Shalia's Diary Omnibus

by Tracy St. John

  December 14, later

  I have never had the pleasure of a Hawaiian luau. With Earth turning into a hunk of unlivable rock, I suppose that’s a dream that will never happen. However, I imagine I came close with our dinner on the beach.

  There was a huge bonfire that we sat around, the soft beach sand pillowing our butts as drinks were served on the low tables before us. Nobek crewmembers gathered between us and the fire to perform a historical dance that consists of a bunch of stomping, chest beating, yelling, headbutting, and slapping the hell out of each other. It’s an impressive display, though I always cringe at the smacking part.

  It turned out Stidmun is a part of the historical society of warrior Nobeks. He jumped up and joined in. Within minutes, his nose was bleeding after a particularly brutal swat from another Nobek. Stidmun was delighted. Candy rolled her eyes. She sat on the opposite side of Larten, who chuckled and nudged her at the reaction.

  “Which is worse; that your breed is crazy or that I’m crazy about your breed?” she sighed.

  After the dance, which we applauded wildly, the Zelt duo performed as dinner was served. And what a dinner. The meat of an island animal called the olrib had been roasted to perfection, the tender flesh falling off the thick bones. There were also two different fish dishes and any number of fruits and vegetables. It was a feast, made exquisite by the fact we sat on the beach with the surf rumbling nearby and the star-filled canopy of the sky.

  Maybe Candy’s earlier comment about her fixation on Nobeks had been overheard, because during the meal, Bazi brought up the subject of clan laws. “Some are petitioning the Royal Council to change the three-man clan requirement, at least where Earther women are concerned.”

  Clan Orim’s Nobek Ral, a bearded behemoth who’d broken Stidmun’s nose during the kurble match—that nose was a magnet for damage, it seemed—grunted as he speared a chunk of olrib on a knife. “I’m betting my breed is in the vanguard of that proposal. There are too many of us to guarantee we’ll enjoy the benefits of traditional clanning.”

  “Actually, I’m hearing most of the complaints are coming from the Earther women. Their culture is based on the idea of one man and one woman.” Bazi gazed at Candy with friendly curiosity.

  Candy stared, her eyes wide. “Will the Royal Council consider such a thing?”

  Erom snorted. “Maybe in a century or so. That kind of legislation takes forever to catch on with the masses. We can be pretty stubborn when it comes to changing the status quo.”

  “Not if our numbers drop off to the point where we’re desperate for any configuration that will allow us to save our culture,” Imdiko Tir opined. “If the only way we can escape extinction is to give Earther women what they want, it’ll happen.”

  “What do you think of the idea of clans not being required?” I asked Seot.

  He mused. “I concede that having a clan is perhaps not for everyone. I see the happiness Stidmun and Candy have with it just being the two of them. For my part, I would be saddened for clans to disappear. My life has been so enriched with Larten and Cifa that I can’t imagine not having them.”

  “Not to mention having the sole responsibility of caring for someone as precious as a woman.” Larten smirked at Stidmun. “I don’t envy you the responsibility where that is concerned.”

  Candy gave him a withering glare. “I can take care of myself, thanks. I prefer Stidmun rather than need him. He’s around because he makes my life a little better than it would be without him.”

  Stidmun scowled. “A little better?”

  That got us laughing as Candy kissed him to take the sting out of her inadvertent slight. When we’d quieted, Cifa’s sister Ila spoke up. “Who says the clan system has to be abandoned entirely? Before Kalquor mandated clans to keep the men from fighting over too few women, our ancestors had relationships that could include any number of people from both sexes.”

  Candy’s eyes lit. “So there is a precedent for non-clan relationships that are legally recognized.”

  “In the past. The present situation is not likely to change any time soon,” Erom counseled her. “There are too few females are arguing for change. The Royal Council is in no hurry to take the idea seriously.”

  “If we Earthers had the option of being with one man, more Earther women might come,” Candy argued.

  The conversation was lively and respectful as points for and against traditional clans were debated. Cifa whispered in my ear, “I hope Candy’s views on multiple-partner relationships haven’t swayed your interest.”

  I pretended to muse over the matter, “I could be moving the other direction. Having more than one clan is a worthwhile consideration.”

  Seot choked on his fish. “Woman, we have a problem.”

  I cracked up. “Don’t worry, big guy. If last night was any indication, I can barely keep up with three of you. No way I’m adding to the numbers.”

  December 15

  Another happy day on our tropical island paradise. Captain Carip came ashore right after breakfast to announce he’d set up a challenge for us.

  “Hidden somewhere on this island is a treasure,” he boomed. “You are to pair off to search for it.”

  Fortunately, we’d been warned before coming to shore to dress for hiking off the beach, I wore sturdy shoes and light clothing instead of a skimpy soaksuit and sandals. The rest were similarly dressed.

  Captain Carip continued his spiel. “Matara Joelle, since you have not brought a partner, you may join a team of your choosing.”

  Joelle was overwhelmed when everyone instantly invited her to be a part of their team. She even choked up. “Whoever Shalia isn’t going with from Clan Seot.”

