Chapter 11

Adrik

Yaran was known to be the finest clothier in our Thrail. She was one of a handful of Mitran females who still remained with us. Her spacious shop was filled with fine fabrics in many colors and styles, for clothes meant to be worn in layers to accommodate for the rapidly changing weather in this part of the planet. The valley rarely got rain, but the cold and heat were hard to predict, and the wind added another layer of uncertainty. On top of that was a reality that we had lived with for many, many generations—an enemy lived right over the ridge and our people, males and females, needed to be able to fight and flee. Neither activity could be done in the type of clothing Lise had brought with her.

“Wow.” Lise looked around. Flowers grew along the wall, originating from a pot in the corner, but the vusta vines curled around the room, adding beauty and a sweet sugary smell to the air. Added to the clothing and jewelry, it was a lot for the senses to take in.

“You can pick them,” I said over her shoulder. “But Yaran may not like it.”

She gave me a sour look, but there was humor in it.

Yaran was an older Mitran—a member of the elder council—but her posture was perfect and she was slender and fit with kind eyes and patient hands. When the Thrail’s remaining females began to age and pass away, Yaran adjusted her shop to cater to males. She made fine armor and accessories for hunting and fighting, as well as merchant wear and farming attire. But now, it was a pleasure to see the return of some female clothing.

“Ra-Yaran.” I greeted her with a slight bow, using the prefix of respect for an elder. “This is Lise Avory, a visitor from Earth. Lise, Yaran is the owner of the shop.”

“Welcome, Lise.” Yaran spread her hands. The many bracelets on both wrists jangled. Silver chains swung between her horns, which were inlaid with more silver and winked with embedded jewels. It had been a common practice to add adornments to females’ horns. I missed the artistry, and that was another reminder of what we lost when our numbers began to decline and our females no longer produced female children, resulting in the current population crisis.

“There’s no question what you are looking for,” said Yaran, moving in. Her dark, astute gaze moved over Lise with precision. Even with Lise wearing a robe, she would know the human’s measurements. “What can we get started with today?”

“Um.” Lise looked back at me with uncertainty in her eyes. “The warlord generously offered to get me some new clothes. He says the ones I brought aren’t suitable for Mitra.”

“Oh, Warlord,” she smiled and glided over to me. Her eyes twinkled. “How are you, dear Adrik? It has been quite some time since you’ve come to me for pants and vests. Perhaps I can put in an order for you.”

“That would be fine, Yaran,” I said indulgently. I didn’t need new pants or vests. I didn’t need anything at the moment, thanks to the quality of her clothing. I wore the plastoid-metal armor on patrols. It was lightweight enough to be comfortable, but strong enough to withstand almost anything Dessicans could shoot at me.

“My butuni.” She patted my cheek, as she had done since I was a little boy. I bowed to her with a smile and a shake of my head. “My measurements are unchanged. Order me whatever you think will look good.”

Her eyes flicked up and down. “You have lost a bit of weight in the waist.” She waggled a finger at me. “Do not lose more or I will have to adjust all of your other pants.”

Lise stared at me, mouth open in shock at what transpired between Yaran and me. When the garment maker left to input a quick order from my clothes, she came to my side and looked up, still in awe. “She doesn’t treat you like a warlord. Who is she to you? Is she a princess?”

“She is one of the few remaining female elders in our Thrail, and she was also a good friend to my mother. Therefore, she’s a good friend to me.”

Lise blinked slowly. “A friend to your mother. Is your mom…?”

I shook my head. “She passed some years ago, but she did live to see me become warlord.”

“I’m sorry,” Lise said softly. “You must miss her.”

“Of course. She was my mother.” I did miss her, but the illness that took her had been exceptionally cruel. Her suffering at the end of her life made her passing to Skrah’s light a blessing.

Lise opened her mouth to ask another question, but I was saved by Yaran sweeping back into the room, jewelry tinkling, long silken caftan swishing. “Now, where shall we begin with you, butuni?” The affectionate endearment was for Lise this time and it surprised me. It wasn’t a term she generally used for customers. My interest in Lise must have been obvious to Yaran, who perhaps saw the human as my future—or current—mate. She rubbed her long hands together and sized up Lise with obvious enjoyment. “I do love working with a new client.”

Lise turned from me to her, spread her arms and said the very last thing I expected. “I have no idea where to begin. I leave myself in your capable hands.”

By the way Yaran’s face lit up, she was delighted by Lise’s words. “Excellent. Then we shall begin.”

I leaned against the wall and watched as Yaran went through her stock, teaching Lise about Mitran fabrics and styles, and which ones were best in what weather. It was quite the education, even for me. I thought little about clothing, aside from the necessity to wear it.

When the two of them headed for a curtain partition, I snatched the flycam out of the air before it tried to follow them into the changing room. I shut it off and tucked the annoying thing in a pouch that hung from my belt. That was the last I saw of the females for a while. I could hear the murmured voices punctuated by laughter and occasional whispers, and allowed a smile to curve my lips. It pleased me to make Yaran happy. She was very special to my mother and like an aunt to me.

Two human females entered the shop and saw only me leaning against the wall. They looked nervous and scurried out, and I wondered what it was about me that seemed to incite such a reaction. Lise didn’t seem to be afraid of me. At least, not anymore.

Not long afterward, Yaran and Lise emerged from behind the curtain and all thoughts scattered from my mind. Lise wore a deep green bodysuit in the same shade as the flecks in her eyes. It skimmed her body, emphasizing her curves. The neckline was wide, putting her collarbones and long, smooth neck on display. She wore soft-sole boots and held a golden cloak for the colder weather.

