by Mason, Jolie
“Here.” He stopped.
He looked around as he dismounted. There were trees and a trail. Nothing else. “Where?” he asked.
She pointed up. “There.”
He looked up, while she took the kids out of the trailer. They were crying as she lifted them out. He stared up a moment at the doctor's elaborate tree house. As he stood, she led the children up the spiraled stairs that wound around the tree trunk and up into a house of ancient style construction, just like the old ones made their homes. He hadn't seen its like in years, since he was a boy, in fact. Ra’dan began to work on hiding the car under a blanket of cut limbs and leaves.
Inside, she had a totally enclosed stove where she burned hardwood for heat, when it was needed, and cooked. Beside that, a set of table and chairs in the old ladder style made up her whole cooking area. She was living as the old ones did, as his Marm had most of her life.
He stayed silent as she wiped away tears and murmured assurances. Her voice soothed even him. Soon, the children settled into exhausted little piles in her bedroom, what she called her bedroom. A hammock swung beside a wide open window, and a large feather tick bed stood majestically against a wall on a platform. The oldest child curled into the hammock with the toddler swinging in her arms. The girl’s eyes were far older than her spare years. Ra knew that look in his own eyes. She knew the likelihood her parents were coming for them themselves were low. Ra'dan turned away, unable to maintain eye contact with the desolate child.
Nina made tea over her stove. He could smell the smell of fruit and spice from the tea pot. She looked at him over her shoulder. “Sit down. I’ll have something for you in a moment.”
“I need nothing”, he said. The bleakness of his thoughts translated to his tone. Nina paused at her stove.
“I can’t imagine that’s true. Today must have poked at old sores.”
There was no point in denying it, so he nodded. He studied the fine grain of her table thoroughly. His hands lying before him the color of green citrus gave away his high emotion. He hated that about being Sorian. There was no hiding.
She finally placed a cup of tea between his hands. Her hand reached to hold his softly. Pink against his green tinged skin, he stared a moment before taking her hand tighter in his, fascinated with the blend of her skin on his. Ari had been affectionate with him for many years, but he wasn’t one for touch. Too many times the touch had been hateful to him. This was different. This was wanted, very much.
Her touch calmed like cool water, put out the fire of bad memories burning within him. His stronger fingers turned hers to inspect them, and he exhaled softly. “I was the girl’s age”, he said softly. “Wandering too close to the sea looking for caves to play in.” His hand held hers tighter.
“I lost track of the years until Ari found me. You remind me of her a little.”
“How long have you been free?”
“I’m still not free.” He brought the soft hand to his face where a tear tracked down silently. “I’ve been with Ari for seven years.”
“Ari is your... wife?” He shook his head.
“The Carry Bell is her ship.”
Amazed, he watched as she directed him to move his chair away from the table and sat in his lap. Her thumb wiped away the tear falling from his eyes, until he almost smiled. She had soothed the children, and now she must soothe him. Her whispers brushed over his face. At first, all he noticed was the calm that spread out from her fingers into his chest.
As her lips brushed his forehead and her hand brushed back his hair, he started to notice other things like the warm softness of her curves in his lap. He found himself distracted fully by the pale expanse of her chest above the neckline of her blouse. Suddenly, he could think of nothing beyond the warmth of her, and the memories driving to be remembered receded. The pillowy substance of her compared to the women of Sor made him think what it would be like to sink into her and hold on.
His eyes rose to her gray ones. She wasn’t thinking the same thoughts he was, yet. Her face held compassion and empathy, the need to comfort. His blood sang with the need to kiss her. He raised his right palm to bury it deeply into her hair. Her ear slid under his hand as he pulled her hair back. The ancient tongue rolled off his lips as he praised her beauty and her heart. He told her she shone more brightly than stars with her golden hair and eyes, though she couldn’t understand him. She didn’t pull away.
