* 34 *

             It was getting oppressively hot and stifling in the tightly packed lodge. The smells from dozens of hot sweaty humans with their animal fat based paints, herbal and floral scents, and other mostly unidentifiable orders was almost overwhelming to the three Atanzi trapped in talks in the dimly lit smoky council lodge. They could not leave until they had come to some basic understandings with the natives if they wanted to live in peace with them.
             To live in peace with their new neighbors was what they wanted, not be conquerors or be conquered. There were, however, some very large cultural, technological, and physiological gaps between them that would have to be worked out if harmony were to be achieved on both sides.
             "You want our help? You want us to teach you skills to live in this land? Why? You have great magics. Can't your magics do these things you ask?" Walks In Silence was asking Ky'tulendu, his puzzlement evident.
             "Our magics will fail--not work in time. That is why we ask for your knowledge. To do the right things--not wrong things."
             "I find that hard to believe. You are so powerful."
             "For the moment, honored one, not always. There are many limits to our magics. Without them we are men just like you."
             "Hah! I look at you cat-man and see your teeth and claws. You are fierce warriors who don't need weapons. You carry yours always," he said noticing how the claws on Ky'tulendu's hands resting casually in his lap reflected the firelight.
             "My people have not been true warriors for many, many of our lifetimes. Once we used these claws and teeth to kill, but no more we were changed to abhor such killing. Now we are people of peace. We do not like to fight or kill other beings, even those who wish to our enemies. It is not our way."
             "How can one be changed from what they are? I do not understand Asenti of the Atanzi, explain." Walks In Silence requested very interested.
             "We are not sure ourselves, great one, but in the legends of my people we were once primitive, savages who did nothing but kill and fight each other both with these," he said holding up his hands for all to see and then opening his mouth displayed his deadly looking fangs.
             "We fought for territory, for mates, for power, riches and glory, or for causes we don't even understand anymore. A great burning sun came to our world and the people and animals were made to sleep. How long we don't know. When we woke up the strange sun was gone and we found we no longer wanted to fight one another. It caused us great mental and emotional pain to do so because we could hear each others' thoughts and feelings as well as those of other creatures. We could also learn and speak in ways we had never done before. It was a miracle that saved my people from destroying themselves by their own violence. We call it the Change," Ky'tulendu explained.
             "That is an interesting story cat- man. We have a similar legends among our own people. Can you still read thoughts and feelings of others?" Walks In Silence asked.
             "Not as well as my ancestors could. If I concentrate very hard, but it is still difficult. We have been losing that ability over the centuries since we have been in space."
             "Then are you able to be warriors if you have to be? Can you kill other creatures or men?" he asked, if this Change prevented them from hunting or defending themselves now.
             "I don't know Walks In Silence, it's never really been put to a test until now. Some of my people might be capable of doing violence to another creature to survive, but I fear there are many in my camp that the commands of the Change will be too strong for them to override. Many of my people have never even eaten the flesh of a once living being of any kind. I don't know whether they could."
             "Never eaten meat? Of any kind? What do your people eat?"
             "Vegetables mainly, fruits, synthetic protein substitutes."
             "Huh? What are syn-thet-ics?" the old man asked.
             Ky'tulendu scratched his chin trying to figure out how to explain this one. "Things made out of other things to be like something else."
             "Huh??"
             The Asenti looked upwards trying to get an inspiration to explain this concept that his people took for granted. O'vettun had been listening and saw that the Asenti was having problems. She gently pulled his sleeve and with her eyes asked if she could speak. He nodded.
             "Great One, if I may speak?" she asked Walks In Silence.
             He motioned her to do so with a flick of his hand.
             "Our people do eat strangely to you. Many of us have never eaten real food because the places we come from can not grow it and it is made elsewhere by other people. Most of our food is based on things like your maize, or beans with other vegetables, or fruits mixed in. To eat the flesh of a living being is very terrible thing to most of us no matter how little it thinks or reasons," she said, trying to find the right words.
             "If it lives, breathes or makes more of its kind we cannot eat it. Some of our people have problem even eating plants or fruits because they see them as living beings so we have made foods out of things we find in rocks and dirt. Make them into food through our magics. But as the Asenti told you our magics and those foods will run out and can not be replaced."
             The natives seem to grasp what she was saying they noted in relief. The had a hard time with the idea of people not eating what they did, but they had to accept it.
             Walks In Silence looked thoughtful, "So what will you do will your rock eaters do if they will not eat the bounty of the Creator?"
             "We don't know. We hope we can get them to eat foods like your people do. Some of us are able to hunt and eat meat. I come from a world where my father taught me to hunt and how to eat real foods."
             "That is good. Are there more hunters and eaters of real food among you?" he asked.
             "I--we don't know yet. We are still recovering from the landing and don't really know who survived and what skills or knowledge they may have. There were very many of us, now there are less than half that number of us. Then some of those may not stay alive."
             "That is sad, cat woman. How many do your people number?"
             O'vettun was not sure she looked back at B'tunku and then to Ky'tulendu.
             "I believe there are just a little over two hundred of us, plus ten Soaettes and five Tranquils. We are expected to lose both the Soaettes and the Tranquils because they cannot adapt to the planet and there are many among of the Atanzi have injuries that are beyond my medical teams knowledge and skills to fix and will die." B'tunku said speaking up.
             "What are Soaettes and Tranquils?" Walks In Silence asked.
             "Other peoples different from us. One looks like a great bird shaped like a man and the other is more cat-like than us with tails and fur and smaller. They are just other kinds of men," O'vettun explained. "But they will not live long because this planet makes them sick and they are dying."
             "But this place doesn't hurt your kind?" he asked surprised.
             "No. We have found that we are very much like you. There are few things here that can hurt us by touching, eating, drinking, or breathing your air. Inside our skins we are people no different from you."
             The old man nodded and studied them carefully as well as In The Forest who had been watching O'vettun with pride as she spoke to the head of the council. He had heard the scouts' reports of what In The Forest had done. He was not approving of it either and that was another item that needed to be discussed. The old man looked over to Thunder Arrow and bade him to speak now.
             "My son seems to believe that," Thunder Arrow said looking intently at her.
             She looked embarrassed and confused at his words wondering what he knew. She kept her silence waiting for him to continue. She was not kept in suspense long.
             The chief scowled as he looked down at her from his seat on the bench, and in an anger-laden voice he told her, "My scouts saw the two of you together in the woods, not once but twice making love like animals. My son was banished from this village because he refused to marry Little Snowbird, the daughter of the chief of the Turtle Clan. Instead of coming to his senses he mates with you CAT-WOMAN!" Thunder Arrow spat at her nastily, his hostility plain. "Do you deny this?" he asked, his eyes boring into her.
             "No," she said in a small voice looking up at him with fear in her eyes.
             The chief was gladden to see her cringe with fear. He knew he had her where he wanted her. He pushed on. "Good! There have been too many witnesses to this unholy union. I want my son back and for him to do his duty to his tribe by making a strong alliance with the Turtle Clan. I want you never to see him again or him you. Unless these things are done there will never be any peace between us. You may have your land. We will even send hunters and warriors as well as other skilled persons to show you how to live and eat, but you must never see my son again--never! Is that understood?" Thunder Arrow demanded loudly looking at her, enjoying making her cringe.
             "Yes," she said meekly fighting back the tears that threatened to fall and she sat with bowed head before the council.
             "NO!" In The Forest yelled, jumping up and raising his fist to shake it in his father's face. "I refuse to allow this! I will not leave O'vettun, I love her and she loves me! We are married. She is my mate, my wife, now and for always. I will not marry Little Snowbird, I told you that Father--never!" he yelled.
             His father was nonplused and quirked a satisfied smile at him. "You will, my son, if you wish for these precious cat-people of yours to remain alive and safe from my warriors. I will make war on them if you do not marry whom I say. Since banishment did not bring you to your senses then maybe the risk to the lives of these newcomers will. You and the cat-woman are not married. There has been no ceremony to sanctify it, so you are still free to be wed to whom I say you will!" he said with finality, sitting back against the lodge wall with his arms folded stubbornly across his chest and glaring at son daring him to make a wrong move.
             In The Forest was almost beyond anger now, while O'vettun was in tears now and afraid to speak up. Ky'tulendu and B'tunku were in shock from this, unsure what to say while the people in the lodge looked on waiting to see what would happen next.
             "Father," In The Forest said calmly now, his mind and heart cold and bitter to his parent. "I cannot marry Little Snowbird, O'vettun and I are mated, bonded in the eyes of the Creator. To make us stay apart will harm us both. How could you do such a cruel thing to me, to O'vettun and to Little Snowbird. It will hurt her deeply to find she is married to a man who can never love her and who only thinks of his true mate. Even Swimming Otter would be angry at you for such a match for his daughter," he tried to argue using logic.
             "True, but it is for the benefits of both tribes. This match has been planned ever since you two were born. It brings great honor and wealth to both. It must be!"
             "There will be no honor in it if I cannot be a true husband to Little Snowbird. My heart is with O'vettun and always will be," he told him stubbornly, his eyes flashing dangerously.
             "Then you have signed the cat-peoples' death warrant. By their own admission they are not warriors and know not the ways of this land as we do. Do you think they will last long under a constant siege from my warriors even with their magic to protect them? Do you want the blood of both people on your head?" Thunder Arrow asked not backing down.
             "No, but. . . ."
             "Stop! Stop it both of you!" O'vettun yelled jumping to her feet and standing between them with out spread arms to hold them apart.
             No one moved.
             "I can't take it any longer. This must stop. In The Forest you must do as your father says there is no other way," she said seriously looking up at him with torment ridden tear stained eyes.
             "O'vettun, I cannot!" he protested.
             "You can! You must!" she shouted at him, making him back down.
             "I will not be the cause of bloodshed of either your people or mine. Your father is not going to back down and let us be together. He is chief like an Asenti. His word is law. You must obey it. If this will give our peoples peace and safety then I will do it, regardless of how I feel for you. We must always think of what is good for all, and ourselves second."
             He looked at her unbelieving, pain written in every feature. "No! The heart is the only thing that must be obeyed!" he protested, begging her to listen.
             She shook her golden head sadly, "I wish that that was so, my love, but we have duties to others, commitments to help them, we cannot let our love cause a war that neither people could win."
             "What about our commitment, our bond? Remember B'tunku's words about the bonding?" he asked seriously not wanting to let her go. "And our child?"
             She hung her head, "I know. The bond will never be broken, we will always be connected. If you do this thing then our child will be safe. If you do not I fear that . . . ," she could not say it as the tears overwhelmed her.
             "See even your cat-woman agrees with me that you should marry Little Snowbird," his father gloated from his seat.
             "Father. . .!" In The Forest warned shooting him black looks as he tried to comfort O'vettun with a gentle touch on her shoulder.
             She didn't feel it. "No, In The Forest, my mind is made up. You must stay here and do your duty to your tribe and secure the peace for both of our people. This is what I want," she told him looking up with a calm and steady gaze.
             Then she turned to Thunder Arrow, "Do you give your word that if In The Forest marries Little Snowbird that my people will live in peace, and yours will help mine learn the ways of this world?" she asked her voice steady now as she looked at the hard hearted native.
             "I give my word, cat-woman. As long as my son does not see you, and you him there will be peace between us, and we will help yours. On the blood and spirits of my ancestors I swear this," he said solemnly and made a cutting gesture with his right arm from his chest signifying the vow was sealed.
             "Good. Now I must go back to the ship. Good bye, In The Forest, may your life be long and happy, and you find peace with Little Snowbird," she wished him, and turned to walk away her duty done.
             "O'vettun, no! Don't go." In The Forest begged, trying to grab her arm.
             "I made a deal with your father. I must go. It is over between us. We each must walk our own separate paths now. Good bye," she told him coldly, shutting her mind and heart off to his pleas.
             "What of our child? Our bond?" he asked desperately frightened of her coldness.
             "The bond will fade because we did not complete the bonding. As to the child, I don't know what I will do. It is too soon to think of that. There may not even be a child to worry about. That might be better than it being an outcast of both peoples. Please, In The Forest, I must go. I have work to do," she said determinedly breaking free of his arm and running out of the lodge.
             They watched her go and no one tried to stop her fleeing through the village to her ship. In The Forest just stood where she had left him. His heart, mind, and soul in agony, feeling only emptiness where love had once bloomed brightly. He felt so very lost and hopeless now with his mate gone. He sensed that she would not go back on the deal with his father, nor could he now. He was being forced into a marriage he did not want for the sake of their people. He wanted to die but did have the courage. Blindly he sat down in heap and lost himself in his sorrow.
             His father smiled in satisfaction that his plans were going so well. He had not expected such a victory as this. Now he could send runners to Swimming Otters village and prepare for the wedding which he would make sure happened within the week. Even if he had to drug his son to make him go through with it.
             He had overheard the talk of a child, but he dismissed it as only a vague hope between the two. There was no way that they could have a child. These people were animals. True people could not have children by animals. It was against the will of the Creator and nature. Soon he thought no more about it as he listened to the council meeting resume.
             "Asenti Ky'tulendu, you have heard the pledge that has been given do you swear to stand by it as well?" Walks In Silence asked somewhat embarrassed by Thunder Arrow's deal, but it had been set up the only thing left was to make it binding to all parties.
             "I do. I will make sure that O'vettun and In The Forest have no contact within the borders of my village," the Atanzi answered not liking it any better. He decided though to negotiate further. "What types of aid and helpers do you plan to send to my people?"
             "We will send warriors to show you the ways of the hunt and maidens to show you the ways of the farmers. We will also send you Roaring Wings to help you understand our ways and beliefs and for him to learn yours so there may understanding between and peace maintained."
             "That is a very good idea, honored one. We do wish to know your ways. Many wars have been fought over misunderstandings of what each tribe believed or did differently from another. This is very good. Is Roaring Wings agreeable to this?" Ky'tulendu asked not sure how the shaman felt about being sent off.
             The shaman stirred from his perch in the corner when he heard his name mentioned. "This is agreeable. There is much to teach and much to learn. I am not so old that I cannot learn with an open mind. I wish to see these strange magics I have heard tell of for myself. Only a fool turns his back on opportunities such as this," he said.
             Ky'tulendu nodded in agreement trying to read the underlying eagerness he had heard in the shaman's words. Maybe it was a thirst for knowledge or the chance to show off his own that sparked that. He wasn't sure, but something was up.
             Beside him B'tunku kept silent and tried not to feel the watchful eyes of the shaman upon her. Every time she looked his way he was looking at her. It was getting under her skin. He wanted something from her, but what it was she didn't know. She wasn't quite sure that she wanted to know considering Thunder Arrow's attitudes towards them. No doubt the shaman shared similar views. She wasn't too sure she liked the idea of his spying for his brother. She was sure that was real reason behind his wanting to come.
             Did Ky'tulendu know? Did he care? Ky'tulendu was too willing to let them in on their secrets. They didn't know these people or that much about them. She hoped they weren't all walking into a trap that would see them all killed. Too many years on Rumnul had made her suspicious of people no matter what they looked like or acted before an audience.
             So far she could detect no dishonesty in the actions or words of these natives. The notable exception was Thunder Arrow who made warning bells go off in her head. Him they could not trust. He hated them with a passion and made no attempt to hide it.
             She was going to make sure they did not relax their guards under the illusion of peace until it was solidly proven that peace did exist. There was much they were going to have to discuss when they got back to either the ship or to camp.
             She heard Ky'tulendu talking, "So when do you want to send your people over, Walks In Silence?" he asked.
             "With you when you leave. I have already chosen who will go. They only need to gather their things and they will meet you at your ship," he said, seeing he had taken the Atanzi by surprise.
             Then he smiled. "Now we shall smoke the pipe, and eat. And you will tell us of your strange journey to our land," he added, signaling that the feast for the guests should begin.

