When Cris opened his eyes, he was on the life raft in the ocean, a memory from the time he was shot down northeast of Jakarta in the Java Sea. He lay on his back, looking up at the broiling sun, listening to the water slosh about inside the tiny one-man life raft.
Not this dream again.
Then he looked down. The water inside the raft was full of blood—both his legs were gone. He screamed.
His eyes popped open. He was back on the hammock, still belly down. The sun was low on the horizon. Does the sun set in the west here? He heard the sound of foot steps and turned his head to look.
Tattie's voice sang out, "Tarnus, he wakes!" Then, she squatted down before him. "How do you feel, Cris Salazar?"
"Do I still have two legs?"
"Yes."
"Do both have muscles in them? Will I walk again?"
Tarnus now appeared, carrying a large rock, he dropped it in front of Cris and sat down. "Let me explain what I have done."
"Please," Cris replied.
"The poison was much advanced, as I told you. It was well into your blood, had Tattie not acted as quickly as she did—
"The elixir of Geldneth Nordthok will clean your blood, but the muscle was poisoned and infested with a great many geernus. I removed the muscle and bathed it in Geldneth Nordthok, and cleaned the place from where I removed it with the elixir, as well. Much infested meat had to be cut out and discarded.
"I then placed your muscle inside the hollowed birth pod of the Erpko Aveyokie. I placed the closed pod containing your muscle back against the bone, and closed the flesh of your leg around it."
Cris cranked his head around to look back at his left calf. It was enormous, and the incision was closed with some black twine. "Oh, man. Why doesn't it hurt?”
"That is the elixir and the pod working on you, but as the pod begins to dissolve, you will feel more pain. If it becomes uncomfortable, just drink the Geldneth Nordthok."
"I'd rather have a good brandy right now."
"Brandy? A woman of your acquaintance?" Tattie asked.
Cris smiled. "No—it's a strong drink back home."
"No fermented beverage for you, boy," Tarnus said. "It will nullify the effects of the elixir. Tonight, you sleep out here. The fresh air will do you well, and you should not be moved until the morrow."
"What about all the beasties in the woods?"
"The village is well lit at night, and the smell of morka on you will keep most away. Besides, Tattie and I will stay here with you, ready to defend you against anything or anyone that might wish to eat you."
"Did you say anyone?"
"The monsters are not all in the woods," Tattie said. "Most prowl about on two legs."
Chapter 10
The Hunt
After dinner, which Tattie fed to him, Cris wanted to talk to her, but she kept messing with his leg. "Ouch, don't touch that," he raised his voice at Tattie.
"Ouch?" she asked. "Is that an oath among your people?"
"No, far from it," Cris replied.
"I must apologize for my language this morning; it was rude, obscene, and unnecessary. I am ashamed," Tattie said in a subdued voice.
"Please don't be, not on my account. I used some of the worst language known to my people as Tarnus started cutting. I'm the one who is ashamed."
"I promise not to be coarse again when I am near you," Tattie said.
Cris nodded, "I promise to—try and watch my language. How's that?"
She smiled at him, and the warm feeling surged through him again.
"That will do, Cris Salazar."
"Hey—it's just Cris. And I want to thank you. Seems you saved my life, that's three I owe you."
"Three?"
"Sure—you save me from the morka, and if you hadn't volunteered to assist me, I feel sure I would have died in those woods."
"No, Cris, I did not see that in your future."
"My future? You saw my future?"
"Not as you think…more like when you see clouds that you know will bring rain."
"So, what did you see?"
"Just possibilities. This event with your leg almost brought those possibilities to a harsh end. Nothing is carved upon the side of the mountain that cannot be eroded away, Cris."
Cris had trouble getting to sleep that night. The world around him was filled with strange sounds. The light of the dancing flames from the torches and fire pots created bizarre shadows against every surface he could see.
