AKLESH (Under Strange Skies)

by Samuel Jarius Pettit

  “Both of you,” he said earnestly. “It needs to be the whole family.”

  Gar forced a smile when Tyro said this. The last things he wanted right now was to be a part of the family, especially when he had no real idea what one of the members honestly thought of him.

  He wanted so much to know what Kai was thinking, but that part of his friend’s mind was shut off from him.

  “I’ll go look,” said Gar, glad to have the excuse to leave. Tyro would be so busy spreading the news, he’d forget that Gar was even gone. Besides, it was better that Tyro spend that time with his real family, Gar thought.

  Tyro nodded, patted his back, smiled, hugged him again and then kind of jumped in the air. He was practically giddy. Seema and Tilo gave Gar a sincere hug. Then they went in search of others to tell of the good news.

  Gar had one more run in before he got to the hut, one which surprised and tickled him at the same time.

  Cho grabbed his arm amid the chaos and pulled him to the side of the large platform, only feet away from the ramp and his final destination.

  “Have you seen Hatha?” she asked intently.

  “Yes. Why?” he asked.

  “There’s something I want to…I mean, I think he’s…I, well…”

  The poor girl could barely form a full sentence and Gar wanted to put her out of her misery. Some people were meant to challenge convention and if anyone had a shot at happiness it was certainly the two of them.

  “He’s down by the cooking pit on the ground level,” Gar said. She nodded and quickly turned to go but he stopped her. “Cho, he’s looking for you, too.”

  As he said this her eyes grew wide with slight shock but soon she softened. He was glad his information pleased her and that he could be the means for two people to find each other in the keep. But, at that point, she no longer saw Gar and was gone before he could say another word.

  Finally he reached the hut.

  He was tired from not having gotten enough sleep, the Amsu from the night before and his anxiety over his situation. What he wanted more than anything was to hide from everyone.

  But he had no such luck.

  As he entered through the red grass curtain of the doorway, his eyes fell upon Kai, sitting on the bed with his hands on his lap. It was apparent that he’d wanted to avoid the crowds and celebration as well.

  The young Aklesh looked up at Gar and his expression was unreadable. Gar was getting nothing from him emotionally either and dreaded what the tribesman had to say. He’d been trying to shield his own more passionate thoughts and feelings from Kai, but the Aklesh had much more skill with that sort of thing. Gar felt sorry if images or ideas had slipped through. He could only imagine how uncomfortable it was making the young Aklesh.

  After a few tense moments, Kai spoke.

  “You are not the same person you were when you came to us.”

  This made Gar even more nervous. Not the statement so much but the fact the Kai chose to say it out loud. They’d been sending a lot more recently. This only meant that Kai was now intentionally blocking him out and that perhaps he was coming to regret his choice to intervene and save his life in the first place. It crushed Gar to think that because of him Kai would lose his only chance to join with anyone in his tribe, that he’d prevented Kai from ever finding anyone special.

  Kai continued. “I am not the same either. You have changed me.”

  “I’m sorry Kai, I am so sorry,” Gar started to babble. “I really have tried to shield my thoughts.

  I’m sorry about all the horrible things I think…I have thought. I just…”

  Kai put his finger to his lips and quieted Gar.

  “I didn’t say I didn’t like the people we are,” he said gently.

  “But those awful things I thought before…” Gar protested.

  “You don’t think those things anymore, not really.

  It’s not how you really feel.”

  Gar folded his arms. He was annoyed and mad, a little. He was in a confrontation and he didn’t have all the information.

  “Then that’s not fair, Kai. Because I have no idea what you’re thinking. What you’re feeling.” Kai raised his eyebrows in surprise. It hadn’t occurred to the native how well guarded he was compared to Gar.

  As Gar looked at Kai he felt that ever-familiar rush of desire fill his chest and body. He tried to quell it, but it wouldn’t stop. It just grew in its passion, so much so he felt as if he were under great heat and his arms ached to reach out to Kai.

  He was yearning with every part of his body to touch him, to be as close as possible to him.

  His eyes began to well up as the truth of what was happening washed over him.

  He was feeling more than his own passion and desire, he was feeling Kai’s as well.

  In an instant Kai was on his feet and they were crushed against each other.

  They came together in a hard embrace, their mouths pressed in a fiercely intense kiss that seemed to go on forever. It was as if a floodgate had been opened and all the frustrations and pain and joy and everything that had happened to them in those months came rushing out like a roaring river to finally be washed clean.

  They stayed this way for some time, their hands groping and feeling everything they’d been holding back. Gar marveled at the musculature of this young tribesman, from the broad flat pectorals and his steely arms to the size and firmness of his legs and more.

  To Kai, this stranger was a stranger no more.

  He was beautiful, delicate and exotic and so much stronger than when he had first arrived. His skin and the light dusting of hair on his body made him tingle as his hands moved over it. He enjoyed the feel of Gar as he pulled him close, how his lean stomach pressed against his own and he could feel his heart beating under his chest.

  Neither of them had ever felt passion on this level before, both peronsal and another’s at the same time. It was a surprise to both of them that they could even separate from each other at all now that they’d experienced this.

