Page 10

Maklr

“Did you sleep well last night?” Maklr asked when Nell emerged fully dressed from her room the next morning. She shrugged. “Same as every other night?” She nodded. He pasted a grin on his face. “I hope my snoring didn’t keep you awake.”

Nell padded into the kitchen, opening cabinets.

“Looking for anything in particular?” Maklr gestured toward a pan simmering on the stove.

“I hope you don’t mind, but I’m an early riser.

I took the liberty of preparing first meal.

Hope you like porridge and fresh fruit.” He placed a bowl at the far end of the table, closer to the door.

Nell sat, holding the metal spoon delicately over the bowl. “It’s all safe. I assure you,” he said.

Nell plucked the Klagan version of a strawberry out of the bowl and dropped it into her mouth.

A trickle of red juice dribbled over her lower lip.

Her tongue darted out to catch the errant drop.

She ate the berries first, letting the porridge cool before placing two heaping spoonfuls into her mouth.

She moaned in appreciation. “Thank you. You’re an excellent cook,” she said, her voice low.

“I’ve eaten a lot of cold hospital food.

Military rations aren’t much better. Either I learned to cook, or went hungry. ”

Nell chuckled. She rose to clean both bowls. When she finished, she turned to walk back to the bedroom.

“Did you have plans for today?” Maklr asked. “If not, would you like to go for a walk?” Nell hesitated. “It’s safe. I will let no harm come to you.”

Nell glanced at the floor, then back to Maklr. She pointed to her clothes and then the room.

“I understand. Go change. I’ll finish cleaning the pot before the porridge turns into glue and it is impossible to get out.” Nell stepped forward to take the cooking vessel. “No, go change. It’s no big deal. I made the mess. I’ll clean it.”

Maklr finished cleaning, put on a pair of hiking boots and waited for Nell to emerge from the room. He kept glancing at the tablet, watching time pass, while Nell remained behind closed doors.

Worried because she took longer than he expected, he knocked on her door.

She opened it wide, showing a perfectly made bed with a plush purple animal he’d recognize anywhere.

“A caton ?” he asked, pointing at the stuffed animal.

“For protection.” Nell nodded. “And you’re worried about them? There are no caton on Ashuk.”

Nell looked back at the room and sighed.

“If you don’t want to come, it’s alright. I understand. After how happy you looked yesterday when we landed, I thought you might like to explore a bit more.”

“I want to,” Nell whispered, her voice shaking. “I don’t want to live my life scared of everything, including my shadow.”

A wide grin broke across Maklr’s face. “Excellent. I packed some sandwiches in case we get hungry.”

Nell gestured at the front door. “Lead on MacDuff.”

Maklr’s forehead scrunched in confusion. “Did you hit your head recently?”

Nell shook her head. “Nevermind. After you, Maklr.”

They walked in silence next to each other down the path, passing more bungalows, each made in a prefabricated style. The cabins were almost identical, but the decorations outside were unique to each. “Gingerbread houses,” Nell mumbled.

“What did you say? I couldn’t quite catch it,” Maklr asked.

“The cabins remind me of gingerbread houses.”

Maklr’s eyes lit up. “Oh! Those cookies with icing and candy we made at the winter celebration.”

Nell slowed to a stop, pausing and stepping back.

She pointed at a string of lights hanging from the edge of one of the cabin’s drainage pipes at the end of the roof.

Maklr followed her finger to the different colored shutters against the windows.

Maklr nodded. “I see what you mean. Now it makes sense, especially with the orange-brown color of the wood.”

Ahead of them, a couple opened their door. Nell instinctively stepped into Maklr’s personal space. He slowed his steps so he didn’t trip Nell or step on her shoes. “It’s okay. They’re far enough away. We’re not going to come into contact with them unless you want to,” he reassured her.

Taking a different path from the one they walked yesterday, Maklr and Nell saw a sign written in Klagan script. “Do you know what that says?” he asked. “I’m not sure if your translator works with written language or only spoken.”

Nell’s fingers traced the circular cursive of the word. “No.”

“It means waterfall.” Nell looked up at Maklr, her eyes shiny with excitement. “Would you like to see it? It’s not too far of a walk if you’d want to go.” He pointed. “We have to turn here and follow the path. See how worn it is?”

They followed the well-traveled path down a tree lined slope, before coming to a bend.

The sound of rushing water and light splashes filled the air.

Rounding the corner, a waterfall about three stories high filled their view.

Nell rustled in her bag, removed her tablet, and recorded a short video before taking a few still pictures.

“Would you like to go down and dip your feet in the pool?”

Nell bit her lower lip. “Yes.”

“Careful, it’s rocky. I’ll go first and I’ll help you.

I promise I won’t go too far in front of you.

I’ll be with you every step of the way.” Maklr climbed a foot or two down.