Tattie and Tarnus took turns standing guard. Tarnus hefted an immense sword, like a double-handed claymore but with a wider, heavier blade. No doubt the big man could swing it around like a twig. Tattie carried a small hunting bow and a quiver of arrows. When Tarnus was on guard, Cris pretended to sleep. When Tattie relieved him, he called to her. She shushed him and told him to sleep. "You'll heal faster if you'll just sleep," she scolded him. He did not tell her, but he hated to sleep.
Sleep finally overtook him, and he drifted back—back to that night in the war zone. He was again on the runway of their forward operating base, and he was again pulling Danny out of the burning wreckage of their aircraft. The light of the dancing flames created strange shadows against every surface he could see. Danny's body was burnt, smoking, and the smell of cooked flesh filled his nostrils. He carefully removed Danny's shattered flight helmet. Danny's face was unrecognizable. He coughed up a little blood and his one good eye opened. Painfully, he spoke. "Cris—your arm's on fire."
Cris just reached over with his right hand and patted the flames out.
"Danny, I'm so sorry. I should have been able to—"
"Cris—tell Linda I lo—love her."
"You'll tell her yourself…just hang in there. Danny? Don't leave me Danny, don't leave me here alone—Danny? No!"
Cris had screamed out loud, which woke him up. Tattie was by his side with the bladder of elixir, holding his hand. Cris was suddenly aware that he was squeezing her hand hard, so he let go.
"Cris—drink this, it will dull your pain and ease your mind."
Cris took a long deep drink, and then handed it back to her. She went back to his injured leg and poured the remainder over his calf.
"Are you in much pain?" she asked.
"Not now, thank you."
"Try to sleep. You really must sleep."
The elixir did indeed seem to ease his mind and he slept. The remainder of the night was devoid of dreams.
Over the next few days the swelling in his leg receded. Tattie continued to treat his leg several times a day with the elixir. On the day his leg looked its normal size, Tarnus removed the stitches. Cris was sitting in a chair now and able to sleep in the bed inside the house.
Every night, Tattie made him drink from the bladder and watched over him till he was asleep. Cris was aware of this and would pretend to sleep. He'd close his eyes and breathe deeply. Eventually, Tattie would climb in bed next to him and place a hand on his chest. She was asleep almost instantly. Poor thing, Cris thought, she must be exhausted.
Tattie was doing a great deal of work every day, hunting and preparing the meals, tending to him, and other jobs he could not see, but when she checked on him it was apparent she had been hard at some work.
Tarnus was as much help as he could be, but he had the farm and the crop to tend.
Cris felt Tattie's hand on his chest. His guess was that this must have been some early warning should he awaken. He enjoyed the touch of her hand. There was something different about it he could not figure out. It's alien contact. He found the phrase amusing. They weren't that alien; according to Tarnus, they were "from the same species, just a different race," so why this weird feeling at her touch, the warmth he felt at the sound of her laugh, the sight of her smile?
Cris fought sleep as long as he could, but drifted off.
He was in his aircraft over the target area, the flak was so thick you could get out and walk on it. In his helmet he heard Danny's voice. "Maintain course and speed, target lock. Stand by—fir
e!"
"Fox one."
The missile streaked for its target leaving a white trail behind it. Danny guided the missile into a hard structure that flashed, then disappeared.
"Spaceman, break right, break right!"
There was a blinding flash, and Cris awoke with a start, sitting bolt upright and shouting, "Eject, eject, eject!"
He was covered in sweat, panting, and shaking.
"Cris!" Tattie grabbed him and held him tight. "Wake up, Cris!"
"Danny!" Cris shouted, and started to cry. Tattie pulled him into her arms.
Cris felt her arms around his head and his cheek against her warm, soft breasts. He tried as hard as he could to regain control; he felt terribly embarrassed. She laid his head down and whispered in his ear, "You're not in Oceania anymore Cris, it's alright—sleep."
Cris again pretended to be asleep, and rolled on his side away from her. Tattie snuggled up against him and laid her hand on his arm.
