Chosen Mate Ch. 07

The sound of the multitude's hearty chuckles and laughs of anticipated amusement echoed in the room; then, the song began once more in his mind with earnest celebration.

--Don't let it bother you Harry. Remember, I'm with you most of the steps of the way, Gerry said, in a quiet voiceless tone within the private sphere of their thoughts; the laughter in them played on Harry's battered emotions and blushing face at being the butt of an ancient joke. ...It got me too when I walked it first; I was looking for it. The stone seeks the foot. There's a story that goes with it. Even when avoiding the known, you will stumble on the unseen on the way to the next step before you. The next step was approaching. The heralding Fay stood there in solemn dignity. Silas, still appearing human, waited at his side, a jar of wine in his hands.

Harry stopped on the white line, standing while the others knelt. The song again quieted at the sonorous sound struck twice from the stone of the step.

Silas came forward from his place of waiting. Fumes of alcohol surrounded him as he held the jar in bowed obeisance. Gerry took his helmet while Harry accepted the jug, mirroring the drunken Fay's obeisance. He raised it high over his bowing head. Turning, he let his raised hands include the rest of the hall until he faced the dais once again. Then in strong clear thought he began.

--Dan na el, Lord of Sand, Father of San dra na, mate to Mar gay na, mother to the Shining People.

--I greet you, Oldman thought with Harry in an echoing duet of thought, then, they raised their head and brought the jar to their lips, draining and returning it to Silas. They knelt on the second step watching, as a ceremony with poured wine was performed on the dais.

--Harry! This step is deep! Oldman cautioned in alarm, as he felt the hidden precipice before them.

Mar gay na accepted the golden vessel handed to her and inclined her head; raising the wine, she spoke in clear strong tones of thought.

--Har ri na, I greet you. Oldman I greet you. She said simply and handed the goblet to Daniel who stood and repeated the gesture and drank, then handing the cup to be taken.

--Har ri na. Do you give your service to me and the Shining People, freely and without reservation?

--I do my Lord. Harry said, affirming his pledge to Sandra at the river.

--Oldman, will you stand in service also? Dan na el inquired. Oldman's ability to compress an infinite amount of calculations in an instants thought, became active. He had not expected to be included in the ceremony of fealty. There was much unknown to the link that joined Harry and himself. Would he 'die' with him in time, be left at Sandra's mercy at her senses of pain filled loss of Harry's presence. Many more thoughts were examined. In the end, it was as much curiosity, as well as the fact that he too, would do anything possible for Sandra's happiness.

--I will Lord Sand. He replied, simply, without pause.

-Har ri na, Oldman, step forward. The boom of the command sounded in the silent hall of great trees and waiting thoughts.

--Here Harry, you might need this. Gerry said returning the helm. Harry took a deep breath and stepped forward.

Harry fell; his arms were upraised for balance as he dropped toward the unseen bottom of the step. Rushing air fluttered the cloak as he dropped then landed heavily with an oath as his cushioning legs met the floor far below the surface of the hall.

The dropped helmet skittered across the floor of the pit. If not for the silvered suit he would have been hurt. Even now, he felt the strain that had been placed on his long damaged knees that were well used in his transit to his present location. The singing voices began again, undiminished by the wait of ceremony.

He bent, retrieving his dislodged helmet, then looked up to see Sandra, Donna, and Gerry moving around the circled top of the second step, toward the third line; the herald, followed by Silas, moved sedately around the opposite side. Harry squared his shoulders and began the walk up the slanting bottom toward the top and the third step that shone whitely there.

--Do you care to tell me about that moral? He asked Oldman, as they moved forward.

--It was a test Harry, our first commanded service. You stepped into danger knowing it was there. Daniel knew too. You had to trust him without knowing how deep it was. As for a moral how about this: 'Always fortify yourself with alcohol before taking a momentous step.' Harry laughed out loud at this. Raising an imaginary cup in his mind, he toasted Oldman in shared amused thought.

--To momentous steps. If not for the suit I would have been hurt.

--Yes, Oldman agreed. ...But I don't think it would have been as deep if you hadn't worn it.

The last step in the floor was before them. Harry halted, looking to the crowded dais. He knelt and the staff was sounded for a final time, a deep echoing noise like the crack of a well stuck baseball. Cheers sounded.

