Dashara gave a hearty laugh. “Yes, it is,” she replied. “You and I must meet and have a talk.” She drank her tea, finishing with a satisfied sigh as Ikeya strode into the circle.
He bowed in Dashara’s direction. “Do you wish to speak at tonight’s meeting?” he asked, his tone stiff and formal as he glanced around the circle.
Kara watched the exchange with interest. Dashara evidently held a position of power within the tribe.
“No need.” Dashara's tone was casual. “There is no longer a problem.”
“Oh.” Ikeya remained standing in front of the large woman, his expression bland and inscrutable. “And what was the meaning of this morning’s outburst?”
“A mistake. My apologies, Shanwatah.” Dashara’s tone was submissive.
Ikeya’s expression revealed nothing of his thoughts or feelings, but the tension at the morning’s exchange was absent. “And your friends?” He let the question hover between them.
“They will give no trouble.”
“You guarantee this?” A certain steel in Ikeya’s voice let his audience know he was asserting his authority as leader.
“I give you my word—in front of witnesses,” she said, nodding in Leyrah’s direction.
“And I will hold you to it.” Ikeya paused. “I’m still holding a Clannad though. I need to inform the tribe officially of her presence—and that she is under my personal protection.”
“If you think it necessary.”
“I do,” replied Ikeya. “We do not want our guest to experience any more inconveniences, do we?”
Dashara lowered her eyes.
“Rishi, wait and escort Kara back when she is finished here.” Ikeya bowed and left.
Kara didn’t stay long after Ikeya’s departure. She rose, and bowed to Dashara. After all, the woman was on her side now. Padini and Savitri hugged her tight as Leyrah repeatedly thanked her.
“What’s a clannad?” she asked, following Rishi into the darkness beyond the firelight.
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
He was trying to annoy her, so she decided that she wasn’t going to let him destroy the good mood after her visit to Leyrah. She glanced up at the sky. Although Hamarkhis was on the outer edge of a galaxy arm and the stars were less numerous than at the center, the glittering sparkles fascinated her. She would have stopped to study them except Rishi kept turning and checking on her every few minutes.
Walking behind him, she noticed the ease with which he moved. Even at night his footsteps didn’t falter. She wondered what kissing him felt like, then quickly shoved the thought away, glad he couldn’t see her flushed face. She remembered the way her heart had skipped when he appeared, and what was the queer little shock that ran through her even the first time she saw him? What she needed was a double dose of her hormone control pills. No problem if she’d been at the Academy, but they weren’t an item considered necessary in an emergency medkit for a one-day training exercise.
An image of Miklo, his dark brown eyes studying her, the way his lips lifted in a smile came to mind. She'd been flattered and unable to resist when Commander Trench’s handsome popular son had asked her out and within a few months asked her to sign a commitment agreement. But after he’d taken what he wanted, and less than a month after they’d moved into a couple’s room, he told her it was over. It wasn’t working out the way he expected, he’d informed her as he threw his clothes into a bag and left.
Afterward, she’d overheard gossip that revealed her obvious virginity—she’d dated no one and refused every offer since she’d arrived—–had been enough incentive for him to demonstrate his prowess and prove to everyone he could get whoever he wanted. Dealing with the hurt and the public humiliation of moving her belongings back into the singles’ dorm, along with the constant sly comments from the other girls, had been mortifying.
After her experience with Miklo, she'd formed no other liaisons with any of the single young men even though several had approached her. She accepted most probably weren’t the same as Miklo, but she preferred to focus on her studies, and had retreated from all but the basic social contacts. No typical dorm romance developing into a lifetime commitment for her—that had been her parents’ story on Arkarus where they’d met. Hers was different. If she ever met someone who could become a life partner, that would be fine, but until then she would value her independence.