○O○
The next morning, Cris awoke late, so he was surprised to hear Tarnus's voice in the next room. He also smelled something cooking and realized he was hungry. Cris rose, dressed, and walked into the next room where Tattie was packing a small leather bag designed to be worn as a backpack. Tarnus was cooking.
As he walked into the room, Tattie stopped her packing and came very close to him. "Are you rested? Did you sleep the rest of the night?" she spoke softly.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Listen, I'm sorry about that—"
"It was just evil dreams. That you rested is all that matters."
Cris smiled a half-grin and averted his eyes. This alien woman was the only person alive that knew of his bad dreams. She knew about Oceania, too. How did she know? He had not mentioned the name to her once. When she had said she looked inside him, she must have looked very deep.
"Cris of Earth," Tarnus said, "I have here some fried Samus fish, and the white flesh of the Kosno bird. I have hot bread, and with it the pulp of the mashed Ob fruit. Be warned, the Ob is a very sweet fruit.”
"You don't have any coffee, do you?"
"Coffee? I do not know of coffee."
"It's a dried bean we grind and steep in hot water. It's loaded with a mild drug we call caffeine. It's tasty and gives us a little kick in the morning."
"Ah, for that, we drink the crushed leaves of the Pecanous Avory, but only with their permission, so it is a rare drink allowed to few. Before I give you the drink, you must go outside, kneel before a plant, and ask for their blessing."
"Ah—ask a plant for—"
"Gimba," Tattie said, "do you not recall what I told you of the Avory when first we arrived here?"
"Okay, okay."
Cris went outside and located a small bush about three meters from the cabin's entrance. It was unusual to Cris's eye. It had several good-sized stems that protruded from the ground. Its leaves were quite small, and it was bright yellow color. There were a number of small round pods, about the size of golf balls, among the leaves.
Cris took a knee, looking about to see if anyone was watching.
"Hello, Avory—I'm, ah, new to your world so I ask your forgiveness if I have offended you, or if I should do so in the future. Once I know my way around your world, I'll be more careful—and respectful. Tarnus has offered me a cup of a drink made from the leaves of one of your kind, so I'd like your permission to have some."
Cris waited for some sign, but nothing happened. He was about to rise when from inside the plant came a noise, a rattle. He looked closer. One of the pods was gently vibrating. He looked closer still, and was about to call for Tattie to come look when the pod burst and a thick, purple, gelatinous substance flung from the pod and hit him right in the face.
"Well—thanks. I'll take that as a no."
Cris walked inside and stood in the doorway. "I don't think your Avory friends like me."
"Oh, Cris!" Tattie ran to him. "You have been favored above many on Nazer by the Avory! This is a great blessing!" Then she leaned forward and licked his left cheek clean of the gel.
Cris was stunned. Wow, he thought, I really have to better understand these people.
Cris washed in a bowl on a rock outside, and then sat down to eat. The food was delicious. The beverage he had been granted permission to drink was definitely not coffee, but it was tasty, and did provide the kick he had wanted. He was most assuredly alert now.
Cris was cutting what looked and tasted like grilled chicken when Tarnus, who had just set some hot bread on the table, circled around behind him. Then, at the top of his lungs, he shouted, "Cris, quick, get back!"
Cris leapt from the table looking quickly around. "What is it?" he shouted.
"Did you see that, Tattie?" Tarnus asked. "Quick as a turba rodent."
"What?" Cris was still confused and quickly becoming angry.
"Forgive me, boy, but you've not been limping since yesterday; your leg is a lovely color, and even the scar is almost gone. Tattie and I believe it is time you started putting that leg to use."
"Tarnus, you scared the shi—" Cris looked at Tattie and recalled his promise. "You scared the heck out of me."
"Today, you will accompany Tattie on her little hunt. Stretch that muscle and regain your strength and stamina in it. But do not leave without the elixir of Geldneth Nordthok—just in case."
A hunt, with Tattie, okay, Cris thought, that should be fun.
Tarnus had his reservations about the hunt, which had been Tattie's idea. He grudgingly acquiesced, saying, "If he survives this, then I will feel better about your chances in his company."