He turned, holding his hands out for Nell.

She sucked in a breath, placed her hands in his, and stepped down.

A fist size stone came loose, setting Nell off balance.

“I’ve got you,” Maklr said. He picked her up and carried her the remainder of the way to the outcropping of rocks that formed a pool.

Nell’s face broke into a wide smile. Her joy at seeing the waterfall palpable, Maklr grinned. “I’m glad you’re happy.”

“Is it safe?” Nell asked.

“The water?” Maklr asked. Nell nodded. “Of course. It might be cold to the touch. I don’t know, haven’t touched it yet.” He tilted his head, inspecting her features. “Or do you mean, are there animals in the water that can hurt you? If that’s your question, then no. Nothing in there will hurt you.”

Nell tucked a lock of her dark hair behind her ear and bent to dip her fingers in the water.

“It feels good on a warm day like today.” Nell took off her shoes, placed them on the side, and sat on a large rock, watching the waterfall.

She kicked her feet in the water, contentment written on her features. Her stomach growled, a low rumble.

“I’ve got a snack.” Maklr placed a sandwich and a water bottle on the rock between them. He grinned when she didn’t hesitate to take the food.

Maklr wondered what Nell was thinking, but didn’t dare break the serenity on her face. She chewed the sandwich, staring at the waterfall in contented silence.

As the sun rose higher in the sky over the horizon, the weather warmed.

Laughter and a mixture of masculine and feminine voices became louder and clearer.

Nell’s hands trembled. “It’ll be alright,” Maklr said.

“Remember what the receptionist said. This is a popular destination. I’m with you.

” Although Nell nodded, the fragile peace that had existed in her eyes before vanished.

“Maklr!” Philtan’s booming voice rang out.

“Good to see you again.” Phil ambled down the path, his arms slung over two women’s shoulders.

One was a Klagan, her light blue skin contrasting beautifully against a white, human-style bikini.

The other woman, wearing an almost identical bikini, appeared human, but she could have been Sudabian.

Philtan tilted his head toward the Klagan woman before he stripped his shirt and ran forward over the rocks.

He barrelled forward in Nell’s direction.

Pebble scattering with his footsteps before he cannon balled into the waterfall’s pool below.

Water splashed everywhere. Nell squeaked, covered her head with her hands and pulled her knees up to her chest.

“Phil, what the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Maklr raised his voice once his friend’s head emerged from the water.

“Having fun.” Phil tilted his head. “Aren’t you? You’re always so serious, Mak. Lighten up and live a little.” He winked. “Come on, ladies. The water’s warm. I’ll catch you.”

The women entered the pool more gracefully than their companion.

They splashed around, flicking water on each other's faces, and laughed maniacally when the human-looking woman grabbed Philtan’s long braid.

They worked together and pulled him backwards under the water.

“Serves him right for being a jerk to you,” the Klagan female said.

Nell forced a smile onto her face.

“We were just leaving.” Maklr started to pack up, his hope for a peaceful day with Nell shattered.

Nell stood. She bent to wipe the dirt off her knees and calves.

“I know you,” Philtan said, his voice serious for the first time.

“Doubtful,” Maklr said.

“No, I do,” Philtan insisted. “Beyond the singing, I mean.”

“How?”

Phil squinted while studying Nell. “Yes, I do know you. You were on the Harem ship.”

“Harem ship?” Maklr asked.

Tears sprang to Nell’s eyes.

“Yes. You look good. I hope you’re doing well. I didn’t recognize you at first.”

“What are you talking about?” Maklr’s voice deepened. “Stop.”

Oblivious to Nell’s discomfort, Philtan continued. “You were the injured one, with all the bruises. I’m glad you survived,” Philtan said. “Do you know if they ever caught him?”

Nell gasped.

“Who? What are you talking about?” Maklr’s gaze bounced between Nell and Philtan.

“It’s nothing,” Nell whispered.

“Judging by the haunted look in your eyes, I’d say it’s not nothing,” Philtan said. “I don’t know what’s going on between you and Mak but you can trust him.”

Phil reached up to Nell.

She took two small steps backward; her calves scraping against the rock steps. Nell turned and ran back toward the cabin, never looking back.

“What did you do?” Maklr yelled at Philtan. “Nell and I were having a wonderful morning, and you had to ruin it with your blabbering.”

Maklr jumped into the water, balled his fist, and punched Philtan square in the jaw.

“I didn’t mean anything by it. I’m glad she’s alive.

She’s been through a lot. Mak, she was on the ship on my last mission.

” Philtan shook his head. “We’ve seen some horrible things in our time.

I didn’t think she was alive when we found her.

”“I still think you’re a faal’s ass. I’ve got to go to her.

” Maklr pulled himself out of the water and raced after Nell.