“Yes.”
“Now, if your story is true and you know about this agreement,” she said, casting her eyes at him. “Why are you here?
“I have no good excuse. I was traveling for my pleasure.”
“Despite this agreement,” she added.
“Despite the agreement. Yes, I admit.” This brought the loudest outcry. The expressions on the faces of the people were as varied as they themselves were. Some seemed angry, others curious and some were very concerned.
“Did you know, Gar, that there are other people currently on our land from where you come from? They, too, are here despite the agreement.
We have come to expect your kind only once every 30 years. They wished to count our numbers and that is all. It was the arrangement. But, these others have no respect for our land and our ways. And they have kidnapped, tortured and killed our tribesmen without reason or cause. Then you fall out of the sky. It makes us not want to trust the word of the people from the Sky Tribes.” It was true that on Orestus there was a black market for goods from protectorates, but nothing could ever be solidly proven. Gar knew steps were being taken but of what kind he was unsure.
Rumors of corruption were always circulating, but that was the nature of politics. Frankly, he really never bothered to learn about the issue, figuring someone else would handle it. Yet here it was, staring him in the face and he had no idea what was being done about it. These people had a right to their privacy and to be left alone. He could empathize with that feeling.
It was on that issue he felt he had some bargaining ground.
“According to the agreement, there should be no people poaching on your world. For this I am sorry and I apologize. Those that are here have come without our knowledge and we were unaware this law was being broken. I tell you, my people will come looking for me, and once I am found, we will leave this place and never come back. I will also use all the resources at my command to make your land free of these Others.
They will be punished. I swear. My people will be good on their word.”
The thin councilwoman spoke again. “What good is the oath of a prince who does not obey his own law?”
“Besides,” said another, “You are helpless.
You can offer no real aid.”
“You have no proof of your claim,” said the large nosed councilman. “I say you are an Other who has been caught and is now lying to save his skin!”
Some individuals in the crowd were shouting in agreement as these accusations flew.
Gar knew the tides were turning against him quickly. He was running out of options and now found himself standing trial for the negligence of his government. Soon this would turn into a riot with him at the center.
And possibly an execution.
Just when it seemed his case was hopeless, a voice rang out.
“He tells the truth! I have seen into his mind and know he is telling the truth!”
It was Kai, who had walked onto the center of the floor next to Gar. This proclamation quickly pulled the audience into a nervous hush. The feeling in the air turned from anger to extreme unease. Although Gar had not wanted his help, Kai’s interruption had taken the heat off of him. For this he was grateful.
Kai’s stance was solid. He stared at the people in his tribe, almost daring them to speak.
Gar saw that no one was looking in the young native’s eyes. What he sensed from Kai was total fear. He could feel this in the corner of his mind.
He sensed that the focus of what was happening had suddenly switched. Some sort of power struggle was going on that Gar didn’t quite grasp.
“The mind’s eye does not lie,” Kai said in a strong voice.
“The mind’s eye does not lie,” repeated the crowd in low voices, like a solemn prayer. Still, no one would return his gaze.
No one except for the High Mother, whose jaw was set. When she began to speak, her voice was unnervingly quiet and it sent a chill down Gar’s spine.
“Kai, you have brought abomination into our tribe; that which must not be. You have forced a joining, forced your mind onto another person. Not only that but created this link with a being not from…
who is not one of our kind. Even with the best of intentions, this is abhorrent.”
“I saved his life,” Kai hissed defiantly.
“You acted rashly and irresponsibly without thinking of your tribe or of the many dangers to us, to this being and even yourself. These actions will take the tribe down a path we have never been before with no idea what ramifications might still be coming. Mostly, you have forced us, all of us, to contend with the consequences of your actions.
You have brought shame to yourself, the tribe and the memory of your father.”
The young prince stood to the side and, unknown to those gathered, was having a very difficult time.
The focus was no longer on him so nobody noticed as he began to swoon. Throughout the High Mother’s speech, Gar had been barraged by the flood of feelings emanating from Kai. The young tribesman had not moved a muscle, only stared.
Resentment, bitterness, betrayal, indignation were all bubbling under the surface of the native. The cauldron it brewed in Gar’s own mind made him sick with dizziness. Kai’s thoughts were incredibly strong and hit the young prince like physical blows. Once the word ‘father’ had left the High Mother’s mouth, anger was thrown into the tumultuous mix. It was like adding a spark to explosives and the overwhelming result was too much for Gar’s brain to handle. The surging pain in his head brought him to his knees.
“GET OUT OF MY MIND?!” he shouted at Kai.
Kai and the entire tribe looked at Gar, who was stunned as he crouched on the ground, catching his breath and hoping the world would cease spinning. His sudden shout had surprised everyone. In an instant Kai regained control of all his extreme feelings, except one.
Panic.
