by Aaron Hicks
Esolc said, “I can’t really hang out with Pamfilo, so I usually either sit with Heathyr, nap, or nap with Heathyr by the pool.”
Heathyr nodded, “I like to walk, or train myself while they’re training. From lunch to supper I usually lay by the pool, or watch the boats to see if Basam has arrived, which is how I found you.”
Larut said, “For six months? Aren’t you bored?”
Uktesh and Laurilli shook their heads. The three adults looked at each other and Heathyr said, “Sometimes, but we’ve agreed that it’s better to be bored than the opposite. Plus now that Uktesh has picked a fight with the Justicers I’m sure it will become more exciting.”
Uktesh was reminded that he wanted to check on Leilani and her father, so he got out of the pool and said, “I’ll be right back.” He Walked into Leilani’s bar as two Justicers turned the corner toward her bar. He ducked inside before they saw him and ordered seven bottles of berry drink.
He turned around on the bar stool, stretched his arms out from his sides, and slouched in the seat. He knew it looked like he was just waiting for the Justicers, because he was, but it was also an arrogant posture. The two walked in and Uktesh smiled, “Gentlemen, I’ve ordered you both a bottle of berry juice if you’d like some.”
Leilani returned just then and frowned momentarily before setting all seven bottles on the counter. Months before they’d paid her a hundred gold coins to drink, “for free,” until they left. They knew they’d over paid her easily by fifty gold coins, but they didn’t care. The two Justicers each took a bottle and left.
Uktesh turned around and said, “Either I’ve got the best timing in the world or they’ve been harassing you today.”
Leilani said, “It’s fine. It’s only a little bit more than they usually do.”
Uktesh said, “I’ll have to have a talk with them. If that doesn’t work the grand masters owe me a favor.” If they decide not to kill me that is. He’d somehow forgotten that they were still deciding his fate.
Uktesh didn’t need to Walk to Abrym’s so he collected the bottles and Walked back to the pool. He Stepped twice to the shallow end and handed out the drinks as he reached each person.
Repus said, “Leilani’s?”
Uktesh said, “Just want to keep an eye on her and her dad for the next few days.”
Repus said, “Thank you.”
Uktesh said, “If you’re there and they do anything, don’t fight them. I got the impression that all four are dragons and at least one has earned more than one flame.”
Larut said, “What flame are you?”
Uktesh thought about it and said, “I guess the highest. Fifth flame rank is when you learn the Shadow Walk. The only thing above that are the five grand masters, or maybe six now.” He grinned at the group, “Although I doubt anyone will want to learn from me. I’ve half trained in everything and have tried my best not to augment my skills with forms.”
“Though now that I think about it, most of what they do is a form of balanced attacks, with spirit infusing their-.” He stopped and looked at the group, “I don’t think I’m allowed to tell you this, so I’ll shut up.”
He had a sudden idea for spirit-infused imperfect and perfect attacks. Oh man! If I can get that to work I’ll have to seriously think about teaching that trick to people I trust.
Heathyr sighed and said, “Well, on that note, we should shower before we go dancing.”
Everyone finished their drinks and set the bottles on the bar by the pool. Ordinarily they’d get a copper back per bottle, but none of them cared. It was better than getting yelled at for buying their drinks elsewhere and bringing them to the pool.
As they all headed back to their houses, Larut said, “I have a house right by the pool, so should we meet back here, or should I try to find the amphitheater on my own?”
Uktesh said, “I’ll come get you in ten to fifteen minutes. Wear something light and loose, as it gets hot on the dance floor!”
They walked back quickly and Uktesh unlocked his door as Heathyr and Laurilli went to their house. Uktesh sighed as he walked into his empty house. He slipped out of his sandals, threw his shorts on the bed, went into the bathroom, and started the shower. He didn’t close the curtain, because he and Laurilli had been sharing a shower for weeks now, and they realized that they didn’t need to close the curtain to hide.
He quickly cleaned off and decided to shampoo his hair after he realized that with all the time in the ocean and the pool his hair was becoming straw-like. He finished his shower, dried off, and quickly got dressed. The he left. He locked the door behind him and Walked to the pool area.
