Chapter 13
Draggar
The roar of at least two other tiniios reverbates through the jungle, and I can hear their large bodies crashing through the undergrowth as they move closer, eager to find their prey.
Sard!
I was afraid of this. The hunting call of the dead tiniioalerted the others that it had found a promising meal, and they will be determined to find us. Their tenacity when in pursuit of prey has made tiniios some of the most fearsome predators on Laedirissae.
They have an excellent sense of smell and can follow nearly anything when they are on the hunt. Their teeth and claws are like daggers which they use proficiently, but most worrisome is that they have the ability to inject venom once they have subdued their prey. Tiniio venom will not harm a Laediriian warrior, but I do not know what the effects of it would be on Haley. And I do not want to risk her life by staying around to find out.
I don’t think, instead I act on the protective instinct that is thrumming through me and place Haley over my shoulder, and I set off, quickly racing through the jungle trying to put as much distance between us and the beasts. I feel her small hands grip me around the waist and a shudder runs through me.
As soon as she touched me earlier, I could feel the heat spreading from her body to my own, and the pull towards her was so strong it was near impossible to resist. This is like nothing I have ever experienced. The intensity feels so much like the tales I have heard that have been passed down from the Ancestors from the before times.
One word echoes over and over in my head. . . amoris. But it cannot be.
The amorisbond no longer exists for Laediriians, and if it did, it would certainly not be possible with an alien. The bond is only experienced between Laediriians.
I have heard so many stories told of the all-consuming bond that used to develop between Laediriian spirit mates. Stories about how our spirits are able to recognize our mates – the person who is the perfect complement to ourselves, the other half that makes us whole – even when we do not necessarily recognize it.
But none of the many tales passed down about the amoris bond ever mentioned it developing with someone of a different species. Only with other Laediriians.
Yet it’s clear I feel something for Haley. Something that feels significant. Pivotal.
When I peer into her eyes and breathe in the intoxicating sweetness of her scent, I want to make her mine. And now that I have felt her hands on me, that desire has grown until my cock is uncomfortably hard beneath my loincloth. Even as I carry her at a brisk run through the jungle, desire burns through my veins leaving a trail of heat that spreads through my body.
My thoughts race just as fast as my feet. Surely, it cannot be the amoris bond.
As I run through the dense foliage and deeper into the jungle, leaping over rocks and fallen trees that obstruct the way, an entrancing scent reaches my nostrils, making them flare. I nearly stumble and drop Haley on the ground, but I right myself at the last moment and continue on as if nothing has happened.
Sard,but it has.
The exotic fragrance is like none other that I have encountered. It must be coming from Haley.
I thought her scent was delicious before, but this new fragrance makes my mouth water at the thought of tasting her. Of tracing my tongue over her flesh.
It is similar to her normal aroma, feminine and sweet, but this is much stronger and with a hint of musk that makes my cock harden until it is like a bar of iron. My loincloth rises in front of me and I stifle a groan. This scent makes me want to do things I have only read about.
An earsplitting roar of frustration rings out a short distance behind me interrupting my thoughts, and I realize that the tiniios are closer than I thought. With a shake of my head to dislodge the tantalizing images distracting me, I pick up my pace. It is not the time to contemplate the stirrings of need I feel for this alien or for acting on that need.
Haley grunts as I race over a particularly rocky path, jumping over the obstructions. This cannot be very comfortable for her, but it is the quickest way I can think of to keep her safe. Her legs are shorter than my own and not corded with muscles from traveling over rough terrain as if she comes from a planet that doesn’t require her to use them much. I don’t think she could run as fast as me, and right now, speed matters. Tiniios are swift on their feet, even more so when they are motivated.
If I can manage to outrun the tiniios, we will be safe. Most importantly, she will be safe.
But we must be careful, now. We are in Tussoll territory and growing closer with each step to their hunting grounds. Their males will be out and about soon, if they are not already. It would not help matters for either of us to be found on their lands.
Not for the first time, I am curious why Haley is so far from the ship and particularly on the other tribe’s land. The cynical side of me wonders if she was on her way to meet with the Tussoll, but my instincts quickly dismiss that line of thinking. She seemed to be stunned by appearance. As if she had never seen anyone like me. Which would not make sense if she was for some ulterior purpose.
I remember how she stumbled through the brush not even trying to hide her presence. She is a being without any jungle craft, and I wonder again what her home world is like that she is so untutored in moving about soundlessly. Then, she put herself at risk to save me. I shudder as an image of Haley standing up to the tiniio armed with only a small rock and a stick.
