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Chapter 41 Katrina sat with both of the Olvecks in her lap. Both grew larger and fuzzier with each day and again she wondered when the next generation would be born. A tiny prickling sense told her that there were more than two Olvecks in the pen and each day that feeling grew stronger. She took turns brushing the two exhausted creatures. It was an overly warm day and their increasing size made them far less energetic than normal. They did little more than lay across her leg and look at her. Katrina laughed even as she pitied them. She had offered to bathe them in cool water but they had run from her as though threatened with mortal danger. They shed little; it was still far too early to hope to harvest any of their hair. Their coats were very short and fine still but the simple act of brushing them seemed to make them feel better, so Katrina continued doing it for hours. “Katrina,” Cha-Lee called sharply from somewhere Katrina could not see, “You’re needed immediately.” Katrina could sense and hear his urgency and dropped the brush and both Olvecks onto the ground. They looked plaintively at her but she didn’t take the time to apologize. She ran in the outside door of the red wing and into the common area where Cha-Lee and Xenritha were arguing in whispers. They stopped just after Katrina entered. Xenritha mouthed something to Cha-Lee then turned and walked from the Tri. Cha-Lee turned and, with a look, ordered Katrina to follow him. In the office he began pulling out basins and blankets before speaking. “What is a hunger?” “A hunger?” Katrina’s mouth went instantly dry. “A hunter is here?” “Answer the question,” he ordered sternly before walking back into the entrance room. “A hunter is a Force-sensitive born with the need to kill the Calenandon, the most powerful Force-sensitive being alive. “Why?” “They believe that killing the Calenandon will give them their powers. Some even go so far as to drink the blood of the Calenandon.” “Is any of that true?” Cha-Lee asked as he opened a compartment in the base of the fountain and withdrew a pail filled with strips of cloth. “No.” “Good,” Cha-Lee praised as he removed the cloth and filled the pail from the fountain. “Why is the hunter here?” “To fight Xenritha.” Katrina gasped. She had learned of hunters and Calenandons but believed both to be beings she would never meet. To her they were distant beings that fought and lived on planets and ships apart from her. She knew that, by definition, the Calenandon had to be a Zanespot, until Zanespots were no more, but it had not occurred to the fourteen-yeah-old that the Calenandon might be at her Tri. She glanced at the door Xenritha had exited and was filled with dread. “It is a weak hunter this time. Xenritha will prevail but we should be ready when the battle is done, he may be injured,” Cha-Lee said, almost comfortingly. “When it is done I will go to him, clean his wounds and bring him back. Siri and Chalee-Siri will show you how to prepare things, in case he is injured badly.” As if on cue, his wife and daughter entered, carrying armfuls of bedding and pillows. They began arranging them on the floor of the entrance. Siri directed her daughter in the placement of each item, though Chalee-Siri needed no such guidance. Katrina, seeing that she was unneeded, stood away from the pair, at Cha-Lee’s side as he stared out the entrance. In the distance Katrina could see two figures moving swiftly but could identify neither. “Focus on them,” Cha-Lee instructed, distracted, “heighten your vision.” Katrina did as instructed and was amazed at what little effort it took. She could not see past great distances but she could see well enough to recognize Xenritha’s familiar shape. He appeared more bored than tired, though his opponent looked exhausted. The tall, silver-skinned opponent darted about, flashing an angled blade even as it panted. Xenritha laid both palms of the alien’s head and twisted sharply, quickly. Katrina let out a surprised and pained cry as the alien’s neck snapped. She heard it, felt it, and cried for it. Cha-Lee touched her shoulder with a reassuring hand before dashing away. “You are too dramatic. You try too hard for attention,” Siri said from behind her. “Mother,” Chalee-Siri pleaded. Katrina ignored the comment and asked instead, “Why must I stay here when he knows I am of no use here?” “Only the Calenandon can fight this battle. Anyone to interfere would be killed in order to get to and distract him. Xenritha could die because of such a distraction,” Chalee-Siri said. “But why does Cha-Lee go to clean wounds while I stay here?” “You are young,” Siri answered. “You will see your fill of new, raw battle wounds soon enough.” “They were arguing when I came in. Xenritha was not happy to see me,” Katrina said slowly. “He did not want you involved,” Siri again answered. “He looks to protect you.” Katrina nodded silently; she could see Xenritha and Cha-Lee slowly walking back. Chalee-Siri and her mother joined Katrina at the door and all three watched the two men, the older leaning on the taller. “A cut to the thigh,” Cha-Lee said as he passed Xenritha into his wife’s care. “It is not deep but dirt has gotten under the skin. Bring a basin and soap. It cannot be healed until it has been properly cleansed.” Katrina ran to do as ordered and filled the large metal bowl with fountain water before handing it to Cha-Lee who set it between his wife and daughter. They worked together to remove all dirt from Xenritha’s body. The Zanespot lay perfectly still on the blankets and pillows prepared for him. Only when told that it was done did he move. He nodded and closed his eyes. Katrina felt her body go cold as she looked on Xenritha. She knew he lived but he appeared dead and that scared the girl. She looked down at his wound, his pants ripped wide to show the gash to his leg. It looked bad but Cha-Lee said it was not deep, still Katrina did not like it. No one moved and at last Katrina realized that they were watching Xenritha’s wounded leg. She took a second look, a closer look at it and realized that it did not look as bad as she first thought. She watched it and decided that it did not appear bad at all. Katrina blinked and literally saw muscle growing together, repairing itself before layers of skin could do the same. Katrina gasped again as Xenritha’s eyes popped open and he sat up, grinning. Cha-Lee helped him to his feet and Chalee-Siri and Siri began picking up the makeshift bed. Xenritha said nothing, simply patted Katrina on the head and went to the green wing. The Caminees also walked away and back to whatever they had been doing before the hunter arrived. Katrina stood there, frightened and fascinated. |
