The Lexal Affair

by neetha Napew

  “You're a very pretty girl, Vipsa.”

  “Kwama bathed me and anointed me with fragrant oils...”

  “You smell very sweet.”

  “Don't you like my decorations?”

  “They're stunning.” He turned back the top pelt. “Please, join me. You must be chilly standing there.” She slid under the cover with him. “These feather-pelts are very cozy.” He lay facing her and traced her eyebrows. “You have beautiful eyes.” He stroked her eyelids. “It seems odd to me to see blue, Asian eyes on a blond person.”

  “Asian? What does that mean?”

  “The little fold of skin that gives your eyes their beautiful shape is called an epicanthus. My people don't have them, but I know from where they came. The shape of your eyes is a legacy of Midoro Kyhana, whose family originated in an Earth region called Asia.”

  “I like talking with you, Nykkyo. You're as wise as Kyto.”

  “Not likely. Vipsa, I have a deal for you. You and I can spend the night together, and in the morning we'll both agree that you and I ... that I ... opened you.”

  “You mean you don't want to...”

  “I'd rather not. When I accepted Kyto's invitation to join the village, I had no idea this was expected of me. Who'd be the wiser?”

  She shook her head. “This won't work. Kwama must see.”

  “Kwama must watch us? I'm sure I couldn't with ... someone watching.”

  “No, but afterward she must inspect me, so she can tell the village I'm now a woman. Then, tomorrow...”

  “Let me guess. Tomorrow we have a feast in honor of the new women in the village?”

  “That's right.”

  “Can't someone else ... do the honors?”

  “No. You chose me, so I can't be chosen a second time. Nykkyo, if Kwama can't certify you opened me, you'll be a laughing stock and I'll be disgraced -- I'll never be a full member of the village.” A tear formed in her eye. “I'd rather not be chosen at all and be a spinster -- than to be a discard, an outcast -- a failure.” She began crying.

  “No, Vipsa, no.” Nyk stroked her. “It's all right. If this is so important, I'll do it. I never intended to harm you. I chose you because I like you.”

  “Hurry up.” He heard a voice from outside the hut. “I'm tired and I want sleep.”

  “That sounded like Kwama.”

  “Yes. She's impatient.”

  “She can wait.” He stroked her cheek. “For me to do this, I must get to know you a bit. I can't make love to a stranger. This can't be rushed. It shouldn't be like one of Kyto's procedures.”

  Vipsa giggled. “Nykkyo, that's so funny! To think of Kyto with his herbs and oils...” She began laughing out loud.

  “Kyto was a young man, once. He must've opened a maiden.”

  She regained her composure. “I suppose you're right -- I never thought of him that way.” She giggled again. “It does strike me as funny, though.” She smiled and looked into his eyes. Nyk saw a shadow of Suki's face in hers. “I like you, too, Nykkyo.”

  “Are you feeling warmer?”

  “I'm comfortable. She folded back the pelt. “Do you like my decorations? The patterns represent plants and animals important to us.”

  “They're very pretty. The dye -- it's inkroot?”

  “Yes. Kwama spent the whole afternoon drawing them. They'll fade over the next several days.”

  “So much preparation. This is a special event, isn't it?”

  “The most important in a woman's life.” Nyk ran his hand along her shoulder and arm. She took his hand and held it against her neck. “Your hands are warm. Kwama said that would be a good sign.”

  “How so?”

  “Warm means you're relaxed ... comfortable ... knowledgeable. Cold means you're tentative ... unsure ... nervous.”

  “Are you nervous?”

  “I was a little, but you've put me at ease...” She placed her hands against his neck. “Feel -- my hands aren't cold.” Nyk caressed her forearm, took one of her hands and guided it to his chest. “Were you nervous before your ordeal?”

  “Yes, and more than a little.”

  A woman's voice cried out from across the village. “Oh, no,” Vipsa said. “That sounded like Minta.”

  “Who's she?”

  “She's the girl Borryk chose.” Vipsa held his hand against her neck again. “I trust you, Nykkyo. Kwama said I could trust a man with warm hands. I ask only one thing of you.”

  “What's that?”

