Bone and Blood Volume I

17 - South to Route 24, 1927

A return to the cooler, fresher air. As they walked, Rek heard the quiet rumble of something like clickpulses. Its rhythm was faster though. More musical. It sounded without command. "Who's talking?"

"It's crickets," Torani chuckled.

Rek nearly asked who Crickets was, but the word's meaning came to him. Crickets were creatures. "Creature." Another new word. He was sure he had never seen a creature before. Nonetheless, he vaguely knew what crickets looked like. Small boxy things with antennae and too many legs. He rushed ahead, wanting to see the real thing.

Exiting the tunnel, he stumbled to a halt. The outside world was huge. Vast sweeping plains in all directions. He darted into the grass, feeling its alternating slickness and sharpness between his fingers. Laughing, he rolled through it. The intoxicating smell of crushed flowers stopped him. In that pause, scattered patches of vibrant wildflowers caught his eye.

Lifting his weight onto his elbows, he scanned the full scene. Far north, a scrubby tree line faded into forest. Hints of mountains to his left. He turned to look at Torani and was instead awed by the nest. The towering rock it was carved into. It led his eyes skyward.

A brilliant half-moon ghosted though occasional breaks in wispy cloud cover. A haunting brightness, whose grey halo defied the dark sky. His breath's fog startled him. This world was too much. How could he piece it all together? "My god..."

Torani kneeled next to him. "Who's god?"

A conviction stirred in Rek. Indignance that Torani would dare ask that. The emotion came with no substance. "I don't... know?"

"It doesn't matter. You'll hear plenty about it from the food." Torani brushed tears from Rek's eyes. Wait, Rek had been crying? He turned away, vigorously wiping his face clean. Torani grinned. "I felt the same way when I first saw the stars."

"Why do we live down there when this is out here?"

"Catch a sunrise. Then the nest will look pretty good. Unless you prefer living without skin."

Rek cringed.

"Also, the nest is safe. You've never delt with the food while it's alive, but they fight back. They're organized. They're smart. But good hunters are smarter and faster. Strong enough to withstand the odds." His expression darkened. "Speaking of which, can you walk for me? I want to see how bad your limp is."

Nodding, Rek rose to his feet.

Torani's expression remained unchanged as he watched. "Now, try to walk without limping."

Rek slowed his pace. Putting weight on his bad leg stung, but the real problem was his shaking knee. It made him unsteady. He glanced at Torani. Torani looked displeased. "I can practice."

"You may have to. We'll see after you finish ascending. Putting on muscle might help."

"Why does it matter?"

"Hunters seek weakness. Even in each other. If the others realize they can take advantage you, they will. You'll get less food. No one will partner with you to hunt."

"But what if I can't hide it?"

"You'll learn to. You cannot show weakness."

Muttering, "Easy for you to say. You don't have any weaknesses."

"I have some."

"Then what are they?"

"Well hidden."

Rek huffed.

Torani turned around. "Climb on. We're behind. We won't make it if I don't carry you." Awkwardly, Rek clambered onto Torani's back. He squished down a wing joint and Torani twitched. Repositioning himself, Rek found a way to hold on without hurting Torani. The failed prince stood carefully. "Okay. Hold tight. It's a long run."