AN:   I am back  *Batman voice*
So, babies. I'm giving you two chapters in one week ;)
Enjoy! Bisous
~~~~~~~
Ceri
It was one of the worst night of my life. And here I thought that being tossed outside the cave was the worst way of spending a night. It turned out that standing at the opening of a den while hearing my own father grunt and groan in unbearable pain was far more heartbreaking.
It seemed that Alev had awoken because I kind of heard his voice. He was asking the Leader to leave him alone. His voice disappeared for a while before I heard him grunting and all I could hear was my name.
He was worried about me. A tear almost left my eyes, but it immediately faded when my generous mind provided an alternative; maybe he was saying that this was his fault.
What if he thought the same as some of the other Aellos? Like that scary Aello Piran who thought I was an abomination... why would he think such a thing of me? I have literally never met him before, nor have I caused any trouble to his clan. Well, aside from the times I started the red fire a few years back, but that didn't sound like enough reason to hate me-
My thoughts were interrupted when I heard a close grunt. I jumped up and looked at the den to see the old man called Ery slowly walking out with a sneer headed my way that I tried to ignore.
"H-how is he? Will he survive? Please tell me he'll be alright!"
He raised two fingers at me without losing his 'charming' sneer: "Deer. Two of them. And I want them by tomorrow."
A tired breath left me and I frowned: "What?"
"You owe me, Aella. So you will hunt two deers and bring them to me. And one of them has to be a small one. A baby deer is fine. Baby deers are easier to chew on"
"So, Alev will be fine?"
He waved at me dismissively: "The snake was mildly poisonous, nothing I couldn't take care of. If he had taken the time to deal with it instead of sitting back on his heels and thinking the poison would go on its own, he wouldn't have gotten into this situation. Alev has a head, hard like a stone. Tsk, young Aellos never know their own limit. Just because they can walk straight, they think the forest will kneel at their feet. Well, look who's kneeling now. Arrogance is his real sickness, there's no payment that could allow me to heal that"
He was shaking his head slowly in disappointment. He looked like the old Aellas when they scolded the younger ones. He even shared their grumpiness. So I knew that he was only scolding for my father's sake.
I bowed low and wiped at my eyes: "Thank you for saving my father"
The old Aello looked surprised, but he scoffed anyway: "That won't spare you from my payment, baby quail. And I don't care about your Prueba"
"M-my Prueba? I-I don't have-"
The old man started walking away slowly: "Tell Cailyn I've gone home. It's rude to deprive and old man of his precious sleep"
I didn't wait longer so I ran inside to find a fire in the middle of the den. A few feet from the flickering flames was where Alev laid.
My breath halted when I saw him, awake
"Come here" Alev said. His voice was very weak, but he was talking.
He was alive!
Dilara, my dear mother, thank you for sparing him. Thank you for letting him stay with us longer
I sat down beside him. He tilted his head to the side to watch me and the ghost of a smile dressed his face: "You're worried about your old father"
I looked at the floor around us, my eyes following a couple of bloodied clothes as my voice trailed: "You're not old"
Cailyn scoffed: "He is getting old." He said while standing and stretching his back. He scratched the black drawing on his chest carelessly before smirking at Alev: "Old and careless, that's what you've become. Letting a yellow snake sneak at you and then you ignore its bite"
"The poison wasn't strong. I really thought my body could fight it"
Cailyn shook his head, but a smile was still tugging on his lips: "To think I always competed to beat your ass. Turns out a measly snake could do a better job"
Alev gave him a tired, bored look. I took the time to stare at him. His arm was wrapped in another set of green goo and another kind of leaves. He looked exhausted and pale.
"Well, I'll be back to check on you tomorrow" Cailyn said as he moved around Alev and towards the entry of the den.
"No need for that" Alev answered.
"I'm not asking for your permission" Cailyn said carelessly before stopping beside me.
I stood up in respect and glanced between them. It felt like the Leader was being overly friendly and it made me wonder how close my father and he were.
Cailyn patted my shoulder and added: "You saved your father by coming to get me today and we're both proud of you. Rest well, young Aello."
I bowed, feeling my heart swell to his kindness: "Thank you for your help, Leader"
Halina was right about him. He was very considerate and reliable.
He gave me a quick nod and left the den.
As soon as we were alone, Alev sighed and moved to sit. I hurried to help him, but he lifted his hand indicating that he didn't need my help.
"Did you get any sleep?"
"Um... I-I was waiting to see if I could help them"
"It's late. You should get some sleep."
