Chapter 15
Midori took a step towards Zephryn and out of Cael's arms. "I'll help you any way I can. I know firsthand how terrified those women are. Whatever I can do to help, I'm in."
Cael's heart swelled with admiration for this small female who was so brave and kind. Did she realize how special she was? He wanted to tell her, but there was a tension between them ever since the moment Pugly revealed who he was.
"We will be grateful for your help," Zephryn said, placing his hand on his heart and bowing before he walked back to his tribe to attend to the wounded.
"Midori, I?—"
"They need our help right now," she said, cutting him off, her eyes not quite reaching his. "After that, we'll talk."
Cael nodded. Midori was right. Now was not the time. But soon he'd tell her everything, even the dark and shameful parts of his past he'd hoped to forget. She deserved to know who he was, who he had been. After that, it was possible she'd want nothing more to do with him. He wouldn't blame her.
He followed Midori into the midst of the tribe and helped bandage the wounded men. Once they were taken care of, they worked together to gather felled trees. Cael assisted by cutting down trees around the clearing, enlarging it for the funeral pyre to burn without causing a forest fire. Even Pugly helped by pushing the fallen timber out of the way and clearing the underbrush with his tusks.
The bodies of the dead were laid atop the wood as the rest of the tribesmen sang a deep and somber dirge. Zephryn lit the fire, and the men's voices rose in volume along with the pyre's flames. Cael watched the funeral pyre burn, its flames reaching for the sky like desperate fingers as the wood crackled and spit, sending a ribbon of smoke through the trees. The bodies of the fallen tribesmen were consumed, their spirits released to walk among the stars.
Cael felt Midori's gaze resting on him, and he turned to look at her. Her eyes were full of sadness and compassion. His heart lurched. This woman had gone through so much. He wished he could take her pain away. Midori reached out and took his hand, her fingers intertwining with his. The warmth of her touch sent heat through his body, reminding him even amid death and destruction, there was still hope.
By the time dawn arrived with the first rays of sunlight and the wakening of the jungle's fauna, the pyre had dwindled down to embers. Zephryn enlisted a few men to care for the remaining funeral rituals, but the rest of the tribe was told to rest. In a few hours, they would begin the journey to the tribe's village at the base of the mountain. After that, they'd head for Mlima City, where they would attempt to rescue the Zebran females.
Members of the tribe gave Cael and Midori their extra bedrolls, and Cael set to work clearing a spot for them on the ground. He felt Midori's hand on his shoulder.
"I think it's finally time we talked, your highness," she said, her voice soft.
Cael nodded and sat down on the bedroll, though his stomach clenched in fear. Midori sat next to him, her leg brushing against his. He hoped when he was done confessing who he truly was, she'd still want to sit so close to him. But he knew it wasn't guaranteed. When she finally knew the real him, she might want nothing to do with him ever again. And he couldn't blame her for it.
Cael took a deep breath and said, "I'm not who you think I am."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't work for Lord Krissayr. I'm not one of his mobsters."
"Then who are you?" she asked, her voice a whisper.
"I'm a prince of Zyranth. My father was the king of our people."
Her eyes widened further. "You're a prince?"
Cael nodded. "But not a good one. After my mother passed away, my father pushed so hard for me to follow in his footsteps that I did everything I could to disappoint him. I gallivanted across the galaxy spending money that didn't belong to me, tossing it away, and refusing to grow up. When he passed away a few months ago, I wasn't there. I never asked for his forgiveness."
"But why didn't you tell me?" she asked.
"At first, I couldn't. I had falsified documents to get on board a ship. I couldn't let anyone know who I was. After my father's death, I returned home to find my uncle had plans for the throne. He convinced the Council of Elders I wasn't fit to lead. And, honestly, he was right. I wasn't fit to become king. But then I learned my uncle had negotiated a deal with Lord Krissayr, supplying him with guards for his slave ring. Slavery is outlawed on our planet; what he's doing is illegal. My parents despised its existence in the galaxy and were pushing for pan-galactic legislation which would criminalize it everywhere. They'd be so disappointed to know what my father's brother is doing as regent in my name. I began asking questions, doing some digging into my uncle's dealings with Lord Krissayr.
"Then, my head guard, Baelor, disappeared, and I no longer had any protection. I feared my uncle wanted to eliminate me as a threat to his claim for the throne. Without me, he's the next legitimate heir. I decided to search for Baelor, who by that time was my only friend. When I heard he'd been sent to work for Lord Krissayr, I put my plan into action and ended up on the same ship as you."
Midori nodded. Her face gave nothing away about what she was thinking.
Cael felt both relieved and terrified by his confession. What would Midori think of him? Was she disgusted by who he'd been? Did she think he might still be the petulant prince?
His father's death had been like a shock to his system. He'd regretted his behavior and wanted to become the man his father dreamed he could be. He'd always have to live with the regret that it had taken him too long to change for his father to see it.
Midori stayed silent, so Cael continued on. "Then we ended up here, and it felt like one crisis after another. Each time we had a moment to rest, I told myself I'd tell you the truth—all of it—no matter the cost. But each time, I convinced myself the time wasn't right. I'd tell you later. But I know I was a coward. I was afraid you would think differently of me if you knew who I really was."
"Well, you were right about that. I do think differently of you," she said.
Cael's heart stopped, and his stomach dropped. Had his worst fears come true?
"I understand more than most how much grief can change us. Your mother's death made you long for your time as a child. I can understand the desire for a carefree life with no responsibility. I struggled with grief and depression until I got some help. That type of deep pain can make us into people we don't want to be. But we both fought against it in our own ways. Now we're both here, still fighting against the pain. But we're doing it together."
