“Lady Meylith, take me now!” Veera implored to the sky as Xan practically toppled into her home, collapsing atop Zolta who’d been supporting him up to that point. The young guard began groaning in pain as Asha followed quickly thereafter, carrying multiple baskets of food and accosting her mate and his friend about eavesdropping. Winters laughed heartily and took Veera’s chin in his hand, ensuring her amber orbs focused on him.
“She doesn’t get you until I’m well and done, Veera,” he informed her boldly, capturing her lips with his in a kiss that made her legs weak and feathers flutter. Any resistance she might have put up due to their guests was extinguished immediately by his tongue and a deep moan from within his chest as she responded. After days in the forest unable to indulge in such pleasures, Veera surrendered despite her sense of decorum. By the time he was finished with her she was breathing heavily while Xan and Zolta struggled to their feet, trying very hard to find interest in the piles of dato and firewood that still covered much of the floorspace of Veera’s home. Asha seemed completely comfortable, however, gazing at them softly with a happy smile on her face.
“I forgive you…because I’m leaving tonight…but seriously…Russell…” Veera implored him between breaths. “Surely even among your people that’s a bit much?”
‘She’s got you there,’ Io agreed in Winters’ ear. The human shrugged.
“Better to ask forgiveness than permission I suppose, though I contend I did nothing wrong. The children shouldn’t go poking their muzzles where they know they might find adults in private,” Winters suggested with a pointed look at Xan and Zolta.
“Who are you calling a child!” Xan huffed, waving the rough-hewn stick he’d been using as a cane at Winters while Zolta nodded emphatically beside him.
“Yeah, what the heck Winters. I’m going to be a father soon!”
“And a little kissing gets you all in a tizzy?” Veera teased, taking her human’s hand and snuggling up to him.
“Hey, why are you taking his side now?!” Xan asked, putting on a show of looking betrayed. Veera left Winters’ side and glided past the two young males.
“Because he takes my breath away,” she told them serenely as she reached Asha and divested the pregnant Cauthan of the baskets of food she’d brought. “Thank you, Asha. Welcome to our home again and you have our thanks for the food.”
“Of course, Veera. Shall we get started? I don’t know how much time you have before you need to leave,” Asha offered, looking about to locate the small collection of dinnerware that Veera and Winters had collected during their time together.
“Yes. Russell, could you remove the pot and rekindle the fire? I think tonight we should just do skewers, they’re quick,” Veera suggested. Winters nodded and went about his work as if absolutely nothing untoward had happened, more than aware that he and Veera had not answered the question regarding their bonding ceremony. After removing the pot and dumping the dirty water outside, he began hauling wood over to the pit and arranged it in a pyramid shape around the embers of the fire from that morning. As he squatted down to light the kindling he shot a pointed look at Xan and Zolta who had yet to move from where they were standing. The females were proving they needed no help, already chatting lightly as if their greeting had been perfectly ordinary while lightly seasoning vegetables and meat with salt, mushrooms, and herbs.
“I’m not giving either of you lessons on that,” Winters joked at the lads, leaving them spluttering anew.
“We never asked!” Zolta insisted as his mate and Veera enjoyed a chuckle at his expense. “Just give us something to do already! We’re sorry for falling through your door.”
“Veera, where’s your knife?” Winters requested, relenting after Zolta’s apology. His mate gestured to his survival bag, so he moved to collect it along with his own and distributed them to Zolta and Xan, also handing them a bundle of suitable sticks. “Thanks for volunteering. You need any assistance, Xan?”
“I’m just fine,” the young one insisted, walking over to one of the chairs around the fire and sitting down shakily. Once he’d done so, Zolta handed him his share and the two of them got to work. Winters took a deep breath and looked around, feeling at peace as he took in the homely scene. His moment of zen was short-lived as Xan called out to him again. “Well, are you going to tell us about the ursae or what? This isn’t the most exciting thing in the world.”
Veera stood from where she was chopping food on a strip of leather and whacked him over the head. “Watch your tongue.”
“Hey, I’m injured!”
“If you’re well enough to not need help then you’re well enough to be reprimanded for being an impudent little-”
“Veera! Sweetie,” Winters soothed her, calling for calm and taking her hand. “It’s fine.”
“Man, what in Kel’s name was that all about,” Xan whispered to Zolta. The smith was smart enough to lean away in his chair as Veera turned back to them with fiery eyes.