I gazed at him. My father was so kind and brave. Snakes couldn't kill him and even the Leader treated him with respect. I was so very lucky to be his son
"You're looking at me the way you did six months ago when I first came to claim you"
I looked down not wanting to be rude: "Sorry"
"It's ok, Ceri. You were very brave today. Also lucky that you didn't run into trouble on your way to the Leader"
Well... I almost broke an angry Aello's animal trap and probably lost my leg. Other than that, the trip was great
His voice interrupted my thoughts: "Who showed you the way?"
"Eum... Aellos. I met Aellos who told me where to go"
"Who exactly?"
I shrugged, not wanting to tell him about how angry I made Aello Piran.
"Did they say anything to you, or bother you?"
I shook my head: "Just... showed me the way"
Alev seemed satisfied with that: "Good. I know I set a bad example today, but I will take care of you Ceri. I'll also teach you everything you need to know. So before you can be on your own, try not to face other Aellos or wander too far from here. Some of them can be quite vicious"
"Why?"
The question left my lips before I could stop myself. But it didn't seem like it bothered Alev who answered: "The life of an Aello can be very difficult sometimes. It is such difficulties that make us harsh. Some can even become dangerous and cruel. That's why, no one is to be trusted until you can fully protect yourself from both the dangers of the forest and other Aellos. Until then, only Cailyn and I"
I nodded, feeling happy that he's giving me instructions. It felt like the teaching already began and I was thrilled to have him talk to me.
"I will trust no one but you"
"Good"
"And...... Ithel?" I asked hesitantly.
Alev frowned and turned to look at me intently for a moment, before he rested his head on the wall again and closed his eyes: "Ithel is ok."
I beamed and felt so relieved that Alev trusted Ithel. I remember Ithel telling me that he didn't know my father that well because he rarely came to the island and met with the rest of the clan. But despite that, my father knew Ithel enough to trust him and for some reason, it made my heart swell with pride of the Aello that I fell in love with.
Alev moved and I jumped to my feet asking what he needed. He mentioned that he was just getting some water so I hurried and brought it to him. He drank it all before sighing in relief.
I sat close to him, deciding not to sleep for the night so I could make sure he didn't get other sudden fevers.
"I bet Halina never forgot to feed you"
"... She's very motherly and protective. I wouldn't have made it alive without her care"
A sad look took over his gaze, before he sighed: "Today wasn't supposed to be like this. I will feed you well tomorrow "
"I don't need-"
"Don't say that." He said gently, "I promise you'll have the life you deserve starting tomorrow. I am years late and I hope that you wouldn't regret coming with me based on what happened today"
"No, I... I would never regret being with you, father. Just..."
"Just?"
"I wish you'd let me get the food tomorrow. I can do it! I'll take your knife and I'll hunt and feed us"
He didn't answer me. He rested his head back on the wall and stared ahead, looking lost in thought. He smiled for a second, but then he immediately frowned.
"Aello Alev?"
"Go to sleep. It's pretty late. Tomorrow will be different, I promise"
With that, we remained silent until sleep took over both of us.
~~~~~~~
Nine days.
It has been nine days since I was claimed and brought to be part of the Aello's clan. The first day was too difficult because of Alev's poisonous snake bite, but since then, he was feeling much better.
Cailyn visited twice to make sure Alev was feeling better, which he was. So now, I was either on my own or with Alev.
Alev made sure to hunt for us both. I try to help him the best I can, but almost all my time is spent inside the den.
He was teaching me how to make my own weapons and how to correctly skin and cook the preys. But he was too scared to let me outside for my own safety.
It has also been nine days since I saw and spoke to Ithel. It made me so sad, sometimes I couldn't even sleep at night. The thought of him not wanting to see me or forgetting about me was heart breaking.
I loved him so much. We have known each other for a short time, but it was enough to occupy every thought and memory of mine with his smile. I couldn't even control how much I missed his confident look or his charming eyes. During the last few months, I never actually realized that I'll be living with Alev and not Ithel. I kind of supposed we'd all be together, like the Aellas in their large cave.
"Heh, I had a feeling you'd be hiding inside the den"
I jumped and whirled around to face whoever came inside Alev's den without being invited. And before me stood Essylt, with his bear-like body and a pitying smirk.
"Where's your father?"
"H-he went hunting. He'll be back soon"
Essylt scoffed and rested his hand on his weapon making me take half a step back.
"I told you he would be here" Someone said and stepped away from behind Essylt while speaking: "He likes to stick to a place and never leave it until he's kicked out".
My eyes widened as I remembered the boy's features: "Lug?"
Wait, Lug was Essylt's son?
Lug looked at me with disinterest. He was much taller than the last time I saw him, which was years ago when he was seven. Now he was tall and built like a strong man, a real Aello. I felt kind of proud of the little boy who became such a tough Aello.
