Beats

The movement of the breeze crashed into the leaves creating a cacophony of rustling and shifting plants and the beating of wings as birds sought better vantages. The faint smell of rain came on the wind. Ero remained in the tree, poised and ready for the attack. His breath came in deep gentle pulls meditatively silent as his ears honed in on the sound of movement. The rhythmic beat of running came in a base pulse against the tremble singing of the world around him. Five, no six of the boars were coming this way. Over the stones that led away from the small stream, into the small clearing, he tracked the resonance of their hooves against the ground. They were getting close now, maybe twenty spears away.

‘Wait. What was that?’

‘Harsh, clinking? Metal. Where?’

‘Bells.’

His eyes immediately searched around. ‘Not here. Not now.’ He jumped from the branch running through the brush, the hoof beats coming ever closer to his heels.

. . .

The metal circlets attached to his staff sounded like a chime in the breeze. Laying his staff against the nearby tree, he tightened his pouch belts around his waist. The drum at his hip shifted awkwardly making him stumble for a moment before he righted himself and took his staff back up in his hand. The small village of the Naltuk, where he sought rest, lay somewhere beyond the river. When last the elder sent word, the tribe of 40 was without the aid of a healer and desperately sought someone trained by the Amba in exchange for a moon’s worth of hunt. The Amba, a rather harvest oriented tribe known for their healers could not afford to refuse the generosity, this summer’s crops grew sparse after the recent tribal fallout between the Amba and the Susek over the eastern hunting grounds. Between raids and theft, there was little left to feed the growing population.

Lan sighed and forced himself onward, well aware that by leaving his own people behind he’d assured his sister a full share in the promised hunt and double the harvest ground next planting. It wasn’t much but enough to see her married to a strong hunter or at least able to survive until she could.

“INTO THE TREES!” The shouting took him by surprise and he looked up at the man running toward him. “MOVE!”

He hesitated, only to be thrown over a strong shoulder. His drum strap slipped over his head, the instrument hitting the ground with a loud thud.

Lan cringed. “What are you doing!?” The jungle became louder birds fleeing and flapping their way from the area.

“No time. Up.” Another shove and he found himself facing a large tree trunk.

Before he could respond he found the branch above him within reach as the man picked him up and shoved him into the air. With an umph, he grabbed hold and managed to awkwardly climb up.

The wild haired, boy followed with ease. The sound of the approached pack became louder.

“Oh no!” He moved to get down from the tree. Fighting to grab his drum and staff before whatever was heading this way crushed them.

“No. Not enough time.”

He wiggled more attempting to lower himself only to be pulled tight against a large chest. He couldn’t lose that staff.

“NO. They’re here.”

Lan struggled more harshly jabbing the warrior in the stomach with his elbows. He watched in utter shock as the pack of boars entered the area and unceremoniously trampled through. The drum his mother gave him lost in a sea of herding black bodies, his staff disappearing into the dirt and underbrush.

“No!”he struggled more, but the villager just pulled his head to the naked tan chest and held him tightly.

“Quiet or they’ll know we’re here.”

The deep resonance in that large chest calmed him, but his eyes remained on the spot his things previously occupied. ‘Gone’

They sat there for a moment. The hoof beats lost in the distance now, the quiet music of the birds returning replacing the silence of Lan’s loss.

Lifelessly, Lan let himself be lowered to the ground. He walked stiffly to the crushed skeleton of his drum. The taut skin now punctured where something shoved through it, the barrel cracked and broken and in pieces scattered over the ground. The precious wood dented in several places and discarded like garbage. It took him fifteen summers to earn that drum, his mother took two seasons to carve it and stretch the hide. She and his sister sold off most of their summer crop to by the hide while he apprenticed with the healer.

“Here.”

Lan looked up at the hulking figure next to him. The leather strapped legs dirty with dust and sweat. The tan chest leading up to the stern face told of time in the sun, on the hunt. The single, powerful hand offering his staff dwarfed his own as he took the offered item. “Thank you for your help.” He looked back down at the sad remains of his drum.

“The village will give you a new drum.”

Lan’s temper flared. “That drum can’t be replaced!” He stormed off. Not bothering to look back at the shocked face of the hunter.

. . .
Ero watched as the slighter man stomped off in the direction of the village, the weight of the pouches swaying slightly with his gate. The temper had been unexpected, the ignorance of the boar unheard of. It was that silly man’s fault for walking around like a damn wind chime anyway. He shook his head at the mess on the ground. It had been a fine drum, but drums didn’t catch fish, or boar. They didn’t water crops or harvest fruit. Drums could be replaced. He’d risked his spear and his body to save that man. He sighed, the boar gone for the day and the fish would already be at the bottom of the lake by now. He’d have to wait for tomorrow to resume the hunt.

He followed the angry clinking of the man ahead of him. Amused at the way he fumed and fussed, the long braid swinging in back of his head and leading down the cloth wrapped bottom. Now that was a sight he caused get used to seeing. The sway of the long braid, the swing of the pouches, the long legs lean with muscle. In no time he’d be someone’s mate.

He watched as the boy entered the village, his dark hair drawing stares. The medallion on his chest telling those in the village he was not one of them. Ero nodded his hello to some of the men that came from their tents to see the commotion.

“Ero, did you finally bring back a pretty nymph to mate with.”

“You know me Tilka. Not a woman out there that can keep me more than a moon or two.” He shook the wrist of the other man.

“So what is this all about than?”

“I believe I may have found the Amba healer that Kinma traded for.”

