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A place where you are loved
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.
This story picks up right after the events of A Redo. You don’t have to read it first, but you will understand more if you do.
The red sun was already high in the blue sky. They were still sitting on the pier near Kaiya’s house, embraced in each other’s arms, watching the Great Lake shimmering and the fishers working, feeling each other’s warmth, hearing each other’s breathing, and almost sensing each other’s heartbeats. A small part of Rolin’s mind was aware that while they were sitting there, Kaiya’s wasn’t working. Yet, it felt just too good to hold Kaiya in her arms. And so, they sat.
“Come on,” Kaiya finally stood up without letting go of Rolin’s hand. “We need to report to Star.”
As she heard those words, a shadow of fear went through Rolin’s soul. What if Star won’t take her? What if the tribe won’t accept her? What if she can’t find work here? Yet, as she looked upon Kaiya’s perfect orange face full of tenderness, love, and resolve, something hot and powerful pushed Rolin to her feet.
They still held hands as they walked. Even though it was her second time at Lakeside Dance, Rolin never explored much of the village. Many paths here were paved with stones, and some were in the process of being paved. The typical Igni wooden houses looked well cared for. Many door and window frames were painted white, which was expensive, for sure. The village wasn’t wealthy or pompous, but it looked nevertheless prosperous. More prosperous than her current home was, that was sure.
Life was buzzing all around them. The guards and scouts were training in the rings. The smaller kids were running around, while the older ones were having lessons under the blue sky. The crafters were doing their thing, sometimes looking at the newcomer with interest: their tails froze, and their glowing eyes followed Rolin, yet their colorful faces showed a level of delight just after getting over the surprise. When Rolin walked these paths alone all these years ago looking for sex, nobody found her as interesting as she was now in Kaiya’s company.
Finally, they approached a big, three-storied house that was probably Star’s. Other than its size and the paved path that led right to its doorstep, nothing suggested that this wooden structure could have belonged to the tribe’s chief. It was so unlike the home of Rolin’s previous chief that she didn’t understand at first why Kaiya approached it.
“Let’s hope Star’s home,” Kaiya said, making Rolin’s heart race anew with foolish fear. It would not help her one bit right now, so there was no reason to be afraid. Yet, she could not just command her mind to calm down, and so she breathed deeply, trying to do this the hard way.
Kaiya’s knuckles banged on the door. The hoovsteps on the other side answered immediately. The fast steps approached, almost making Rolin recoil, and the door swung open.
Burning white eyes immediately looked right into Rolin’s with interest and curiosity, and it felt like they gazed directly into her soul through all of her thoughts, feelings, and doubts. White lips on the extremely dark-purple face curved into a smile that was more than polite — it was welcoming. The smooth, white horns shone in the sunlight, and the spiked tail tip jumped into her hand as she stepped out of her home and approached Rolin, offering her a handshake.
“I see the way you hold hands,” Star’s gentle voice spoke. “Come on in, please.”
Instead of walking in first, Star actually stepped to the side. Rolin’s heart was racing as she glanced at Kaiya, but after seeing the reassuring smile on her green lips, she stepped inside while still holding her darling’s hand.
The house’s interior probably existed, yet Rolin’s focus was entirely on Star, who locked the door behind them and showed them to take a seat. Kaiya led her lover deeper into the big room, which wasn’t straightforward due to the heavy clutter, and sat her down at the big kitchen table. Star sat at the other side of it, now looking at both of them at once. This somewhat reduced attention eased up Rolin a bit, but not much.
“I am Star, as you probably know,” the chief spoke. “Please, take a deep breath. Can I get you water or something to eat?”
Fuck! Rolin took a deep breath, indeed. Get me something to eat? The more different this tribe and this chief turned out to be, the more scared and worried she became.
No words would come out, but Kaiya squeezed her hand harder, and so Rolin managed to shake her head.
“Suit yourselves!” Star cheerfully jumped to her feet and fetched a mug of water and some dried fruit for herself.
While she was busy, Rolin breathed deeply. Nothing could prevent her from being together with Kaiya. The worst that could happen would be them having to find a new home together, which wouldn’t be too hard or scary at all. Everything was good. Star was friendly and nice. Everything was good.
“Unless I’m mistaken, you and Kaiya want to become one, and you decided to do it here rather than in your village. Am I right?” Star asked upon returning.
“Errm, yeah,” Rolin managed to answer this time. “Yes, very much so.”
Instinctively, she turned her head towards Kaiya. And Kaiya suddenly kissed her with passion and reverence, held her tight despite a momentary frightened protest, and didn’t let go.
Somehow, most of the fear was gone by the time Kaiya let Rolin take a breath. Instead of staring at the hostess, now, Rolin couldn’t look away from Kaiya’s happy, gorgeous face. She needed more of that kiss, more of the gaze of these burning green eyes, and more of her acceptance, desire, and understanding. Yet, there would be enough time to take in those facial features, and so Rolin forced herself to turn back towards Star.
The chief had already finished her snack and was now watching the couple with delight.
“I like to think that my village is among the healthiest and most fortunate in existence,” she said, “and yet I still find that every couple or a group in love is in love in their own, unique way. I can watch them forever and always learn something new.”
That was… Sweet, but also…
“Not that I’m stalking people to do that, of course!” Star laughed. “Let’s just get it over with, so I can let you two go drink each other up. What’s your name? What can you do for your new home? Will your previous chief be unhappy with this designation?”
The sudden change in mood was both welcome and jarring, but Rolin managed to explain everything the best she could.
“Well,” Star nodded, “yeah, that is all useful. Talk to Iskrila and Liam about setting up shop. Kaiya will show you around, while I’ll introduce you to my mistresses. I’ll visit you soon to see how you’re acclimating. And when you two are ready to have kids, don’t hesitate to visit me and ask for permission. In general, never hesitate to visit me.”
Kaiya chuckled, “You’re never home, Star, but I get what you’re saying. Thank you for accepting Rolin, really.
“I’m here to serve,” Star nodded, looking a bit embarrassed.
Rolin watched all this with her mouth open, unable to believe the difference between her own place, her own chief, and Lakeside Dance. Star offered them food again, and Kaiya insisted on taking the offer. They ate, drank, talked, and even laughed, like equals, like old acquaintances, and not like the chief and a newcomer. Finally, Rolin was at her true home, among the people who truly loved her. It took so many years and so many attempts to find it, and finally, she was there. Her life was finally starting despite her age, and she had a feeling that it was going to be glorious.
The End
Anton Anderson, 2026
If you want to know a tiny bit more about Kaiya, Rolin, and their future child, Berani, or if you want to know more about Star and Iskrila, you should read my fantasy adventure novel, The Seekers: Soul Ties.
This story picks up right after the events of A Redo. You don’t have to read it first, but you will understand more if you do.