CHAPTER 14:
My Brother, My Protector
Weeks later, Kantra's family had gotten used to living on the homeworld and began to feel miserable about leaving it behind. With their last weeks coming, the children began to explore as much as they could under supervision. They wanted to remember everything about it: the sights, smells, and sounds, until they could return in twenty years. Now, the family ate their morning meal at a little past sunrise in order to begin their daily tasks.
"You're sure you can't take one of the children, Kantra?" Iliana asked hopeful. Both of their son looked up with eager looks as they awaited their father's answer.
"Positive, this meeting will take a while so I'm pretty sure no one could look after the boys" Kantra said, shaking his head and his sons sulked. "Besides, I already promised to take all of you into the city next week."
"I can't wait" Leitjin said as he ate quietly but kicked his legs enthusiastically.
"Who'll be at the meeting?" Kahet asked eagerly as he looked at his father. "Warriors, Elders, Arbitrators?"
"Just a meeting with the High Elder about our progress over the years" Kantra explained to his son. Then with an inquisitive grin, "Do you remember the differences between Elder ranks?"
"Um. . .a Low Elder governs a ship from the clan like Elder Lar'Ain and other Elders throughout space" Kahet said, furrowing his brows in thought while he tapped his claws on the table. Kantra nodded and waited for him to continue, "And the High Elder. . um. .he governs over. .um. .oh! He governs over the entire clan itself and the Grand Elder oversees the entire yautja society."
"Very good, Kahet" his father nodded impressed and gave him a treat from one of Iliana's table jars. Kahet grabbed it happily while Iliana voiced a complaint from where she fed Aloun'Da. "He deserved it, Ana."
"What about me?" Leitjin asked, grabbing his father's wrist so he wouldn't be left out.
"All right, let's see" Kantra said and thought of something for his youngest son. "What is the most prized trophy in our clan?"
"A Kainde Amedha?" Leitjin asked unsurely and clasped his hands together nervously.
"Right! Here you go" his father chuckled and gave him a treat as the boy sighed in relief. Kantra patted his back but warned in a fatherly tone, "You must study, Leitjin."
"I know but. . ." he began but shook his head, not ready to reveal his feelings. "I will, father."
I don't really like hunting, Leitjin thought and ate his treat quietly.
"Okay, enough treats, I don't want you hyped on sugar" their mother ordered and looked at Kantra, "And you say I spoil them."
"They deserve it" he shrugged and stood up to stretch. Looking out the nearby open window, he sighed, "Well, I better get ready to leave before the sun is fully risen."
"Be careful, all right?" Iliana said quickly and wagged a finger.
"The city is very peaceful, Iliana" he said, comforting her. "It's basically a place for knowledge and our judicial branch mostly. Scholars and lawmakers live there along with our Elders. It's common to see the executive bodies like Arbitrators go there to meet with them. Even if something were to happen, you must trust in my skills."
"I do, it's strangers I don't trust" she pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. "Just do what you must and return here so we can relax."
"I will and take the children to Sali'ah's to play" he smiled at her and ruffled each of his children's hair playfully. Kahet complained and reached up to fix it while Leitjin laughed.
"Daddy!" Aloun'Da purred and tugged at her father's hand for similar affection. He nuzzled her little face with his and let go.
"We better have another pup soon" Kantra grinned to his mate as he passed her.
"No, you promised I could take long since I'll live longer" she smirked and ate her food. Aloun'Da reached for her plate and Iliana gave her a small bite. "Besides, I want to give my current babies all my attention."
"I'm not a baby, I'm 11!" Kahet mumbled as he finished eating. Then pouted, "I'm still hungry, mother."
"Not a baby, eh?" she chuckled and grabbed his plate to refill it nonetheless.
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"Aren't you taking any armor?" Iliana asked her mate as she entered their large bedroom. Kantra wore a simple gray tunic with a long loincloth. He tied his hair into a high ponytail as he watched her. She smiled at his gaze and noticed he looked more handsome with his hair up, which he rarely wore it in since he liked it free.
"I have my ki'cti'pa gauntlet on" he said, showing her his right arm. "I also hid some daggers in my tunic, just in case. Don't worry, I'll be fine."
I forget how deadly he is sometimes, she chuckled mentally.
"Good, I want you home safely on time" she said, wrapping her arms around his waist. Smoothing his soft tunic with her hands afterwards, she smiled, "You look so handsome when you're dressed like this. I'm used to seeing you in loincloths and mesh only, I forget how scrumptious you can look. "
"I thought you liked me better in the nude" he purred and kissed her gently. "I'm glad you find me 'scrumptious'. If I could ignore this meeting, I would rather do something more. . .creative."
"Mating?" she stated dryly making him chuckle. "Too bad, there's no time for that now."
"Not even a quickie?" he whined and furrowed his brow rides. She laughed and caressed his lower mandibles in sympathy. Groaning, he said, "When I return, you better be in our bed, nude as the day you were born while holding a bottle of alcohol. Better yet, use one of my spears and dance provocatively with it while I watch you."
