Beats

[Disclaimer:This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The Author holds exclusive rights to this work. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited.]

. . .


Ero crouched low in the brush. Beneath his fingers the dirt felt warm and firm. The last night of the hunt always hosted the most dangerous of hunts: the hunt for predators. Only the strongest, most experienced hunters ventured into the forest at night. The fires and smell of cooked meats and food carried into the nearby wilderness, hopefully drawing with it offering for the god.

In the nearly moonless night, Ero waited for the leopards he hoped to attract with the bloodied monkey carcass. Nothing more than weasels and owls appeared. There in the darkness, a soft rustling of underbrush brought Ero to his twos again. A warm grumble of warning carried through the air before the large golden pelted cat padded into the area. It’s eyes glowed in the soft light of what starlight made it through the canopy.

Bending its great, muscled neck, the leopard sniffled the meat and turned its maw to look around.

Heart beating fast in his chest, Ero launched the spear with deadly speed.

The leopard ducked from the attack and growled a warning.

Ero remained half crouched, his eyes on the leopard’s. A moment before the tiger leapt he knew.

Lunging forward and hoping to attach from above, the leopard ran and pounced at Ero.

Ero pressed forward with the knowledge of a season’s leopard hunter buried his knives up into the leopard’s stomach before dragging them through flesh as he hurried from the dangerous beast. He kept as much distance between the bleeding leopard, the adrenaline feeding his reflexes.

As blood continued to pour onto the ground in the leopard began to sense the depth of his injuries and started to back up, flashing teeth and claws as Ero pressed forward now and then.

One step forward and the leopard began to stalk forward at Ero again. Once it ran there would only be spoiled meat for scavengers. The leopard lunged again with its lightning quickness and Ero dashed out of the way, taking claws to the side before burying a dagger to the leopard’s neck. Blood sprayed up and into Ero’s chest and face as he quickly backed away again.

It stalked faster now.

He backed away and grunted in victory as the back legs of the cat collapsed with the wooziness of blood loss.

A roar of anger and frustration pierced the night.

Both predator’s panted, locking eyes with this dangerous opponent.

Claws flashed weakly but Ero avoided them easily as he rounded the cat and slit its throat deeply, a slower trickle of blood escaping and the body slumped.

Raising his head, Ero stood to his full height and let out a load call.

. . .

Lan leaned over the growing herb bushes. Shy leave poked up from the ground in cheery bright greens. The morning sun over his shoulder cast soft clear beams of light through the air. He could pull the plaints up at the first sign of the rain season or he could leave them and pray they lasted through the rain, most likely they wouldn’t. He’d lose the whole crop if they drowned. Without growing sources of herbs he’d risk longer healing times and more deaths. A wild herb hunt had only yielded so many varieties of plants. With questions about the previous healer’s plant grounds, brought less information than expected. A sigh breathed from his chest as he headed back to the village.

Last night the hunters spent the evening searching for prey. Much to Lan’s relief he’d been free of Ero’s healing yesterday and would be again today. He debated returning Ero’s gift several times, but couldn’t think of a way to do so without drawing attention to the situation or insulting the other man.

The last groups of straggling women headed for the cleansing grounds. Some had already returned to prepare their offerings or continue to prepare for the beginning of the feast. Phena crept out of the hut at first light, despite Lan’s advice and Mali hadn’t returned until late into the evening. Once the last of the women returned the men would leave to cleanse.

Time quickly ticked by between the start of the feast at high light. The ceremony would last until the first light of the morning when The God returned to his throne in the sky.

Quietly, Lan crept into the hut to gather his things. He had to tend to his own rituals before The God’s feast. The silence of his small oasis echoed with the power of running water. He closed his eyes and let the world of his life drift away. He’d done this before and the familiarity of the bone comb in his hand soothed all of his worry over the feast. A smile crossed his lips as he remembered…

. . .

Ero stared out at the gathering of people. Women grouped together in anticipation of the beginning of the feast.

The Holy Man traced the circle of the drums with his staff and the beat began. Tetonia danced, the hides and cape of his dress swaying with the beat of his feet. The drums pounded in a brilliant complex rhythm that soaked into Ero’s chest.

