Page 5 of Nixx
“That's it. We have to organize ourselves with what we have, with the little data we've gathered in this unknown world. But we are trained for that. And we are not helpless,” concludes Marc.
“It remains to be seen if this world is provided with natives and if they are peaceful,” intervenes Ferdinand.
“While waiting to know more, I propose that we get some sleep before attacking the day of tomorrow,” intervenes David who seems exhausted. “I’ll take the first watch with Marc. In three hours, we’ll exchange with the twins.”
We all lie down near the fire, while Marc and David take out weapons and prepare for their vigil.
The part of my mind that is purely scientific and linked to my training, is gradually giving way to all those feelings that I suppressed during the crash. The anguish, the shock, the pain, the fear . . . the incomprehension.
I realize that the coming ordeal is surely even more difficult than the one we have just undergone. We have visited and cataloged many worlds on our mission. Uninhabitable worlds, but rich in resources, worlds populated by strange and intelligent beings, warlike or not.
We have an approach protocol for each of them. But in none of the scenarios imagined by the Confederation is it foreseen that we find ourselves with eight people in a world in which we know nothing and without any logistical support.
Despite the trying images swirling in my head and endless questions, I fall into a chaotic sleep.
Nixx
From the top of the cliff overlooking the West Bastion, I look up in the sky for a silver, black-tipped antler, that of Udoo, my late father's former right-hand man. At the moment, I see quite a few pairs of wings in the sky, but not the easily recognizable ones of Udoo. He is probably with his son Oludd for the last preparations for his union.
Oludd was at the annual Territory Fair when he crossed paths with Yly, accompanied by her parents. When he felt the Link of Union, a long and powerful shiver announces the recognition of a Life Partner.
In our people, there are the alliances between two Erians who wish to start a family, the most common. A man and a woman meet, like each other, date and decide to live together, and have children.
And there is “union,” an inescapable meeting between two Life Companions, which cannot be dissolved after it has been claimed. In our people, unions are becoming increasingly rare and Oludd's union with Yly surprised many. Oludd took Yly with him from the day they met and they quickly claimed each other.
Tonight, we will officially celebrate their union by the Grace of the Winds in a grand ceremony that will bring together all the inhabitants of the Western Bastion. I don't particularly envy Oludd. Not because he will never again have the temptation of a woman other than his own and see the beauty and diversity of all the others. But rather because, like all united men, he will now have to deal with the added stress of protecting his mate from all dangers.
United Erians are overly protective, possessive and anxious, from what I have seen. Furthermore, when a united couple dies, the survivor is quick to follow the other in death. Not that he voluntarily decides to end his life, but the fire of life in his or her body is no longer fueled by the flame of the other, and it slowly goes out in a few weeks. This delay allows for the children to be cared for by family members. But what a responsibility for a warrior, to be in charge of another's life in addition to his own!
In short, a lot of unnecessary stress that I can do without. I am very happy not to have a Life Partner.
As for me, having affairs with single Erianes on occasion is more than enough; no annoyances, no complications. But then, it's not like Oludd had a choice. I hear the union is impossible to resist!
A large pair of chocolate wings obscure my field of vision and interrupt my thoughts as my friend, Lokk, lands in front of me.
“Nixx, as a leader, shouldn't you be preparing for tonight's ceremony?”
“What do you want me to do? I leave the final preparations to those who are interested. I would of course attend the ceremony, but I must admit that I don't share the general excitement that it generates! I was thinking more about the trip to the South Bastion that we will have to advance. I was looking for Udoo to talk with him about it.”
“Udoo? Let him have this day alone with his son. It's not every day that you get a union and this one is his only son's. Besides, given the context, if you have a trip to the south, I can accompany you there and you can exceptionally leave the supervision of the west to Udoo for a few days. Why has it become so urgent to bring this trip forward?”
“You’re right, Udoo will stay here and you will accompany me with two other men to visit Azarr. The news from the Northern Territories is worrying. Rymm informs me that Nurr, the new leader of the Northern Bastion, is said to be trying to gain power over the other territories. He is behaving rather suspiciously according to Rymm and this deserves more surveillance on our part and to prepare our backs as well. I plan to stop by and talk to Azarr to see what info he has on this. As the leader of the Southern Bastion, he has his surveillance services. It would be nice to cross-reference our information and our feelings about the situation.
Rymm and Lokk are my friends, and my two closest trusted men. Lokk being my ears and eyes on the Western Bastion. Rymm is my unofficial spy in the other territories, always on the move by air, discreet and efficient. He has developed quite a network across different territories.
“For sure, Azarr's opinion will be interesting to consider, not only because he is your counterpart as the leader of the Southern Bastion, but like you, he is a respected leader. And he doesn't owe his position only to the power of his aura. In any case, any leader who abuses his position would be subject to impeachment by the men of his territory. Getting back to the North, did Rymm give you any reason to think the situation was getting worse?” asks Lokk, rubbing his chin and watching with me the young Erians heckling in the sky.