"How are you?" I offered with a smile. But an answer never came
Essylt smirked and tilted his head back so he could look down at me: "Lug tells me you used to play together"
I brightened at that and nodded quickly: "Yes! We used to have fun-"
"When he was five."
He said that like it was a bad thing. With whom else was I supposed to play? The boys left the mountain around the age of seven, and the Aellas were always adamant about keeping their daughters away from me. So eventually, all the ones I could play with were younger than I was. Yet I always knew to follow their pace and I never hurt any of them.
"Lug is already fourteen now." Essylt informed me, sounding very proud as he continued, "He's been capable of hunting and living on his own for a year now. He's even preparing his own den for the next Agape."
Lug said nothing. Only stood there while staring at me, like his father's words were the most normal thing in the world. If my own father spoke like that about me, I might actually cry from happiness at being able to make him so proud of me.
Essylt looked like he was waiting for me to say something so I did, trying to hide the awkwardness of this reunion: "That's amazing, Lug."
"He's stubborn and rude. Just like his father"
Essylt laughed at his own joke. I smiled, but I felt wearier of the way Lug eyed me.
I did look forward to meeting some Aellos that knew me and who I grew up with. I just thought we'd be more friendly since we knew each other for years.
"Can we leave now?" Lug asked his father exasperatedly. Essylt completely ignored him, making him sigh in irritation and look the other way.
"Lug, here, had already finished his Prueba last year. He gifted the Leader with a large gray wolf"
Wow. Now I felt a little jealous.
The Prueba is when an Aello sails to one of the neighboring islands and lives there on his own for a while. Usually, the Aello chooses an island that isn't very dangerous for the first time. Some even decide to stay there for the rest of their lives and only visit from time to time. For young Aellos, the Prueba is also a test of courage. It's a way to prove that the Aello is capable and strong enough to live on his own. The first Prueba of an Aello lasts for about a week and it's usually followed by a ceremony where he'd bring a gift to the Leader. I heard that the most common gifts were tiger and wolf skins.
Once the Prueba is passed, the Aello is respected. He was no longer treated like a son, but like a rival Aello.
"Since you're here and since the Leader received no gifts from you, I guess you haven't had your Prueba yet?"
It looked like he already knew the answer to that. I remained silent and he continued after scoffing: "You're the oldest Aello I ever heard of who hasn't done it yet."
"I'll work harder and-"
"What? Go back in time? You're already too late. You can't even hunt"
Lug broke his silence: "He's used to feeding on what other people hunt."
Essylt nodded to that: "That's what happens when you stay with the Aellas for too long. Eventually, your cock means nothing"
Lug smirked and scoffed lightly: "If you don't hunt, might as well go back to being an Aella. Maybe someone will take you on the next Agape"
Essylt laughed at that.
I didn't find that funny though. What's weirder was that I was actually hoping Ithel would choose me on the next Agape, so what, was I supposed to be ashamed of that?
"Essylt. What are you doing here"
Alev's stern voice filled the den. He showed up carrying a prey. I bowed to him and went to take it away as well as a leather bag with a few fruits in it. Alev ranked Essylt with a displeased look, but Essylt only smirked wider:
"We were walking back from Lug's den and I thought I'd come take a look at how you were doing after Saeva. I found your Aella instead"
I flinched. He said 'Aella' like it was an insult. Why would he do that? Why did Aellos think they were any better? Aellas are the ones who gave birth to them and fed them for years. Some even give up their own lives and die while delivering their baby! Yet once they become tall enough to live on their own, they belittle those who kept them alive for years.
"I'm doing well, Essylt. You can leave"
"Lug wanted to wish Ceri good luck on his Prueba."
Lug frowned and commented without hesitation: "No, I didn't"
Alev didn't even spare Lug a look as he faced Essylt: "He will have his Prueba when he's ready."
"He's already old enough to have his own den-"
"And he will, once I get to teach him everything he needs to know. Now leave. I want to enjoy my son's company"
"The Aellos are talking, Alev. Not all of them appreciate a secret boy living for years with the Aellas."
"Ceri is no one's business"
"They think it's unfair that he gets to see all the Aellas all year. Some are even angry because he tarnished their daughter's reputation"
Alev narrowed his eyes at him and spoke with strength and contempt in his voice I never heard before: "Aello Essylt. I will not tolerate you the way the Leader does. If you insist on being rude and disrespectful, I will rip your vulgar tongue out and let my son offer you to the Leader for his Prueba"
Lug took a dangerous step towards Alev, but Essylt grabbed him by the arm and pulled him back and gave him a small whack on his head: "Don't be a fool, Lug. Learn when to attack and when to hold back"
Lug didn't seem convinced and he kept glaring at Alev. But my father was yet to even look at Lug. He was focused on Essylt.