“Why don’t you tell us about the night you got all cut up, Xan? That should make a great story!” Veera yelled.
“What in the name of the gods is wrong with you, Veera? He’s fine!” Xan shot back defensively. “He got to be the hero again and-”
“You think he wants that?! Not every wound is on the outside you insensitive little…rrrrgh. I figured you of all people would understand!” Veera fumed, prompting Winters to encircle her with his arms from behind and whisper in her ear, slowly coaxing her feathers to lay flat against her body again. They had flared to their full extent in her rage.
“I love that you want to defend me, Veera, but I’m perfectly capable of doing this myself. Let the young have their mistakes, alright?” He encouraged, keeping his embrace firm and gentle as she relaxed into him and turned her head so their eyes could meet. Asha looked up from her work with a worried expression while Xan had the decency to hang his head in shame.
“I’m sorry, darling. I just…”
“You don’t have to say anything more, Veera. I’ll show them.” Winters declaration had Veera’s ears perking up too. She’d not asked him about the battle at all since finding him in the forest, out of respect for his injuries and what she was sure was a trying experience. Their brief bath that morning had all but confirmed that his hunt had been a difficult affair that he would reveal to her when he was ready and not before. That didn’t mean she wasn’t immensely curious.
‘Uh, sir?!’ Io whispered urgently in his ear. ‘I know you hit your ribs and not your head but I feel I must remind you that you aren’t the only one in that video log!’ Winters just chuckled softly, drawing a curious look from those around him.
“Let’s finish up here, alright? I suppose I have a bit of a story to tell over dinner,” he said, giving Veera’s hand a final squeeze as she pecked his cheek and returned to Asha. The others continued their work in silence without further complaint as Winters excused himself, promising to return with a pot of fresh water.
“Are you alright?” The grey-haired female whispered. “That wasn’t like you, Veera.”
“I know, I know…I just barely know anything about it myself. All I know is that he suffered out there for us and I don’t know how to make it better.”
The young seamstress nodded. “I think I can understand how you must feel, but perhaps tonight you’ll have some of your answers. No matter what happens I know the two of you are not the type to keep secrets from one another. I’m sure he will tell you everything in time, more than anyone else. It may not be something you can fix immediately but I’m sure the two of you will get through it,” Asha said confidently. Veera couldn’t help but smile, remembering that in a way those words had come true already during that morning’s tender moment. With practiced ease she skinned a kina and twisted the peel between her fingers, allowing some of the spiciness of the skin to drip onto the extra portion of chekso meat that she was preparing for Winters. “He likes it spicy, does he?” Asha asked happily.
“Mhm, he eats one or two most mornings like it’s nothing. I don’t know how he does it. But I think you’re right, Asha. The last cycle has left me a bit high strung. Sorry Xan,” Veera called over her shoulder to where the two males were competing to see who could get the most wood shavings directly into the fire.
“It’s alright. I…understand what you mean now,” Xan replied, setting aside the last of his skewers as Winters returned and looked around the room.
“There are far too many gloomy faces in here. Let’s eat! I’m starving.”
A few moments later all were assembled around the crackling fire. Xan and Asha were given the chairs, leaving Zolta on the floor next to his mate. Veera and Winters sat on their cloaks on the other side of the fire, small plates of meat and vegetables laid out next to each of them. Veera felt her spirits lift as Winters’ face brightened after tasting a particular piece of chesko.
“You know me too well,” he told her, savoring the spiciness alongside the light char of the meat.
“Just well enough then,” Veera replied merrily before enjoying the savory flavor of a roasted mushroom. She found it much easier to appreciate them when she wasn’t starving and subsisting on them and dato. After swallowing her bite she leaned closer to her mate. “You were gone a long time, Russell. Are you sure you’re alright?”
“Yeah if it was what I said, I’m sorry!” Xan called from across the fire, putting his exceptional hearing and lack of filter to use. Winters shook his head and grabbed his helmet so he could speak to them all. Even Asha chortled at the sight.
“That’s kind of you, Xan. I won’t fault you for being eager to learn if your legends and nightmares are true. I’d be chomping at the bit myself, but that wasn’t what it was. I needed to talk with someone about something important,” he said, taking a deep breath. “We may have fought a bit.”
“Who’s that?” Zolta asked, catching the surprised look on Veera’s face.
