Aella (manxman) - ON HOLD - Chapter 6: Chapter 6

I waited for the buckets to fill with sweet water. My fingers traveled under the running spring as I hummed a happy tone. In my daze, I only realized the buckets were full after they overflew. I grabbed their handles and carried them into the wide cave. Still singing low, I poured the water in the drinking container. I stood on the tips of my toes to check it; it was quite full, so I set the buckets beside it and covered it.
I looked around me; I still had a lot of work to do. For some reason, I was too happy to care. I smiled warmly, just because I felt like it. And then I started cleaning; nothing much, just wiping the dust here and there, focusing on the area around the Leader's bed and my aunt's. I also cleaned the places where I knew their Aellas wouldn't mind me touching their things.
A smile tugged my lips as a memory teased me. I closed my eyes and followed it; as predicted I was in Ithel's den. He went to catch my favorite fish and I decided to clean his den while waiting for him. His den was very easy to clean; he didn't really keep much around. And when I finished, it was probably the first time in my life that I regretted not having more work to do. He came back to find everything folded neatly and put aside, his hunting tools wiped and hung on the side of the cave, and the clothes he changed from this morning already washed and spread under the sun to dry. The look on his face was so precious. He hung the fishes aside and pulled me into a searing kiss.
"You didn't have to", he said
"I wanted to"
"Ceri... you're the best Aella ever" and he kissed me again. That day we had lunch late... very late
I chuckled and tried to control the heat that I felt seeping to my face.
When I thought I cleaned enough, I noticed it was the afternoon already. I looked at the pile of wood that we used mainly for cooking; I had to cut more. I grabbed an axe and headed outside the cave. A few large pieces of wood were kept aside. I pulled one of them and set it on a rock. Then I used the axe to cut smaller pieces from it. I sighed dreamily as the image of Ithel's taut muscles materialized before my eyes. It felt so vivid that I was tempted to reach forward and touch him, maybe walk my fingers on the perfect line of his strong hips. The image started moving; His tall figure and strong arms, lifting a large axe and letting it fall on a branch. Unlike me, each piece of wood surrendered and knelt before him after only one hit. I remember him refusing to let me cut wood. And when I pouted, he let me gather the pieces on the ground before we went back to his den.
I examined the pile of wood scattered around. I was so caught in my sweet thoughts; I actually cut more than I planned. I sighed and wiped a string of sweat off my forehead. I looked up at the sun. The Aellas will be back soon, I better go wash myself before they come back.
I came home in the morning to avoid being discovered by the Aellas, who usually came back around sunset.
I gathered the pieces of wood and piled them beside the cave. I put the axe back in its place, and then I hurried to the spring of water with a skip in my step.
I looked around me and giggled. It was day, yet I was using the spring of water to bathe. Usually, I was only allowed to bathe here at night. I wasn't allowed to clean myself with the other Aellas, and while they gathered in groups of at least three whenever they bathed, I was obliged to do so alone. I would hear them laugh and talk, taking their time and helping each other. I always envied them for such a small thing. But my aunt refused that I went with them. It felt like she was protecting me from something, something I didn't get. But I did as aunt instructed me and bathed only at night, alone. I also had to spread a cloth on a branch close by in order to hide myself. It was just like I was forbidden from changing in front of others, whereas all Aellas changed in the cave without bothering to hide, not even from me. It was the small differences like these that kept reminding me of how different I was.
But now, I was totally alone. This happened once a year when they went to their Agape. I used to feel bored, lonely, and left behind. Not this year, though. This year I was the happiest ever!
And that is due to a certain Aello. One who is handsome, honorable, strong, generous and such an amazing kisser!!
I squealed and bit my lower lip, feeling so perverted to have such an indecent thought. I pulled my clothes off and stuck my head under the cool water.
"I will miss you, Ceri... Promise you'll try to visit me? I won't survive a whole year without you"
I couldn't keep the permanent smile that settled across my face. I shook my head to get all the curls wet. I pulled back and watched as they dripped around my head. I touched a lock with my fingers; Ithel loved to touch my hair. Either dry or wet, he'd always reach and tug on them gently, and then he'd smile when he released them and they obstinately curled again. Now, since Ithel was interested in it, I found my hair interesting as well.
