by Cherie Denis
Sin’s dreams were full of Em. Heavy with child, she was running across the valley toward him, screaming his name. Sin could see nothing, and yet she screamed and moaned. Was the child coming? No, it was too soon.
He could not reach her. She screamed his name over and over. Sin’s legs would not move.
A river of hot, black water was between them.
Sin leaned over to touch the water and realized it was the boiling man-juice from Pot. The river of man-juice grew deeper and deeper, and Em screamed louder and louder.
Sin ran back and forth along the growing river, calling her name.
The world shook, and Sin continued to call Em.
“Sin. Wake up, my friend.” Lef’s voice broke into Sin’s sleep.
“What?” Sin looked about the darkened cave, relieved to see only the glow of a banked fire and Em asleep against his body. Since she had become filled with his child, her body gave off more heat. No wonder he’d been dreaming about Pot and Pot’s man-juice.
“Sin, are you awake?” Lef whispered, shaking Sin’s arm.
Sin put his hand over Lef’s. “Yes,” he whispered. “What is wrong?”
“Pot has exploded. Didn’t you hear it?”
“No. I was dreaming. Em was screaming, and Pot’s man-juice was between us, and I couldn’t reach her.”
“Mmm, I heard you stirring and thought Pot had broken your sleep.”
Sin pushed the skin rug off his body and sat up. “How bad is it?”
“Bad. Very bad.”
Sin stood and walked to the cave opening. The sky was filled with scalding smoke and bits of boiling rock fragments. Pot had opened on the side facing their valley, and his hot man-juice boiled out at an amazing speed. Dark as night and red with fire, the boiling juice was moving rapidly toward their valley.
Lef was right—it was very bad. Where could they go? The volcano continued to rumble and groan, and more smoke and fire shot high in the air. As Sin watched, others ventured out of their sleeping caves and hurried to the valley floor. They were foolishly trying to save the fields when they should be running for their lives.
Sin ducked back inside and pulled Lef into a corner where the women could not hear them. “I think we must leave. Now.”
“How? There is nowhere to go. We are dead.”
“No. Take courage. I have been searching the cave, and there is another way out. It leads to a valley far from Pot.”
Lef shook his friend. “Why have you not told me? I am your friend. Were you going to leave Ria and me here to die?”
Sin grasped Lef’s trembling shoulders. “No. I would never leave without you and Ria, my brother-friend. How could I? We have been together since birth. What kind of man do you think I am?” Sin clenched his fist. “I should hit you for your stupid thoughts, but we don’t have time for children’s games.”
Sin grabbed Lef’s shoulders and held him until he stopped struggling. His body shook. Sin knew his friend well enough. Lef was no longer angry. He was frightened. Sin did not blame him for his fear. He, too, was frightened. “Lef? Listen to me.”
Lef nodded. “I am frightened.”
“I am also.”
“What must I do?” Lef’s voice showed his terror.
“We will wake the women, pack as much as we can carry, and each carry a fire stick. You will follow me.”
Lef stared through the gloom at his mate. “I do not want to lose her, Sin. She is my heart.”
Sin nodded. “I know what you say. Em is mine also. Now, wake your wife, and we will be off.”
Heat from the river of fire filled their cave with smoke, soot and the glitter of colors brighter than Tec. It was becoming hard to breathe.
Lef woke his wife and she began to cough. Em joined her, coughing hard and Sin hoped they would not lose their babies with all the coughing.
Their coughing helped to cover some of the screams coming from the valley below. The few dwellers foolish enough to leave the safety of their caves were being burned to death.
At first, Em and Ria were too frightened to follow even the simplest of orders. They kept staring out of the cave and crying for the ones who were lost. Sin assured them he had seen many make it out of the valley before the black river had taken over the valley.
Eventually, with much urging and a lot of help from the men, they had the furs bundled and the food wrapped into manageable packets. Sin filled several gourds with water from the small waterfall that had started when the last blast of Pot had echoed through the valley. It was fortunate for them since otherwise there was no fresh water anywhere. The valley was now full of Pot’s boiling black man-juice.