  My guys whooped to be chosen. They are so wonderful. As is Joelle. She took Anrel from me and said in an undertone, “Let me keep the baby, Shalia. Just in case your partner wants to discover a more personal ‘treasure’.”

  “You are beyond bad,” I laughed at her. “No wonder we get along so well.”

  “Who’s the lucky man, Shalia?” Seot asked me. “As a leader, I can offer good command decisions.”

  “If it’s to be a hunt, my choice is clear.” I grinned at Larten. “I’m going to stack the deck in my favor and partner with the Nobek.”

  “Of course you are.” He smirked in triumph at his groaning clanmates.

  Joelle smiled brightly at Cifa. “Did she make a mistake? You are familiar with the island you own, aren’t you?”

  “More than Larten. Good luck, my Nobek.”

  “Ah, but I know this island too, don’t I?” Ila called from her position next to Ral. “Plus I have a Nobek to help me hunt. See you later, losers.”

  Good-natured jibes were traded back and forth before Carip called us to order. “I have a clue to help you start: Born of blaze, I run the river; shaped like the arrow that flies in the wind. Beneath the darkened glass I shelter what you seek. Were you born there? Good luck.”

  I had barely time to register the enigmatic words before Ila grabbed Ral by the wrist. “I know where it is! Let’s go!” They disappeared in a twinkling, using the supernatural speed that comes with being Kalquorian.

  “She thinks she knows,” Cifa snorted. “Our dear captain is never so obvious with his riddles.” He smiled at Carip, who bowed with a laugh. “No, it’s subtler than Ila believes. I have an idea. Come on Seot, Matara Joelle, and Anrel. Let’s find out if I’ve paid better attention than my sister.” They were off too.

  Erom gave Bazi a shrug. “I never really explored the island. Ila and Cifa insisted it was a good buy, so I went along with it.”

  “We’ll do what we can,” she said in a light tone. “The fun is in the game, not the win. Let’s go.”

  Each pair drifted off, chattering happily. I looked up at Larten. “I haven’t a clue,” I sighed. “What about you?”

  “No, but if past games are any indication, Carip would give Cifa, Ila, and Erom as little an advantage over the rest of us as possible. Let’s start by checking
for a landmark that fits the clues.”

  “A good plan.”

  “We should seek higher ground. We’ll get the lay of the island and work from there.”

  I had no illusions of us winning the challenge, but as Bazi had said, the fun was in the search. Plus, I would be alone with Larten. Thinking of how enchanting my swim with Cifa had been, I wondered if alone time with the Nobek would lend itself to as much charm.

  Which was silly, I decided as we left the beach to trot through a thick, jungle growth of trees. Nobeks can be captivating, but enchanting? Magical? I couldn’t hold Larten to that kind of ideal.

  Yet I was happy just the same, jogging at his side, laughing and talking as we went. As always, he was ready with entertaining stories of his reviled trainees. He was quick to warn me of obstacles in our path, such as a vine that might trip me or a branch that could clothesline my head off. I appreciated that he watched out for me without insisting on sweeping me in his arms and doing all the work. I stumbled on the uneven ground a few times, especially as we began to go up a hill that we hoped would afford us a good view of the landscape. Larten was there to steady me. I noted how his touch lingered longer than was needed as his gaze met mine. Once more, I was profoundly aware of the man I was with…perhaps because I wanted to experience that kind of sensation again.

  When he’s intense, Larten gives me that anxious-aroused vibe that I tend toward with dangerous men. He jokes more than most Nobeks I’ve been acquainted with. Yet when he wasn’t regaling me with tales while wearing that amused smirk of his, or softening with concern as some obstruction loomed in my path, he was as lethal-seeming as Oses, Jaon, or Stidmun. Add that to his gloriously muscled body, and it wasn’t just exertion that left me panting as we climbed up the steep hill.

  I appreciate that he has a decent sense of humor. It may not be typical for a Nobek, but the fact Larten doesn’t mind laughing…even at his own expense…gives him an extra layer of fascination for me. Not that any of the Nobeks I’ve adored are one-dimensional or anything, but Larten has extra in that sense.

  Ah hell, I’m jabbering here. Back to our treasure hunt.

  We got to the top of the hill and stared around. Beyond the jungle-ish woods we’d gone through, I spied the ocean with our ship bobbing on it like an arrow-shaped cork. I thought of the clue Captain Carip had given us. He’d mentioned an arrow. Wouldn’t that be hilarious if the treasure was on the boat while we chased all over the island?

  “How did that clue go again?” I asked.

  Larten quoted, “’Born of blaze, I run the river; shaped like the arrow that flies in the wind. Beneath the darkened glass I shelter what you seek. Were you born there?’”

  Except for the arrowhead-shape, our ship didn’t fit the remainder of the riddle. I contemplated the island.

  Most of what I could spot was more tangled vegetation. The island had been left wild, probably because of its proximity to the government-protected reef. There’s also that Kalquorian insistence on keeping their surroundings natural when possible.

