Page 36 of Across the Stars (Cosmic Threads of Fate #1)
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
MAE
Mae sat up and wiped the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand, taking a break from her weaving. She peered at the other nearby crafters, who were working diligently on their own projects.
They were highly skilled and talented in the objects they were making, having polished their craft over many years to master them.
Some were weaving baskets with treated vine and leather strips like she was, while others were shaping clay pots and sanding wooden furniture.
Mae admired their concentration and dedication, noting the various techniques they were employing. She was grateful to be surrounded by such skilled and talented people, and she took a moment to simply enjoy the atmosphere of the alcove.
The wooden alcove located on the ground floor of the tree was surrounded by the giant tree’s roots, with one large arched entryway and several smaller ones off to the sides. In the back, behind the spiraling staircase that ran through the entire tree, there was a large hole that led to a dark cave.
The soft glow of bioluminescent flora created a warm, cozy atmosphere as she observed the community working in harmony. The scene reminded her of bees in a hive, all focused on a common goal.
She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, content with her accomplishments thus far, as she took in her surroundings. The hard work of the day was forgotten as she basked in the tranquil beauty of her new home.
Despite the heat and physical labor, Mae felt at ease in this place where everyone came together for the greater good—doing what they excelled at for the clan’s benefit.
As she absorbed the simple beauty of the world and the people around her, she noticed how different it was from the world she had known. Technology had advanced so much in her world, they lived a life stripped down to its simplest form.
The moon’s society demonstrated what Mae saw in the T’sisk as well: it didn’t matter how advanced humans were as a species in terms of technology and the benefits it provided when it was used as a cover for what the real problems were.
Even without all the inventions created to help make daily life easier, Watai’s people appeared more stable, morally sound, and overall happier than humans.
It was as if their ability to govern their own people was more advanced than humans—just like the T’sisk—and they didn’t need the level of technology humans possessed in order to be happy and survive on the moon they lived on.
It was further proof that if a species’ core values are flawed and unrestrained, no amount of advanced technology would solve civilization’s problems; in fact, it appeared to worsen them, because the people were left unchecked.
Laws could never keep up with new ideas and inventions, and by the time they were enacted, they were nearly impossible to enforce, widening the divide even further.
Despite this, Mae didn’t miss all the technology that she’d always surrounded herself with her entire life. She was getting used to the simpler life of the moon’s natives, not having to worry about earning enough credits for food and other necessities—or wondering if she would be able to pay bills.
Even though she wasn’t currently working on the Atlantis , doing maintenance and repairs, she was still creating with her hands, which she enjoyed as much as flying.
While she wasn’t a space dragon rider like Watai and his people, she found that being transported on the back of the Iskzo was more exciting than flying through an asteroid field.
There was a sense of serenity on this moon, which she had never felt before. She was both terrified and excited by the prospect of what her life would be like if she chose to stay, if she chose to fully immerse herself in this world.
It was a tempting thought, but one that would require a lot of careful consideration.
Even with the misunderstandings between Watai and herself, adjusting to life with the natives had been going well so far, but the way the angry male who often sat beside Watai’s sister glared at her made Mae wonder if her stay with the tribe would soon turn hostile.
Whatever was going on between Watai and her was going to happen naturally. It wouldn’t be right if she tried to force them to become more than friends.
She had to be careful until she learned how to communicate with him, no matter how often she was told that their lives were bound together by fate or a cosmic thread.
The last thing she wanted to do was mislead him into thinking they were something they weren’t.
She’d hoped to learn more about the moon and its inhabitants, but she wasn’t going to overstay her welcome, no matter how much she wanted to save them or stay behind.
A sense of peace and serenity overcame her as she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. After a brief break, she blinked open her eyes and went back to work with renewed vigor.
Mae brushed the vine scraps from the floor level crafting table into a disposal bin that was already full of wood shavings and other natural organic debris.
Her attention was drawn to how different her baskets were from the many situated around her. They weren’t perfect like the others, being slightly lopsided and with lids that were far too large for the size of basket she made.
Mae hoped they were good enough to be used—and that they saw her mistakes as happy accidents that gave her creations personality.
Aside from her baskets, there was a variety of clothing, similar to what she was wearing, and fancier pieces, like fancy net shawls and what she would consider designer belts, with pouches, beading, and fringe.
They were a variety of colors, which made Mae wonder if they were naturally dyed or if they came from the local flora.
Mae was awestruck by their natural beauty and had to restrain herself from letting her hand wander, touching the garments and attempting to piece together how they were braided and weaved together. There was a sudden desire to improve to the point where she could be trusted to make some of her own.
She had learned to crochet and knit when she was in primary school in the hopes of keeping her hands out of trouble. What piqued her interest was that they didn’t use needles, but rather looms made of large creature bone.
Mae yanked her hand away and resumed work on the unfinished basket in her lap, hoping to complete it before the evening meal.
Maybe after she’d made some passable baskets, she could ask to be shown how to make something else with their looms. She refused to give up because she knew she’d get the hang of it eventually—even if it was taking longer than she had anticipated.
The room was filled with laughter. Mae’s gaze snapped to its source, where she discovered Xaynu staring at her. She flinched as she looked around for the source of his joyous laughter, but all she found were curious crafters peering at her.
