AKLESH (Under Strange Skies) (38 page)

As the crowds walked slowly back to the keep, Gar tried to find Kai but could not locate him among the people. It didn’t take him long to realize where his friend was.

The prince entered their hut and saw Kai sitting quietly on the bed.

He didn’t look up as Gar entered. In front of him were all the clothes that Gar had been wearing since he had stayed there, including the ones from the mercenaries as well as what was left of his flight uniform from when he had arrived. The young Aklesh had folded them the same way he’d seen Gar do it. They lay there in two small, neat piles.

Gar stood in the doorway.

“I’m not going to need those anymore,” Gar said.

“I know,” Kai replied.

Gar sat down next to Kai and took hold of his hand.

So
, he sent.
What happens now?

Kai managed a smile.
You go home, where you
belong.

Gar squeezed his hand tightly.
I know where I
belong,
he sent to Kai, hoping his feelings were reaching him as well.

The strange planet, the keep, the hut and the person sitting next to him were more of a home than any place he had ever been in the universe. He did not want to leave it.

“But, you don’t have a choice. They will come and take you if you don’t go willingly,” said Kai. Gar hadn’t realized that Kai was receiving everything he was thinking.

“What can we do?” asked Gar, suddenly filling with fear at losing someone it had taken him so long to find. The idea of being separated from Kai was almost unbearable. He pulled Kai into his arms and held on as hard as he could.

It’s all right
, said Kai.
There is no need to worry.

I am coming with you.

Gar pulled back, astonished. This was not a move he had expected.

“But, will the tribe let you?” he asked, bewildered. “I can’t just take you from your people.” Although the thought had crossed his mind more than once recently, especially over the past several minutes, it might ruin galactic relations with the entire global community of Aklesh.

A large part of him really didn’t care.

Kai smiled. Gar didn’t know if his friend could sense what he was thinking, but Kai seemed amused.

“We need to go see the council,” said Kai. “They are waiting for us.”

As the walked up the stairway they never let go of each other’s hands.

The torches were lit for the emergency midnight council. As they entered the large hut they could see all of the council members were there, as well as Tyro and Seema and several others Gar had not expected, including several lead warriors.

At this point they both let go of each other’s hands.

Kai was signaled to step back, while Gar stood facing the assembled.

He really wasn’t sure what was going to happen next.

As usual, the High Mother was seated in the middle. She didn’t stand but looked upon them with a gentleness Gar had not witnessed before.

“You are to be leaving us, Sky Tribesman,” she stated.

“Yes,” Gar replied. “In a few hours.”

“Is there anything you wish to say?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“Then the council requests that you speak your heart.”

All eyes were fixed on the two of them and for a moment Gar did not know where to begin. He cleared his throat, remembering the first time he had addressed the council, in front of the whole tribe and how daunting it had been. Now he knew all the council members by name and they knew him. Once they had called him a stranger, but at this point he was a stranger no more.

It came to him.

“I cannot thank you enough for you kindness to me.

I am in awe of the grace you have shown me, although I did nothing to deserve it. I leave you a changed man and I am not sure I can ever repay what you have given me and what I am about to ask of you.”

He paused to take a breath and was interrupted.

“Then it is upon this debt to us that we, the Aklesh people, wish to collect,” said the High Mother.

Gar was surprised but listened intently, not knowing where the High Mother was going with her statement.

“You told us when you first addressed this council that you would do everything in your power to prevent others from invading our lands.

Do you remember this promise?”

Gar was a little baffled, but nodded.

“Of course I do, High Mother,” he stammered.

“Believe me, I intend to keep my word. You will not be bothered again.”

“And we trust you and your word, Gar of the Sky Tribes. You have lived with us, joined with us and seen our world through our eyes. With you we have faith,” said the High Mother. “But, our recent dealings with others of your kind have made us wary.”

“I promise, High…“

The High Mother held up a hand to silence his interruption. Gar promptly shut his mouth and waited for her to finish.

“Several years ago, when your people first made themselves known to us, we sent with them an emissary from Aklesh to the Sky Tribes, a young healer. She was sent to represent our people and help establish the agreement between our peoples.”

Gar looked at the Healer who smiled broadly at him and winked. He knew it had to have been Vaela. She understood way more about the universe than any other Aklesh. The Healer said nothing, but the twinkle in her eyes gave it away.“It seems the time has come to re-examine out agreement and ensure your people keep their end of it,” the High Mother continued. “Although you have proved faithful to the Aklesh and we have trust in you, we do not entirely trust everyone from the Sky Tribes. So it has been decided that a new emissary will accompany you to your home and ensure the contract.”

Gar’s and Kai’s heart both skipped a beat, but neither dared speak.

“Kai’thal, please come forward.”

Kai joined Gar in the center of the hut and the both stood together in the warmth of the fire that lit the room.

“Kai’thal, son of Dael and
Orna’thal, we place this charge on you to be ambassador of our people. It will be your duty to represent us among his people and to ensure the Sky Tribes keep their word.”

Gar could hardly contain his excitement.

“Do you accept this position, Kai’thal?” But Kai had doubt. He didn’t speak. This disturbed Gar very much.

“Do you have any reservations about this task?” asked the Healer. “I am honored by the council,” said Kai. “And I do want to go. But, I’m concerned about my mother. Who will care for her when I’m gone?”

“That issue,” said the High Mother, “has already been addressed.” The tribal leader indicated Seema and Tyro, who stood at one side of the room and smiled at them. “The ‘Shal family will take her in as one of their own.”