"How do you come up with these things?" Iliana laughed and held her sides. "You'd think after all our years, we'd run out of things and positions to use!"
"You know me better than that" he purred and held her smaller form closer to his chest, "I'll always find something new to try out. I'm a yautja, we love mating." Nibbling on her cheek, he said, "And you love it, don't you, my dear?"
"Yes" she muttered as he smiled triumphantly. His teeth moved down her neck until they rested on the bottom of it near her clavicle. Knowing it was one of her spots, he nipped at the area and held her closer. She sighed and tried not to react to his caresses, "You're supposed to leave, Kantra."
"You said no mating, I didn't hear anything against this" he pointed out and purred against her skin. Her hands wrapped around his neck to bring him closer as he smiled, "You wouldn't want to deprive us both from this, would you? It's very satisfying. I have a boring meeting, you could give me something to make it better."
"We can't mate, you're not about to leave me all fired up and then walk out" she complained and bit his neck in small bites. He clicked his throat pleasurably as she reminded, "You did that once and I had to finish the job myself! So no more teasing!"
"But I love to tease you" he said playfully as she glared. Nibbling on her lips softly, he said, "Don't you just love my caresses as I whisper naughty things into your ear? You shiver every time I do that, don't you, Iliana? By the time I'm halfway there, you're begging me to take you."
"You. . .you. ." she mumbled as his teeth bit her ear gently and his claws traced over her lips. Her body felt aroused easily by his simple and soft touches against her skin. Oh, how she hated when he teased her, he was always the victor. "Kantra."
"I love it when you say my name" he growled pleasurably as he traced his tongue over the edges of her ear. Tilting her head so her eyes could meet his, he said, "Say it."
"Kantra" she obeyed and grabbed his hand in order to bite his fingertips with her teeth. His chest rumbled at the sensation and he groaned softly when she sucked the end of his index finger in her mouth. Without breaking eye contact, she let go and bit his palm once. Smiling, she teased, "Don't you love the way I can tease any part of your body? I bet you'll miss it in the meeting. How my mouth would kiss the sensitive areas of your neck or how I'd take you in my hands as my tongue licks your manhood over and over-"
"You're getting good at it" he grunted as he placed her body over one of their tables. Throwing the things on it aside, he bit her lips as his hips grinded against hers. Iliana whimpered as his aroused member pressed against her entrance and was glad they were both still clothed. His hands squeezed her butt while his mouth sought hers to give her an open mouth kiss. She returned it as his tongue went over hers in a hasty frenzy in which she moaned happily. Pressing her body down onto the table, he continued their kiss session as he crushed her body under his torso. She groaned from the pressure and perfect contact to his body as she fought her mind to not throw herself at him. Letting go, Kantra leaned up on his elbows and nipped at her lips to whisper, "When I return, you will do the things you just uttered."
"I plan on it" Iliana said as she nibbled on one of the spots on his neck. He purred in effect and squeezed one of her breasts in his hand. She smacked his hand away to say, "No touching below the neck. It'll bring us both to a point of no return."
"Why must you torture me like this?" he whispered huskily into her soft neck and licked it slowly. "I need you, Iliana."
"You can have me when you return" she said and kissed his chin. Giving him a coy smile, she said, "Besides, you need a taste of your own medicine so now you can feel like I do when you leave me like that."
"Bad Iliana" he scolded teasingly and pressed his forehead against hers. With a grin, he said, "You know I'm the bad one out of us both."
"Of course, but I can have my fun too" she giggled and kissed him. "We need to calm down so you can leave. I don't want you to be late."
"This is worth being late" Kantra said and pressed his hips against hers again. Her body pushed up against his and he nipped on her throat while she groaned in protest. He smiled and purred, "What do you need from me, my star? Tell me."
His touches overloaded her senses easily but she managed to get a hold of herself to say, "Go to the meeting."
"Arrgh! Fine, I'll obey!" he grunted in disapproval and let go of her to stand up straight. Iliana smiled and tried to shake her body out of its aroused stupor. Smoothing out her dress, she got off the table to pat her mate on the back.
"I'll do anything you want tonight" she promised and grabbed his hand to kiss the top of it as she eyed him, "And I mean anything."
"You drive me wild, Iliana" he said, giving her a pleased look. Leaning in, he kissed her deeply and continued, "And I am never disappointed after our romps in bed. I will wait for you till tonight and we will not go to sleep for many hours. You won't be able to walk at all by the time I'm through with you."
"Good, now I need to take a cold shower" she mumbled, more to herself. Kantra groaned and crossed his arms as he looked at her.
"What am I supposed to do? I'm dressed and your scent's making my body hectic" Kantra growled in distaste and waved at the air for emphasis.
"Go do what I did" she said with an evil smile. "Finish it yourself."