Just before the survival exercise she’d made the final decision about her future after the Academy—one she’d dithered back and forward about for months. The choice was between going off planet and continue studying, or to return home and work with her father. She loved her father and they were close, but ever since she first heard about them, she’d nursed the hope of joining an interstellar exploratory team. The idea of traveling between star systems and discovering unknown planets with new species of life thrilled her.
She could look back and see how since the moment she’d arrived at the cadet training center, the feeling she didn’t belong had grown. Being left behind by the other cadets was the culmination and proof she didn’t fit in. Hard though it was to admit it to herself, the truth was Ikeya’s family had been more welcoming than her own people.
Yleni smiled as they appeared.
“Good. You’re just in time for the Clannad,” she told them.
“Kara! Rishi!” Makel and Masir ran toward them, big smiles on their faces.
“Hey, you two!” Yleni caught hold of the back of their tunics, yanking them to a halt. “You’re coming, but not with your meal on your hands and face. Go and wash.” She shooed them off, and her sons giggled and shoved each other, before they raced off.
“Exactly what happens at this Clannad?” Kara looked at Yleni.
“A Clannad, child–”
“Rishi! That’s enough.” Yleni interrupted, reprimanding him.
Kara’s temper rose at the smirk on his face. He appeared to take great pleasure in reminding her how ignorant she was of their culture.
“A Clannad is a general meeting,” he informed her. “We hold them at regular intervals according to the lunar cycle, but we can call one anytime. Every person in the tribe, including our youngest, attends, and that way they learn how the tribe is run.”
The boys returned damp but clean.
“Ah! Much better!” Yleni smoothed their hair. “And here comes Ikeya. Let's go.”
Kara tried not to worry about the meeting as Ikeya led his wife and children through the camp toward the center. She kept her gaze fixed on the ground, hoping a display of meekness would deflect any aggression directed at her. Would she have to undergo some kind of primitive initiation ceremony? Beads of nervous sweat formed at the nape of her neck and trickled down her back. She breathed in quick as another idea struck her. Did she need some tribal permission to be here? What if this was a trial? No, that couldn’t happen because Ikeya had said she was under his protection. That would be enough, wouldn’t it?
Rishi brought up the rear following so closely that at times his warm breath tickled her neck. Her stomach was in knots but she wasn’t sure which unnerved her the most—the upcoming meeting or Rishi?
Chapter Seven: Clannad
Marut Law:
The Clannad is sacred. The purpose of a Clannad is to offer a place where
the tribe can open its heart and freely discuss matters of importance.
As Ikeya led his family into the central arena, with Kara and Rishi bringing up the rear, conversation died away and even the children waited in silence.
Kara tried to breathe, but no autogenic training had included how to deal with being the focus of a tribal gathering. Public speaking assignments had sent her cadet rating plummeting, and the only presentation she’d given without an accompanying panic attack was the summary of her spring beetle study before a small familiar audience of peers in the science lab.
Ikeya held the silence for a few minutes before his arms lifted and everyone rose to their feet as he started a low chant.
Picked up first by the men, with the women and children joining in at a higher octave, the chant hypnotized Kara. Complicated harmonies with second and third parts started in one section before being taken up by a different group on the opposite side, who then transformed the melody and sent it around for a second time. She didn’t know if these songs were learned or spontaneous, but the effect on her emotions was overwhelming. She kept her eyes cast down, staring at the ground as feelings she’d locked away—grief at her mother’s death and having to leave her father—rose close to the surface. One minute she was overcome with grief, and the next flooded with joy.
When, at last, Ikeya raised his hands and the singing died away, Kara wished it had continued. The tide of emotion had peaked, and the sense of belonging to something greater than herself was ebbing, and she was aware on a deep level how different her culture was from the Maruts.
At a sign from Ikeya, everyone sat, and made themselves comfortable. Rishi pulled her down next to him. Ikeya allowed everyone to settle before he held a hand up for attention. “Welcome, brothers and sisters, to tonight’s Clannad.”
‘Welcome, Shanwatah,’ the tribe chorused in a unified response.