The robed Fay raised arms and staff in a quieting gesture that slowly brought the crowd to silence. The herald's smile of greatly enjoyed theatre played about his face.

--My Lord! The thought sounded loudly, hanging in the thoughts of all, as he began the introduction.

--Har ri na, the Dreamer of Dreams, mate of San dra na Regis, appears before you in service.

--Oldman, the Quick Witted, the Thief of Unguarded Thoughts, an unknown mental entity brought forth from dreams, mate of San dra na Regis, appears before you in service. The singing began again lightly.

Dan na el, Lord of Sand, walked down the steps of the dais toward them, as the herald moved away, voice joining the singing now that his tasks were completed. The regal figure moved to Harry as he knelt, placing a hand on the shoulder of the silvered suit. He smelled of sandalwood and exotic herbal scents.

--Rise Har ri na. May your dreams support the dreams of the people and we yours. Oldman we give you food for thought. Learn and share as we will. Step into the enfolding wings of your people.

A cheer of joyful emotion shook the enclosure as Harry straightened, pulled from the step in a warm hug of welcoming. The shining lights of the people were emptying the trees and flowing across the floor in a great mass, singing in abandon.

Harry turned to the happy sobbing tears that came from Margay, Donna and Sandra, whose head leaned on the breasts of her mother crying happy thoughts there. They were enfolded by Donna's wings and theirs in a tangled cat's cradle of entwined auras. Gerry advanced toward Harry, Daniel, and Oldman. His expression was inscrutable.

--You've got to love them, Daniel thought, openly now that Oldman had declared. His hand still favored Harry as Gerry joined them. ...They'll stop after a moment. Daniel said, smiling in long suffered experience, as he watched the three. ...They were like this just before you met her.

--Just before we took her to the cemetery and ravished her. Oldman said, heedless of Daniel who laughed.

--I rather expect it was the other way around. Daniel said to Oldman. ...She did have her heart set on him after all. Turning his face he said. ...You will marry. Daniel peered closely at Harry.

--I haven't asked her yet. She may not want to. Harry answered.

--It wasn't a question Harry. Oldman told him.

The singing Fay, streaming across the floor, now encompassed the area around the dais and the third step, merrily continuing the ascending and descending phrases of joy. Dan na el raised his free arm to the throng and joined them in song, his dancing merry eyes smiling. The crowd cheered, then redoubled their efforts, raising the volume even higher.

Sandra was the first of the three to reach the men. She rushed into Harry's arms and bruised her lips against his. He found that the gloves of the suit did not hinder the feeling of her body. Donna came to Gerry's arms and lips as well. Margay shared a long tender kiss with Daniel. Silas was busy too.

--Come, Daniel called loudly to all. ...Let us eat and drink the mating feast. To table before the debauchery begins. Then he led the way with Gerry, drinking from a cup placed in his hand, while followed by his people.

--Debauchery? Harry thought! He looked to Oldman to ask if there were more ceremonies he was not aware of. Sandra, Donna, and Margay laughed in delighted sounds of merriment, as they accompanied him behind Gerry and Daniel. He marveled at the tinkling sound that accompanied the mental merriment as he followed in the van of Daniel's progression.

--It was a jest. Margay began in giggled thought as the group progressed up the steps and across the dais to the passage between the guardian oaks.

--Gerry was not jesting. His mouth and hands had me ready for bed or floor. Donna admitted, letting laughtered thought carry a glimpse of her arousal. ...Besides, I always love to see him in his armor. It gets me hot.

--My mate also inflames my desire more than usual wearing his, admitted Sandra. The thoughts of the three drew close together surrounded by their mirth and whispered privately.

The laughter of the ladies followed him across the dais to the head of the wide steps, leading down the incline to the feasting area. A large terrace, covered with scattered tables around a large central one, carved from a large log of walnut, waited below; it was huge, covered with food and drink, surrounded by matching chairs of the same wood. It was also far down the steps lined with well-wishing inhabitants.

Gerry was busy beside Daniel as the two led the way down the stairs of stone. He seemed to know everyone; his hand did steady business as the two progressed toward the elegant setting of tables strewn below. Daniel also was busy on his side of the steps, drinking from proffered cups and offering his own, as he moved among his adoring people; he still sang.