She left the room while he gave her backside a flabbergasted look. He growled to himself and wondered what to do to her as payback when he returned.
"I'll get you back, my lovely!" he declared, smelling her sweet scent in the room again. "I'll always be the victor in our teasing and you'll be screaming my name by the time I'm done until you're mute." Looking down at his obvious erection, he growled, "Go away! She's not here anymore! We lost our chance!"
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"You're dead, I caught you!" Bakuub said cheerfully as he pinned Aru'Dre onto the warm grass. Aru'Dre squirmed under the thirteen-year old boy's hold and growled.
"No!" he objected and Bakuub let him up while he adjusted the weapons he held in his small belt. The younger male dusted himself off and complained, "I was a Kainde Amedha queen with ultra tough armor plating along with a 30 foot acid blood spit range!"
"That's impossible! No Queen has that" Sau'Nak objected, looking at his sore loser of a cousin while he held a small wooden spear. The boys had been playing for a few hours at Sali'ah's home while wearing their child sized hunter's outfits and weapons. It was amusing to see the miniature hunters act out scenes that would come true in later years when they were fully grown males.
"Well, mines did!" Aru'Dre shouted back. Turning his back to them, he grunted and crossed his arms arrogantly, "So too bad."
"You agreed to be a Kainde Amedha drone, not a Queen" Kahet reminded him as he watched Leitjin read a book nearby. Giving his cousin a smirk, he said, "So you lose."
"No fair!" he pouted and threw his knife on the grass. "How come I'm always prey?"
"Don't be a baby" Sri'shan snorted as he held a tablet to keep their scores while laying on his stomach over the grass. "You're the prey again until you kill someone."
"It's three against one, it'll never happen!" Aru'Dre shrieked and opened his arms to flail them. "Forget it!"
"Stop complaining and take it like a hunter" Bakuub snorted as the younger pup sulked.
"Kahet, we have to go!" Leitjin called out to his brother who groaned. He had already packed his things and stood near the path to take home, "Too bad, you promised to help me clean my room!"
"It's not fair" Kahet grumbled and fixed his weapons onto his belt while muttering complaints under his breath. "Fine, let's go!"
"See, now you can be the hard meat again" Bakuub grinned at Aru'Dre who flared his mandibles in anger. "Too bad, it's now two-on-one."
Aru'Dre let out an exasperated groan while Sri'shan pointed at him mockingly from afar where he held his tablet happily. Sau'Nak rolled his eyes and pushed his younger cousin out of the way so they could restart their game. Kahet nodded to his companions in farewell and walked over to Leitjin, who had his little knapsack ready to go for travel. The two boys walked over the paths of grass that had been indented over the centuries for travel guidance. The path to their home wasn't too far and they were used to walking it over the recent months. Kahet tucked his arms behind his head as the cool wind passed underneath the dense teal trees overhead. Leitjin walked slowly behind him while digging through his knapsack to get out some sweets.
"How come you never play Hunters with us, Leit?" Kahet asked, turning around to walk backwards as he stared at his brother.
"Um. . .I don't really feel like it" he excused quickly as he finally grabbed his bag of candy. He munched on some hard candy quickly to avoid the questioning.
"But it's fun, and one day you'll be a hunter too" his brother said, smiling. "You have to train for it or else you'll get killed in your Chiva."
"I don't want to die!" Leitjin retorted as his mouth chewed on the candy.
"Then practice with us" Kahet shrugged as his brother pouted. "In three years, I'll begin training and I plan to succeed. Then we can be hunters together like father was."
"Good for you then" he grumbled and nibbled on his treat while his eyes narrowed.
I don't want to be a hunter, he thought glumly. Why do I have to be one? Kahet likes it way more than I do.
"Leit, look!" Kahet interrupted, snapping him out of his thoughts. Leitjin stared at where he pointed to see a small animal with coarse red skin with a long snout and big black almond-shaped eyes which stared at them curiously. Kahet grinned excitedly while Leitjin wondered if his brother wanted to touch or hunt the animal. With a grin, he said, "Let's follow it!"
"No, we have to get home!" Leitjin objected quickly and crossed his arms. "Forget it."
"Fine, you can go but I'm following it" Kahet informed him and followed the small critter that was now going into the bushes and away from their path. Kahet followed it carefully as he studied its movements and tried to understand its logic while keeping himself hidden behind the large olive green leaves of a nearby bush. Leitjin sighed from where he stood and growled as he grudgingly followed his older sibling into the darker path.
I don't want to go but I'm not staying alone either, he thought. Why does he always have to go off on his own? Isn't he scared?
He quickly scampered over to where he spotted his brother trailing the animal curiously. His bag made noise as it slapped against his side and the animal scurried away in fright into the darker trees in the area. Kahet stomped his foot in annoyance and followed the animal quickly as he beckoned his brother with his hand to follow along. Did Leitjin have to be so loud in the outdoors? Kahet made his way through the foliage easily while Leitjin smacked himself against large leaves and almost tripped over thick tree roots sticking up from the ground.