The familiar chat began somewhere to the right as the people of the village picked up on the dance and began to join in.

. . .

Standing at the edge of the crowd and watching in awe as the entire village began to sing and chant together. The simple, quiet ceremonies of his own people didn’t prepare him for this. Through wide eyes he looked up under the hood of his cloak of foliage to the people around him.

The few glances that came his way made Lan drop his gaze to the ground. In Amba territory the stares would come his way for not being able to afford the bone and metal circlets for his limbs and neck. Other villagers would smirk that his hooded cloth and pull their silk ones closer to their pale skin. Here the eyes pierced him with accusation; He did not belong, but he couldn’t afford to anger The God with his absence.

The crowd moved through the village and into the forest. Lan followed with bowed head, whispering the songs of his people.

. . .

Surrounded by the chanting of his fellow hunters, Ero trailed behind the Holy man side by side with Kinma. The absence of the Healer beside them seemed odd. Ero didn’t have time to think about it as they ducked through the tight brush before the forest opened to the tall stone temple.

. . .

Lan stared up and the huge towering pillars of stone that pushed through the canopy to the sky at the four corners of the stepped platform. At the center of the top most platform A huge obelisk stretched above them into the sky. Step by step the leaders of the tribe walked up the platform, the village remaining behind them on the forest floor.

. . .

“Powerful and Strong God. We come before you to offer gifts.” Tetonia called to the central obelisk. “We are your people, and low before your might.”

The chanting of the people continued at the base of the temple in a low constant hum.

“I stand before you as Chief of your people, The Naltuk. I bring the finest of our weapons, hydes, and pottery.” Kinma bowed and returned to the base of the platform to have his arms piled high with belongings. He made his way back up the steep steps. He laid them at the top of the platform. “These gifts we give to you.”

One loud grunting cheer sounded from the people in unison.

“I stand before you as Lead Hunter of your people, the Naltuk.” Ero’s voice boomed. I come offering the gift of your most fearsome predators.”

The heavy body of his prey was passed over his shoulders at the base of het temple steps. The tension weighed heavy in the air as he began to carry the unbearable weight up the steps. To drop the offering meant disaster for the hunt. “We offer these gifts.” He lay the cat down on the top of the alter.

Another call went up from the base of the temple.

“God we pray you accept these gifts and take them on behalf of your people.” The Holy Man bowed to the obelisk and stepped back, turning his face to the crowd.

The chanting grew louder and louder. Two drummers led Ero and Kinma to the village and through the crowd of villagers.

Tetonia remained at the top of the platform as villagers began to climb the steps and place their gifts according to their place in the village. Large game, jewelry, food, bowls, spears and hydes covered the steps of the temple.

Lan watched from the lower branches of a tree as one by one, people placed their offerings and returned the same way they came. It was a slow process as everyone bowed to offer their own person prayers before standing and returning to the feast. The drum beat remained steady until only the drummers remained. Together they came forward offering choice instruments or other gifts of their own.

. . .

Ero looked around the masses of people singing and dancing happily. Lan’s empty space at the head of the tribe bothered him. The man should know the power of his position.

“It was a good ceremony.” Kinma clapped Ero on the back.

“Yes. I hope The God will come to us tonight.”

“We shall see at sunset if we’ve pleased him.”

Ero nodded. “Why was Lan not with us in the procession?”

“I spoke with him yesterday morning. He did not want to gain attention. He said he wouldn’t risk The God’s displeasure by acting above his place.”

Ero’s face twisted in confusion.

“To his people, a healer is not a high place. It is just a necessary one.”

“He is one of us now.”

“He said he would make his offering as well, but could not risk the welfare of the tribe by angering The God. How could I force him?”

Ero shook his head. “He only makes things worse by not joining at the head. The people will see it as shun.”

“He must do what he will. The God does not accept forced gifts.”

“I prayed to be The Huntsman this night.” Ero changed the subject. “If I claim him this night, will you acknowledge it?”

Kinma laughed. “You sound like a child of few summers.” He laughed again, “If The God answers your call I will accept it.” Kinma nodded. “I won’t deny a union blessed by The God.”