He saw Larut waiting for him and said, “How long have you been waiting?”
Larut said, “A minute or two, no more.”
Uktesh said, “Okay this is the pool area,” and Walked to the path that led to the pool. “This is the path and leads to the pool there,” he indicated. The he pointed out the other areas. “The dining area is there, the pier is there, and that way up the mountain about four or five hundred yards is where our four houses are.” He Walked up the main path to the path that led to their houses. “Here’s the path to our houses.”
Larut said, “That was awesome! I really want to squeal, ‘again, again,’ like a little girl, but if you’ve learned that in a month or two, then that is time well spent!”
Uktesh said, “Well, it’s a little more complicated than that. We have a bench we can sit on and wait for the other four.” They walked down the side path to the houses and found the other four heading their way. Larut stared at Heathyr and Laurilli and Uktesh realized he’d gotten used to seeing the two of them in their kiekies, semi-formal outfits that everyone wore to dance in. Uktesh’s group added an undershirt to the islanders’ traditional costume.
“You two look amazing!”
Uktesh said, “Sorry I should’ve said something too, but I guess I’m just used to you two looking amazing.”
Repus said, “I’ll have to remember to complement Leilani,” and Esolc nodded his agreement.
Uktesh and Larut headed back to the main path with the other four. They walked to the amphitheater giving Larut advise on the dancing. For example, if a girl used her cloth to pull him into the dance, he was not to stare at anything but her eyes, even though with that cloth around Larut it would expose one of her breasts. When they got to the amphitheater people were already dancing and the two girls joined in. Laurilli grabbed Uktesh as she passed him. After Leilani and Pamfilo had grabbed Repus and Esolc, Uktesh nodded to Larut, and Laurilli pulled him into their dance with her cloth.
Utkesh shouted over the noise, “If you don’t know what to do either look at a guy and copy him, or bob your head while you step side to side!”
After two more songs Repus, Esolc, and Larut left to get drinks. When they came back all seven took a break to drink and catch their breath. When the next dance started the four girls were back up and into the dancing crowd. Uktesh sighed, got up, and joined them.
Uktesh noticed that a pretty woman who looked to be in her twenties had her clothe wrapped around Larut and he was dancing awkwardly with her and two of her friends. Uktesh caught his eye, grinned, and winked.
By the time the dancing started to wind down, Uktesh and the other three men had been done dancing for an hour. Uktesh truly didn’t know how the girls did it, because his feet were aching and he’d danced far less than they had, but they showed no signs of quitting. Finally, the four women pulled the four men back into the dance and together they all danced one last dance for the night, or early morning. They headed to their houses and when they got there Uktesh bade the six goodnight and walked, not Walked, he felt too tired for that, Larut back to his house, just to make sure he knew how to get there in the dark. Uktesh yawned as Larut fumbled with his lock. Once he was inside and Uktesh heard the lock slide home from the other side, Uktesh began walking to his house.
He saw the distinctive feather caps before he saw the four Justicers
as they headed his way. Uktesh nodded to them and said, “Gentlemen.” He knew that all four being near his house was not a coincidence. He faked a yawn that became real and Stepped out of the path of two punches. Once he was behind them he kept walking slowly home as if he hadn’t noticed their attacks. With the help of the dragon, who sent him an image of the four behind him, he pretended to stumble under a kick aimed for his head. He scratched his head and continued forward with a loud yawn. He knew one or two more misses would take the wind out of their sails.
He Stepped forward again to avoid the kick that would have tripped him, and Stepped sideways to avoid a tackle. He stopped walking and said with a slurred voice, “Sorry, you okay? Did you drink too much too?” He stumbled forward again, and they didn’t follow him.
When he turned off the main path to his house he Walked the rest of the way inside and fell onto the bed. As he laid on the bed and felt his head spin, he wondered if he hadn’t accidentally drunk alcohol, and too much of it. He realized that he was dizzy from all the smoke he’d inhaled from the fires in the amphitheater.