  “We don’t want to be here,” Kai said breathlessly.

  “What?” Gar replied, equally out of breath and confused by the abrupt question. “Of course I want to be here!”

  There’s someplace I want to show you , sent Kai, pulling away.

  Gar wanted to be back in his arms more than anything and now knew that Kai only wanted the same thing, but sensed that what Kai was talking about was important to him, so he agreed to go.

  Kai gently took his hand and lead him out of the hut.

  The revels were in full flame in the keep so no one noticed the pair as they slipped through the joyful people. They went along, holding each other by the hand and seldom letting go. No matter what, both of them wanted to be touching as much, and as often, as possible.

  Down the long stairways they went as the fires around shot sparks into the starry night. The drums were beating out their primal rhythms that were carrying away the Aklesh during their yearly night of celebration. The two young men couldn’t hear it.

  If anything, the sounds only fed into the beating rhythms that they felt inside themselves.

  Kai lead them down a path, past the gardens and bathing area and south. The last time he had gone this way, things had turned out badly for him. The off-worlders had captured and tortured him.

  Fortunately, Gar had come to his rescue and Kai was now determined to take this place back as one of good memories.

  They walked for almost a mile, but Gar didn’t care. They could have walked around the planet and he would have been content if he could be with Kai.

  The prince had more lovers than he could count, but he hadn’t cared for any of them…not really. For once it was different. Now he thought he understood what he was feeling, although he could barely bring himself to think of the word that would sum it all up.

  They went along in silence, no longer needing words. Now Gar was getting unedited access to Kai, who no longer hid anything. His friend seemed utterly content an
d full of emotion, eager but calm. They were both bubbling with mutual passion.

  Yet something was strange. Gar stopped them.

  “Are you keeping anything from me?” he asked.

  No. Not now. Not anymore, replied Kai. Why?

  Well, if you’re no longer shielding me, why can’t I hear your mother?

  Kai’s face became greatly puzzled. It was the first time he’d noticed it.

  “She seemed to have stopped crying,” he said simply. He laughed, having not even noticed. Gar chuckled, too, and soon they were both laughing though they hardly knew why. Gar pulled Kai into a kiss that he was happy to return, but before they got too carried away, Kai pushed them farther.

  They never let go of each other’s hands.

  Eventually they arrived at Kai’s destination.

  It was a moderately sized creek that flowed peacefully through the woods. There was a large rock next to it where the flimsy path they had been following ended.

  The rock stood about six feet at its tallest point and had a gentle slope that was easy to climb. The stars emblazed the darkness and the two of them were encased in the soft light from a half moon as they came through the branches of the trees. There was no one there but nature and themselves.

  What is this place? Gar sent, admiring its natural beauty.

  For the first time that night, they let go of each other’s hands aa Kai climbed up onto the rock. Gar was content to watch him from below, openly enjoying how Kai’s muscles worked as he moved.

  Once at the top, Kai looked around.

  This is where my father would take me when I was little. He taught me fishing here, and swimming. It’s where I feel closest to him.

  Do you miss him? Gar asked.

  All the time, said Kai. He always accepted me for who I was, no matter what. He didn’t care that I was small or weak…

  You’re not small or weak, Gar interrupted. On Orestus you’d be at least average, if not tall.

  Possibly…but not here. I know he got a lot of criticism about me, but he never showed it. He just loved me.

  That must be nice, replied Gar. Being so close to him.

  Isn’t every boy close to his father? Kai asked naively.

  Gar forced a smile but didn’t say anything. Kai understood. You’re not close to you father?

  Gar could feel how strange such a concept was to Kai.

  “It’s complicated,” he replied. “And we don’t need to talk about it. Let’s just say, where I come from, people sometimes have children because it is expected and not necessarily because they want them.”

  But, have you felt love? Kai asked, now concerned for Gar. He wanted nothing more than to protect him and keep him safe for the rest of his days. The Aklesh climbed down from the rock and took his friend’s hand.

  Yes, I have, sent Gar. I feel it now.

  You do? Kai smiled. I do, too.

  They both laughed, again at nothing, and Kai pulled him in for a playful kiss. They just couldn’t get enough of each other and the torture of it was exquisite.

  Kai let go of his hand and walked to the water.

  Once there he slowly peeled of his leggings and loincloth. He then turned and faced Gar, naked and vulnerable.

  Gar remembered the first time he’d seen Kai without his clothes, but this time Kai was not making any effort to hide his body, and Gar was drinking in every inch of him -- from his broad shoulders, to the slim line of his waist then down to the rich swell of his thighs and down his powerful legs. He took in how the blue patterning played on the grayish skin and how his whole body looked cool and inviting in the moonlight.

  The summer season was beginning to wane, but it was still warm enough for a midnight swim.

  Gar pulled off his shirt, discarding it on the ground. He unbuttoned and pulled down his pants but stopped when he realized he had to get his boots off as well. These he removed less gracefully than Kai had undressed himself, but soon enough he was as bare as the native who stood in front of him, strong and magnificent.

