by Zara Starr
It seemed to be my last and only shot.
Ten
Arh
The council had clearly made their desires known—and I wasn’t sure what to think of them. On the one hand, I did want to do everything in my power to ensure that Mikaela would choose me, but I also knew that she longed to return to her home planet—knowledge that made my heart stir in ways it never had before.
I didn’t want to become attached to someone who would do anything to leave me, but I also recognized that she honestly didn’t have any leads on this. Part of me wanted to help her find out.
How she and Ella had both wound up on Eilahas was a mystery that I was positive everyone wanted to uncover, but where to start was the one question I wasn’t at all sure of.
I had retraced my steps as much as possible, hoping to learn something but it was really like Mikaela had shown up from thin air just as Karr had explained that Ella had.
I hadn’t believed him initially, but now that I was roaming my hunting grounds searching for any sign of how she had come here I really did see how confusing it all was.
These strange-looking females were literally coming to our planet with no explanation.
At first, I had wondered if they were from Eilahas in some distant area we had yet to explore, but I knew that wasn’t so after learning from Karr as much as he had uncovered about Ella.
I pursed my lips as I considered the fact that now the other males would be coming to call on her, if they hadn’t already. They could be with her right this very moment while I was out in the woods.
I hastened my pace and continued walking through the jungle, back toward my mother’s cave. I didn’t want to tell Mikaela everything the council had said because I knew it would upset her, but I felt at odds because she deserved to know.
I was positive my mother would have someone come to explain some of what the council had said to her, but I knew she would never be given the fullness of the truth.
I didn’t want to force our ways on the foreign female but I also knew that time was of the essence when it came to what was the wisest maneuvers.
I strode into the clearing, having finished my search for the day, and instantly spotted Dey, Mikaela, and Scar.
Mikaela was busy stirring a pot of food that smelled incredible. I wondered what the meat was as I hadn’t delivered anything in well over a day. I had been completely absorbed with what Funi and Otoro had told me and how my mother had handled it.
I walked up to Scar and tilted my head curiously. There was so much I needed to say, and yet I had no clue how to commence with it. It was a dilemma I had never before found myself in, and yet, I knew that upsetting Mikaela was the last thing I wanted to do.
“What have you here?” I asked him, trying to make conversation and avoid the knowledge I had gained without really wanting to.
I pursed my lips as I inhaled the air. Scar shrugged.
“I went out to hunt myself. It was time. I did well, I’d say,” Scar said.
“How so?” I asked, prompted by his words.
I knew that Scar hunted from time to time, but it had never been his strength and I had often wondered why he had chosen it—instead of something simpler, like gathering.
“Well, I got a nice sized coneha to make a fine stew,” Scar said proudly.
“Coneha? Where did you procure that?” I asked him.
Coneha wasn’t easy to find, let alone successfully con into falling into a deadfall trap. They were even harder to spear or arrow kill, that much I knew.
“Yes, and I’ve discovered that Mikaela really enjoys cooking and preparing foods. She enjoys being out of doors and doing things, also,” Scar explained.
“Yes, he is right. Mikaela has been found roaming the meadow by herself yet again, which is something I think we can all take into account regarding her wishes. For some reason, she does not like staying in the caves and she definitely appreciates being a part of our routines rather than being left out to watch,” Dey explained.
“I see. Well, I suppose there is little need for me to stay out here and be in the way then,” I murmured. I still didn’t know how to approach what had been told me to.
The council were going to insist that Mikaela agrees to the triad ceremony, and I sensed that it was wholly possible that might insinuate she shouldn’t be cared for if she didn’t want to be a part of the tribe.
It was what Otoro had told me before I left that led me to believe so.
“You know, if the female is as just suggested—not interested in staying on Eilahas, then we are not obligated to ensure her survival. She is no different than any other creature that might burden our tribe lest she serves a purpose in it. We all have duties here, you know this well enough, Arh,” Funi said.
“With what we have learned tonight and the observation of other Eilahasans—this female needs to be an active part of the tribe or else she will be nothing but a liability. Already, it has been made clear that we must accept the snarling beast she keeps as a companion. What other troubles will arise from keeping her if she is not to provide sons or daughters, as Ella has chosen to do?” Funi asked.
“You were just as much against Ella being on Eilahas as you are Mikaela. The only difference is that Ella came unaccompanied and eventually gave in to your wishes. Otherwise, you would see her just as you do Mikaela now—as if she has no use if she will not provide offsprings,” I said.
“Why else would we need a foreign female here, Arh? What will it do for us to keep her? And if she is as fiery as your mother suggested perhaps it is best that you allow us to make the decisions here,” Funi said.
“You had your time to speak amongst yourselves with my mother, but do not think I will just step aside and cause harm to come to Mikaela. I will not.”
“But, didn’t you cause her harm and drag her to your mother ill? It seems to me that had you not involved yourself she would likely have died in the forest of her own accord and ignorance,” Funi said.
