Chapter Three: A Shared Secret
"Pursuit and seduction are the essence of sexuality. It's part of the sizzle."
– Camille Paglia
The exceedingly fit Huntress studied her legs in the mirror, critically examining the muscles that framed the sides of the leather loincloth that stretched slightly to hug her pleasantly curved hips. She took in every detail and then stopped to admire the edge of the tanned animal hide which accentuated her gender in a low curving line beneath the iron of her belly muscles and then draped seductively over the hill of her powerful buttocks.
Today was only a trip through the city to show the new female around and give her a taste of culture, and maybe some fun without the adults around. Arndís flicked an imaginary bit off the golden brown leather that was skillfully draped over her bosom as she continued her self-evaluation. It's too plain. Something to draw the eye to my curves here…I know! She opened one of the carved boxes on top of her garment table and took out a small cylinder. Carefully, she lifted the lid and slid the rattling treasure out into her palm. This was a gift from her ForeSire given two long cycles ago after his return from a Hunt. And not just any Hunt – he'd set out with a team of his Arbitrators after a notorious BadBlood known as Gahn'tha-cte, or Ruthless as she'd explained her to Bearer. The notorious Gahn'tha-cte had not been seen in many, many long cycles. Then a deep frontier explorer drone had reported a positive identification of his ship. So with the blessings of the Matriarch, the trio of Arbitrators had gone-off planet with Elite Elder Arbitrator Honorable Aldúlfr leading the mission.
As expected, but never with complete certainty, the team had returned victorious and celebrations were held recognizing the justice that had been served to such a godless, dishonorable Hunter. Arndís recalled studying about him in the historical record. He had been a promising youth and attained great trophies at his Chiva. But his first breeding season slapped him with the unkindness of free-will as the young female he had long sought selected another. It was also her first breeding season, and she had naturally selected an older, experienced male. Howling with rage and hormones, the youthful Hunter attacked the pair as they were mating. With strength magnified by rage he twisted the head off his opponent and proceeded to ravish the female. So driven was he by anger and lust that he dislocated both of her shoulders with the vigor of his thoughtless mating hold. Ignoring her screams of agony, he then proceeded to rape her. The dislocated shoulders would mend, but she was so traumatized by the event that she would never breed again. Over time, she fell into a great melancholia and eventually pierced her own heart with a blade. Gahn'tha-cte's lack of control over himself caused not only his own downfall, but ruined the life of another. Arndís had added the tale to the list of lessons which she would teach to her pups when it was time during their Bearer-led training.
After the cycles of celebration, Aldúlfr, who was still in high spirits, had taken young Arndís and Ulfrde to the city market and searched the vendors for just the right trinket for each of them. For Ulfrde, he had selected a leather cord strung with beads of carved golden metal. He passed the crafter a handful of something from his pouch and the beads were immediately restrung intermixed with immaculate rectangles of gleaming ivory hard-meat teeth - each with a neatly drilled hole near the root end.
"KAAAAh!" Ulfrde gasped when the beaded string was held in front of her eyes and then was nearly speechless with wonder when it was presented to her. "These are teeth from one of your Kande Amheda kills!" She was beside herself at the beauty and honor of the gift and bowed deeply to her ForeSire before enveloping him in an embrace.
"You have earned this, my Bloodline!" he softly growled, returning her hug and remembering how hard he had trained her. For an instant, his fondness for her nearly overwhelmed his emotions but he managed to stifle them as they were in public after all. Patting her head, he indulged himself in treating her as though she were still the little inquisitive pup. She was always his delight, and he struggled at times to treat her sister, Arndís, with as much affection. It was not that he did not think fondly of her also, but Ulfrde was special. She had the gift of focus, as did he and his now departed firstborne, Ulfr, who was her biological father. He was often reminded of Ulfr by her attitude, courage and strength. It is with gratitude, Paya, that I see my son's best traits passed on to this little one. May she continue to grow in greatness. May she always bring honor to our Clan.
With Ulfrde properly decorated, the Elder now took Arndís through the vendor stalls searching for just the right accoutrement. He found a fine golden chain from which many red jewels hung. Each stone reflected the light from the multitude of facets that had been painstakingly cut into each one. Arndís was delighted and reached for it. "Not yet," he gently chided. "It must be made perfect." Again he reached into his pouch and removed something small that was enclosed within his palm. Handing it to the crafter, he and the females waited as the small and perfect skull was permanently clasped with a fixture on the cranium so that it could hang as the perfect centerpiece in the midst of the red stones.