“Russell, are you…?” Winters face hardened as Veera trailed off, allowing her to indulge in one of her more guilty pleasures. Oh my human, please don’t brood like that. I won’t be able to leave you at this rate! Winters carried on.
“Veera will be leaving alone tonight and I’ll be staying behind. Even so, that doesn’t mean something won’t happen to me. If anything, I should have had this conversation a lot earlier with somebody but to be honest I didn’t trust any of you enough. I’m sorry.”
“You’re making no sense right now, Winters. And what do you mean something might happen to you? Is there going to be another attack?” Zolta asked with urgency, flashes of murder and his darkened temple playing behind his eyes. He grasped Asha’s paw tightly. Winters raised his hand to dispel some of the tension.
“I’m sorry, Zolta. It’s nothing like that. When I finish I’m sure you’ll understand,” he promised, looking around at the three of them. “How much do you know of how I came to this planet?” Even Xan stopped chewing.
“What’s a planet?” The apprentice asked through a mouthful of meat, only to begin choking. Asha struck him firmly on the back a few times in what seemed a practiced motion, resolving the momentary coughing fit.
“Xan, I’m not your mother but please try not to kill yourself when you’re eating,” she admonished him. He nodded as the seamstress addressed the human. “Russell, I don’t think any of us know much. The priests said you came from the sky but I’m not sure I understand any of that,” Asha admitted, speaking for all three of them. Winters made a noise in acknowledgment.
“I suppose that’s understandable. I’ll gloss over the details but yes, I did come from the sky. I came here on a ship that can transit the stars, though your particular star didn’t seem to enjoy our trespassing very much. My ship was destroyed and I’m the only human who survived. That said…I didn’t land here alone.”
“Darling, I would not dare speak ill of your comrades or your circumstances, but you’re being rather dramatic about all this,” Veera said, recalling how different the atmosphere had been in her home the first time he’d told her of the death of the Lancer. It warmed her chest to see him discuss it with a hint of levity.
“What’s a good story without a little drama?” He countered. “Besides, Io would kill me if I didn’t build this up a little bit.”
Veera froze at his words, looking from him to the other guests. “Russell, you just-”
“I know. For the record, she’s against it. I fully expect my armor to be locked at most inconvenient moments in the future.”
“Do either of you have any idea what’s going on?” Xan asked his friends. Zolta shook his head while Asha signaled a negative with her feathers.
“I’m getting there!” Winters reassured them. “Anyway, where was I? So when I landed here I wasn’t alone. Part of my equipment, my armor, came to life.”
“I’m sorry, what?” Zolta interjected. “Winters, we have quite a few tales in our temple’s history. I can tell you with certainty that absolutely none of them deal with living weapons or armor.”
“He said he was touched by Seil, and if he came from the sky he surely passed by the Twins as well. Perhaps this is their work,” Asha suggested. “Though I must admit I’m not sure that is something the Lunar Goddesses would do.”
Winters returned their hypotheses with a wry smile. “To be honest, one story is probably as good as the next. I don’t know how it happened, really. I’m not even sure that she does, but the best way to put it is that I’ve had a guardian spirit with me since I landed on your planet. She helps me hunt, aided Antoth in securing the town before the raid, is responsible for keeping you alive, Xan, and was there with me when I killed the ursae. Go on Io, feel like making a few new friends? I think I’ve said enough.”
The room fell utterly silent as Veera shook her head in disbelief and the other three Cauthan looked at Winters as though he’d gone insane, at least until the human’s gauntlet lit up. Io shimmered into being just above it, looking regal and put together as ever. She’d chosen standard HEL dress blues for her introduction, though Winters raised a brow when he noticed she’d let her hair down. “Well hey there, I’m digging the new look,” he complimented her. She waved him off and began speaking in Cauthan.
‘Now now, sir. I’m meeting with the villagers, at your behest I might add.’
“Woah! The tiny human talked!” Xan shouted through another mouthful of food. Zolta was gaping like a fish while Asha had taken her chin between her fingers, her tail swishing back and forth as she contemplated the unexpected development.
‘Figures, I save his life and all I get from him is tiny human,’ Io lamented with a flick of her head. ‘Xan, Zolta, Asha, I am pleased to make your acquaintance though it was not the decision I would have made. I would be happy to chat over dinner, but my partner over there needs to run through the disclaimers first.’
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Winters burst into laughter at Io’s flippant dismissal of him. “She kept me sane on more than one occasion,” he claimed, earning a disbelieving look from Zolta. “So here’s the deal guys. Io is special.”
