Clinical, Tammy! Think clinical!
Forn tries to get up, and I lightly press against his shoulders to keep him down. I shake my head. He’s my patient, like it or not, and there’s no way I’m going to let him continue on. I saw the way that Hadone looked at a massive army of Scorp warriors, before diving in to fight them. These aliens clearly have no concern for their own wellbeing; and I know Forn would happily march himself to death if he thought it was a worthy sacrifice.
I can tell these Aurelians are going to make very frustrating patients!
I point to the nearby grove of trees, where we can at least find shelter. The night sky is clear, so when the Capital eventually sends reinforcements – if they send them – I don’t want them to see the three Aurelians out in the open.
At least, not before I can try to explain all they’ve done for us first.
Not that it might make much difference. The armies of the Capital are famously known for shooting first and asking questions later; if at all.
I pantomime picking up Forn, and Hadone and Darok look at each other, obviously talking with their minds. Then, as one, they follow my instructions and gently pick up their leader. Somehow, I know that Forn is the one who is in charge – the one who guides this triad in battle. With him nearly passed-out from his wounds, I wonder how decisive the two other aliens will be.
But Forn is tougher than I thought – and he’s soon able to lightly walk towards the trees himself, albeit with most of his weight supported by the other two Aurelians.
We finally enter the thicket. I glance for a place to set up camp – but, truth be told, I have no idea what I’m even looking for. I might have grown up in a farming community, but I’m resolutely a city girl at heart.
Before I can make a decision, though, Hadone and Darok take Forn’s twin Orb-Daggers and make short work of the trees all around us.
They work like machines, and I realize I was wrong to doubt that they could be decisive without their leader. Within minutes, the bare bones of a primitive structure have been constructed. Darok swings his huge Orb-Sword, chopping down a thick tree with a single blow, and uses it as a ridgeline to form a roof for the makeshift building.
I can’t help but be awed at how efficiently these Aurelians work – using forked branches to set up a leaning, free-standing structure that the thicker tree is pressed against. That forms the structure of the shelter.
The night is growing colder, and Darok and Hadone work faster – gathering thatch and leaves and covering the shelter with a fine lattice of thin branches.
Stacy stands beside me, watching with the same wonder as I do – and then she starts helping the Aurelians by grabbing more dirt and leaves and following their lead in covering the structure with them.
Tyler and Tod soon follow suite, too, and soon only Runner stands alone. He just glowers at the Aurelians, arms crossed and a stern look on his boyish face.
There’s nothing I can do, so I join the others – and together, we quickly cover the entire structure with a thick mound of leaves.
We all stand back proudly and view our handiwork. It’s astonishing – from even as close as just ten feet away, we’ll be completely camouflaged.
A harsh wind picks up, and now I’m glad we have shelter. The sky opens into a persistent drizzle as Hadone and Darok pull Forn into our temporary new home.
The structure is huge – especially considering how quickly the Aurelians built it – but it’s nevertheless going to be a tight squeeze to fit all of us inside it, given the huge size of the three warrior aliens.
But I don’t think any of us care – except Runner, perhaps; and I imagine even he’s glad to be protected as the elements grow harsher.
Darok motions for us to join them, and we all gather in the shelter.
“I’m not sleeping in the same place as an Aurelian,” spits out Runner, standing in the rain. I roll my eyes – annoyed that my suspicions proved accurate.
“Runner, we’re all on the same side here.”
He looks at me with open contempt. “If you’re on their side, you’re a traitor,” he snarls scornfully. I have no idea what to do with him.
Darok shrugs, and without a word he and Hadone set about building a small, second structure right against the first. I guess the problem is avoided for now – but I still need to find a way to reach Runner. His irrational hatred of these Aurelians is proving to be a liability.
The four orphans all clamber into the smaller shelter, and I move to follow them.
That’s when Hadone gently grabs my arm.
A shiver runs down my spine. I turn to him, and his eyes instantly communicate what he wants from me.
Involuntarily, I find my body responding to his touch. I’m ashamed of myself. I’d always felt anger toward my two best friends, Jade and Anna, for escaping this planet and joining an Aurelian harem. Now, suddenly, I can see the appeal.
Perhaps I always could. I scoffed at the choice they’d made – to whore themselves for the safety of life on the Aurelian home world. Despite that, I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t considered the option myself, and even imagined what it might be like to share myself with one of the aliens. I’d heard all the stories, and those were impressive enough - but in person, the Aurelians were so much more imposing.
Standing to the right of me, Darok eats me up with his eyes