"The eyes," Aldúlfr said, "Fix the eye sockets with red stones." Nodding, the crafter selected and set two perfect round faceted red stones in the eyes. Then he handed the masterpiece to Arndís, who promptly gave her deepest and most respectful nod first to the crafter and then to her ForeSire. "This is the most beautiful piece I have ever seen," she stated with emotion. "I am completely honored by this gift! I shall wear it proudly, and always remember who gifted it to me."
"A pretty speech," he said fondly, and then exclaimed, "Life holds great promise for you!" She is ever the diplomat and politician, this one. Ulfrde is stronger, but Arndís is quite possibly smarter and definitely wiser in the ways of things. She will be one to command great respect for her wisdom, I think. It is with gratitude, Paya, that I see the potential within this pup. May she continue to grow in greatness. May she always bring honor to our Clan.
Smiling at the memory of her ForeSire's gift, the now grown and nearly adult Arndís gracefully placed the chain about her neck and let the jewels drip downward to where the red-eyed skull lay between her breasts. Against the leather, the fine work stood out and did indeed draw the eye to where the boney head rested. That will do, she thought. Just in case we meet him today. Oh Paya, may we cross paths today, for surely he is the one who should be my first mate. I know that the High Council has already selected my rut mate for the best interest of our race – but please, I beg of you, let it be HIM.
Excitement shivered down her back at the thought of the one that drew her. Many long cycles her senior, he was the Hunter given the greatest regard by all. Taller that she was with white locks, nearly buried beneath honor rings, dividing over his wide shoulders. She pictured the narrowness of his waist where cloth met the chiseled muscles that formed his abdomen, even as she thought - his bearing is such that even if his rank were concealed the ability to command and demand respect could simply be felt in the air surrounding his body. Would he find me honorable enough, beautiful enough, and desirable enough to meet my challenge? Would he bend my body to take his seed? She held her arms back and leaned forward as though caught in his grasp even as her body automatically responded by dewing her private area as it begged for his touch. Nearly breathless with anticipation, she stood up and prepared to leave. Huffing the air to test her own scent, she quickly sprayed herself and the room with her favorite fragrance enhancer made from a blend of flowers. No sense in blatantly advertising her thoughts. Soon enough they would embark on Chiva, and she would become an adult and be allowed to mate with him! She imagined how she would find him and then firmly plant her shove on his chest as she looked deeply into his dark brown eyes. Let it be him, Paya, or I shall die from want! After spraying herself again, Arndís left her room just as an Aseigan was about to announce himself and request entrance in order to clean. Arndís acknowledged his presence and let him in whereupon he dutifully began tidying up while trying not to breathe. There is so much flower essence in here that I shall pass out before I have completed my work, the servant grumbled in his mind. I will be happy when mating season arrives and these females can relieve themselves. At least this one is courteous enough to attempt to disguise her scent!
Arndís briskly walked the route to the Matriarch's guest quarters, hoping that the perfume of her earlier thoughts had been shed along the way. She arrived at the door and signaled her presence via the com which responded by opening as an eager Chance stood in the doorway. "Wow! You look fabulous!" was her response after scanning Arndís up and down. "Am I underdressed?" Chance looked down at her plain tan leathers.
"You look fine!" answered Arndís, "you don't need anything extra other than those gorgeous locks of yours to draw the eyes of Hunters. They are amazing! I've never seen locks the color of yours before."
Chance's eyes gleamed at the other's recognition of her unique appearance and the reference that it would be attractive to the opposite sex. "I never thought of them as special until I came here. Do almost all of you have black locks? I mean, except for the old ones?"
"They are properly referred to as Elders, Chance. Honorable Elders is even better. They have accomplished much and earned our respect! And to answer your question, most of us have black locks. A few Yautja have more of a brown tone to theirs and of course there is the unique Honorable Theron with his gray ones."
"Oh, yeah…him."
"Come with me, Chance, and I'll show you around" The two set off enthusiastically chatting about everything as Arndís pointed out the various buildings and dwellings.
"So, all the Hunters who are on-planet live in that apartment building?"
"Sei, those are the quarters for fully mature Hunters, the YoungBloods have another building and the UnBlooded another. When they aren't here on Yaut they are off on group or solo Hunts, or on their respective Clanships. Not all come to the homeworld, many spent most of their life on their Clanship."