No fair, he's graceful through the bushes while I look like an idiot, Leitjin thought in self-pity. He'll make a great hunter unlike me.
Kahet shook his head in disbelief up ahead and thought, I'm surprised he hasn't woken up the forest by now. He really needs to train.
Dry leaves crunched under Leitjin's brown feet while he broke into a run to follow Kahet, who's outline was barely visible. He did not want to get lost in this unknown place by himself so he ran as fast as his seven year old legs could take him. Eventually, he crashed into Kahet from behind, who had almost caught the critter to keep as a pet, and they both rolled down the uneven dirt to fall onto another path below. The two brothers groaned as they wiped the ashy trails of dirt off their bodies and took out any twigs from their hair. Kahet glared at Leitjin for making them fall and picked up a round rock nearby to throw into the bushes nearby to vent.
Brothers can be a pain sometimes!, he thought as he hissed softly.
"I'm sorry, I thought I lost you" Leitjin apologized shyly and looked away. "I didn't want to get lost back there."
Kahet shook his head, easily forgiving him, and stood up in order to figure out where they had landed. The entire area was shadowed by dark bushes and towering trees while wildlife noises echoed through the wind. Leitjin felt uneasy and quickly got up to stay at his brother's side. Besides his parents, he only felt safe at his brother's side since he always protected him.
"Are we lost?" he asked, his eyes shifting nervously. Kahet stiffened and looked around the area without giving an answer. Leitjin grabbed the back of his brother's shirt to exclaim, "We're lost, aren't we? I'm sorry, Kahet!"
"We'll be fine" he stated firmly and grabbed his brother's jittery hand. "We'll just find the path over the area we fell from."
Leitjin walked after his brother pulled on his hand towards the sloped side they fell from. He began to run on it quickly after letting go of Leitjin, but the crumbly dirt gave way and he slid back down. Trying again, his fingers couldn't get a grip so he gave up in frustration.
"I'm sorry" Leitjin said, as if it would help their situation but he tried nonetheless. His brother stood up and wiped the dirt off his clothes. "Are you all right?"
"Fine" his brother sighed and looked over the slope. "Let's try to find a lower slope and try to climb it."
Leitjin nodded at his brother's idea since he had none of his own and besides. . .Kahet was much smarter and older than him anyway so he listened. He followed closely behind as he pushed back his hair to look into the unfamiliar territory with weary eyes. Kahet glanced at his nervous brother and wrapped a comforting arm over his shoulder to ease him.
"We'll be fine, all we have to do is find the path and keep heading straight to return" he spoke in a firm tone as his brother stared ahead nervously. "We'll be out before we know it."
"It's creepy in here, it's chirpy and dark" Leitjin whispered to him and held his knapsack closer for comfort. "We've never been in places like this without father."
"I'll protect you, Leit" Kahet assured him and gave him a reassuring smile. "I have my weapons in case of anything."
"But what if there's monsters in here?!" he gasped quickly to him with wide eyes. "They could hurt you and Father's been telling us all those scary tales about these places-"
"He probably did it to scare us, that's just the way he is" Kahet shrugged it off as they continued on their path. "He's done that since we were babies. Besides, if we tough it out, he'll be impressed."
I bet he never did this at my age, Kahet thought. I'll make him proud.
"I can't wait to get home, I'm getting hungry" Leitjin said, feeling slightly better. "I'm going to ask mother to make a dessert and to have a bunch of food servings, no matter how rude it sounds."
"Good luck, father will eat it before we touch it" his brother laughed and he joined in as well. Their laughs echoed through the trees and they heard a howling noise in return. Leitjin jumped in fright and grabbed his brother's hand into his from fear. Kahet tried to see what was out there, despite it didn't sound close, but had no luck.
Sometimes human vision is awful, he thought. I can't detect any life signatures! I could be prey and not even know it! Why couldn't I get father's sight?
Hearing another howl, Leitjin quivered behind his older brother and squeezed his hand tightly. Kahet looked for an open path, finding one off to the left and decided to head through there.
"Let's go and find some shelter before whatever's out there becomes hungry" he ordered quickly and made sure his brother's hand was securely in his. "Run alongside me and don't stop."
Kahet took the lead in their run as Leitjin followed willingly and they both ran through the dense bushes. Leitjin watched his steps clumsily as he tried not to fall over anything that would hinder their escape. After a minute of running, however, Leitjin tripped over another uprooted tree root and fell down instantly. The air got knocked out of his lungs as he felt his knee get scraped and his palms slid on the gritty dirt firmly. He uttered a whimper but his brother picked him up quickly and resumed their previous action.