"Leave."
Essylt raised his hands in surrender, still smirking a little. He took a few steps back and turned to leave after pushing his son before him.
Lug sent me a withering glare before he left the den. But Essylt halted and added something before he went out: "You might not like what I said, but you should consider it seriously. Our clan doesn't treat the weak kindly and Ceri is nothing but that."
Once they left, Alev walked deeper into the den and threw his weapons aside: "Let's eat."
And that was all I heard from him for the rest of the day.
The next morning, Alev accepted to take me out with him. I was happy to join him and get used to the island, but I couldn't shake the awkwardness hanging in the air. Maybe it was just me, but he wasn't chatty at all. It made me nervous to have to guess what he was thinking of me, especially when he started showing me how to make traps.
I was so thankful to Ithel because he showed me many things during our Agape. So now, I could show off a little, pretending like I was a fast learner and that I came up with the ideas on my own. And for that, I earned a few compliments from him that warmed my heart.
I learned that Alev was very caring in his own way. He didn't express his affection with words, rather with what he did. But even though I was getting used to him, I still missed chatting with Ithel.
Ithel who understood me without me even talking.
Ithel who I was yet to see again.
We headed back to Alev's den later than usual because of the time I spent trying to make a decent trap. I will try harder tomorrow because today I had failed.
We were getting close to our den when we saw someone emerge from the trees and stand before us
"You look sad, like a child who couldn't catch a rabbit"
The Aello was buff with a messy beard. I remembered him as the one who proposed to teach me to hunt and take care of me when I first met the Leader and the Aellos.
Alev didn't seem alert to his appearance: "Milen. I haven't seen you for a while"
"Same here my friend. How's the fresh one doing?"
Alev turned to look at me: "Very good so far"
I sighed inwardly.
"That's good to hear." Milen said, before addressing me: "You know, your father is not easy to please. You should cherish his compliment and work hard to become strong like him"
I nodded quickly and bowed my head slightly: "I-I will do my best"
"Good, good." Milen stared at me for a moment and then continued: "Training a kid and keeping him alive is not an easy task. It's not about being strong, as much as being patient and careful"
"I guess I'm lucky then, because I got me a smart one."
I blushed and looked at my feet, feeling so happy with his kind words that I could barely keep from grinning like a fool.
I knew I wasn't smart or good at any of this. But for once, the truth didn't matter at all. My incompetence disappeared from my mind whenever I felt Alev's acceptance.
"Good, good. But still, I've done this before a couple of times, so I don't mind helping at all. I could take the boy with me for a while and teach him just like I did with my own sons."
Alev didn't answer him. Okay, now that scared me. Was he considering it? Did Aellos do that? Give their sons for someone else to raise???
Milen approached us and stood beside me, sizing me up: "He's old, but not too old. I bet I can get him to grow some muscles and build his strength. I will help him get ready for his Prueba in no time. The other Aellos are expecting to leave right away, so we have no time to waste. You can have him back anytime you'd like", he said while squeezing my arm to check my muscles.
"That won't be necessary." Alev answered and I almost hit the floor with relief.
"I insist."
"I got this, Milen"
"It wouldn't trouble me. As a matter of fact, I look forward to teaching a kid. My children are now grown up Aellos who don't even bother sailing back here to visit. I guess I taught them our ways too well. They're too wild and independent."
Alev's hand fell on the back of my neck and he pulled me closer to him: "Well, this one's mine. And with me he stays."
Milen frowned and eyed him wearily: "You're not thinking I would hurt him, do you? I am not merciless, Alev. We might be fierce, but some of us still know how to be gentle with a new learner"
"Milen-"
"I won't harm him, I am not like Piran."
Piran? I remembered the name of the Aello who got angry with me when I went to find the Leader and even hit me. Thank the spirits Alev was nothing like him. Or Essylt, for the matter.
"I never said you were like him"
"You can check on him anytime you want. He won't be far anyway. And you'll be free to go back to your island like usual. You won't be obliged to stay here."
Alev sighed: "I might be new at this, but I've been waiting for it almost my whole life, Milen. I don't think you forgot the day I was informed I had lost him before even seeing him. Now the fates have given a second chance.
This is my son. I always wanted him and now I have him. He is mine to raise. And I'm about as ready to give him up as I am my own life."
I stared at Alev who avoided meeting my eyes. Milen looked sympathetic, but also irritated. He gave me a last look before walking past us: "Well, you know where to find me if you need me"
Alev gave him a single nod and resumed walking, with me hurrying after him so I could walk beside him.
Beside my father.