* 35 *

             O'vettun did not return to the village even after she saw that Ky'tulendu and B'tunku were not coming back until late or in the morning. She wanted to be alone to think things out in her head.
             For many long hours she sat in her seat in the darkening interior of the ship, just crying, letting all that had happened wash over her. It was a cleansing that she needed to face what lay ahead. When she was finally all cried out she just sat and stared out the window, unseeing of the nightscape around her. In her mind images raced, warring for supremacy.
             The plans and dreams of the last few days with In The Forest were shattered, nor would she even want to resurrect them. She had to stand firm and end it, even if it meant closing off her heart and their bond.
             Wasn't there an old saying that it was better to have known love once than never to have known it at all? She was not so sure. She would have rather never found love than to have known it for such a brief time. Now only the ache of loneliness remained in its place. Why did being apart from him have to create such pain? She had no answers nor did she think she'd find any.
             Finally she slept after finding a blanket to wrap around her. She curled up into a small ball on the floor of the ship. Her dreams were filled with him and the life that could have been but wasn't to be now. At least here in her mind they were together, she thought contentedly as she slept.
             It was near dawn when she was awaken by the opening of the hatch from outside. She sprang up quickly, looking around frightened and wide eyed from her not too comfortable bed. It took her a moment to realize where she was because her dreams had been so vivid.
             "O'vettun, are you here?" B'tunku's voice called in through the open hatch.
             "I'm here," she replied, gathering her wits and sitting down in a seat a little on the shaky side.
             "Good, we were worried about you after you ran off. Everything okay, no problems?" she asked concerned as she stepped in to view and stood in the doorway.
             "Yes, just had to be alone for awhile. I expected you and the Asenti to back sooner. Is it morning already?"
             "Almost. To negotiate the fine points of the peace treaty we stayed for the feast they gave us and to smoke their terrible smelling peace pipe. The feast and talking with the elders took most of the night. They finally went home so we could," she explained.
             "Is the Asenti with you?"
             "He's coming. He's walking with Roaring Wings who is coming back with us along with five other representatives from the village to start teaching our people how to hunt, do food preparation, and other skills," she told her.
             "They're flying back with us? In here?" O'vettun asked.
             "Yes. Ky'tulendu agreed to that. I know it's going to be a tight fit but. . . ."
             "I know, orders are orders," O'vettun said looking around trying to figure how they were going to get nine people on an eight person vehicle. Somebody was going to have to ride in someone's lap or they would have to put the seats up as if they were carrying cargo. "Let's start getting the seats up or someone rides double."
             They went to work and got all the seats but the pilot and co-pilot ones stored away. From outside they could hear voices coming and O'vettun looked out to see their guests and to welcome them aboard.
             Ky'tulendu was exhausted from the lack of sleep, though he was happy with the progress that had been made so far. He was finding that Roaring Wings was not like his brother Thunder Arrow. He was an observer and thinker, preferring to study a situation before acting on it. He was not a hothead, preferring to keep his emotions under tight control as well as his words. When he did speak it was after much reflection and with great eloquence. Ky'tulendu was really getting to like the tall thin shaman and looked forward to many long talks with him--after they both got some sleep.
             Ky'tulendu led them up the metal ramp. The two female natives were unsure of the great bird ship, but they followed the five males into the lighted interior. One of the women, Falling Leaf, was the wife of one of the warriors, Leaving Fox Tail. She was a plump plain faced woman with dark coppery skin, her long blue black hair was braided and fell to her ample waist. She wore only a skirt of woven grasses with red and black colored grasses woven into them to make geometric patterns and plain moccasins. On her arms were beaten copper armbands, and she wore white and brown beads around her neck.
        The other woman to his dismay was White Deer, daughter of Thunder Arrow, niece of Roaring Wings and sister of In The Forest. She was wearing a wider and more concealing piece of golden tanned deer hide across her shapely hips than before and also wore a concealing cape around her shoulders. Evidently, her father had noticed the looks that had been exchanged between Ky'tulendu and his daughter and wanted nothing to encourage that attraction.
        The two tall, mohawked younger warriors were Fights Like Cat and Hidden Knife who were unmarried men in their mid-twenties related to Falling Leaf. They were picked because of their specialized knowledge in the ways of their people and could teach these skills to others.
             O'vettun and B'tunku had put padding and coverings on the floor to make their guests' trip more comfortable. They then directed them where to sit and store their belongings. The natives did as they were told, and soon everyone was settled and the hatch closed. Ky'tulendu had Roaring Wings sit in the other seat so he could observe the take off and landing. B'tunku and O'vettun sat on the floor with the natives to help keep them calm and to be alert for problems.
             "Everyone set back there?" Ky'tulendu turned and asked doing his final checks.
             "All secure, Asenti," B'tunku replied, and told the natives to hold on to the flying straps that hung down from the walls for situations like this.
             He faced forward and started the engines, flipping switches as he went. "We're taking off," Ky'tulendu warned as the ship started rolling forward across the uneven ground then leaped up in the air to fly both vertically and horizontally over the tops of the forest.
             Roaring Wings was spellbound at the sight and sensations of being up in the air like the birds. From his seat he could see his village and the forest around it. Ky'tulendu took them higher, close to the clouds, and things began to look small.
             In the far distance the shaman thought he could see the ocean but he wasn't sure. Even the colors had changed to mottled browns, golds and shades of green while the wide streams had become wide ribbons of blue. How far one could see from up here, he thought, how large their world really was. It was hard not to be a child full of wonder again.
             "How are you enjoying the ride?" Ky'tulendu asked him.
             It took a second for him to realize the Asenti had spoken to him. He recovered quickly.
             "It is wondrous. To see so much so far. To touch the very clouds like the birds do. This is fine magic. Will you teach us this?" he asked sincerely hoping this would not be his only trip into the sky.
             "Yes, after you have learned more of our ways. Flying one of these machines is not as easy as it looks. It took me many years before I was allowed to fly alone. Even longer before I went to the stars and flew in a starship," he answered.
             "Starship? Ship like this that flies across the stars?"
             "Yes, but bigger, many, many times bigger. When you see what is left of the one that brought us here then you will understand how big."
             "Good, I wish to see this ship. To understand," he said agreeing with the idea. "Did your father teach you to fly?" he asked.
             Ky'tulendu shook his head, "No. My father died when I was very young. I never knew him, nor my mother. I was sent to school to learn to fly and learn many things. I was seven, I think. I never saw too much of my family after I was sent to school. The service has always been my life," he said in a sad tone thinking of his childhood that really wasn't one.
             "The service, school?" Roaring Wings asked about the unfamiliar words.
             "That'll take some explaining. It is where we go to learn how to fly ships, learn machines, skills, how to deal with people, many things. There are no families, just individuals living together according to rank and position as well as age, but some how we become a sort of family because we have things in common. We are like a tribe, but a specialized tribe, because very few of our people go into the service or go into space."
             "Yes, it is very complicated Asenti Ky'tulendu and sad."
             "Sad, how so?" Ky'tulendu asked, turning to look at him.
             "To never know family, only the company of strangers. That makes you a lonely man. It is not good for a man even such as you to hold themselves apart from people," Roaring Wings said quietly.
             "No, it's not. Sounds like you know something of that," he commented.
             "I do. I lost my wife and my son many years ago. It has been very lonely since, but men in powerful positions are often lonely. That seems to be what the Creator wishes," Roaring Wings said, his dark eyes behind his mask studying the red-haired Atanzi.
             "Saying of your people or something else?" Ky'tulendu asked.
             "One of my own from studying the ways of the world. You are not as old as you first appear, Asenti?"
             "No, I'm not. I was one of the youngest Asenti's to ever command a duri-cruiser. A starship like mine was. That puts distance between you and people."
             "Being youngest and in a powerful position is always difficult. I know. I've been in such."
             "You?" Ky'tulendu asked surprised.
             "Me. You think me old, but I am not much older than my nephew. My parents had me late. My brother is almost thirteen years older than myself. Then from birth since I showed all the signs I was trained to be the shaman to take the place of Ghost Walker our uncle who was shaman before me. He was very old when I was born and even older when he died when I was but thirteen summers old. That was thirteen years ago. I became a man before I was a man because my people needed me. Duties to others make us old before our times," Roaring Wings said, seeing sympathy and comprehension in the soft blue eyes.
             "They do, that they do, Roaring Wings," Ky'tulendu agreed with him. Then turning to the window, he told the shaman. "If you look that way to the right you will see where our ship crashed down. I wanted to fly by to see the damage from the air and to see if I could find the missing pieces." Ky'tulendu explained, pointing out the window towards the large gap in the thick trees.
             Roaring Wings looked where he pointed and grunted to himself. The closer they got the more he could see. It was a wonder that anyone had come out of that mass of metal below.
             The wreck had cut a bigger swatch in the earth than Ky'tulendu had thought. Looking beyond the ship to the sea he found the engines. Parts of them were sticking up from the waters of the shallows close to the shore. From there was a long trail of charred and twisted metal parts as well as dead bodies strung out across the landscape. He saw no movement, nor did he expect any but he would send people to check just in case.
             Was this day four or five or six since this had happened? He wasn't sure anymore. Too much had happened in too short of time to all of them, and this was just the beginning.
             He also found stores or what was left of the missing cargo. The supplies he had so carefully gathered also lay spread across the wilderness. Hopefully, they were salvageable. He really didn't want his people to be reduced to living the way the natives did, but they would if they couldn't keep their technologies going or at least some of them.
             Too many decisions, not enough time to do everything he wanted the way it should be done. The damage to his ship was unbelievable as was the damage to the surrounding landscape. Fire had damaged huge sections of the forest and torn up the ground for hundreds of lssnss.
             The ship he could see now was three-fourths buried. After they were through using the earth moving equipment at the village they would go back to work on excavating the ship. He knew that the buried portions contained more equipment they could use, if they could get at them.
             "Your ship was huge, Asenti!" Roaring Wings agreed, awe struck by the shear size the ship represented, almost five times the size of his village and more.
             "People like yourself built such a thing? Thought of it and made it work?" he asked.
             "Yes, many people from all over the galaxy--the clusters of stars you see and don't see--helped make it with their minds and labor. I only ran it, gave orders to those who actually made it go. I know nothing except the very basic ideas of how it all went together and how it moved," Ky'tulendu explained least the native thought he could fix it.
             "Like chief or elders who tell workers or warriors what to do. So you can never leave this place and your people will not come to look?"
             "No, we lost contact with our people and the only ones to contact are our enemies. Who we don't want to find us. We are here to stay. This place will be our place as long as we live." he said, quelling any hopes that they would be gone soon.
             "Until I saw your ship I did not truly believe your story that you came from the stars. Now I do. I also saw the bodies of your dead and believe you are not gods. These are things I needed to know for myself, Asenti, to know that your words were true. I ask your forgiveness," Roaring Wings said very seriously.
             "For what?" Ky'tulendu asked confused.
             "For doubting, for beginning to believe my brother and believing that you came from somewhere close you could return to. You are truly alone here, you and your people. Do they grieve for their homes and their families?" he asked.
             "Some do. We all will miss our homes, people like ourselves. Reality has not yet set in for most of my people yet because of the shocks they have been through, but soon, very soon when they have had a chance to sit and think then they will mourn, we all will mourn," Ky'tulendu said, knowing that this would soon happen if it wasn't already happening at the camp.
             "You have such heavy burdens for one so young, Asenti. But I sense the strength in you that makes you able to shoulder them. You are a good man, with a good heart. Your people will prosper under you," he complimented, meaning his words sincerely.
             "I hope so, Roaring Wings, I really do," he replied, and then pointed out the window to the North. "You can see our village now. What do you think?" he asked.
             "It is magic. To do so much in such a short time," he said in wonder staring open mouthed at the huge village with half its buildings laid out and foundations already poured. The new wood of the frames gleamed white in the sun as workers busily put down flooring and the walls went up on the large multi-story buildings. While still other work crews made wide hard surfaced roads for the ground shuttles.
             Even to Ky'tulendu it was almost magic how fast their village was being constructed and would soon be completed. Then all that would be left would be the furnishing and supplying of it. It was like the ship, efficient and well organized. It looked like four buildings were almost completed and five more would be within the next two days. On the edge of the camp he saw the tents and temporary buildings and aimed the skimmer towards them.
             It was beginning to look like a primitive Alliance outpost on a colony planet with its regulation streets, and regulation houses and buildings. It was almost too orderly and defined. It was not a part of its setting and by its very lines it looked alien, and stood out clearly from its backdrop.
             Roaring Wings was silent, and Ky'tulendu was silent as well as he flew the shuttle craft closer in and began landing in the now concrete topped landing field. He almost felt he should apologize for the changes made. He could sense sorrow and disappointment from the man as Roaring Wings looked with wonder, yet disapproval at all he saw.
             They ship landed and settled smoothly to the ground. Ky'tulendu began shutting down the engines and popping the hatch. The ramp went down and daylight streamed into the inside. They could leave at any time. Ky'tulendu got up and stretched, while Roaring Wings remained seated.
             The shaman sat staring out at the strange white surface that he had remembered fondly as once being a field of wild flowers and tall grasses. Gone, all gone, he thought sadly, as was the grove of oaks and elms that had become the strangers' houses. They had left precious few of the great trees for shade or for the squirrels to hide in. It shocked him to his very soul to see all this land so transformed and badly warped from the Creator's ideals.
             He did not blame In The Forest for giving them the land it had been the right thing to do, nor could the boy have known that this would happen. No one could have dreamed of such buildings and things as he had seen on the ground as they came in from the air. It was beyond anything in their experience. He just hoped the creator would forgive them all for this raping of this world.
             He could not in good conscience blame the strangers. They didn't know what they had done. They had built to fit their needs and as they knew how. If only he could have gotten here sooner and been able to guide these lost ones. He was here now and, he would do what he could to repair the damage to the land, and pray he did enough to appease the anger from the gods and spirits.
            He felt Ky'tulendu's concerned eyes on him and roused himself at last from his thoughts. He looked up studying the cat-man and saw the worry there in the solemn blue eyes. Yes, he did understand, but not all that he could.
             "My people and I will rest first and then we will talk on what we need to teach yours, Asenti. I see there is very much to talk about, but we are both tired. Can you show us the way to where we are to stay?" the man asked, his voice very quiet and neutral.
             "Yes, we have prepared a large lodge for you. If your people need more room let us know. The doctor, B'tunku will take you there."
             "You will not accompany us?"
             "I have duties I need to see to. The Doctor can show you everything and answer your questions. She will soon be my second in command."
             "She isn't now?" he asked regarding the silver haired female of his dreams who was helping the natives disembark, her back turned to them.
             "No. My real second in command is at the ship you saw, but she is very ill, dying. This planet is not good for her kind. She is not Atanzi," Ky'tulendu explained.
             "Will I get to see these beings that are not Atanzi, maybe I know a medicine that will help them?"
             "That's a generous offer. You can ask the doctor. I leave medical matters to her. I know nothing of such things. I will see you out then I must go and do some things," Ky'tulendu apologized for not being able to personally give him a tour of the village.
             "I understand, Asenti. You have many duties, many people to worry about and you are only one man. I will talk with the doctor. Maybe we will find we have much in common like we are finding, huh?" he commented in a half laugh, a secret joke to himself.
             There were tones and nuances in the shaman's last statement that Ky'tulendu couldn't quite fathom, but he let it pass as he followed the man out to meet the rest of the group at the bottom of the ramp.