A steady stream of food and drink moved upward and downward, passed along by those who lined the stairway; they ate and drank as much as they served. It seemed as if the feast was in full swing without the use of the waiting tables.

Harry and Oldman were slowly moving in the crowd. It swirled around them in excitement and celebration; they were eager to touch the thoughts of Oldman who had appropriated the use of Harry's right arm to toast and greet the inquisitive Fay near to him. Harry also touched hand and mind in their halting descent. A full cup seemed to be in his hand at all times no matter how often he drank from it in greeting. They moved carefully and unsteadily toward the feasting tables as each used the single pair of legs they shared. It was comical to the crowd. Harry remembered the injunction from the first step that led then to this location.

--The stone seeks the foot! He called in mirthful thoughts to Oldman as they shambled through the press.

--Momentous steps! Oldman toasted, with an upraised cup. Harry raised his cup to his lips to drink and found Oldman's there; he quaffed from both of them; ale and wine dribbled down opposite sides of his beard. The call was taken up by all close enough to 'hear' the toast and was repeated outward through the crowd in echoing repetition and laughter.

--My Lady, called Harry in sudden inspiration, turning to raise drink above his head.

--My Lady! Oldman sent loudly, his cup raised in salute also, intoxicated by the flow of emotions surrounding them. Sandra flew to their side; she was radiant; the small charges of energy given her by the adoring entities as they swirled about made her difficult to look at directly. Pressing a hand to Harry's armor, she again sent accumulated charges into it. Red and gold strands of light played over the suit.

--My Lords! She drank from their cups, held to her mouth, and then kissed the dripping mouth of Harry. His helmet hung from her hand while she held him around the waist with the other. She took a cup, toasting mother, sister, and all those about her. She was intoxicated, but with the emotions that were thick and heady about her and not drink. Harry slipped within her thoughts and asked a demanding question.

--How do you relieve yourself in these suits? He whispered to her. She led him to a private alcove in the side of the hill nearby. It was empty except for a strange twisted growth, dark green and covered with small white berries that emerged from a stone planter. He recognized the plant; it was the same as the one he had used that morning in his own quarters.

--Fathers pissoir. She said, helping him to open the suit and relieve the pressing need to void the processed drink. She took a long time sealing it again. ...Wash here, she indicated.

--To table before the debauchery continues. Oldman exclaimed. The three laughing thoughts returned to the stairs and down the crowded steps again.

The tables were finally reached after an arduous voyage of congratulation and adoration, to where, the islands of food and drink awaited. They replenished their depleted stores of overwhelmed senses while the waves of felicitations lapped about them. --What is that? Oldman pointed with an imaginary finger to a platter holding a large creature; it looked like a cross between a shrimp and a cave cricket. Long antenna were drawn down the side of the steaming creature from the short head, extending out of the humpbacked carapace that ended in a thick tail.

--River lobster. Gerry supplied from across the table. ...They are common here, and delicious. His plate held a great hunk of the flaky meat that he ate with gusto; his fingers were slick with the juices of the savory smelling flesh. Harry saw no utensils and no ceremony to be drawn on. He plunged his hand into the warm shell and brought it to his mouth, testing the texture and flavor, then began to devour it.

--Oh, that's good. Oldman exclaimed as he snatched a piece of the sweet taste and texture from Harry's mind.

--Told you, Gerry said, watching as Harry devoured the delicacy with both hands. He smiled inwardly as his thoughts turned to Donna who studied her Father and sister, eating together at the corner of the expansive table head.

--What do you think of now? Donna's eyes were on father and sister; her head was inclined toward her mother, suggesting their own unheard communication. Gerry continued.

--You have her joined safely with a mate, Harry has given his service to our lord, and the Oldman does not pose a threat to our people. Do you Oldman? His thought inquired to the close attention that the unseen mind of Oldman presented. Oldman gave a mental shrug and considered Gerry's mate closely.

--I don't think I ever did.

--The unknown is always a threat. Donna said. ...And there is much more unknown here.

