“So, what’s the plan exactly?” Jewel cuts in, understandably awkward, in a room where two of her friends are already forging bonds with our people. It’s only a matter of time before she falls in line, too, though I wonder which of our brethren would be brave enough to try and woo her. My bet is on the Kreek clan, whom I’ll be visiting later today. “Do we just sit here and wait for Umok to come after us?”
“No,” I reply, my gaze bouncing back to Amber for a moment as I’m reminded of how much I stand to lose if I don’t pull through on the diplomatic side of things. “The Fire Tribe clans are tired and worn out, but with your support, we may be able to rally all of them together, not just our closest allies. We need more than the Hadana and the Tallas clans working with us on this.”
“Izzo will go out again today,” Binzen says. “We’d like Cynthia to stay here with Maur and Kai. And if Jewel and Alicia agree, the Tallas tribe would gladly host them for a few nights, as well. It wouldn’t be safe to have the four of you in the same spot when Umok comes knocking.”
“I’m not mating with anybody in the Tallas clan!” Alicia replies harshly. “Stop trying to force us to stay. It’s not happening.”
I give her a hard look. “You’re still under the impression that you’ll fly back to Earth somehow, and while I understand the persistence, it’s time for you and Jewel to face the cold, hard facts here. You’re not going anywhere, and your little stunt from yesterday only brought Umok closer to you and our towns. Either you get in line and work with us willingly by accepting the truth, or we’ll just keep you hog-tied until we manage to hold our positions and repel any Sky Tribe attacks.”
“Alicia, Jewel. Please,” Amber says with a heavy sigh. “We’ve done enough harm to these people. They’re trying to protect us.”
“We stick together,” Jewel insists. “If you want to protect us, fine, it’s greatly appreciated. But Alicia and I aren’t going anywhere, not with the Tallas clan, not with anyone else. I understand that Cynthia needs to stay here while she looks after Maur, which is fine since she’s literally across the river from us and within our reach. But you are not splitting us up.”
I look around the room again and understand how determined these women are. Part of me wonders if they’re all like this back on Earth. As much as I despise Umok’s premise, I have to admit, I would certainly appreciate more of this spunk among our men. Oh, the damage we’d be able to inflict if we had an army of Jewels, Alicias, Cynthias, and Ambers by our side. Our enemies wouldn’t stand a chance.
Binzen and Kai give me subtle nods of agreement. “All right, then,” I say. “You can stay close together for the time being, but I do urge you to reconsider your stance on marriage in our society. I’m sure you will like Helios when you meet him, Alicia. And I’m certain we’ll find a couple of great mates for you, too, Jewel.”
“Dream on, buster,” Jewel shoots back, arms crossed over her busty chest. “Oh, and by the way, I’m not gonna sit back and cower in a corner while the rest of you fight for us. Give me a weapon, and I will hold my own.”
“It would be a pity not to let this beast loose on the battlefield,” Kai grins coolly. “I saw her move. She gave Umok a run for his money and then some. Say, Jewel, where’d you learn to fight with knives like that?”
“I’m a soldier,” Jewel declares proudly.
“I thought you flew earthly ships,” Kai replies.
“First and foremost, I am a soldier. Every member of our military goes through extensive training before we choose our field of operations. Yes, I prefer the skies to the ground, but I was the top of my class at West Point, and I will stop at nothing to keep myself and my friends safe.”
“Good. We’ll need you on the battlefield, then,” Maur says, then looks to Cynthia. “Thank you for staying with us. Your healing hands are doing wonders.”
“Spare me the cheap flattery,” Cynthia grumbles. She’s warming up to him and his brother for sure. “But you’re welcome. I took an oath.”
“I’ll stop by the Tallas people first,” I tell everyone. “By nightfall, I’ll have rallied the Kreek and the Atar clans, as well. I only hope the others farther north will understand the gravity of the situation. The last time we all banded together, it damn near decimated our ranks. Some of them are still rebuilding, but there are so few of our women left and not enough time to replenish the troops for what’s coming.”
“Izzo, you do what you can,” Binzen tells me. “You have a better way with words, especially where the more hesitant of our brethren are concerned. Offer them the chance to meet Alicia and Jewel, at least.” He pauses to raise a hand in order to silence the incoming protests. “I said meet you. Not keep you. Big difference. These people need extra motivation, and your willingness to meet with them should come from a place of respect for everything we’ve done to keep you safe thus far.”
“I’ll pull out all the stops,” I reply, my focus on Binzen and Amber. “I’ll leave you with Valen and return as soon as I can. In the meantime, I trust you will all work on preparing our defenses. The Sky Tribe will send scout flights to check up on us and to get a view of the terrain.”
“We’ll be ready,” Kai says. “Jewel showed us how to use the black powder from our nether mines to build explosive devices.”
It was a mystery for us until Jewel knelt one morning during a visit through those mines and recognized a familiar scent. Our people used to dig through there for certain gemstones and minerals, though the shafts have long since run dry. The remaining material, however, is something the humans call charcoal and saltpeter. Both can be measured and combined into a powerful explosive known as gunpowder on Earth. Given how desperate we are and how few other warfare resources we have against the Sky Tribe, it only makes sense to let Jewel teach and help us with this.
I kiss Amber goodbye and pat my brother’s shoulder for good measure, then bid my farewell to the rest of the room and pray to the twin suns that Jewel, Alicia, and Cynthia don’t try to rope Amber into yet another attempt to escape. I notice Binzen wavering, as well, but after last night, I dare hope his own doubts have begun to fizzle.
We will be together.
One way or another, we will fight the Sky Tribe and keep our women. We will rebuild our families, our lives, and our society, one brick at a time, if we must. I’m done hiding and stepping carefully everywhere I go. I’m done dreaming of a better future without taking greater risks. Fate dropped these earthlings into our laps. We would be fools not to welcome this bounty and make something of it.
I’ll make sure the rest of the Fire Tribe men understand this, as well.
The clock is ticking.
14
Amber
Jewel and Alicia stay with Cynthia and me for a while, as Binzen needs to discuss the defense plans with Kai and a recovering Maur. We leave them in the Hadana house and make our way down to the river, closely followed by six Mal clan fighters to watch over us. It’s not comfortable nor pleasant to have eyes on us all the time, but it is a consequence of our actions, and we must get used to it. I realize suddenly that I am sinking farther and farther instead of fighting to pull myself away again.
I watch the steamy waters of the red river flow over the rocks at my bare feet, the suns shining brightly above us as they begin their slow descent into the afternoon. It is yet another hot day, but I have grown accustomed to these temperatures, and my skin seems to rather enjoy its caramel tan. My hair feels lighter, and I’m pretty sure it’s becoming a shade redder. Maybe it’s because of the water or the sunlight. Or maybe it’s the food. But I like the ruby sparkles more and more. They bring out the blue of my eyes.