by Zara Starr
It may take me all night, but I knew I wasn’t leaving the clearing without first capturing my prey.
Arh
I was grateful to my mother, no doubt, but that didn’t make it any easier to bring Mikaela out to the tribal cave—through the mass of our people who would all be stunned upon seeing her.
Dey, Mikaela, and I stepped within first and my mother made her way through the crowd.
“Out of the way, please,” she announced as we all began walking in a straight line.
Mikaela was kept safely between myself and Dey. Her eyes seemed to shift all over the people and I knew she was just as surprised by them as they were her.
“Veruka.” The sound of Otoro’s voice broke through and a still silence instantly overtook the crowd. “What is this?”
“My son came across this female a few weeks ago. In the process of finding her, she was bitten by a dificia beetle and he immediately brought her to myself—where I have been working to heal her ever since.”
“Is that so?” Otoro asked. “And, why would you not bring this matter to our attention?” he demanded.
“The female was in no shape to make it even this far when she was brought to me, Otoro. You know, the need for healthy females is crucial to our tribe. Would you have rather she died because we risk bringing her here, or have me attend her properly? I should hope not,” Veruka said.
“Of course, not,” Otoro scoffed and shook his head. Funi’s mouth fell open but Otoro lifted his finger and shook his head. “Silence, Funi. Now is not the time,” he warned. “Come let us all go into the council cavern. We have much to discuss.”
I gave a sigh, expecting to be reprimanded when all the truth came to light. I knew that it would be out soon enough.
Mikaela’s face took on a somewhat disturbed expression and I hoped she wasn’t too uncomfortable by the penetrating stares and gazes of the other Eilahasans as we made our way into the cavern.
“Sit down, all of you,” Funi said, taking his usual seat and crossing his legs as he glowered at the rest of us.
I had always hated this about him—how he would stare at you until you felt your very flesh begin to crawl as if worms had been crawling through it. I hated it and I felt it now more than ever before. If only he weren’t an elder, I’d teach him a lesson in humility.
“Now,” Otoro began as he glanced between us. “Arh, you are the first to have come across this female? How so?” he asked.
I blinked and sighed, intentionally glancing toward my mother and then Mikaela, before I finally looked directly at Otoro. I refused to satisfy Funi’s divisive glances as much as possible—and it had been Otoro who first addressed me.
“I was out hunting. After the female who chose Karr, Bahl and Dew rejected me from her selections I fled to the forest to soothe my anger. It seemed the wisest decision for me at the time,” I admitted.
“Yes, I remember that very well, but how long was it before you came across this female? What state was she in when found?” Otoro inquired.
“It was a great deal later. Months later. She was found perusing my encampment and eating the meat I had left behind,” I explained.
“She was found eating meat? But, isn’t her kind herbivorous?” Funi asked.
“I do not think they are all herbivorous. I think that Karr’s mate is, but this female has clearly shown herself to be omnivorous—and she truly adores meat, this I am certain of,” I explained.
“Veruka,” Otoro began, turning toward my mother. “What was your observation upon meeting this female. Was there anything strange?” he asked.
“Well, clearly she is different from us, and even the pregnant female of Karr, Dew, and Bahl—she is curvier and enjoys different dietary needs. She also did not come unaccompanied as Ella did,” Veruka said.
“What do you mean she did not come unaccompanied? Are there other females? Where are they?” Funi demanded.
Veruka shook her head.
“Listen with your two ears and you shall know, Funi. There are no other females that I know of, but this one came with her own animal. Because of the animal my son and the female engaged in a physical dispute,” Veruka said.
“What?” Otoro asked surprised.
“Ask him.” Veruka nodded.
“Arh?” Funi asked. “What happened between you and this female? And what sort of companion did she come with?”
“I have only learned from Dey that it is called a pet—in her case, a dog,” Arh said.
“A pet? What is a pet?” Funi asked, his eyes widening as if he did not comprehend any of it at all.
“Yes, an animal that is her companion. So much, that she considers it her family and was willing to fight to the death to defend it,” I said.
“So, tell us what occurred already,” Funi said in annoyance. “The continual dalliance begins to irritate me. I haven’t any more patience. I think Otoro and I have both afforded you more than enough.”
I sighed. “She attacked me and she did cause me some physical damage. I was left with no choice but to bind her to keep her from causing me further harm. In the midst of the fray, she suffered a bite from the dificia beetle and immediately began showing the effects of its toxins. At the moment I noticed this I brought her to my mother and she has been there in her cave ever since. You can ask Dey, Scar, and her if this is not so,” I said, no longer affording the bastardly Funi anymore of my respect—it was clear he did not at all deserve it.
“Veruka, is this all true?” Otoro asked.
“Yes, and the female is indeed very protective of her animal. She has shown that she will endanger herself and kill for it. I think this is something you should both be aware of,” Veruka said.
“Is this the creature responsible for the horrendous yelping echoes we have been hearing lately?” Funi asked.