No, I do not think she is in league with the other tribes or on her way to meet them, but for some reason, she was wandering around in the jungle by herself. Perhaps the other aliens plotted against her or cast her out for some reason.
No matter, she is no longer alone, and I will protect her.
I must be fast and alert for there is more to fear now than just the tiniios. If the Tussoll spot the wonderous being that is Haley, they will want to take her. The thought of that makes my stomach sour and a low growl to rumble in my throat.
Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. The word repeats along with each step I take.
I continue to race through the jungle with Haley snuggly placed on my shoulder, my arm banded around her soft legs to hold her securely in place. Air saws in and out of my lungs as I run faster than I ever have before, and after what seems like an eternity the sounds of the pursuing tiniiosfall behind us until I know they have given up the chase.
When we come to a wide stream, I slow down to cross it. The water is shallow and only comes up to just above my knees, but it is cold on my heated skin and it jerks me to full awareness. The fog of desire that fell over me the moment Haley touched me lifts enough for me to realize we have traveled much closer to the Tussoll village and their hunting grounds than I realized.
In the distance, my ears pick up the quiet murmurs of hunters and I freeze. It is still early in the morning and a prime time for males to be out scouting for game and for others in the tribe to be out foraging for berries and other goods.
It would be best for Haley and I to quickly find an empty cave to settle in for a while until later in the day when the traffic in the jungle is not so heavy. Most of the hunters and foragers will return to their village by midday to gather for a meal, and the jungle will not be so busy, then.
There is a small network of caves not too far away from where we are. They are deep and extend into the mountain range that rises high into the clouds. I remember finding them and taking shelter there after a strong storm blew in during the games many years ago. The Tussoll have never been fond of the darkness and the tight, enclosed feeling of the caves, and I doubt they venture near the caves often.
But my tribe lived in caves before our village was constructed, and I do not mind them.
A burst of laughter sounds out followed by a rumble of responding voices. There are at least three Tussoll males nearby, and they sound as if they are traveling in our direction. Though thanks to my senses, I know they are still a good distance away from us. Still, I must hurry in order to make it to the network of caves before the Tussoll tribe members come upon us.
As I wade through another stream, I hear a soft rumble that sounds as if it comes from Haley and my heart stalls in my chest. I hope she was not harmed during our race through the jungle.
I slowly ease her from my shoulder and turn her until she is cradled against my chest. I marvel at the feeling of her luscious curves pressed against me and the dark sweep of lashes that hide her striking blue eyes. She interrupts my inspection by releasing another soft rumble and curling closer to me with her hand going around my neck.
My heart regains its normal rhythm and I breathe out a sigh of relief. She has fallen asleep. But the dark smudges under her eyes indicating exhaustion make my stomach twist in concern for her. I do not know how this otherworldly being came to be on my planet, but I do not think she has had an easy time of it.
I take care to be as quiet as possible as I gather her close against my chest and continue on my way.
The shuffling of hooves tells me there is a large herd of dicronearby. They are most likely headed for the wide-open plains nearby to find food. If the Tussoll hunters are skilled, they will have taken note of the herd, as well, and they will be on the trail of the horned creatures. Which means, they will come even nearer to our path. I cannot risk them seeing us.
I quickly, but quietly dart off to a more overgrown part of the jungle and head in a round-about way to the caves. It will take a little more time to reach safety this way, but the hunters will be less likely to see us.
As I traverse the thickness of the underbrush, taking care to keep vines and limbs from marring Haley’s skin, a herd of scrof dart across our path, their long tusks glittering in the light and their ample bellies swaying from side to side as they scurry away as fast as their short legs will carry them. At the edge of the brush, a flock of birds squawks out a protest and takes flight disturbed by the scrofs. Inhaling deeply, I realize the scent of even more animals is heavy on the wind.
Tussoll territory seems to be teeming with game.
From the trees, I hear the chirping of birds and the squeaks of the small animals that hop from limb to limb. I spot dozens of hoofprints from dicro who have passed through this area, and the pungent odor of the males that have marked themselves to attract a mate lingers in the air and burns my nostrils. I take a great gulp of air and shake my head to expel the pungent scent.
The Tussoll look to be thriving and not lacking for food like the Xeniiv. It is a strange coincidence that is perhaps not a coincidence at all.
Sevix said his tribe’s hunting grounds are empty and the dicro and other animals have been driven away, and here are signs that the Tussoll’s land is plentiful with game. More plentiful even than my own tribe’s territory.