Kahet swiped any bothersome vegetation away and made a clear path that led to an area with brighter light while Leitjin dabbed his watery eyes with the back of his free hand. In a few minutes, they left whatever animal had howled behind and stopped in a rocky area with cracked patches of grass. The trees and bushes became scarce in the clearing as Kahet stopped to take in a deep breath and Leitjin massaged his aching legs. Seeing he had a scrape on his knee, he quickly wrapped a cloth from his bag around his leg after wiping dirt and blood away from it. Looking around, Kahet spotted a small cave at the back of the clearing.
"We should head there for cover" Kahet advised Leitjin who instantly looked at it in disapproval.
"No, we need to find a way back" he responded firmly and wiped his stinging hands on his shirt. "I don't want to be here, it's dangerous!"
"How can we? We're more lost now than before!" Kahet shot back in annoyance but took deep breaths to calm himself. He didn't want his brother more upset than he was. "We have to think of a plan."
"Why'd you have to follow that stupid animal?!" Leitjin yelled from fear and anger. "We should've just gone home! Now we're lost!"
"Me? You're the one that toppled us and got us lost!" Kahet yelled back and kicked a nearby stick to pent out his frustration. He hated the situation he was in and wondered how he could possibly get out of it.
I could either try to find a way out and make it or get more lost, he thought. Or if I stay put, maybe we'll be found?
"I want to go home" Leitjin sniffled and wiped his teary eyes. He held his bag close to his chest again as he sat down on the dirt hopelessly. Kahet sighed and glanced at his distressed sibling.
"Look, we can stay in that cave and hope someone finds us" he told Leitjin and kneeled down cautiously while watching the trees. "Or we can head out there again and possibly get more lost."
"That cave could have a monster!" he snapped back and looked over at the dark ominous cave. Crossing his arms in defiance, he muttered, "I'd rather stay here."
"And what if a predator sees you and tries to feed? Hmm?" Kahet demanded and pulled him up on his feet. "I'm not about to get eaten before my Chiva and neither are you."
Kahet pulled a reluctant Leitjin towards the cave and stopped at the mouth. Summoning up courage, he inhaled a lungful of air and let out his loudest roar, which sounded more like a yowl, into the cave and hoped Leitjin was right. The two waited at the mouth expecting the worst creature to leap onto to them hungrily but after waiting for five minutes in fearful suspense, they gave up. Kahet went into the dark cavern and made loud steps to make sure nothing was in there. Eventually, Kahet sat down on a boulder nearby and tried to relax. Leitjin still stood at the mouth of the cave warily as he tried not to shudder.
"Are you coming in or not? I don't want anything to eat you" Kahet spoke firmly. He didn't like being firm with him but the situation called for it, especially with his nerves.
He's a nervous boy but he has to control it, he thought. I don't anything to happen to him one day because of it. I had to learn to control my emotions and he must too.
"I sound like my father now" Kahet mumbled to himself. "Ew, I'm getting old."
Leitjin stepped into the cave quietly and sat near the entrance on the floor. He wanted to go home so badly and be with his family again. Next time, he'd forget about following Kahet on his crazy adventures and play it safe. Opening his knapsack, he got out his bag of treats and ate one with a shaky hand while holding back tears.
"It'll be fine, Leit" Kahet assured him as he laid down on his back on the boulder. "Someone will find us."
"And if they don't? We'll starve!" Leitjin cried and hugged himself in support. "We'll never see mother, father, or Lounda again!"
"Father won't let anything happen to us" Kahet insisted and looked outside. "Besides, you have snacks in your bag. That should sustain us till tomorrow."
"Great, now we have to sleep here" he mumbled grumpily. "Without a blanket or pillow. Not even with my toys!"
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"Zia! Aru'Kar!" Iliana called out urgently from the doorstep as she let Aloun'Da back on the ground to stand. "Are you there?"
The door opened a few moments later with Zia yanking a toy from a cranky Darpek nearby. She ushered Iliana in and she entered quickly.
"Zia, has Aru'Dre returned?" she asked, worried. Her two boys hadn't returned for hours and she was getting worried quickly, especially with Kantra gone.
"Yes, he's been here for a few hours" Zia said in a nod and pointed to her son who was eating in the next room. He looked up and waved at his aunt while food stained his brown face. Raising an eyebrow, she asked, "Why? Did he beat up someone again? I swear-"
"Kahet and Leitjin never came home" Iliana explained, her body stiffening in fear. "Sometimes they stay out a little but they never pass the curfew I set for them. They had chores to do and oh- I don't know where they are! I spoke to Sali'ah and she said they left hours ago."
"Have you checked the area?" she asked instantly and called out for Aru'Kar.
"Yes, I've been searching the path they always take and Badru did too!" she nodded frantically and felt tears swell in her eyes. "What if something's happened? How can I find them in this wilderness, Zia?!"
"We'll find them, don't worry" she said and hugged Iliana's shaking form. Looking down at her niece, she smiled, "Aloun'Da, go play with the boys while I talk with your mother."