“Yes, the creature is boisterous and loud sometimes, but it seems to abide by the female’s wishes when she speaks to it. We do not understand it any more than you do, Funi, but you must see how causing the creature harm might not be wise for the rest of us,” Veruka explained.
“And why is that?” Funi asked.
“Well, I presume that you will open courting for her now that you know she exists. She has been housed in my cave and shall stay there until she makes her selections if you are to have her participate in our triad customs?” Veruka asked.
“Why should she not? Ella was made to and seems quite content in having done so,” Funi remarked.
“Yes, but Ella has a less fiery personality than this Mikaela does,” Veruka said.
“Mikaela? Is that her name? How did you learn it?” Funi asked.
“I had Karr bring Ella once I learned of her existence—and it stood to reason as I have been providing Ella with her elixirs for the baby’s growth and her continuing health. Karr and Ella helped to teach us the few things we do know about her. We have learned on our own from spending time with her, but when it comes to her feelings for her animal it was Ella who shed the most light,” Veruka explained.
“So, then what else can you tell us about her? Does she remember how she got here? Ella didn’t know any of those things,” Otoro said.
“No, she does not know how she got here either but has made it abundantly clear that she does not want to stay,” Veruka said. “Which is why it seems critical to me that we allow her the peace of mind of not harming her animal, despite the nuisance it may seem to be.”
“But the sounds it makes are terrible. What if it should attract a predator to us? How can we be certain we will remain safe with it here?” Funi asked.
“As I said, the female shows great control over the creature and I do not think she will allow it far enough from her to cause any real danger. She has never left the meadow near my cave and I am positive that after her experience with the dificia she will not be doing so any time soon. I have gotten her well enough to come here tonight, haven’t I? Would the two of you truly deny my importance or intelligence to this tribe?” Veruka ask
ed.
I chuckled, having been kept quiet by my mother’s overtaking of the conversation. It was amusing, as it seemed she was equal amongst them no matter what their opinions were.
I did wonder, however, where Julene was and why she had yet to appear or speak on the matter. My suspicions quickly dissipated.
“Ah, it seems with every season Veruka grows sterner in her knowledge,” Julene interrupted as she stepped into the council cavern. She immediately made her way toward my mother and the two embraced for a brief moment.
“Why you both continue to deny her the gift of eldership is something I do not yet understand,” Julene said. “She knows more than either of you could possibly begin to imagine. She is the future of our tribe and her request to respect this new female’s methods is a wise one.”
“If we are to draw her into our culture shouldn’t we come to terms with the differences within her own? ” Julene asked. “And who is to say that they are wrong? Perhaps, on hers and Ella’s planet, it is normal for females to make such decisions. If keeping an animal is too much for us how can we, in turn, expect her to agree to our beliefs? From my understanding, having more than one mate is of questionable nature in their world.”
Otoro nodded and bowed to her as did Funi.
“Good evening, Julene,” both elder males replied in unison.
It always amused me how they felt so empowered when ridiculing me but one word from Julene or my mother and both seemed entirely humbled in an instant.
“What would you have of her?” I finally asked, wishing nothing more than to be back in the home cave and out of the cavern as quickly as possible.
“Well, now that we have it on good authority that she is well enough—courting for all eligible males shall begin immediately. We shall announce it to them all. She will be given the traditional time period—a moon’s turn—to make her selections and we shall have her triad ceremony,” Funi said matter-of-factly.
“But mother just told you that she doesn’t even want to stay in Eilahas,” I said.
“Well, I do not think Ella wanted to either but that did not stop her from rejecting you at her own ceremony, now did it, Arh?” Funi asked.
It was just like him to try smearing the salt deeper into my wounds, but I did not care. Ella no longer mattered, what mattered now was Mikaela and whatever it took to make her happily choose me whereas Ella had not.
“We shall do our best to encourage her participation, Otoro, Funi,” Veruka interjected, silencing me instantly. “Arh, please go with Dey to accompany Mikaela back to the home cave. I shall converse with Julene, Otoro, and Funi alone now,” she insisted.
I sighed, I felt I deserved to be there as much as she but I knew my mother also had my best interests at heart.
I dared not defy my mother when she had only ever done her best to make me a happy and strong warrior—and the strongest of all hunters in our tribe. I was indebted to her for that and I knew it.
Mikaela
I had been stunned, shocked, and even somewhat terrified upon seeing the expansiveness of the purples’ people. Their tribal cave alone was ginormous. I literally had no idea how large their cave systems were until I had been brought to the elder cavern, as I later learned it was called.
Arh, Veruka, and Dey had all scattered about their usual duties and Ella had come with Karr earlier that morning to explain how things would go.
Apparently, the courting period had been opened for me and I was to expect an onslaught of gifts and attention—from every eligible male in the tribe.
It seemed a bit overwhelming to me and I didn’t even want to consider mating with one of the purples as Ella had done. The very idea had me more than nervous, it had me downright terrified.
All I wanted to do was stay in the meadow near Veruka’s home cave and spend all my time with Tremor. Especially, since nobody else had yet to come around.