This was precisely why I loathed this elder—he had no compassion for anything, something even I on my most arrogant day would show when needed.
Again, I wondered how he had found himself as an elder and who had been responsible for it. There was nothing honorable about him in the least.
“To leave any female without sanctuary is a direct violation of Eilahasan code—you wouldn’t suggest we do such a thing, would you?” I asked curiously.
I had been regarded with disdain simply for bringing the fighting Mikaela who sought to harm me in binds and here Funi, an elder of the council, was suggesting we simply banish her should she not choose to partake in our customs?
I could not imagine it and refused to allow him such an influence over me. There was no way I would stand for it—not now, and not ever.
“Is something the matter, Arh?” Scar’s voice echoed behind me, breaking into my memories of the short conversation.
I didn’t really want to go into it but it was obvious he wasn’t going to let it go.
“The council demands she take part in the triad selection ceremony. She has a moon’s turn to entertain the callers—all eligible males, of course,” I acknowledged.
“Is that all?” Scar asked. “When did they call you for a meeting?” he continued.
“While you were hunting the coneha—that was when. Believe me, I wasn’t expecting it to come as swiftly as it arrived either,” I muttered.
“He speaks the truth. Mikaela knows of the triad selection though,” Dey added.
Mikaela continued to watch us and I sighed.
“She does not know the extent of what they have said, however,” I said.
“What do you mean, Arh?” Scar asked.
“Funi suggested that if she doesn’t wish to be a part of the custom then we should not continue to provide her sanctuary or sustenance,” I admitted.
Scar’s eyes widened and I could see the anger fill his pupils at the mere idea of it.
“What? Why would they say that?” Dey asked in
disbelief.
I shrugged.
“Because he feels it is a danger to the tribe to have someone with a yelping creature that could alert predators to tax the tribe by eating food and being around when they do nothing else.”
I sighed, rubbing my face. “He is right, on the one hand. She has no obvious trade to barter with the tribe and if she should not choose to have her mates she will truly only be taking from our supply,” I admitted, as much as it pained me to do so.
“But that is not permissible. Our law directs that all females should be defended, provided for and protected,” Scar insisted.
“Yes, and I reminded Funi of this, but that doesn’t change that they are expecting her to make her selections in a moon’s turn when it is time. They will force her to participate in the selection process whether she wishes to or not.”
I shook my head. “It would be much easier for all of us, and Mikaela, if we can convince her to go along with it— to choose her three mates even if she should find some way to leave Eilahas,” I said.
“As simple as that seems it isn’t quite that easy,” Scar said, glancing back to Mikaela who seemed to notice how we were all very serious—something I was positive she assumed merely from our tones.
“I realize that, but Ella eventually came around. Surely, Mikaela will also?” Dey asked.
“Ella also rejected many of our customs in her own way—remember how she shunned me entirely,” I said, recalling how angry I had been at her doing so.
I still wasn’t pleased by the outcome but now that I realized Mikaela existed I found her much more to my liking—she ate meat and appreciated it where Ella never had. But I wasn’t convinced that would be enough to keep her happy—to keep her satisfied.
“I think we have had enough discussion on this for tonight,” Scar said.
“I think we all need to continue showing her our good qualities. She has no way to get back home yet, but perhaps us finding out more about how she arrived would appease her? Dew said that Ella began to come around once she began feeling more comfortable. Something you weren’t very good at bringing her, Arh,” Dey stated.
I rolled my eyes. The last thing I wanted to hear was how I had screwed up by being pushy the first time around—obviously, I had already learned from my past mistakes.
That was why I wanted to do everything to convince Mikaela, without being intimidating. And it was all entirely different to me, which made it that much harder to do. And yet, I was still forcing myself to do so. All for her.
My mind flashed back to mine and Funi’s conversation suddenly.
“Funi, you are suggesting we allow the ousting of a viable female—a shame that would be worthy of any other Eilahasans death and you are an elder. Never before have I spoken up against you though many a time I’ve been challenged to. I promise you this—if any harm should come to Mikaela I will personally deliver the judgment you will be fitting to receive. Is that clear?” I asked.
Funi scoffed and glanced at Otoro.
“You would allow him to speak to me thus? He has disrespected me for the last time!” Funi raged.
Otoro groaned. “That is enough! The laws of our tribe will not be challenged by fear! The female will participate in the triad ceremony and she will choose her three mates! There is no room for argument on this—we will not be banishing her. The very thought is insane! Banish it from your minds,” Otoro said, waving his hand as he scoffed in annoyance.
I sensed that he too was disgusted by what Funi had stated, but knew better than to cause a ruckus where it need not be caused.
I, however, felt Funi should be corrected and apologize for his transgressions and assumptions regarding Mikaela.
It became clear to me instantly why Funi was an elder and never a gatherer or hunter—he was too self-absorbed to do anything other than be a counselor and judge all of our common lives.