* 36 *

             "Asenti, I am going to my quarters if anyone needs me." O'vettun told her commander, excusing herself from the group. She wanted no part of the grand tour, only to be alone, and get away from these people who reminded her of In The Forest. Most particularly she wanted to be away from his sister and his uncle. It was too painful to be near them right now.
             The Asenti nodded his agreement and she left as fast as she could for the safety of her tent. She had no difficulty finding her quarters, but much had changed in the camp since she left yesterday afternoon.
             At least they left a few of the older trees she thought as she walked down the busy roadway and felt the hot unfiltered sun upon her head. There were going to be more than a few cases of sunburn because they had stripped the forest of its huge trees and had left big gaps in the once intertwined foliage because of the tall two and three story buildings in the compound. Even the tall grass she and In The Forest had run through was gone, sheared to the ground. Over the creek where they had played and made love a wide wooden bridge now spanned.
             It was so very neat and military orderly. No piles of dirt, no tall grass, just concrete and regulation this and that everywhere she looked. She hated it. She could just imagine what the natives thought of all this. This is not what she had envisioned when she had first seen this place. This was not what she thought her people would do to the land.
             They've ruined it already and made it into an imitation colony world town. The only thing missing is the bar and space drifters. She was so mad she wished she could take a laser and level it to the ground and start over.
             She doubted if Ky'tulendu had known this was going to happen either. He had looked shocked and surprised at the village when he got out of the ship and really saw it. She wished she knew whose idea it had been to make this place like this and to change their careful plans and blueprints.
             She couldn't bear to go to her tent as she had intended. She felt alien, out of place here. She had to get away from all of this. Only one place remained that she could truly call home, that felt like it, In The Forest's cave. Providing it hadn't been found and was still safe from the intrusions of her fellows.
             She headed for it and was relieved as she got closer than nothing had yet been done on that side of the once peaceful creek. The bridge crossed further downstream from the cave. She had just begun to cross when a voice rang out.
             "Stop! Where are you going, officer?"
             She stopped dead in her tracks and looked around and spotted the sentry sitting under a shade tree close by. He looked at her curiously. She was rather rumpled from her trips and sleeping in the flier.
             "I needed to take some samples of the some of the plants on this side. Tanz Commd H'lgradd sent me," she lied using the name of an officer she knew worked in bio-sciences."
             "Can I see your pass?" he asked coming up to her. "I see nothing on the current duty roster about such a request. Command has posted this area off limits without proper authorization to do field work," he said formally.
             "She just gave me the orders. Probably hasn't gone through the central commcon yet. Check your listings again for a Tanz T'saasser," she told him using the name of one of her friends she knew who had died in the crash.
             He bent over the small screen of his recorder scanning for the name, while he was occupied she casually turned and drew out her stunner from her inside pants pocket. She had never turned hers back in and had been carrying it since.
             The heavyset older dark haired Atanzi looked up to see her standing there with the stunner pointed at his chest. His mouth dropped open in surprise.
             "What the . . .?" he managed to squeak out before the beam hit him and he fell to the ground unconscious. He would be knocked out for a good four hours at the setting she had used.
             She took his weapons, field pack, and recorder as well as his communicator. O'vettun scanned the area and to her relief saw that there were no other Atanzi nearby within scanner range. He was too heavy to move so she left him where he had fallen and ran across the bridge. With luck he wouldn't be noticed until she had made it to the cave.
             When she had been growing up she had spent a lot of time in the woods around her parent's farm where she had learned some outdoor skills. She looked and found the landmarks she had picked out to find the cave again on her own. She kept scanning the area for more sentries. Her luck was still holding when she ducked through the bushes covering the cave and slipped inside. Just as she did, she made one more sweep and saw that two people had arrived at the sentry's post. Where the cave was on the hillside, they would have seen her had she arrived a little later.
             She watched them searching for her on the recorder's small screen as she sat behind a large boulder that stood in the entrance chamber to block any scans by them. After awhile they left taking the still unconscious Atanzi with them. Even after they left she did not feel safe from accidental discovery. She'd just have to hope no one came this way.
             It was dark beyond the gloom of the doorway. All of In The Forest's torches had either burnt out or had been put out by him. She saw some dried sticks by the door and changed the setting on her stunner to use it to cause the ends of the sticks to burst into flame. Quickly she found one of his torches and lit it from her own. The resin-oil coating caught and she walked further into the cave lighting torches as she came to them and took them with her to find the path down to the main chamber far below.
             She found his supply of dried wood and quickly had the dead cooking fire going again. Then she sat back watching the flames and making plans for her future.
             One thing she was sure of was that she wasn't going back to the camp for a while. She knew that made her a deserter. She would be missed eventually and with the sentry's description there would be no doubt that she had assaulted him to leave camp.
             The cave was almost too close to the camp. She knew that, but there was no other sanctuary for her except maybe the native village which was now off limits too. If she stayed here she would be cut off from supplies and food from the camp. Which meant she would have to live off the land using her wits and available resources. Which were what, she wondered?
             In The Forest had stocked the cave well with food and necessities, if she could figure out how to use them. With the scanner she could analyze how some of the manufactured items that had been made and try to duplicate them, but as far as cooking the food that was going to have to be trial and error.
             Right now she was not in the mood for trial and error. Taking the field pack off she found the sentry's rations and ate. As she ate she took stock of her surroundings, seeing more of the cave than she had. She had been really too preoccupied to notice too much of anything but her mate the last time she was here.
             The cave was many times larger than she first thought with five possible tunnel entrances opening off it. Their dark silent openings made her aware of how alone she was. The quiet of the cave was strange to some one used to constant undercurrents of sound and people. The only sounds she could hear were the dripping of water and a kind of low gurgling sound. Taking one of the torches she decided to explore its source rather than sit and worry about it.
             It was coming from one of the openings that was that was twice her height. With the torch in front of her she cautiously explored the smooth walled tunnel noting that the sound was getting louder with each step she took. It took her fifteen minutes by the timer on her recorder to reach the end only to find that the tunnel opened upon another huge chamber that was lit with golden light from an unknown source.
             The sound was from a huge waterfall whose source lay in the darkness above. It was creating a shallow river that was over hung by white mists that obscured where it led off to beyond her vision. She stood upon a wide ledge above the river and to her right she saw a natural path that led down to a sandy beach covered with rocks. She found her way down to the beach and checked the water with recorder. It was fresh and safe for her to drink. It was also cool but not unduly so, she could wash in it if she wanted. By the falls though were hot springs, that was even better.
             This solved one problem of where to get water and to bath without going outside. There were even fish, and other creatures that her recorder said were safe for her to eat. She had stumbled on to an underground paradise as rich as the one outside. Seeing the natural available light she wondered about moving to this cave and abandoning the other. It would be safer and she would have water and food. She decided to sleep on it.
             While she still had torch light she went back the way she had come to the main cave. Lighting more torches, she started examining In The Forest's stock and supplies to plan out her future alone.

* 37 *

             "The runners have been sent and returned. Little Snowbird and Swimming Otter and the elders of the Turtle Clan will arrive tomorrow. The ceremony will be that night." Thunder Arrow told his son as he sat down for dinner in the chief's lodge.
             His son just glared at him and turned his back to him. They were alone. His mother and two sisters were visiting with another family while the two men talked about In The Forest's future. The talks so far had been anything from pleasant on both sides. Anger ran high as the father stubbornly went forward with his plans and ambitions for his only son.
             Thunder Arrow ignored his son's gesture and continued to talk. "Sulking will do no good. You are pledged and must carry through this time with the marriage. As we speak your new lodge is being built to have it ready for you and your bride."
             "I thank the tribe for its generosity but you know my feelings already. Little Snowbird will be my wife in name only. You'll have no grandchild to sit on your lap from her," In The Forest coolly told him.
             "I'll accept none from that abomination that you insist you love."
             "She carries my child."
             "HAH! You cannot know that, nor can she so soon."
             "A machine that the Atanzi doctor carries told us before we came here. They can see things we cannot, know things before it is possible to know."
             "Lies! All lies or else magic. I say there is no child between you and her. There cannot be because she is not one of the people!" Thunder Arrow argued.
             In The Forest spun around ready to hit his father so hot was his anger, but he kept himself in check and turned cold once again. "I do not lie and neither do the Atanzi machines. We will see who lies when O'vettun swells huge with my child and Little Snowbird does not," he said quietly between clenched teeth. Then he got up and walked quickly out the door before his father could stop him.
             "You cannot run In The Forest, the guards have orders to keep you here. Nothing will prevent this marriage from taking place--nothing!" his father shouted after him now standing in the doorway to see him walk down the street to his uncle's now empty lodge.
             "Is this the way a great chief acts yelling down the street?" his wife, Sees Far, asked coming up the steps. "What will the people say to hear you bellow so?"
             She was almost as tall as her husband and her slightly plump figure was still attractive. She wore only a decorated apron tied with a wide woven black and white belt. Her gray streaked hair was braided into two thick braids and decorated with bits of sea shells strung on the leather strips. Her face was round, age and laugh lines seamed her still attractive face with its narrow nose and generous mouth and slanted dark eyes. She was a good woman who gave him good advice, and who tried to be comforting, and loving to him, and their four children.
             "That I am trying to talk sense into our son. He does not realize how important this alliance is. It will secure the peace for the entire island and bring great honor to us."
             "For you---what does he get out of this? Little Snowbird succeeds him and he will only be her husband without any great power among her people," she told him drawing him inside so the neighbors would not be privy to their words.
             "He could become their War Chief!" he suggested letting her lead him to his couch of skins raised off the floor.
             "Him a War Chief? He has no inclination for war. He never volunteers to go on raids or trips with the other men. He is a loner who would rather hunt, or spend time with old men or with Roaring Wings than fight."
             "Yes, this is so. He is a skilled hunter and knows the ways of the forest and its spirits but that is all. I had wished he would follow in my footsteps and be interested in the craft of war. He will fight, he is no coward, but the bloodlust is not within him. If only he was like Kicking Wolf," he sighed with a heavy heart.
             "I know you wish Kicking Wolf had been your son. He is not. Our son is a warrior, and the best hunter. He is bowing to your wishes and marrying Little Snowbird, what more do you want from him?" she asked, her eyes patient and non-judgmental.
             "For him to give up this cat-woman in his heart. To forget her," he said seriously, hoping she would understand.
             "I don't think he can, my husband. I have seen the signs upon him," Sees Far said sadly shaking her head making her heavy braids sway as she kneeled in front of him her hands resting on his legs.
             "Signs? What signs?" he asked not noting anything different about In The Forest.
             "The spirit sight has shown me that he has bonded to this stranger. The golden thread stretches tightly between them and he is surrounded by the golden light. There are few among our people now that have this with their mates or when they do it is very pale and weak. His shines like the sun. I also saw a thinner line from him to her as they sat in the Council Lodge and noted where it lay."
             "You speak in riddles, woman. Gold lights, gold threads. What does this all mean?" he asked puzzled by her speech.
             "He spoke the truth he is mated to this strange one. They are one now for always. They can feel one another no matter where they are. She will always be the wife of his heart. Then there is the child. . . ."
             "Child? There is no child! You believe his lies too?"
             "I saw the golden threads. He did not lie. She carries new life within her from him my sight was clear. It does not lie," she said daring him to disprove her vision.
             "You and Roaring Wings, if I did not know better than I would say you were his sister. These visions and dreams you claim to have. I have no dreams and visions," he protested.
             "Your mind will not allow it, my husband. There is too much anger there. Our children have the ancient powers or at least two of them have them. My line goes back to beginning as does yours. Once our people could see and feel more of the invisible world than they do now. Our blood has mixed with too many outsiders so we have almost lost our abilities. So few among us have the sight and can hear the heart as well as the mind of another," she said with regret as she rose from her seat.
             He had been listening and was not happy with what he sensed from her. "Then you approve of this cat woman?"
             "Yes, because it is a true and beautiful thing to behold. It is love in its purest form because they can never lie to one another or be false. They will always know the truth of their feelings," she said looking down and him and sighing, wishing that she could know such a thing.
             "Even you turn against me, everyone has. Am I the only one who can see reason and what is right?" he asked angrily, his eyes flashing as he glared up at her.
             "I have not turned against you, my husband. I have only told you what my eyes have seen. I pity you for your blindness and ambition, for it shuts out your heart and the wisdom that goes with it. If you make our son go through with this it will cause great damage to all concern. That is all I will say," she told him turning to leave.
             "You are going?" he asked seeing that she wanted to leave.
             "Yes. You need to be alone to think."
             "I have not asked to," he said.
             "It is what you need to do. I have work to do before nightfall."
             "Then go! I see the way things lie. I will not back down. In The Forest will marry Little Snowbird and nothing anyone has to say will make me change my mind," he said sitting back against the wall folding his arms against his chest disgustedly.
             "That is your decision. But think long and hard on what you are forcing on these young people and how they hurt and will be hurt if this marriage takes place. Can you live with all the pain you will cause? I thought you had a heart, but I see you do not." she said, and quickly turned and went out the door before he could stop her.
             He did not stop her. His anger at her words was too great. He felt he was right and they were all wrong. His stubbornness would not allow him to back down. How could he now? The wedding party was on its way. There was no turning back they could only keep going forward. In his heart, though, doubts had begun to creep into his soul as he sat in the darkening lodge alone and those doubts began to gnaw at his soul.

