Ma'alefa'ak woke up alone in the ship's cabin. When it didn't seem like L'cill would be returning anytime soon he took that moment alone to look in his pack. When he left Mars he was told he would not be able to bring anything personal with him and that his bag would be packed for him. He was given everything he was to bring and even the bag was new. It was smart of them to give him a new bag, because he might have considered sewing something into the lining if it wasn't.
Inside the satchel he found collapsible folders, paper, pencils, and pens. There was a month's advance salary in green pouch. The odd gold coins gleaned with a high shine even in muted light of his cabin. A red envelope caught his eye. It looked like J'onn might have snuck him something when he embraced him outside the cathedral. He tore it open and read the letters inside. There were three pages, one from J'onn, his mother and father. All their well wishes were written lovingly in their hand. A photo of the four of them had been tucked away neatly in the crease of the middle page before he unfolded them. It fluttered silently to his lap. He picked it up and looked at it for maybe a moment before he balled it up in his hand. He tossed it and the letters in the bin near him and began again to look through his things.
He dearly wanted to ignore the photo and letters. He wanted to leave them in the trash but they kept calling to him to retrieve them. He let out a great sigh and plucked them from the bin. He took the photo, unfolded it and smoothed it out. He rubbed his thumb over the glossy surface, blocking J'onn's face out. Stupid J'onn. He stared at it for all of a minute and before putting it in a pocket.
Ma'alefa'ak wondered how close they were to Earth now. He looked out the window, stars still twinkled at him but other than that there were no indicators of where they were. He knew he should have paid better attention in his astronomy classes. He would have to correct that oversight as soon as possible. He quickly grew bored looking at the stars and set off to find the woman who was supposed to be guarding him. Hopefully she knew how far out they were. It took him only a little while to find her as he homed in on the beacon of her mind. She was eating alone in the mess hall. He came up behind her and greeted her. "L'cill." He refrained from laughing when she jumped at the sound of his voice.
When she recovered from her momentary fright she tittered nervously. She really should pay better attention to her surroundings. "Oh hello Ma'al." She offered him a brief wave before going back to eating.
Ma'alefa'ak waited for her to finish his name but realized she wasn't going to when she took a bite of her sandwich. "Why did you shorten my name?" He wondered.
"I'm sorry I didn't ask first. Your name is very long so I'd thought I'd use your nickname." L'cill wondered if he didn't like it. "J'onn called you that. Is it okay if I do it too? Or would you rather I use your full name? " She placed her sandwich down, not wanting to be rude eating and talking at the same time.
It was the first time someone hadn't used his full name besides his brother. It caught him off guard. "No I don't mind. I was just curious." He remembered what he was going to ask. "Do you know how much longer this trip is going to take?"
"Just a few more days," She said confidently "I've called ahead to Earth while you were sleeping. We will be landing in a city called Z'onn Z'orr. From there we will be led to the village we'll be staying at."
"Are there any more of those?" He pointed at her meal.
L'cill shook her head. "No, the kitchen is closed now. I should have woke you up, I'm sorry." She really did feel bad. He wouldn't be able to eat until morning and that was hours away.
"I see." Ma'alefa'ak watched as she silently picked up the other half of her sandwich and offered it to him. He thought to refuse it at first but he hadn't eaten all day due to nerves. Actually, now that he thought of it he hadn't eaten much since this journey began. He was so hungry he felt light headed. He plucked her offering from her hand and sat down across from her. Without another word to one another they ate what was left of their meal and retired to their cabin for the night.
True to her word they arrived on Earth three days later. Despite his earlier excitement to vacate the rust bucket they were flying in Ma'alefa'ak felt himself dozing off again. He hadn't been able to fall asleep the night before. He had been nervous before but only now had his situation begun to feel real. He had really left Mars. He was really going to live on Earth for a hundred years.
"Oh Ma'al." L'cill undid her seatbelt and practically pressed herself against the thick glass. "Look outside."
He humored her and glanced out the window. He was about to look away but did a double take instead. Well well, Earth wasn't that bad to look at. It almost had the look of a paradise compared to Mars with so much water and all those green trees. But the logical part of his mind also said that with no civilization came no technology. As they flew past the green they made their way swiftly to the frozen city of Z'onn Z'orr. It was very beautiful to him. It almost reminded him of the city he lived in on Mars and he began to feel some hope. Then he reminded himself that unfortunately they would not be living here.
They landed smoothly and after they were given the clear he took his single bag with him as did L'cill. Whatever she had, it must be heavy. It almost looked like she carried nothing but books with her.