It is not hard to deduce where the game from the Xeniiv’s territory has disappeared to, but why would the Tussoll do this? And how did they manage to do it?
The chief of the Tussoll, Haavor, is younger than my own tribe’s chief, but he is several years older than me. And I do not know him as well as I wish I did. He was already a hunter by the time I began competing in the games as a kitling, and a warrior by the time I became a hunter.
He has only been the chief for a few years, so there has been little chance for interaction with him, and his tribe has become even more insular than normal over the last few years. I have heard stories of him, though, during trading visits to the market. He is said to be ambitious and prideful, both characteristics that are not bad for a chief to have. . . unless it is taken too far.
I will have to eventually speak to Chief Daggir and let him know the information I have discovered, and the time to talk to him is fast approaching. I do not expect him to be happy that I acted without his advisement or that I kept my mission from him, but this is something that I felt had to be done. But for now, I have other things to concern me.
I look down at the beautiful alien cradled in my arms. A warm sense of contentment that envelopes me settling in my chest as I gaze down at Haley, and I realize, even with the danger and uncertainty that lurks, I would not want to be anywhere else in this moment.
****
After our escape away from the tiniios and detouring away from the vicinity of the Tussoll village, I finally managed to find the network of caves. Haley slept through the entire journey nestled against my chest, her warm breath puffing gently against my skin and somehow warming me from the inside out. Carrying her in my arms with her scent in my nose and her soft hands curled around me left me with a sense of peace like I have never felt before.
And yet, my curiosity has only increased. I still wonder why she was out in the jungle all by herself. Was she searching for something? Did something happen to cause her to leave the ship? How I wish I could wake her and ask her all of the questions tumbling through my mind, but fatigue is written clearly on her face, and so, I let her sleep. It is not like I would be able to understand, not until I acquire a translator chip from Vrenner.
I scouted out one of the smaller caves that had no signs of any creatures using it as their den recently. It was the perfect spot to safely settle Haley while I did some quick reconnaissance around the Tussoll village. I created a small nest, wishing that I had the much softer furs from my bed to cushion her body.
Instead, I spread out the sleeping pallet that I use while on a hunt and gently laid her down on it. She looked so peaceful curled up asleep that it was difficult to tear my gaze away from her, but I did, knowing that the sooner I left for my mission, the sooner I could return to Haley.
I left behind my satchel with a waterskin and a pouch of trail rations in case she awakens before I return, but I hope she will sleep through my absence. I don’t like the thought of Haley waking up alone in a strange place, scared and confused. A strong urge to protect her and to care for her beats through my chest, and I do not know what to make of it.
I push away the confusion I feel about this strange female and continue on my way towards my destination.
Hurrying through the jungle on silent feet, after a while I notice the undergrowth and trees have begun to thin – a sign that I am near the Tussoll village. Nearly half of their territory is comprised of wide-open plains, with fewer trees than my own tribe’s territory, and their village sits near the edge of the plains. Unfortunately, that means there will be less places to hide and I will be more likely to be discovered.
I decide to keep to the edge of the trees that skirts along the perimeter of the village and get as close as I can without risking exposure. I have no desire for any members of the tribe to find me and delay my return to Haley.
Even now, I resist the strong urge to abandon my mission and return to the cave to her side. With each step that I take further away from her, the pull to return to her grows stronger until my heart beats so loudly that I fear the Tussoll will hear it.
I have never felt like this, and I am not sure what is wrong with me. Why am I so drawn to this strange alien creature? I have only just met her, and she is not even the same species. She is so unlike a Laediriian female, but even with her frail body and tiny, muted features, I feel drawn to her. It does not matter that she is not my species, I want her.
The tumult of unfamiliar feelings and thoughts flowing through me leaves me confused. I do not understand what is happening.
As I approach the other tribe’s village, I notice sentries placed strategically around the exterior of it. I would have stumbled right on top of the first guard had the male not uncorked a bottle of kifirto alleviate his boredom. The sour aroma from the drink drifted to me making my nostrils flare and alerting me to the fact that I wasn’t alone.
After that, I was on high alert with my senses tuned to notice any other differences in the environment around me. It was not hard, then, to discover three more sentries stationed among the brush.
The Tussoll village seems to be alarmingly well guarded. Unlike the Xeniiv village.
So far, none of the sentries have noticed me, but that could always change. While my skin allows me to blend in with my surroundings and I am being careful to stay downwind, it is not foolproof, and I could always be spotted. Any noise or whiff of scent could give my presence away.