I moved to wash my body while my head swarmed with memories of Ithel. I threw water on my face and remembered the way we'd tease each other at the sea; I'd splashed him with cold water and he'd do the same. Then the chase is on! Oh my, it was so difficult to run in the water! But he always managed to catch me.
I rubbed my arms under the sweet water, my mind immediately provided the memory of him holding my arms and tugging me across the salty water. He taught me how to swim; well, almost. I still can't move, but I learned how to lie on my back, take a deep breath, and just relax... Let my body float freely above the glittering water. With him beside me, I'd even open my eyes and watch the beautiful sky.
He helped me become very courageous in the sea. It's true; I never went farther than the thigh-high water beside the rocks that were under Ithel's den. But it was courageous of me nonetheless! Ithel said so, so it had to be true.
I realized I was grinning at the spring of water before me without cleaning myself, so resumed spilling water on myself and rubbing my body. My mind still not resting though. How could it rest when my heart felt so happy and blessed!
Unlike the time when I first wanted to climb back home, this time we separated while laughing and smiling. That time, my foot had healed and I thought I had no reason to stay any longer. I worried about my rights and the fact that I hadn't taken permission from the Leader to stay outside our territory. But when Ithel invited me to stay with him, to be his Agape... I couldn't refuse him. Al worried flew with the wind and I only cared about the Aello I had before my eyes.
I'm so glad I chose to stay, because after that, I spent the best days of my life. I learned so many things and experienced so much in such a short time. And above all, I got to know Ithel and live with him.
We hadn't slept yesterday. We sat at the opening of the den, gazing at the moon and its beautiful distorted reflection on the sea. We talked too; kept remembering all the moments we had together. Especially the time we met. He said he found me cute the moment he set eyes on me, even with all the dirt that covered my face back then. He also asked why I had only spoken to him after we got to his den. And then he laughed when I confessed that I was too amazed by seeing the first Aello in my life that I actually couldn't talk.
"Well, I've seen plenty of Aellas before. None of them is as sweet and seductive as you are, Ceri"
I breathed a chuckle and covered my cheeks feeling my shyness spike through them. My fingers slid slowly to touch my lips as I recalled the way he leaned closer to my face, his eyes twinkling with excitement, and then our lips caressed each other in a luscious motion that ignited my body with tingling fire-
"CERI!"
The harsh voice calling my name startled me. I jumped and whipped around, my face paling instantly.
My shoulders tensed as I looked at Drita standing before me. Her eyes glaring at me in a way that told me I was in big trouble. And then it hit me; she knew I was outside our territory all this time!!!!
I realized I was completely naked, so I hurried to grab my clothes on the ground. Drita took a step towards me and I snatched them and took one back while choosing to just hide myself with the clothes instead of wearing them.
"Y-y-you're back!"
She didn't answer me. Her eyes narrowed and she lifted her head to look down at me. "You're back too", she said, a bit venomously making me gulp.
She stepped closer. I walked back, but she grabbed my arm and pulled me roughly: "Where the hell have you been, Ceri?"
"I-I...... I don't know-"
She shook me and glared harder: "WHERE. DID YOU. GO?"
I didn't know what to say. I didn't even trust myself to talk! If I opened my mouth, I was bound to tell the truth, because I was a really bad liar.
My eyes darted around us. If an Aella-hunter was here, it meant that the rest of the clan is close; most probably climbing the mountain. I was hoping the Aellas would come interrupt us, at the same time I didn't want them to see me like this nor see Drita mad with me.
...... Every one tended to side by the hunters, especially a strong one like her.
"Talk to me, young Aella. I came back twice! I took time from my Agape to come check on you. I even brought you fresh food every time!! Imagine my surprise when I didn't find you here like you were supposed to be!!!"
I smiled at her hesitantly, trying to lighten the mood, but she wasn't having any of it. I was looking forward to end this and go to my spot in the Aellas' cave, so I attempted to get to the hurtful and inevitable part.
"Are you... going to punish me?" I asked carefully, but I didn't wait for her to answer, "I'm really sorry Drita! Please don't be mad...... don't punish me, please?"
Her hand squeezed harder on my arm: "You still haven't answered me yet. Did you get your Leader's permission to stay on Aellos' territory, huh? Does Halina know about this??"