In fact, her eyes changed from comfort to surprise, then passion. He cupped her neck. She was so short that he was still pulling her lips up to meet his slowly, not down. He gave her the chance to break away, to stop him. The soft breath that left her mouth drew him that little inch closer, until he swiped his tongue delicately on her lip. Her hand curled on his shoulder. She inhaled quickly.
Ra chased her mouth with his, performing a delicate dance of tongues. No fear. No roughness. Just her elegant little mouth on his, her breath in his nose, her sigh in his ears. She didn’t pull away when the wish became a kiss in truth, either. When he stopped kissing her, she stayed there, eyes closed. They opened with a question in them; Did you mean that?
He found he had meant it. Very much.
“What are you thinking now, T’ista?”
She swayed a little toward him. “What is T’ista?”
“It means star in the old tongue.” He let his hand play through the soft curls of her hair, hanging loose and free to her shoulders. In a very short time, he'd begun to feel an almost surreal attraction for this woman. “You blind me a little.”
“I have never been called a star. You are a very poetic man. I think you were blind already.”
He cocked his head to the side. “Was that insecurity in your words?”
“Realism.” She ran a finger down his nose. “I’ve seen enough Sorian women to know I don’t compare.”
“You think Sorian women more beautiful than human?”
“Maybe not all human women, but certainly this one with their long legs and skinny bodies. I am wondering why you kissed me.”
His hand curled around her waist. “Because I must, T’ista. Why did you sit in my lap?”
Her eyes soften almost to blue. “Because I must”, she whispered. “You were hurting. I suppose I've become very Sorian in that way.”
“It seems we both had a good reason.”
She stood slowly, but he didn’t let go of her waist immediately. He didn’t really want to let go at all. Her right hand slid away from his shoulder just as reluctantly, trailing across his shirt. “What are you thinking, Captain Sevarus?”
He caught her hand in his. Ra'dan pressed his mouth to her palm. “It is a little too soon to tell you what I’m thinking.”
She furrowed her brow in confusion, and then quickly she said, “Oh”. Her hand pulled gently away. “Your tea is cold.”
He looked once at the cup, then back at her. “So it is.”
A bell rang from outside. She turned toward the sound. “The children. That will be someone for them.”
Nina hurried to the stairway leading to her door. Ra followed her and tugged her arm back. Putting a finger to his lips, he moved the cheerful curtain aside to see who waited outside. It was a Sorian male that stood watching the trail leading to the house. Ra’dan opened the door looking past the man for anyone else. He gestured for the man to come in.
“Na’len, where is Marcca?” Nina touched the man's arm.
This Sorian was in a state, judging by the vibrant flare of his skin. He shook his head, smaller braids waving with each jerk of his head. Nina covered her lips and the gasp that slipped loose. “Where did they take her?”
Na’len shook his head again. His deep voice choked on his next words. “Lalel, you will stay right here in your forest. We have men in place.”
“I can’t wait here. She could be shipped off world anytime.”
The newcomer cut his palm sideways through the air between them. “No!”, he shouted.
“Doctor. You are not to leave this house
.” Nina stepped back, clearly surprised. Ra’dan stepped forward, putting her slightly behind his back. Ra'dan didn't think the man meant any harm, only that he was nearly out of his mind with grief.
“Men in place to do what, Na’len?”
“Who is this one, Lalel?”
“He helped us escape”, she answered uncertainly. “Ra’dan Sevarus.”
“Sevarus? Nessa’s brother from off world. We are getting my mate back, offworlder.”
Ra’dan stared at the older man. “You’re starting a war.”
“And it is past time”, he replied. “Will you stay with the doctor, offworlder? They may come here for her. She is known to help us.”
“Then, perhaps she should be elsewhere. I can take her to my Marm in the hills.”
The other man nodded. “That will be a good safe place. Where is my daughter?”
“Betta is in my room with the others.” Nina looked toward the bedroom sadly. “Where will you take her?”
