“It’s Halloween, ya know?” he’d commented.
Oigr had made a polite sound of acknowledgment in his throat, but now he wasn’t certain what to make of the situation. Were these curious creatures dangerous? What of the human younglings that Deena had said would arrive at her door for candy? He was alarmed as a small being slathered with bumpy green pigment and horns sprouting from his head shrieked like a gorbal spirit and ran ahead of a pair of weary humans, to all appearances a mated pair, trailing behind him. He held a tiny orange bucket in his hand.
“Danny, don’t run like that. Slow down before you have an accident!” the mated female shouted.
Did the spirits on Earth enslave the living? Legends on Vrol spoke of Vrooduk being captured by various beings and held in their dens and terrible courts. It was said that those who had been captured could be rescued by a few words that could break the enchantment if they were found by their kin.
Oigr wasn’t kin to these humans, but he had to at least try.
He stepped forward, showing his empty palms so that they’d know, even under their enchantment, that he meant no harm.
“Humans, do you require aid?”
Both stared at him with wide, vacant eyes and he immediately felt pity for their plight.
“What?” the female stuttered as the male turned his head to keep the creature in his sight.
“The beast that has enslaved you... Do you require liberation from it? I understand that this is the night when spirits roam free. I offer my assistance.”
The male looked at him and then started to laugh.
“The beast, huh? Sounds like an apt description.”
“Chris, hush.” The woman giggled. “I see you’re not from here. That’s our son, Danny. He’s dressed as a monster he saw on some show to trick-or-treat.”
Oigr felt foolish as the things that Nikki and Deena told him about the holiday came rushing back to him with sudden clarity. The trick-or-treaters, the human-looking creatures roaming the street with their small bags, the imitation of spirits no doubt. He flushed, disconcerted.
“I see. My apologies for my mistake.”
The male grinned at him. “Hey, no worries. I can definitely see how this whole masquerade would be strange to someone from another world. Take it easy, man.”
The mated male bid farewell with a cheerful wave as the couple followed after the bizarrely adorned youngling. Oigr watched them, his eyes scanning the hordes in a new light. He saw now the gaiety and laughter of younglings. One small boy jumped out from behind a ledge and shouted “boo,” making the other little ones shriek and giggle.
Yes, it was all so obvious now.
With a chuckle, he shook his head and continued down the street, making his way carefully among the younglings rushing around him. A few stopped to stare up at him with curiosity, but as a whole they continued running from house to house, the refrain of “trick-or-treat” following their passage.
His comm chimed, letting him know he had arrived. A soft glow filtered through the covered windows. The house was small but seemed inviting. A quick inspection proved he was still presentable, and he approached the door. His smile dropped immediately as his brow drew low. The door was cracked open and the entrance smelled of another male Vrooduk.
One who seemed vaguely familiar.
He felt his venom sacks already swell in response. He could even detect the scent of her fear lingering. He only hoped that perhaps they were inside, but he wasn’t entirely optimistic.
Inside, a lamp was left burning, the oil running low. He had no doubt that his female had been interrupted at her task some time ago. He waved a hand over it, extinguishing the flame as he surveyed the room.
There were several tables set up, most of which held images of what he suspected were lauded ancestors or divine spirits. Before them were clusters of offerings and the remnants of ash that hadn’t been fully swept away. In some ways, it reminded him of his mother’s private rooms in their home when he was young. The room served as the spiritual heart of their house. He could only enter with her invitation and observed the strictest of rules.
Remembering this, he made certain not to touch anything as he passed. As he passed the last shrine, a noisome sound drew his attention to the seating area of the common room. A small animal darted out from between two seats, letting loose a litany of tiny barks. Oigr allowed his frill to expand a moment in show of dominance. The creature immediately flattened to his belly and whined low in its throat. It rolled over, exposing the soft belly, its abbreviated tail wagging behind it.
