Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 68478 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68478 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
“Well damn, if there’s a party, I wanna stay another night, too,” Trakan says. “We gotta send our boy off in style.”
Chatav just sighs and rubs his brow. “Another delay?”
The last one. I won’t be around for the next. I swallow the fear in my gut and hold Farli tightly.
In the end, there is a party. A big party. The sa-khui tribe is overjoyed at Farli’s return and my status as the newest tribesmate. I’m showered in hugs and given tunics and food and everything under the sun as housewarming presents. Plans are made for the morning—we’ll be up early to hunt some big creature and get a khui for me. For some reason, I’m calm. I’m no longer panicked like I was before at the thought of being left behind. I’m not, not really. Everything’s here. With Farli at my side, I’m never truly going to be alone ever again. And while it’s a little worrying to think about staying on this primal planet for the rest of my life, there are things to look forward to. I’ll get to tinker with the Elders’ Cave some more. I’ll get to go on more hunts with Farli’s brothers, and I might actually get good at it someday. If nothing else, I’d love to be half as athletic as them.
More than anything else, I’m looking forward to being with Farli, now and forever.
And, all right, I’m looking forward to impregnating her. What man in his right mind wouldn’t?
The celebration is a rowdy one, and people drink lots of sah-sah. Trakan’s got his head together with his buddies Bek and Vaza, I guess getting a few last-minute bootleg liquor deals in. Niri remained only briefly, then returned to the ship with a cursory hug for me. I wonder if we were ever friends or if I’ve just imagined it. Maybe Niri truly does need no one. The thought makes me a little sad.
Captain Chatav moves to my side and comes to sit next to me by the fire. He’s silent, and I wait for him to reproach me. To lecture me on leaving him without a mechanic for the rest of the haul. But when he finally looks over at me, he nods. “You’re doing the right thing.”
“I am?” I’m surprised to hear that coming from him.
“Indeed. Look at how happy you’ve made her.” He nods to Farli, who is sitting with her mother, painting a replica of my tattoo on her mother’s arm. She glances over at me and gives me a radiant smile full of promise.
I can’t help but grin back at her. I’m stupidly happy, too. I don’t ever remember being quite so happy. “It feels like the right thing, you know? I don’t have anyone waiting for me at home. Seemed wrong to pull her from everything she loves just because I don’t like snow.” I’m downplaying it a bit, of course, but Chatav doesn’t need to know about my hang-ups.
“Whatever the reason, I’m glad. You shouldn’t end up a lonely old man like me.”
And again, I’m surprised. “Did you have someone you left behind, Captain?”
His smile is faint. “Why do you think I made a career of the military? Once upon a time, there was nothing left for me, either.” He gets to his feet and straightens his clothing. “I’m cold. I’m heading back to the Lady. Send Trakan up when he’s done drinking, will you? We’ll leave at first light in the morning.”
He extends his hand to me.
I get to my feet and take it. “You’re a good man, Captain.”
“It’s been an honor to serve with you, Vendasi.” He smiles, and then adds, “Mardok.”
And kef, I’m getting choked up. I grip his arm, full of respect for this man. “I’ve got a few years’ pay saved up in my cabin. Box of credit chits stashed under my mattress. I want you to take it. It’s not much, but it’ll help pay for any problems with this shipment.” I think for a moment, and then add, “And might want to give some to Niri. She’s probably pissed that the tribe cleaned out some of her med bay supplies.”
The captain nods. “Thank you.”
He turns and leaves, and I watch him go. Like Niri, I wonder if I truly knew the man or if I’ve just been so wrapped up in my own head that I’ve pushed everyone away. Everyone except Farli. Too late to mend that now. Maybe I’ll see the captain again someday. Probably not, but if I do, I’ll buy him a drink and a meal.
Or since I’m going to be one of the local ‘savages,’ I guess I’ll slaughter him a meal and brew him a drink. There are so many skills I need to learn here, but I’m looking forward to the challenge. As long as I have Farli, I’ll be able to handle anything.