“We have a place where we will hide the families”, he said. “They will be leaving the city.”
Nina sat with a small thump at the old table. “So you will all be gone.”
“We will be fighting, Nina. It’s time.”
“But, that means you need me more than ever. They will close the clinic. I need to be where your men can come for help.”
“Yes, Lalel, we need you, and that is why you cannot be anywhere near us.”
“Nina,” Ra’dan said softly. “You are human. The slavers will target you if they find you. Once they begin a war, enforcers will come for you because they want information if nothing else. We have to get you off world.”
“No”, she said loudly standing. “I will not leave. They need a doctor.”
“Your death serves no one, Nina”, Ra’dan said.
A tear slipped across her face. Ra saw in her eyes her anguish, how much she really loved Brin and its people in that single tear. She felt helpless. He understood that feeling. Na’len met his eyes. The glance they shared made them conspirators. Ra stepped outside onto the small balcony. One way or another she would be on his ship by tomorrow.
He pressed the button on his comm. If they were back from the array or close to the planet, they’d hear him. “Captain to the Carry Bell.” He repeated the call once more after a pause.
“Carry Bell acknowledged. How are you, Captain?”
“Been better, Brine. How far out are you?”
“Twelve hours, Captain. What’s going on down there?”
“I’ll fill you in later. We need a pick up. Off the books. Is there anywhere you can land?”
“On that planet? The spaceport is it. If we need a back door, it will have to be a shuttle.”
“Great, when you get close, start monitoring Enforcer channels for positions. We’ll be sneaking out.”
Luca’s voice rose. “What did you do? Ari is gonna be so pissed.”
“I didn’t do anything”, he growled. “Just comm me when you get here. Captain out.”
When he stepped back inside, another man had arrived to get the children who were being bundled up in jackets. Ra’dan would bet they were headed for the caves in the mountain. It wasn’t cold enough to snow, but it had a chill to it. Na’len gestured for him to come talk as Nina chatted with the children to calm them as she dressed them in what she had, mainly old shirts and jackets in layers against the chill, and made them food to take with them.
He slipped over toward the older warrior who clapped him on his back. “You can get her away?”
“My ship is twelve standard out, and they’ll monitor the comms to get an idea where the enemy is.”
“Good. She won’t go on her own. Perhaps if she had a mission of her own.”
“What mission?”
“She has some connection to the Empress. Perhaps, you can talk her into going there.”
Ra stared, then shook his head. “To see the empress? You think the empire will help us?”
Ra’dan’s tone left no question about his own doubts on the subject.
“I think it will get her to go with you, and maybe we will both be wrong. Lalel Nina is a very persuasive woman.”
He thought, that she is. He looked at his watch one more time. It was late in the day. “Do you have anyone who can see my Marm home from the market stalls? She was safe enough there, but she needs help with the produce.”
The man nodded. “I will see she gets home.”
Nina watched somberly as the four children and Na'len's companion left using the car they’d hidden earlier. They left, moving away from town, out into the foothills beyond. Na’len moved past Nina into the dense shade provided by the canopy. “Lalel, talk to the offworlder. He is wise in this. He will get you to safety.”
“I’m not going to safety.”
“Then, go to war, Dr. Quell. Bring back an empire to defend us.” The steel in his eyes matched the steel in the words. Ra’dan imagined the war was well and truly underway. The man had cleverly used Nina’s real name to remind her she wasn’t one of them, and had, perhaps, resources she could use. It would make it easier to get Nina to the Bell if she wanted to go.
He’d need to get Marm marm and Nessa off this planet, as well. Even as he had the thought, he knew Nessa would tell him no. She would never leave her lover or his cause.
“I will, Na'len. That I can do.” She breathed a relieved sigh. “I can do that.”
