9

Craig was a bit nervous. Even though he had been to Ilen-Saa'an's home several times before, this time was different—he had been invited by her parents to spend a holiday with the family. Bren-Khy'an, of course, was along with Craig, as always. The plan was to stay in the home of Ilen-Jaa'an during the “over day" hours, and then head out early the next night. Craig and Bren-Khy'an would be staying in the unused bedroom of Ilen-Kaa'an, Saa'an's eldest sister, who had moved into her own apartment after being paired. Ilen-Jaa'an greeted Craig warmly into her home when he and Bren-Khy'an arrived. She wasn't exactly thrilled at having one of the fearsome Che'maht Sahn'rah in her home, or going along on a family trip, but her daughter Saa'an had convinced her to treat Craig's guard as any other guest.

While supper was being prepared by Dnan-Mat'ta andDnan-Buj'ta, the youngest of Ilen-Jaa'an's sons, Craig sat close to, but still at a respectable distance from, Sa'an with Bren-Khy'an nearby. The conversation was kept light, centering mostly on discussing the recreational area the family would be going to.

“You will enjoy the view from nus-Karan'ja, Craig—The Valley of Aja-we'nes, with the lights of Zhæ'ana in the distance, under the twin moons…," Ilen-Raa'an, Saa'an's next oldest sister, said with a sly grin and a quick glance at Saa'an.

“Ah, yes, I took Mat'ta there shortly after we were paired," Jaa'an sent with a happy expression, remembering the trip. “Kaa'an was born eleven point two cycles of nan-Raleen later."

By now Craig had been among the Mûr Tua'ansa people long enough to recognize their equivalent to mild embarrassment, when he saw Ilen-Kaa'an's eyes take on a slightly darker shade of their normal ice blue color. Kaa'an looked to her youngest that she carried in a sling. LittleIlen-Ava'an was only three ærfa old—still a newborn, and was the youngest Mûr Tua'ansa Craig had seen. Saa'an had cautioned Craig to not approach Kaa'an and her child too closely as Mûr Tua'ansa females were fiercely protective of their young, unless Kaa'an herself allowed it. Craig was curious, of course, but knowing firsthand what Saa'an's people were capable of, he politely kept what he hoped was a respectful distance. From what he could see of Kaa'an's baby, she already had a thick head of hair, and the boney horns all Mûr Tua'ansa had were no more than bumps on her head. Little Ava'an, Craig also discovered, seemed to be acutely aware of his presence—her eyes followed him intently. More than once he felt something cautiously touch his mind, only to find little Ava'an staring at him.

Giving her child a somewhat amused look, Kaa'an lifted her face and sent, “My little one wants to know what you are—what shall I tell her?"

Craig wasn't sure just what a three week old Mûr Tua'ansa baby would understand, though he thought it a safe bet that she probably couldn't know what an alien was yet. Thinking fast, Craig reached for Saa'an's hand, and lacing his fingers with hers, held both up enough so that all could see. Saa'an, although a little embarrassed by the open show of human hri'fal in front of her family, she was surprised to feel a hand on her shoulder—Bren-Khy'an had placed her hands on the shoulders of both her and Craig. Drawing from Craig's intent, Saa'an reached out to her mother who was sitting on her left, passing along the unspoken thought. Ilen-Jaa'an, who once was angry over her youngest daughter's initial contact with the off-worlder male, now gave her silent approval, adding to and passing along the thought form. Dnan-Mat'ta and Dnan-Buj'ta—both were called to join—added to the link.

“I…understand now," Kaa'an sent openly. Looking into her child's eyes, Kaa'an smiled and sent the simple thought forms that represented “family", “other", and “safe."

Little Ava'an looked intently at Craig, and then she held her hand out towards him. She looked up at her mother and back towards Craig.

“My little one is curious—she wishes to touch you, Craig. You are…not yet real to her," Kaa'an sent.