A large White Martian was there to greet them at the landing. He was in a common form, just as L'cill was. He imagined he looked more human than the men on Mars did. He also had black hair and he resembled L'cill to a degree, except that he was easily three heads taller than her.
"That is my uncle Jet." L'cill informed him as they made their way down the gangplank. "I have not seen nor heard from him since I was little."
Ma'alefa'ak wondered now if L'cill came with him so she could reconnect with her family down here on Earth.
Jet was all smiles as he saw his niece. "It is good to see your face L'ci." His monstrous form nearly engulfed her in an embrace. "Look how you've grown. You are a young woman now."
"It is good to see your face uncle." L'cill also gave him a squeeze.
"This must be Ma'alefa'ak." Jet said, letting go of L'cill to get a look at the young man that came with her. "You are as young as L'ci. I am surprised they sent someone your age for such a mission."
Not as surprised as he was, he could assure him. "Yes." Ma'alefa'ak answered simply.
"Yes uncle, he shall be the new priest in the village." L'cill nodded, gesturing towards Ma'alefa'ak. "I am his guard."
It didn't take a genius to see that Jet concerned for her. "I was also surprised to hear they were sending a young woman as his guard given the nature of the colony but I believe you will do well." He tried to be encouraging but he worried about the two of them.
L'cill was confused what he meant when he said the nature of the colony, but she would wait until after their introductions to ask. "Thank you uncle."
"Greetings Father J'onzz." He addressed Ma'alefa'ak with a short bow. "We thank you for volunteering to come. The village you will be living in direly needed a priest and they would not send anyone." There were not enough young men or women interested in the priesthood these days here on Earth. Mars frequently sent some of their own to help with their numbers. That village however, being as small as it was had a hard time keeping priests.
Ma'alefa'ak didn't bother pointing out that he was forced to come. "I suppose because the last priest was murdered."
"Yes, well. I hope you do not think too badly of us." L'cill's uncle said. "He was condescending to the locals and unfortunately he upset the wrong person."
Ma'alefa'ak bit his tongue. Fantastic. His sharp mouth would no doubt earn him an early grave.
Her uncle heard his worries. "L'cill here will be your guide and help you. You will be afforded some leniency if you have her with you." He knew his niece; even at a very young age was good at defusing situations before they got out of hand. He could only hope that she nurtured that trait. There were also other things she could do for him that they were not yet aware of.
"How so?" He wondered how having L'cill around would make things easier on him. It just seemed it would make things worse to have a priest being protected from the locals by a guard. It screamed that he didn't trust them at all much less with his life.
Jet seemed uncomfortable with what he was about to say next, but it needed to be said. "I have spoken to the council about this at length." There was a council here on Earth as well. "L'cill will pose as your woman."
L'cill seemed to be just as surprised as he was at this news. "But why?" She tried to keep her voice down but her confusion and just a hint of irritation was apparent in her voice.
"It's in name only L'cill. I was worried for you when they said you would be coming. As you know there are many warring factions among the White Martians. Since we are allied with Mars there have been raiding parties and sometimes they take women and children."
"Okay." That still didn't explain why she had to pretend to be married. Raiding parties didn't bother asking if one was married or not, they simply took them.
"There aren't that many women to go around you will find. For every three men there might be a woman. If you are single you might garner more attention than you like."
"I don't mind telling someone no uncle." L'cill said laughingly.
"Some do not take no for an answer." Jet sighed. "You were young when you were here last and have not seen how things have changed. Even though they may be your friends and neighbors they do sometimes see women as things to be taken or controlled. I'm afraid you would be wed to someone whether you wanted to or not by the end of the month."
L'cill gave him a look that she found this very hard to believe.
Ma'alefa'ak was heavily annoyed with this. He wasn't above lying but he didn't understand how this was going to benefit him. He was being called here as a priest, not to participate in some soap opera.
"Do not worry, this is not one sided." Jet didn't miss his irritated look. "If she is with you that alone will be protection enough. She may not have to lift a hand in your defense. No matter how rude, no one is going to kill a man with his wife watching, it's poor form."
Ma'alefa'ak momentarily forgot his annoyance and laughed at how ridiculous that sounded. "How strange."
"Yes, it is part of our culture." Jet frowned. "And be glad for it since it sounds like you'll need it."
"Hm," Ma'alefa'ak cleared his throat. "Thank you then."
"Get your things from the ship." He told them, not thinking their small bags were the only things they brought with them. "Then have a look around the city and meet back here with me within the hour. I will wait here for your return." Her uncle instructed. "I will introduce you to a couple that will take you to your new home."