“She already is,” said Seema gently. “Don’t worry, Kai, we’ll take good care of her.” It was now Kai’s turn to be awash with relief.

“Other than this,” asked the Healer, “Do you have any other doubts?”

“None at all,” Kai smiled. “None at all.” The High Mother stood up and addressed all those who were present.

“Then it is this council’s wish that Kai’thal shall accompany the Sky Tribesman when he leaves us tomorrow.” All those in attendance nodded in agreement. “We wish you both good health and good journey. This council is adjourned.” And just like that, the two of them would not to be parted.

And this now gave Kai good reason to be accompanying Gar back to Orestus, one that would not raise any suspicion. There would be no one in the Orestian government who would deny the Aklesh people an ambassador. It almost seemed too easy.

Those who had been in attendance gathered around them to say their goodbyes. Gar could feel Kai’s voice in his head.

Are you happy?

Yes.

People began to clear out and make their way back to their homes to await the return of the shuttle from the sky. There was a strange likelihood no one would sleep that night, knowing that they would be witnessing something incredible very soon.

Before Kai and Gar could head down the steps to their hut, the Healer’s hand had reached out and stopped them.

A torch dimly lit her as the sun slowly started to rise behind them. A few feet away stood the High Mother, who looked on solemnly.

“Kai,” she said tenderly, “I always knew you were meant for more. I envy you all the wonders you are about to see. Learn as much as you can and keep us close to your heart.”

“I will,” he said and hugged her close. She then turned her attention to Gar.

“Keep him safe,” she instructed, tears falling down her withered cheeks. “I have something for you as well.” As she said this she pressed something small into Gar’s hand. It was dark where they were but he didn’t need to look at it to know what it was.

It was the shell.

She grasped both of their shoulders tightly and looked at them in earnest.

“Remember, both of you. You will always be welcome among the tribe. No matter what happens, you can always come home.”

Kai had never been more nervous about anything in his entire life.

He’d faced down a Rasclaan, dived into a lake to save a total stranger, been kidnapped and almost got killed. But now he was genuinely terrified.

Today he was going to fly.

Really fly.

The whole keep had gone into chaos when the three large ships descended through the clouds and landed in the little clearing. The grand shuttles took up the space entirely. Even Gar was surprised at the amount of pomp and circumstance. A full royal guard ship with the escorting piloteers had been sent for him. The largest ship of the royal fleet was only reserved for state occasions.

Although he was the crown prince, this kind of retrieval unit was over-doing it somewhat.

Forty of the royal guard lined the wide ramp leading into the vessel, outfitted in full dress uniforms and standing at attention. Although this did not faze the young prince, it intimidated the hell out of Kai.

He stood next to Gar, facing the vessels wearing only what he always wore, although now he had a white fur cloak given to him by Seema.

She wanted to make sure he was warm, wherever he was going.

In the hours that had proceed the great ship’s arrival, Gar had done his best to explain to Kai what to expect from his first flight into space. He’d even shown him through his mind’s eyes, which had been an incredible experience.

But, now that Kai was staring it in the face, his confidence started to slip away.

Don’t worry, you’ll be fine
, came Gar’s comforting thoughts, just as the young native was feeling a strong urge to run.

Somehow having Gar at his side made him feel a little better. They turned back to face the whole tribe, who had gathered to see them off.

Kai waved a hand in the air and the whole crowd cheered. Then they both turned and began their walk up the ramp. At the top they were greeted by Janphor.

“Who is this then?” he asked, eyeing Kai

“Janphor,” said Gar, officially, “it is my honor to introduce to you the ambassador for the Aklesh people, Kai’thal.” Gar pronounced the name with the appropriate glottal click in the middle. He did it well, having had so long to practice.

Janphor gave a deep bow, but not before throwing a skeptical look at his master. “It is an honor, ambassador,” he said. “Welcome aboard. Please let me know if I may be of service to you.” Kai bowed as well, although a little more awkwardly. The strange creature indicated that they should enter.

The royal guard marched in after them and once inside the ramp began to close.

Gar immediately took Kai to a private chamber aboard the ship. The Aklesh native marveled at the plush red carpeting and grandeur, the likes of which he’d never seen. This ship was nothing like the mercenary vessel, with its dull grays and shiny metal.

The room Gar had taken them to had a window seat that looked over the Aklesh crowd. Kai could see everyone he loved -- Tyro, Seema and Tilo, the Healer and the High Mother, Cho, Hatha and the twins. Everyone was there, and he didn’t know if he’d ever be with them again.

Gar put his arm around Kai’s shoulder.

Are you ready?
he asked.

I’m not sure
, Kai replied honestly.

Well, take a deep breath because here we go.

As he spoke, the whole ship vibrated with a deep, low resonance. Slowly the shuttle began to leave the ground as Kai’s heart began to rise into his throat. All the people he loved now became smaller and smaller. Soon he could see the tops of the trees and the keep, which looked so small from so high up.

As they ascended he could make out the hill and the great lake. Beyond this was a huge expanse of plains and in the distance -- high mountain ranges, places he’d only heard about but never been to because of the great distance. From his current perspective, they now didn’t seem far at all.

And yet they kept going higher and higher as his heart raced faster and faster. All at once his world had become a much smaller place and the scope of it all took his breath away.

“We’re about to jump orbit,” Gar warned him, holding his hand tightly.
What are you thinking?

As the ship shot out of the sky and into space, only one thought went through Kai’s mind…