Sin corked the gourds with wads of grass. He gave them each a gourd, and then he helped strap the fur bundles on the women’s backs. Lef strapped one on Sin, and Sin did the same for Lef.
Soon, they were ready to go.
Em and Ria moved to stare out of the cave opening.
“Do not look,” Sin ordered.
"What of your sister, Cia and her mate Let? Are they going to be safe?"
"Little one you worry over much. Yes, they are safe. Let sent a runner yesterday saying they were many more valley's away and high in the mountains. The caves there are many and only the foolish didn't go with them."
Em wiped her eyes. "What of Gem and Og? Gem's child is only a few weeks old?"
"They also are safe with Cia and Let. Now, will you stop worrying and get ready to move to safety."
Em and Ria nodded, but were shaking all over and barely able to stand. They were so frightened. Sin put a firm arm around Em. “As we leave, grab a fire stick and hold it high. Do not be afraid. The fire will light our way. It is a long walk, but it will be worth the trip.” He leaned over the fire and picked up a long, arm-thick branch. Following his example, Em picked up one as long but not as thick or heavy.
They waited while Lef and Ria picked out fire sticks. “Now, we are ready,” Sin said firmly. “Follow me.” He took Em’s free hand and began walking toward the back of the cave.
“Wait,” Em said, tugging Sin’s hand. “Where are we going? We will die in here.”
Sin put a firm arm around Em’s body. “Be brave, little one. I know what I am doing.” He gave her a kiss and grasped her hand in his. “Kiss your mate,” he directed Lef. “We do not have much time.”
It seemed as though they walked forever. The fire sticks held the dark at bay, and eventually, the two women stopped weeping, and with each step they took, they seemed to become stronger. What else could they do? If they stayed where they were, they would burn to death like the others.
Sin knew the way. When he’d found this tunnel, he’d never thought they would have to use it, and now, here they were escaping the man-juice of Pot by the skin of their teeth.
Em tugged at Sin’s hand. “I am hungry, my mate. May we stop and eat? The child within is making me tired. I must rest.”
Sin nodded and unstrapped his fur bundle, dropping it to the floor of yet another small cave. Sin had used his fingers to count the caves they had walked through, and this was the fourth cave. There were still three more caves to go before they would reach their goal.
Em and Ria found food and pieces of wood from their bundles and made a small fire to cook some cof. The fire also served to warm their feet and hands. The farther they had gone, the colder it had gotten.
“I am glad we wore our fur boots, Sin,” Lef said, leaning over the fire to warm his hands. “It is very cold.”
“I know, but it will get warmer when we are closer to the opening I found.” He, too, warmed his hands. Both men were in the way, but the women did not complain. It would do no good. It was the cave dwellers’ way—men’s comfort and needs came first because without them, the tribe would die.
Ria handed out baked roots and dried meat, and Em filled small bowls with cof. All was silent, except for the sounds of chewing. No one wanted to ask what waited on the other side. Sin knew, but the others were afraid to question their new l
eader.
There was nothing left behind them. Would there be anything when the trip came to an end?
Em, who’d been leaning her back against the wall of the cave, fell asleep the moment she finished her meal. Sin watched her sleep and knew the women could not go on. It had been a hard struggle up and down sharp rocks and around water holes, all the time carrying heavy packs, fire sticks, and the babies in their bellies.
Where they sat was flat and dry. The small fire they’d built would continue to burn much of their sleep time. Sin had picked up pieces of black rock as they walked and put them in a skin sack he had hung over his shoulder. Now, he leaned forward and placed two large pieces of the coal in the small fire. It would keep them warm until it was time to walk again.
“Spread out the fur, Lef, and we will sleep.”
Lef did as asked and pulled Ria down next to him on the fur rug. Sin lifted the limp Em and put her down next to Lef and Ria. He lay down next to Em and pulled another fur cover over them all. Em stirred and snuggled against Sin’s body, seeking his heat. Before long, Sin’s cock rose and began to rub against Em’s skirt-covered bottom.