L'cill nodded at him. "Thank you uncle."
Jet only smiled at her. "You are welcome. See you soon child."
L'cill saw that Ma'alefa'ak was already making his way down a lane past some shops. When he caught sight of her he frowned. "I will not do this L'cill. I will not pretend to be your husband. It's ridiculous." He hissed at her.
"I agree." She surprised him by agreeing with him. "My uncle should not have put you in that situation. I apologize for that."
Ma'alefa'ak stared at her. He had expected her to agree with her uncle given his warning, maybe even argue with him but she agreed with him wholeheartedly. "Aren't you worried for yourself?"
L'cill wondered at his words. In one instant he was angry that he was being asked to lie and the other he was wondering about her feelings on the matter. "Maybe a little after that warning, but I won't ask you to lie on my behalf. I'm sure it isn't as bad as much uncle says it is. I am one of his last living relatives, so maybe he is just being protective."
Ma'alefa'ak said no more on the matter as he went to a shop to pick up extra supplies. Those idiots obviously didn't believe he would need things like soap or a toothbrush. He was annoyed that he had to borrow extras from L'cill on their way there. He bought more than he needed and paid L'cill back, knowing she wouldn't want anything he borrowed returned to her.
When they returned her uncle looked confused at their lack of supplies. "That's all you brought with you?" Jet asked incredulously.
"It's all I was told I could bring." Ma'alefa'ak stated.
"I was told I could only bring a small bag as well."
Jet shook his head. There was no way they had enough supplies with them. They would need pots and pans, cups and utensils. There was nothing in that house the last time he visited except for sparse furnishings. These children were woefully unprepared. He would definitely have something to relay to the Martian council on Mars. "I'll tell Mica'kel, the local store owner to send over some things on me."
"Thank you uncle." L'cill felt like a broken record repeating her thanks over and over again.
Jet sighed and introduced the man and woman beside him. "This is Sal and Illa. They are one of the oldest residence from the village you'll be staying at."
"We were born and raised there." Sal clarified. He looked at the sun. "We should head back soon. It will give you two a chance to settle in before nightfall."
"Yes well," Jet went on quickly. "This is my niece, L'cill and her husband father Ma'alefa'ak J'onzz." He pulled out a hefty amount of gold coins from his pocket and didn't bother counting them before he pressed them into Sal's hand. He would need to write up a quick list for Mica'kel before they left.
Ma'alefa'ak pressed his lips together. He wanted so badly to blurt out that it was a lie but Sal made a shrill sound and it halted him.
Sal whistled at Ma'alefa'ak's name. "Damn son! That is one hell of name."
That was usually people's reaction when they heard his name. Not only was it long but it had a very negative connotation. "So I've been told."
"Well, it does seem to suit you." Illa told him. "Let's just hope you are as strong as your name implies. You'll need it where you are going I'm afraid."
"Don't scare the boy Illa." Sal prodded her reproachfully.
"I'm just warning him about the other men. They are intolerable." She leaned in to whisper at Ma'alefa'ak. "The men tend to play fight one another. They did it one too many times to our last priest and he said something he regretted." He had obviously not been used to fighting members of his congregation and had enough.
"Yes, a local boy named J'edd got him." Sal didn't sound too sad about at all. "I was surprised. He is a young man like you and the priest was quite old. You would think he would have been able to fight him off."
Ma'alefa'ak was surprised how they were talking about the old priest. He wasn't sure if he should be disturbed or amused, but he was leaning towards the former.
Sal either ignored Ma'alefa'ak's look or was oblivious to it but he went on to explain where they would be going. "We will fly most of the way there. It's very far down south where it is warm. We like to land several hours away on foot. You shouldn't fly above the canopy. The humans often catch sight of us and if they do they will come to us." It wasn't that he was worried about an attack. He was more worried the humans would be butchered immediately upon entry into their camp. "But they are the least of our concern. There are other groups of White Martians out that way that don't love us for our treaty with Mars. We try to hide our numbers by spreading ourselves out and hiding our homes under the trees. If we land too close to home they will be able to track us down quickly."
Illa looked around them regretfully. "I am sorry you will be staying there and not here. It's not terribly modern where we live but at least we have electricity in some buildings." She seemed apologetic. "Unfortunately you are farther out than most. Your home will have a light in the common area and little else."
Ma'alefa'ak nodded. "I'll endure it."
"I suppose we better get going." Sal said. "Everyone will want to meet you before you settle in for the night. Our shopkeeper Mica'kel was especially interested." He was glad he would be there. He had a chunk of change from Jet and a list to fulfill for him from the sound of things. He couldn't believe the council only let him bring a single bag.