--Yes there is. Oldman replied, quickly giving a glance at her armored arsenal of secrets. He let her see his examination without hindrance; he let the ironic tone of his thoughts be known.

--Those secrets are not mine to tell; look there. She indicated the te^te a' te^te across from them. Oldman's attention turned to the closely enjoined communication of father and daughter.

--Excuse me while I attend to my mate. Then his presence was gone to the close held conversation that Sandra and Daniel held.

--Look he still watches and listens from Harry's eyes and mind, Donna accused. He is like an inquisitive cat that curves about the legs while it watches the dish of milk on the table.

--You would know, Puss, he murmured to her. ...You still do not trust the intent of the sworn allegiance of him? Gerry asked in mild chastisement.

--I trust him without reservation, but his mind holds many things that I would know.

--As does mine my love. His smiling thoughts teased, as his hand moved to her thigh. ...Would you know my innermost thoughts now? She flushed with desire as images in his mind played over her body with his hand. Her thought was husky with anticipation. --Will you oil me with your greased hands and take me here at my sisters mating feast? She questioned in sultry challenge.

--Not yet. Meet me there, momentarily; we will slip the thoughts of all for a time. He stood.

--Harry, he called. ...Let us wash before the next dish is presented. Harry turned toward Gerry's pointing mind to the platter, moving across the crowded floor, holding a fish of monstrous appearance, and hurried to his feet. Gerry laughed out loud as they left the table.

A private sphere of intimate closeness hung about Daniel and Sandra. Their hearts were full of joy and quiet ruminations. Sandra caressed Harry's gloved hand that rested on her in a soft passing touch as he accompanied Gerry to the loud environs of the cavern of boisterous drinkers.

--He suits you well. He is as water to the fire and ice of your being.

--Yes father, he does. The fire of our love bubbles and boils against the water but the cold, icy contemplation of his future floats over it.

--Daughter, the ice may be a refuge on the wild water of his dreams, embrace the need to use it.

--And the fire, what of it? Will it still burn when the waters are tempest tossed by the knowledge that I traded love and spawn for the good of my people? That I was cast like bait upon his waters, luring him up from his haunts, there in the pool of his thoughts. He was hungry from the long winter under the protective ice covered surface of his thoughts. Then I moved over it; my warm passage melted the ice and allowed the presentation of the lure. He arose from his accustomed depths with eyes for no other thing and soon hung in my hand.

--Then you placed him in the warm waters of your own mind where the scent of tasty prey was rich in them. Daniel waited for her to speak.

--What about me? Oldman asked. ...I too scent many things

--Ah! Oldman, it appears my daughter caught a magic fish. I do not think the fires will be quenched nor the water evaporate. He also made his choice freely and without coercion. What do you say Oldman?

--His love flows around her in protection as much as the air from mine keeps the fires hot as it blows against the flame. The protecting waters also surround knowledge that will fan the flames of the people when the fuel of their telling is revealed. --You say much that is on my mind. Daniel answered in eye squinted thought. His mind's eye rested on Sandra. ...The feast of mating is not the place for such thoughts. Let us be untroubled for the time we spend here together.

--Yes father. Let us be joyful. Her mind moved away from troubling thoughts to the serenity and comfort of his confident mind that all would be well.

Rousing raucous laughter and spoken toasts of "momentous steps!" echoed from a cavern like tavern nearby. Their eyes met in laughing exchange of delight. Oldman rushed from their presence to where much hilarity played about Harry. Sandra leapt to her feet after him, flying to the shouts of teasing celebration, while Daniel drew close to Margay, kissing her about the lips and neck. Donna slipped from her seat and away to the noise that surrounded the newest member of the family.

--Har ri na! Leonard shouted across the crowded floor of the tavern as Harry and Gerry entered. He had a cup in his hand that sloshed as he raised it. ...I greet you. He was armored in shades of brown that varied from an ecru to a dark brown; they were a clever imitation of the markings of a hawk. Etchings mimicked the feathered body of a raptor. His eyes lit with humor and drink as they neared him.

--I near wet myself when you jumped over the great step, Leonard confided in laughtered thought that was escorted by the minds and voices of the gathering in a great chuckling din of enjoyment; they held near the conversation in anticipation as Leonard continued, struggling to keep laughter from his thoughts.