| Chapter 8:

| After arriving at Rothar's cover, Eric quickly made the bed pelts ready for the Seeker, and helped him over to lay down. Even exhausted as Rothar was, his eyes kept their piercing stare, watching, measuring. Eric pulled his bed pelts closer to Rothar, and laid down, facing the Seeker so that he could speak to him. "What of the others now? Do you think they survived?"

| When Rothar answered, his voice was horse, and strained. "They will come back to us soon. The Hethren village is quite a distance from here." Finally, his piercing cyan eyes closed and he let out a sigh. "I fear that they are not all well."

| Eric felt sick to his stomach. The Hethren that had broken through to the village had run to them from afar, torn through 50 metres of thorns, and fought them on their own grounds, yet were still dangerous enough to slash and injure nearly everyone who stood against them. Eric wondered how the other party of Zagorans had lived through the experience. Suddenly he realized that he hadn't gotten any water for Rothar since arriving, and felt even worse. "I... I'm sorry; I should have gotten water for you. Just a moment." By now, Eric was learning where most of the basic necessities were kept in Rothar's cover, and he quickly fetched a silver mug and the water skin. Returning to Rothar, he filled the mug and helped the Seeker to sit up. The Zagoran took small sips, until he had emptied the mug, and eased back down with a relaxed sigh.

| Eric poured some water for himself as well, and drank it down. Again, he laid down by the Seeker, and tried to relax. "It's strange Rothar. I was terrified when they came - I don't think I've ever been so scarred, but now I just feel.... well.... I don't know. Just strange... small."

| "The Hethren are terrifying foe Eric - the likes of which you've not faced in your Canada, yes?" Rothar's pale eyes opened only part away, looking at Eric.

| "Well, no... I mean there's nothing like that in my world." He stared back, meeting Rothar's sleepy gaze, admiring him for his reassuring calmness. "I was scared the most when I saw them pin you down. I was so terrified I couldn't move. When the one raked its claws along you... I... I couldn't just let him.... I mean, I didn't want you to d....." The words caught in Eric's throat, and his eyes fell from Rothar's gaze.

| Tired eyes still holding to Eric, Rothar reached over and brushed his clawed finger along Eric's cheek "I know, because I feared the same of you when I rose to find them on you." He pushed his clawed finger lightly on Eric's chin, bringing Eric's gaze back to his own pale eyes. "Rest now - we shall feel much better by midday."

| The pair both laid back and closed their weary eyes. Sleep came quickly, and the two strange friends drifted into their own dreams, not a realm, for once.

***

| By the time the two friends woke, the sun was high in the noon sky, and the temperature had returned to its normal high. Eric stirred, rising to see Rothar sitting in his usual Zen-like way. The Seekers eyes were closed - He must be feeling for the others. Eric's eyes lowered to the Seeker's toes. One foot showed them resting just visibly where his lap met his knees, the other foot sat along the top of his leg as it met his knee. They were slightly dusty, and had stains of blood on them from the battle, but they were still wonderful. The dirt made him realize that both of them were in great need of a bath. He looked down at himself - he had Hethren blood everywhere on his body! Ewww... nasty! I should get the washbasin ready. He rose to his feet, and went to prepare it.

| Rothar's eyes opened slowly, and he looked around to Eric. "Ahhhh... it will feel nice to have this foul blood off of us. Thank you Eric - you are very kind."

| Eric smiled back. "I'm very kind? You've taken me in, accepted me, have kept me from getting myself killed, what.... 4, 5 times now? This is the least I can do!" He filled the basin and placed cloths and the Dailnish root beside it. “You were feeling for them - do you know if they’re okay?”

| “I only felt a glimmer of their presence. I fear I have not yet the strength to sense properly, or perhaps not enough Jantra left in me.” Rothar stretched out his legs, and tried to stand, but fell back clumsily. "Ragh! I knew I shouldn't have tried to feel for them. My latest efforts have made me too weak to stand! You wash first, I will try when you are finished.”