She moaned, and he pushed her skin skirt up. Now, they were flesh to flesh.
Her breathing had changed. She was awake. Sin put his arms around her and covered her firm breasts with his hands. She wiggled and squirmed, trying to get closer to him.
He rubbed his cock against her bottom crease, and she lifted her leg and draped it on his hip and leg, giving Sin easy access to her cunt. He pushed his cock back and forth between her cunt lips until he was slick with her honey, and then he slowly slid into her heat.
They barely moved or breathed. His fingers kneaded her nipples, and she sighed and shivered. His cock grew and grew until it was tightly embedded in her body, and his balls rubbed against her bottom.
In and out. Slowly, slowly. Hardly breathing, barely moving.
Sin nuzzled her neck and licked her soft, sweet skin, tasting her and teasing her, nipping and sucking her neck as he moved in and out of her sweetness.
Beside them, Ria and Lef were engaged in a much noisier sexual foray. Ria was a screamer, and Lef liked to hear her cry out his name.
The fur rug covering the two couples slipped down their bodies, leaving them exposed to the damp chill. No one seemed to notice. They were deep in the throes of earth-shaking climaxes.
Eventually, the lovers fell asleep under the blanket, curled together for warmth.
Since they had no Tec to judge time by, they slept until they were refreshed and well rested.
Before rising, the men made love to their wives once more. It was going to be a long walk, and they needed the comfort only their wives could offer them. Sexual prowess was empowering. The men needed to prove their male strength to each other and to their mates.
The women made a quick meal and boiled cof while the men talked of the trip ahead. Sin assured them it was not much farther. Perhaps by midday meal, they would be at the other side of the mountain they had been walking through.
The women cleared the site, and the men again prepared the backpacks, evenly distributing the weight amongst them. Sin was very proud of the women. They had promised to be strong and do what they could to help, and so far, they had exceeded his hopes. Both Em and Ria were brave women.
Sin put an arm around Em before putting her pack on her back. “I love you, my mate. Continue to be brave. We will be there soon. Is the child well? Is he still moving?”
Em put her arms around his waist and leaned sideways against his body, resting her head on his chest because her belly always got in the way. “The child is fine. He never stops moving. I am afraid once he is born, he will never sleep.”
Sin laughed softly.
“It is a good sign, Sin. The child is strong.”
“Like his brave mother.” Sin kissed the top of her head.
Em sighed. “I love you, my mate. Because of you, I will be strong.”
Sin kissed his mate with all the love he had in his heart. “We will find a good home soon, Em. Do not fear.”
“I am not afraid.”
“Good.” Sin helped her into her backpack, and she helped him shrug on his. Tied firmly over their chests, the packs were secure and lighter since they had burned much of the wood they had all been carrying.
Lef lit the fire sticks in the small fire and handed them out.
“We are ready?” Sin smiled, and Em smiled back.
“I am ready. Lead us, my husband. I know you will lead us safely to the new place.”
* * * *
Em tugged on Sin’s arm. “I am so tired, Sin. Are we there?”
“Soon, Em.” She was pale, and her lips were so tight together. Instead of being full and pouty, they were in a flat line of pain. “Sit, my mate, and we will rest for a short time.” Sin removed the heavy pack from Em’s back, and she lay down on the hard rock, using the fur-covered pack as a pillow.
Lef helped Ria out of her pack. “It has been a hard climb, my brother. Like Em, I’m beginning to wonder when we will be there. Are you sure we are going the right way?”
Sin grinned. “I am sure. I’ve been this way several times in the past few days while you all worked in the gardens.”
“I wondered where you went when you disappeared.” Lef laughed. “Now, we know.”
“See the mark on the wall behind you, Lef?”
“Yes.”
“That is my mark. We will be in the new valley very soon. Can’t you feel how much warmer it is here? Haven’t you seen it is lighter here?”
“I have noticed,” Ria said quietly. “But I was afraid it was a dream. I am so tired.”