  He then grew self-conscious. Gar was fit but he did not compare in anyway to the well proportioned Kai.

  The young Aklesh sensed this feeling.

  In two strides he was in front of him. They were barely a breath apart and the hairs on the back of Gar’s neck were standing on end. His whole body was alive with tingles. If his heart could have burst out of his chest, it would have.

  You are the most beautiful being I have ever seen. I want nothing more than you.

  Kai gently kissed him and took his hand, leading him into the water.

  CHAPTER 25

  It had been a very eventful festival that year, so much more so than in past years.

  This was what Zaela was thinking as she made her way down the stairs to the teaching hut, chuckling a little to herself.

  It was still very early morning but the old woman had made it a lifelong habit to greet the sunrise. The children would not be down that day and the rest of the tribe would be resting after the feast of the night before. This allowed her to have a little private time, and there were other things she wished to attend to. The majority of her medicinal supplies were located in the school hut and, just as the tribe was making ready for the coming Wetfall and Coldrest, with food storage and repairs, she had to prepare for the colder seasons as well.

  The Healer used this time to reflect. So much had happened during the Dryrise of this year. Many changes had come upon the tribe. As she reviewed them she came to the conclusion that these changes would good in the long run. Too many of her peers were dubious of things they did not understand or of events that pushed them into an uncomfortable place. It was her opinion that the time had come for something, or someone, to shake their sense of security a little.

  So, as the healer came around the large root that guarded the teaching hut, she was in no way surprised to see just that specific someone leaning against the door waiting for her.

  “You lied to me, Zaela,” he said, but his manner was not of one who seemed offended. He was simply stating a fact.

  She did not respond but continued past Gar into the hut, offering him a bright smile. The old woman would only speak when a full accusation had been laid at her feet. Till then she kept her mouth shut and began her work. The healer began pulling clay jars off shelves and checking their contents.

  Gar followed her inside. “You know what I’m talking about, don’t you?”

  At that point she was having a problem reaching one of the higher jars, which was just out of reach. Gar sighed and reached up for her, grabbing it and placing the container in her hands.

  She patted his arm in thanks like very old people tend to do when young people assist them, and began to rummage through the dried herbs to see how much she was going to have to harvest and cure that day.

  “Are you listening to me?” he asked.

  “You haven’t really said much, young prince,” she replied, beginning to sort pots from each other and organizing a workspace on the floor. “Now are you just going to stand there or are you going to help me? This needs to be crushed and placed in here.” She handed him a pile of dried leaves and a small red pot.

  Gar took them, all the while marveling at the old lady’s audacity. He sat down and started to do the work the healer had set before him. She began to peel a strange root with a bone knife.

  “Zaela, I said you lied to me,” Gar told her flatly.

  “Did I? Well, that is something I try not make a habit of, so you’ll have to be more specific.”

  Gar knew she was toying with him.

  “You said you could separate Kai and me.”

  “Ahhh,” she said, squeezing the juice of the root into a bowl. “I never said I could separate you.”

  “You implied it.”

  “Did I?” she asked innocently.

  Gar was fine playing her game; it wasn’t like he had anywhere to be. Although, there were some places he’d like to go back to, namely the hut and the warm body waitin
g there for him.

  “You said it would take time. Have you even been trying to find a way to separate us?” he asked.

  She stopped what she was doing and put the root down.

  “No,” she said gently. “I have not.”

  “Then you lied to me,” said Gar. He wasn’t mad or even surprised, but he wanted some answers.

  “No, I did not,” she replied, her tone unchanging.

  The woman was infuriating. He couldn’t figure out why she was talking in circles or denying that she had not been honest. She was verbally elusive, purposely avoiding something, and it was driving him a little mad.

  “You said…”

  “I am aware of exactly what I said,” she told Gar gently, once again continuing her work on the salve. “I told you the situation was not without hope and that to work through it would take time.”

  “Exactly!” Gar exclaimed triumphantly, feeling he’d gained some ground with her.

  “But,” she continued, “I never said that I would be the one to do this work.”

  He was confused for a moment, pondering her meaning. The old lady perplexed him. Most of the time half of what she said meant something else. Then her meaning began to make sense and the truth of his situation landed hard.

  He raised an eyebrow at her.

  “You could never separate us, could you?” The question was more rhetorical since he already knew the answer, but he wanted to put it out there.

  Her response surprised him.

  “Do you want to be separated from him?” There was a beat of silence between then.

  She looked him squarely in the eyes, her expression a challenging curiosity in regard to his feelings. Gar could sense his heart beat a little faster as he considered this prospect, but then it began to ache a little as well.

  “No,” he replied.

  “I see,” she said. “Well, that is interesting.”

  “You guessed,” said Gar. “That was a very big risk you took and it could have easily backfired.”

  “I had faith in both you and Kai,” she replied. “I can see now it was well placed.” Gar could note the smile creeping over the sides of her wrinkled mouth. She enjoyed being right. They continued their work in silence for a while as Gar pondered his new found understanding. The leaves she had given him had been long since been crushed and put away. She gave him other little projects as they sat there. It was some time before he voiced his next question.