‘Obviously.’
“You gonna let me finish or you want to strut your stuff a bit more?”
‘I am not a peacock, sir.’
“You’re not even male.”
‘I hate your ability to take everything literally.’
“I love the way you say I love you in German.”
“What?!” Multiple voiced cried at once. Io looked ready to die from embarrassment, and even Winters cocked a brow at the efficacy of his own riposte.
“Io, you have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of,” he insisted, flipping the switch from playful joking to her commanding officer in an instant. “Zolta, Xan, and Asha, you need to understand that Io’s very existence is something that could, under unfavorable circumstances, cause serious disruptions between my people and the species that uplifted us and gave us the ability to travel the stars. It might not, but it might. I don’t know. Revealing her existence to primitives-”
“Hey!” The Cauthan in the room chorused.
“You are.”
“Russell, that’s still rather rude,” Veera told him, stroking his arm in an attempt to calm the human. He’d been getting more worked up as he described his circumstances.
“Sorry, Veera. But primitive is exactly what the Ghaelen would see you as. And they have no issues with exterminating primitives in the name of ‘peace’ and ‘stability’. But you all have my word that if this village comes under threat because of me that I will die to protect it,” Winters promised, allowing that sentence to hang in the air as Io shook her head and rested her forehead in her palm.
‘Foolish human…I don’t deserve this,’ she whispered.
“Io is a dear friend to me and a comrade in arms. During the fight with the ursae she was gravely injured.” Winters stood and retrieved his torso armor to accentuate the point. “Her body and soul used to reside both in my armor and in an external place, keeping her relatively safe. That’s no longer the case. She’s as vulnerable as any of us, probably more so. She requires energy to survive from these.” He held up a spare battery as well. “I can tell from the looks on your faces that you don’t really understand what I’m saying, but Io needs me to survive. She has the touch of divinity, you might call it, but she has no body. She can’t acquire more energy herself. If Veera and I were to die she would starve to death.” Asha gasped at Winters’ blunt assessment, while Xan and Zolta looked uncomfortably over at Io. The AI glared back at them with defiance, as if challenging them to say aloud that she was weak. Winters replaced his effects and continued.
“If something should happen to both of us, I’m entrusting you three with Io’s life. Please bring this device in my pocket here close enough to my glove. Io will be able to speak to you that way, as she is now. You could also use my helmet, that earpiece I’ve given to each of you at one point or another, or my visor. Regardless, I ask that you help her. She’s a living, breathing being, and she deserves the right to choose her fate if I’m no longer here.” Winters removed his helmet and looked his partner in the eye. “You have the right to choose life or death, just like any of us.”
‘Du…du barbar!’ Io cried, holding her arms tightly to her figure. ‘How could you make me cry like this in front of guests?! I’m still getting used to having tear ducts!’ Winters just smiled at her as Veera finally understood the purpose of Winters’ story.
“Io, didn’t you and Russell kill an ursae together?” She asked kindly. “I don’t think anyone capable of such a thing could ever be considered weak. Sometimes there are things in life worth crying over, right?” Even the young men in the room found themselves eventually nodding under Asha’s watchful gaze. Xan finally mustered the bravery to speak up.
“So…you’re a spirit then?” He asked. Io dried her eyes and assumed an elegant, seated pose.
‘Your former captain asked me the same when he first met me. I am not that, but I suppose it’s not too far from the truth either. I do not know which line of code was the one that turned Io the program into Io the woman. My name is from one of the moons in the Lieutenant’s home star system’
“I can tell you it wasn’t Tyrdus,” Zolta asserted, still unsure what to make of the projection he saw before him, even as he found it difficult to look away from Io’s smooth features, waving hair, and bold, green eyes.
“What my mate means to say is that he finds you too beautiful to be the creation of the brutish god he serves,” Asha said, giggling as Zolta quickly turned away in embarrassment. Io gave the young female a calculating and approving look, able to appreciate a confident woman. Asha continued. “You say you are named for a moon, so perhaps the Twins had a hand in your birth instead. Are you the image of a human female?”
‘I am, yes. Though I was able to choose my body. Most human women are not as beautiful as I,’ Io declared with a sweep of her hand through her hair, her tears and insecurities long forgotten.
“Or as vain,” Winters whispered to Veera who nipped playfully at him in reply.
‘I heard that, sir. Just wait until your next shower.’