  “That you not hurt me too much.”

  Nyk began to trace the designs on her body. He caressed her and watched the purple patterns flow beneath his fingers. “I'll try not to hurt you at all.”

  “Come on, you two.” Nyk heard Kwama's voice from outside the hut. “Stop the talking and get on with business.”

  “Pay her no mind,” Nyk said and gazed into her eyes. “I'm not familiar with the customs here. Would it be all right if I kissed you?” Vipsa smiled and nodded once. He kissed her lips, and then her neck and shoulders.

  She stroked the back of his head as he gazed into her eyes. “Thank you for choosing me. I told you the boys don't like me. I don't like them much, either. But -- if I wasn't chosen by the ninth moon, I'd no longer be eligible.”

  “How long have you waited?”

  “This was my fourth moon. I feared I'd end up a spinster...”

  “Those boys are so short-sighted, Vipsa.”

  “...or worse -- one might choose me as a prank. I worried that might happen today, with Borryk among them.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “That he'd treat me unkindly -- use his strength to ... to...”

  “To force himself on you?”

  “...to teach me a lesson ... to put me in my place. At her opening a girl must submit to whatever the man demands. You might not think yourself as wise as Kyto, but you are as kind.”

  “Vipsa, I have no doubt some village man will appreciate you. When the time comes, I hope it'll be someone you love and who'll love you.”

  “I have had offers. Gan would like to pair with me. He's had to wait, though -- until my opening.”

  “How do you feel about him?”

  “He's all right -- as village smith, he knows how to coax metals from the soil. He's a bit like Kyto that way -- but, he's not as gentle -- nor, as wise. If I could, I'd pair with you. I suppose that's not possible.”

  “I'm already paired. My woman is far away. I shouldn't be talking of her at a moment like this, but I love her very much, and I miss her.”

  “I understand, Nykkyo. It's the reason you were reluctant... I think I'm ready. Are you?”

  “I suppose there's no sense postponing the inevitable.” Vipsa rolled onto her back. Nyk turned down the feather pelt to her knees. “I won't keep you uncovered for long. I wanted to take a look to see how much trouble we'll have...” He caressed her thigh as he examined her. “Well -- I don't have much experience with virgins, but I don't think you'll have any trouble at all.”

  “Kwama said there must be some blood. Some of the boys think the more the better.”

  “Boys like Borryk?”

  She nodded. “I've heard tales of boys boasting how much blood they draw. I know sometimes a maiden must heal for many days before she can proceed with her pairing.”

  “It's inhuman,” Nyk said.

  “It's another reason I'm happy you chose me. I feel sorry for Minta.”

  “Hmm ... must be blood,” Nyk mused. “Do we have anything sharp?” Vipsa's jaw dropped. She crossed her legs, rolled onto her side, drew up her knees and bit her lip. He stroked her shoulder. “No, Vipsa. If we need blood I was going to offer you some of mine.”

  She looked up at him. “You ... you'd do that for me?”

  “There's no reason lovemaking should be an ordeal. Not the first time -- not ever.”

  “I have a shell knife in the pouch of my robe. I use it to trim Kyto's herbs.”

  Nyk stood and retrieved the knife. He tested th
e blade against his thumb. “This will do.” He slipped it beneath the lower pelt. “In case we need it -- okay?”

  Vipsa smiled and rolled onto her back again. Nyk knelt between her legs. He caressed her body, running his palms down her sides and tracing the muscles in her abdomen with his thumbs. Then, he lay atop her and pressed his hips against hers. She winced.

  He pulled back. “Are you all right?”

  “Yes...” She reached down, felt herself and showed him her finger. “We won't need the knife.”

  “I'm so sorry -- I didn't want to hurt you.”

  “I know you didn't. Don't feel badly, Nykkyo. It only stung for an instant. I'm all right -- and this is something I want.”

  “You're no longer a virgin, Vipsa.”

  “Now, plant your seed.”

  “So -- it has to be all the way...” Nyk lay atop her again and began rocking his pelvis in a slow, gentle rhythm. Vipsa embraced him and ran her hands along his spine. He slipped an arm under the small of her back and held her. She touched his face and smiled. He pushed against her and drew in a deep breath. “Ohhh!” he groaned and let his body go limp.