He was trying so hard to be careful with Gar. The stranger was like an infant when it came to using his mind in such a way. It had become terribly clear to Kai that he might have done more damage in saving him than he would have letting him drown. And now he’d caused Gar pain because he lost his mental control for a moment.
Kai’s eyes darted around the room. None of the people gathered had an answer for him. Not one person there could tell him what he should do.
Even the Healer, who had been a solace for so many years, had nothing to offer in her expression.
All he saw was the mirror of confusion he felt inside himself. He looked again at Gar who had recovered enough to lift his head. His color was drained and sweat washed his brow.
Kai could not bear what he had done, the torture he was causing Gar. His emotions were out of control and each one struck the stranger’s unprotected mind like a club. He had to get out of there.
He bolted up the stairs and out of the meeting area into the night. No one stopped him.
Tyro had come to Gar’s side and helped him up. A woman had gotten some water and pressed it into his hand. He was taken over to where Seema and Tilo were sitting. There he continued to recover.
There was much whispering amongst the crowd after Kai left, but in a few moments order was restored.
“We shall adjourn for one hour,” said the High Mother. “Then the council will announce what it has decided in regards to the stranger Gar and what is to be done with him”
As she spoke it was clear that even she was a little shaken.
***
The hour passed very slowly.
All the people gathered. No one had gone anywhere, choosing instead to lounge around in groups and talk in low whispers. Gar found it odd that some of these little gatherings just stood and stared at each other. It took Gar a few minutes to realize these were families that did not need to speak out loud. Sometimes these people would glance in his direction. Their gaze was fixed not just on him but on the small red scar on his forehead as well. When he’d catch them staring, they’d quickly turn away.
Some of the Aklesh were regarding him with sympathy, but he was sure most of them were uncomfortable with his presence. Gar was trying to guess whether it was because he wasn’t from their world or for other reasons that nobody wanted to talk about. Most likely the answer was a combination of the two.
Seema had been attentive and even Cho and the twins were near by. They weren’t exactly his friends, but they were familiar and this gave him a little comfort. The young prince found it best to sit and just breathe.
Tyro had been pulled into a conference with other warriors, including the unpleasant Vol, who made no effort to hide her displeasure. It seemed like Tyro was getting read the riot act.
The mental onslaught from Kai had knocked the wind out of him, and the attack on his senses had been merciless. Although he could still feel the young tribesman’s dull rage on the edges of his awareness, the emotion had pulled back considerably. Gar had no idea such a vehement volcano was lurking under the passive exterior of the young native.
Gradually, the council members returned, taking their seats in the small arena. Since he was still fairly ill, Gar was not asked to stand. Seema put her arm around his shoulder and the crowd waited for the High Mother to speak.
All eyes were fixed on them.
She stood up and looked directly at the Healer, who nodded. Then the High Mother gave a deep sigh. It was apparent that whatever the council had decided was something she did not totally agree with.
“Gar of the Sky Tribe,” she said. “We have a saying among our people which you have already heard. ‘The mind’s eye cannot lie.’ This means that anything witnessed from another through joining is truth. We cannot hide the truth from our inner selves. We have heard testimony from an honest source on your behalf that confirms this. Though unconventional, it cannot be denied. We are satisfied that you are not an Other. Although you have broken the agreement with the Sky Tribes, it was not done with ill intent. The other trials you’ve had to endure recently we are satisfied are more than punishment enough. It has been decided that you will be offered sanctuary in our tribe until you are returned to your home or decide to leave on your own accord, if you request it.” Chaos erupted among the crowd. Some were protesting the decision. It appeared that those gathered were split by this outcome. The High Mother raised her hands and all was silenced.
“The word on this is final,” she stated plainly. “Gar, understand that if you are to remain among us, you will obey our laws and traditions.
You say you are a prince in your tribe. That may be true, but here you are no better than anyone else.
There will be no special treatment. Starting tomorrow, Zaela‘vhal, our healer, will help you to deal with your unique situation. Is this clear?” Gar nodded. He understood that he was safe for now. His future, though, still felt fairly uncertain.
The High Mother addressed the throng.
“Return to you homes. This council is ended.
May your nights be restful and your coming day full.”
***
Gar returned with Tyro, Seema and Tilo to the second level. When they arrived there Seema squeezed his hand.
“I’ll come see you in the morning. Tilo and I will show you around the keep. Then we will take you to the Healer.”
“Sure,” replied Gar. He was eager to see the Healer and be rid of Kai’s emotions that abused him so fiercely.
Tyro gave him a firm nod and Tilo waved.
Then they walked into the attached huts at the center of the small balcony, leaving him standing alone in the night air outside the small hut he’d been taken to earlier that day. Gar felt stupid. Of course these had been Tyro’s family huts. He was now in their care or they had volunteered to take responsibility for him. Whichever it was, he was grateful. They had been one of the few people to show him kindness, even if it was begrudgingly on Tyro’s part.
Gar walked to the railing and gazed up to the heavens. The night sky was a painful reminder that he was very far away from home.
