Page 30 of Planet Zero
But the drama hadn’t had a chance to unfold because Chief Net’ok came out, followed by Vuskas and other warriors. They were huge, which Addie already knew. But there were also somanyof them. Walking in a tight cluster of bodies they appeared to block the world with their chiseled rounded shoulders.
“They are so strong,” she whispered to Oh’na.
The girl raised her face. “They are,” she confirmed with pride. “Aren’t we lucky? Our tribe has many strong men.”
Lucky… Yes, they were lucky. Weren’t they?
For males offered protection and food, but they needed something in return. A lot of something…
Addie couldn't suppress a shudder.
Taking a deep breath to calm down, she raised her eyes… and looked straight into Zoark’s feral, peevish face with sharp cheekbones and deeply set eyes. He was standing behind the court, far away from her, but when their gazes connected, it was as if he pushed at her.
Well, what had she expected, to never see him again? He lived here.
She was the first to turn away.
Meanwhile, more men appeared from somewhere within the settlement forming an organized crowd on the farther side of the court. Women lined up on Addie’s side to watch. The High Counselor went to stand at the corner, a judge and a referee.
Chele joined her with the empty tray, followed by Illied and Melmie, filling the gap between Addie and Queen Qalae and her entourage.
Qalae, obviously aware of Addie’s presence, didn’t even look in her direction, and it was hard to tell if she disapproved of the human woman or truly didn’t give two figs about whether Addie came here or not. Either way, Qalae’s silence was perceived as consent by the others, and even Chemmusaayl stopped throwing loaded glances in Addie’s direction.
“I tried the jerky, Addie,” Melmie confided under her breath. “It was so good!”
Oh’na’s ears twitched as she, naturally, heard her. “What? Not fair! I want some too! How come Melmie got to try and I didn’t?”
“I have some stashed away for you,” Addie assured agitated Oh’na in a loud whisper, mixing her words and pronouncing them incorrectly, afraid to draw too much attention to herself. “Don’t think I have forgotten about you.”
Chief Net’ok took a place next to the High Counselor, bulging arms crossed against his wide chest. He truly was a spectacular specimen, bigger even than Hoban had been, but at the same time slick, graceful, with flowing chestnut hair and pleasing features that didn’t bring to mind feral werewolves and saber-tooth tigers that waited to pounce and rip your chest open. Like someothermen with bad legs…
The High Counselor raised his hands above his head, closed his eyes briefly in a moment of silence, and barked something ominous. As one, the warriors raised one fist above their head and barked the same thing in return.
“What are they saying?” Addie quietly asked Chele.
“It is a word for strength, a recognition that the power of man is limited. And that we need more of it to survive. That’s why the men train the way they do. They strive for strength.”
Addie looked at the warriors again. Iftheyneeded more strength, then she had no hope of making it here.
Vuskas went into the court first, and Chemmusaayl motioned for a young male to join him. Good-natured taunts sounded, loud ribbing for someone who was about to eat dirt.
“This isn’t fair,” Addie muttered to Chele.
“Young men need a chance to hold their own against someone who’s bigger and stronger. Or their skill will never grow.”
Well, that was wise, and Addie didn’t have anything else to add.
She expected the match to end before it began, but Vuskas made it last. He held back, giving the young warrior an opportunity to use different aggressive tactics, expertly deflecting each one, sparring gracefully and with obvious skill. The sparring was fun to watch. When the young man finally fell - as everyone knew he would - it was quick and fairly harmless.
Addie clapped and cheered along with the others.
The next pair squared off, the men of about equal stature and skill, and their fight dragged forever as neither wanted to end up on the floor. Not as immersed in their sparring, Addie scanned the crowd, curious about the individuals that made up this community.
Queen Qalae stood at ease as she watched the contest. She appeared more indifferent than bored. Addie surmised she’d stay until the end, as her role dictated.
Zoark’s figure, partially blocked by the grappling bodies in the court, drew her eye, and she wondered why she couldn’t stop seeking him out. Did she feel sorry for him because of his physical injuries? Was it a perceived sense of kinship because he had lived in the city and knew Sathe, Iolanthe, and the others? His ability to speak her language?
The questions remained unanswered, and she shied away from examining her interest in Zoark for when she didn’t have to look at him or feel his presence.