He went to the bathroom, returned to his empty bed, and fell back onto it. As he lay there he pulled off his sweat-soaked shirt, yawned again, wiggled out of his shorts, and pulled the covers over his body. He rolled over and reached for Laurilli, and was startled when she wasn’t there. He sighed, wondered if she missed him as much as he missed her, and drifted off to sleep.
VI. A Wedding in the Life of
Three weeks left
Uktesh woke up and threw off this covers. Today’s the day! He couldn’t stop imagining Laurilli’s skin, or her smell, and realized that he had to get out of the bed that still felt empty without her. He smelled her pillow one more time and jumped out of bed. His first impulse, once dressed, was to head over to Heathyr and Laurilli’s house, but he wasn’t supposed to see her today. She told him yesterday that if she ate breakfast she wouldn’t fit into her dress, so he didn’t have to worry about seeing her at breakfast.
He Walked to the dining area, and danced his way to the food. He continued his dance as he walked back to the table. He kept dancing on his way to get his normal two cups of berry juice, and then walked carefully back to the table because he didn’t want to spill on himself. When he sat down he couldn’t stop his body from moving as if in a seated dance. Repus remarked, “Someone’s happy.”
Uktesh stuffed a giant mouthful of eggs into his mouth and continued to move to his internal music, as he nodded in answer to Repus. Esolc said, “Leave him alone. Our little Uktesh becomes a man today.”
Uktesh grinned with his mouth full and continued chewing. Repus and Esolc made up for his lack of conversation. Repus said, “So I heard from Leilani that Uktesh will have a wife that learned the Mujra.” Uktesh felt his grin grow.
Esolc said, “My Pamfilo said that she’s better at it than any other girl her age, even those that have been practicing for years.” Uktesh swallowed and fell like his grin was going to split his face in half. He took another big bite and chewed it quickly.
Repus said, “Yeah, I’ve heard the same thing. Now that you’re engaged to Pamfilo, has she danced it for you?”
Esolc shook his head, “Nope. She said she’d only dance the Raqs Sahrqi or the Raqs Baladi, but I don’t know how the Mujra could be any more sensual. Do you Uktesh?”
Uktesh swallowed and said, “I will.” He’d been awake for ten minutes and his cheeks were already hurting from smiling. He truly didn’t know if he’d survive the joy he felt.
Repus said, “Larut’s lucky he left already, so that he doesn’t have to suffer this sickeningly sweet boy gloat about a girl that’s young enough to be our daughter.”
Esolc said, “Yeah,” but stopped and said, “Ack, I can’t continue this with Smiley McSmileson over there. We’re both happy for you both.”
Uktesh smiled widely and said, “Thanks. I don’t know if this day can end soon enough!”
Esolc said, “Or at least get to the stuff leading up to the thing you’ll do once the day’s over.”
Uktesh nodded and started his sitting dance again as he stuffed some ham into his mouth. He went to drink from one of his cups only to find he’d already finished both. He Walked to get more and Walked back, and somehow managed to not spill his drinks. He sat again and finished his food and drinks, and said, “I have to burn off some of this energy or I may explode.”
You really are brimming with spirit today. The dragon mentally sighed, If only there was a war happening today. You’d win singlehandedly.
Repus said, “Have fun, just make sure not to look at Laurilli. It’s seriously back luck.”
Uktesh quickly threw his dishes in the bin, then Stepped, then Charged out of the dining area and headed to his house. Once he got there he Walked into his house and grabbed one of the practice swords they’d bought. He Walked to the beach where they practiced at and Stepped, then Charged again.
He’d figured out a month and a half ago how to infuse spirit into his forms and he spun around the beach flowing from form to Shadow Step or Walk back to form. He attacked and defended against a horde of undead creatures. He used the perfect Woodman’s Work and moved up into an attack that sent a shockwave across the beach and shattered a boulder when it hit. He froze and blinked rapidly in shock. Did I just use the god form! How did I do that? What was that? He continued to go through the same series of moves he’d done previously and couldn’t do it again.