Kara gave a mental sigh. If there’d been any anthropologists from the base here, they would have had a field day. The daily life she was witnessing would turn their ideas of Marut culture upside down, and she doubted any musicians in the colony possessed the skill to evoke the emotional reactions she’d experienced a short while ago. Her people had seriously underestimated the complexity of the Marut culture.
“I won’t keep you from your beds for too long,” Ikeya began, and laughter rippled through the audience. “I wish to acquaint you with a guest who has accepted the hospitality of our tribe and resides under the shelter of my family.”
Good. He was making it clear she was under his protection. That should sort out the dissenters.
He beckoned her forward.
Kara froze, horrified. What was he doing? She dreaded nothing more than the thought of every eye staring at her, and what little control she possessed slipped. Her legs refused to obey, and she stared up at him in horror.
Ikeya reached out, and, taking a firm grip on her wrist, hauled her up next to him.
“This is Kara” he announced. Despite the flickering shadows cast by the fires burning around the camp, there was no hiding the fact, even from those who didn't already know, she wasn’t a Marut.
“It’s the rakshasa!” A man near the back stood up, giving her a hostile threatening look.
Kara didn’t recognize the man; he wasn’t one of Dashara’s friends. Her group wasn’t the only one she had to worry about then.
Several others leapt to their feet, and stood beside him.
Kara’s stomach roiled as if a dozen ravaging predators were trampling her guts to shreds, and it was all she could do to stay upright.
“Our Laws state we cannot leave the unprotected to perish.” Ikeya’s tone was calm as he talked, giving the group time to digest his words. “We found this child abandoned by her people and about to be savaged by a kallin pack leader.” That caught their attention.
Kara wanted to shout and tell them she wasn’t a child. In fact she was a few days away from being given adult status in her own society. But she swallowed her words and waited, glad that Ikeya had hold of her, as otherwise she didn’t think she’d remain standing.
“But they also state we should have nothing to do with rakshasas,” shouted another voice. More men shouted their agreement.
Kara watched more people join those already standing.
“Sit,” Ikeya said softly to her.
More than happy to oblige, Kara collapsed on the ground next to Rishi, and took surprising comfort from his nearby presence. How dare Ikeya describe her as abandoned by her own people? She clenched and unclenched her hands, resenting the small nugget of truth in what he said. Though to be fair, a handful of cadets had ditched her, not the whole colony.
“Dashara!” The man who'd spoken first called out. He’d spotted her sitting near the front. “Speak up. Tell them.”
Kara shot a quick glance at Rishi.
His lips thinned to a line as he stared at the big woman.
Dashara, wrapped in an enormous turquoise shawl covered with intricate embroidery and with silver and gemstones on her fingers, wrists, neck and ears, was even more impressive than before. Her jewelry flashed as she stood up, settling her wrap, and checking she had everyone’s attention.
A sizeable wave of relief slid through Kara as she remembered what this woman had said to her earlier.
“I’m with Ikeya on this matter.” For the space of three seconds absolute silence reigned before the big man began shouting, then more arguments broke out in several parts of the crowd.
Kara hoped these meetings didn’t deteriorate into violence.
Ikeya gave Yleni a slight nod. She immediately stood and took each of her boys by the hand. “Take her out, too,” he told Rishi, indicating Kara.
“Come, child,” Rishi smirked as he grabbed her arm and yanked her to her feet.
“Let go!” Kara hissed, outraged at being manhandled.
Rishi ignored her, gripped her shoulder, pushing her forward as they followed Yleni and made their way out of the increasingly agitated crowd. By the time they reached the edge of the circle, most of the old women and mothers with young children had joined the exodus.
