Page 9

Kala

A shift happened within my gut when Iris arrived to the central fire.

I had not actually expected her to come.

There could have been many reasons for her absence, and while I find I would have been disappointed, I would not have been surprised.

It has taken many moons for the Tavikhi to fully accept me.

For a human to do so within only a few ticks of the sun across the sky—it is unusual.

Then again, my head tells me there is something different about Iris than the other humans, although I cannot say for sure what it is.

Sorin leads her over with his hand clasped in hers.

Affection comes so easily for him since his introduction to the human healer.

I am glad for the fact. He has learned much about emotions and softness from the human females, especially Healer Sage.

I will always be in her debt for that alone.

There is nothing in this world I would deny her if she asked.

She will not, though, because that is not her way.

Iris and Sorin come close and stop at my side.

More Tavikhi join the growing number of people around the fire, including a few of the elders, as well as the human families who live in the village.

Benham and I have spoken often during the various hunts we have gone out on together about their human tribe-brothers and -sisters.

They had reluctantly joined the Tavikhi at the beginning, and merely for protection from King Armik and the rest of our former tribe.

It is promising to see they have fully embraced the Tavikhi as their people.

“I am glad you were able to join us.” I dip my head at Iris.

“Sorin got the impression you thought I would bail.”

Bail? I do not know this word, but given my only thought was that Iris would not come, I can guess. “I did not know if you would do this ‘bail’ thing or not.”

She narrows her gaze. “Like I told your son, I don’t say things I don’t mean.”

“That is a good way to live. Following through on commitments is important.”

“Of course it is.”

“Not everyone believes as you do.” Far too few people do.

“Those aren’t the kind of people I want in my life, then.”

This feels important. “I will be sure to remember that.”

“Gogo, we should sit before all the good spots are taken.” Sorin tugs on my hand.

I glance down. “I was unaware there was such a thing. Perhaps it is best if you show Iris and me where they are.”

Without releasing the hold he has on either of us, he leads us to a narrow bench that is far enough away from the smoke being released by the flames, but close enough to where several Tavikhi and human kits sit.

“Iris and you can sit there, and I will sit on the ground.” Sorin points to the spot.

“You’re not sitting on the ground, young man,” Iris scolds. “We either sit someplace where we’ll all fit, or you and your father can sit together and I’ll eat with you the next time you’re in the village.”

“I can go sit with my friends so you and Gogo can share the bench.” My kit is nothing if not persistent.

“You invited Iris to eat with us. How do you think she will feel if you now decide to eat elsewhere? That is not what I have taught you.”

Sorin ducks his head, properly chastised. “You are right. I am sorry Iris.”

“Apology accepted.”

“We will go elsewhere so that we all may sit together.” There is an appropriately sized wooden seat not far from here.

I guide the two of them over to it. We will have to approach the fire soon anyway to be served our meal.

We have adopted this way in my village as well.

There are those who tend to each meal while the rest of the tribespeople form a line, and those responsible for that meal serve each person as they pass by.

Different people rotate through the role so the same ones who serve others are given a chance to be served themselves.

Sorin is never without words and yet he sits silently between Iris and me. I glance over at her. She sits stiffly and her gaze travels everywhere, but to me or to my kit.

“How are you liking Tavikh? Do you miss your Earth?” The moment I ask, I regret it. If Iris misses her own planet, I should not bring up the fact.

Except she makes that melodic sound I have found to enjoy more than I expected and far more than I should. “There’s not much about Earth to miss. At least not for those of us from the bottom tier.”

“That is the part of your planet that does not have much?”

Iris cocks her head. “You know about Earth?”

“I know how your people are divided, but that is really the only thing.”

“So you don’t know that people from the bottom tier have to scrape and claw through life to even survive?

We’re teased with opportunities for better , but every time we get a little closer to obtaining it, another obstacle is thrown in our way that’s meant to keep us exactly where we are.

Of course, those who are offering the opportunity come up with some way to blame others.