"What's the difference between them, Arndís? I mean the Hunters, YoungBloods and UnBlooded and why do they have separate buildings?"
"It is a matter of tradition and respect for level of accomplishment. The UnBloods have left the care of their Bearer, or what you call their mother, and are in training. They have not completed Chiva. They are young, brash and foolish. None of the others would tolerate them for long!" She gave a chortle. "The YoungBloods have completed Chiva but have not yet produced offspring. Although they are adults in the Clan they are not fully mature. Fully mature Hunters have shown that they can successfully Sire pups and are afforded quarters befitting their status."
"Well, what about us?"
"Us?" blinked Arndís.
"You know – us girls. Do we quarter alongside the males?"
Arndís quietly thought for a moment. "You mean you don't know?" blurted out Chance, incredulity on her face.
"I'm trying to recall from my studies. Remember, I only have sisters and we were always raised apart from the males. Sei, I recall it now. Young siblings are raised together in their Bearer's house. In former times when training began and they were of age, they were taken away to camp and the sexes were initially housed together. But only for a few long cycles. After that, as they began to mature, they were separated until after Chiva. The males might only see the females again at the first rut, but usually not even then because the females almost always choose someone older to mate with the first time." Arndís chortled again, adding, "There are many side benefits to being a Trainer! Females usually want to be with an older, experienced male they know for their first time. The list of Hunters who wish to become Trainers is long!"
"So, have you picked one out yet?" Chance asked innocently, and then watched in fascination as Arndís' face turned a pronounced green. "Are you ill, Arndís?"
"H'ko, I am not ill. We are at the city market now. See all the vendor's spaces? What would you like to look at first?"
Chance looked this way and that, taking in the sea of riches spread before her. She had never seen so many items, so many things, all in one place. The variety and colors made her head swim as the constant din of clicks and growls came at her as a low roar. "I…I…I have no idea where to start. Please lead the way," she managed to say. So, Arndís took her by the hand and began to show her the market. They started with the weapons and armor vendors. Sally had given Chance some currency as a gift when she heard that the girls would be visiting the market. The daughter of Duncan was appreciative of the blades, lances and other unknown devices, but wanted to take in the entire array of goods before she decided what to spend her precious funds upon. So Arndís guided her through all the other wares.
Winding among the many carts and stands that were loosely organized into sectors of the same type of wares the two females frequently stopped to examine and touch, with Arndís often asking questions of the vendor. When she found something she desired, she would bargain politely with the merchant until a deal was reached. Chance watched the proceedings with great interest but had not yet indicated she wished to purchase anything for herself.
In the cloth and leather section, they wrapped different colored cloths about themselves trying to decide which of the rather drab hues made them most appealing. They drooled over trinkets, colored stones and anatomically correct Hunter statues designed for private alcoves and gardens. Then they took a break in the shade of a beverage vendor's garden and enjoyed freshly squeezed Naxa juice while sitting at a small table.
"This is delicious! Too bad our underground living quarters were so far away from the Naxa fields when I was a kid. I would have eaten nothing else!" Chance smacked her lips in a satisfied way which Arndís watched in fascination.
"Don't those get in the way?" she wondered aloud.
"What?"
"The flesh over your teeth. Don't you bite it or find it cumbersome?"
"Well…no! I've always had lips so they don't seem in the way to me. And yes, on occasion I have bitten them – but not badly," Chance grinned.
"They do give you an advantage when drinking," Arndís noted.
"They do! See, I don't have to tip my head back to drink. My lips keep it all in my mouth." The two females laughed together. Chance suddenly looked thoughtfully at her new friend.
"You never answered my question, you know."
"I didn't?" Arndís feigned ignorance.
"Come on! I bet you've got some Hunter already picked out and as soon as you get back from Chiva, you'll jump him!"
"Never! Jumping on a Hunter is not the proper way to express interest in him."
"Oh, I know! I read about it – you shove them in the chest. It is a handy move at times." Chance grinned slyly. "And don't think you can evade my question."
Arndís looked nervous. "There is someone that I'm…interested in. But it doesn't matter who I might find attractive – our mates are already selected for us."
"WHAT? Why?"
"The High Council did it, along with advice from the Healers and I think even the Matriarch was in on it. They did it to ensure the best matchup of Bloodlines in order to make sure that none of us will be too closely crossed with the lines we came from. I mean our Sire's lines. We need genetic variation in our pups. I can understand it. It makes sense." She looked longingly across the still bustling market.