Oigr tilted his head and approached. At first, he’d thought that the tiny creature was some manner of vermin that had gotten inside but given the bright silver collar around its neck, he realized it was a companion animal. He arched a dubious brow at it.
“You don’t seem like much,” he muttered, prodding it gently with one finger. The animal twisted and darted its long tongue out in wet licks. “I can’t imagine what use Deena has for you. You are very small.”
With one move, he swept up the tiny animal and held it at eye level. Its tiny tail beat side to side and its tongue lolled disgustingly out of the side of its mouth.
“You must be some strange mutation. You are an ugly creature. You would be reasonably attractive if your tongue wasn’t outside of your mouth.”
The small tongue stretched toward his face and he grimaced, turning his head to observe the rest of the room. He tucked the animal under his arm and frowned. Deena was obviously nowhere inside. A small disc on the dining table caught his eye.
He approached the table and stretched out a hand, touching his nail on the small button at the top. A hologram burst forth and a familiar face that he’d hoped never to see again greeted him.
“Cousin, as I am sure you are aware by now, I have something of yours. Leave it to you to disgrace yourself in courting an offworlder.” A familiar sneer flitted over his face. “All these revolutions, I’ve kept track of you in your self-imposed exile, waiting for this day to come. Your father has passed beyond the veil, and the elders are calling you home. When you arrive, you will meet me in a challenge-match for leadership of the Wilip Caravan of our people that migrate on the routes between Dormgal and Wolshivan. To ensure that you take this situation seriously and come to Vrol immediately, I’ve taken your female and am due to arrive on our homeworld within three rotations. I expect to see you within four rotations if you value your female. Vrol, as you know, is not kind.”
The hologram disappeared, taking with it the final impression of his cousin’s smirking visage. Oigr threw his head back and roared with fury, the frill along his neck fully extending and quivering as it crackled like the ceremonial rattle made from a tube filled with sand and small stones. The animal in his arms whimpered as he brought his fist down on the table, the weight of the impact buckling the wood and the legs snapping as the center crumpled.
Breathing in and out, he glared at the wreckage and felt a twinge of shame for destroying his female’s possession, but he couldn’t focus on that right now. His cousin had come in as silent as a spirit of this Halloween night and stolen his female away from him. He wouldn’t rest until he had her back.
He whirled around and approached the shrines that he’d tried to avoid. He bowed to the spirits of her house and ancestors, his three empty hands fisted and clenched over his heart. His eyes narrowed as he looked upon the sculpted faces and framed photos staring back at him and swore an oath to them there.
“I will get Deena back. I swear it.”
The tiny animal barked, and he looked down at it and frowned.
“What shall I do with you? I am sure Deena will be displeased if I leave you here to fend for yourself. You don’t seem capable of such a thing. I will ask Nikki to care for you in your human’s absence. Then I must be on my way to Vrol.”
He opened his comm and waited until Nazzek answered, his expression impatient.
“Oigr, I was under the impression that you were
occupied tonight. Why are you comming?”
“I have a situation I must deal with on Vrol. I will need to take our ship immediately, but I have a favor to ask.”
“Take the ship? My baby?” Nazzek moaned in horror.
“Oh, stop whining. He wouldn’t be taking it if it weren’t important. Oigr never goes anywhere without you,” Nikki said as she peered over Nazzek’s shoulder. She waved cheerfully. “Hey, do what you need to do. We’re not going anywhere. Right now, we’re stuck in the looping hell of visiting with my mother and her book club who happened to be present when we dropped by.”
Oigr smiled at her. “I will be gone for several days, so please make my apologies to Medif and Nazzek for any plans I might be interrupting.” Nikki waved it away as if their inconvenience were inconsequential. His crew had offered him more compassion over the last few revolutions than he ever received on Vrol. Even when Nazzek had been young, life had been a trial. He appreciated his friendships and the male his fostered offspring had grown to be, even when he was acting petulant. The look disappeared into a frown of concern as Nazzek studied him.
“Did something happen?”