  “Are we done?” Nyk nodded. “It was starting to feel good...”

  He rolled from her and attempted to catch his breath. “I've heard that complaint before.”

  “Kwama,” Vipsa called out. “I'm now a woman.”

  Kwama stepped into the room. “It's about time.” She unhooked the lamp from the cord, pulled back the cover and examined between Vipsa's legs. With a nod she pulled the covers over the two of them and, carrying the lamp, stepped from the chamber.

  Orange light from the fire in the central room filtered through the woven twig wall and danced on Vipsa's face. “Did you really think I was complaining?” she asked.

  “No. I was being a smartass.”

  She put her hand over her mouth and laughed. “I've never heard that word.”

  “It means...”

  “I understand what it means.” She giggled.

  “Vipsa ... lovemaking is like any activity -- you improve with practice.”

  “That sounds like something Kwama would say.”

  “What I mean is ... as a woman -- you are gifted with an amazing ability to enjoy the pleasures of lovemaking. Perhaps it's to compensate for the ordeals of childbirth. I hope Gan -- or, whoever you pair with -- will be...

  “Will you two stop it?” Kwama's voice came from another part of the hut. “I'll never get sleep. Are you going to talk all night AFTERWARD, too?”

  Vipsa giggled again. “You were beginning to sound like Kyto.” She smiled. “I understand ... thank you, Nykkyo. I respect your loyalty to your far-away woman. You're free to go.”

  “Is it all right if I stay?”

  “You want to stay with me?”

  Nyk coaxed Vipsa to lie against him. “I think feeling the other's warmth as you fall asleep is the best part of having a bed partner.”

  “The best?”

  “The very best.” He put his arm around her as she rested her face on his shoulder, then he kissed her forehead.

  “Better than the moment?”

  “Yes, because it lasts all night.”

  “Some of the older girls told me stories of their openings. Wait 'til I tell them of mine! I'll never forget this, Nykkyo.”

  12 -- Rescue

  Nyk walked through the village to a group of women sitting around a wooden tub. Andra was removing the skin from some inkroot with a bone scraper. She looked up at him. “So, how went the big night?”

  “I'm not the sort that kisses and tells.”

  “Did everything go according to plan?”

  “Not quite.”

  “I didn't think so. I saw Vipsa with some other girls. She's absolutely glowing. I don't mind telling you, Nyk, I'm a little jealous. I wonder how Sukiko will react.”

  “I did this for the well-being of all of us.”

  “Keep telling yourself that,” Nayva said and tossed a root into the tub.

  Andra dropped her root into the tub and looked at her hands. They were stained a deep purple. She picked up the last inkroot and began scraping. “I suppose you think this is amusing.”

  “I said nothing.”

  “I'm not amused,” Nayva added.

  Nyk slipped the communicator out of his pocket. “I received a lock again.”

  “Did you transmit the distress signal?”

  “Yes. I lost the lock, but it's back.” He sat beside Nayva. “I'll send the signal again.” He pressed a control on the handheld device. “There, an acknowledgement. Let's see if anyone answers us.”

  Nyk held the device on his lap. One of the elder women picked up the tub of inkroot and carried it toward the fire. She dumped the contents into a large earthen pot sitting on the communal blaze.

  A young woman brought a small bucket and handed it to Andra. She lifted it to sip from, but the youth waved her hands as a signal to stop. The girl dipped her hands into the liquid.

  Andra smiled and nodded. She dipped her hands into the bucket. When she removed them the inkroot stain was gone. The girl handed the bucket to Nayva.

  The communicator chirped. “Distress signal, identify yourself,” came a voice.

  Nayva picked it up. “This is Lexal-One. We were forced down on the southern continent.”

  “Lexal-One -- we've been looking for you. What is your condition?”

  “The craft was destroyed. Pilot and two passengers in good condition. We request rescue.”

  “Acknowledged. We're more than happy to oblige. We'll need to form a rescue party. Keep your communicator on standby and we'll call with details.”

