Chapter 16

Zarabeth watched as the morning light brightened into full day, but was only left waiting longer until everything began to fade back into evening. The fact that no one had come for her since the alien woman had left made Zara's worry gradually heighten, unsure of what to make of her solitude. She knew better than to leave the relative safety of where she was, but it was nice to at least have her hands free.

There was nothing left to do but sit there, fidgeting distractedly with the knot tying off the bandage covering her arm.

The more time passed, the more Zarabeth's attention was drawn away by the pounding in her head. Her headache from before, though greatly lessened, wasn't going away, the longer she waited confirming that it wasn't just from being knocked senseless the night before.

Worry, confusion, dull pain, everything was layering to slowly drive Zara to near insanity at the prospect of just sitting there while she waited on the return of the young woman, or maybe someone else before her. Either way, there was no use in doing anything else, her need to find some rest finally forcing her to lay down in one corner of the small space, hoping that sleep would relieve her mind of everything for even just a little while.

It seemed as soon as she had relaxed enough to close her eyes that she was being gently shaken awake, opening her eyes to see the same girl as before leaning over her, the look in her eyes bringing Zarabeth into full awareness.
Distress, concern, these were the emotions filling her eyes as she helped Zara to sit up, the young woman nervously looking over her shoulder every few moments. "I am sorry. There was nothing to do. But you cannot stay here."

"They...They don't intend to let me go?"

"We have been in talk all day, but I cannot tell them otherwise. You must come with me, now, before they see I have left."

Nodding without another word, Zarabeth didn't need any more encouragement before she was completely up, gratefully accepting back the pack of random clothing and items that'd been taken away from her upon her capture.

Confirming to the girl that she was ready, she followed behind as they silently slipped out from the tent and into full evening light, making Zara's surroundings truly understood to her for the first time.

They were in a good sized clearing, the far reaching arms of the canopy of trees surrounding it somewhat shading them. Zara now found herself completely surrounded by huts and tents, some on the ground, others built in the limbs of the nearby trees. No one was around. They were alone, but most likely not for long.

"We must hurry. Time is not what we have. Follow me."

Through the trees, dodging hanging ferns and thick clusters of vines and other vegetation, sometimes wading through small seas of wild grass, Zara was constantly on the alert as they made their way on a path completely invisible to her, but clearly not to her escort. No one seemed to be following them, but this didn't keep Zarabeth from glancing over her shoulder every so often.

Though not full out running, the young woman's pace was rapidly sapping away at what energy Zarabeth had left, leaving her panting quietly as she completely focused on keeping her feet moving. She was determined to keep from being careless with her steps for fear of tripping on the foliage around her.

"We are close."

It astonished Zara how completely collected the alien girl in front of her was, her every movement sure and graceful, sound like that of a feline being. She was grateful for her words since they'd been at it for a good fifteen minutes, Zara's legs now trembling violently beneath her, but still moving with the renewed hope of reprieve soon to be had ahead.

When nothing changed for the next few minutes, the doubt beginning to fill Zara's mind was suddenly swept aside as she realized where they were headed. A short ways away was a small clearing where the land stopped its gentle rolling to steepen into a low cliff, its bare side pelted with entrances to what Zarabeth could only assume were caves. A few of the openings were set at ground level, while most were nestled higher up.

Relief was a poor description of what Zara felt when they finally stopped between the two largest entrances. Her legs instantly giving out on her, she landed hard on her knees, fighting to catch her breath as she sat there nearly doubled over. "I...I'm sorry, I'm not...used to this much exercise. I-It's been a while."

The young woman's smile was soft yet genuine as she knelt beside Zarabeth's trembling form, her hand gentle against her shoulder. "Do not be sorry. You did very well. This was far for someone as ill fit for it as you."

Zara didn't know how to take her last comment, but simply decided to accept them since she was the one sitting crumpled and completely breathless on the ground.

Stepping into the entrance further to their right, Zarabeth's first reaction was that of being suddenly soothed by the cool air surrounding her flushed face. The light breeze from outside wafted past them to keep the slightly moist atmosphere from smelling. Zara was amazed at how the alien girl confidently led her to the back of the long space, completely blinded in the dark by the time they'd reached the far wall.

Zarabeth flinched for only a moment as the girl took hold of her good hand, obviously realizing that Zara could not see as well as she in the pitch black, carefully leading her around a sharp turn in the narrowing space to slowly begin climbing upward along rough stone steps Zara could feel but not see.

"Be cautious. Some foot places are wet and difficult to step firmly."

"How high does this go?"

"To the highest places, but we are not walking that high. It is more difficult the more up you go. We will stop soon. Few know of this place but my trusted friends. You are safe."

Before long, Zara could make out a few rays of light from just a little ways above where they were now, assumedly being let in from another one of the opening on the side of the cliff.

"Here we stop. You can rest well here. I have told my friends to come to us. They can help. We all can."

Letting her pack fall to the stone floor before sitting down in relief against the wall, Zara shook her head with an exasperated smile as she pulled her legs close. "Here you are, I'm seen as some sort of threat to your clan, we just met, I don't even know your name, yet you've let me escape and are now trying to help me. I'm more grateful than I can say, but why? Why do you do this?"

Sitting a little ways across from her, legs crossed as she propped her elbows against her knees, the alien girl had nothing but sweetness in her eyes, every word spoken with confidence. "You are no threat. You are lost. You are not speaking false to me. I cannot allow my family to hurt you to save tradition of secrecy. From what you speak of the smugglers who took the ship of your husband, they do not mean for good things. They mean only harm to the high people who protect our existence for many ages. As second seat of my clan, I cannot stay close eyed to that possibility. Not either will my friends of the sister and brother clans. That is why they are to come soon. They see like me."

Her soft smile brightened as she reached her hand out to Zara, palm facing up as she finished. "My name is given freely to you if I have yours."

Reaching out with clear uncertainty, Zara seemed to be doing the correct thing by laying her hand over hers, procuring a small laugh of acceptance from her. "Zarabeth. Zarabeth Hawkins."

Obviously satisfied, the girl's hand didn't move till she was finished with her surprising reply. "Nomidriellamase of the Bessimellanto clan."

"Nom-Nomi-What?"

Amused by Zara's confusion, the alien girl threw back her head with a small laugh before repeating herself. "Nomidriellamase. I am also called Nomie."

"May I call you that?"

"Yes you are welcome. I apologize. Our clans give long titles of those who sit in high seats. My father is highest. My brother and I are second seats."

"Well, Nomie, it's my pleasure to meet you."

"Like the same of you, Zarabeth."