“It will be me.”

Kinma laughed harder. “In that case, I will give you time to prepare. I hear The God’s possession is quite powerful an experience.” Shaking his head, Kinma walked out into the joyous crowd.

Favoring the edge of the crowd, Ero stood and waited for his time to come.

. . .

Lan approached the temple steps slowly; Tetonia smiled at him.

“Please come and offer your gift, Healer of the Naltuk.”

“I come before you God, to offer you my only possession of worth.” Lan went to his knees and pushed his hood back with one hand. Trembling hands brought the staff forward. The metal circlets tinked happily as he bowed his hands, placing it on the ground in front of the first step.

Tetonia raised an eye at the gesture. Lan placed himself below even the most frivolous child of the tribe. He strained to hear Lan’s quiet prayer. The breeze rustled through the through the trees protecting his word.

“God, I am the lowest of this tribe.” Lan ducked his head to his hands, his nose an inch from the ground. “I offer my staff. It is all I have to offer. I wish I could offer you herb stores or salves or oils or hunt or jewelry, but I have nothing. Please forgive my meager gift. I’m sorry to come before you bearing so little. Please bless the Naltuk with good hunt and a light rain season. Please keep your people strong and healthy so that we might survive. Please watch over my sister and bring her a strong and able bodied husband. Give Ero a much need mate. Give Rosh his own mate. The village would rejoice in the children of such fine hunters. I know I ask much for so little. I have nothing else but my own body to offer and I don’t believe you would take so lowly an offering.”

Standing, Lan raised his voice again. “I make this offering to you.”

Raising his hood he headed back to the village in the dimming light.

. . .

The steady beat of drums picked up pace and chanting grew louder as people anticipated the setting sun. The tension and noise grew louder and louder. As the sun slipped beneath the horizon the celebration came to a sudden halt. In complete silence people looked around. A strong breeze blew through the village.

. . .

A man stood in the coming darkness, his lips parted in a gasp as his back arched.

“I have come to answer your prayer.” The powerful voice boomed in the man’s ears and his eyes widened half in fear and half in the shock of the resonance through this body. The bright, shining presence shoved its way into the man’s body.

The head snapped back and arms stretched wide as the body sought purchase on anything nearby. The God filled the body.

Gasps left the humans lips as the body raised into the air, illuminated in the bright rays of The God’s golden light.

Stretching new fingers, The God touched his bare feet to the ground. The long flowing pelt of The God trailed behind as he made his way further into the people. The smirk on his lips was hidden as he moved to take his place.

“The God.” The anonymous shout went up and people rushed to bow and part for The God.

Some people here and there sought to find the face of The God, wanting to know The Huntsman and who he would claim. Their eyes were drawn to the strange and powerful presence that traveled among them. There was no doubt. The God accepted their gifts.

At the center of the drum circle, The God pressed a palm to the head of his priest. Children and people whispered back and forth in surprise and excitement.

The God’s laugh was a joyous loud melody, heavy and light at the same time as it traveled through the crowd. “Rise up my people. I’ve come for your offerings and to feast and take my fill of your village.”

In one swift motion, he removed the hood of his cloak.

. . .

Fleur: I'm glad that Beats is in your top 5 and 'm happy to hear that you're so excited about my wriitng. Really I'm blessed with your presence. Ero was taken from Eros yes. Lan can donate sperm to bearing children... Like in a boy mets girl way, but not in a mpreg way... He's a boy.... tat means he lacks the equipment to do so...

BRM: Update away!

Johnny101: Yes men are tenacious sometimes.

JtheChosen1: The villagers honestly believe in this legend. They warn the ones they love and offer gifts. To them, its sort of like a valentine becuase it is believed that the god will take the love of hte Huntsman (in a physical fuck sense) and therefore they confess before hand so the mate might be prepared to defend themselves or to accept the taking.

Kylee: I think that lots of people want what they can't have, Ero and Rosh are both in that category at the moment, even Lan.

Jeazard: Dependign on what you ask The God might answer... Is it hot mansex???? A pony??? Ero getting kicked in the bits??? Rosh finally capturing Lan in his web of lust???