A Redo
Will they have a new chance?
The Tales of The Seekers is a collection of short stories set in The Seekers universe. Feel free to comment so I can improve them. If you want to learn more, please do read my published books in the same universe: The Seekers: Soul-Ties, Kirin, and Perrin Peters. And if you don’t want to buy my books but still want to support me, I’m on Patreon. And if you prefer one-time payments, you can Buy Me A Pizza or a Coffee.
This story was written for Flash Fiction February by Bradley Ramsey.
The story continues in Home.
The green sun burned mercilessly on the yellow sky. The caravan was resting on its way from the Big Market back to the Lakeside Dance. The group hid in the shade of the particularly big boletons near one of the crossroads, and was now engaged in a pleasant, lazy conversation about nothing at all.
At times like these, Kaiya’s mind was always occupied by memories. A life of a fisher wasn’t as rich with adventures as a life of a travelling merchant or a treasure seeker, yet she had her share of little accidents and silly moments. Yet, today, she resurfaced in her mind. Rolin. How long ago was it when her caravan spent the night at Lakeside Dance? How long ago was it when Rolin decided to ditch her companions and spend her only night there in the embrace of a stranger? In her embrace.
As Kaiya was preoccupied with those lustful thoughts, another caravan was going in their direction. When they saw a bunch of Igni and wagons at a crossroad, their hands instinctively reached for their weapons, even though these roads were almost always kept safe by the Union. Yet, as they approached, it became clear that those weren’t bandits but a caravan from the Lakeside Dance, judging by the insignias depicting two dancers.
When Rolin’s eyes first fell on that image long ago, it seemed crude and maybe even cheesy, not at all like the insignia of her own tribe. Yet after that night of passion with Kaiya, the picture of two dancers became an embodiment of fleshly love with a hint of yearning for a deeper connection. Rolin found a copy of Lakeside Dance’s insignia and hung it on her wall, and it always reminded her of that night, of finding a new perspective, and of Kaiya.
The heads of two caravans shook hands and exchanged words. Kaiya felt too lazy and hot to stand up or to be interested in getting to know the new travellers. Yet, as her eyes caught a particular shade of blue skin, followed it to the particular shape of the tail’s spiked end, and then to the burning yellow eyes, she was suddenly standing upright, staring into the familiar long face.
Rolin’s heart was beating unusually loudly, and she could feel the blush on her cheeks. A momentary thought of hiding was dismissed, followed by the purposeful stroll into the woods, close to where the caravan was resting. Kaiya clearly understood the message, for she followed Rolin immediately.
Now, away from the prying eyes yet close enough to hear a shout, Rolin checked her out. Kaiya was wearing new clothes, sure, but her skin was the same shade of orange, she had the same bright green eyes, and her full, green lips were as kissable as ever.
“Long time no see,” Kaiya smiled, not sure what she was feeling while standing just a step away from such a blast from the past. “I still remember your blush, Rolin. For a shy Igni, you sure like to hook up with strangers.”
Rolin shook her head, finding it hard to keep looking at the Igni she wanted just as strongly as back in the day. “You were the one and only stranger I hooked up with, Kaiya. I told myself I only had one life, and so I had to try new things.”
Kaiya nodded, remembering their first meeting. “And by trying new things, you mean tasting new people.”
Rolin’s words go lost somewhere in her throat. And so, instead of speaking, she carefully took half a step forward and raised her hands a little.
Kaiya could feel Rolin’s breathing now, for she was so close, yet too far away. She took her own step, interlocking her fingers with Rolin’s.
The familiar, warm touch sent shivers down their spines. Yet, even though they were almost close enough for a fateful kiss, it would not be wise. This encounter was their chance to reflect on the past, so they could better appreciate the present. Yet, right now, in this very moment, it didn’t feel this way. Instead, they both yearned to do the deed that would offer them a momentary pleasure and anchor them in here and now, making it harder to move on.
“Rolin, where are you?” Her caravan’s head cried out.
With no hesitation, she ran off, leaving Kaiya standing in the woods, still feeling the warm, strong touch of those hands. That’s for the best, she told herself, and followed.
“Oh, there you are!” Kaiya’s caravan head addressed her, too. “They’ll make a detour and do some business with the chief. So, we’re heading out together in five minutes.”
~*~
Oh, Demon Lord, how did it happen?
Both Kaiya and Rolin were asking themselves this question, knowing they’d get no answer. At first, they pretended that nothing had happened. But as they saw that the members of their caravans had no problems befriending one another along the way, they began walking together.
Turned out, Kaiya was still a fisher, still leaving just next to the Great Lake, and still doing mental puzzles in her downtime.
Turned out, Rolin was still a stone carver, yet she was now trying to expand her repertoire to include engraved paintings.
Their lives were simple and not very interesting, but somehow they were the most fascinating lives. The longer the two walked together talking, the less they saw and heard the others.
Somehow, they’ve arrived at Lakeside Dance. Somehow, Kaiya offered Rolin a place to stay for the night. Somehow, they did more than just sleep.
~*~
The red sun shone gently on the blue sky. Rolin was sitting on the pier with her back against Kaiya’s house. She waited, looking at the Great Lake, listening to the unfamiliar birds. The early fishers were already setting up their rods and climbing into their little boats. From time to time, they glanced towards a stranger, or maybe at Kaiya’s house, wondering why she was still sleeping at this hour.
Many minutes passed. The door creaked, and the hoofsteps announced that the mistress of the house was awake.
“Rolin?” Kaiya frowned, unsure what she was feeling.
“Finally!” Rolin stood up, grabbing Kaiya’s hands and devouring her lovely face with her eyes. “Are you such a late sleeper or?”
Kaiya shook her head, afraid to scare away this dream. “You weren’t there when I woke up, and so, I didn’t feel like getting out of bed.”
Rolin averted her gaze as guilt pricked her. “Sorry. I found my folk and told them to leave without me. You understand why. But then, I didn’t want to wake you up, and so, I waited.”
Kaiya’s lungs lost all their air as she stood there with her mouth agape.
“If you take me, I mean.” Rolin squeezed those hands tighter, forcing herself to look at Kaiya. “If not, I can always catch up to my tribe.”
Kaiya just shook her head again and then embraced Rolin, giving her a kiss of passion, desire, and hope. Rolin answered her in kind.
Their new journey was just beginning, but they were both determined to walk it with boldness and resolve. There was no way to know if Lakeside Dance would accept a new member, but they both had already accepted each other into their hearts. This alone was all they really needed.
The End
Anton Anderson, 2026
The story continues in Home.
If you want to know a tiny bit more about Kaiya, Rolin, and their future child, Berani, you should read my fantasy adventure novel, The Seekers: Soul Ties.