“If we ever get back on a ship I’d be happy to take a cold one if it makes you feel better. Anyway, Zolta, Xan, Asha, do you three think you can do this for me? I have no intention of dying, but this world doesn’t always seem to behave the way I expect it to,” he admitted, holding Veera to him.
“Of course!” Zolta and Xan shouted in unison.
“There’s no way we would allow your partner to languish and die alone,” Asha added sympathetically. “I presume this is to be kept a secret though? From what I gather only Antoth knows about her?” She asked, her tone sharpening as she looked at her mate and his friend.
“Yes Asha, thank you. That’s correct. Thanks to you two as well,” Winters said earnestly before looking at Io with no small amount of pride. “So partner, feel like bragging a bit? I think we’ve discussed doom and gloom enough.”
‘I concur,’ Io said primly, turning to face the assembled Cauthan. ‘I understand you all would like to hear what it’s like to kill an ursae?’ Xan and Zolta cheered with youthful exuberance, the kind only a male could muster in the face of the terror of the unknown. Asha and Veera were more reserved, but Winters had been around the Cauthan long enough to know when a female was curious about something. The symphony of black, gold, and ashen feathers was more than enough confirmation for him. Io flashed him the smile of a proud deviant. ‘How about we show you instead?’
-----
“What a remarkable spirit, to be able to show us your own memories,” Asha remarked with wonder as the video log of the night of Winters’ battle with the ursae began to play in place of Io’s projection. The quiet had become absolute the moment Io had snapped her fingers and replaced her own image with the video feed from Winters’ helmet. All that any of them could see was harsh snowfall tinted green by the night vision filter.
‘Thank you for the compliment, Asha,’ came Io’s disembodied voice. ‘Now then, allow me to set the scene. We had been stalking the beast for three nights as the weather grew fouler by the day…’
“Are you alright with this?” Veera whispered from where she stood at Winters’ side. The two of them had allowed their guests to crowd around the bed to be closer to the projection, with Winters choosing to hang back. He stood with his arms folded across his chest while Veera remained close by, resting a hand on his upper arm and watching the video intently even as she spoke to him. “If you’d rather not, what we spoke about before…” she trailed off, glancing briefly his way. He was looking at her, watching her face and feathers, her tail as it waved about.
“It’s not that. Don’t worry,” he replied shortly. If anything, you’ll be the one regretting you saw this. At this point I just get to brag.
Veera’s face fell into a worried frown at her mate’s terse reply and tone. It had been a while since she’d been so conflicted. Like every member of her tribe she’d been raised with tales of the demonic ursae, stories that would frighten young and old alike. There was ample proof they existed in the form of bones and pelts, but when no one alive had ever seen one it didn’t matter how real they were. They took on the air of death and the supernatural. Veera was being given a chance to see one, alive. All she had to do was witness the battle that had almost broken her love and his companion. “Russell,” she mouthed, barely a sound escaping her lips. The air seemed to grow cold around her despite the fire as she watched the memory, her danger sense rearing its head even in the comfort of her own home. The sound of Io’s panicking voice did nothing to set her at ease and for the briefest moment she felt her body demand she turn tail and flee out into the streets. Zolta, Xan, and Asha were barely breathing.
“Oh my gods!” Veera shrieked and almost jumped into the fire, though Winters easily reeled her in to his side, holding her fast as she watched in terror as something that defied all sense stalked and attacked the human she was promised to. Sharp cracks sounded as Winters fired his rifle at the ursae, eliciting a howling from the beast that Veera was sure would haunt her out in the forest. She could hear him cursing and yelling in the heat of battle.
“What the…it didn’t do anything?!” Xan exclaimed as the ursae refused to go down from the bullets that struck its eyes, charging at Winters instead. “This is insane!” Asha was clinging tightly to Zolta as the video continued to play, the audio punctuated by shouts and cries of distress as the first person view from Winters’ helmet brought them up close and personal with the beast.
“Oh gods…oh gods,” Veera gasped, covering her mouth as she witnessed the ursae lock its jaws around Winters’ arm.
“Yeah, that one hurt a bit,” Winters joked dryly and without humor, watching himself tumble through the snow before standing to fight anew. As he continued to watch, rubbing Veera’s shoulder in a comforting circle as she remained glued to the screen, a disconnected sense of uneasiness took hold of him. The fight he remembered had been an epic clash of life and death, the greatest and most harrowing moment of his career, maybe his entire life. What had felt like an hour was over in less than five minutes. Granted it was five minutes that utterly enraptured his dinner companions, but it still felt wrong to him.