Kara hated being the center of attention, but she detested being left out as well, or as in this case, forcibly ejected. What kind of society was this? On the one side some concepts, the Clannad for example, appeared to have a democratic function; yet on the other hand, if those discussions became heated with a real potential of violence, and people had to leave, what did that say? It said these people still had a long journey ahead of them before achieving a civilized standard of behavior. Behind them loud voices argued back and forth; introducing Kara to the tribe had clearly been controversial. She hoped Ikeya wouldn’t regret saving her life, and that he’d still be able to keep her alive.
“Bed.” Yleni ordered the boys as soon as they reached their dying campfire.
“Rishi, bring wood for the fire, and I need more silatu leaves from the herb boxes. I’ve none left and Makel’s complaining of a stomachache.”
Rishi nodded.
“What will happen at the meeting?” Kara worked to keep her voice steady, but ended on a slight wobble.
“Don’t be in anxiety. Our way is to speak our mind, but Ikeya is the leader and his decision will stand. Go with Rishi. It will keep you occupied.”
Kara’s temper rose at the smug look in his eyes. Did he think she was angling to go with him?
“Bring enough for the morning,” Yleni instructed.
“Children are full of curiosity, aren’t they?” he said, watching Kara bristle at his words.
Kara couldn’t stop herself. She turned and punched his arm, hard, but instead of irritating him, his self-righteous grin widened.
“Rishi! Enough!”
Rishi had the grace to look chastened.
She noticed that he obeyed whatever order either Ikeya or Yleni gave him with no hesitation or quibbling, yet with her he behaved much the same as many young cadets: quick to tease and laugh then sullen, over-sensitive, and quick to anger when his reputation was impugned. He was maddeningly irritating. She wasn’t the only one who needed a hormone balancing patch.
"Walk faster, child!" he reprimanded as she almost tripped on a small boulder sticking out of the ground. He walked fast and she hadn't spotted the obstacle in the darkness. She rubbed at the sore spot on her shin. It took every ounce of self-control not to scream at him. He’s doing it on purpose, she told herself. Don’t rise to his baiting. He’d love nothing more than to see me lose control. Once he started climbing the steps and they passed the well, she realized they were heading for the top. "Where are we going?" she called after him, trying to keep up as best she could, but he seemed determined
to make things as difficult as possible for her.
"Follow me closely. The path is steep in places. Place your feet where mine go or you may trip."
Before she could think of a sharp response, he’d set off. Lemnas had risen, and illuminated Rishi's silhouette. He climbed fast with ease and grace.
She clambered after him, remembering this time yesterday when they’d had to climb for their lives to the protection of caves from the kallin pack. She’d been too shocked then to notice much of her surroundings but this time she wasn’t and she was bursting with questions. Did the Maruts have a store of supplies in a succession of depots along the route they were taking? How did they restock? And who had built the well? She was learning an immense amount about them and itching to record every detail. Returning to base and sharing this knowledge was the single plus in a long series of negatives. The longer she stayed, the more information she would have to report.
When Rishi reached the top, he turned and held his hand out to help her up the final stretch.
Kara made a point of ignoring him, making it to the top under her own steam, and refused to look at him as her breathing returned to normal.
"Mind the thornbushes, child, you already have enough scars,” he threw over his shoulder.
She had noticed the prickly looking branches shoved to the side of the entrance. Probably good defense against predators. "Your one topic of conversation is boring."’ She stuck her tongue out at his back as she followed him toward the rear of the cave. "And among my people, to keep repeating an insult makes you ignorant."
His eyes, sparks of gold in the dark interior, gleamed at her with animosity.
Yes, good. She’d got to him. She glimpsed a pile of satyr hides up against a wall, and beside them, a dozen large wooden boxes, stacks of sweetwood and more containers filled with what looked like dried lappa leaves. Her mind was bursting with questions. The dried leaves would be reserves for the satyrs, but how were these supplies organized? She staggered as he thrust a tied bundle of compact dried branches at her. She'd barely wrapped her arms around it before he dumped a second bundle on top of the first.
Veiled Planet (Hidden World Trilogy Book 1) Page 7