After breakfast, Tattie donned her leather hunting clothes, the backpack, and her bow and quiver.
Once outside, they both stood to one side of the house and Tattie asked Cris if he knew his directions.
"I know which way things should be if I were on Earth."
"Tell me," Tattie requested.
"Based on the direction the sun travels through the sky…that is east, and that west, therefore north is that way, and that's south."
Tattie stood with a confused look on her face. "South and east, we must somehow rid your mind of these alien notions and words. Let me explain nature to you gimba. The point around which Nazer rotates is known as Impara. The bottom of the rotation is called Hegola, and the sun rises in the Ekalden and sleeps in Mendaba.
"Okay, so we're facing Mendaba, or what I call west."
"Mendaba, there is no west. Understand that once, long, long ago, these names were sacred to the Geldneth."
"But not now?"
"No, no longer, but they are held in high esteem."
"Right. Well, on Earth we perform human sacrifices to our compass points which we call the Cardinal points."
Tattie's already large eyes widened, her mouth opened but she was speechless. Finally, she found her voice. "That is barbaric! Are you a planet of savages?"
Cris laughed. "No, no—I was joking, it was a joke."
"So—you are not a planet of savages, yours is a planet of gimba!" She turned away from him and started out to cross Tarnus's fields. She shouted over her shoulder at him. "Show me no more of your Earth humor!"
Cris ran to catch up. "I'm sorry, it was bad joke, but come on, be truthful with me, do the Geldneth really hold the names of the directions in high esteem?"
Tattie walked on for several seconds without a word. Then, quietly, she said, "No."
Cris had a big smile on his face as he walked along, just looking at her. She shot him a glance, then another. At last, her anger subsided, and she smiled just a little.
"Oh, come on—" Cris prodded her.
She rolled her eyes, then laughed. The warmth both filled him and spurred him on, and Cris started running toward the wood line, shouting, "Come on, I'll race you!" He had obviously forgotten. In a flash, Tattie had covered the three hundred meters and was waiting as Cris arrived, panting for breath. "I underestimated you. I don't think I'll do that again." Then, he sat down on the ground and began to rub
his leg.
"Are you all right?" She leaned in toward him.
"It's just a little tight," he said, knowing she would never understand charley horse.
"Drink the elixir. Drink it now, Cris—we have a long way to go."
"Where are we going?"
"Out into Nazer."
Refreshed, and the discomfort in his leg forgotten, Cris stood and joined Tattie as they entered into the dark woods Mendaba of the valley.
These woods were quite a bit different than those in which he had met Tattie. These trees all appeared to be deciduous, and the undergrowth was very thick. There was no path here, so they were breaking bush, as the grunts say. The vegetation was unusual, to say the least. Most of it looked both angry and hungry. Cris watched as a large, flying insect came within two meters of a very large plant that looked like a turned-up bell. As it neared the plant, a spear-like object shot from the plant, skewered the insect, and instantly pulled it into the bell. Tattie seemed to take no notice.
"Hey—did you see that?" Cris asked, pointing.
"That, yes, that is the archer of the wood—stay away from them, their sting will make you quite ill."
"I'll file that away."
“Beware that plant over there,” Tattie continued pointing at a plant that had just one short but thick stalk that rose only about twenty-seven centimeters above the ground, its branches spreading out in all directions for ten or more meters. The branches and their small, pale, green leaves were a meter thick at the center. “The plants grow in communities of twenty to thirty. Its large thorns are deadly poison. See that small rodent? He lives among the plant’s branches. From his home there, the rodent can forage for food, but can always return to the safety of this plant for protection from larger predators.”
Of course, nothing else could grow where this particular plant did, so off the fringes of these plants grew a tree whose branches slanted sideways to capture the light.
Cris saw tube-shaped plants, translucent red in color, some fifteen meters tall and three meters in diameter. They grew in groups of ten to twelve.
Across a Sea of Stars Page 14