  “Acknowledged,” Nayva replied. “What's the situation in the capital?”

  “Situation is good. The capital is in friendly hands.”

  “We'll stand by for your call. Lexal-One out.” Nayva jumped up and embraced Andra. “We're going to be rescued!”

  * * *

  Vipsa approached Nyk and he made room for her. She sat beside him and placed her bark tray on her lap. He looked at her face, illuminated by the glow of the communal fire. She leaned against him. “I hear you'll be leaving us.”

  “Yes, we expect in a day or two a craft will come and take us home.”

  “I'll miss you, Nykkyo. Will you ever return?”

  “I won't say never. I'd like to return and find you paired with a man who cherishes you. I'd like to learn you've given strong children to the village.” He took her hand. “I'd like to see the villagers accept and trust you as their healer.”

  “You're a member of our village, Nykkyo. You're always welcome, as is your far-away woman.” She mopped the remaining tuber paste from her tray with the last chunk of meat. “I'll take your trays.”

  Bek took his place to deliver the night's installment of his story. Vipsa returned and sat beside Nyk. He slipped his arm around her and she leaned against him. “I'm sorry you won't hear how Bek's story ends,” she said.

  “Andra knows the story,” Nyk replied. “I'll learn the ending from her.”

  “Andra knows Bek's story?” She leaned to look at Andra. “How does she know it?”

  “It's an old story, common to both our people. Let's listen.”

  * * *

  Nyk sat by the brazier in the lodge. To his right was Kyto and to his left Ylak. The chief sat across and some other tribal elders filled the circle. Kyto loaded the pipe with the hallucinogenic powder and passed it to Nyk. “It's an honor to take the first draw. I grant it to you in light of your departure.”

  Nykkyo lifted the pipe to his lips, inhaled deeply and held his breath. He exhaled slowly through is nose and passed the pipe to Ylak. The boy lifted it to his lips but did not inhale -- then passed it on.

  The drug was working, filling Nyk's head with a foggy sense of well-being. The faces of the village men dissolved and reformed into a single ring of humanity. He pressed his palm against Kyto's. “This is our sign of friendship. If you accept my offer of fr
iendship, open your fingers and lace hands with me.”

  Kyto spread his fingers and held Nyk's hand. Ylak pressed his palm against Nyk's and joined hands. Soon the circle was united.

  “Tell us about Floran after Midoro's expedition,” Kyto said.

  “After ... Midoro departed around 150 APF.” He closed his eyes and searched his memory for his school lessons on the planet's history. “That was our darkest time -- the time we came closest to annihilation. Midoro was not wrong to do as he did.

  “Floran emerged from the dark times around 300 APF. A generation later, we returned to the stars. By 400 APF we had made contact with Earth.”

  “The mother planet,” Ylak interjected.

  “Yes, the world from which our life originated. We knew the need to keep our true nature secret from the Earth population. We still must walk the surface of that world with great care. I am one of those walkers.”

  The circle murmured. “How many Florans walk on Earth?” Kyto asked.

  “About two dozen at any time.”

  “Then, it's a great honor to us that you walk Abo.”

  “No, Kyto. The honor is mine.” The pipe returned to Nyk and he took another draw. “We also began exploring the galaxy around Floran, for we knew the need for other worlds to support our numbers. Our planet cannot support a very large population.”

  “How large?” the chief asked.

  “We have a billion and a half living on Floran.” The circle murmured upon hearing the number. “Believe me, it's quite enough.”

  “Over a dozen colony planets!” Kyto said. “Tell them how many Florans in all.”

  “Twenty-four billion,” Nyk replied. The circle let out a gasp. “By 1000 APF we had founded our first colony -- after Abo, that is. It's called Gamma-5.” Nyk faced the chief. “Chief, it's clear the Abo colony is in decline. I'm sure the Floran people would embrace you, should you wish to return to our community.”

  “No,” he replied. “Not for this generation. Perhaps for the future. I see a day when our people will not be able to feed or care for themselves. Perhaps then.”

  “I admire your community. You live life, and you love life. I see more happiness in this village than in Floran cities many hundred times this size.”