“Deena is missing. I know where she is and who has her, but to retrieve her I must deal with my cousin.”
Nazzek genuinely looked confused. “What cousin? I didn’t think you had any living family.”
“It is a long story, and one I will happily tell you later, but for now I have to ask if you would be willing to watch Deena’s small beast.”
“A beast, you say?”
Nazzek looked worried and then positively bewildered as Oigr held the small creature up for their inspection.
“Aww, what an adorable dog,” Nikki crooned and wiggled her fingers at it. “Hey, little baby! Sure, bring him right over. We can take care of him until you get Deena back safe and sound.”
“He looks unhygienic,” Nazzek complained, but there was little vehemence behind it. “Okay, bring the disgusting thing by. I expect you to send a comm as soon as you can and return to us safely.”
“You can count on it,” Oigr said with a fierce grin.
Cradling the dog-thing, he watched as the comm closed. Taking one last look at the house, decorated festively for the night, he felt sadness wash over him. On the table was a strange container filled with candies for the enjoyment of the younglings. Picking it up, he carried it with him to the door and sat it on the porch, where Deena’s little souls would be able to take from it even with her so far away.
He sent a short comm to the cab and left the house and all the promises for the night it had contained. Never had he thought he would return to Vrol, but now the past that he’d always steered clear of since the day he made the decision to give up his place as his father’s heir had returned to haunt him.
It was truly a night of spirits. He looked up at the stars and prayed to the passed soul of his father, uncertain if he would hear him from the foreign land of the faraway world.
“We agreed that I would leave, Father, but you and I both knew that the elders wouldn’t make it easy. Now you are gone and Elglor has his eyes set on your seat. Would if I could ignore his challenge and allow someone more worthy to take it. None of the caravan will go against him, though. I will fight and honor you, Father.”
With another oath sworn in the darkness, he walked to the end of the street and waited.
Chapter 8
OIGR STEPPED ABOARD Lady’s Fortune and went directly to his quarters. The sparse plainness of his room reminded him of just how little he had for himself. There was a holoframe that cycled through images on an anchored chest of drawers, and one small trunk that contained everything he owned tucked into the corner.
It was this trunk he knelt in front of and popped open the lid.
The scents of his homeworld from the simple wood from the trees of the oasis surrounded him as he dug into it. Carefully removing boxes and pouches carrying prizes and treasures, he finally reached the bottom. There, his black armor waited. To the side of it was a small ornate box that his mother had made by her own hand.
Taking the small box into his hands, he set it on the floor beside him and reached back in to remove the segments of armor. First was the breastplate, followed by the arm guards and the greaves. He put each on as he pulled them out of the box, armor that he hadn’t worn in twenty-five revolutions. Although he’d gained a bit of bulk over the years, the armor still fit his frame admirably.
He picked the box back up again and set it on his desk before releasing the clasp and lifting the lid. From within, he drew his warrior’s hook and looped the bone earring through his ear to dangle against his neck. It was a sign of the strength and bravery of a warrior who faced risk, wearing something that could cause him injury in battle. It was a matter of pride for the Vrooduk, something he’d turned his back on. The familiar weight of it seemed to take him back in time to his youth as a bold warrior. His father’s favored son who’d hosted the Indivi trader that brought Vrol so many provisions from the outer worlds.
He took the gold cuffs and wrapped them around his wrists and biceps and set the golden chain with his family’s crest around his neck. Finally, he took the golden wires that he’d wept to strip from his mane upon his exile and wrapped them around each segmented portion of hair. Clad in his traditional attire, he stood once more, leaving aside his blasters and blades in favor of his traditional shormal spear. At the touch of his thumb, the three sparks of light shot up from the tip. Satisfied, he moved his thumb in another small pattern and dismissed the beams.
Turning back to his desk, he reached into the drawer and pulled out a simple lamp not unlike the one he’d seen at Deena’s home except it had a triangular basin. He filled it with a small portion of oil, just enough to dampen the wick, and set his comm to display the holographic image of his father recorded shortly before the last time they spoke.