| “Alright, just try to rest then - no more Jantra Rothar, you need to worry about yourself sometimes too, you know.” Rothar smiled and nodded, then laid back down, closing his eyes to rest. Undressing, Eric went about washing himself quietly, working with the Dailnish root to get the foul blood from him. It was everywhere - dried and caked onto him from the last creature that had bled all over him. Blah… this is gross. At least this Dailnish stuff works pretty well. He used the Dailnish root for his hair as well, since he figured asking for shampoo would only earn him some more odd looks.

| When he finished, he placed his leather loincloth back on. He was impressed at how it was made - almost fitting like underwear, but still somewhat decent looking. He didn’t bother with the chest belt or sword belt - there wasn’t much point for now. He added some more water, and looked to Rothar. “Rothar? Are you awake?”

| The slow rises and falls of the Seeker’s chest made it look as if he were asleep, but his chilling eyes opened, and he looked over to Eric. “I am only resting.” He sat up, and tried to get to his feet, but slumped back into his sitting position. “It would seem that I have taken too much of my strength. I will have to wash at a later time, when I am able.”

| Eric hesitated only a moment. "I... I could help you. I don't mind." He walked back over to Rothar and held out his hand.

| Rothar smiled and took hold of it, letting Eric aid him in standing. "Are you sure it won't bother you?" They began slowly walking over to he basin.

| "No, it's okay - it doesn't bother me with you, I mean, I think you’re actually very handsome." Oh shit... I can't believe I just said that! Oh that was truly stupid - telling him what I think now, great. He looked up at Rothar, expecting to meet his quizzical look, but instead found a humble smile. "Umm... well, let's get started then.”

| Handsome. Rothar was quite flattered by the human's remark. He had never thought that he might be seen in such a way. He looked down at Eric, wondering why his cheeks had turned a bright shade of red so suddenly. With Eric's help, he began to undress. When finished, Eric placed his clothes aside, and started the washing.

| He started with Rothar's head and face, and began to work slowly downward. Rothar's body was dense and muscular, and every curve seemed to fit perfectly. He washed his back, tail and bottom so that the big lizard could sit back down and rest a bit more for the remainder of the cleaning. He then moved on to Rothar’s chest, where he noticed that there was no naval of any sort amidst the rippling abdominal muscles. Again he found himself thinking about the origins of the Zagoran's. Instead of weighing out possibilities in his head, he decided to simply ask "Rothar, how are Zagoran's born?" He continued washing as Rothar explained.

| "When a couple decide to have children, they share in Jovic on the first quarter moon. It is then that Jovic can be used to create another life." Rothar pointed to his Klish and Klishna, which seemed to indicate to Eric that Jovic was basically intercourse. "When life begins, it forms inside the one who used his Klishna, and emerges after 10 moons as an egg. The egg is kept warm for only a quarter moon more before a new Zagoran breaks forth into the world."

| Eric smiled. Unlike humans, it sounded so much more profound in their culture. "With humans, we call it Intercourse... and by at least a 100 other terms. We can have children whenever we want - there's no special time. The female carries it for 9 months... or moons, as you would say, and then it is born into the word." Eric used the cloth to wet around Rothar's Klish... or technically its scaled covering. As he did, the scales parted slightly, and he could see a pinkish-red tissue inside as its lining. He lathered some Dailnish root, and continued cleaning. "Do you one day want a young one?"

| Rothar shook his head slowly "I cannot have one, Eric. Seekers may not have young, and may not have a relationship with another Zagoran. That is the word of Dar Souljeth, laid down in the beginning, and obeyed ever since."

| "You can't have a relationship at all?" Eric suddenly felt bad for asking.

| "No Eric, no other Zagoran, that is the rule." With a sudden grunt, Rothar promptly closed his eyes and bit his lip as Eric washed over his Klishna, lathering and cleaning it. He realized that he had never felt it cleaned by another's hands until now. The sensation, especially considering the conversation, was hard to bear. Eric looked up and quickly realized the reason Rothar had let out the tiny grunt. He jerked his hands back "Arg... I…I'm sorry, I'll try to wash more gently."

| Reaching for his hand, Rothar patted it "It's alright, I should have been paying more attention instead of being absorbed in the history of things. Please continue, if you want to." Rothar slumped back weakly.