“Darling!” Veera shrieked as they all heard the visceral crunching of armor against wood, followed by Io’s resigned statement that she was going to ‘kill herself’. “Io, you…” Winters remained silent; watching himself stand anew and realize that in his injury had bought them victory against the now crippled ursae. A small spark of pride joined the dark smoke within him.
“Zolta, isn’t that the spear that you made for…him…?” Asha asked timidly, watching Winters’ remaining armored fist ram the hilt of the weapon up and into the roof of the ursae’s mouth with a small shriek. Her mate didn’t reply, his mouth hanging open as he refused to even blink. The beast groaned and Winters dived away, the video ending as he looked back over at the fresh corpse. Silence reigned once again.
“That was…amazing!” Xan yelled, turning in his seat to find a stone-faced Winters and a crying Veera. “Oh…uh…well it really was. Gods, I don’t think I could ever have fought like that, even before my leg,” he said, shrinking back into his chair as the three guests nervously looked at one another, wondering if they were still welcome as Veera tried to choke back her sobs. They were ‘saved’ as the single blast of a guardsman’s horn rang through the village. Winters looked up through the hole in Veera’s roof to find the sky already turning the dull reds and purples of dusk.
“Veera, I’ll get your things,” he said quietly, gathering up her cloak and the survival bag along with her knife, spear, and his rifle. “Hey, come now. Dry those tears. Io and I are both here and breathing.”
‘In a manner of speaking.’
“We’ll be here when you return too,” he promised, choosing to ignore the AI for the moment. “You don’t want Ratha seeing you like this, do you?” He asked, trying to raise her spirits as best he could. She accepted her cloak and effects before squishing herself tightly against him.
“I had no idea how close I’d come to losing you, both of you,” she lamented. “I was so ready to go back out there, to help you. I was even excited maybe. Now? Now I don’t know.”
“Come,” Winters demanded softly, donning his cloak and leading her out the door. “You three are welcome to stay. I’ll just see her off and be back. Sorry about this,” he apologized as Io cut her connection to the B-MASS and accompanied the two of them, leaving their guests alone with the crackling fire. A chorus of goodbyes and good lucks followed them out. Once they were out on the road and allowed a bit of privacy, Winters looked down at Veera. “So long as it doesn’t paralyze you, fear is good. It will keep you alert. You’re going to be the only one out there who knows just how bad things could be. Don’t be afraid of that knowledge.”
“I don’t know how you do it,” she admitted quietly as a few of their fellow townsfolk joined them on the way to the north gate. “I was ready to run away just from that memory. You actually stood and fought.”
“I was trained to do that, to fight when any sane person would flee. There’s no shame in what you felt, Veera. I’d rather there be no more heroics from anyone on this bloody planet. Just get to the carcass, cut it up, and get back here.”
“I understand,” Veera replied somberly, looking down at the snow beneath her feet. Io cut in in an attempt to reassure her.
‘Veera, even I wanted to flee from that monster. I didn’t bother translating for the others but I know you know enough English to understand what I was asking the Lieutenant to do in the seconds before we were attacked. The only thing I could think about was getting away so I could live. You are no coward if that is the standard to which you are holding yourself.’ Winters looked over at Io’s projection in his visor and did his best to convey he was incredibly grateful for her words.
“You two really do know just what to say to a girl,” Veera said, finally looking back up at Winters. “That was not how I’d imagined I’d spend my last evening with you for the next few days, but thank you both. I will be cautious and I will come home, as promised.” They had arrived at the north gate, which had already been opened so that Antoth and Ratha’s parties could congregate just outside. A few Cauthan stopped what they were doing to look at the two of them, but the rest were either too busy with their own preparations or too courteous to take much notice.
“What is it?” Winters asked worriedly, seeing all sorts of chaos in Veera’s eyes reflected in the torchlight and the final gasps of the star before evening.
“You should talk to the three of them about it…if you need to,” Veera told him, testing the point of her spear with a fingertip instead of holding his gaze. Winters felt his brain swarm with confusion until a bolt of clarity hit him like a drop pod. With gentle hands he brought Veera’s hood up and over her head, doing the same with his and bringing his face close to hers. She accepted the dark and temporary sanctuary without complaint.