Looking quickly to first Saa'an and then to her mother, Jaa'an, both of whom nodded their head once, Craig stood and went over to Kaa'an, being careful to not make any sudden movements. He slowly knelt down on both knees and slowly lifted his hand. With a nod from Kaa'an, Craig held his hand within reach of little Ava'an. She stared at Craig for several seconds, looked up at her mother, and then back at Craig. Her tiny hand grasped his forefinger, and Craig was amazed at the strength in so small a hand. He felt a presence touch his mind—Craig was well familiar with how it felt whenever Saa'an, Ami'an, or Khy'an was telepathically connected to him, though this was different. Guessing that it was little Ava'an, Craig smiled softly and sent, “Hi, Ava'an"—she gave Craig a confused look at first, but then she smiled and made a quiet sound like a giggle.

Somewhat amused, Kaa'an sent, “Well, my sister, it seems my little one has taken a liking to your na-enwë[1]"

Craig looked up at Kaa'an in surprise, and then promptly blushed.

Later, when it was bedtime, Craig sat on the edge of the large, oval, somewhat nest-like bed in Kaa'an's old room, and watched Khy'an remove her armor with practiced ease. Craig recalled the day they spent together—most other races would likely have assumed if a male and a female had slept together, that they were having sex. Such was not the case with Craig and Khy'an, they had spent the time in bed talking, cuddling, and sleeping. They explored the feelings they felt for each other via Khy'an's telepathic skill, and shared a few memories in the process. Craig and Khy'an now had a far better understanding of one another—their friendship was solid, and there was love, too. What Khy'an was allowed to feel through her conditioning was not the same as what Craig experienced, but he took comfort in knowing that buried deep within her, there was still a seed waiting for spring to arrive.

Ilen-Saa'an paused momentarily while making herself ready for bed, and looked in the direction of her eldest sister's old room, the one Craig was in. She felt an odd frustration, knowing that Craig would be sleeping just a short distance away, and she could not be with him. At that moment, Saa'an envied Khy'an—she got to be in the room with him. If only they could trade places!

“Craig? Are you awake?" Saa'an sent, reaching out to him with her mind.

“Yeah, I'm still up, just getting ready for bed."

Saa'an grinned, thinking how she wanted to be alone with Craig—and made sure to share that thought with him.

Craig reeled from Saa'an's sending—he wasn't prepared for the intensity of her desires.

Sensing Craig's sudden change in mental state, Khy'an sat down next to him and asked, “Are you well, Craig?"

Holding his head in his hands and breathing a bit harder, Craig said, “Geezers…Saa'an…"

Khy'an smiled wistfully—it was easy for her to determine what had happened.

“You are only now learning, Craig…"

“Yeah, yeah, I know, you've told me—'I don't know about Mûr Tua'ansa females'. I get it. Geezers, Khy'an…are you all like that?"

Bren-Khy'an smiled softly, “More or less."

“Geezers…"

“I will remind her to be gentle with you."

Craig plopped back onto the bed with an arm across his face.

“*Groan* I'm so hosed…"

Patting Craig on his leg, Bren-Khy'an sent, “I did try to dissuade you. Repeatedly."

“Yeah, I know."

Bren-Khy'an observed Craig for several seconds, and then reached out to Ilen-Saa'an.

“Saa'an, be gentle with Craig—I am not certain a Terran can handle the full strength of our thoughts."

“What?! You did not…"

“No," Bren-Khy'an sent back firmly. More softly she added, “I only sensed his reaction and asked if he was well. He was momentarily…overwhelmed."

“AAH! Craig, I…I did not mean to…!" Saa'an sent to him in concern.

“I'm okay, Saa'an, it's just…I've never…"

“But you…"

“Yeah. Saa'an?"

“Yes?"

Craig shared with Saa'an how he felt about her, and his hope that—despite their cultural and physical differences—things could work out between them.

Saa'an had not thought quite that far ahead yet, though now that he brought it up, the thought intrigued her. She knew that Craig could never live anywhere near as long as she would—even if he lived to the average maximum human lifespan of one hundred thirty Standard Terran Years, she would only be forty two sun-cycles in Mûr Zhæn time. Saa'an would have another one hundred forty seven or so sun-cycles remaining in her life. Knowing that if she pursued a long-term relationship with Craig, they would have at most twenty sun-cycles—a proverbial “drop in a bucket" as he might say. That dampened Saa'an's enthusiasm a bit, but it also strengthened her resolve to make the best of the time they would have.