They were about to follow but Ma'alefa'ak felt a hand take hold of his arm. It was Jet. He obviously wanted to speak with him alone away from the others. He jerked his arm away from him, wondering what he wanted.
"I've been told about you Ma'alefa'ak. Be careful with our L'cill. She is kind but she won't put up with your crap." At least he hoped so, but if she did he certainly wouldn't. And with that Jet left him to follow Sal and Illa to their new home.
The greeting party was waiting for them when they arrived near their new home.
Ma'alefa'ak let out a long drawn out sound when he saw so many people gathered. L'cill elbowed him and gestured for him to smile. He didn't but he at least stopped making irritated noises.
At first everyone was smiling but then they spied the two of them they were confused. Illa and Sal gave everyone's name and what they did for the village.
"Are you serious? This is our new priest?" Mica'kel, the storekeeper, grumbled before Illa could introduce the newcomers.
"Yes, he is young but from talking to them on the way over I think they will do fine." Sal said confidently. He wished he would shut up. It was hard enough to get a priest out here without being rude.
The local farmer was quick to agree with Mica'kel. "But, you are only a boy." S'am'yal said. "You are hardly older than my son. Why would they send someone so young here?"
Their guess was as good as his, but still. "I'm a hundred. I'm an adult now." Ma'alefa'ak shrugged.
"Yes, and he is even married." Illa said. "He must have his ducks in a row to snag a wife at such a young age."
"He's barely an adult." S'am'yal looked at L'cill. "A hundred years old and you already have a wife. How strange."
"Sam, please shut up. We were only two hundred when we married." His wife, Becca chastised.
Ma'alefa'ak was surprised she talked to him that way but said nothing.
Moy'rah, another local woman didn't seem too fazed by his age. "He looks like a strong one for someone so tiny. Look at him! He has the face of a ruffian."
L'cill stifled a laugh but not well enough to hide it and Ma'alefa'ak glared at her.
"Trouble in paradise already?" Illa tittered. "I'd say you will do well here."
"Who is this?" Mica'kel asked, staring at L'cill. He was the liaison for the church and government since he frequently visited Z'onn Z'orr. He knew there would be a guard for the new priest but he was pleasantly surprised that it was a woman. This day was looking up for him.
"This is father Ma'alefa'ak J'onzz. He is going to be our new priest." Illa introduced.
"Not him, his guard." This time Mica'kel gestured directly towards L'cill.
L'cill blushed when she realized he saw right through them.
"His, guard. How silly." Illa said. "That is his wife."
"I don't remember them saying anything about him bringing a wife. Only that he was going to have a guard with him." Mica'kel thought, accurately that Illa must be mistaken. "My name is Mica'kel. It's nice to meet you." He held out his hand for her.
They had already been introduced but she felt it would be rude if she ignored him. "It's nice to meet you." L'cill returned his greeting, taking his hand. He may have held it a little too long before she pulled back.
Ma'alefa'ak watched their interaction. L'cill looked a little worried about him as she pulled her hand away. It seemed her uncle wasn't bluffing when he said some men were desperate. He couldn't imagine acting this way himself. Mica'kel was quick to invade her space afterwards as he chatted with her and she had to take a step back from him. He was starting to worry Mica'kel was going to just drag her off somewhere unless someone said something.
Illa hadn't missed Mica'kel's look. "I'm being serious. That is his wife. Don't slobber on her for goodness sake."
"She isn't his wife I tell you." Mica'kel countered.
"She is." Ma'alefa'ak couldn't believe his nerve. He wasn't so much jealous since L'cill meant little to him, but the man was told over and over she was his and yet Mica'kel still had the nerve to touch her. He was being disrespectful to him and he didn't like it.
"You are only a hundred. A mere boy," Mica'kel scoffed. "When did you find the time to get married? Would you even know what to do with her if she was?"
"L'cill is my childhood friend." A lie if he ever heard one. He had plenty of time to practice over the years. "We were married right before we came here because we didn't want to be separated." Ma'alefa'ak lied over and over without a shred of guilt. It was fun to watch Mica'kel become more and more frustrated with each one he told. "And actually, L'cill is my age. If I am a boy then she is a girl." He glared at him. "What do you want with a mere girl Mica'kel?"
"Oh, he is a sharp one." Sal laughed, slapping Mica'kel hard across the back. "He'll fit right in."