I bit my lower lip. I frankly didn't know what was best; saying my aunt knew or not. But then if she knew and didn't inform the Leader, that would get her in trouble!
So I went with the truth and shook my head: "Aunt Halina doesn't know... I just... stayed in the forest-"
"What for??"
"N-nothing... just... enjoying the trees and-and the flowers"
"Alone????"
I nodded vigorously, but she eyed me suspiciously. I tried to hold her gaze the best I could while giving an innocent look, even though I was totally lying. And I think this was my first actual lie.
A few seconds later, Drita loosened her grip. But I knew that it hasn't ended yet.
"Are you going to tell the Leader?"
"You went against our rules, Aella. I will make sure to punish you for it", I cringed at that, "I will not tell the Leader, though."
"Th-thank you" I was about to breathe in relief, but I remembered Drita's punishments and felt like I wanted to flee.
"You will compensate my efforts, Ceri. You can't ask people to just do you favors. It is time you paid for your stupid mistakes"
Of course... I always paid one way or another anyway
I just nodded. All I wanted was for this scary conversation to end so I could put my clothes on and go back to day dreaming about the perfect Aello.
Drita finally let go of my arm and went to leave. But she suddenly grabbed my clothes and pulled them away from me. I yelped and tried to hold onto them the best I could to cover myself.
Suddenly she was clenching on them and waving them in front of my face: "This is a new deer skin, where the hell did you get this???"
My eyes widened as I realized; Ithel gave me that and I made clothes out of them. I can't say that!!!
So I decided that retreating was more important than covering my manhood. I let go of the clothes and stepped away
"I-I-I... I got them myself, I made them!"
Her right hand settled on the grip of the sharp knife attached to her thigh and she grimaced: "So you learned how to lie, huh. Since when did you know how to hunt or even skin and dry a deer!! Not only you betrayed your Leader, you're also lying to a hunter?"
A low whimper escaped as I stared at her knife.
A part of me was also shocked that Drita would even threaten to use a weapon against me. There was a time when she was very nice to me, a friend even. But since last year, since that incident...... she's onto me like I'm an enemy or a useless burden to my clan. She actually clearly said that to me once.
"Drita..."
"You were innocent. You were a good Aella. But now you defy me, you refuse to pay your dues and you act behind your clan's back. You even lie, Ceri!"
I'm so damn stupid. I lie once and can't even pull it off!
"I... I'm sorry..." I looked at the floor shamefully while covering myself with my hands. It hurt to always be the only one who disappoints; I can't believe I got an Aella-hunter angry with me.
She threw my clothes behind her and grabbed my hair roughly. Her other hand was still on her knife; threatening to strike me if I angered her more.
"Now I'm going to give you another chance, Ceri. Tell me, who did you go to on the Aellos' territory?"
When I didn't answer, she tilted my head back so I was looking up at her. I opened my mouth to tell the truth and spare myself more trouble, but I couldn't tell on Ithel! He's a generous and honorable Aello; I didn't want to cause him trouble!
I didn't even know WHY such thing would get him in trouble! But I didn't want to risk it
She shook my hair and my head with it, and then her face leaned closer to mine: "Did you make a deal with one of the Aellas, is that it?"
"What?-"
"Did you MATE with another Aella, CERI???"
"No! I didn't-"
I wanted to tell her that I didn't even make it to the gathering! And who would I scheme with? Most of the Aellas are disgusted with me, and the few others are like sisters to me! Even our horrible spoiled Leader
But Drita didn't believe my words anymore. She pulled on my hair more. My hand ran to grab the one that was practically pulling my hair out of my scalp, and I lifted my other hand to try and push her back. The gesture got her even angrier and she gritted her teeth at me: "How am I to believe you! You learned how to LIE, Ceri! This is why lying is bad; No one believes liars, boy!!"
I frowned at her words. I'm not a liar!!, my mind screamed. And stop scolding me like a kid! I'm a man already!!
But of course, I was wiser than to voice my objections. So I remained silent, pleading to the spirits to save me somehow.
After a long moment of glaring, her hand released the knife's grip and slid on my left side. It clutched on my flesh making me wince, which seemed like she didn't mean to cause me pain. Her frown relaxed a little, so did her hands. And she let go of my hair to glide on my chest and hold my other side at the waist.
