Page 64 of I Married A Syllen

“She’s barely enough to meet the most basic needs of Galnir. We will not be able to help your tribes in the short term,” Orian replied apologetically.

“Your people did this!” Athusa hissed, glaring at me.

“My people didn’t do this. But some off-worlder, who may or may not be human, did,” I countered.

“Either way, whether humans or others, we do not want off-worlders on our lands. Every time, it only brings pain and sorrow for our people,” Athusa spat.

“You may not want me here, but what about the rest of the tribes?” I challenged in a firm but reasonable tone. “What about the dormant Syllens? What about the land? It claimed me because it understands that my intentions are pure. The Kalrin spared me for a reason. You do not have to like me, and you do not have to ever see me again when all of this is done. But I will not allow old hatred—justified though it may be—to condemn the future of your entire species or of this land. Otherwise, the Settlers will have won from beyond the grave.”

“What could a small thing like you possibly offer that we might need?” Athusa mumbled in his native language, his voice still tense but once more far less aggressive.

“Even the Wonthonna needs the help of the Opiris,” I replied in the same language.

The Syllens all snorted, some laughing with an impressed glimmer in their eyes as they nodded in agreement. Taelen chuckled and stared at me with a mix of pride and approval. I silently thanked all the powers that be for our lunch by the river where he told me about the usefulness of those insects.

“I’m not a Syllen. Anyone with eyes can see that I’m smaller, weaker, have no gills, and no veris. But what I have is passion and determination,” I said in their language, allowing that very passion to shine brightly in my voice. “I have dedicated my life to learning about this land, about your people, and about your language. Even though you may find it nonsensical, for me, meeting your people in the flesh would probably be comparable to you meeting your goddess in person.”

They recoiled and gave me the same baffled look that Taelen first gave me when I spoke that way.

“To me, you are a myth, a legend come to life. And I refuse to see you come to harm, least of all because of off-worlders. So I will fight for you, even against your will. I will not break your laws. But I will take every measure possible to see that the wrongs we caused you are made right.”

“Vakelia should be named Caliadne instead,” one of the females whose name I had forgotten said, prompting the others to chuckle in agreement.

Fiery words… that also sounded like a positive nickname.

“I welcome being called Vakelia and Caliadne any day. It beats Doopeluk Moniuk,” I said sheepishly to try to cheer up the atmosphere.

Taelen barked a laugh. Although amused, the others also cast an inquisitive look at my mate, curious as to who had possibly given me such a title. Taelen was too happy to give them a quick summary of his interactions with Ludwig. The disgusted expressions they made at hearing the type of ‘floral arrangement’ the professor had done at the Botanical Garden said it all.

“Very well, Caliadne,” Athusa said with a hint of reluctance. “I do not like any of this, but I can see why the land claimed you. The Goddess wouldn’t have chosen you for our brother Taelen had she not believed you would be a blessing to the land. You may use your technology to scan the Ungaro territory and help find our queens.”

“And we will let you scan our lands as well and see our queen, if she allows it,” Orian said, her voice and stance reserved. “If you can help find her sisters, the land and the people will be grateful.”

“Then it is settled,” Athusa said. “You have traveled a long way. Rest and eat. We shall head out in the morning.”

As one, the tribe members rose and went to gather some food.

“Stay here. I will return shortly,” Taelen said, caressing my cheek before heading towards the water with Athusa and Orian.

I immediately stripped out of my wetsuit as I was starting to overheat under the warm sun of Mazeria. I heaved a sigh of relief as the fresh breeze caressed my arms and legs left exposed by my tank top and biker shorts.

I didn’t miss the curious glances the Syllens cast my way as they brought food to the gathering area. At first, I felt useless as I watched them work swiftly and efficiently. Two males removed the heavy lid of the pit and placed it on top of some of the nearby rocks that a few of them previously used as stools. My eyes widened as I realized it had effectively turned it into a large round table.

Six green melia stones lined the bottom of the pit. One of the males tapped the edges of each stone in what seemed like a very calculated way. They started glowing with a slow pulse. Two males and one female walked out of the building where guests could find shelter or food, carrying a few containers and a basket of fruits or vegetables. They reached the ‘table’ just seconds before the males who had opened the pit finished cleaning the flat surface.

As they all started cutting the vegetables, I timidly approached to offer my services.

“You’re a guest today, Vakelia,” a female said with a wink. “This time, you observe. Next time, you contribute.”

“Okay,” I said with a smile.

And I observed the fuck out of everything!

It was fascinating watching them work as one as if they all belonged to the same tribe. No one was attempting to boss the others around. There was work to do, and everyone stepped in where needed without having to be told what to do.

Minutes later, the three Theshes returned, each one carrying the biggest seashells I had ever seen. If not for being sealed on all sides, I might have mistaken them for giant turtle shells. They scrubbed them in the water, like Taelen had previously done for our lunch yesterday. Once done, they brought them to the pit and placed them on top of the stones. By then, the melia stones emitted a steady, perfect heat level for barbecuing.

After a couple of minutes, the seams of the shells called Yako Clams cracked open in the middle. Using a long dagger, each Thesh opened their respective shell, lifting it like the hood of a car. The people who had been cutting herbs and vegetables on the table brought them to the open shells and poured some of them inside.