Yaran had pulled Lise’s hair back in a long, sleek tail and had weaved some gold threads into it. I had thought Lise was beautiful before, but dressed in Mitran clothing, she made my mouth go dry. She planted her hands on her hips and raised one eyebrow. “Well, what do you think, Warlord?”

“I think Yaran is the finest clothier this Thrail has ever known.”

Yaran preened, but her eyes narrowed. “You are complimenting the wrong female, Adrik.”

I stepped forward, plucked one of Lise’s hands from her hips and held it out. I allowed my gaze to move over her slowly, appraisingly, enjoying the flush that stained her cheeks. “I approve.”

She snatched her hand back, eyes flashing. “What a relief. I was so worried.” She began to turn away, but I reached out and placed a hand on her waist. She froze instantly.

I pulled her gently towards me, but not against me. What I was doing now was too much. Against the rules. I shouldn’t be touching her at all, but she was not shifting away from my gentle hold. She was moving where I guided her. Drawing her close. “You look astoundingly beautiful,” I murmured.

She blinked up at me, taking in my words, perhaps trying to form some of her own but coming up empty. Those beautiful lips opened, then closed.

“I think Lise here needs some jewelry.” Yaran snapped her fingers. “Come here, Adrik. Let’s pick some out.”

Lise gave me a bewildered look, but I guided her to the enormous displays dripping with jewels from all over the quadrant. Yaran did not make jewelry, but she purchased it for the shop. I could see the craftsmanship of dozens of species’ techniques and styles, even some items that were meant for beings shaped very differently than us.

“What do you think of this one?” Yaran lifted a necklace comprised of hundreds of thin, gold chains. It was meant to be worn almost like a garment itself. I imagined Lise in that and only that and swallowed heavily as my cock thickened in my pants. I waved a hand, finding this exercise increasingly torturous. “Whatever she wants.”

A gentle hand rested on my forearm. “Warlord, this has gone beyond simple generosity. I can’t have you buying me jewelry. That’s just way too much.”

She had forgotten about the flycam, which lay dormant in my pouch, and thank Skrah for that. This had been meant to be a simple shopping trip, coupled with an informative tour of the Thrail—including a lesson on what plants not to touch—and it had changed into a dance I was neither expecting nor able to perform with any skill. “As you wish, Lise.”

Yaran’s sharp eyes moved between the two of us from behind the counter. “How about one item. And this one is from me to you.” She crouched down below the counter and rummaged amongst something out of my sight. She emerged with a black silky bag, pulled open the drawstring, and poured out a simple necklace. It was made of Sikrian gold, which meant it was a deep, lustrous amber color and didn’t glitter like other golds. It moved and shone like liquid. A simple Cratas emerald pendant hung from it. Not that rare, but singular and unique. The sight of it made my throat tighten. “Yaran,” I said through a tight throat. “Are you certain?”

“It is perfect for her.” Yaran’s gaze didn’t move off Lise’s face. A glint of certainty shown in her dark eyes. “Do you like it, my dear?”

Lise blinked at the deep green stone. It was so dark, it appeared black in the dim light, and its true colors came out only in the brightest of Skrah’s light. “It’s beautiful,” she said in a choked voice. “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. But I can’t accept it. I’m only here for six months.”

Yaran slipped it into Lise’s palm and closed her fingers around it. “Tell you what. Wear it while you’re here and return it before you leave. Consider it a loan.”

Lise looked torn. “I’d love to, but I—”

Yaran’s expression went determined. “I insist,” she said firmly in a tone that even I, the warlord, wouldn’t dare defy.

“Ah, okay.” Lise smiled and opened her hand. She gazed at the necklace with reverence. “Thank you. It’s beyond beautiful.”

“I’m so glad you like it.” Yaran’s soft smile was back. She stepped away from the counter as if her job was done and clapped her hands once. “Why don’t you two go off and see the rest of the Thrail. I will get to work on the rest of your clothing.”

Lise’s brows shot up. “The rest of my clothing?”

“Of course. You can’t go around in one outfit for the next six months, can you? I’ll put together a small wardrobe for you. And don’t even think about giving it back to me when you leave. You are a pleasure to dress.”

Lise thanked her profusely and clasped the necklace around her neck.

Before Yaran ushered us both out the door, she touched my arm and pulled me into a soft embrace. She spoke quietly for my ears alone. “She is lovely.”

Ah, so Yaran did see my interest in Lise. “She’s not staying.”

“What would you like to bet that she does not return that necklace to me?” Yaran whispered. “That she stays and wears it with pride just as your mother did?”

“I dare not bet against you, Yaran.”

She smirked and pushed me out the door after Lise. “You’re a smart boy,” she said in my ear. “You will figure out how to keep her, butuni.”

But I was not so sure I would. It was one thing to dazzle a female with jewelry and clothing, but it was another to convince her to give up her entire life to live on an alien planet. I gazed at her standing in the sun. She looked happy. My mother’s Cratas emerald glimmered on her chest as she pulled the cloak over her.

I wanted this female. How did this happen? I had a lot to think about. Decisions to make, and in the meantime, I needed to follow my own rules and stop touching her. After today, I would give her space to learn about my Thrail, my people, and my planet without interfering. I had to figure out what was going on in my own head, because if I wanted her to stay with me, and that was a big if, I needed to solve the fertility problems plaguing the human females in my Thrail, and I needed to do it fast.