The mood changed quickly and I dreaded the glittering interest in her eyes. I didn't know what was worse; being punished by her or finding myself in the same situation as last year
Drita lifted her head back to look down on me. It's a look that made her seem much more powerful and commanding for the clan's runt such as me. The hint of a smirk spread on her face-
Oh no, oh no, oh no... We're definitely heading back to last year's incident!
By the name of the spirits, please save me! I'm a good Aella...... Actually, I'm not sure I'm an Aella, but I'm a good human!... Well, generally speaking
JUST HELP ME!!!
"Ceri, my child!"
I turned my head to see my savior; my beautiful aunt Halina. Thank you heavens!!
Drita grunted in displeasure and pushed me away from her. I stumbled, but caught my balance fast enough to run to my dear aunt who was staring at Drita with distrust.
My poor aunt's eyes caught me again before I reached her, and her face became like a red cherry before she looked away and lifted her hand to stop me: "Where are your clothes!!!"
Her younger child, a five year old boy called Vreis, he giggles and did the same as his mother, looking in another direction, and then waving at me to go away while still holding his mother's dress.
His older sister, though, a seven year old adorable little devil called Epona, she put her hands on her hips and laughed: "Ceri, you silly. You forgot to hide your teetee"
I felt a searing heat ascend to my face as I looked at myself and realized that I was running to my aunt NAKED!!!
I squealed and hid my private parts: "S-sorry Halina!!!"
A few of Aellas that were passing by, watched me with a displeased sneer, while a couple of others giggled. One of them even teased me and shouted: "I see you found a way to be free, Ceri!", making her friends laugh and my aunt shake her head.
I stood there feeling utterly embarrassed. I couldn't run to the cave, by now it would be filled with more Aellas and I might run into the Leader!!! No thank you!
So I was actually hesitating and weighting my chances: What would be easier, standing here and getting laughed at, or retrieving my clothes that were too close to an Aella hunter who was angry with me.
"My child, what are you waiting for!" my aunt urged me to find my clothes.
I apologized again and went to bring my clothes. As soon as I turned around, more laughs erupted. So I spared a hand to hide my backside as well.
I sprinted to my clothes without daring to look up at Drita, who I could clearly feel her glaring at me. I slipped the first piece of deer skin around my waist and tied it securely. I felt better as it covered my skin from my waist to just above the knees. Then I slipped my arms in the second one and tied it as well.
When I turned around, Drita was no longer there. My eyes searched for her in the small crowd of moving Aellas, and a panic started to work its way to my heart at the thought that she might be already gone to the Leader to tell on me.
I spotted her four year old boy running towards Drita's small cave, which was on the other side of the main one, and he was calling for her: "Mama, wait for me!"
So I breathed, knowing very well that I wasn't completely safe yet.
"Ceri! By the spirits' names, is that how you greet your aunt after a whole month!!?"
Aunt Halina was already beside me. She gave me a smack on the side of my head; a painless one that carried more affection than blame. I rubbed my head and apologized again: "I'm sorry Halina"
She pulled me into a bear hug: "My sweet child, I missed you so so much!!!"
I hugged her back, and tilted my head to smile at Vreis who let his mother go for a second to hug my leg: "Mith you Theri"
I leaned down to pick him up: "I missed you too, you brave Aello"
Vreis grinned at me and hugged me with his small arms around my neck. I could feel the young man's affection radiating with such a small gesture. Epona chose to grab my hand in hers and smile up at me. The little thing always tries to look older and tougher despite her cuteness. I squatted and hugged her as well
When I let her go, she already started counting her journey, while Halina caressed my hair and checked my body as usual for any sign of harm
"Ceri, I went to see papa! He's soooo big!"
"Really?"
"Yes! He's veeery tall and strong! And he loves me so so much! He gave me so many things!"
"That sounds amazing!" I answered, and Vreis nodded at me excitedly.
"And-And I helped him start a fire! And I skinned a big rabbit!"
Vreis shook his head and decided to denounce his older sister: "No! Papa thkinned!"
Epona looked a bit guilty and confessed: "Yes, papa skinned it", then her enthusiasm came back with full force as he started jumping: "But I held the knife for him! And Vreis and I we made blood prints on the wall with our hands! And-And he gave mama the skin, and many other beautiful things! Look!"