“Oh really, and what is the old goat like?”

“That’s the funny part. It’s not some old cow like Meil. It’s a boy. A young one from what I can tell.”

“Really now. Maybe I should have a look at him then.”

“At least give the poor thing half a day before you harass him.”

“If he’s half a looker he’ll be gone by then.”

Ero laughed and rolled his eyes, heading back to his hut for his sunset meal. The hide from the deer two days ago was still slightly moist. He pushed back the flap of hide at his door and walked into his large but cozy hut. The large pile of furs and soft grasses lay in one corner. The cooking pots lay staked to one side opposite of them, no less than a dozen knives and spears lay out. From his jerky pouch he pulled a chunk of dried two day deer and lay on his bed roll. His mind drifted back to the feel of that slender body against his. The soft face of the healer against his chest burned oddly hot against his skin.

The sight of those slender hips came to mind. He imagined the pink plump lips wrapped around him in the same ‘oh’ they formed when the boy first spotted the boar. One hand slipped down the front of his leather wrap. His hard cock jumped against his hand. He imagined spreading the boy out, removing that silky wrap from his body to reveal a pink cock, hard and waiting for him. Would he look just as shocked when first entered? Would he moan loudly, letting the village know he was taken?

“Ero get out here quick, you’ll want to see this.”

He groaned and adjusted himself, his hardness angry with the neglect. Stepping from the tent he looked around to see what was going on. He watched in surprise as the boy from earlier was shoved to the ground, the wife of the chier standing over him.

A growl boiled in Ero’s stomach. “What is going on her Lala?” He stepped into the now opening circle where the boy sat on the ground.

“This boy claims to be a healer. He comes here asking for my mate. Do you think I’m an idiot?” She stepped forward and moved to strike the boy.”

Ero stepped between her and the healer. “Stop this now. You have no rights to attack this boy. “ He pulled the young man to his feet. “ Did you even bother to ask for his marking.” Ero pulled the medallion from the boy’s neck. “Here is your proof he is of the Amba. You would endanger a treaty between to tribes over your jealousy.”

“But he-“

“Lala!” The chief voice broke through the circle. The large man entered and moved to face Ero. The two stood eye to eye for a moment.

Lan shrank back uncertain as to what was going to happen next.

“I owe you a debt Ero.”

“But Kin-“ Her voice died out and her eyes fell to her feet at his stern stare.

“Lala return to our hut. The council will decide your punishment after we have welcomed the new healer.”

She looked up in shock but then nodded and returned the direction she’d come from.

Kinma turned back to Lan and extended his hand, the tension melting from his shoulders. “Welcome to the tribe, healer. What are you called?”

Lan straightened himself for a moment. “I am Lan of the Amba, Chief Kinma.” He bowed low the silken shawl over one shoulder fluttering at the ground.

“Welcome Lan. It is good that you arrived in one piece.”

“Yes I only had a brief run in with boar.”

The chief raised an eyebrow and looked down at the thin boy, “Really? How did you manage to escape that.”

“With the help of one of your people I believe.” Lan motioned to the warrior behind him a cold look over his face.

The chief laughed heartily. “That would be Ero. Most likely he’s not too pleased with it either. That was his hunt he saved you from.”

Lan stopped and looked back at the hunter. “My apologies. I know what a missed hunt can cost.”

Ero was taken back by the sudden sincerity in the boys voice.

Kinma let out another chuckle, “Lan why don’t you go ahead to the fire and get some food. I’ll be along shortly after I discuss some matters with Ero.”

Lan nodded and moved off, his hips swaying in that same seductive manor that refused to release Ero’s eyes. The pale curve of the boys spine blinked in and out of sight with the movement of the silk over one of his shoulders. For being so slight, the boy still managed to look sturdy.

“Should I call Tetika?” The Chief spoke quietly but still made Ero start.

Ero scowled at the mention of the old priest. The small frail man was too old to do anything other than mating ceremonies these days, the rest of his duties falling on his son, Tetonia. “Of course not.”

They walked for a moment in silence

“The hunt was unwell today. Kali caught enough fish for those that don’t hunt but I was unable to capture any larger game.”

“I didn’t ask to speak to you about the hunt, Ero. We both know that there is still enough of the deer left from the large hunt two days ago.”

“Yes but the young children need as much fresh meat as possible, soon it will be time for the serious training to begin with the next group of hunters.”

“So business minded.” Kinma laughed, clapping Ero over one shoulder. “Speaking of the next generation, what do you think of our healer?”

Ero paused for a moment. The boy was small, but quick enough when he moved. Pretty enough to find a hunting mate but sharp tongued enough to send most away. “I think he’s going to need some time.”

“Rather careful answer, Ero. If I didn’t know better I’d say you didn’t like Lan much.”

“I don’t know the man, Kinma.” He didn’t look at the elder man, knowing the smile that would be on his face.

“Ah but you will, because he will be staying with you.”

Ero stopped. “What have I done to deserve such punishment?”

Kinma raised an eye. “It’s not punishment. I’ve spoke with the others and there just isn’t anyone else with the space. Until we have time to build a hut we don’t have anywhere to put him. As much as I would like to take him to my own, Lala has already seen to making that impossible.”

Ero sighed.

“And you’ll keep him safe. From the sounds of it you already have.”

The two resumed their slow pace toward the fires. “Very well.”
“Cheer up Ero, there’s an extra hide of aged fruit for you.”

Ero shook his head and laughed. “Make that two. I think I’ll need it.”