At sunset, the house awakened and after a simple chu'anso of juice, a bowl of kazhina hash, and bersahn root tea, Saa'an's family, Craig, and Bren-Khy'an were ready to go. Shouldering their packs, they joined hands, linking with Jaa'an, and…

*BAMF!*

Craig always felt disorientated whenever Khy'an teleported him along with her to some location or another, and this particular experience was no different.

“Look there, Craig," Raa'an sent to him, pointing to a large patch of light in the distance. “That is Zhæ'ana—what do you think of it from this distance?"

“Geezers, it still boggles my mind how you folks can just pop from one place to another like that!" Craig replied as he held Saa'an's arm to steady himself from the slight, momentary vertigo he experienced.

“There is some skill to it, Craig. When we first gain the ability at the age of M'su-kas, we can only go short distances and it tires us quickly. As we grow older and gain experience, the distance increases and we can do more, such as take others," Jaa'an sent, joining the discussion.

“Uh, Saa'an, you mentioned one time that you can tell if somebody teleports near you—how do you do that?" Craig asked, looking around the group.

“We can sense a mind probing the area near us prior to relocating. If near enough, we can pick up the intent of the mind, and perhaps who," Raa'an explained.

“It is easier to do if our surroundings are relatively calm," Saa'an added.

“So, it would be pretty hard to do if it was like that game we went to, right?" Craig asked.

“Quite," Saa'an agreed. “The Ne-char'oo players train hard in the mental disciplines."

“As does the military," Mat'ta added, casting a glance towards Bren-Khy'an.

Craig noticed the look Mat'ta gave Khy'an—he almost asked about that, but quickly thought better of it. He felt that he knew Khy'an well enough by now to know what he could ask about, and what he shouldn't. He figured that the specifics of her training would be one of those subjects best left alone.

The entrance to the recreation area was only a short walk from where they arrived, though Craig had to walk much faster than usual to keep up, since he was a lot shorter. After checking in and getting to the campsite Jaa'an had reserved, they went about setting up. Craig watched in fascination as the organic tech-based shelters literally sprouted from what looked like a thick stake with a large artichoke on one end. Jaa'an pulled one of the stakes out of a bag, and grasping it near the top end just under the artichoke-like “bud", she jammed it into the ground with one solid jab. Within seconds, the “bud" opened, and began to rapidly grow—when it was finished, the shelter looked like an onion-shaped dome of tightly woven leafy vines, approximately three meters tall and between four to five meters wide. The whole process took about five minutes by Craig's reckoning. Kaa'an and Raa'an both set their shelter stakes into the ground, and went about unpacking as if nothing was out of the ordinary. When it was Saa'an's turn, she paused to look at Craig, who was watching the shelters grow.

“You find it interesting, yes?"

“Yeah, that's so cool!"

“Would you like to…?" Saa'an asked Craig, offering him the stake.

“Sure…what do I do?"

“Grasp it…here. Firmly. Now, thrust it into the ground…like this…" Saa'an sent, demonstrating how to drive the stake.

Craig swung his hand downward, though he only managed to barely get the tip of the stake into the soil.

“You must strike harder, Craig," Saa'an sent with amusement. “It must be in up to this line."

Craig tried again, more forcefully. He only got another centimeter deeper. Frowning, Craig tried yet again, this time using both hands and mustering all of his strength—the stake went in only three centimeters. Feeling rather embarrassed, Craig pulled the stake out and handed it back to Saa'an.

“Uh, maybe…you oughtta do it."

Saa'an smiled, taking the stake from Craig. She positioned it in her hand, raised her arm, and…drove the stake downward all the way to her hand.

“Geezers…," Craig muttered, his face reddening in embarrassment.

“Come, we must move away," Saa'an sent gently, touching Craig's arm.

In the time it took for Craig and Saa'an to stand, the “bud" sprouted, sending forth numerous tendrils that grew rapidly to form their shelter.