"Except that you've already got the hots for someone, right?"
"Hots? What is that?"
"You've met somebody that you'd like to mate. Am I right?"
Arndís looked down at the stone squares making up the city plaza. "Sei, I have. I have tried to forget him, but find that I do not truly want to. So I pray to Paya that he is the one that has been selected for me. Please tell no one of this."
"Your secret is safe with me. Who is he?"
"Oh, do not ask me to tell you that!" a horrified Arndís exclaimed. "It is better if no one knows. If I tell anyone, it might somehow get out and I…I would not want my mate to know that I would have preferred another. No good could come from such knowledge!"
"Is the Hunter you would choose good enough for you?"
"Sei! He is most Honorable and respected! He is strong and brave and everything I could ask of in a mate."
"Is he hot?"
"Again, I do not understand you, Chance."
"He's attractive to you – you know, sexy. You wanna get it on with him."
Arndís brought all her focus on trying to understand Chance's odd use of English, then replied, "If you are referring to his physical desirability and my longing to mate with him then yes, he is completely desirable!"
"Well, if it was me, I wouldn't let anybody tell me who I was gonna to fuck."
This was the first time that Arndís had heard that particular English word, but it was close enough to the Yautja slang that meant the act of rut that she understood it immediately and retorted, "Well, if you were me you'd realize that the good of all of Yaut comes before my own desires!"
"So, your own choice of a Hunter is bad for everybody?" Chance shot back. That caught Arndís because she knew that no one was more respected than her Hunter - ANY female would be pleased to mingle her own Bloodline with his! Plus he was a good several branches away from her own part of the Clan's genetic heritage. It was certainly something to think about. Not wanting to pursue this any farther at the moment, she abruptly asked, "I must think about it. Have you decided what you would like to purchase?"
"Yes, I mean Sei. Can we return to the weapons area? I saw a blade that I'd really like to have."
Arndís clicked away for a moment and then replied, "You are like my sister. Come and see all the beautiful cloth, decorative arm bands and neck chains with colored stones and then decide to buy a weapon! I suspect that she'll grieve at becoming a Bearer and leaving the Hunt behind. Come on!"
They took a route straight to the weaponry rather than retracing the meandering course through all the hawkers of goods. It took Chance just a few moments to relocate the blade she fancied and after some haggling, with help from Arndís, it was secured at her waist in a fine leather sheath. It had taken most of the trade coin to buy it, so she considered her shopping done for the cycle. But Arndís had other ideas.
"Now that you have what you desire, let us go back to the cloth vendors. I saw a piece there of a unique color that…" Suddenly, Arndís turned pale as all the verdant blood seemed to drain from her face. Her eyes became larger as she seemed to stare beyond her friend at something.
"Are you okay?" Chance asked, and then turned to see what the UnBlood female was staring at. There were many Hunters and Aseigan milling about the market. Nothing particularly to take notice of, she decided.
Chance felt her arm grabbed roughly as Arndís whispered excitedly, "Oh Paya, it is HIM! I prayed that I would see him today. It is HIM!"
Chance looked again at the crowd and whispered back, "Okay. You gotta give me a hint here. I see maybe thirty Hunters right now. Which one is HIM?"
"The very large one looking at short blades. The one with the silvery locks weighted down with an excess of honor rings."
Chance stared at the Elder whose brawny back was to her right now. "Christ, his locks are long! You can barely see them through all the rings! What's his name?" Only silence answered her and Chance turned to see Arndís with a dismayed look on her face. "What?" Chance asked. "What's wrong?"
"I…I never thought about it before. I don't know his name! I've always called him by his titles!" she wailed. "And oh Paya, he's walking this way! Don't stare! Pretend to be looking at the blade you bought!"
Arndís orders came crisply to Chance, who pulled out her purchase and both girls began to studiously examine it. Chance gamely pointed out all the features of the blade that she admired and that had driven her to buy it, while Arndís listened and nodded from time to time. When the blade had been microscopically exhausted, Arndís began to describe the cloth that she wished to purchase. She was about to direct them to begin walking back to the cloth vendors when a magnificent rumble caused her heart to stop.
"Greetings, student. I had hoped you were preparing for Chiva."
Both girls turned and nodded their respect, Arndís giving the required low bow and humility of the student to the Trainer. "My Trainer and Honorable Leader of the High Council, this cycle I am showing my new friend our fine city. May I present the UnBlood Chance who is a student under Honorable Trainer Theron."
