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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 tiniios fall 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 dicro nearby. 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.
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