Just like all Laediriians, the Tussoll have enhanced senses giving them an edge over other species. It is what made our species such excellent and feared warriors on our home planet.
I quietly glide past another sentry, watching the male carefully to make sure he has not noticed my presence. Glancing at my surroundings, I realize that I have managed to almost reach the outer edge of the wall around the village.
On the other side of the wall, a large plume of smoke rises high into the sky. It is most likely the central fire pit the tribe uses for cooking meals. The scent of burning pican wood in the air only makes my curiosity grow.
The wood comes from the pican tree, and when it is used to cook with, it lends a spicy, yet sweet flavor to meat that makes it treasured by all the tribes. Since there are few pican trees on our planet and they only grow at high altitudes, the tribes decided long ago that the wood would only be used for special feasts.
The trees and undergrowth are even thinner in this area, and my shoulders are drawn tight with tension as I try to stay out of sight. My senses are heightened and constantly filtering through the odors and noises around me, and it is not long before I detect something else out of the ordinary.
My ears swivel as the sound of a chorus of guttural voices melding together reaches my hiding place behind the trunk of a cupressi tree. The gravelly tune is one I immediately recognize. It is an old chant that is traditionally performed after a battle victory by the returning warriors. But when have the Tussoll fought a battle?
Our only real enemy on this planet is the Pugj, and I have not heard of any battles fought with them lately. Not since the end of last year’s hottest season when the Pugj raided each tribe’s hunting grounds and our food stores attacking any Laediriians they came across. They typically spend the other seasons on top of their mountain, and do not come down until well after the warm weather has arrived.
As I stand still, quietly listening, an unpleasant odor reaches me, burning my nose and throat and I freeze in recognition. Shocked disbelief clouds my thoughts as moments later, I spot a hunting party returning to the village. A lone Laediriian warrior is accompanied by two Pugj who casually stroll out of the line of trees with the carcasses of three large beasts thrown over their shoulders.
The Pugj are bulky beings with scraggly gray hair that covers almost the entirety of their bodies. They are a species who display no external sex organs and that combined with their hairiness means they wear no clothing. Their faces are hairless with gray skin and bulbous mouths that contain many sharp serrated teeth that it’s rumored they use on their captives. Long black claws stick out from the hands and feet. A noxious musk follows them around wherever they go perfuming the air, and I briefly wonder how the Laediriian male can stand to be so near the Pugj without gagging.
I glance at the carcasses the Pugj carry and notice the animals have been decapitated and many shallow knife wounds cover their flesh. It is said the Pugj enjoy the fear of their prey and tales abound that they can actually taste the fear when they consume the flesh of their prey. A scowl crosses my face as I think of the warriors who have been captured by the Pugj – the ones who managed to escape and the ones who succumbed to their captors.
The warrior who accompanies the Pugj is broad, even for a Laediriian, with a scar that trails from his forehead down over his brow and ends in a slash at his lips, pulling his mouth down on one side in a permanent scowl as if he is angry at the entire planet.
I watch as the Pugj and the warrior disappear through the gates of the village together and I feel my confusion and anger deepen. What on Laedirissae is going on here?
The Pugj are our enemies. They kill any Laediriians they come across, no matter if it is a warrior, hunter, or a kitling. And when they can, they steal our warriors, taking them back to their mountain settlement. Why would any Laediriian associate with them?
When the Pugj first appeared on Laedirissae, our ancestors were welcoming to the newcomers, but the other species rejected any overtures. They made it clear they did not wish to have an alliance with any non-Pugj beings. It is not unusual for some species to be insular like that, so our ancestors basically shrugged their shoulders and went about their lives, respectful of the Pugj’s decision. But then, the raids began, and they brought death and destruction to our people and no one was safe.
And unlike Laediriians, the Pugj do not seem to be nearing extinction. As our numbers have dwindled, theirs seem to have remained constant. We do not know exactly how they reproduce as no Pugj females have ever been observed. But then, their species seems to only have internal sex organs, so perhaps it would be difficult to tell. No matter, I have long suspected they wish to expand their territory and seize our villages.
Suddenly, a shout rings out near me, and I realize the Tussoll have even more sentries stationed around their village than I thought.
Before I can react, a high-pitched whistle sounds out followed by a muffled thwack. Small vibrations spread through the tree trunk I’m leaning against. Peering beside, I see the still quivering shaft of an arrow buried in the bark. It is right near my shoulder and just barely missed striking me.
