"I know."
"Still, you want to join me? I don't understand. You have no reason to risk your life with me."
"Inside you, Cris, I saw sufficient reason. The understanding is mine, as is the risk. Besides, I know how to get to Emer Alda, and you do not."
Cris glanced toward the entrance of the cave and saw a pale light. He walked over to the entrance and looked out. The rain had stopped, and the clouds were clearing from the horizon, above which the sun was just peeking.
From behind, Cris heard Tattie's voice. "The sun has risen, and I will show you where to go." They were the words Mag'Osnik had used.
He turned and looked at her just as a beam of sunlight filtered through the trees and lit the cave. She turned her head away for a second as her eyes adjusted to the light. She just stood there, tall and lean, her black, braided hair over her shoulder; the shadow behind her accentuating her figure. Her large green eyes were looking dead into his when she smiled at him, and that odd feeling of warmth and happiness he experienced in his brief dream returned. Cris shook his head slightly. He had no business having such feelings, given his situation. Moreover, he needed to feel guilty for allowing Tattie to become involved. She noticed.
"What is it, Cris?"
"Nothing, it's—say, you never mentioned a mate, either."
"No, Cris, I have yet to meet the man my equal."
Chapter 8
The Avory
Cris and his newfound companion, Tattie, gathered up their few possessions and headed out from the cave and back to Cris's original direction of travel on the path.
"Any chance that we'll run into another mork?" Cris asked.
"Morka. No, they are nocturnal and hate the light. I used to travel in these woods with a brilliant lamp just to ward them off."
"You didn't have a lamp last night."
"I said I used too. Caval Du Mal forbids my people to travel outside the borders of our own land. A light in here would attract unwanted attention."
"That's why Mag'Osnik didn't want me to produce a light. I'll bet the old thermal-matter-horn knew I have a flashlight."
"Lights in these woods at night beckon to malicious men."
"I take it this path doesn't lead to Emer Alda?"
"No, but it will lead us out of these woods. This reminds me, once out from the concealment of the forest, we could be spotted from the air or from the ground. The first thing we must do is get you out of this uniform of yours. You are too conspicuous."
"Where can I buy some local threads?"
"Buy what?"
"Sorry, I have to stop using colloquialisms. Do you know a place where I can buy some Nazer-type clothing?"
"There are no more manufactured clothing here except for soldiers and servants of Caval Du Mal. People make their own clothing now, some cling to their old clothes until they rot off of them."
"Okay—where do I get some local clothes?"
"Well, we can't make any
for you, and unless you have some money, we can't buy any, either. We'll have to steal them."
This brought Cris to a stop. "I can't bring myself to steal from people this bad off. Forget it, I'll take my chances."
Tattie took a step back and looked Cris over. "Take off your clothes."
"What, again?
Tattie pulled a knife from behind her back.
"Whoa! Honey, you don't have to get violent!"
"Cris, step behind a tree, if you wish," Tattie admonished him. "Just hand me your clothes."
Cris did just that, and watched as Tattie removed all Cris's insignia from his jacket. His JILL patch, his IIEA patch, name, rank and astronaut's wings. She also removed his American flag and let it drop to the ground with the other devices. She used the edge of her blade to fray and tatter the cuffs and the elbows and knees. She then threw his things into a mud puddle and kicked them around until they were good and covered.
"Hey!"
"Be quiet."
Once out of the mud, Tattie held the garments out at arm's length in Cris's direction. "Here, Cris, take these, and put them back on.”
"Toss them over to me."
"No. Come and get them," Tattie said with a smile.
"You Geldneth people aren't much on this forgive and forget thing, are you?"
Tattie just stood there holding out the dripping clothing.
"You're going to be disappointed!" Cris shouted, then stepped around from behind the tree. He was wearing his insulated undergarments.
"Oh, no," Tattie said, "you must also remove those as well."
"Why?"
"They are not of Nazer."
Cris walked deliberately up to her and snatched the muddy things from her hand, slinging some of the dripping mud across his chest and face. Tattie giggled, Cris just turned away. The sound of her laughter in his ears again produced that warm feeling in him.
Behind the tree, he removed his undergarments and slid into the wet, cold, uniform. As he did, he considered that her race must possess some unique sonic ability to set up a resonance perhaps inside the human nervous system that resulted in this feeling. Most likely, she was unaware of it. He already knew she had special abilities, seeing in the dark, and that thing she did with her eyes to look into his soul or read his mind…not to mention her lightning speed.
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