Page 56 of Planet Zero
A stunned silence hung in the air following Chemmusaayl’s announcement. The brief look Chief Net’ok threw at Vuskas was uncertain.
The Chief cleared his throat and his voice rang loud and clear, “We follow the High Counselor’s wisdom. So be it.”
Cheers sounded, weak at first, but quickly rising in volume until the entire circle erupted in glee. Fists went up, pumping in the air. Chemmusaayl went to the side and sat down. Two women quickly jumped up and replaced him inside the circle. A light tune flowed in the air, and the women started to dance.
Addie was so surprised she almost ran to the circle herself to see who was playing the music.
“Oh’na,” she shook the girl’s hand. “Where is this sound coming from?” She didn’t know a For word for music.
“It’s Vircea. She is playing her lutu.”
Craning her neck, Addie finally caught sight of Vircea who was sitting with her back to Addie. She was holding something that looked like a stick to her mouth, a lutu. A local flute. A flute!
And just like that, reality snapped a little firmer into place. Planet Zero had people. The people danced and played the flute.
The differences receded more and more.
“Oh, Oh’na…”
“What, Addie? What?”
She shook her head. “Nothing. Everything is good tonight.”
People rose to their feet, and other women joined the two in dance. Hunlath pulled over a large pot that he turned over and banged rhythmically with a stick, a drum of sorts. Children ran into the crowd, mixing with the adults, and even Oh’na, disdainful of the boys’ horseplay, joined in the jumping around.
Qalae took the tub of raw meat from Chele, and people formed a line to take chunks of raw meat out of her hands.
Addie rolled up her pallet and walked about, well outside the circle of merriment. She didn’t mind that she couldn't join the dancers. She wouldn't have been able to dance for the ribs, and eating raw meat held no appeal. She still felt tired and sluggish, and she planned to go to bed early.
When she was almost ready to go back to her tent, Addie saw Zoark hovering near the circle. He so rarely mingled with the tribe’s population that the unusual sight drew her attention.
By now, Queen Qalae had joined the women in dancing, and the bowl of meat was left sitting on the ground along with the rest of the foodstuffs.
The meat bowl appeared to be the calculated destination of Zoark’s stealthy poaching.
He must be hungry, Addie realized. She wished she’d thought about bringing some food to him. Would he have accepted? With him, it was hard to tell, but maybe so, if she framed it as gratitude for Timpho grass water.
Zoark quickly reached the bowl and swiped a chunk of meat. He was holding in his hand turning to leave when another male noticed. The male separated from the group and quickly walked toward Zoark, approaching him from the back. The male’s name was Iguell, a strapping youth of maybe twenty, one of the untapped adults. Iguell was also a younger brother to Vuskas, with the strong family resemblance in his bland feral face and exceptional sturdiness of his wide frame.
For the noise of the celebration Zoark, intent on the meat he was about to consume, didn’t hear him approach.
“The meat isn’t for you.” Abruptly, Iguell knocked the chunk of meat out of Zoark’s hand.
Like a feral dog spooked while eating, Zoark lunged, a pure animal instinct and bared teeth. Those teeth sought and found Iguell’s throat with the accuracy of a precision-guided munition, and clamped there. He growled low in his throat and took Iguell down.
It wasn’t a contest. They didn’t have any man-made weapons. And the no-maiming rules did not apply.
They rolled on the ground snarling, wild animals, literally tearing into each other.
Shouts sounded as folks rushed to watch.
“It’s Zoark!”
“Let them fight, let them fight!”
Excitement built up as more people gathered.
“Iguell is bleeding! Badly!”