| Eric continued washing the remnants of the battle off of his friend, trying to be more considerate. He felt very sorry for the Seeker - committed to a life of knowledge and battles without ever being able to have someone else in his life, or at least no Zagoran anyway. He wondered what that left - a Hethren, some other intelligent animal, a human? He felt a shiver with the last thought. He lathered up Rothar’s legs, and quickly realized that he had reached the Zagoran’s feet. Oh wow… this is too cool, umm… okay, act like you’re just washing, and that’s all. Contrary to the face of clam that Eric held, his heart was starting to pound faster. “Umm… let me sit down, then you can just swing your foot into my lap - that should be easier.” Rothar nodded, and Eric seated himself. With a graceful movement, Rothar placed his left heel in Eric’s lap, careful not to let his hind claw dig into his friend. Eric looked down with amazement. There it was - in his lap, toes pointing up at him! For a moment, they froze him. He gained his wits about him again, and dipped the cloth, to rinse it. He wiped all around Rothar’s foot, then took the Dailnish root to lather it up.

| It was the first time he felt them on his own skin. They were softer than he would have thought, though the skin was still tough and rugged. The scales felt amazing; fine little bumps that slid pleasantly by. As he lathered each toe, he included the black claws, noting the slightly thicker scales that ringed them. Even the claws were fascinating. Each had tiny lines along their length, much the same as a human had on their fingernails. They seemed to give each claw a unique look of power, somehow. What Eric enjoyed most, however, was the scaly skin between the Seeker’s toes; it was surprisingly soft, and twisted and flexed beautifully as the toes moved about - at least what he could see of it through the suds. Trying desperately to keep his mind on the task at hand, he rinsed away the root’s lather, and asked the Seeker for his other foot. With a smile, Rothar placed his left foot back down, and put the heel of his right in Eric’s lap. Eric fought back his awe and aching excitement, and began to wash it.

| Rothar watched, smiling. Eric had not taken his eyes from his feet the whole time, and seemed quite determined to spend time washing them thoroughly. It felt wonderful though. Rothar was surprised to think of it in such a way, but it was a soothing sensation that he’d not felt before. “That feels very relaxing Eric.”

| Eric jumped, as if being snapped back into reality. “What? Oh… well, yeah I guess.” He looked back down, and continued a little more nervously. He could feel Rothar’s piercing gaze on him, on what he was doing. Oh no… I think he suspects something. I should have been meeting his eyes more! He finished the second foot a little quicker than the first, and helped Rothar back over to his bedding pelts. As with the first time they washed, Rothar remained unclothed, not bothered by his exposure.

| Eric sat down at the large table. The Seeker reclined, facing him, with thankful sleepy eyes. “Thank you. It feels better to rid of the taint of battle.” His weary eyes slowly closed and he reclined back, greatly in need of more rest. “It is hard to sleep though, not knowing of the others yet. I worry greatly about them.”

| “You should still try and sleep now. When the others come back, I’m sure we’ll know. I can wake you.” Eric’s eyes drifted along Rothar’s perfect form. He was beautiful, somehow, though Eric was completely sure why he thought it. His roving eyes stopped at Rothar’s feet, admiring all the more. He had an idea - perhaps he could give Rothar a foot massage. It might help him to relax more, and would give Eric his second close look at the Zagoran’s feet. He was generally uncomfortable about it though… what if that was pushing it one step too far? Bravely, he asked. “Umm… I know something that might help relax you. If you liked the feeling of have your feet washed, there’s something called a massage that I could give them - it’s much nicer.”

| The pale eyes of the Seeker opened again, and shifted over to Eric. Weak as his body was, his mind never slowed, and he was pondering Eric’s actions and comments of late. The human had become closer to him in the last few days than any Zagoran had in a lifetime. He wondered why, or how, considering he was like nothing of Eric’s world. He had thought that Eric might think him repulsive, but the human didn’t - he thought him handsome! Eric was bright, quick to learn, and easily as inquisitive as himself, all of which made his presence of constant interest. Again, the human was looking at him, or at his feet it seemed. A massage… I wonder what that entails? “I’m not sure I understand what you mean Eric, but if you think it would help, please try.”