They stood on each side of the door as the man melted into the trees as if he’d never been. Ra’dan looked down at Nina. Her hair gathered about her shoulders like rings of gold. Her eyes sparked with determination and fire. Ra’dan felt his heart speed up at just the sight of the woman. She wasn’t one of the people, but she captivated him. He imagined it had a lot to do with his time on the Bell among humans, however, Luca never made him ache like this. No human woman ever had.
“Pack. We will leave for Marm’s when the sun lowers.”
She nodded slowly. “Are you hungry? Have you eaten?”
He reached up to touch the golden curls holding his attention. “I don’t feel hungry at all.”
Nina backed away from his touch. Ra’dan realized that he might not be the only one confused by this attraction. She’d obviously dedicated her life to helping his people. He knew firsthand how humans tended to think of other species, with a few exceptions. Nina and Ari were good people, and that made them able to overcome prejudices. His time as a human slave made it more difficult for him. Ari had been the only human he’d ever loved or trusted with any depth.
“Nina,” he called out to her retreating back. “Are you afraid of me?”
She turned her head, but didn’t look at him. Nina gave a small shake of her head. “I’m afraid for us. Never afraid of you. You are a good man, Ra’dan Sevarus.”
Nina went to pack a bag, and Ra stood staring at the floor. He’d been many things to many people, but he wasn’t sure he’d ever been good. She hadn’t known him long at all. His life up to now hardly qualified him to be a good man. Underneath it all, he was a little bitter, afraid and angry.
He inhaled the scents of her home, fruit tea and wood smoke. He’d never been one for the old gods, however, right now, he found himself offering up a prayer that he wouldn’t disappoint this woman’s expectations.
*****#*****
Full dark had fallen by the time they walked up the trail to Marm’s cabin. Lights were on within letting Ra’dan release the tension he’d been holding in his gut that something had gone wrong and Na'len's men hadn't made it there. Marm had made it home. Animals in the barns and pens began making racket as they approached, causing Marm to come to the door in her long sleeping robe.
“Ra-ra, I was so worried,” she said breathlessly as she rushed to hug him.
“Marm, it is fine. We only had to evade the enforcers a little.”
“A little, he says”, she scoffed. “Come inside. Doctor, how did you come to be out here?”
“Marm, there is rebellion
. We decided the doctor needs to leave. The slavers hate her too much for her to stay here in war.”
Marm nodded, cuddling the young doctor to her side. “That is probably true, child. Get in here.”
They were rushed into the house. Marm turned to Nina. “Look at you. So pale. You are tired.”
“We can’t rest for too long, Marm. You need to pack your things. You’re coming too.”
Marm drew herself up to her maximum height, which wasn’t that high. Yet, something inside him still gave a shiver because Marmy was displeased with him. “Did you just command me, Ra-ra?”
“No, Marm.”
“Good, because I will do no such thing. This is my farm. It was my father’s farm and his father's. I will stay right here and work this farm. Slavers have no use for an old cow like me, anyway. But they will need the food.”
“Marm-marm.” The argument, any argument, would always go to her. He sighed. He knew it before he opened his mouth. When Marmy made a pronouncement, all subjects would fall in line.
“Mrs. Sevarus?” Nina spoke shakily. “Everyone’s leaving the city. There will be no marketplace to sell to. Won’t you please come with us?”
Her humble plea shook him. He looked at her, really looked at her. So did his Marm. She walked up to her and patted her on the cheek like a child. “Such a good girl, you have always been, ever since the day you first opened your office. You must continue to be, Lalel. Leave the older and wiser to their battles, child. We have the experience. The medicinal herbs will see me through.”
“Marm, you are too sick for this. What if I can’t get back with medicines?”
“Then, I shall die at a good old age with my children safe and my people free. Death isn’t the enemy, girl.”
Ra’dan followed the conversation when it became obvious they knew each other. “What do you mean too sick?” Anger tinged his voice. The doctor knew something about his family he didn’t know. Of course she did. Where else would his Marm go for medical treatment?