“Veera, the things that I saw and did can never be replicated by some video. You are the only one who knows about what happened to the rest of the nomadic tribes that attacked us. You are the only one who knows about the hunt prior to that fight. You’re the only one who will see that it wasn’t ‘awesome’, as Xan put it.”
‘I can hardly blame the lad but the Lieutenant speaks the truth, Veera. Nothing we did or saw those nights could be considered even remotely awesome…at least not to us,’ Io added. She and Winters could just barely see the contours of Veera’s face shift thanks to the bit of light that filtered through the gap between their hoods.
“Then I will be sure to come back soon, so that when you allow all of the walls to crumble someone will still be at your side. Until then I know there are many here who will benefit from your strength,” she declared in a tone that stirred a great many things within him. He felt his heart beat strongly in his chest as he took her lips with his.
“I’m not sure how strong a man has to be to sit around and wait for his wife to come home, but fine. Get going before I change my mind and keep you here,” he growled possessively, smiling for her as they broke away. Her spirits significantly buoyed by the confidence Winters had shown only in her, Veera marched out of the gates to join the hunters, removing the pack from her back so that she could find a way to safely carry Winters’ rifle. Ratha noticed her but said nothing as Winters joined Antoth at the gate itself.
“So it’s true then, you’re both hurt?” Antoth asked seriously, casting a wary eye for those who might overhear his words.
“Nothing a few days of rest won’t cure, Antoth. What about you? What did I miss?”
The captain shook his head. “Nothing near as exciting as what you went through, I’m sure.”
“Surely overseeing a village rebuilding itself isn’t that dull?” Winters pressed, teasing Antoth lightly. The black-furred Cauthan rebuffed him with a wave of his hand.
“I assure you it is, to say nothing of dealing with everyone who has an opinion on how things should be done,” he lamented, scratching his chin with a claw. “I never asked to be in this position. I can barely fulfill my old duties, to say nothing of everything else that’s been foisted upon me.”
“Shouldn’t things calm down now that there’s enough food?” The human asked.
“Heh, I don’t intend to sing your praises tonight, human. Once a day is enough, I think. That said, you are correct. When Ratha finishes her duty of securing the rest of the carcass I will call for an assembly of the remaining priests and priestesses. We will choose a new leader.” As Antoth described the manner of succession, Io appeared in Winters’ visor and began furiously scribbling notes on an old-fashioned clipboard, not passing up a chance to document a new aspect of Cauthan society. Winters smirked just a bit for her before asking more questions, hoping to satisfy some of his own curiosity.
“Is that it then? The seven or eight of you just decide?”
“Six of us. There are no priests of Felen and the priestess of the Twins serves both of her goddesses. And no, we merely choose a candidate. That individual is then presented to the village at large. If there are no challenges, that is all.”
“And if there are?” Winters pushed on with a raised brow. Antoth gave him a resigned chuckle.
“Something along the lines of the harvest festival all over again. Challengers are nominated, contests are had, so on and so forth. Eventually a new sun priest is selected one way or another.”
‘How utterly fascinating,’ Io whispered, having equipped a pair of thin framed glasses as well. Winters nodded to the captain of the guard.
“One way or another your trials will be over then,” he offered in reassurance. Antoth shook his head and gazed out at the hunting party that was beginning to fall out, a solemn look in his eyes.
“Those trials are nothing in comparison…”
“So you and Ratha, eh?” Winters inquired understandingly, looking at the short but imposing Cauthan as she barked orders to assume formation.
Antoth shut down that line of questioning immediately. “Not happening, human.”
“That bad, eh?”
“In some ways, though not others. You may stay if you wish but I care not to watch her leave again. Give spirit Io my regards. I will pray for your swift recovery.” Without another word the captain turned and left, giving the signal to his men to close the gates behind the hunting party. Winters stood aside as well, watching Antoth turn towards the barracks down a side road.
“He really does love her. Holy shit.”
‘You are a crass brute, though correct. I will never understand what possessed someone like him to fall for someone like her, but she’d better know he’s as good as she’s going to get!’ Io stated indignantly as Antoth left their view. ‘That was kind of him to ask after me.’
“No arguments here, Io. Let’s get back though. We still have three guests to attend to who no doubt have enough questions to last until morning.”
‘You just sound absolutely thrilled about that,’ Io deadpanned, easily searching his face for the truth. Winters denied nothing, turning to look at the gates.
“I miss her already.”