“Why are you so withdrawn tonight?” Dey asked, and I realized I had gone quiet as I went back into my own memories.
“They’re forcing her to take part in this and I am worried she is going to be enraged when we tell her,” I said.
“Well, she already knows about the courting period. She didn’t seem to argue against it,” Dey said. “She seemed to understand what we had Ella tell her about it.”
“Yes, but that was only the courting period. She does not know that they’re expecting—and are going to push her into making—selections whether she wants them to or not,” I said.
“Do you really think they will banish her if she doesn’t agree?” Dey scoffed as if he couldn’t believe they would do such a thing, but I knew that Funi wasn’t to be tested.
If it were not for my mother, Otoro, and Julene, I was positive Funi would make changes to our laws that no other Eilahasans would approve of—as if he had been born just to test our beliefs and culture. It made me hate him even more so as I thought about it.
Mikaela
As I continued to stir the pot of rabbit stew, I watched the three males curiously. I had a strange feeling. I knew that something wasn’t quite right but I really couldn’t put my finger on what that something was.
Arh had joined us by the fire, but from his expression alone, I could derive that he was perplexed by something. And as he talked with the others, their expressions turned equally solemn.
I wondered what was wrong, but asking them wasn’t the easiest thing to do. Ella had told me to use drawings to convey my thoughts, so I lifted the spoon I’d been stirring with and made my way back over to the three of them.
Scar smiled at me and tilted his head curiously. I held the spoon out to him and he took it suddenly—as the rest of the males glanced in my direction.
I began walking back toward the cave and disappeared within—searching for a stick of some sort that I could draw with. I found a makeshift one leaned against the cave wall and began walking back outside.
I found a chunk of wet earth not too far from the fire pit and approached it—my eyes lifting to meet with the others as I waited patiently.
It was Dey who came to stand near me first and I wondered if he had already gotten the idea from speaking with his brother—who, from what I had learned, was the first one to really engage in drawing to communicate with Ella.
I pursed my lips and began drawing myself and the others with strange expressions on our faces. My drawings had always been somewhat intricate, a talent I kept to myself and mostly did in doodling style throughout high school.
I never imagined I would make it as an artist, which is the main reason why I never did much with it. But from the look on Dey’s face, he was stunned by how detail-oriented my dirt drawings were.
I smiled briefly, surprised by his reaction but feeling a bit proud of my hidden talent—for the first time in a long time, much to my own surprise.
I started drawing on the sand. I drew myself and the three males. I pointed to the female that represented myself and then to myself.
“Mikaela,” I said, knowing they all knew my name well enough to understand what I was trying to say.
Dey pursed his lips and nodded. “Mikaela.” He repeated.
I smiled and pointed out the male that represented him. “Dey.”
He nodded again and I smiled, happy to see he was following my lead easily. The others were still staring at me oddly, however, so I proceeded to point out their placement in my drawing. Just as Dey had done, they too repeated their names after I said them and pointed them out.
I was trying to determine why they seemed so solemn—a feeling I could feel deep in my bones—a feeling that I couldn’t let loose. Something was off and I knew it. This inability to understand what was going on around me had to stop.
If I was to ever learn about the planet and how I had gotten there I needed to first understand the way of life surrounding the world I now found myself inhabiting. I had so many questions but I wasn’t going to wait around anymore either.
If this had worked for Ella, surely it would
work for me too, right?
I could only hope.
Dey tilted his head again and murmured toward Arh—and from the sound of Arh’s response, he wasn’t too thrilled with whatever Dey had said.
Dey
“She seems like she’s trying to bridge the gap of talking with us,” I muttered as I glanced at Arh. “I think she can tell that something is wrong with us.”
Arh groaned and let out a low guttural sound—nearly a growl as he glanced away.
“I can’t tell her,” he gritted.
“You must tell her—the elders are not going to budge from their decision,” I insisted.
I couldn’t see how Arh could procrastinate about the issue any longer. It made little sense to me and a part of me wanted to tell her myself, but I knew that would be unwise considering Arh had first encountered Mikaela and had actually been the one to stand accountable for her to both Funi and Otoro.
“First, I have done many things to offend her, gravely. Secondly, how am I to tell her in the words most necessary?” he demanded.
I scoffed.
“She’s drawn up our images and clearly can tell we are upset. She can hear our tones also. You and I both know these females—wherever they may be from—are intelligent and skillful. If this was not true then you wouldn’t be so fearful. So face your fear like the warrior you are and tell her,” I said.
Scar stepped forward as if he could sense that allowing our conversation to continue would only result in an altercation. I didn’t blame him—the last thing we needed was to further upset Mikaela by engaging in violence in front of her.
If what Arh had told us was true, I had a feeling she would react to that in her own aggressive way. It wasn’t a situation I wanted to be a part of. So, like the peacemaker I was, I stepped back and shook my head.
“I don’t want either of you to do something you will regret. Please, let’s try her methods and just do our best to tell her in a calm manner?” Scar asked.