This is going to be frustrating! He continued to move across the beach and by the end of two hours he was drenched in sweat and had come a lot closer to figuring it out. He knew he was close, and at least he’d finally burned off his extra energy. He Walked back into his house and took a shower. Once he’d finished he Walked to where the wedding was being held to make sure everything was set up correctly.
He saw that the gazebo was decorated, the chairs were set up, and the harpist was seated and waiting. He walked over to her and said, “Hi! Thank you for coming all the way to play for our wedding.”
She smiled and said, “It’s my pleasure. I’ve vacationed here twice for a total of a week. Paying for me to stay for a month is more than generous.”
Uktesh said, “You know the wedding doesn’t start for another hour, right?”
She smiled and nodded, “I’ve got nothing else to do, so I’ll tune my harp in a few minutes and then quietly play while people are gathering.”
Uktesh said, “Thank you, that sounds nice.”
Next Uktesh Walked to Abrym’s and saw that Pippy was already dressed in her flower girl dress and that she looked even cuter than normal. She said, “Tesh! Is it time?”
He shook his head and said, “Not just yet, but soon. I’m making sure everything is ready. He Walked to make sure that the island Justicer of Marriage was ready and was still going to do it. He didn’t know if he would beat the man if he backed out of their deal, but he surly would threaten something after all he’d gone through to get a Justicer on his side.
He had needed to, “donate,” a hundred gold coins to the Justicer fund and also publically apologize to the four Justicers of Peace. Although there was no infraction for which he needed to apologize. They couldn’t point out that he’d made them look bad when he’d avoided there attacks while, “drunk.”
He had swallowed his pride and it was done, but he still hated that he’d been forced to apologize for their bad behavior. The Justicer of Marriage was just locking his office when Uktesh Walked to it. “Justicer, you’re heading to the wedding?”
The man spun and said, “Yes, that’s where I was going.”
Liar!
Uktesh smiled, agreed with the dragon, and said, “Good.” He put his hand on the man’s shoulder, “I’m sure you understand my desire to make this perfect.” He gripped the man tighter, “I’m sure you also understand what would happen to someone who purposely made it anything less than perfect.” He continued to squeeze, “How someone might even lose his normally cool temper due to su
ch a betrayal.” He knew that the wild look in his eyes was not entirely fake. “That such a man, if pressed, may do something he’d regret later.”
The man paled and said, “Of course, you have nothing to fear from me in that regard.”
Uktesh didn’t say anything, he just let go of the man and Walked to the floral store. He saw that the bouquet was ready as well as the flower petals for Pippy to spread. Next he Walked back to Abyms and made sure both rings were ready as he’d forgotten to do when he’d checked on Pippy. He couldn’t think of anything else to do so he Walked back to his house and changed into his dumpra, a male formal dress that was pinned across his left shoulder and continued into a knee-high skirt. Once he put it on he had to admit, as he looked at himself in the mirror, that with his muscles and the dragon tattoo on his right arm he made an imposing groom, though he wasn’t sure about the dark green color. He knew that Laurilli would be wearing the women’s version of a formal dress, the ta’ovala. He’d been told that she was wearing it exactly as the island women did, and wondered if that meant the audience would be getting an eyeful.
Uktesh had been told once he was back in his room he needed to stay there until someone came to get him. So he laid on the bed and tried not to think about how slowly time was passing. A half hour went by before there was a knock on his door. He hopped off the bed and Stepped to the door. When he opened it Esolc and Repus were waiting for him. They too, had been coerced into wearing dumpras, though theirs were just the skirt and a top that covered their whole chest, making Uktesh’s costume stand out. Uktesh asked, “Is Laurilli down there already?”
Repus said, “No, we’ll get you down to the gazebo and then she’ll make her way to the bridal tent so that you don’t see her, and so that she’s in the shade.” They left the house and Uktesh locked up after himself. Repus asked, “Are you nervous?”
As they walked down the main path Uktesh shook his head and said, “Impatient, that’s the feeling I’m currently experiencing.”