| Eric couldn’t believe his luck. He walked to the base of the bedding pelts and sat down, sliding over a little so that he could place one of Rothar’s feet on his lap. Rothar looked on sleepily, and Eric placed his thumbs at Rothar’s heel, where he began a rhythmic circling with them, moving ever so slowly upwards.

| Rothar groaned softy. The sensation was wonderful - the most relaxing thing Rothar had ever felt. “Ahhh… it is very soothing Eric, wonderful.” The pale eyes kept a vigilance of the human as he worked his thumbs along the ball of Rothar’s foot, massaging out in small circles, then using his hands in clenching motions along the outside of his foot. Eric’s eyes didn’t look up, but remained locked on the task at hand. Rothar noticed the loincloth sitting at a strange angle on Eric’s Klish side. It was odd that he could elicit such feelings from a human, he thought, but flattering none the less. He smiled and flexed his toes for Eric “You seem to find my foot claws handsome too?”

| Eric nearly fell over as a massive shiver traversed his body. It was out now - Rothar knew. Oh my god… oh shit… what do I say? He found himself just starring blankly at the Seekers eyes, speechless and ashamed. His hands stopped and snapped back to his side.

| “Eric? Are you well?” The human’s skin had turned a dreadful shade of white, and he looked as if he were about to be ill.

| Abruptly feeling sick to his stomach, Eric searched for the words, not knowing what to say. “I… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be looking at them, or you, not like that.” His eyes broke away from Rothar’s, and his gaze fell away to the floor in beside him.

| Rothar sighed, realizing that the human’s sudden dreadful appearance was his self-consciousness rearing up. “Eric, I don’t mind. I never thought that anyone would compliment me in such a way. It’s even more flattering that you do so as a human.” He watched as Eric’s eyes slowly found him again, momentarily glimpsing at his feet and their claws.

| “I don’t know why Rothar, but I can’t help it. You’re beautiful, and… your feet… they’re just… they have…” Eric fought for words that would rationalize it at least a little for his friend.

| Rothar smiled, and flexed his toes again for Eric. The site was delightful as the scales between his toes formed tiny wrinkles and twisted with the effort. “It’s alright. Everyone has a reason for things. I’ve known, or at least suspected you did for a while now.”

| Eric swallowed, feeling a bit better that Rothar didn’t seem to mind. He watched as the Zagoran’s toes flayed and stretched one last time for him. They were so fascinating to watch! “Oh god… I’m so glad you’re not offended…um…I should finish for you… you…still need to rest.” Rothar nodded wearily, and Eric continued. He stretched each one of Rothar toes, and massaged them with his thumbs, then with clenches of his hand, all the way up to the claws. When it was finished, he gently lifted it down, and placed Rothar’s other foot in his lap to begin anew. He was about to tell Rothar how it used to work great on girlfriends, when he noticed the Seeker was sound asleep. Eric chuckled and gently set down Rothar’s foot, trying not to wake him. Ha… guess it’s universally relaxing.

| He rose and went over to one of the small windows, moulded out of the wall. Strange that all this time he had been so afraid to say anything, and Rothar had accepted it in a blink - with flattery, at that. Eric wasn’t sure if the same would hold true for all Zagorans, but he was certainly glad he found a friend in the one he did. He peered out the small window, watching to see if there were signs of the others. He could only hope they would all return alive.

***

| The afternoon sun was already becoming low in the sky when word of the others finally arrived. Massic was called from his cover, and hurried out to meet the returning party. The site that greeted Massic was not a kind one. The members of his party were all badly slashed and beaten. They had all survived, somehow, but not by much from the look of most of them. Two of the larger Zagorans, Waverek and Trulis, were supporting Geff. He held his clawed hand to his bloodied face, and moaned in half conscious pain. Waverek spoke for them “The Hethren village is no more my lord, nor are any of the Hethren.”

| Massic nodded, and looked to Geff, a long time friend. “What has happened to him?”

| Waverek again answered “In our battle, he was attacked by many Hethren. He slew them all, save the last, who stuck his foul claw in his eye.” Waverek’s voice trailed of with a quiver on the last words.

| Massic shook his head in disgust, and carefully reached for Geff’s hand. As he drew it away, he could see the extent of the damage. Geff’s right eye was no more than mass of blood and tissue. He had somehow sustained little other injuries, but the one he had was something that not even Rothar could fix. “By Sioleth Geff… I’m sorry.” The chief looked up at the others. They all needed their wounds tended, but Massic knew Rothar would not yet have the strength, still, perhaps his knowledge of herbs and plants could aid them until then.

| The party knew that Rothar would not be strong enough to help them right away - it had happened before, and they knew it when they left. His warding had likely saved all their lives the night before, and they could all afford to wait for Rothar’s sake now. Massic asked for those whose injuries were worst to come with him to Rothar’s for whatever help they could receive.