 * 38 *

             B'tunku and Roaring Wings walked down the wide neat streets to what would be the native's quarters while they stayed in the camp. Even B'tunku was amazed at how fast the camp had been put together. She was unaware that things that were bothering the natives about the encampment. She had been in too many colony towns just like this, this was normal, the way things were supposed to be, even if they were a little on the primitive side. She could not comprehend that there was any problem with the stark barren streets and tall buildings that stood shadeless in the hot sun.
             Roaring Wings was in shock. The more he saw the more angry he got. His sense of wonder had been replaced with a growing outrage at what had been done to this once beautiful spot. He could feel the others' roller coaster emotions as well. This town offended them all.
             He looked over at B'tunku who was continuing her careful explanations of what this or that building was for. He could tell that the stark bareness of the small yards around each building was pleasing to her as were all the buildings lined up in straight rows. It was all sameness with no individuality, no diversity, no life.
             What trees there were stood alone offering little shade or protection from the sun or elements. Maybe in time they would add plants and flowers to relieve the coldness he now felt from this place. Even letting grass grow around these buildings would help. Where there was not concrete or that shiny black covering there was only bare dirt raked smooth.
             "You have not said much, Roaring Wings," he heard B'tunku say to him tearing him from his dark despairing thoughts.
             "There is not much to say, Doctor," he said formally not slowing down.
             "Something displeases you?" she asked not sure of what was wrong.
             "Much. I will wait and talk with the Asenti about it."
             "Why? I would be interested in knowing what is on your mind," she said stopping and making him stop.
             "It is not your concern, Doctor."
             "All that happens here is my concern, Roaring Wings, including the thoughts of visitors to our village."
             He considered that, thinking it over, not sure whether she would understand. He had seen the displeasure on the Asenti's face when they had entered the village but none from her. Would his thoughts find sympathetic ears? He was not sure.
             Deciding that she wasn't going to let it go, he decided to tell her what he did think. "I am not pleased with what has been done here. My people are also distressed. Where are all the trees, the tall grasses, the animals that dwelled in this once quiet place? The Creator will be angry for what has happened here," he said patiently, keeping the anger out of his voice.
             "I don't comprehend. Angry for what? The trees were used to make the houses and buildings. We paved over the ground to make it easier to walk and for our vehicles. The grass will grow back. Where the animals went, I couldn't say. All is as it should be," she replied, shaking her head trying to figure what had him upset. It was all orderly, clean, not like his village.
             Then it struck her hard--not like his village! These homes stood out sharply where theirs blended in to the environment. The natives were a part of the land, this place stuck out. What had In The Forest told them about how his people viewed their relationship with the land? She remembered quickly and realized they had problems, big problems. Yes, this could be big trouble unless it was defused quickly.
             Roaring Wings watched the thoughts race across her exotic features. Good, she could see what he was saying. What had been done was done. It could not be undone. The point was to keep it from happening again. They had built on this land in the ways they knew, as any people would. They needed to be taught and taught quickly that their way was wrong and harmed the land.
             Finally she spoke, ashamed now of what had happened. "I apologize for all of us. We did not think. Our need was so great to get our people moved to shelters away from the ship that we made this village like the ones we were used to on our worlds," she said sincerely, looking downcast.
              "I see that. Your intent was good and if you truly did not know what you were doing, I accept your apology. I wish I could have been here sooner before you built, but it is done. Now we are here and will teach you the ways to make the Creator pleased with you so you may yet live in harmony with our world," he said seeing her relax.
             "And I promise you my people will learn. The Asenti and I will make them listen and change," she vowed to him.
             Her silver eyes were deeply sincere as she looked up at him while they stood on the now offensive walkway. She had given up trying to see what he looked liked behind the mask. He was mystery itself with his deep, musical voice that was both silken and gravel. The wolf's head mask still made her uneasy or was it the man behind the mask? Why did the eyes behind it cause chills to run up her spine when he turned her way?
             It bothered her that he was tantalizing familiar in his movements and gestures, but she dared not hope. Would he always stay hidden behind his mask, she wondered?
             She heard him talking and roused herself to pay closer attention to his words. "It will be good if your people take our advice. It will not be easy. Yours are a proud people. I can tell by what they do and how they move," he said indicating that they should continue their walk.
             "You can tell that?"
             "Yes, I can see more than you know," he replied.
             She accepted that. "Then it is good that you will have no false illusions of how it will be. My people are an ancient race with many thousands and thousands of years of history behind them. Their pride comes from that but they can be reasonable and change if they need to."
             "That is good too. I cannot say how ancient my race is because keeping track of the past is not as important as living fully in the present and for the future," he told her.
             "What else is important to your people, Roaring Wings," she asked very interested in learning all she could about these people.
             He smiled behind the mask, she was curious, that was good and meant hope and the possibility of change. So far he was finding these ones open-minded and reasonable. He was very pleased.
             He continued. "For us, it is more important to love, to laugh, to find and know joy and happiness as well as find peace within ourselves than to worry about what was. Life is too short. We do not try to create great works, or build monuments to ourselves. We just try to be the best human beings we can and be worthy of this life," he said, telling her a little of their philosophy.
             "Your outlook is interesting. Some of what you say parallels ours, but not all. Our people have always been driven to know, to learn, explore, to teach and pass on our knowledge and skills to others. It does make us monument builders, but we wish to give so much too. Sometimes too much to those who are not ready for the gifts we come bearing," she remarked, a touch of sadness in her voice.
             "I hear sadness in your voice. What are you thinking? Did your people have problems with their gift giving?" he asked.
             "Yes, we have made mistakes. Our biggest one was when a very savage race took our gifts. Whatever we gave them was never enough and they turned on us to become our enemies. Fleeing from them brought us to this place to crash upon your world," she said carefully not sure how much she should tell him about them.
             He sensed her reluctance to talk further on this topic so he dropped it as they were nearing what was to be their new lodge. The natives were being given one of the newly completed two story buildings that had been divided into twelve small apartments. It was long, rectangular, with an overhanging sloping roof . It looks forlorn and empty in the mid morning sun with its as yet unpainted oak wood siding and many tall two piece windows. It was similar to the larger building which now housed the command quarters three buildings down. Medical labs and the hospital were being built next door with B'tunku's quarters a building beyond.
             B'tunku and the group of six natives walked up the broad field stone steps of the building. The natives looked up in uncertainty at the huge building. They had never seen it's like. They were awed and afraid. Even Roaring Wings was nervous, hiding his fears behind a brave front. He quickly said a prayer to the spirits and asked for guidance and blessings on him and his people before they entered the strange lodge.
        B'tunku opened the wide wood and glass door and held it open for the visitors. They all were crossing the threshold when three of the natives cried out in pain, quickly rebounding in terror from the door. Roaring Wings, White Deer, Leaving Fox Tail, and B'tunku already in the entrance hall looked back at them puzzled trying to figure out the others source of pain.
             "What is wrong?" Roaring Wings asked them coming back to the door and looking around. He could not see anything to have caused them pain or distress. He looked to B'tunku to see if she had answers.
        She was bewildered too. She took out her communicator and called the new control center which was now routing all communications through it rather than through the ship's on board communication system. Instead of computer routed controls they had gone back a couple of steps to operator control. She wasn't sure whether she was going to like the time delays it was going to cause.
             "This MS B'tunku at Building Eight, some of the natives are experiencing problems entering here. Are there any force fields on or other energy fields?" she asked.
             "Control here. The only system currently on is the bio-field to keep the local wildlife from entering. I thought it had been determined that the natives were immune to the field," a puzzled female voice replied.
             "I thought so too. Control as an experiment turn the field off," she requested.
             "Field off," the voice said complying.
             "Roaring Wings have your people try entering again," she asked watching them carefully.
             He motioned the three to enter and they did with no ill effects and waited nervously in the entry hall.
             "Control turn it on again," B'tunku requested.
             "Field on," the voice replied.
             "Roaring Wings will you and Hidden Knife try to leave," she asked.
             The shaman nodded and motioned the warrior to follow him. Roaring Wings passed through with no difficulty but Hidden Knife jumped back from the doorway in pain and terror. Roaring Wings came quickly back inside.
             "What is it B'tunku, why can Hidden Knife not pass through the door but I do with no problem? Why should there be differences between us?" he asked coming up to her where she stood stunned at the implications of this.
             "I'm not sure yet, Roaring Wings. All of us should have passed through the bio-field without problems. It was set up to keep insects and small animals from entering. It shouldn't effect you because In The Forest could walk through them and his readings told us that he was no different from an Atanzi. I need to run tests to find out why they can't walk through," she told him in a low voice.
             He thought he understood what she was saying. Somehow the three that couldn't walk through the field were different. They didn't look, act, or seem different in any way he knew of. The only way they were was that some of their parents and grandparents had been from tribes on the mainland. While he, Leaving Fox Tail and White Deer were of the old blood, which had never been mixed with mainland bloodlines.
             He looked at B'tunku gravely. "Yes, you run tests. See what you find. Then I tell you what I know. We see if it matches. In the meantime, we find way to let your people know when mine want to leave. Your bio-field is good idea to keep pests out. I approve. Turn it on, my people will be resting for awhile," he said.
             "All right, I'll have them turn it back on," she agreed, and speaking into the communicator. "Control, you can turn it back on. Be advised I need a crew to set up an entry system on both the inside and outside. That way the natives can come and go when they want," she ordered.
             "I'll have to get authorization on that from Sen Commd Vokolin," the voice said cautiously.
             "Sen Commd Vokolin is flat on her back in the hospital. Look to your duty roster you'll see my ranking. Carry out my orders and have that crew over her within ten units. Is that clear?" she snapped at the voice.
             "Yes, MS B'tunku, sorry I didn't realize there had been a change. The crew will be over as requested. Control out," the frightened voice said getting off the line as soon as she could.
             "You do have much power, doctor. You scared that female," Roaring Wings said to her as she put her communicator away on her belt.
             "She was used to the way things were, not the way they are," she replied. as she looked up to him determined. Her face very hard and set, then she relaxed as she told him, "come, let me show you to your rooms and get you settled."
             He inclined his head and motioned his group to follow her down the hall and up the stairs to the second floor.
             "This whole floor is yours. I was not sure about sleeping arrangements, or who wanted to stay where so I'll let you decide among yourselves. There are two bathrooms, complete with towels and other necessities. Each room has its own commcon unit. Downstairs is the building's kitchen and dining room where you can eat. It is already stocked with food and supplies." she explained and saw blank looks on every face.
             "What are bathrooms, kitchen, and a commcon?" White Deer asked speaking up.
             It was B'tunku's time to get blank faced and realize these were things they had never heard about or seen. The quick and easy tour to get them settled was going to take longer than she had anticipated. She took them on a tour of everything and showed them how the marvels of her world functioned and how they were used.
             The bathrooms in particular were an experience for both her and the natives. It took a while to explain the double concept of what was done in the room. Not having to go trekking out to find bushes was met with sighs of relief. Especially since they had all noted how far the forest was from the camp.
             The bathing functions of the room were appreciated too. The natives generally washed at least once a day normally. No long walks to the creek now. They were fascinated with the idea of water that came from pipes that could be turned on at a touch. Water that could then flow almost endlessly into fixed bowls and huge slick metal boxes, only to run down holes and disappear.
             They liked the indoor waterfall. She showed them the soap and shampoo and other necessities, but they weren't sure of them. They would rather stay with their own natural soaps and cleansing materials.
             At first they were frightened by the mirrors on the doors because they had never seen themselves clearly except in pools of water. Once they realized the purpose of the shiny sheets, they were delighted, especially the two women.
             The lights that turned on with the push of a button amazed them, both the over head and the individual ones. She showed them the basics of how to use the commcon to get her office, Control, and the Asenti. Roaring Wings grasped the concept quickly as did White Deer. The others were too frightened of the device to use it.
             Downstairs she showed them the kitchen with its instant cooking of the prepackaged Atanzi food. She showed them where to find eating and cooking utensils, and where to put things after they ate. The kitchen did not meet the two women's approval because there was no way for them to prepare their own foods as they were used to.
             "What do you need?" B'tunku asked Falling Leaf after the native had examined the kitchen and complained loudly that it was no good.
             "Need to make fire pit outside with racks for cooking, stone shelves and platforms. Need table, or platform to prepare foods on. I will show after we rest. Your kitchen nice, but no fire pit or smoke hole. Can fix many things inside, but most need to be outside where there is room to work. Cannot dress deer in here," she said with finality, and the other natives laughed and agreed.
             "What is a deer?" B'tunku asked innocently, and she was greeted with gales of laughter.
             Roaring Wings explained, then told her what happened after it was killed, especially how to prepare and cook it. B'tunku had a hard time with his explanation because it seemed so savage and cruel, but to them it was the most natural thing in the world. Hunting and the preparing of animals for food was going to be a serious problem for her people if her reaction was typical. Her people would have to learn to hunt and cook, or starve when their supplies ran out.
             "You look ill, Doctor," Roaring Wings said after he finished his explanation about the deer and other animals. His voice was gentle, concerned, at her reaction.
             "Your preparation methods are going to take some getting used to. One does not realize how wide the gaps are between our peoples until we talk and question one another on the fine points of our lives," she said sincerely, feeling a little lost.
             "At least we do talk, and try to understand each other. That is good as well as wise. You have many marvels in your world that make it easy for you to live better. Maybe between our two peoples we can devise ways to simply yours and yet keep what is good and useful for both. Like your bathrooms and the lights that turn on at a touch without fire and smoke. Those are wondrous," he complimented and then grew quiet as he looked down at her, studying her.