She pulled out a small reddish rock that had a couple gray streaks. I've seen similar ones before; the Aellas said they were brought from the shores of a neighboring island. Maybe one day, I could go see them with Ithel...
I awed in amazement and Epona gave me a smug smirk. Then Vreis tilted his head to meet my gaze: "I have one too"
I awed again to Vreis, who smiled shyly.
Epona tugged at my clothes and continued with her wide adorably excite eyes: "And I have feathers too! Papa gave me beautiful feathers with many colors!-"
Vreis interrupted his sister while counting with his fingers: "Papa gave me white feavow, and bwack feavow. Eppy took two red feavows. Papa put bwack feavow in his hair tho I took bwack too"
I nodded, impressed by his logic. Epona went to continue, but Halina took Vreis from my hands and set him down: "Enough now, children. You need to tidy your clothes and clean your beds before we go to sleep"
Vreis lifted his head to his mother: "Mama, hewp me cwean my bed?"
"Of course I'll help my brave baby! How about you start and I'll be there in a minute, ok?"
Vreis nodded and walked towards the large cave. Epona gave me a wink, then ran in the same direction, outrunning her younger brother and calling him 'turtle'.
Halina turned to me with a frown: "Ceri, what did Drita want with you?"
"N-nothing!"
"She looked angry. Was it about the clothes?"
"The clothes?... Yes! She-she was mad that I wasn't decent"
She sighed: "You know you shouldn't clean yourself during the day"
"Sorry, I thought you weren't back yet"
She took me in her arms again: "My sweet boy. Did you feel lonely? Did you get hungry?"
I shook my head: "I'm ok, Halina"
"I told you to call me mama"
"Or Nina?" She laughed and pulled me in yet another long hug.
As a baby, I used to call her Nina when I first started talking. My aunt is the best thing in my life...... before I met Ithel, of course. She's beautiful, caring, and highly respected by most Aellas. She was a Leader many years ago when she was eighteen, I think. It seems that the only reason why some do not treat her as their Elder is because of me being fatherless.
Halina, on the other hand, she never lets anyone call me names or mistreat me. I remember when I was a young child, she always defended me. Whenever I started the red fire that is a symbol for calling a meeting with the other clan's Leader, even then she convinced the Leader not to hit. And I was merely punished by spending the night outside the cave.
She fed me, clothed me, and loved me, all without asking for anything back. She loved me as much as she loved her own children, and that meant more than the world for me.
If I wanted anything, no matter what; food, clothes, a fruit, or wood to carve as it was my hobby. All that, I had to find a way to pay for it. I wasn't allowed to go anywhere, so the only way to pay for any of those things, was to work. Except for wood, that had to be brought in by the hunters as I wasn't allowed to use the wood set for the fire. And no Aella hunter agreed to carry such load for the sole purpose of my own entertainment; Except Drita.
I was pulled out of my thoughts when Halina pinched my nose: "I brought you the fish you like!"
"You didn't have to, Nina" I felt guilty knowing that I ate more fish during the last month than I had my whole life
"I would've brought the sea to you if I could" she pulled me along as we headed to the cave, "Oh, I brought you fruits too!"
I pretended to be very excited, my thoughts traveling again to the image of the perfect Aello that haunted my dreams day and night.
~~~~~~~~
I groaned and squeezed my lips in a tight line to keep my voice down. I closed my eyes, trying to imagine myself in a better place; my mind immediately took me to the beautiful huge tree with its large branch that stretched above the sea. Ithel and I spent so many hours on that branch, admiring the setting sun and its reflection on the clear waves-
Another shot of pain brought me out of that beautiful vision. I moaned and bit on my tongue to keep a scream inside me. It will end soon, I thought. Just a few more and it will be all. I lifted my head and breathed, maybe the air would make the pain go away. But that didn't work and the next strike sliced through my skin. I whimpered causing the hits to halt for a moment.
I opened my eyes to see the small cave. I remember the first time I stepped here. Drita had called me to give me a large piece of wood. I think I was around fourteen. Before that, she would give me the occasional fruit or let me touch her weapons and dance around pretending to slay tigers. It was all for free back then. But when she gave me the large piece of wood, she told me I had to pay for it. I agreed, of course, feeling like I would do anything at all to put my hand on such a valuable object.