After setting up camp and stowing things away, the family proceeded to take in the sights around the recreational area. Craig wished that it was daylight so that he could see things better, since his own eyes were incapable of seeing as the Mûr Tua'ansa could. Being a nocturnal race, their eyes were much more sensitive, and could see from deep infrared to far into ultraviolet. Craig could not imagine how they viewed their nighttime world—to him it was dark, punctuated here and there with soft, bioluminescent light sources in a variety of pastel colors. Even the light of both moons, when full, seemed less than the light of Terra's own moon. Still, Craig enjoyed what he could see, and enjoyed even more the time with Saa'an and her immediate family. Bren-Khy'an was also enjoying her time away from her normal life—having let Craig and Saa'an talk her into wearing civilian clothes that still allowed her to discretely carry her weapon and wrist shield, she wasn't scaring everyone.

They had chu'inso—lunch—on a rock outcropping by a lake. When Craig inquired about swimming, everyone looked at him as if he had lost his mind.

“What's wrong with that? Lots of people swim in lakes back home," Craig said, wondering why they were looking at him so strangely.

“And they…survive?" Jaa'an asked incredulously.

“Well, yeah…"

After a few moments of awkward silence, Khy'an sent, “Perhaps Craig's world does not have dangerous things that live in their waters."

“Uh, not really, no. Well, at least not in most lakes and rivers. In the oceans, um, there are some things that could be dangerous, but we have repulsor tech to make them leave you alone."

“You do not want to enter this water," Jaa'an sent in a cautious tone, flicking a finger towards the lake.

“Uh, why not?"

“Do you not hear?"

Craig got a puzzled look on his face.

“No…"

The only thing Craig could hear were the usual night sounds.

Casting a quick glance at her mother, Saa'an turned to Craig and sent, “It is out there," she gestured towards the lake. “We all hear it. They sing sweetly, but…"

“I still don't hear anything," Craig interrupted, shrugging his shoulders.

“Perhaps his mind is not sensitive enough—they are subtle…" Khy'an suggested.

“Or perhaps too different, and they simply have not noticed…," Raa'an added.

“What are you talking about?" Craig asked, growing more confused.

“They are the an'im-Raleen," Mat'ta sent, causing everyone—even Khy'an—to look up at the moons and murmur a sound Craig couldn't make out clearly. “There are caverns deep below this water, where the an'im-Raleen dwell. They sing to those who walk with the All Mother, calling them into the depths of Mâr An'sanim, where their bodies will be consumed and their souls will wander the caverns until Aana-Ael'an comes to defeat the an'im-Raleen and guide the Lost back into the embrace of the All Mother."

Craig sat mesmerized by Mat'ta's clear voice as he began to sing; Jaa'an and the rest joined in on the chorus.

       wandering lost and alone,

       the an'im-Raleen with darkened faces

       call them hunger for bone.

       Below the waters of Nir-Tha'es,

       blackening fire and stone,

       the an'im-Raleen with leering faces

       lure them murder for bone.

       Heed thee not sickened voices,

       crystaline dark and forlorn,

       the an'im-Raleen with hideous faces

       kill them slaughter for stone.

       (chorus)

       The Lost of Mâr An'sanim,

       by Aana-Ael'an are saved.

       First Warrior, wielder of Light,

the Blade of Mûr Tua'ansa might.

In the deep battle rages,

frightening blast and groan,

the an'im-Raleen with furious faces

chase them colder than stone.

Above the land of Mûr Tua'ansa,

gathering host and throne,

the an'im-Raleen with frightened faces

from them shatter the stone.

Hear the lofty triumphant voices,

howling just and fierce,

the an'im-Raleen with defeated faces

leave them muster for home.

(chorus)

The Lost of Mâr An'sanim,

by Aana-Ael-an are saved.

First Warrior, wielder of Light,

the Blade of Mûr Tua'ansa might."

When the song was finished, Jaa'an sent, “That is one of our songs from ancient times, Craig. It is about an evil race said to have come from a dark place far out among the stars. They hid in the deep, luring the unwary, killing them for some purpose or another. Aana-Ael'an, the First Warror, led a force against the masters of those we call the an'im-Raleen—'Dark Souls', wielding the Blade of Mûr Tua'ansa. Khy'an's weapon is a replica of it. Aana-Ael'an defeated the an'im-Raleen and their masters and forced them to leave our world."