*39 *

             The others had gone upstairs during his description of field dressing an animal. She could hear giggles and laughter as the natives made use of the Atanzi marvels.
             B'tunku and Roaring Wings stood alone in the sunlit hallway. She leaned tiredly against the door frame of the kitchen door while he stood nearby. He glanced up at the sounds of feet running and many accompanying thumps and thuds. He shook his head, and she thought she heard him laugh to himself.
             Then he focused his attention back on her. She was very aware of his scrutiny and it made her uncomfortable.
             "Why do you stare at me?" she asked finally.
             "You would not understand."
             "Try me. You have been staring at me ever since I got off the ship to meet Thunder Arrow and the war party. I want to know why. It bothers me," she complained, her silver eyes regarding him warily.
             "You fascinate me, silver one. So strong willed, so ambitious, and determined, but I see other sides to you as well. There is a hunger in you, a wanting that has not been fulfilled, but you want no one to get close enough to fill those needs. You put up walls to keep others out, to make them keep their distance, which is a pity because you have much to give," he said quietly, his resonant voice making her shiver.
             "That's not answering my question," she said frightened of him, but not knowing why.
             "I thought it did," he shrugged.
             "No, it doesn't because you have not told why you watch me. The real reasons, Roaring Wings, not a profile of my character as you see it," she said angrily. "And don't you ever take that damn mask off? It's unnerving not to see your face," she snapped then realizing she might have overstepped her bounds moved back more against the door trying not to show her fear.
             He laughed, and shook his head. She wasn't sure what she had said that was funny and had amused him. Now she was truly puzzled.
             "So much of the time I have to be the shaman, the man of mystery for my people, I forget that I am also a man. My people expect me to talk to them as Wolf Walking As A Man. I forget how not to hide," he said slowly, the head turned her way and the sunlight made the jeweled eyes glow strangely. "I forget B'tunku, that when friends talk they want to see the other person with whom they speak. Forgive me, Doctor, for my absent-mindedness. I will remove the damn mask if that will ease your fears of me," he apologized for putting barriers between them.
             "That is up to you," she told him indifferently trying to hide her own rising fears and uncertainties. She felt sweaty and hot even though it was cool inside. She wanted to run but she couldn't, she was trapped. She didn't want to see the man behind the mask but she knew she had to. And if it was the man of her dreams--then what? All she wanted now was to be out of here and gone back to the safety of her new quarters. Any where but here with him.
             He laughed again, but she could not understand why. Then he reached up and began untying the fastenings of his headdress. When he was done he eased the head carefully off his own and shook his long sweat soaked black hair loose around his shoulders. Then he turned to her and saw she stood staring unbelieving at the face now revealed.
             It was a shock seeing all the scars, especially the claw marks that almost closed his one dark eye. The broken nose was odd as were the chiseled planes of his face, but it was the slanted cat eyes that caught her attention as well as the his teeth when he smiled at her.
             "It's you!" she gasped finally.
             He debated whether to play innocent or not. He knew full well what her words meant. It would not be fair to lie, he had all his answers now with her recognition of him.
             "Yes. It is. The Dreams worked both ways if you know me," he said watching her carefully now, not making any sudden moves least she run off. She was very close to doing that he noticed.
             But B'tunku couldn't have moved if she had wanted to . She was paralyzed. She was finding it difficult to breathe, to think, to act. She wanted to run but couldn't. This couldn't be happening! Not to her! He didn't exist! This was a dream, she was asleep dreaming all this. The shipwreck, the natives, him! No, No. . .! She yelled in her mind, fighting the reality she saw before her.
             "It is not a dream, B'tunku. I am real. All of this is real as were the dreams you had on board your ships of us. Do you want me to tell you what happened in those dreams so you may believe?" he said carefully his dark eyes compassionate and accepting of her fears and disbelief.
              "Yes--No! I don't know," she said finally getting her voice back. Her mouth felt dry and her tongue like sandpaper, and cold sweat seemed to cover her body under her dark uniform making it cling more tightly to her. And was it too warm or too cold in this lonely hallway, she couldn't tell.
             "You asked why I stared, B'tunku. Now you know. I had to be sure it was you. The more I saw you, heard your voice, the more sure I became, but you could not see me. In fact I noticed it was difficult for you to stay near me. I will not ask why. Am I as you expected?" he asked.
             "Yes--no. The scars. You had none in the dreams. The rest is the same, even your voice without your mask to change it," she replied gaining control of herself. "When I first heard your name I thought I must have been mistaken, the images didn't match. I never saw you as a shaman, I saw you only as a man," she confessed.
             "I wondered. I was right to be patient and wait until we could talk alone. You are everything and more than I hoped. However, we are not the only dreamers," he warned her.
             "We aren't? Who else? And why is this happening to us?" she asked, worried what forces were doing this to them.
             "In The Forest and his mate were one, my niece, White Deer, and many others from my village came to me about their cat-people dreams. There may even be others from the other villages."
             "Who will also be drawn here in time?"
             "Yes, I believe so, to find their mates if they exist."
             "Then you do not fight it like your brother? You accept the visions?" she asked.
             "Yes. At first I resisted. You were so alien, so unreal. Then I grew to know you through the dreams and I no longer saw the differences. I am sorry that you could not see me as clearly as I saw you. I am repulsive, am I not?" he asked knowing how horrible he must look.
             "The scars will take some getting used to, though your face . . . it's more Atanzi looking, even your teeth," she commented, studying him.
             "I have been seeing that looking at your people. The ones from my village that have the dreams look, are different too."
             "How?"
             "Just subtle differences. The main difference is that they have the old blood that goes back to the beginnings of our people here on this island. As to why we are different and why this is happening, I can only guess we are being led to mate and create a new people or reinforce the old one that existed once here. Beyond that I have no answers," he said, holding his headdress carefully in his hands.
             "We will find an explanation for this. I feel like I am being manipulated and I don't like it."
             "Nor do I. I could say it is the will of the creator and be done with it, but I am not that naive," he told her his dark eyes serious.
             "No, you are not," she told him.
             "Am I more intelligent than you have thought I could be?" he queried putting her on the spot.
     "Yes," she admitted. "Educated somehow."
             He smiled. "It is the old knowledge hidden from my people as secrets passed from shaman to shaman. There is a book that I cannot read in a cave that holds even more secrets," he told her. "It could it be a key to why we were sent the dreams. But no one is to know of it. This is a secret, a trust between us, B'tunku. Can you keep this?" he asked.
             It was all so much at once, shock upon shock. Books, secret knowledge, what next, she wondered. He was asking her to keep his secrets. Should she, could she? There was very much at sake now. She found herself agreeing to do ask he asked. "I will keep your secrets, Roaring Wings. I promise."
             "Good," he said satisfied. "Now we need to discuss us."
             "What is there to discuss?" she asked recovering quickly.
             "Much. You and I are not children, nor have we never known the touch of a lover. I believe in the dreams and so do you. The dreams have not been tested in reality yet. We also have duties, responsibilities to our peoples and cannot act like two love struck children."
             "So far I agree with you, go on," she agreed grudgingly, wanting to understand what was on his mind.
             "Nor do we know one another. Dreams are one thing, reality is another. I do not wish to rush into anything and will not. I wish to know if you had noticed that the pull between us is very strong? I felt it the moment I saw you. What do you feel? I am curious," he asked frankly, his dark eyes watching her clinically.
             "Pushed and pulled by forces I don't understand. I felt the pull in the village, and when we toured this place but it was not as strong until you took off the mask. I'm not sure yet how I feel. How I want to handle this," she said bewildered. Her silver eyes met his and felt the electricity spark between them.
             "Nor do I," he admitted lowering his eyes. The pull was almost too powerful.
             "Maybe it would be best to let us get to know one another better. We are both tired. It's been almost forty secunits since I have slept, I don't know about you," she suggested.
             "More tired I think. I agree though. Let us be friends first regardless of this pull. That is the sane thing to do," he said, "You go home and we will talk later on this."
             "All right. Call me on the commcon when you wake," she requested, moving from the wall.
             "I will. I hope we have made a good beginning," he said standing near her, resisting the pull that was growing stronger the nearer she came.
             "I think so, Roaring Wings," she said, feeling the pull too. "I will go before our resolve breaks down. Get some rest," she told him and before he could reach out she was quickly walking away and out the door.
             He watched her go, and felt relief when she was out of sight. The effect of her nearness was unbelievable. There was nothing he could even compare it to. If this is what his nephew had experienced then he understood why he and O'vettun had been unable to wait.
             It was going to be interesting to see how long they could hold out against this pull, very interesting for both of them, he thought to himself as he went upstairs to rest.

         
* 40 *

             The persistent beep-beeping noise would not go away no matter how deep Ky'tulendu tried to bury himself under his pillows. He growled loudly at it, fighting to stay asleep, not wanting to come back to consciousness quite yet.
             Damn, he cursed, waking up more and more. Who the hell is calling me and why? I'll have their hide for this! No one was supposed to disturb him until . . . . Then he looked out from under his pillow and saw the darkening sky.
             "Damn, it is dusk," he growled angry and surprised.
             "All right, you win," he yelled at the persistently beeping commcon on his desk.
             He threw the covers off and went to it, savagely punching it on. Leaning over the chair at the desk he glared into the brightening screen. He didn't care what he looked like at that moment. He hoped he did look like hell so whoever was on the other end would go away and leave him alone.
             "Ky'tulendu here. What is it!" he snapped, hoping his not too pleasant attitude would get his point across to the party on the other end as well as his bare chest, and no doubt very bloodshot eyes.
             The female on the other end was shocked, and put off balance. "Sorry sir, I forgot you were sleeping," B'tunku apologized and flushed red, But she needed to tell him her news before it got too much later, so she plunged forward. "I hate to bother you but I think we have a problem," B'tunku told him.
             "You think we have a problem? All right--so what is it that merits waking me up, Doctor?" he asked sitting down and turning on the klass warmer. It didn't look as if he was going to get back to sleep any time soon.
             "Specialist O'vettun is missing. She never went back to her quarters after she left us on the landing field. Someone said they saw her going towards the creek side of the camp. Then I've got a report from the sentry posted at the bridge that he was stunned by a short blonde female wearing field clothes. She acted real strange when he asked what her business was there. Seems she gave him false names and told him bio-sciences had sent her. His description, however, leaves no doubt that it was her," she told him.
             "I see," he said slowly, trying to wake up and take it all in. "Let me get a cup of klass, and wake up a little more, Doctor. Any idea why she might have run off besides the obvious?" he asked getting up and pouring himself a cup of the hot liquid.
             "No. I imagine that she is still pretty upset about yesterday. She's going to have a more than a few psychological and physical problems because of the bonding cycle being interrupted. So will In The Forest come to think of it," she replied remembering what she had read about it.
             "Great. And our treaty with the natives depends on the good behavior of those two," he said disgustedly sitting back down.
             "Yes and no. I think Roaring Wings might have some influence if they can't stay apart. He is going to prove a very useful ally," she said carefully not meeting his gaze.
             "How so?"
             "I'm not prepared to say yet. So far I have found him to be a reasonable person and willing to give and take. He is very intelligent and likes us," she said cautiously.
             Ky'tulendu nodded, agreeing with her. "Those are my impressions as well. So the tour went well?"
             "Yes. It was educational for both sides. I have several crews installing things to help the native's stay here easier."
             He looked blankly at her, so she explained.
             "I am having a fire pit built behind their quarters for cooking, and then installing controls to turn the bio-fields on and off at the doors."
             "Why on the bio-fields?" the cooking pit he could understand but why there should be a problem with the bio-fields when In The Forest had shown it didn't affect him confused Ky'tulendu.
             "That's interesting sir, it seems that three of the natives received severe shocks when they attempted to enter the native quarters while the field was on. The field doesn't bother Roaring Wings, his niece or another warrior. Roaring Wings said it might be because the ones who can't cross the field aren't of the old blood lines and their ancestors mixed with the mainland natives," she told him.
             "Old blood lines? What old blood lines? I wasn't catching too much of that talk earlier."
             "It has to do with their origins which I suspect are different from those on the mainland. We'll have to question Roaring Wings on what he knows, as shaman he is the keeper of all their legends and folklore."
             "This is not going as simply as I would have liked. I had hopes of just settling, having no real interactions with the natives and living our own lives in peace. It isn't going to be that simple, is it?" he asked not really expecting an answer.
             "No, it's not. Somehow, some way, we are linked to these natives. Then there is this bonding between some of us. In The Forest and O'vettun are probably not going to be the only Atanzi-native couple wanting to bond," she warned.
             "What makes you say that? What do you know that I don't," he asked, getting another cup of klass for this one.
             B'tunku looked embarrassed, not sure where to begin or what to say, or whether to warn him.
             "Ky'tulendu, you and I . . .," she started to say.
             "What Doctor?"
             "Damn, this isn't going to be easy to explain. . . ."
             "Try me," he ordered, serious now.
             "Roaring Wings told me that there were many in his village that dreamed of our coming before we crashed. They saw themselves with their Atanzi mates in those dreams. I was dreamed of by Roaring Wings and it seems that you were dreamed of by White Deer. He is convinced he and I will mate as will you with White Deer, as well as others."
             Ky'tulendu turned pale, and sat back stunned. He ran a hand through his thick red mane as his mind raced over her news. His blue eyes were getting a rather unfocused looked the longer he sat there. B'tunku looked at him worriedly, wondering if she should have kept this news to herself.
             "Ky'tulendu, are you all right?"
             "You said, White Deer, the pretty one in the shuttle?"
             "Yes."
             "I was afraid of that," he said with a sigh. "Remember the dreams on the ship that I told you about. I saw a native, but she wasn't too clear. It was like looking at her through gauze. I had rather erotic dreams about her, but I put that down to wishful thinking and loneliness, nothing more. Then I saw White Deer in the crowd at the village. The pull was unbelievable but I fought it. The trip back with her on the floor behind me, watching me was no fun. That was one reason I excused myself from the tour," he confessed.
             "I had wondered. So you believe in the dreams, now."
             "How can I not? It was really to shock to realize the girl in my dreams was real. Then to find she out she is the daughter of Thunder Arrow who hates us. I can't let myself get involved with her. There is too much at stake," he said seriously.
             "I know. Roaring Wings and I have talked about it. We are trying to take this slow and easy and use our heads. Damn this biology of ours," she cursed, not happy about how it was forcing normally sane and rational persons into dangerous situations.
             "Is there anything you can give us to numb the pull so we can get through this and use our minds instead of thinking with certain portions of our anatomy?" he asked her hopefully.
             "I don't know. I'll see what the medical and science files have. They've been compiling information ever since we determined that In The Forest and O'vettun were bonding. Surely there has got to be a way to control this. Otherwise, we have a potentially very dangerous situation brewing here. I'll even ask Roaring Wings if his people have any native remedies for this too.
             "You think they might?" he asked hopefully. Even a native remedy would be better than no remedy. He could not afford to lose control of himself at this point in time.
             "The mating-bonding is not unknown to them within their tribe, however, it has been less and less a frequent happening in the last couple of generations. The same has been reported in Atanzi culture. It is almost a myth on some planets and not taken seriously," she told him remembering what she did know off the top of her head.
             "Work on it, Doctor, so both of us can function at our jobs."
             "Right. Ky'tulendu, what do you want to do about O'vettun?"
             "Does anyone know where she is?" he asked.
             "She's on the other side of the camp. Probably wherever In The Forest had his camp would be my guess. The only thing we know is that is she and the native disappeared off the sensor screens, which means it has to be a place that blocks the scans. There are several known substances which will. Do you want me to have security locate her and bring her back?"
             "No, not yet. Let her be for the time being. She has a lot to work out." he said, feeling sorry for the young female. "Is there anything else, Doctor?" he asked, hoping she was through.
             "If you feel up to it Roaring Wings would like to talk with you either in your quarters or his. But that's about it."
             "Thank you. I'll see after I've eaten and cleaned up. Goodnight, Doctor, and get some rest. That's an order. You look like hell," he commented, looking how worn out she appeared. When was the last time she had slept?
             He got an immediate response to his comment as she snarled, "and thanks to you too, Asenti. Goodnight!" she snapped and shut off on her end.
             He shut off his commcon and leaned back in the chair to stare out the window at the deepening sunset through the trees. He wished he could have more than a few moments here and there to enjoy the beauty of this world. It all had been happening too fast in too many places with too many people. He hoped it would start slowing down and things would begin proceeding at a quieter pace so he could enjoy this world.
             His stomach was growling. How long had been since he last ate? Sometime early last morning, he thought. Maybe food and a shower would help. He was too wound up to go back to sleep now. B'tunku had done a very effective job of waking him up.
             He had found when they had landed at camp his quarters had been completed so he quickly moved his personal belongings from the tent to the new command barracks. He had suite of four rooms to call his own. Unlike some of the other quarters he had his own bath. Privileges of rank it was called which he was more than happy to take advantage of with a long hot shower. His first since they had crashed here.
         He stripped the rest of the way and took a long hot shower letting the hot running water relax him. He felt much improved when he stepped out. He toweled off and was getting clothes out of his locker when the commcon started beeping again.
             "Damn!" he cursed, as he wrapped the towel around his waist and walked over to the desk to lean over and punch it on.
             "Ky'tulendu here, what is it?" he asked as the screen brightened.
             "Roaring Wings, Asenti. I apologize. Am I disturbing you?"
             Ky'tulendu shook his head. "I was just starting to dress and go get something to eat. The Doctor said you wanted to talk to me?" he inquired, trying not to stare at how scarred the native's face was without the mask.
             "I do. Is there somewhere we can meet? I thought you might be wanting to get something to eat. May I offer you some food here. White Deer and Falling Leaf have made more than enough for everyone if you would care to join us?" he invited.
             Ky'tulendu started to say no, then changed his mind. He was beginning to like the native foods and it would give him a chance to talk at length with the shaman. As long as he kept his distance from White Deer there shouldn't be any problems. "I accept your invitation Roaring Wings. I'll be over in fifteen units as soon as I dress," he said.
             "Good, I'll be looking for you, Asenti."
             "All right, Ky'tulendu out," he said and shut off the commcon.
             He just hoped he wasn't making a mistake by going over there, but he needed answers to at lot of questions and Roaring Wings could supply quite a few.
             He dressed quickly, throwing on his tunic top, pants, and knee boots. He ran a brush through his thick red hair and tied his ranking band across his forehead.
             Somehow he had been forgetting to wear that the last couple of days. It didn't seem that important or necessary. They were going to have to decide what this world was to them. Were they a stranded Alliance crew or were they simply colonists on an alien world?
             He took the headband off and threw it on his bed. No, rank really wasn't important anymore, he thought to himself as he looked down at it, not anymore. Just what you could do and how. Then he turned and walked out the door.