  Only the sight of a slate-gray mountain rearing about two miles distant interrupted the dense canopy…that and a stream that ran from a ridged channel coming from the peak. The stream parted the trees down to the ocean, glittering as it forged its path. I saw Ila and Ral moving alongside it less than a mile from my hill. There was movement further along, closer to the miniature mountain. I figured most everyone was concentrating along the trickle of water. Was that the river where we’d find something born of a blaze? We were far behind the pack of searchers.

  “Not much to see from here.” I noted the smallish mountain again, erupting like an abrupt tumor from the skin of the leaves. It had a dip in the middle of the peak, the supposed fissure angled away from me so that it was hard to be sure. “Larten, is that a mountain or a volcano?”

  “A volcano. It’s been dead for a long time. His eyes suddenly brightened. “Hey…’born of blaze’…Shalia, you’re a genius.”

  “I doubt that,” I snorted. “I could be off on this. We’ll assume the treasure would be close to the volcano. What about the second part of the clue? ‘I ran the river’? That’s no river coming from it. Too small. The stream is over there, and there are at least two or three groups investigating it already.”

  “As Cifa said, that would be too obvious. Lava can run like a river,” Larten reminded me. “Maybe Carip’s riddle has to do more with that than the stream. Let’s go.”

  Off we went, trotting down our hill and then back into the cover of the trees. There were no real paths, only thin trails probably made by the animals living on the isle. Larten insisted on taking the lead, and I let him, trusting his sense of direction better than my own. I’d trained as a fighter, not an explorer.

  I slowed him down, but he didn’t complain. He kept the jogging pace steady, but I never got winded. The paths were winding, however, so it took us at least an hour to reach the bottom of the volcano.

  “From the hill, it appeared as if the western side of the cone was blown out,” Larten said as we gazed up the craggy incline. “That’s where most of the lava would have flowed.”

  His expression was intense. I could tell he was enjoying unraveling the puzzle. I smiled as he led me around the base of the volcano. He’s such a Nobek.

  Those sharp Kalquorian senses clued him in on the next discovery before I would have figured it out. He suddenly ran ahead, exclaiming. I couldn’t keep up, but I hurried after him as best I could.

  He stopped, staring up the slope, his eyes wide. “There it is! We’ve found it, Shalia!”

  I joined him and looked up the triangle of rock. My mouth dropped open.

  When the volcano had erupted ages ago, it had blown the entire side out from the midpoint of its height up to the peak. It gaped open; a raw, angry wound. It even appeared to have bled, as shiny black rock ran from the bottom of the fissure, contrasting sharply with the dark and dull granite of the mountain itself.

  Rock formed of lava long cooled, made glossy and jewel-bright. Its path was straight down to a ledge. There, outcroppings of rock had disfigured its course, forming it into an upside-down triangle that pointed to the ledge.

  Larten quoted, “’Shaped like the arrow that flies in the wind. Beneath the darkened glass I shelter what you seek.’”

  “Volcanic glass,” I grinned. “We called it obsidian on Earth.”

  “Shall we climb? There are a lot of decent foot- and handholds.” Larten was already starting forward.

  I climbed behind him, admiring how his ass flexed as he went up. That was a spectacular view. It was only later that I realized had we been truly climbing a mountain, the lovely distraction would have been the death of me. Luckily, the ledge wasn’t too high, and as Larten had assured, it was an easy ascent. Otherwise, that Nobek might have rendered the idea of a ‘killer ass’ reality.

  We reached the ledge safely. It was large and flat enough that a man Larten’s size could have slept on it if he’d needed to. Some rocks had fallen from greater heights to sprinkle the surface. With the exception of one chunk of obsidian stone big enough for me to use as a seat (which I did), the rest were just pebbles.

  There was no sign of a treasure.

  “Damn,” Larten scowled, scanning up, down, and around. “This place is the perfect fit for the clues. It has to be here.”

  “Maybe Cifa, Seot, Joelle, and Anrel got here first,” I sighed. “Cifa thought he knew the answer to the riddle.”

  “If he had, he’d be waiting for us. Or he’d have searched us out to celebrate besting me,” Larten laughed. “He’s smart, but he doesn’t do well with challenges that pit him against others. He gets flustered over competition and trips himself up. It’s a big deal when he can score a win.”

  “Poor Imdiko.” I looked our surroundings over. “This has to be it, Larten. It answers all the clues. Or did I miss something?”

  He recited again, and I puzzled over it. Born of blaze, I run the river; shaped like the arr
ow that flies in the wind. Beneath the darkened glass I shelter what you seek. Were you born there?

  “Who would be born here?” I mused. “That part makes no sense.”

  “It does, but not to me,” Larten said. “Carip is good with these kinds of games, so it will be logical once we figure it out. Were you born—where?”

  I snorted. I was feeling decidedly unintelligent. Born where? In my case, it was apparently under a rock.

  Even when that crossed my mind, it didn’t hit me. Not until I shifted uncomfortably on the hard stone I’d parked my butt on.

  “Carip knows his Earther insults,” I said, standing up and turning to stare at my perch.