Aloun'Da stared at her upset mother and was about to shake her head but Iliana nodded to her positively. Slowly, she walked into the next room where Darpek gave her a toy while her mother wiped her eyes and tried to calm herself again.
"I thought it would be safer for them here and now they're lost!" Iliana said, more to herself though. "I'm such an idiot sometimes. A mother should know better than this."
"Mistakes happen, don't blame yourself" she said and squeezed her shoulder softly. "It'll be all right."
"What's this about lost pups?" Aru'Kar interrupted them. Seeing Iliana in distress, he asked quickly, "Are the boys lost?"
"Yes, I can't find them and they should've been home hours ago" Iliana explained quickly. "I would've gone out to find them but I can't bring Aloun'Da. Badru's looking and he went to get the twins so I'm going to go join them, that is, if Aloun'Da can stay here?"
"Of course! Just find them" Zia nodded and looked at her mate. "Will you help them, please?"
"As if I'd let my nephews be in distress" he teased and looked at Iliana, "Give me a minute to grab my weapons and we're off."
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"Aww, and I thought it couldn't get any worse!" Leitjin groaned as he felt showers sprinkle outside and fall onto his body. He stood and walked over to where Kahet was rubbing two sticks together over a bushy looking nest. Curiously, he kneeled down, "What are you doing?"
"Making fire" he stated simply without stopping in his concentration. "Mother learned it on her homeworld and showed me. I don't know if I'm doing it right but I'm trying."
"They're sticks, no one can make fire from that! It's impossible!" he scoffed and smiled, "Now, if we had a caster of sort, then we could."
"Well, we don't" he snapped and tried to light his sticks but to no avail. "Arrgh! How do humans do this?"
"I believe the term is ooman" Leitjin corrected.
"I don't care! I'll combine and speak Yautglish" Kahet exclaimed and glared at his failed experiment. "If those showers turn into a storm, it'll make it harder for anyone to find us. We need a signal of sort."
He's right or we're goners!, Leitjin thought in realization.
He grabbed Kahet's sticks instantly and gave them back to him. With a determined look on his round face, he said, "Don't stop. If anyone can do it, you can."
"I'm tired and we haven't eaten in hours" Kahet sighed and looked at the knapsack. "How much food do you have left?"
"Not much, just snacks" he answered and gave him a small ration. "You need the energy more than me."
"Thanks" Kahet smiled and ate the sweet tasting treat slowly to conserve it. "How's your leg?"
"It stings but it's all right" Leitjin said and looked at his bandaged knee. "I need to clean it though or yucky bacteria can settle in."
"Hmm, hold on a minute" he said and ran outside into the rain to pull off a leaf the size of his arm from a nearby plant. Cleaning it with the falling rain, he made a hammock shape out of the leaf and collected water into it. After filling it halfway, he carried it back carefully.
"What's that for?" Leitjin asked, confused. "Is that supposed to help us?"
"No, hunters need to improvise and use the natural resources around them to survive" Kahet explained to him and drank some water quickly. It tasted like river water but he didn't care as long as his body was replenished, he could worry about bacteria later. "Uncle Nak-De told me about this technique so here, drink."
Kahet tipped the leaf into Leitjin's mouth so he could rehydrate his body while they waited. Returning back outside afterwards, he captured more water and brought it back.
"Clean your cut with this" Kahet ordered and motioned with one mandible towards the bandage. "Take it off and wash your injury."
Leitjin unwrapped his bandage and winced as the dry cut stuck onto dried blood on the cloth. After taking it off, Kahet dropped water onto the cut and Leitjin carefully cleaned off any dirt and blood off of it before it became infected. He let the cut dry before placing a cleaner side of the cloth over his cut to wrap it. Kahet then returned to trying to create a successful fire.
After almost an hour and many trials, Kahet lay on the floor with throbbing fingers but also an accomplished smile. Leitjin stared at the small fire in intrigue as he placed his hands near it to get warm.
He actually made a fire!, he thought as his hands warmed up.
"This will help us for sure" he said, filled with hope again. "You're a genius, Kahet."
He's always amazed by the slightest things, Kahet thought warmly.
"It's nothing" he chuckled and grinned at him. "I won't let anything happen to you, little brother."
"I know and I'm sorry I yelled at you before" Leitjin said, ashamed. "I messed everything-"
"Don't blame yourself, I shouldn't have followed that dumb animal at all" Kahet said and waved it off. "Relax for now."
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A few hours later, which felt like days to the poor boys, the rain stopped but the sky remained cloudy. However, one sun still shined in the sky and gave the boys some light in the cave. The fire still kept burning in the center of the cave and illuminated faintly over the dark gray walls.
"I'm sleepy, it feels like forever" Leitjin sighed as he cuddled up against a cold boulder near the fire. Despite the humidity after the rain, he still felt cold due to the situation.
"Sleep, I'll take watch" Kahet told him as he glanced outside the cave and leaned against one of the walls.