"Where is her mark?" Mica'kel pointed at L'cill's neck. He wasn't about to give up. In almost every case a woman had a mark from their husband or lover after mating for the first time. She obviously lacked that since they had never been together.
"What?" L'cill face went red again. It was so warm here that she had changed into a more comfortable dress on the way over. She didn't normally wear so little but now with everyone looking at her skin she began to feel self-conscious.
"Ma'alefa'ak hasn't claimed her yet." He grinned down at her. "I wonder why."
"Really Mica'kel, what is the matter with you?" Moy'rah sighed, slapping her brother over the back of his head. "They only just married on the way here. Were they supposed to mate in front of people on the ship to make you happy? You are an embarrassment."
Mica'kel gave Ma'alefa'ak a hard stare, looking into his mind for the truth. Ma'alefa'ak didn't give him anything to go on so he was either going to have to force his way in deeper and cause a scene or let it go. "Fine, she's your wife."
Ma'alefa'ak was sure now more than ever that having L'cill with him was going to be more trouble than it was worth. Why had they even sent her at all was beyond him. He wondered if the council even knew about the issues with women down here. Since Mica'kel seemed to be the liaison he wondered if he accepted right away knowing a woman was coming.
"Since you'll be here Ma'alefa'ak," Mica'kel began, broaching another subject. "You will be doing charity work helping people build their houses. I'm hoping you can convince these layabouts to help me with mine soon."
"Now Mica'kel, just because you have all the money doesn't mean we must fix your house first." Becca said. "Besides, you have your store to sleep in. Most only have huts."
Moy'rah also pointed out something of her own. "I like how you accuse Father J'onzz of not being married to his own wife then immediately ask him for favors. You really have no class."
"Shut up Moy'rah." Mica'kel huffed.
"Make me." She quipped back.
"That's enough." Becca glared at the both of them. "You'll have to excuse these two. Mica'kel and Moy'rah are my younger brother and sister." She knew they had been told their jobs around the village but she wanted their new friends to know how they were related. "Sal and S'am'yal are brothers. Illa is married to Sal and my husband is S'am'yal. We have three children, a boy and two girls. You will meet them soon enough. Mica'kel here is single, as you can very well tell and desperately wants to end that."
Mica'kel spoke nothing to what Becca said and gestured to the long road. "Our village is spread across a large tract of land." He pointed to the small cluster of houses. "There are a few houses that are close though. These are our homes, our extended families homes and my store of course."
"Your house is near the lake." Moy'rah said, trying to sound excited for them.
"The church is farther down the road." Mica'kel gestured to the road down to the left. "You won't see it until you are upon it but you can't miss it." The road dead ended right at the building.
"Does it flood here?" Ma'alefa'ak asked, looking at the houses on stilts.
"Sharp as a tack." Sal complimented. "Boy's got a brain rattling around in there."
"It's pretty easy to figure out." Mica'kel grumbled. "Unless you are an idiot of course." He gestured for everyone to follow him. They were going to Ma'alefa'ak and L'cill's house next.
When Ma'alefa'ak spied the house it was smaller than he imagined.
"You and your wife will be staying here." Mica'kel inflected the words, telling Ma'alefa'ak clearly that he still didn't believe him. "I'm sure you are used to nicer accommodations."
"Perhaps, but I have also had worse." They didn't exactly take a vow of poverty at the cathedral but they also didn't have much there either. He made most of his money working in the sciences. He glanced at L'cill. He could tell she was hoping there would be a second room so she could have some privacy. Looking at Mica'kel's smug face annoyed him. Well, since he lied already he might as well have fun with it. "It is perfect for our needs." He put his arm around L'cill's startled form. "Wouldn't you agree beloved?"
L'cill gave him a surprised look but didn't move his arm off her. He was sure laying it on thick. "Y-yes." She stammered.
"We'll just give you two some privacy." Sal announced, indicating everyone should go about the rest of their day. If they were newlyweds he doubted they wanted everyone hanging about any longer than they already had.
L'cill was surprised that Ma'alefa'ak didn't let go of her until they made their way into the house. The instant the door shut he began exploring the house in his own, grumbling irritably to himself. She didn't understand much of his mumbling but she did hear: "Ridiculous."
Author's notes:
I hope the concept for my story isn't too silly but I'm having so much fun putting Ma'alefa'ak in uncomfortable situations. Thanks for giving this a read and thank you to my proofreader. Without him you would be seeing more errors.
To all those who love J'onn, he will be back but much later. I enjoyed writing about him and Ma'alefa'ak interacting with one another so much in "You Belong to Me" that I couldn't resist doing it again in this story.