As she jerked her head down, focusing on her hands weaving the vine through the reed frame, heat blossomed on her cheeks.
Xarntu hissed something at the boy, causing him to flinch and immediately stop laughing.
Mae felt bad for getting the little boy in trouble, especially since he was the one who gave her the bone comb, her first gift from the moon people aside from the clothing Watai had given her.
She sighed, picked up the materials she needed to finish her basket, and walked over to Xaynu, where she sat down next to him. As he watched her set down her things in front of her and carry on with her work as if nothing had happened, he furrowed his brow in bewilderment.
Mae gave him a gentle smile and motioned to the arrows he was making, while Xarntu and Yawix stared on the other side of him.
He shook his head, muttering something under his breath as he continued what he was doing, carefully shaping the shafts for his new set of arrows with a knife made of hardened bone.
Mae was impressed with how the two women had taken them in. They’d been a blur of motion since Watai left, working on their own projects while helping Xaynu and her with theirs.
Xarntu was sharpening a new bow with a small file, her long fingers deftly working the wood, while Yawix was creating a new quiver out of leather.
Mae was still trying to make sense of the new skills she was learning.
She’d never worked with wood or leather before, and her fingers were sore and blistered from the strenuous activity.
But she pushed through the discomfort, determined to master this new skill.
She felt a pang of envy when she looked over at Xaynu, who was working with a steady hand.
It was obvious that he had been making arrows for a long time, most likely since he was strong enough to carve wood, especially since his mother was a hunter.
She knew it would take time to master these new skills, but she was determined to learn with the help of her new friends.
In the corner of her eye, she noticed something large and dark.
Mae’s heart beat faster as she watched the large black cat approach her. Its piercing glowing emerald eyes were fixed on her, and its lithe body moved with the grace of a predator. Despite her terror, Mae was captivated by the creature’s beauty.
Both Xarntu and Yawix paid no attention to the cat as Mae sat there paralyzed with fear. It was unlike anything she’d ever seen before, and it was enormous, easily twice as big as a lion. She couldn’t possibly outrun it, but she also couldn’t stand by while it hurt the boy next to her.
Mae jumped to her feet, grabbing one of Xaynu’s arrows, as her heart raced as she watched the cat advance. She fumbled with her arrow, trying to keep her hands steady while wielding it like a knife.
The cat growled again and sat down on its hind legs, its gaze darting between the four of them. Mae could see intelligence in its gaze and wasn’t sure if it was deciding whether to attack or retreat—or if it just wanted to play with them.
The feline came to an abrupt halt, cocking its head with a curious expression. Mae hesitated, then slowly extended her hand. To her surprise, the creature nuzzled into her palm, purring deep and steady.
She stroked its rough, velvety fur as it rubbed against her hand, emerald eyes rolling in delight. Captivated by its beauty, Mae felt an instant connection to the great black cat.
Mae smiled at the feline’s affection, finding comfort in the simple act of bonding with the creature.
She let go of her arrow and watched as Xarntu mock-scolded the big cat.
“ Fela ,” Xarntu growled. “ Ninu sohask , Mae. Qun’sa syan, Fela.”
The feline huffed and rolled its eyes, and pressed its head into her palm, demanding more attention.
She had never seen such a large, majestic creature so close, and its sudden appearance had startled her.
Yet now the great cat that had seemed so menacing only moments ago sprawled at her feet, rolling to expose its belly.
Eyes half-lidded, it rumbled a deep, contented purr, clearly reveling in her touch.
The other crafters and workers who had been working in the area watched in amazement as the fearsome creature allowed itself to be petted like a common housecat.
Xarntu and Yawix exchanged knowing glances, clearly not surprised by the feline’s behavior.
Xaynu, however, looked on in wide-eyed wonder, clearly impressed by Mae’s bravery and calmness in the face of danger.
Mae laughed at the absurdity of the situation. Here she was, a human from Earth, petting a giant, alien cat in the middle of an alien tree-city.
Xarntu rolled her eyes at the cat, and then turned to Mae with a smile. “Fela nu ayu , Mae.”
Mae felt flattered by the giant cat’s affection. She scratched behind Fela’s ears, and the cat let out a deep purr, closing her eyes in contentment.
“You’re beautiful,” Mae said, admiring the cat’s sleek black fur and the way the emerald and sapphire patches glimmered in the sunlight.
“Fela syan ,” Yawix said, as he picked up the basket that Fela had knocked over. “Fela ‘xeylen ku awnu. ”
Mae couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe as she continued to pet Fela. She couldn’t believe that she was able to connect with such a powerful creature so easily. She realized that she was starting to feel more and more at home in this new world.
As Fela rose and walked away, Mae smiled at Xarntu and Yawix, bowing her head and touching her forehead and then her chest with her hand.
“Thank you for letting me meet Fela.”
Xarntu and Yawix smiled back at her. “Mae,” Xarntu said. “Fela nu ayn ku zewi ‘xeylen. ”
Mae was grateful for the new friends she’d made in this strange and wonderful moon, unable to believe she’d ridden a dragon and pet a big cat.
She wondered if Fela was Xarntu’s threadmount or just a friendly creature who stopped by for pets and scratches, as her friend’s house cats frequently did.
It was something she had to ask Iskzo whenever she got the chance to ride him again.