"I know of you Chance," he said rather stiffly. "I trust you will learn quickly and do as well as Arndís. She is a fine example of a great Bloodline," he nodded to Arndís, who was nearly giddy by this time but managed to interpret for Chance.
"I am purely honored that you know of me," Chance replied humbly, her eyes properly down. "And I am honored to be entrusted to learn and have my Chiva opportunity. I will succeed!" Arndís eyes glowed as she translated her friend's words for the High Elder who focused upon her as she spoke. Having his attention while standing so close asked nearly more of her than she could stand. But she controlled her scent, and managed not to exude the fragrance of lust directly into the High Elder's face.
"I ask Paya that you both are successful in Chiva," the Elder said, as Arndís managed to look up at him. "And return to us with your Clan marks ready to take your place among us." He returned her gaze and did not chide her for her lack of respect. Then a brief smile crossed his upper mandibles before he nodded to Arndís and left, his red cloak a great swirl about him. Arndís stood staring at him until he disappeared, only to be interrupted by Chance.
"Oh my god, you've got it bad girl! In fact, even I can smell you right now."
You can? said Arndís' face as clearly as if she had spoken. Both girls did a double-time walk back to her quarters where she could bathe and use the flower spray. As a friendly social gesture, Arndís invited Chance to share the pool with her. The request caught the red-head off guard, and she exuded the scent of discomfort. Arndís astutely responded, "Bathing is often a social experience here and shared with friends. I did not intend to cause you discomfort."
Sensing the female's sincerity, Chance regained some composure, "I was…just surprised and didn't know how to take it. I didn't understand what you meant."
"Do you know of some other meaning attached to an invitation to bathe?"
"Well, yes. In our group, when we lived under the ruins, sometimes the boys would ask us to swim with them. It was always an invitation to sex. One of the girls went with them the first time. She was raped and nearly drowned! After that, none of us would go with them! Assholes!" Chance fumed at the memory of the soaking, bleeding girl in a crouch on the shoreline trying to cough up the water in her lungs. She coughed until she vomited.
"I am glad that those times are over for you," Arndís said softly. "Rape is an almost unknown crime to us. Regarding my invitation, it is not unknown for our females to sometimes seek each other out for sexual satisfaction, but I have no inclination that way. My invitation to you is simply that of a friend who enjoys your novel perspective of my world."
"Thanks, Arndís, maybe some other time. I'm just not comfortable with the idea. You go bathe and I'm going to return to the guest quarters. I know the way."
"Very well, then. I had a wonderful time today."
"I did too. Catch ya later then!" Chance returned a broad smile that showed all her front teeth which made her friend catch her breath. "Did I do something wrong?" Chance ventured.
"Baring teeth is a signal of aggression here. You might want to be careful with that," guided Arndís.
"Jesus! So much to learn here. Will I ever get it all?" Chance wailed.
"You will in time. You might ask the Matriarch about it. I'm certain it took her time to become accustomed to our ways."
"Thanks! I will. And I'll be careful with my teeth. Later!" Chance darted out the door and was gone. Arndís turned on the warm water and began to fill her bath. Her manners are rough, but her heart seems good and she does seem to possess sense. Paya – guide her training path and ensure she is provided with everything she needs to win her Chiva! What is an asshole? What is a Jesus? I need to remember to look those words up.
Chance settled into a slow jog for the trip back home. It felt good to run even though the day had been spent in walking. Her mind was busy reviewing the events of the day, but she was aware enough to politely nod to anyone she passed. I wonder if I could ever feel anything for a Hunter or for anyone. Arndís seemed to think that my locks would make them want me. She seemed truthful about that. Jesus! What would I do if a Hunter came on to me? Run like hell for sure! She said that rape was 'nearly unknown' not 'completely unknown'. One of those big fuckers would kill me for sure!
By the time Chance reached her doorway, she had vowed to never let herself be alone in a room with a Yautja male. On the off-chance that he didn't know that rape was 'nearly unknown'. After I pass my Chiva, I'll be allowed, expected is more like it, to fuck – or mate as they put it. Are they gonna set me up with someone too? They can kiss that shit goodbye! Nobody tells me who's gonna get to enjoy THIS!
A/N: Hang on those of you who are action fans - Chiva will happen! I made a tremendous logic error in the last chappie and going back to fix it. Nobody mentioned it, but it bugs moi! Hope you enjoyed this little chapter. Much appreciation to all my readers and to those who keep me inspired to continue!