I couldn't even carry the heavy wood outside. So I took one of her knives and sat beside her. Then I worked on carving a fox into the wood. I had never seen a living fox in my life, but the hunters would bring a killed one from time to time, which probably explains why all the animals I carved were laying down.
The strikes resumed and I yelped in surprise. Drita shushed me, her hand squeezing harder on my left ankle. She was sitting on the ground and holding it to keep me from moving, but it hurt as much as the strikes of the thin branch that she was hitting me with. The back of my thighs was in so much pain that I felt it travel to my stomach.
Help me... I know I did wrong, and Drita told me yesterday that she was going to punish me, but the thin bat hurts so much! Please... save me and I will never lie again... please......
I knew better than to expect anything, though. Praying to the spirits might work sometimes, but it never did whenever I stepped inside this cave. It's like they couldn't hear my pleas anymore.
I unconsciously lifted my left foot a bit to ease her grip, but she thought I was running away. So she clenched her hand harder and pushed my foot on the ground roughly
"Stand still!!!" she barked,
I nodded: "Drita...... I'm sorry! Please, this really hurts!!"
"This will teach you to never lie again, Ceri. Keep your clothes up!"
I did as told; holding my clothes so she could comfortably beat my thighs. It was a spot that could be covered by the clothes. Drita said I should be thankful she was punishing me herself and not telling the Leader and the whole clan on me.
"I-I need to go help m-my aunt-"
"Halina can wait!"
I embraced myself for the next strike that didn't take long to land on my upper thighs. I squealed and jumped slightly when another one followed immediately.
I breathed, doing my best to keep the tears away. I looked at Drita's son who was happily playing on the other end of the small cave. He was lying on his stomach besides the opening of the cave. He looked at me and smiled. After another whimper caused by Drita, I managed to smile back at him
"Ceri, papa said I will go with him next year!"
Lucky you... Papas are great.
I nodded at him, gasping and clenching my hands on my lifted clothes as Drita burned my skin with the thin bat.
"I'm going to be an Aello before Vreis. I am seven next year! Vreis will be only six and he doesn't know how to use weapons"
"STAND STILL!!"
I didn't notice I had moved until Drita yelled at me. Her son pouted when I didn't answer him, and went back to drawing lines on the ground with his mother's small knife. He was used to seeing me get punished. Drita trained him to keep his mouth shut about it. She actually told him that if he didn't listen to her, he'll get beaten by the same bat. And since sometimes he gets to witness my misery, I doubt it even occurs to him to disobey.
My legs were trembling already. I got enough beating to keep me awake at night, but just when I thought I got my fair share, Drita released my ankle and held my upper thigh tightly.
"Higher."
I moaned and hesitated, so she yelled her order again while snapping the bat on my hands this time.
I hurried to obey, but she kept repeating her command again until my backside was fully revealed.
The first strike hurt so much that I bit my tongue and my knees buckled. Drita refused to let me rest and she stood up while she pulled me to stand as well.
This time, she put her left arm around my waist to keep me still and she pulled me closer making my left shoulder touch her body. Her right hand was behind my back, delivering the burning discipline.
I asked for forgiveness again. I bit my lip and threw my head back to keep myself from crying, while Drita watched me closely with an emotionless face.
Eventually, the punishment was over. I pulled my clothes down and moved to lean on the wall to even my breathing. I had to look normal when I went back outside, or the Aellas, especially Halina, they could get suspicious of me.
Drita came back to stand beside me, it was the same stance as earlier; one arms draped around my waist and the other was behind me. I looked at her in panic, thinking she was going to hit me again. Before I could plead for her forgiveness, her hand moved under my lower clothes and grabbed my upper thigh.
I winced as the wounds burned like fire. Only a few seconds later did I realize that her hand was carrying something squishy and cold, causing my injuries to hurt.
Drita's hand caressed my skin as she spoke: "This should help with the pain. Come back to get more tomorrow", her hand moved up to apply the mushy substance to my backside, making me stand on my toes to try and avoid her palm.
I felt so embarrassed, but she didn't even care: "Come back tomorrow and I'll give you more so you can heal better. If you don't come here after I get back from my hunt, Ceri, I will come get you myself"
I nodded my understanding. After a few minutes more, she renewed her threats and released me. I headed outside her cave walking funny. Every step hurt and I just wanted to sleep and not wake up before the pain was gone.