Zephryn and his tribe of Zebrans walked deeper into the jungle, keeping their prisoners in the middle of their group. They walked for hours through the dense brush. When they finally stopped for food, Midori collapsed to her knees on the spongy ground. Cael knelt beside her, but with his arms and hands bound, there was little he could do to help.
Pugly squatted down next to her, offering her his body to lie on. She slid down onto him, taking big deep breaths, her face shining with sweat and exertion.
The tribe's leader squatted down next to her, his gaze curious. "What's wrong with her?" he asked.
"She's exhausted. We all are. We haven't eaten in a long while. She'll need rest if you want to use her to bargain. I don't think Lord Krissayr will be too happy to have his slave worn down by exhaustion and starvation. I doubt you'll be able to make your trade if you don't take better care of her."
The leader gave Cael a hard look, as if trying to decipher the truth of his words. But he ordered the men to start a fire and offer food and drink to their prisoners. They released Midori from her bonds, but Cael's remained. The tribesmen were taking no chances with him.
Midori stood next to him as he sat on the ground and fed him bits of dried food and water from a pouch the tribesmen had given her.
"Thank you for advocating for me. I thought we were going to walk forever. I didn't even realize how tired I was until we stopped." She slipped a morsel of food into her mouth and chewed on it thoughtfully. "Is what you said true? Do you think they'll be able to trade me for their tribe's own women if they take care of me?"
She placed another bit of food in Cael's mouth, her fingers lingering on his lips as she looked to him for answers.
"I'm not sure. But they seem to believe it, and that's all that matters."
Midori bit her bottom lip. Cael recognized this attribute of hers. She was deep in thought, making a decision.
"This Lord Krissayr wants a human slave for his collection, right? Sounds like he'll do just about anything to get one."
"Unfortunately, yes."
"I think the right thing to do is to help these people. Their women have been taken, too. They're just trying to get back the people they love."
"I understand their frustration. But I will not let them take you in exchange for their own females. There has to be another way."
"I sure hope so."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the jungle floor, the tribe gathered around a fire. While the men were engaged in their discussion, Midori turned to Cael.
"These people look like Captain Malgren, don't they? All zebra striped but different somehow. Do you know anything about these people? What they're like?" Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Cael looked at her, his eyes filled with concern. "Not much. I know they're native to this land. If I remember right, there are many Zebran tribes. Some live on the plains, some in the mountains, and others in the jungles. Most of the tribes have forsaken technological advancements and live as hunters and gatherers. But they're usually peaceful people. At least, that's what I've heard. There's so many civilizations in the galaxy, it's hard to keep track of them all."
"Peaceful, huh?" Midori raised an eyebrow.
A log popped in the fire, and Cael lifted his eyes to see Zephryn staring at him. He continued, "I imagine having their females taken might have changed things, though."
Midori's face fell as she listened. "They must be so desperate to get their women back."
"They are. And that's why we need to find another way to help them without sacrificing you."
Midori nodded, her eyes filled with determination. "I agree. We can't let them take me in exchange for their own females. There has to be another way."
Cael smiled at her resolve. "I know there is. We just need to find it."
The air grew cooler, and the stars twinkled above the jungle canopy while the tribesmen shared stories and songs of their lost loved ones. Cael and Midori sat on a large log near the edge of the firelight, their eyes locked on the flickering flames. Pugly laid on the ground at Midori's feet and snored.
"What are you thinking about?" Midori asked, breaking the silence between them.
Cael considered her words. He'd been thinking of her, of course. How to get all of them out of this predicament. But then, what to do after that? Did she still want to go to Rivia and become a surrogate mother? Did she want to return to Earth? Would she even consider living a life with him?
But you haven't even told her who you really are. She deserves to know.
His lips itched to spill the truth of his lineage, but he needed to tell her in private, away from the listening ears of the tribesmen. If they found out he was a Zyranthian prince, they might hold him responsible for their kidnapped women. It would only complicate things.
I'll tell her. But I need to wait for the right moment.
