She had done her best to mind her tongue as the hunters talked quietly about her, thinking she couldn’t hear them. One thing she had always had was a keen sixth sense and an equally attuned ear for bullshit. And this band of sweaty, muscular hunters were talking their fair share, even as they carried their kills between them, the dead and cleaned animals slung on a long pole.

Where Darla was concerned, it seemed that once they got past her smaller stature and decidedly unusual coloration, the curves of her body had managed to draw a different sort of notice, and from more than one of them.

It seemed that there was something of a skewed ratio of males to females in their tribe, and the arrival of fresh meat was making more than one of them stare with barely hidden interest.

“Do not worry about them,” Heydar said. “You are a novelty, but without the Infala marked on your body there is no hope for a union.”

“The what? Oh, you mean that tattoo you were talking about.”

“It is more than just that. The living pigment within the rune bonds its owner to their mate, though it is often a difficult process finding them.”

“What, so your magic markings don’t pull you together like magnets?”

“You feel the draw in the general area, but until you lay eyes on your mate’s Infala, you are left to wonder upon whom it resides. And where.”

“So, it’s like an Easter egg hunt.”

“I do not know what this Easter egg is. But it is a hunt of sorts, yes.”

“And that’s how you found your partner? A random feeling drawing you together?”

His jaw twitched. “I am unbonded. But that is how it works, yes.”

This tidbit was news to her, but then learning all about the strange alien mating rituals was more than a little out of her depth. All she did know was that so long as she wasn’t all inked up, the interest of the hunters was merely academic.

Or so she hoped.

Heydar hadn’t said anything about casual encounters, however, and judging by the glances coming her way there was always the chance one or more of them might get ideas. Fortunately, the village came into sight when they rounded the next small hillock, and the hunting party’s demeanor shifted to that of macho bravado as they returned from their task.

It was a rather quaint looking home. Rustic and old-timey. Buildings were made of branches and vines, some covered in mud to shield from heat or cold. Others were no more than large tents or yurts. The overall feel was quite tribal, though the pale green alien inhabitants were certainly not from the Wild West.

Tall trees bordered one side of the encampment, while another abutted a cluster of rocky outcroppings and small hills, their tops dotted with vegetation. There was the faint whiff of moisture in the air, which explained how everything was so lush. Darla couldn’t help but find the whole setting kind of pleasant, all things considered.

The hunting group led them into the village, weaving between the structures until they reached what was just about the center of the village. Long communal tables surrounded a dormant fire pit. Shirtless males were busy preparing wood for the evening’s fire while others scrubbed the table with buckets of water.

An old woman approached them, her body covered in fine lines and runes, many of them in an almost glowing pale ink, while other less active colors played second fiddle. She walked with the bearing of a woman who was used to getting her way. Darla took a liking to her immediately.

“We are returned, and we bring friends, Rohanna,” Adzus said.

The men carefully lowered their kills and dropped to one knee. Heydar followed suit, bowing his head in respectful greeting. Darla, however, stood tall, locking eyes with the woman. For her part, Rohanna took the human female’s insubordination quite well. In fact, after so long having others tiptoe around her, it was quite a refreshing change of pace.

“Come closer,” she directed the strange newcomer. “I would take a better look at you.”

Darla stepped forward. “So, you’re the boss around here?”

“One could say that,” she replied with a chuckle, her tattoos shifting and brightening with her mirth. “I help guide the Oraku toward a more harmonious life.”

“Oh, I get it. The whole nature thing. I suppose that explains the primitive camp. Um, no offense. It’s lovely, really.”

Rohanna let out a laugh. “Oh, you are an amusing one. I am so glad Adzus brought you to me. But I can assure you, though we live a basic lifestyle here, we are not ignorant savages as it might appear at first glance. We have chosen not to engage with the others. To live without constant competition and pursuit of more.”

“Wait, you said others.”

“There are more races than ours on this world,” Rohanna replied.

Heydar lifted his head and stood tall. “You say there are others, wise one?”

“Please, you may call me Rohanna. And yes, my Nimenni friend, I am familiar with your race, though I have not seen the likes of your kind for some time. But this one, she is something new.”

“She is called a human.”

Darla bristled slightly. “I can speak for myself, you know.”

Heydar’s tattoos darkened slightly, almost as if he was blushing through his pigment. “Apologies. Of course.”

Darla looked back at their host. “My name’s Darla, and yes, I am what’s called a human. But my people aren’t really space explorers. Not yet, anyway. That’s why you haven’t seen us before.”

The old woman raised an eyebrow, curiosity clear in her expression.

“It was the Raxxians, Rohanna,” Adzus said. “We came across pieces of debris on our hunt. One of their vessels crashing down is what we heard the other day.”

“Raxxians?” she said with a sour look on her face. “We do not approve of the Raxxians. Brutish creatures, the lot of them.”

“You can say that again,” Darla agreed. “But it wasn’t just one ship that crashed. We were held on a transport. From what Heydar said, it broke up into pieces and landed scattered all over the place. There’s a very real possibility others might have survived.”

This bit of information piqued Rohanna’s interest. She turned to Adzus. “Your opinion, hunter?”

“If there are others, they are beyond our borders. Perhaps other tribes have encountered them. Or even some of the offworlder settlements. But we cannot say for certain.”

“Hmm,” was all the old woman said as she fell into deep thought. A moment later she turned her bright eyes to her guests. “There is much to discuss, it would seem, but you have both been through a lot. Please, follow my helper, Moraki. She will guide you to the nourishing hot springs. The minerals will soothe your aches and revitalize your spirits. Once you have bathed, we will dine and discuss things further.”

Heydar gave a slight bow. “Thank you, Wise One. Your hospitality is greatly appreciated.

“Yeah, what he said,” Darla added.

Moraki, the slender, young woman who had been shadowing Rohanna, stepped forward and extended her arm to guide the duo. “Please, this way. I will show you to the springs.”

“Excellent,” Heydar said. “We could certainly use it.”

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CHAPTER ELEVEN

The natural spring was situated in a rocky outcropping at the far edge of the village. Darla was pleased to note as they grew closer that there was no foul sulphur smell wafting through the air. She’d been to that kind of hot spring in the past, and while it had been refreshing, the lingering smell of farts and rotten eggs was less than desirable.

She and Heydar were drawing a bit of attention as they were led to the springs. With curious eyes emerging to gawk at the newcomers, Darla noted that there really was a distinct lack of women in the village. She was a guest of Rohanna, and as such none would think to offend her, but nevertheless she felt like a prize sow on display at a county fair.