“In the caverns deep beneath this water, many thousands of sun-cycles later, explorers found what appeared to be ruins, but the place, many say, is still cursed. Those who went there suffered illnesses of the mind and body that the healers were unable to treat at the time—they had never seen the like before or since. No one has ever returned to investigate further. To this day, many who come here to this area can still hear in their mind the song of the Dark Stones said to have been shattered. We hear it—it is soft, but still there. It is well that you do not hear it yourself, Craig. It will unhinge your mind if you listen too carefully," Kaa'an added, casting a worried glance towards the water.

“We should not stay here," Khy'an stated flatly.

“Aw, c'mon, Khy'an, it's just a ghost story…right?" Craig asked with a hint of nervousness.

Bren-Khy'an looked directly at Craig, holding his eyes with hers.

“No."

Craig swallowed hard.

“Khy'an is right, mother, we should be away from this place," Saa'an urged.

Jaa'an nodded her head once, and they packed up to continue their hike along the trail that wound its way around the recreational area.

They had only walked a relatively short way into the trees, heading away from the lake, when Saa'an discovered Craig was not beside her as she had thought. She stopped and glances around, but did not see him.

“Craig?" she sent openly, drawing everyone's attention.

No answer.

“Craig?!" Saa'an sent again, growing concerned.

Bren-Khy'an stopped in her tracks, and looking back the way they had come, searched for Craig with her mind.

“He does not answer me, Khy'an," Saa'an sent nervously.

Bren-Khy'an stood still, eyes and mind searching…and then suddenly her tail lashed from side to side in agitation.

“NO…!"

Bren-Khy'an's weapon flew to her hand and she bolted back down the trail at a dead run.

Before they entered the woods again, Craig stopped to take one last look at the lake. The water was calm and dark. He noticed that he couldn't hear the usual sounds of animals and insects, and the plants that made their own. Looking down towards the water, Craig listened, and then thought he heard…something.

“Nah, gotta be just my imagination. It's that stupid story, that's all."

Just when he was about to look away, Craig thought he saw a light in the water.

“Must be some fish or something, a lot of things make their own light here."

Craig found that he couldn't take his eyes from the unusual light he saw in the water. It didn't look anything like the light various plants and animals produced on Mûr Zhæn that he has seen so far. The longer he watched it, the weird sound he thought he heard grew louder, and it seemed to call to him. As if in a dream-like trance, Craig walked down to the water's edge.

“Wha…? What do you want? Who…what are you? You…you want what? Oh…uh, well…okay, just for a little bit, I guess."

Craig stood on a rock jutting out into the water…and jumped.

Drawing on her special conditioning, Bren-Khy'an moved more quickly than was possible for an average person of her kind. Given the history of the lake, she chose not to teleport towards it, instead she hastened her body to run much faster than normally possible. Bren-Khy'an cleared the woods to see Craig standing on the large rock. When she called to him, and he did not answer, she knew he was in trouble. Just when Craig lept off the rock, she caught him with her telekinetic ability before he hit the water. Bren-Khy'an felt something fighting her, attempting to wrest Craig away from her grasp. Approaching as near as she dared to the water's edge, Bren-Khy'an stopped and concentrated on pulling Craig back.

“NO!!!" she commanded forcefully. “YOU CANNOT HAVE HIM!!!"

Activating her weapon and holding it high, Bren-Khy'an heard an unearthly shriek in her mind. In response, Bren-Khy'an's weapon blazed like a small sun, illuminating the immediate area as if it were daylight.

“HE…IS…MINE!!!" Bren-Khy'an roared, and with a heroic effort, she yanked Craig towards her, catching him with her left arm. “By Aana-Ael'an's might and the just furry of the Host of Nar A'Zhæl, I, Bren-Khy'an of the Che'maht Sahn'rah, wielder of the Blade of Mûr Tua'ansa, burn you away!!!"

