Foreshadowing galore! This is a more serious chapter update before we delve into all of the good action I have planned. A poignant moment between A'chide and Camilla, n'awwww. Don't worry, all you Gur'rung lovers, there will be some more Gur'rung-Camilla interaction coming up. The next chapter is halfway done, and it is insane (if I do say so myself). Also, I am on the mend. The flu really sucks, and I always seem to get it yearly. I went back and corrected some grammar and spelling errors in the last chapter. I should probably look into getting a beta reader. If anyone knows of a good one, let me know!
Read & Review & I love you!
When one reached the great age of nearly three centuries, sleep was of little importance.
A'chide could go many days without rest, though he knew it was a great advantage to rest when possible. However, the night before the unblooded's first hunt, he found that sleep evaded him.
The Yautja observed the vast black sky. Dawn was creeping over the horizon; orange bleeding into black. It was a striking scene; the Yautja valued beauty to an extent. In this moment, the warrior reflected on his life. He had traveled to every major hunting ground in this galaxy, even venturing to hunting grounds in several other nebulas. His accomplishments were plentiful and his name was cemented in the archives of his clan's history.
There was nothing the Yautja would change about his life.
Growing restless, he paced around the campsite going over the plans again in his head. It was ridiculous being nervous over such a rudimentary hunt. With this many unblooded in tow, problems could arise. His job as leader of the hunt was to assure the safety of each unblooded. They were the offspring of warriors, and they would continue on the warrior legacy. He was ensuring the continuation of his entire clan.
That wasn't what was making him edgy, though. The hunt was only one of his concerns.
The Council had sent him a message before their departure from the training base. A crew of Bad Bloods, renegades without honor, had been spotted in the galaxy quadrant nearest to the training planet. He had ignored the Council's warning, but now there was actual cause for concern. The Bad Blood's infamy was known throughout the entire clan; orders were to exterminate on sight. A'chide was familiar with this particular group of Bad Bloods; they were led by a Yautja as old as A'chide and as expertly skilled. He had been tasked with hunting them across the entire Milky Way, cleaning up after their destruction.
Yesterday had been spent scouting the training planet for any signs of the renegade Yautjas. There was a small campsite on the other side of the mountain pass. It appeared to be abandoned, but A'chide wasn't so sure that the group would not return.
It was unheard of to cut a blooding ceremony short. The unblooded would complete their first chiva today, if A'chide had anything to do about it.
"Is everything alright?"
Surprised, A'chide turned to see Camilla standing a few feet away from him. Her long Ooman fur was down around her shoulders, and her stance was unsteady indicating that she had just been awoken from her sleep. Her round eyes were the most expressive thing about her, especially with her mouth covered by the breathing mask. Right now, her eyes were wide and her brow was furrowed; an expression he recognized as concern.
"Everything is fine, Camilla. Return to your slumber, we do not leave for a few more hours."
It was the best that he could do at being reassuring, sentiment was not an easy thing for the Yautja. The Ooman's eyes grew wider, "We? That means I am going with you to the mountain?"
He had misspoken. His trophy would not be venturing to the mountain for the chiva. She would remain with the unblooded that had not been chosen for the outing. The medics and two of the guards would stay at the campsite, as well. It was important to him that Camilla waited where it was safe. The kiande amedha that they would be facing today were pups; easy to exterminate. His Ooman's presence would only distract him from his duties. He and Gur'rung needed to be focused on the unblooded.
"You are not going. You will remain here."
A frown tugged at the Ooman's lips; he was able to spot it through the mask. She lowered her head, "How long are you going to be gone for? Gur'rung mentioned it being an overnight trip."
A'chide nodded confirming this. The Ooman sighed.
"Is there anything I can do while you are gone? I can be useful, I promise."
He couldn't help but chuff. His trophy was very odd, but it was the thing A'chide enjoyed the most about her. She was growing stronger by the day; nowhere near possessing the strength of a Yautja, but there was a fire growing within her. He shook his head and motioned for her to follow him. Dutifully, the woman walked beside him as he made his way back to their area of the camp. Her sleeping pallet was not far from his untouched one, and the small fire pit that they shared was still burning brightly. Camilla flopped down ungracefully onto the furs while A'chide chose to perch himself on a crate of supplies.
The Yautja picked up a piece of fruit and some dried meat. Tearing the fruit in half, he tossed it to the woman who caught it. There was still another hour left before he would wake Gur'rung to begin preparations.
This was rare time he could spend alone with his trophy.
Camilla pulled off her mask and made quick work of the fruit, peeling it expertly with her fingers. She watched him curiously, her eyes on him as they ate. A'chide huffed softly, "Gur'rung told me your training yesterday was successful. You have been watching the unblooded fight and learning from them?"
Gur'rung had actually spoken in length about the Ooman's sparring match with him. Despite his protesting, his second-in-command was growing fond of the woman. A'chide wondered if the younger Yautja was growing soft, or if Gur'rung found Camilla as intriguing as he did.
"I thought it would be useful to learn from them since they are being trained to fight," she chirped.
He grunted, "That is very smart of you."
Camilla continued playfully, "I also told Gur'rung that at the end of this trip, I will be able to defeat him in combat!"
That would be a sight to behold.
The Ooman grew quiet, throwing the fruit rind into the fire. A'chide watched as she nudged at her pallet with her bare foot. She was debating something in her head; he could tell by her demeanor. It was the same action she had done as a child, waiting in the corner of a room until she got the nerve to speak.
"What bothers you Camilla?"
Pale eyes looked into his and he could see in them a reflection of the burning fire. Softly, she spoke, "Since we have left home, I have had many questions that I have wanted to ask you."
A'chide figured as much. Exposing Camilla to the greater realms of the Yautja world would open the door for questions. He had told her so little about his life, and even less about her own presence in the world. Not that he did it purposefully, but there had never been a reason to tell her. Why would an Ooman confined to his home need to know anything more than what her duties were? Their relationship had been contained to the domicile they had shared; even then, A'chide had left his Ooman alone for many months whenever he had gone off on an excursion. It had been wrong of him to do so, that is why he had brought her along for this journey.
"There are many things you do not know, and it is my duty to tell you about them," he huffed.
Excitedly, the woman went to speak, but A'chide cut her off, "Now, is not the time to speak of these things. You will have every question answered eventually, I give you my promise."
If the woman appeared unhappy, she hid it well. They remained surrounded by wordless silence with the soft crackle of the fire in the background. The Yautja glanced up to the sky and saw that light was quickly approaching. It was time for Gur'rung to wake up and for them to begin travel to the mountain.
Camilla was still silent, staring off into an unseen oblivion. When A'chide stood, she gazed up at him; their difference in height pronounced. He gave her one last whirr, before turning away to find his second-in-command. After a few steps, a tug at his right claw made him turn around. Camilla had followed him, her diminutive hand grasping his expansive one.
"Stay safe, promise?"
He had heard those three words fall from her lips before leaving for every hunt. At first, A'chide had thought it rather insulting for her to worry about his well-being. In his culture, one just assumed that everyone would be victorious in their trials. Worrying about another's safety was accepting fear. Oomans, though, were controlled by fear, especially fear for a loved one's safety. Camilla cared for him, and this expression that she used was a way for her to tell him that she cared.
Like always, he removed his claw from her grasp and made a fist, touching it to his chest. It was a Yautja gesture for acceptance. With that, his Ooman went back to her pallet and A'chide went to find Gur'rung.