The male’s image stood above the table, his neck thick with muscle and his head thrown back proudly. Great chains of noble seals and ceremonial protections hung from his neck. He appeared strong, even with the graying of his mane. Oigr collapsed to his knees and bowed before the image of his father, his lower arms supporting his weight while his upper arms raised in prayer. His deep voice filled the cabin as he sang the old words of the mourning song, praising the achievements of the one who lived and speaking of the grief of those left behind. As the last guttural note ended in his throat, he closed his eyes against his sorrow.
“It is my greatest sorrow, Father, that I was so far away when you left this world. I pray that you departed with the sun upon your face and the sweetness of shwri on your tongue, that you knew only joy in your final days.”
From the drawer, he withdrew a small metallic disc, set it on the oil lamp, and placed a small block of condensed vanar upon it. A puff of smoke twined into the air. Made of wood from the oasis that had been boiled down, cooked with berries and herbs, and mixed with shwri, vanar was compressed into bricks for offerings.
Oigr spent sat there before the image of his father until the lamp, exhausted of fuel, flickered and died out, and the last of the vanar crumbled into ash. Only then did he climb to his feet and allow the hologram of his father to fade out. With great care, he cleaned and stowed each of the items before leaving his quarters to make his way to the flight deck.
His armor creaked as he sat in the chair before the controls, his hands skimming them. He hadn’t flown alone since Nazzek had come of age and Medif joined their crew. It felt strange for him to be at the controls by himself. Clearing his throat, he opened communications with the flight tower.
“Tower, this is Lady’s Fortune requesting permission to depart.”
The line crackled on the other hand and Oigr winced. Not all of human technology had caught up to intergalactic standards. It sounded like they were replying to him over a primitive radio system.
“Please be advised, Lady’s Fortune, your visa is valid for four months.”
“Understood, tower
. I am going on a brief run but will return for the remainder of the visa. Three members of my crew are remaining on Earth.”
“Copy that. Ship inspection will be required upon return to make sure you aren’t hauling illegal cargo onto Earth.”
“Affirmed.”
“Prepare for departure. Skies are clear.”
Muttering about repairs that Nazzek still hadn’t gotten around to scheduling, Oigr began the lift-off sequence. The engines rumbled, but for once luck was on his side; she lifted into the air without so much as a protest. Once he was safely maneuvering through the stratosphere, he directed full-power to the engines and the starship sailed beyond the planetary territory of Earth.
Turning in his chair, he pulled up navigation and plotted the location of the nearest interstellar rip that would take him along the quickest route to Vrol. He hated traveling through the rips, but he had no doubt that his cousin, given the time frame of his scheme, had taken one with Deena. He only hoped that Elglor had prepared her, or at least kept her sedated for the trip. Knowing his cousin, he doubted that Deena would be awakened until he could transfer her to someone in the female’s compound to care for her.
His cousin had zero patience for comforting. Oigr never understood how the male ended up finding a mate.
A fair distance away from Earth, the rip opened up and Oigr braced as the ship headed into the heart of it. He gritted his teeth against the pull between his body and consciousness, and for a moment he understood the feeling of being torn apart as the entire ship was transferred to the star system nearest to Vrol. His stomach churned and settled like a stone in his gut as he emerged on the other side. The groan of metal and buzzing alarms filled the air.
Pulling up the systems grid, he cursed Nazzek to the dust demons and back. Several systems were barely functioning at reduced capacity after the run through the rip. He rerouted power and turned several secondary systems off. It was a temporary fix, but he was close enough to Vrol that it would be serviceable until he arrived planetside. Though the Vrooduk infrequently went offplanet, they still enjoyed the luxury of starships when necessary. One family lineage was trusted with building and maintaining starships among the Wilip. He knew he could trust them with repairs while he dealt with Elglor.
A Mate for Oigr Page 6