Bren-Khy'an strode forward and, pointing her weapon at the water, thrust it in. Instantly the water boiled furiously as the intensified disruptor energies ripped apart all within its reach. A hideous wail filled her mind—when it faded away, Bren-Khy'an withdrew her weapon.

“We have not forgotten your treachery, an'im-Raleen! Begone from this place—trouble us no more!"

Bren-Khy'an backed away from the water, still holding Craig with her arm. When she felt they were far enough away, Bren-Khy'an deactivated her weapon, putting it back into its carrier.

“Craig? Do you hear me?" she sent, carefully probing his mind. “Wake up."

“Uuunnh," Craig groaned softly as he came to. “K-Khy'an…? Wha…what happened?"

Craig opened his eyes—there was an expression of fearful uncertainty on his face/

Bren-Khy'an smiled gently and held him close.

“You are safe."

“Where…?"

“I have you."

Craig put his arms around Bren-Khy'an and hugged her tightly.

“Don't let them take me…!"

“They will not trouble you again."

After a few seconds, Craig looked towards the lake, and then at Bren-Khy'an. Seeing the questioning look in his eyes, she smiled.

“I…'kicked their butt'."

Craig's reaction at first was a silent “huh?", but then a smile crept across his face, growing into a grin. He chuckled, and then began to laugh. Bren-Khy'an also began to laugh, and soon they both were laughing so hard that they had to hold each other for support. When they became too winded to laugh, Craig and Bren-Khy'an simply held each other, until their breathing returned to normal.

“We should return to the others," Bren-Khy'an sent at last.

“Yeah, Saa'an might think we're up to something."

Bren-Khy'an looked Craig in the eyes and held them for several seconds, her expression nearly unreadable.

“You have a habit of making my job…difficult," she sent with a wry smile.

It was Craig's turn to hold Bren-Khy'an's gaze; his face reddened with embarrassment.

“I…I'm sorry, Khy'an, I…"

“Shush," she said aloud softly, gently placing a fingertip on his lips.

A few seconds later he sent, “I would have been lost without you."

Bren-Khy'an hugged Craig, and her tail wrapped gently around his wrist. She thought several things in those few seconds, though she sent in reply, “I would not let that happen."

Craig and Bren-Khy'an walked to the woods, his arm around her waist, and her arm around his shoulders. They separated just before meeting up with Saa'an and Raa'an, who had decided to see what had been taking them so long. Having seen Bren-Khy'an's reaction and hastened departure, Saa'an and her family had become fearful for Craig. They had stayed put knowing that Bren-Khy'an would be Craig's best hope if he was in trouble. Saa'an, however, could not stand it for long—she had to go and see because of her feelings for Craig. Her sister, Raa'an, insisted on going with. Saa'an and Raa'an met Craig and Bren-Khy'an just inside the edge of the woods. Giving Craig a little nudge on his back, Bren-Khy'an watched as he went to Saa'an, who hugged him joyfully, as did Raa'an. With a quiet, wistful sigh, Bren-Khy'an held back a ways, waiting for them to go on ahead. 

When Craig, Saa'an, and Raa'an rounded a curve in the trail, a feral grin grew on Bren-Khy'an's face. Turning, she looked back at the lake. The water was calm now, and smooth as glass in the still air. Bren-Khy'an stared hard at the dark water, with eyes narrowed.

“Pathetic an'im-Raleen! Remember this—I am the descendant of Bren-Fire Maker, and it was she who created the Blade wielded by Aana-Ael'an that defeated your pestilent lot and drove your masters from our world. Attempt to touch my friend again and I will personally lead my entire regiment of the Che'maht Sahn'rah in the hunt to slay every last one of you! HE…IS…MINE!!!"

Bren-Khy'an took in a quick, deep breath and hissed fiercely, baring her fangs. It would have given the largest ghe-wazi the willies, had one been around to witness the act. With a derisive snort, Bren-Khy'an proudly marched off to catch up with Craig and the others.

[1] Na-enwë – while there is no direct translation into Terran Standard English, it is roughly analogous to “a special male friend one is not yet paired with." 

(On to Chapter 10: https://www.sofurry.com/view/1098465)