***

| Eric saw them coming from the far side of the village, and roused Rothar. It had been several hours since he had fallen asleep, and Eric hoped that he was stronger now with the rest. Rothar rose, and slipped on his loincloth and chest belt. He smiled at Eric and placed a hand on his shoulder “I feel better now, still weak, but at least able to function.” He went over to the door of his cover and opened it as the party lead by Massic approached.

| Massic’s own wounds looked horrible in the late daylight. Eric wondered how he could continue on so impervious to them, but then, that seemed to be the way Massic was. Behind Massic came two Zagoran’s carrying Geff, who clutched half consciously at a bloodied right eye. Eric felt that sick, small feeling returning again. Oh god…I think he lost his eye!

| Rothar pointed to his own bedding pelts “Lay him down there. I have not yet the strength for Jantra, but I can make a salve that will help the pain.” The Seeker went to the shelves near his stove, and pulled down several clay and silver flasks. Colourful bits of things were precisely measured and added to a mixing bowl by the Seeker’s skilled hands. He ground it down with a rounded rock, then added a tiny bit of water. He then filled a second bowl with just water, picked them up and went to the bedside where Geff was lying, moaning softly. “The Seeker looked up at Massic and the other Zagoran’s, “I will need you to hold him as I clean the wound. Eric, bring me a cloth from the shelf.” They nodded and gathered around Geff, holding him in place while Eric placed a cloth beside the water bowl. Massic lifted Geff’s hand away from his damaged eye.

| Eric gagged, and covered his mouth. Geff’s eye was gone, except for a little bit of tissue. It looked like a Hethren had jammed its claw straight into it during an attack. It was horrible to see. Eric had always thought he had a good stomach, since gore movies and things never bothered him, but this was different. This was real, and Geff was someone he knew!

| Rothar reached for the cloth and dipped it into the water. Carefully, he dabbed it onto Geff’s face, cleaning away the blood and dirt from the bloodied eye socket. Geff screamed in agony while his body arched rigidly. “Hold him still!” Rothar shouted above the screams. The others strained to hold Geff in place while Rothar worked as quickly and delicately as possible to clean the horrible wound. When it had been cleaned as much as he could, the Seeker dipped his hand into the light red salve, and began to apply it to the remains of Geff’s eye. Almost immediately, Geff’s body relaxed and loosened. Rothar finished covering the wound “You may let go now, the salve has waned his suffering. Eric, please fetch a long clean cloth from the shelf - there should be some just behind the larger cloths.”

| Eric again returned to the shelf, and after a moment of looking, returned with a long light-coloured cloth. Rothar took it from him and carefully wrapped it about Geff’s head to cover the wound. “The salve will nullify the pain and speed healing until my Jantra is again strong enough.” The Seeker looked to Massic, pale eyes meeting the unforgiving stare of his leader. “Are there others that are badly hurt?”

| Massic nodded, and turned his head to the door. “Enter now, we are ready for you.” Three more Zagorans limped in, each with deep gashes in various areas. Rothar worked wordlessly, cleaning the wounds, applying the salve, and bandaging them. Eric needed no additional bidding to fetch the supplies; he made sure that each was ready as the Seeker needed them, until all were bandaged and tended. Massic looked to Eric a moment, measuring again, then turned to the Seeker. “We will rest these next few days so that you may regain your strength. The ashes of the Hethren must then be made for offering, as always. When you are well enough, send word to me and we will make counsel.” Again his eyes shifted to Eric. “You seem to have become an strange apprentice of sorts, human. Why not use that skill to aid the others who are injured so that our Seeker can rest.”