He had run away from Orestus for a few days before. This was not uncommon for him. And soon, when he had not been heard from for a while or no scandal had erupted in his wake, an exhaustive search would begin. After all, he was their crown prince and one of the most important people in the Galaxy. They certainly couldn’t do without him.
It had been too chaotic during the shuttle accident for him to send out a distress signal.
Sometimes ships did this on their own, but with so many things going wrong all at once, he doubted if anything had been working at that point. If the ship had crashed someplace more accessible, he might have been able to rig some sort of beacon. Gar had always
been
good
with
mechanics
and
programming, but the shuttle was now deep under a lake with no way to salvage it. He could always be traced by his biosignature if a search party found the right planet. But that took time and there were so many planets to search.
The young prince decided to count his blessings. For the time being he was safe. And as far as Gar was concerned, Kai could stay missing until he was found by the Orestian government.
And if tribal medicine couldn’t separate them, he would just have to bring the young tribesman to Orestus, with or without his consent, and the scientists there could figure it out. Anything was better than staying mind-bound to an emotionally unstable youth.
So for the time being, it would be huts, grass mats, blue fruit and blue people. Gar decided to bide his time until something better came along.
Till then he’d need to keep a low profile and not disturb the status quo. On that score he already wasn’t doing very well, at least so far. Ruffling feathers was something he was naturally quite good at. His family and advisors were constantly trying to convince him to mend his ways. It appeared now was his opportunity to start.
Pretty much all of the tribe had settled for the night. So, when Gar looked down to the lower level and saw a lone figure walking in the torchlight, he knew immediately who it was. He could feel Kai’s animosity even from that distance.
The young native had stopped and looked up, having sensed Gar as well. Strapped over his shoulder was a leather bag and in his hand he held a long spear. Gar did not know where he was going. The prince assumed was that the Aklesh youth was running away. Gar knew that desire well.
Their eyes met for a moment.
“Just go,” Gar thought.
He hadn’t been intentionally sending this message, but it had been received. Kai turned gruffly and proceeded down the long stairway to the ground level and out of the keep.
***
The young Aklesh warrior was determined to get away from his tribe, at least for a little while.
Once out past the ground level huts Kai hit on a path through the woods heading towards the plains. He knew this path well. When he wanted privacy for a while, this was always the direction he took.
No one had seen him leave except for the stranger. Kai was certain he would not follow. He was also certain that nobody in the tribe wanted to see him for a while.
His people may not have approved of his actions, but it had saved a life. And life was of the utmost importance to the Aklesh. If he had been a better healer, he would have been able to keep his mind back from Gar’s. Kai kept berating himself for not being more advanced in the healing arts. If he had been, then the tribe would be praising his heroics as opposed to condemning the fiasco.
But, it was true. When he had leapt from the cliff face, it had been purely on instinct. With the immediate events that followed, there had been no forethought, just action.
It pained him to know his unguarded thoughts had unintentionally hurt the stranger.
Kai contemplated the visitor from the Sky Tribes.
Gar’s mind was such a jumble of images, thoughts and feelings, and they all seemed to contradict
each
other.
Mostly,
Kai
overwhelmed by the hate and resentment that he had sensed from Gar since the moment their minds had been linked.
Some of these emotions the young prince had directed at him, but mostly they were in regards to so many other problems in his life. Other parts of his consciousness showed incredible kindness, strength and even love.
Kai didn’t understand most of the images pictured in the prince’s head. The poor stranger could barely manage his own thoughts. Kai did not want to see all of these things but Gar did not know how to hold himself back. If the young tribesman had not already possessed the ability to sort and filter those feelings coming at him, he might have been as vulnerable as Gar. He continued walking, increasing the gap between himself and the keep. This dimmed the pressure of these unedited emotions and thoughts. Although the distance did help, it could not erase them entirely.
He turned and looked back for a moment.
The keep was now small and hidden among the tall, overlapping trees of the forest. It was the place where his failures and the figures of the past kept haunting his life. Most times he felt doomed to be always on the outside, like he was now. There were his friends in the tribe and the Healer, but these were pretty much his only true allies among the community, and even they were considered among the fringe. Kai wondered if his situation would have turned out differently had his father had not been killed.
The moonlight through the trees lit his way and the path he was on turned at a small creek. His ears were filled with the sounds of water running over the rocky bed and of small insects chirping in the darkness.
There was a large rock just in the distance where his father used to take him as a child. It was their special place and sacred to Kai. He never spoke of it after his father was gone or brought anyone there, even Tyro. This private spot held only good memories and he desperately wanted to keep it that way. There was no judgment of the tribal elders, no disappointed affection and no Sky Tribesman who looked on him as some sort of mental deficient.
Just the memory of a loving father.
And it was this place he could find some peace before he had to face his tribesmen again the next day.
AKLESH (Under Strange Skies) Page 6