I was a little unnerved at the fact that Scar had yet to show his face in what seemed like two days. I wondered if he was safe and where he had skedaddled off to. He had spent so much time feeding me the best meals that I really missed having his company and hoped he would be back soon.
Though Arh did a great job providing me with the best meats, I was totally sold on Scar’s cooking which seemed to be the best of anyone else in their cave system.
I still didn’t quite understand how Veruka’s home life worked. It seemed like she had no mate, but I did know she was Arh’s mother. What I wasn’t sure of was whether she was Scar’s mother or not.
I did recognize that Dey and Ella’s mate, Dew, were brothers and not the sons of Veruka. But it seemed Dey was more of an apothecary student than anything else. I still wasn’t totally sold on why Scar spent so much time around.
I strode out into the meadow, doing my best to keep Tremor from howling. I had learned that his howling was something that the purples did not appreciate.
Since I was still stuck here with no way out, I decided it was best to keep us safe by not allowing my dog to be a constant, annoying barker. It wasn’t the easiest thing to do though.
“Woof!”
Tremor barked and I turned to glance behind me, noticing Scar as he emerged from the trees.
My eyes widened and I ran to him extending my arms and pulling him into a hug. I never thought I would be so glad to see him, but I was and it was the only way I knew to show it that he had no doubt of understanding.
“I’m sorry he is always barking in your face,” I muttered as I stepped back.
Scar nodded and pulled what appeared to be a rabbit out of his satchel. I widened my eyes as I looked over the creature. He smiled and walked over to the fire pit he often cooked at and nodded toward me.
I followed him and he pointed at a knife which I quickly handed over. I wasn’t sure what he was about to do but it seemed to me he wanted to cook the rabbit and since I didn’t have anything else to do I decided there was nothing wrong with helping.
I loved cooking in my apartment, but I never really had much need to entertain since I didn’t have visitors very often.
It was nice to be near someone who just wanted to have me involved in something rather than sit and watch. I was really starting to grow bored and wished there was some sort of literature I could turn to, but I knew that was a long stretch.
I walked over to the fire and Scar smiled at me as he finished cleaning and skinning the animal. I hadn’t ever seen such measures before with my own eyes, having been raised on the East Coast and being a city girl. But I understood that it was necessary and Scar had culinary skills that could rival the best New York chef.
I smiled back at him as he pointed to some vegetables and motioned for me to cut them. I nodded and lifted one that looked similar to a carrot—though it was as long as my forearm, at least!
I began chopping it into bite-sized pieces and continued onto the next vegetable. If I was right, Scar would be preparing another of his stews and it looked like it was a special one—rabbit stew, as far as I could see.
Scar
I walked into the clearing and was happy to see my luck was changing. Not only had I gotten the coneha but it seemed fate was smiling on me as I found Mikaela and her dog alone in the clearing—and it looked like nobody else was in sight.
I wasn’t quite sure why that was but I was glad to see her safely perusing the meadow alone.
I approached her and immediately engaged her in helping me cook—it seemed like a way for the two of us to spend some quality time together without having any unwelcome interruptions and I was happy to have emerged from the hunt just when I did.
I knew I had much to catch up on, having been gone for some time now, but I wasn’t interested in wasting a second that I could use to make Mikaela happy searching for any of the others.
I knew that soon enough they would return and my precious time with her would come to an end. That was the last thing I wanted—not now when I feared Arh might steal her interests right from under my nose.
/> Dey
I had gone about my business for the day after learning what the council felt about Mikaela’s existence. It seemed to be the best thing for me to do as I knew that having other males come to see her was going to pose difficulty for me when it came to standing out in her mind.
I had left early to go see Dew at Karr’s home cave—which was essentially his home cave now also. Ella would soon be delivering a child and I wondered how it would turn out for my brother when he became a father.
On one hand, I was excited about the notion but I wondered how it would change him and if the child would be male or female.
I had many questions, but when I made my way back to Veruka’s meadow, I was surprised to see Mikaela laughing as she stood near Scar.
He had been gone for a few days now, at least two, by my count. Now, to see him frolicking with her in the meadow I felt my stomach sink.
Was I wrong to leave and go about my own way? Should I have stayed behind and spent more time with Mikaela? I felt at odds within myself and wasn’t quite sure what to say when Scar approached me.
“Ah, Dey! How have you been, brother?” he asked me.
Mikaela stood, stirring a pot he had suspended over the fire and I wondered what they were cooking.
“Well enough. Have you been back long?” I asked.
“A few hours. Mikaela has been helping me make coneha stew. I think it should appease you, Veruka, and Arh alike. I went quite far to secure the meat,” Scar said.
I perked a brow. Scar was not known for his hunting success, and it surprised me that he had been able to gather a creature as difficult as the legendary coneha.
Scar grinned as I looked back at him. With Arh and Scar as my competitors, all I could do was pray Dew was right—that by treating Mikaela as no other had, she would find favor in me.