Leitjin shook his head and dug into his bag to pull out a reading tablet. He wasn't a boy that was into disciplining his body like his brother, but more of one of the mind. He loved to read for many hours at a time while his brother trained instead and always felt guilty when his father asked him to train too. He hated training and usually gave up and cuddled up with a reading tablet when his father wasn't looking. He knew his chances to be a good hunter were slim, but he couldn't force himself to like it no matter what he tried. Weapons, prey, traveling, strategy, none of it appealed to him! Sooner or later, he'd have to tell his father and face his upset reaction. Sighing in disappointment, he continued to entertain himself with a tablet about medicinal herbs.
"How can you read that?" Kahet asked, looking over his shoulder with a frown. "That would put me to sleep instantly. .Oh! I get it, you're using it to get you to sleep!"
"No! I like reading this!" he said, defensively. Holding the slate to his chest as if it were a private treasure, he admitted, "It's interesting."
It's not boring, Leitjin thought. I like it. There's so much knowledge about our world and others in the universe!
"I'd rather learn about prey" his brother said simply. "And where they live so I can hunt them one day!"
"I don't have to like everything you and the others like" he pointed out in a huff.
"How can you not love the Hunt? It's everything we live for!" Kahet said, ecstatic. His green eyes twinkled in excitement while his brother's hazel eyes looked bored. "One day you'll-"
ROOOOAARR!
The sound broke off Kahet's sentence as they heard an animal stomp into the clearing noisily. The two boys couldn't see it but they quickly stood up and pressed their bodies against the wall in silence. Leitjin began to breathe in quickly from panic while Kahet grabbed his hand into his.
"What do we do?" Leitjin hissed quietly in fear. He whimpered lowly as he clung to his brother.
"It hasn't seen us but the fire will attract it" Kahet answered and wondered what he could do. He was scared as well but he had to keep his mind clear. "We could put it out but it could come in here or it will even if we don't. Or we could run for it and hope it doesn't chase us."
"How big is it?" he whimpered and closed his eyes.
"I don't know but it sounded bigger than us" his brother sighed as he heard the creature's grunts creep closer to their cave. Looking around quickly, he pulled Leitjin from the wall as he led them over to the biggest boulder that could provide them cover. "Hide well and when it comes in here, we'll run when it's not looking."
"What if it eats us?" Leitjin trembled but listened to his brother. His brother hushed him as he heard sniffs from the mouth of the cave. Leitjin stared straight at the wall and stood stiffly like his brother ordered to. He'd have to trust Kahet since he knew more tactics than he.
Kahet pressed his body against the boulder and hoped the creature's vision wasn't in the infrared spectrum. Turning his head quietly, he saw the dark outline of a creature that was higher than his waist with four legs, slick black skin with scales, four red eyes, and a snout that contained sharp teeth. It sniffed over the dirt of the cave and wobbled along towards the fire.
That thing's not small, Kahet thought. If I don't time this right, it can catch us.
The animal headed to the back of the cave as he held his breath to make his move. Seeing that the creature's interest was held elsewhere, Kahet ran quickly and pulled his brother along over the dirty ground of the cave. The two siblings bolted outside where the sun shone lightly for dusk would be approaching soon. Kahet ran in the direction they had originated from and pushed back the soaked leaves out of his way. Leitjin glanced back every few seconds and sighed in relief when nothing moved behind him.
"I think we lost it! I don't see-" he started but stopped when he heard fast and heavy footsteps behind him. He turned quickly to see the creature tearing through the foliage with its red eyes targeting him. Leitjin ran faster and almost tied with Kahet's pace as they tried to outrun it. "It's still coming!"
"I know that! We need to throw it off our path!" Kahet yelled as he breathed quickly. He swerved to the right and began a zigzag pattern to see if it would stop it. Unfortunately, it still followed but it slowed a bit due to their change in course. He ran faster to see if their speed could throw them off his sight.
"I'm getting tired!" Leitjin said, struggling in his pace. "I'm not used to running this fast!"
"You can do it, stay with me!" Kahet ordered him and tightened his grip. Leitjin nodded but his legs burned after all of their running today and breathed air into his lungs as he panted. Kahet was tiring as well, after playing in the morning and running today as well, but he had to keep his willpower to overcome this.
I am not about to be eaten by prey!, he thought. I have to protect Leitjin or I won't forgive myself.
"I really wished you ran your training laps right about now!" Kahet yelled as he felt Leitjin slack in his pace. His brother closed his eyes and let him lead the way. "Keep running!"
"I can't, my legs are getting stiff" Leitjin wheezed as he tried to follow. His mind was ordering his body to run but it wouldn't, it couldn't!
Run! I don't want to get mauled!, his mind screamed. Run! Just a few more paces!