 * 41 *

             "Asenti Ky'tulendu, welcome," Roaring Wings said meeting him in the broad hallway of building eight. "You have come at the right time, the women are just about to start serving," he said guiding him down the hall to the dining room.
             "I see you have already adjusted to your new lodge. I hope our lodges aren't too strange for you?" Ky'tulendu asked as he walked through the broad doorway.
             "A little, but the Doctor was very good at explaining your people's customs and how things worked. It has been very interesting for my people. Your people have created many useful things that I wished my people could have," Roaring Wings said entering behind him.
             The shaman had become just a man now without his headdress and formal ceremonial garb. He had tried out one of the indoor waterfalls and felt much better after his shower and a brief rest. He was dressed simply in a long fringed buckskin loin cloth . On his feet were soft moccasins. His smooth chest was bare, but he wore woven armbands on his upper arms and a leather medicine pouch on a braided throng around his neck as well as his translator. His long blue-black hair hung in two long braids without decoration.
             He was younger than Ky'tulendu had first thought he was. They were close in age if the human lifespan was similar to the Atanzi one. His facial scars were unnerving and detracted from his once handsome face. Though, it was his teeth and his eyes that drew his attention the most. They were more like an Atanzi's than a human's. It was hard not to stare.
             "You begin to understand, Asenti," the native said mysteriously noticing his staring and the source of it.
             That shook Ky'tulendu. "I don't understand. You look almost . . . ," he started to say.
             "Atanzi?" The shaman finished with a grin. "Yes. I know. I noticed that from the first as did many of my people. That is one of the things we will talk about, come sit here with me," he said guiding him to some cushions on the floor.
             Ky'tulendu went with him willingly still amazed and confused by what the implications of this meant. He already knew about the their bioscans being similar but here was the first physical evidence to suggest an even closer relationship between the two peoples. He could tell that the shaman wanted to wait on their talks, so he just sat and let him lead.
             Ky'tulendu noted that the natives had been making adjustments in their environment to get it compatible with their needs. They had moved the chairs and tables back and pushed them to the walls to leave room to sit by the windows that overlooked the compound grounds. Cushions and mats were now upon the floor, arranged like they would be in one of their lodges for eating and socializing. The few officers quartered in the building would probably not approve, but he wanted his guests to be comfortable. If this gave them a sense of home then so be it.
             From where he was sitting on the floor Ky'tulendu could see where the other natives were, outside by the fire pit that had been built for them. The three men were sitting on the ground watching the women work, their weapons nearby. They must have gone out and killed dinner, and brought it back. He could see bloodstains on the ground and leftover pieces of animal carcass and skin on a wooden platform that had been built. There were some basic sanitation problems they would have to work out he saw.
             "I see your hunters have been out already," he asked.
             "Yes, my people tried your food in the kitchen and were not impressed. So we went out and got a deer to cook. I hope you do not disapprove?"
             "No, I want your people to feel at home here. It will take mine some time to get used to your ways, but that is why you are here for them to watch and learn. I look forward to trying the deer," Ky'tulendu replied politely. "So you are getting settled? Do your people need anything?" he asked getting comfortable on the cushions.
             "We are getting settled. Tomorrow we will start showing your people what we need. We will all begin learning the ways of nature, together," he said. "Ah, the food is coming." he said looking up to see the woman carrying in steaming bowls of wonderful smelling food with the men trailing behind them. Between the three they carried the whole carcass of the cooked deer on a heavy pole.
             The men sat the deer on the table, while the women brought the bowls over to place in front of the two seated males. They went to the kitchen bringing empty bowls, plates, and large spoons. The three warriors sat down by Ky'tulendu and Roaring Wings and the women began serving them all.
             Ky'tulendu had to keep reminding himself that each of the sexes had specific roles in their society. That he had quickly grasped watching people interact at the village yesterday. B'tunku had been treated graciously, but not like he had. Few of the elders had spoke to her and most of the long night she had been ignored. They had also seen how the women served the guests and their subservient manner of walking and talking to the men. That was hard for the Atanzi to accept when their society was equal in all things.
             He followed the lead of the natives and did what they did. He took generous serving of the food served. From last night he recognized squash, corn, and a cooked green leafy vegetable dish plus flattened corn cakes. The venison was good, even if it was not salty enough for his taste, and the other foods were good and filling if bland. They would have to introduce the natives to Atanzi spices and find local equivalent, he decided.
             Falling Leaf served him and Roaring Wings, while White Deer served the others. He suspected this was deliberate, either by her request, or it was Roaring Wings showing caution to keep the tension down. He was relieved. He really wasn't ready to deal with that situation yet.
             When the men had been taken care of, the two women retired and went off to the kitchen to eat. Ky'tulendu's eyes could not help, but follow White Deer's lithe and sensuous form as she moved around the room.
             She was beautiful for a human with her long black hair falling in braids down her back. Her low necked decorated buckskin top and short fringed skirt showed off her narrow waisted, long legged form. It was her soft liquid dark eyes that drew the Atanzi the most, as they had in his dreams. He also wondered what those full almost pouting lips felt like as well as her silky skin against his.
             Many times he had to force himself to eat during the course of the meal and tear his eyes off her. He caught her looking at him shyly too from under lowered lashes. When she smiled it was like she was transformed and his heart took giant leaps. Her sweet throaty voice sent chills up his spine and aroused other interests.
             Being around her for any length of time was going to be extremely difficult. He could hardly breath, eat, talk, or think when she was near. He knew what was happening intellectually, but his body and soul were ignoring him. Damn, he wanted her, but he couldn't allow himself to have her. Hell, he hadn't even spoken to her, and he wanted to carry her off? He was very grateful when she did go with Falling Leaf to the kitchen so he could relax.
             All this had not been lost on Roaring Wings, he had been watching it all with both amusement and concern for both of them.
             "I see you like White Deer, Asenti," he said finally after the women left.
             "Yes," he admitted. "That I do. It frightens me because I can't allow anything between us. She is Thunder Arrow's daughter and the peace we have worked out is too fragile to allow me to take interest in her. This need to bond with her is very strong. Is there nothing can I do to numb it? If I can't I might have to ask you to send her back to your village for the sake of peace between our people," he told him seriously.
             "I understand your problem. I share it with your doctor. She and I will find some medicine to relieve this strain. I cannot sent White Deer back. It would be an insult for one thing. Neither you or her can in the end deny your destiny. She is your intended mate and you hers."
             "Then there is no way out of this? We are locked together no matter what?" Ky'tulendu asked.
             "Yes, I'm afraid so. Just as the doctor and I are, and my nephew and O'vettun."
             "A part of me hoped there was a way out."
             "There is none, accept it. This used to happen to many of the people in the beginning. Not so much now, not for many generations. I have heard from B'tunku that it is the same for your people?" the shaman asked.
             "Yes. When it happens it is not so overpowering or so strong. I find it difficult not to take off with her and make her mine this moment. It is very embarrassing. There is so much at stake, so much that needs to be done here, to learn. I have too many duties to my people before I can allow myself the luxury of love and a mate," he said, trying to explain his position.
             "Yes, we talked about that before, Asenti. The loneliness that comes from being in a high position and the responsibility we bear to the people we serve. The pull we feel to a mate makes this all the more difficult for us."
             "Yes. It is an impossible situation. What will Thunder Arrow's reaction be? What is yours?"
             "I cannot be too critical about my niece or nephew when I find myself in the same position. Thunder Arrow has plans for White Deer. The chief of the Iroquois, one of the mainland tribes has asked about her . My brother is very ambitious, and thinks that through these marriages he will soon control all this land. I do not approve of this. I see our proud line being diluted. That may be why you were sent here to prevent this." he wondered out loud looking at the Atanzi Asenti strangely.
             "Sent here? By whom Roaring Wings? What happened to us was pure chance. It could have just as easily been another ship out on patrol. The same with the fight with the
Rumnulksa and our crashing here. Everything was an accident," he defended.
             "That could be, but consider maybe the possibility of there being a higher hand guiding our steps. I told the doctor something, maybe I should tell you."
             "Tell me what?"
             "My line is very ancient, more ancient than the people on the mainland. I have a book that has come down from the beginning of our people that no one can read now because we have lost those skills."
             "A Book?" What does it look like? Where?" Ky'tulendu asked excited now.
             "It is hidden in a safe place underground, that only the shaman's of my tribe know of. What it is made of I am not sure, I have seen similar looking things from your ship but I am not sure if they are the same," Roaring Wings said carefully studying his reaction.
             "I'm not sure what to say. I do not want to appear eager or overly curious. But that book of yours may give answers about not only your people but possibly both our people and explain why this is happening."
             "That is my thought too. I will show you and the doctor the book in a few days after we have organized our peoples and started them on what they are to learn."
             "That sounds reasonable," Ky'tulendu agreed, taking a sip from his drink that had similarities to klass he noticed with pleasure.
             He noted the White Deer had returned with Falling Leaf and were gathering up the dirty dishes as well as cleaning up. She tried so hard not to noticed him, but it was apparent she too was having difficulty being in the room near him. He felt sorry for them both. Drawn by a biological imperative that neither could deny or ignore it reduced them to animal level instead of rational beings. He wanted to know her mind and spirit before he knew her in any other way, or was it going to be possible under the circumstances at all?
             "Roaring Wings, I must be going," he said abruptly getting up. "I think you know why. If you wish to talk later come to my quarters. I'm going back there to catch up on paperwork."
             "I am sorry to see you go, Asenti, but I understand. I might come over later, alone." he said getting up. "Let me walk you to the door," he suggested.
             "Thank but I'll see myself out. Thank Falling and White Deer for the wonderful meal. I did really enjoy it. Goodnight, Roaring Wings," Ky'tulendu said rapidly making his exit.
             "Goodnight Asenti," the shaman called after him watching the Atanzi's hurried pace out of the room.
             White Deer walked up to her uncle after Ky'tulendu left with sad eyes and a frown. Her hands were full of the supper dishes but she had to speak to him.
             "I had hoped that I could speak to the Asenti," she said disappointed.
             "I know that child, but he is not ready for that. He is having a hard time coping with the pull he feels for you. He had to go think."
             "Is this such a bad thing for us to feel this?" she asked wondering.
             "Yes, and no because of who you two are and the situation. If you were not Thunder Arrow's daughter and him the chief of this village it might be easier. He fears for the peace because of your father. Look what your brother is being forced to do. Your father has similar plans to marry you to Wind Walker," he reminded her.
             "Yes," she said bitterly. "I am aware of his plans. I do not know Wind Walker but I never wanted to be his wife even before the dreams. What can I do, Uncle? I burn for this red-haired one. It shames me that I do. I must be his wife or die," she said seriously looking up at him.
             "He burns for you as well. You cannot give into that burning, not yet. I am going to the doctor to see if we can devise a medicine to relieve this," he told her.
             "I hope you find something. I will ask Falling Leaf to lock me in my room. I do not trust myself being so near him now," she said.
             He smiled, sympathizing with her, "At least you are honest, child. I will tell Falling Leaf to help you."
             "Thank you."
             "I am going to the Doctor's before it gets too late and return as soon as I can. Do not wait up," he told her.
             "Very well, Uncle, I won't. But do you think it is safe for you to go around the Doctor considering you have the same problem as myself?" she asked with a smile.
             "White Deer, I am many seasons older than you and I think the Doctor and myself are mature enough to handle this. We had no problems this afternoon when we talked, nor do I anticipate any now. She and I will find a medicine to curb this," he told her.
             "Good hunting, uncle," she told him with a gleam in her eye. then she quickly turned and hurried off to the kitchen with her burdens leaving Roaring Wings staring after her.
             "Fighting Cat, I am going to the Doctor's to talk. Guard White Deer and keep all secure until I return," he told the warrior as he passed him in a low voice.
             "I will Roaring Wings, I do not trust all this yet. I was going to keep watch anyway tonight. You will all right walking alone in this strange village?" he asked concerned for the shaman.
             "I should be. There is no reason to fear these Atanzi. They want peace as much as we do. I will be fine," he said straightening up.
             The warrior nodded and went back to eating another helping of his supper. He had no intentions of letting any of this food go to waste. Roaring Wings grinned, his people would be in good hands the warrior would let no one get near them.
             Feeling that everything was secure, Roaring Wings left and walked the short distance between buildings to see B'tunku.