| Eric turned to look at Rothar, who wearily nodded to him in agreement. He turned his head back to Massic, and nodded “Yes sir - I will try.”

| The Zagoran Chief turned his gaze once more to the Seeker, who had placed his hand warmly on Geff’s chest, holding it there to comfort him. “What now with Geff?”

| Rothar’s weary eyes drifted up to Massic. “He cannot be left alone this night, and I fear I may be too weak to watch over him.”

| Waverek, who had been seated quietly since the salve had been applied that answered. “He can come with me to my cover, of course.” Eric hadn’t noticed until now that the one called Waverek had been crying - light gleamed gently from the streams of tears that had fallen along his cheeks.

| Genuinely confused at the profound emotion, Eric looked to Rothar, who smiled gently back. “Waverek and Geff are a new couple, exploring the potential of a greater bond.”

| Ahhh… they’re seeing each other. The human felt sorry for Waverek. Eric had felt bad enough for Geff as it was, but to love someone and see such a horrid injury… it was an awful thought. “Waverek… I’m so sorry.”

| The sorrowful eyes of Waverek blinked at Eric. “But… why would you be sorry… it was not your doing.”

| Once again Eric found himself wondering why human’s phrased things as they did, since an apology would sound strange. “Umm… well, human’s like to express their sympathy like that, that’s all I meant.”

| Waverek smiled a little at him “Thank you, then.”

| Massic motioned Waverek and another of the Zagoran’s to carry Geff. One by one they left Rothar’s cover, until there was only Massic. He stood in the doorway, backlit by the late afternoon light. “Rest Rothar, we will soon need you. And… Thank you… you have brought another victory against darkness for us. Our lives are yours once again.” He turned, closing the door, and left Eric and Rothar in peace.

***

| The remainder of the day was busy for Eric. Rothar showed him how to make the salve - something he called Pulralin, and gave him a pouch with the ingredients. Uncomfortable as he was with the idea of going around the village to the other covers, he had said he would to Massic, and even more importantly, he didn’t want to let Rothar down. The Seeker needed his rest, and Eric wanted to make himself more useful than just sitting around and wondering what his place was.

| The human worked until dark, moving from cover to cover, treating scrapes and slashes on the bodies of the weary Zagorans. The village was strangely calm, and filled with the foul stench of the burning Hethren bodies. Rothar had mentioned to him that the Hethren’s ashes were gathered up as an offering to Dar Souljeth. Graven had moved the bodies to a massive fire in the centre of the village, which he tended carefully to ensure their conversion to ash.

| The last cover he stopped at was Waverek’s. He knocked, and heard a quiet bid to enter. Waverek sat on a bed of pelts, holding Geff’s head in his lap and stroking it softly. Eric quietly set down his things. “How is he?”

| “Asleep, dreaming… I hope.” Waverek looked up at Eric, sorrow still written across his face. “I wish I could have been before him so that it were me that took the Hethren claw.”

| “I think if you did, he would be holding your head in his lap now, saying the same thing.” Eric moved to Waverek and placed a hand on his shoulder “I don’t think it’s better either way except to wish it hadn’t happened at all.” Eric looked down at Waverek’s side, which bore a large slash. “I should clean and treat your injuries too… it will only take a moment.”

| Reluctantly, Waverek gently lowered Geff’s head to the bedding, and moved aside to let Eric clean his wounds. He winced as the human worked, but never took his eyes from Geff. Eric found himself surprised at the deep compassion the Zagoran’s held for each other. He hadn’t though of warriors as being much else than warriors, yet these beings were so much more. It seemed a great honour to be amongst them somehow. He finished and Waverek thanked him before returning to comfort Geff. The human left quietly, and walked across the sandy ground to the Seekers cover.

| He returned to find Rothar asleep, earning much needed rest. Realizing that he had no idea how or what to cook, he took some bread and water, and at least partially filled his stomach. He washed, and made his bedding near Rothar’s, then laid down for the cool night. He watched the Seeker sleep, the pelts covering him rising and falling slowly as he did. Eric laid back, and closed his eyes as well, wondering what new things the next morning would bring.

< prev | next >

- top -

- back -