It’s never their fault we can’t get out of the shit hole they put us in in the first place.

” Iris lifts her arm slightly. “Sorry, you probably didn’t care to hear my bitter take on my old life. ”

“King Armik did the same to his people.” To me.

To my tribe-brothers. “Our people were starving because he would take the food we hunted. Each time, he would tempt us with the opportunity to earn extra meat by defeating another Krijese in battle. He would hold great tournaments where he would pit his people against one another to fight for the right to eat. The winner would receive rancid meat and it was always another Krijese’s fault besides King Armik’s because they did not smoke it properly to keep it from going bad. ”

“Your king sounds like a world-class prick. It’s probably a good thing he’s dead.”

My translator—one that was provided to our people by the Bohnari when I was Sorin’s age—tells me that prick is another word for cock. An unfamiliar rough, grating sound tears through my throat. Tavikhi and humans alike, including Iris, jerk their heads in my direction and stare.

“Gogo, did you just laugh?” Sorin stares up at me with wide eyes.

Is that what that noise was? It is not a sound I have ever produced before. Yet it came about because of Iris.

“You know, you should do that more often.”

I glance over at Iris. “Why is that?”

Her light-colored cheek darkens to match the other side again. “I didn’t mean to say that. At least not out loud.”

“Was it wrong to say?”

She shakes her head. “No, I don’t suppose so.”

“Then you should always speak the truth.”

“You’re right,” Iris says.

“My question remains unanswered, though. Why should I do that more often?” Not that I will have many chances to do so since it is not a sound Krijese other than Sorin make.

“Because it makes you less…” her voice drifts off.

“Less what?”

Iris blows out a heavy breath. “Fine. It makes you less scary.”

“We are scary to you?” Sorin speaks up.

She and I both glance down, startled, because my whole focus had been on her and I briefly forgot where I was.

“How could I be scared of you?” Iris tugs on one of his floks with a grin. “You’re adorable.”

That does not satisfy my kit though. He cocks his head. “But you are scared of Gogo?”

She shifts her gaze to me and back to him. “I was at first, but maybe not so much anymore.”

“Why were you afraid at first?”

“Sorin.” There is a slight hint of reprimand in his name.

Iris holds up her hand and turns toward me.

“No, it’s okay. He should be able to ask questions.

Knowledge is important.” She looks at my kit.

“I overheard people say something about the Krijese when I arrived on Tavikh, and I believed them even though I’d never met one.

So, when I first saw your gogo, I jumped to conclusions instead of learning for myself what he is really like.

People have done the same thing to me my entire life. I was wrong to do it to your gogo.”

“Why did others not take the time to know you?” Sorin has always been curious and asks far too many questions.

Iris points at her face. At the side that is darkly colored. “When people initially look at me, they only see this. The next thing they see is this.” She raises her arm that is incomplete. “I’ve been seen as scary, too, and I know how hurtful it is.”

Scars and other wounds come from warring. The more wounds you carry, the stronger you are. I do not know the reason for Iris’s missing hand, but that she thrives without it only tells me she is a strong female.

“Is your coloring unusual for a human? All the ones I have seen on Tavikhi come in so many different colors that I did not realize a person who has more than one is considered scary. I believe you to be special for having something the others don’t.

” It is my turn to ask a question, because I have been cursed with the need for knowledge as well.

Iris laughs, but it is not the sweet melodic sound I have become used to. This sound is tinged with a sour note I do not care for. “Little kids have cried when they see me. Whether because of my face or because I don’t have a hand, I don’t know. Not that it matters. This is who I am.”

“I still think you’re the most beautiful female I have ever seen,” Sorin tells her.

Iris’s eyes shimmer with a sudden wetness. “Thank you, sweetie.”

I too see the beauty Iris possesses. It is in the harmonious sound she makes and in the softness she gives my kit. It is also in her ability to make me create a noise of amusement I would never have experienced prior to this turn. Prior to Iris.