*42 *

             "MS B'tunku, there is a native downstairs to see you. Do you want me to let him up?" the sentry on duty asked her skeptically. Her tired and bored image coming over B'tunku's commcon.
             B'tunku looked at the unfamiliar sentry blankly for a moment, and ran a hand through her sleep rumpled hair while her blood shot eyes tried to focus on the screen. She was in no mood for visitors, any crisis or anything, all she wanted was to sleep! There must be something in the rules that said officers weren't allowed to get any.
             It had to be Roaring Wings, but why she wondered? What time was it she wondered looking at her timer? A little after nine hundred secunits, . . . so why was he here?
              "Sir, do you want me to let him in, or not?" the plump sentry asked again getting impatient.
             "Let him in, Tanz, and tell him which room. He hasn't been here before," she told her, straightening up and glancing around at how messy her room was.
             "As you wish Doctor, Tanz M'tynn out," the sentry said with a disgusted note to her voice as she shut off.
             B'tunku found her robe and put it on. She had fallen into an exhausted sleep two and half-secunits ago after making her rounds at the infirmary and leaving order for some experiments she wanted sciences to run. That had been on top of almost forty some odd hours without sleep, the trip to the natives's camp, talks, then the trip back and the catching up on reports. She had made herself eat and take a shower then she had laid down and fallen into a dreamless sleep.
             A visitor was the last thing she needed or wanted. If Roaring Wings wanted to see her then it must be important.
             She was just finishing picking up and stuffing dirty clothes into her locker when she heard a knock on her door. She opened it and found she had caught the native with his hand posed to knock again. He looked a little embarrassed.
             "I was not sure if you had heard me," he said lowering his hand quickly and smiling which made the edges of his mouth draw up and expose his fangs. On an Atanzi that was one thing on a human it was . . . unnerving?
             "I was picking up. I just moved in. It's still rather messy." she apologized motioning him to come in which he did. Then noticing his careful looking over of her in her robe and his nervousness, she wondered if he had a legitimate reason for being there. "So, why are here?" she asked coming directly to the point.
             "To ask your help," he said, not being put off by her bluntness.
             "Help for what?"
             "To find a medicine to help control the effects of this mating urge we are experiencing. Not so much for myself, but for the Asenti. He is having a very difficult time of it with my niece. Intellectually they are aware of the problems inherent in their bonding at this time, but physically it is very uncomfortable for them," he told her, seeing her nod.
             "I can imagine. I am not finding it too thrilling myself. This was not a good idea for you to have come in person. You could have discussed this over the commcon."
             He nodded, his head lowered not looking at her, "I am aware but I came to offer my assistance. Have you found anything in the books of your people?" he asked staying on the subject.
             "There aren't that many records I can find that survived the crash. This hasn't been really a problem for many generations. So far I haven't be able to find the formulas to stave off the effects. I will just have to start from scratch, it looks like."
             "I was afraid that would be the case. My people let it run its course. Can you think of any-- what is the word, ah . . . tranquilizers, . . that might work?"
             "Nothing so far has worked. I know I've been testing some, personally."
             "So have I if it is any consolation. None of the usual herbal remedies I have used for pain blockers, or relaxers have worked for any length of time even in massive amounts."
             "Great. I had hopes."
             "As did I. There is a possibility that combining elements from your medicines with those of mine might work. If I understood you correctly your scanners have been cataloging the plants and other elements in this area so they are aware of what is available?" he asked carefully.
             She looked at him surprised, he was grasping more than she had given him credit for. "Yes, but only on this island and what the preliminary planet scans picked up of selected sample areas."
             "I see. So your knowledge of plants and other elements is not very extensive yet?"
             "No, within the next weeks we will be going farther and farther afield on the skimmers to do surveys of different regions. I realize that doesn't help right now. Do you know of something we show be looking for?" she asked tiredly.
             "There are some plants that grow in the far west that I have only small amounts of left. I got them from the old shaman who had gotten then in trade with mainland shamans. What I have is much reduced in strength and effectiveness, also there is not enough to make more than one or two doses."
             "So what does it do? Does it need other things to react to it?" she asked interested now.
             "It has good numbing effects by itself while keeping the mind alert. It has generally been used in a drink for shamans during the Ceremony of the Sun because it numbs certain portions of the male anatomy."
             She grinned understanding his references, "I think we might be able to synthesize that plant if we cannot locate it if you have samples of it for analysis. How does it work on females? Does it have to be combined with other medicines?" she asked getting interested.
             "It has never been tried on females because it was reserved for shamans to use. During the time of the dreams I had devised sleeping potions to help the dreamers sleep but it didn't help during the waking hours. During the daylight I used other medicines, because the night potions numbed both the body and the mind. Have you located all the affected Atanzi yet?"
             "No. Some of our people have come forward. The sight of your people in camp has triggered some of the dreamers to come forward. I need an accurate count from you so we can make sure we have located all these people and can help them understand the situation before trouble erupts. So far none of my people have tried to leave camp to go to yours, but I see it only as a matter of time."
             "Yes. Thunder Arrow does not believe in the reality of the dreams or the urges accompanying the bonding cycle. The mixed couples will have a difficult time in my village."
             "I am aware of that. I am not sure of the reactions here myself. O'vettun's and In The Forest's romance sparked a lot of heated debate among some of my people. I don't know whether the Asenti being effected or myself will ease or escalate these feelings," she said seriously. "That is one reason why we must find something to control this until we can build up acceptance of this problem."
             "I agree. I did bring samples of the medicines to let you see if your scanners could locate them or find substitutes," he said, lifting the medicine pouch from around his neck and opening it. He drew out a small skin wrapped square and held it out to her.
             "This is the sample?" she asked. "Does this have a name?
             "Yes, it is called way-ma-tay-gun'is-an'go-oo." He said.
             "Fairy blessing?" she asked starting to question him why it was called that, saw his translator around his neck, then she realized she wasn't wearing a translator, but had understood everything he said perfectly. She looked at him with a rather uncomprehending expression , and not a little afraid.
             He saw her look and was confused himself. "What is it, Doctor?" he asked.
             "I just realized I'm not wearing my translator. It's laying on my desk over there. It's scaring me that I have understood every word you have said, including what the native name for the plant you gave me is. I shouldn't," she said alarmed.
             He frowned, a little afraid himself. "No you shouldn't. Our speech words and concepts are very different. Yet you have still heard and understood all my words?" he questioned, with a lifted black eye brow, his gaze intent.
             "Yes, like I was wearing the translator. Just you wearing it will not account for my hearing you. Both people have to wear them to hear and speak," she told him, frightened now. "Roaring Wings, see what happens when you take yours off."
             "Yes, I was going to do that," he said, taking his off and laying on the desk away from him. "Yoh, ku'les'ta, Maytay'oo-hkway," he said, quirking an eyebrow.
             "You said, all right, Doctor, listen," she told him and saw him nod slowly, wide eyed with wonder. "It's not as clear as when you wear the translator though I can understand you without it. I shouldn't but I do," she explained, crossing her arms as she thought this over. "Is this a function of the bonding cycle unique between us?"
             "Tak-ta'nee, ay'ko-han," he said, thinking as well. Then he picked his translator back up and put it back on. "Ah! Better," he exclaimed. "So many of the things I need to say are not in my language."
             She nodded and reached for her translator as well. He put his large hand over hers stopping her.
             "There is no need, Doctor. I am going to go back to my lodge," he told her, not removing his hand quite yet.
             He looked at her with a penetrating look that made her insides hot and flushed and her legs feel weak. He took his hand away and the skin tingled where it had been. Then he tore his gaze away and started to turn to leave. She didn't want him to. She wanted him to touch her again, look at her again.
             "Must you?" she asked, afraid to move, afraid of the thoughts she was getting in her head.
             "Yes, and you know why. I wish to keep it that way," he said seeing the look rising in her eyes.
             "I think I do too," she said, uncertainty creeping into her tone.
             He frowned at seeing her waver and he could feel the fire rising in himself. He had to leave before something did happen. "Then I must leave. We are too vulnerable to this pull."
             "Yes, go before I try to stop you," she warned, feeling her resolve crumble as her wanting him increased.
             "B'tunku, . . . I want you," he said with hunger in his eyes as he stood with his hand on the doorknob, trying to make himself open the door.
     " I know. Just go Roaring Wings, please. Neither one of us is ready. Once we start the cycle it cannot be stopped. Neither one of us can afford the time or are ready for that kind of commitment," she warned, backing away.
             "That is true, B'tunku, we're not," he agreed lowering his eyes, to block her from his sight. "Goodnight, Doctor," he told her as he quickly turned the door handle, opening the door and exiting as fast as he could before he lost his resolve and stayed to do as he wished he could.
             The door closed and she let out the breath she had been holding, It had been close, almost too close. They had managed to fight it and not give in. She was going to have to find some remedy otherwise they would not be able to stay or work around one another. When they had a remedy then they could relax.
             She wondered about the other affected Atanzi and natives out there that didn't understand what was happening to them. She was going to have to have one of her med techs interview all the survivors and find out who was also suffering from this.
             So far only three persons had come forward and identified themselves. There were many more in the camp, she knew that. They really need this on top of their other problems of getting the camp set up and salvaging the ship. So much for minimum interaction with the natives, she thought with a laugh.
             She went over and locked her door, then took her robe off again after shutting off the lights again and crawled into bed. It took her a while to relax enough for sleep, there was too much to think about as well as calm her body down from being so close to Roaring Wings.
             She didn't think a cold shower was really going to do too much, though just laying there wasn't working so maybe it would. Anything was worth a try to get some much needed rest, she told herself, and got up to try it.

                                                  
* 43 *

             Ky'tulendu walked back to his quarters, noting with some disappointment that he couldn't see the stars or the night sky because of the compound's lights. It had been nice to see the natural beauty of the new planet. His people's improvements prevented that now. The lights were for their safety to help them find their way around the compound and to keep the local wildlife at bay. Still, it would have been nice to have seen the stars.
             The dinner with Roaring Wings had been good, both the food, and the company. He was grateful that the shaman was a reasonable man who had the interests of both people's at heart. Especially in view of how closely they were going to be related.
             This was a strange and bizarre situation for them all. It was nothing that could have been foreseen when his ship left on this mission. Who would have thought that the dreams had any real significance?
             He wondered if their crashing on this planet could been prevented? He did wonder what would have happened if he had made a run for Alliance territory instead of towards this particular star system. Would they still have ended up here or never at all?
             He sighed and stepped inside the building, noting how quiet the place was. They were building more quarters than were necessary, so that they would not have to expand for many years and each crew person could have privacy if they wished. Only three officers shared this building with him. Tanz W'rett, Tanz D'jinse, and Sen Commd H'treet. All of whom seemed to be out or else sleeping because he heard no noises except his own footsteps echoing hollowly on the wooden floors.
             It was good to get back to his room. Maybe this time he could get some sleep without interruption, he thought as he entered his room.
             Turning on his lights, he went over to his commcon to check for messages. Looking over the list on screen he groaned inwardly. He was going to have a very full day tomorrow. His two second-in-commands had insured that. Vokolin may have been sick but she was no less efficient, even if she had to work from her hospital bed.
             He needed to get over and see her. He had been so busy and then exhausted from his trip that going over and seeing her had slipped his mind. She was a good and loyal first officer. However, B'tunku was already filling the gap that Vokolin's illness left.
             That did bring to his mind whether they should continue with the military ranking and command. They were no longer part of Alliance. They were now individuals living together in what he hoped would grow into a community, a town. Shouldn't they be changing their ruling structure to something more compatible to the way their lives would be? That was not something they needed to do right away but when they were ready for a change.
             Ky'tulendu undressed, throwing his uniform over in the corner on a chair. He stretched for a moment, then turned off the lights and got into bed. The last thing he remembered was the sight of the full moon through the trees as he closed his eyes.
             He had not had the dreams since before they had engaged the Rumnulska. It was a shock to have them again. They weren't the same as what they had been on the ship, though. They were crystal clear and bright. The gauze had been removed from the lens of the mind's eye. White Deer was as he had seen her in reality, as he had seen this evening serving dinner at the native's quarters.
             Then she came to him in the night, in his quarters, to his bed. Offering herself to him in all her unspoiled glory. She came to him with the moonlight illuminating her form in his darkened room. She stood there looking at him, not saying a word. Then she reached up and undid the ties that fastened her top and let it slide off her arms to fall to the floor beside her exposing her large and softly rounded breasts. Her skirt was next as it slid down her hips, and long shapely legs to join her top upon the floor.
             She stood there naked before him revealing all her charms, he could not see her features but her eyes sparkled from the reflection of the moonlight. There was hunger in those eyes for him. Hunger he had never seen before, and innocence as well as fear for what she was feeling and wanting from him, from herself.
             She walked sensually from where she stood, her hips moving with a promise he was afraid she would deliver. The long legs hiding and revealing her treasures, She spoke no words, none were needed, her body said it all, as she climbed upon his bed and sat up it on her knees offering herself to him.
             She took his hand and placed it upon her full breast. . . waiting. And when he did not react she moved it for him and felt her warm silky skin shiver and move and the dark nipples harden and stand erect waiting for more.
             When he still would not respond she moved closer to him and he could smell her fresh grass smell, and feel the almost red-hot warmth of her body as she lowered her face to his and began kissing his face and neck while her full breasts brushed against the fine long amber hairs on his bare chest. He was finding it difficult to breathe, to think.
            Was this a dream or was this real? He couldn't tell. He reached up and took her in his arms pulling her down closer to him and his mouth sought hers, hungrily. She nuzzled with her mouth at his lower lip, teasing it, then sent her tongue questing to find his as he parted his unique split lipped mouth. He was lost in her touching and probing tongue as he deepened their kissing until there was nothing but a liquid fire between them that left both of them panting and wanting more.
             He pulled her back with a little moan of disappointment from her so he could see her face in the pale silvery moonlight. The beautiful high cheek boned face was transformed and made even more beautiful by the passion he saw there for him. The dark slanted eyes were luminous and ached for him, while the full lips looked even more fuller and luscious as they pouted in invitation to be kissed more and do more kissing upon him. She smiled at him opening her mouth and showing white even teeth, then ran her tongue suggestively over her lips as she threw a long leg over his thigh as rubbed herself against him.
             His eyes were pleading with her not to do this as he felt his iron control begin to crumble under the onslaught of her body moving ever so slightly against his, rousing him more and more. He was feeling more and more helpless to resist her, but he had to. He couldn't let them do this, not yet. With a burst of iron will he pushed her away and moved to sit up. When he did he woke up and found himself alone in his bed in his moonlit room.
             It had been a dream, he sighed with relief as he woke up fully and saw he was alone tangled in his sweat covered covers that were twisted around him. He laughed out loud in relief, then threw himself back against his pillows happy that it was all a dream. But damn, it had been so real, realer than anything he had ever experienced, even in life.
             It really made him think and worry how long he was going to be able to hold out. He hoped Roaring Wings and B'tunku could find something to numb this and to help him get some sleep. It was going to be a while before he got anymore tonight he figured. Disgustedly, he threw off his covered and turned on his lights. If he was awake he might as well get some work done, he thought as he turned on his commcon and settled in.
             Across the way White Deer wasn't getting any sleep either. The same dream that Ky'tulendu had experienced she had too. It was quite unsettling to have been aroused that much only to be rejected and then brought back to wakefulness. She sighed, and reached for the medicine her uncle had left her and then made herself lay down and go back to sleep, and hopefully not to dream anymore that night.

                                                    
* 44 *

             The runner stood outside the lodge of the chief trying to catch his breath as Thunder Arrow came to the doorway. "They are here, respected one. Jumping Frog is taking them to the guest lodge even as we speak so they may rest from their long journey."
             Thunder Arrow was overjoyed, "Excellent, I will see them shortly. Go and rest now," he told the man, dismissing him.
             Thunder Arrow reentered his lodge calling his wife and son. "I have just been told that Swimming Otter and Little Snowbird have arrived along with the rest of the wedding party. The ceremony while be in four hours, after they have rested and Little Snowbird has had time to prepare herself," he announced happily.
             He did not see enthusiasm from either his son or wife, but his two remaining daughters brightened considerably at his news.
             "That's wonderful Father," Sweet Berry said, her twelve year old round face lighting up with a smile as she sat up in her bed.
             "I look forward to having Little Snowbird as a sister," Fire Flower said, getting up as well. Her ten year old thin frame bouncing naked across the lodge to go get her breakfast from her mother.
             "Then you marry her!" In The Forest shot back angrily at his sisters, not rising from his bed. "I won't!" and burrowed further under his bearskin.
             "You will not argue with me!" his father ordered angrily, debating whether to kick him. "You will marry her, and you will be happy to do so. Is that clear, In The Forest! I will not have you disgrace us in front of her father or this tribe," he ordered angrily. "Get up and begin your preparations. Grey Owl will act as shaman with Roaring Wings away."
             "Father, I do not want to do this!" In The Forest protested, gritting his teeth to keep from losing his temper and saying something.
             "We have already discussed this. There will be no more talk. You just doing do your duty. I command you as your father and as your chief."
             "Very well, Father," he said slurring the word to get his point across. He then rose with great disgust, and threw his cover off to glare up at his father standing above him.
             "Go see Grey Owl NOW!" his father ordered pointing his arm in the general direction of the sweat lodge for emphasis.
             "I am going and I am doing this only to keep the peace for O'vettun's people. No other reason because I do not care what happens to me, or to this tribe or to this family. All is dead to me without my mate, and Little Snowbird will NEVER be that," he said in parting as he stormed off to the sweat lodge beyond the village.
             His mother watched him go and worried greatly for him. She had helped him sleep these last nights with special medical teas that his uncle had left for him, but even with the drugs he had restless nights and called out frequently for O'vettun in pain. The pain he was feeling was real because of his separation from the cat-woman.
             She remembered the old stories about the ancient ones that had been bonded together for life and how the least separation in the beginning caused intense physical pain to the individuals. If one of the couple was killed or died, the other would soon follow. Those who had their mates stolen went after them or grieved themselves to death. Already she could see the signs of that.
             She felt as helpless as her son because she could not talk to Thunder Arrow and convince him that what he was doing was wrong and killing his son. She also felt sadness for Little Snowbird who would suffer too. It was a terrible tragedy that had no solution.
             Sees Far heard her two daughters' laughter as they straightened up the lodge and prepared the family breakfast. She knew that their joy would be short lived when they found out their father's plans for them. They would be married off to chiefs on the mainland within the year. Ones that their father had decided would make good allies, and offer him access to the wealth on the continent. She had argued about diluting their bloodlines with outsiders, but he had told her she took too much stock in legends and myths.
             Little Snowbird was not pure blooded of the old line. Her father had married a mainlander as had many in the Owl Clan tribe. Their shamans were concerned too because it meant the old powers would die off as well as the ability to use the old knowledge. Knowledge that had kept their tribes strong and safe for many generations. Too many of the old laws were being disregarded or ignored, including the ones regarding mixing of their blood with outsiders.
             Thunder Arrow was interpreting the old laws in his own way, seeing that Little Feather was acceptable to the laws because of her father was chief of the Owl Clan while the cat-woman was a seeming outsider. In her heart, Sees Far, knew the cat woman was somehow of the blood and would strengthen it not weaken it. If she were not, why then did the golden threads she saw exist?
             Her thoughts were interrupted as she heard her husband speaking and went to tend to him.
                                                                                               