“We can leave the packs here. This will make a good home for us.” Sin squatted next to Em. “Can you walk a little farther without your pack?”
She nodded. “I can’t wait to see the new valley.”
“What if the valley is full of man-juice from Pot? What then, Sin?” Lef asked, for the first time putting into words everyone’s fear.
“I do not know,” Sin admitted. “We are young and strong. We will go on until we find another good valley.”
Em wept silently. “I am so tired and afraid, Sin.”
Sin wiped her face. “I know, my mate. I am afraid also, but we must go on.”
Lef pulled the last few pieces of wood from his pack and started a fire. Sin dropped two black rocks into the blaze. “Lef and I will go and see what is on the outside. Stay here and rest. When we return, we will all make a meal.”
Em and Ria began to cry. “Do not leave us.”
Sin put an arm around Em. “There are no strange animals in this cave. I know, for I have checked it many times. Now, rest. Lef and I will be back soon.”
Em lifted her face for Sin’s kiss. “Be careful, Sin. I love you.”
“We will return.”
Em and Ria opened the fur packs and spread the bedding. Em picked one side of the cave, and Ria took the other. Next, Ria found the dried meat and vegetables while Em took a fire stick and a bowl and walked back into the cave. Earlier, the troop had walked past a clear pool of water.
In a short time, Em returned to the fire and poured some of the water into two separate cooking bowls—one for cof and one to cook the dried vegetables in. She pushed the cooking bowls close to the fire and squatted close to Ria on the bearskin rug she had rolled out.
Chores done, all the women could do was wait.
“What if they don’t return?” Ria whispered.
Em put an arm around her friend. “I do not know.”
“Can we go on without our husbands?”
Em shrugged. “I do not want to talk about it, Ria. They will come back.”
* * * *
“Come with me, Em.”
“Ah. You have returned.” She smiled and held her hand out to him.
“You must see the new valley.”
“Is it pretty?” Ria asked when Lef squatted next to her.
“The new valley is
better than we ever imagined.”
“Are there others?”
“Yes, many.”
“They are different from us but seem friendly.”
“Different how?” Em wondered.
Lef laughed. “They are dark, like my brother, Let.”
“Ah.”
The men pulled the women to their feet. “Come. See.”
At the entrance to the cave, a wide ledge made it easy to look out over the valley spread before them.
Em searched for any sign of Pot. He could not be seen in this valley. The sky above was bright with the light of Tec. Below them, a small group of dark people gathered to watch them.
The women were dressed similarly to Em and Ria, in fur or tanned skin skirts. Some wore leather coverings over their breasts. Several had babies in their arms, and one tiny one tugged at his mother’s nipple.
“They are pretty people,” Em whispered. “They are smiling.”
Sin laughed and raised a hand to the people waiting below. The men raised hands and signaled back. It seemed as if they were being welcomed to the valley.
Rough rocks make a stone stairway to the valley. The four picked their way carefully down to greet the strangers.
“Me, Weg,” the man who seemed to be the leader said, stepping forward.
“I am Sin.” He held his hand open, palm up.
Weg laid his open hand on Sin’s. “Welcome, my brother.”
Sin was pleased they spoke in words similar to theirs. “Thank you, my brother.”
Sin put his arm out to Em and pulled her forward. “This is my mate, Em.” Pointing, he continued, “This is my friend Lef and his mate, Ria.”
Weg nodded. “Welcome. What brings you to our valley?”
The dark people behind Weg stepped closer to listen.
Sin looked up. These people were so tall, their skin dusky and smooth. They were a beautiful people. The men were heavily muscled from hard work, and the women were pretty, with large breasts and long legs. Even their babies were pretty.
“Our valley was filled with the boiling man-juice of Pot when he exploded. Our clan moved on as fast as we could. There were this many of us.” He held up both hands to show his fingers. “We found a new valley, but the juice of Pot followed us, killing some. A few of our group moved on to a far away valley. We are the only ones left. I found a way through our cave to this valley.”