The light of forgiveness filled him, and he smiled at her in wonder. "Thank you, Midori. Thank you for believing in me."
Midori leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his middle. Cael basked in the warmth of her body against his and pulled her even closer with two of his arms. Nothing felt as good as her body pressed against his. He wanted to tell her that, too. He wanted to confess he'd fallen in love with her and wanted to build a future with her. He opened his mouth to utter the words but noticed her eyes were already closed as she rested against him.
It had been a long day and an even longer night. They needed all the rest they could get. Once they arrived at the village, they'd have to figure out a plan for rescuing the tribe's women before the women were taken away or sold.
Morning had passed into late afternoon by the time the tribe awoke and began preparing for the trek to the jungle's outskirts. Cael looked down at Midori's sleeping form curled against him and brushed a strand of raven hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. She was so beautiful, so brave. He wanted nothing more than to keep her safe.
Cael sighed, pushing those thoughts from his mind. Right now, all that mattered was the long trek ahead of them to the city. Cael stood and stretched his sore muscles. Sleeping on the hard ground hadn't done him any favors, but he knew it was only the start of the discomforts they'd face on the long walk ahead. He gave Midori's shoulder a gentle shake.
"It's time," he said when her eyes fluttered open.
She nodded and pushed herself up to her elbows, nudging Pugly's still slumbering body resting against her. The pig dog had given them some distance during their conversation earlier, but once it was done and Midori had fallen asleep, the beast sidled up next to Cael and refused to leave.
"Who knows what other terrifying creatures are out there?" Pugly said as he plopped to the ground. Cael patted his head and scratched behind the beast's ears until he'd calmed down enough to fall asleep.
"Pugly, it's time to go. Wake up."
The pig dog smacked its lips together, sneezed, and then farted before opening his eyes and getting to its feet. Cael shook his head, not sure what to say, so he decided not to say anything.
After a brief meal, the tribe gathered their sparse belongings and set off into the jungle. Cael and Midori walked side by side, Pugly trotting alongside them. The foliage was dense; vines and ferns brushed against their bodies as they passed. Insects buzzed and clicked in the trees above them. Though the sun was still high overhead, little direct light reached the forest floor.
As the afternoon wore on to evening, the air grew humid and heavy. Rivulets of sweat ran down Cael's back and chest, and his clothes clung to him. Midori looked equally miserable in the sweltering jungle with her hair plastered to her neck and forehead.
When the group stopped to rest and drink from their water skins, Cael used a scrap of cloth to wipe Midori's brow. She gave him a grateful smile, making his heart flutter. He wanted to pull her into his arms, but mindful of the others, he simply squeezed her hand.
The jungle seemed endless. Cael's legs ached from hours of walking over the uneven ground and clambering over fallen logs. He knew Midori must be just as tired, but she never complained or asked for a break. She just continued putting one foot in front of the other.
As the day wore on and night fell, Cael noticed Midori struggling more and more to keep up. Her face grew drawn and pale. He knew her human body wasn't designed for such grueling physical exertion. After all, she was half his size, and it was obvious her eyes couldn't see as well in the growing dark. When she stumbled for the third time, he scooped her up and deposited her on his back before she could protest.
"Just until we stop to camp," he said.
She didn't argue, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and neck as he carried her while he pulled her legs around his waist with two of his four hands. He was glad to provide her some relief.
Pugly trotted beside him and gave Cael a hopeful look.
"Don't even think about it," Cael warned.
Pugly grunted and scampered ahead.
Finally, Zephryn called a halt for the night. Cael set Midori down, steadying her as she got her legs back under her. While the Zebrans prepared a meal, Cael, Midori, and Pugly collected firewood. The mundane task was made more difficult by the oppressive darkness which had settled over the jungle. Strange sounds echoed around them—screeches, howls, and other-worldly noises. Midori looked around and breathed an audible sigh of relief when they had gathered enough wood to head back to the relative safety of the camp.
After they ate, Cael could see Midori struggling to keep her eyes open. "Get some rest," he told her. "Tomorrow will be even more challenging."
Too tired to argue, she settled onto her bedroll. Cael sat down nearby, his back against a tree trunk. Midori reached out and took his hand, threading her fingers through his.
"Thank you for carrying me," she murmured with a yawn.
Cael gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Anytime."
Her eyes fluttered closed, and soon her breathing became slow and steady in sleep. Still holding her hand, Cael kept watched until sleep claimed him as well.
The next morning was more walking, but with each step the tribesmen became more and more animated and less tired.
"The village is near," one warrior said.
"Thank goodness we're almost there."
Midori had insisted on walking on her own, saying a full night's rest had renewed her strength. Her steps picked up as well, now that they knew the tribe's village near the edge of the jungle was close at hand.
Finally, the trees broke, revealing a village of round, thatched hut homes nestled in a valley alongside a picturesque river. The sun shone over the cleared land where neatly tilled gardens overflowed with fruits and vegetables. Zephryn whistled, and a whoop came in response from the village. A throng of men, women, and children poured from the huts, running to greet the party, raising their spears aloft in joy at the tribesmen's return.
"Welcome home, Zephryn," a tall Zebran warrior said, clapping the tribe's leader on the shoulder in greeting. "Was your hunt fruitful?"
"Indeed it was," Zephryn said and turned behind him.
The tribesmen parted, revealing Cael, Midori, and Pugly at the rear of the group. But if they had been expecting a warm greeting, they were mistaken.
A cry of disbelief rang out from the people.
"Death to the four-armed scourge!" someone yelled.
And as one, the villagers pointed their spears directly at Cael.