Leitjin's foot suddenly slipped into a mud puddle and his body collapsed involuntarily. His muscles ached sorely as he fell onto his stomach and tried to push himself back up. Since Kahet held his hand, he fell down onto his back and his head hit the floor hard which made it dizzy instantly. He rolled to his side and quickly stood to pull his brother who wouldn't budge.
"My legs hurt" Leitjin groaned as he tried to run but to no avail.
"I'll carry you! Get on, quickly!" Kahet said and kneeled down so he could climb onto his back.
"I'll slow us down!" his brother shot back.
"Don't argue with me!" he yelled as he saw the creature stomp into their vision. Its bloody eyes held a hungry gaze as its mouth foamed with white saliva. Kahet took out one of his knives and aimed it at the animal once Leitjin hopped onto his back. He'd rarely carried his brother but the situation called for desperate measures. He threw the knife as hard as he could and nailed the creature on its chest but it made no difference.
"Run!" Leitjin yelled.
Before they could move, a spear shot out through the foliage behind them and speared the animal through its skull. The creature bellowed and fell onto its side as it twitched in its last moments of life. The two siblings sighed as they looked around to see who'd done it. The leaves moved aside to reveal their mother who carried a scythe-looking sword in her hand while maintaining her homemaker look. She ran over to them and grabbed both boys into a crushing hug while she kissed the top of their heads joyfully. They returned their mother's hug as they purred in relief that someone finally found them. A rustle sounded off to their right as Aru'Kar stomped out of the forest and looked at the dead creature.
"We can take it back and make dinner out of it" he said, smiling at them. "Nice shot."
"Good thing Nak-De let me take it" Iliana sighed as she cuddled her sons. Worriedly, she demanded, "Where have you been?! I was so worried about you! I was scared something awful had happened to you boys!"
"We got lost" Kahet answered as he looked down. "We were coming home and I stopped to study an animal-"
"I made us fall off the path and we kept running from animals and stayed in a cave" Leitjin interfered quickly and took the blame. "Kahet made a fire and he helped us escape before that thing chased us here."
"I just ran by it, good idea" Aru'Kar nodded to Kahet.
"It doesn't matter, I'm just glad you're both safe" she sighed in relief and held them tightly to make sure they wouldn't leave. "Never wander off without supervision! I've told you that many times. It's dangerous out here, your father tells you that all the time!"
"We're sorry, we never meant to" Leitjin said softly and hugged his mother happily. He was so happy he was with her again, despite being in trouble. "But we're okay. Kahet kept me safe the whole time."
"Good, always look out for one another" Iliana smiled and let go of her kids. Giving them a firm glance, she said, "Your father will deal out your punishment but for now, let's go home and wait for him. I'll make you boys dinner, you must be starving. But first, you'll take a warm bath."
"Yes, mother" they said in unison and grabbed each of her hands.
"Aru'Kar, could you take care of this?" she asked, nodding to the dead carcass.
"Sure, I'll have Mother cook it for dinner" he grinned as the two boys looked at it in disgust. "Prey is sometimes food, not just a trophy. I'll clean the skull for you but it won't be pretty since you gave it a headshot."
"I'm not a huntress, I defend my family" Iliana dismissed it and began to walk away. "Have the bones made into knives for Kahet."
"Really?" he asked, feeling calmer about the situation. She nodded. "Great!"
"I can teach you how to skin it?" his uncle enticed making Kahet stop in his tracks. He looked at his mother with the biggest smiled and she sighed.
"Fine, but do NOT wander off!" she ordered and let him go with his uncle. "Be careful, I want you home before nightfall to take your bath."
Kahet nodded and ran over to his uncle who was lifting the carcass over his shoulder. That thing may have looked big to him but his uncle made it look like the small animal he'd seen in the morning with his height. Iliana walked off with Leitjin who waved at them in farewell.
"I'll personally see him home so don't worry!" Aru'Kar called to her as he saw them fade into the brush.
Leitjin's happy and safe now, Kahet thought and nodded to himself. Now I can learn how to skin prey a bit!
"You father will be proud for the skills you showed today" Aru'Kar complimented his nephew who smiled. "You're still young but in time, you'll make an excellent hunter."
"I hope so" Kahet nodded in pride then sulked, "I couldn't fight that thing though."
"It was an unexpected challenge but you faced it nonetheless" he stated and began to walk in the direction Iliana had gone by. "You were outnumbered and yet you stood your ground. Honorable hunters are defined by it, only cowards run."
"I wanted to run, it seemed better" he sighed and kicked a small rock in his path.
"You're still a child, the fear of the unknown is still inside you" his uncle justified easily and patted his head. "You wanted to get your brother to safety, you were thinking about another, not yourself."
I hope that fear leaves me or I'll die in my first Chiva, he thought sullenly. There is no place for mistake or fear in it.
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End of Chapter 14. And we have a change of pace and focus on the bond between the two siblings on their first journey for survival. Only two more chapters till it ends, so thanks for sticking with my little tale. Thanks for reading and for previous reviews as always.