Adrenalin surges through my veins and my muscles bunch ready to act. It’s obvious I have been spotted by a sentry and he will alert the others.
I have a choice to make, now. I can stand and fight against them or I can try to escape and make my way back to the cave where I left Haley without leading them to her. It goes against everything in me to run away instead of staying behind to fight, but I know it is the right decision.
I take off at a swift pace hoping to outrun the male who has spotted me, but my pursuer is right behind me. More shouts echo around me, and I know the male has alerted the other sentries. For the second time today, I find myself being chased through the jungle and by the sounds that reach my ears, they are far too close for my comfort.
Arrows and spears whiz past me like a swarm of angry insectoids intent on stinging me, and I am forced to zigzag through the jungle to dodge them. Just as I jump over a large pit in the ground created by erosion, a spear slams into the ground in the same spot I was in only a moment before.
Fear courses down my spine and settles like a ball in my stomach making me push myself to an even faster pace. They cannot capture me. The Tussoll are on alert for a reason, and I shudder to think what they will do to me if they catch me. I cannot imagine it will be pleasant.
Even worse is the thought of Haley waking up to find herself alone and then leaving the cave only to be discovered by the Tussoll. My chest tightens with fear. I never should have left her.
I continue to sprint through the jungle, mustering all of my strength and stamina to increase the distance between myself and the males chasing me. The predominant greens and blues of the jungle pass by me in a blur as I speed past, my feet barely touching the ground. Arrows fly through the air and land all around me as I dodge them, but they’re becoming more sporadic than before.
The Tussoll warriors are losing ground. My blood zings through my veins almost making them vibrate and my heart pounds so hard it feels as if I have two of them beating away in my chest firing my muscles and giving me another burst of energy to draw upon. I will make it.
Just when I think I have finally created enough distance between myself and my pursuers to be out of reach of their weapons, a Tussoll warrior fires one last arrow at me. The projectile whistles as it soars high into the air and then descends to plunge into my side with a loud thwunk that rattles through my bones.
Sard! I have been shot.
I stumble at the realization and my vision tunnels as the pain sears along my nerve endings like fire, making me want to cry out, but I fight the urge. Blood drips down my skin and onto my loincloth, quickly staining the material, and I grit my teeth against the pain that is unlike any I have ever felt.
I must keep running and put as much distance as possible between me and the Tussoll village. I have to return to the cave to Haley. I must keep her safe.
Blackness swarms my vision, threatening to suck me under, but I push past it and continue to sprint over the ground as fast as I can manage. There is one thought in my mind urging me on.
Haley. Her blue eyes beckon me and her soft voice urges me on, calling to me.
I stumble through the jungle, and I know that I’m growing weaker by the second. But then I hear it. The rush of water as it trickles over rocks. There is a stream nearby, and I quickly change course to seek it out.
When I near it, I sink down to my knees on the rocky bank of the wide stream. The clear water feels cool on my skin as I cup it in my hands and bring it to my lips to drink. It is fresh and cold, and my parched throat is soothed as I gulp it down.
Once I drink my fill of the water, I twist and grab onto the arrow shaft that still protrudes from my side. This is going to hurt, but it must be done. I brace myself and with a muffled groan that forces itself out from between clenched teeth, I yank the arrow from my flesh. A bitter aroma reaches my nostrils and I shake my head in confusion before tossing the arrow underneath a bush. Spots swim in my vision and darkness threatens to pull me under, but I clench my teeth in determination.
I have been shot by an arrow before during battle with the Pugj and I remember what it felt like, but this is different. Something is very different this time.
My vision wavers as I stagger to my feet. Blood runs down my side from the angry wound and lands on the rocks beneath my feet. I growl in frustration. If I continue through the jungle like this, the bloody trail I leave behind will lead the Tussoll straight to me and to Haley.
There must be something. . . I glance up at the sky and then, I eye the flowing waters of the stream in front of me with speculation. It might just work.
Swaying, I stumble over the rocks and wade out into the middle until the water reaches my waist. It’s not very deep, but the current is swift enough. The cave where I left Haley is downstream from here. The current of the stream can carry me there, and I will only have to walk a short distance to reach her. This way, I will reach Haley faster than my feet can carry me and I will not risk leading the Tussoll to her.
Even in my weakened state, I know I must be careful to not lead any of the other tribe’s males back to her. She must be protected no matter what.
With a groan, I lean back, my silver hair floating around me, and let the swift current carry me away. Back to Haley.