Extraterrestrial Exploration

chapter 26

–1 day later–

–Nala–

“Nori slow down!” I called out while struggling to climb over a fallen tree.

a few paces ahead of me, the younger female stopped and giggled, crouching down to offer me her hand as I approached the boulder she was standing on.

‘I do not understand your human words.’

Taking her hand I grunted as she helped me up and over the boulder before we continued our hike through the forest.

‘I was telling you to wait for me, you're going too fast. I can hardly keep up!’ I sighed.

‘but we must hurry! Astaria is out patrolling with the others, this is the only time we can come out here, she does not like when we go so far out of the territory! says it is dangerous.’ Nori explained as her tail flicked around excitedly.

‘If it's dangerous then it's that enough reason not to come out here? especially if you have to do it behind her back?’ I questioned.

‘I have never seen any danger, the drazinri do not come out this way, it's unlikely they will ever find us! Besides, I must show you something I found!’ she waved off my concern and we continued on until we came across a small mangrove of trees and she started looking around. ‘now where did I hide it…’

glancing around I admired the scenery and forest still in deep thought about everything that happened the past few days. between learning how telepathy works, answering all of Nori’s questions, and resting to let my injuries and body recover, my mind has been all over the place.

I was surprised by how quickly Astaria agreed to help me find my colleagues and let them join us. I hadn't mentioned Eiso and Eikan yet, because the topic of males around this group of women seemed quite sensitive.

These women were scorned by men of their own species, some of them were taken from their families, others had lost their entire tribe, many were taken advantage of and used…

Nori had told me what had occurred when they found me a few days ago, Astaria slaughtered that raider when she saw him attack me. It had become common practice for the women to paint themselves in the blood of the men who wronged them. They saw it as a warning to all others that should any man hurt a female, they would face the consequences, and as a way to heal from whatever pain may have been inflicted by them.

They would then wash away the blood and any evidence of what they had done, within the dark springs. For them it was a way to cleanse their souls and try to forget the past.

Astaria is like their queen and protector, the raiders had taken everything from her killing her son and mate. She was taken to their camp as a captive and barely managed to flee with her life. when the raiders chased after her she killed them. painting herself in the blood of the ones who killed her family and tearing off the horns from their heads as a reminder to herself and a warning to all others.

Now she wears their horns like a crown and adorns her fallen mate's mask making herself look like an alpha amidst their kind, supposedly only alpha males bore two sets of horns atop of their heads, they were considered to be warriors, protectors, but alphas were rarely ever born.

Considering the only male among this tribe was a young boy, Astaria chose to make herself look like an alpha to instill fear in their enemies and protect her people.

It was heartbreaking to think about all the things these women have endured and suffered through.

I know nothing of Eiso and Eikan's origins and telling Astaria that they are the ones who took me from my companions might not be ideal.