             In a dark mood, In The Forest walked obediently to the sweat lodge. He debated many times along the forested trail whether to just run and go off to his cave, but too many knew where that was and there were few places he could truly hide on the island, large as it was. Like a condemned man he walked with leaden feet and heart to his appointed place.
             "I am here, Grey Owl," he announced resignedly at the entrance to the lodge.
             "Yes, I had heard the wedding party had arrived, so I was expecting you. You do not look as though you were to be a bridegroom within the day. What troubles you, In The Forest? Tell me while we prepare," the tall, thin man asked, his gentle eyes in his horse like face were compassionate, inquiring as he helped the young warrior strip.
             In The Forest looked sharply at him, surprised, "You had not heard? You do not know why this wedding is taking place?" he asked incredulously.
             "No, sorry. I had been out gathering supplies for your uncle when a runner found me and asked me to come back to the village to act as shaman in Roaring Wings place. He said something about cat-people visiting, and a lot of other things that didn't make sense and then he left. Afterwards, I came straight here and began preparing the sweat lodge," he replied.
             "Then you do not know I am being forced into this marriage by my father?"
             "I had only heard that you had agreed to do it since it had been put off from earlier. Why is your father forcing you?" the thin man asked.
             "He wants and alliance with Swimming Otter to gain power. He will go to any length to get it."
             "Yes, that sounds like Thunder Arrow," he agreed, and looked at him quizzically, "Little Snowbird is a pretty one, and would make anyone a good wife and bear many children. Why does that sadden you?" he asked starting to scrub him down with soap weed.
             "Because I love--I am bond to another as in old legends. To one of the cat-people who have come to our world from the stars. Her name is O'vettun."
             "Cat-people from the stars? You are not serious. When I heard the tale from the runner I thought he was sick, out of his head, but you say there are such people?"
             "There are. A whole tribe of them. They fell to earth in a great sky-canoe and are stranded here. I found the one that had haunted my dreams these many months. We mated and are now bonded as in the old legends, Grey Owl. The legends are true," In The Forest said seriously with a catch in his deep voice.
             "Does your father know of you and the cat woman?"
             "Yes! That is why he is forcing me to marry Little Snowbird. If I do not then he will declare war on my mate's people. There would be much blood on both sides. I cannot allow this."
             Grey Owl looked at him carefully, looking beyond the surface with the old sight and seeing what Sees Far had seen, the golden threads that led off out of sight and stretched tautly to some unknown others. Others, he questioned, because he saw two distinct threads not one. He was confused.
             "My eyes see the truth of your statements. You are bond as the legends say. I can see it, but I see two threads not one." Grey Owl told him with wonder as he continued his cleansing of In The Forest's naked body.
             "The second belongs to our child. I will be a father, Grey Owl."
             "I have not been out in the woods that long, my son. The cat people have not been here that long and it is impossible for you to know this all ready."
             "The medicine woman of her people told us. They have things called scanners that can see inside you or anything and tell you what is or what is happening if they ask it."
             "They are Magicians?"
             "They claim they are not. They call what they do science, but it is magic just the same."
             The shaman shook his head. "This is almost too much for this one's head to take. Your cat-woman agreed to let you go?"
             "Yes, it was her idea. She told me to marry Little Snowbird so there would be peace. I worry about her, there is so much sadness in her. The pain she feels because we are separated is as bad as my own," he said looking off into the distance where he knew she was.
     "It is a very sad and tragic story. Does Little Snowbird know of the cat-woman?" Grey Owl asked.
             In The Forest shook his head, "I don't know. I don't know whether she knows or not. I don't know whether it'll make any difference. There is nothing that will call off this wedding."
             "Except the will of the gods and the spirits, if they can hear your pleas," Grey Owl told him finishing up and bidding him to enter the sweat lodge for the rest of the ceremony.
             In The Forest nodded and bending down went in and took his place while the shaman began his chants. In The Forest was supposed to be mediating while his body sweated, but his thoughts were not on the ceremony, they were on O'vettun far away from him now.
 
                                        
             This was the first night O'vettun had ever spent entirely alone since she had been a girl. It was an odd experience for her not feeling other people nearby, but she did it. Part of it was feeling In The Forest's presence in the cave from his belongings and from the carrier wave they had forged, even if that wave carried pain and sorrow. He was in pain, physical pain, more than she was from their forced separation. She dared not reach out to him through their link. She could reach him if she wanted to, but that would only make it harder for both.
             She lay on the bearskin that they had made love on, smelling the faint traces of him that still lingered. It both comforted and saddened her. Her uneasy sleep was broken often by strange sounds heard at the edges of her consciousness, and from her dreams of him.
             She knew he was reaching out to her through their dreams when she would not respond through the link. She made herself wake up, cutting him off. He had to be free to marry the girl his father had chosen. She could not hold on to him, nor would she willingly break the peace treaty, no matter how much she wanted him lying next to her.
             She wouldn't go back to either village. This would be her home now, separate from both, so that she would not have to deal with either. Would he come here again, she wondered? She hoped not.
             Fear of discovery by her people and by In The Forest was heavy on her mind. She needed to move to the waterfall cavern it was too exposed here. The cavern offered her everything she needed, water, light, food, and safety from accidental discovery, though forging trips would have to be made to replenish her supplies of other types of food, but that would be a while in the future.
             Giving up on getting more sleep she started packing and beginning the hard job of moving everything to the other cave. Several hours later she finished. Her last trip had been one to remove any obvious evidence that someone had been staying there in case the sentries did start looking and their scanners did find the entrance to the cave. To her eyes it looked like someone might have sought shelter from a storm down there, no more. She had even removed traces of her footsteps in the dirt of the cave's floor with a broom made of rushes. Finished with hiding her trail, she returned to her new home and started making it into one.
                                                                           
                                                
             "May all the spirits bless this union. In The Forest, Little Snowbird you are now husband and wife, go now in peace," Grey Owl said waving his hands over them in the sacred signs of blessing sanctifying their marriage.
             Little Snowbird was smiling and beaming with happiness as she looked in awe at the tall handsome warrior beside her who was now her husband. She had admired him from afar for a long time. To actually have him as her husband was a miracle that she dared not question least he vanish into mist.
             She was a simple girl, not overly bright, or smart at a lot of things, but she was kind and very loving. Her prettiness did not lie in her actual physical beauty, but in her carefree child-like attitude towards life. She was more like an over eager puppy than a supposedly mature woman wanting to please everyone.
             She was a little towards the plump side, and a head shorter than In The Forest. Her broad face was round, with a wide upturned nose, large brown eyes, and a generous mouth, and rounded chin. Her waist length black hair was worn loose this day caught with a blue, yellow, and white floral patterned beaded headband to match her elaborately beaded white deerskin cape, skirt, leggings, and high booted moccasins.
             In The Forest was somber, smiling little, and saying even less in his matching finery. His eyes held pain, because of what he was being forced to do and the physical pain he was experiencing from being separated from O'vettun. Grey Owl had given him something to ease it but it was having very little effect.
             Grey Owl had wanted to call this off, but In The Forest had told him they had to go through it. The shaman had even tried pleading with Thunder Arrow before the ceremony, but it had not done any good. The two men went through it, knowing it was wrong but having to do it anyway. So now In The Forest was joined legally to Little Snowbird. The peace for the Atanzi was now secured.
             Thunder Arrow came towards the couple standing before their new lodge, but In The Forest turned his back on him and Thunder Arrow stopped then turned back to talk to Swimming Otter and the other elders who were going to the Council lodge for the wedding feast. Little Snowbird was confused by her new husband's behavior, but she accepted it as she accepted everything that happened to her without question.
             She looked up at him expectantly, "Should we go in, my husband?" she asked shyly even though she looked up at him with anxious liquid brown eyes.
             "Yes, we need to talk, Little Snowbird." he said in a very dispassionately tone of voice, his expression neutral.
             She was confused, "Talk? Today we are married and you want to talk, not make love?"
             He nodded not giving her a second glance. "Talk," he replied tonelessly, and ushered her quickly into the lodge before their conversation was overheard.
             "May I serve you some food or drink, Husband, before we talk?" she asked suggestively, wiggling her rear provocatively as she moved closer to him once they were inside.
             "No, nothing, Little Snowbird. Sit please, we have much to talk about," he requested indicating that she should sit.
             She looked at him strangely and shook her head. Her confusion was growing more and more acute. She sat down as he had asked and waited expectantly for him to speak. He sat down a little distance from her and when she tried to scoot over and join her he held his hand out motioning her to halt.
             "No, stay there. It will be better," he said gently.
             "You do not like me, do you?" she asked, realization dawning on her.
             He sighed loudly, trying not to look at her. "No, that is not it. My heart belongs to another, Little Snowbird, and always will. We were married because my father wished it, not me. I was forced to marry you."
             She was shocked. "Why did you not tell my father before we were married? He would have understood."
             "I couldn't. My father wanted this alliance between our tribes. I had no choice to marry you because if I didn't my father would start a war with the people of the woman I do love. I married you to ensure their safety."
             "She is not of this tribe? She is of the Turtle Clan?" she asked.
             "No, she is different from you and me. She comes from a place far far away. Have you not heard of the strangers--the cat people?" he asked carefully, not sure what she knew or had heard since her arrival this morning.
             "Your sisters told me a little of them, but it was all so strange sounding I didn't believe them. Cat-people from the stars? Your people have great imaginations."
             He smiled, "They are quite real. They live a half-day's journey from here, or a very short journey in one of their flying machines. They look a little like cats in their faces but they are like us in their bodies and they talk and walk like us."
             "I do not believe you and even if I did what has that to do with us now?" she asked, getting frustrated.
             "I am mated, bonded to one of the cat-people. Her name is O'vettun. She was why you and I did not marry before. I saw her in my dreams before she came. When her ship crashed I found her and it was not long thereafter until we were as one. She is my wife, in all things except name," he told her holding nothing back now.
             "NO! You lie! I am your wife! How could you lie with an animal!" she spat disgustedly, angry and hurt at his confession.
             "O'vettun is not an animal she is a woman just like you. Only her features are different. I love her. I will always love her, and she carries my child."
             "No! You are cruel In The Forest. You tell me all of this on our wedding day. How can you expect me to love you after knowing all this?" she asked as tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at him.
             "I don't want you to love me--ever. That is the other thing I wish to discuss. I will not sleep with you Little Snowbird-- ever! I do not want you to touch me or try to make love to me, nor will I ever touch you," he told her firmly.
             "No, don't say that! How can I be wife if we do not make love. What am I to do?" she asked confused with pain and heartache.
             "That I don't know, don't care what you do or don't do. I want nothing from you. I will sleep alone. Do not try to crawl in bed with me--you will not be welcome," In The Forest told her and got up.
             She watched him as he stripped off his decorated shirt, and fancy leggings, and decorations. He turned his back to her to change his fancy loincloth for a plain one and put on his everyday moccasins. From the corner by the door he picked up his bow and his quiver of arrows and started to walk out without saying a word.
             "Where are you going?" she asked angrily and frightened now.
             "Out!" he said coldly, not looking at her.
             "Where?" she pleaded. She started to get up and follow him, but he made a sharp downward cutting motion with his hand telling her to sit down which she did obediently. She looked up at him with tear stained eyes like a puppy that had been kicked.
             "To hunt. Do not concern yourself with me. I will return when I do," he said coolly, then added, "You may stay here or go join my mother and sister's at the feast. I do not care," Then he was gone, disappearing past the door covering which flapped angrily in his wake.
             Little Snowbird looked after him stunned by all he had said. She sat on her knees wringing her plump hands together as her tears fell and stained her white buckskin clothes. All these months she had looked forward to this day. To have its joy and meaning taken away was more than she could bear. She could go to her father and tell him, but it would only make bad feeling between the tribes. This alliance was important to her father too. In The Forest's mother and sister's would not be of any help.
             She did not think she could change her new husband's mind about her. He would never love her or make love to her. He had said so. She believed him. What good was she if she could not fulfill her duties as a wife and mother? She knew that her husband could not give her away to another because that would shame both tribes, nor could she find someone else to wife. She was stuck in a nightmare situation.
             There was only one honorable way out--death. Making up her mind she willed herself not to retreat. It must done before he returned, she decided so there would be no more painful scenes between them. Her resolve set she began looking around the newly furnished lodge for a means to accomplish this task.
             The only things that were suitable were some knifes for cutting meat and skins, but their stone blades were neither sharp or long enough for the task. In a corner she spied In The Forest's hunting lances tipped with long, sharp flint blades for taking down deer or bear. Taking one of them from the stack she braced its shaft end in a gap between the rough planking of the floor and angled it towards her heart.
             She closed her eyes and said a silent prayer to her ancestors to forgive her as she then leaped forward throwing herself upon the blade. She let out a cry of pain as the blade impaled her heart as her forward motion and weight ran the shaft all the way through her. She fell to the floor of the lodge lifeless. Her body spasmed for a few moments then it lay still as her life's blood pooled out underneath her.
             Beyond the door laughter could be heard and the sound of happy voices and singing as the wedding feast went on into the deepening dusk of the evening. None of the party goers suspected what tragedy had transpired yet. They went on enjoying themselves as was the custom. The newly weds would not be looked in upon until morning when the groom's family would take them breakfast and show off their blood stained bedding to the tribe. That would be many long hours from when Little Snowbird's body would be found.
             In The Forest had left the camp unseen by the sentries who were more interested in the merrymaking going on than in their duties. He wandered far from camp on the trail of a fine seven prong stag he had seen when he stopped to take a drink of water downstream from the village.
             He had no inkling what had happened after he left the lodge, so he went on following the faint trail of the stag through the dense forest growth until darkness overtook him. He made camp and cooked a rabbit he had shot along the way. Soon his tiredness overtook him and he slept until the morning birds woke him at dawn.
   

End part 5/10