From A Distance Chapter 2

Title: From A Distance Chapter 2
Characters: Chandir/Wryn/Enoch
Series: Another Life



Wryn added a pinch of dried herbs to the soup that was bubbling on the stove. The hint of season change hung heavy in the air. He knew that the soup with the hearty bread he’d made would warm his two men.

Even though he was expecting them, Wryn jumped as the door was kicked open. Chandir stormed in with Enoch in his arms. The large man’s eyebrows were drawn down in anger. His lips were set in a tense line. The muscles in his jaw were visible as Chandir gritted his teeth. Worry filled him until he saw Enoch’s pale face full of mutiny. Still, he rushed over to them.


“Where are you hurt?” Wryn’s eyes kept close watch on his sub’s face as his hands ran over his body. He was watching for any sign of pain.


Chandir tightened his arms as Enoch tried to wiggle away from the searching hands. His words were short as he clipped out, “Vision. The stars talked to him.”


“Seizure?” Wryn asked, concerned. Enoch had suffered from seizures as he’d blocked the visions all his life. He’d learned to embrace them but the habits of a lifetime didn’t disappear. Occasionally his body still rebelled and a seizure was the result.


“No! I didn’t seize.” Anger and frustration filled Enoch’s voice. “It was Earth. We left people there! We have to go back.”


Wryn winced with Enoch when Chandir swatted the squirming butt. “Settle yourself. Or I will.”


Containing his sigh, Wryn set about calming everyone. Chandir’s worry and love ofttimes showed itself as anger and harshness. Enoch’s submission was still new to him. He didn’t always know how to react. ‘The universe paired me with these two to care for them. And test my patience’, Wryn thought to himself.


“Chandir, set him on his feet.” Wryn held Chandir’s gaze until the large man complied. “Enoch. Wash your hands and face.” Enoch rushed to do his bidding.


Wryn rolled his eyes when Chandir barked out, “Slowly. You are still weak.”


“Conversation will be pleasant or not at all.” Wryn gave both men a stern look. “We will discuss the vision and what it may mean at another time. Another day. For now, we will enjoy our meal.”


Enoch acquiesced instantly. He lowered his eyes in deference and nodded his head. Chandir’s eyes spit fire. His chin lifted in arrogance. ‘The dominant may be physically larger than him,’ Wryn thought. ‘But I am more stubborn.’ He locked eyes until the fire in Chandir’s eyes turned to coals.


The battle won, Wryn held out his hand. “The broth is thick in the soup. It’ll keep the cold out tonight. Soon winter will seek our home and we’ll need a fire to warm us.” He filled Chandir’s bowl with two large ladle’s full. He was more sparing with Enoch. The young sub’s stomach didn’t need as much to be filled. He gave himself two ladles of the soup.


Chandir tore off a chunk of the rich brown bread and handed it to Enoch. He pinched off a small amount. At Chandir’s dark look, he pinched off some more.


Wryn took the bread when Enoch offered it to him. The silence was awkward and uncomfortable. Dipping a piece of the bread in his soup, he then popped it in his mouth. The flavors exploded in his mouth. He knew it would soothe the pangs of hunger and warm their souls. A trip to the baths after dinner would soothe their tense muscles.


“After dinner, I would enjoy a soak at the baths.” The tension surrounding the table was whisked away at Wryn’s suggestion. Slowly, soft conversation filled the room as they talked of preparations for the coming winter.


“Emric and Renna will need fuel for warmth again this year.” Enoch worried about the older couple he had befriended. The previous winter he had made sure they had plenty of firewood and the electrical conduct MXene clay.


“We can help with that. In the upcoming days, we’ll carry supplies to them,” Wryn reassured him.


Chandir wanted to reassure his sub too. “I’ve laid planks down along the trail over the summer. We’ll keep it clear when the snow falls.”


Wryn saw Chandir’s face soften even more when Enoch gave him a shy smile. Safe in their cottage with their sub in arm’s reach, Chandir’s angry caring morphed into gentle love. By the time their bowls were empty and only crumbs of the bread were left, the atmosphere in the room was tender and easy.


After gathering bath cloths, the three men walked to the bathhouse. Chandir and Wryn had built it the first year of their bond. The cedar they used to build the walls filled the room with its scent as the steam from the hot springs wafted up through the small chimney. They’d placed a large, square tub in the middle of the room. The tub was sunk deep enough that they had built steps leading down into the water.


Chandir leaned back against the side of the tub and pulled Enoch to straddle his lap. Wryn’s emotions swelled within him at the sight of the two bare chests rubbing together. Joining them, he soaped up a square of flannel. Gently he ran the cloth over the two men he had bonded with. The tender cleaning turned to caresses. Guttural moans and sighs drifted in the air as the men found their completion in each other.


The crisp air brushed against their skin as they made their way back to their cottage. The stars above seemed brighter in the cold night sky. Wryn’s mind wandered to Enoch’s vision. He’d said they’d talk about it in the morning, but he wondered what the stars had to tell him. The vision had been long, coming to Enoch soon after he’d gotten to his river. His lunch hadn’t been eaten and he’d not had a chance to explore the meadow. Most visions lasted only minutes, but from all appearances, Enoch’s had lasted for several hours.


Reminding himself that they’d learn more when the sun rose on a new day, Wryn made sure the cottage was secure for the night, then joined Chandir and Enoch in the bedroom. Both men were already nestled in the bed. He slipped off his clothes and crawled under the covers.


Sleep eluded him though he felt tired. The soft snores of Chandir soon rang through the room. The larger man snorted as he rolled over. Wryn let out a loving laugh. Chandir did everything in a big way.


Enoch’s soft breathing mixed with Chandir’s snores. But the young sub wasn’t resting peacefully. He couldn’t seem to find a comfortable position as he rolled back and forth. His breathing wasn’t the rhythmic pattern of deep sleep.


He was jostled as Enoch rolled over again. Wryn had hoped the baths would settle Enoch. But he seemed unsettled. Knowing his sub needed sleep, Wryn wrapped his arms around the thin man. The stars outside the window brightened and the air shimmered around him as he stroked Enoch’s hair. Letting out a breath, he knew they had something to show him. He laid back and let the vision show him what they wanted.


The world of Gliese slipped away and Wryn found himself on another planet. In the mind of another person. Awareness drifted away. He was no longer Wryn. He was Nova.


Nova stared at the dying fire. Everyone was asleep. Everyone except her and Rona. Nova didn’t know how much time had passed since they’d laid down for the night, minutes or hours. Time didn’t follow the rules of nature when worry was present. And Nova was worried. Rona had laid still until the others had fallen asleep. But her restlessness couldn’t be contained as her mind refused to quiet.


Sympathy filled Nova’s soul. The responsibility placed on the other woman’s shoulders was heavier than what one alone could bear. Nova didn’t doubt the Keepers decision to have Rona be their leader; she was strong. Yet even the strong had a breaking point. The need to give comfort overwhelmed her.


Quietly, Nova moved to lie beside Rona. In a quiet voice, she asked, “You do not have to carry the weight of leadership on your own. May I hold you?”


The soft glow illuminated Rona enough that she saw her nod consent. Nova waited no longer, wrapping her arms around the slender woman. “Your mind is full, but your body needs rest. Your burdens are heavy. There is no shame in allowing me to share them. Talk to me.”


The sigh that went through Rona shook her whole body. Nova tightened her hold, willing her own strength to support Rona.


“The relic. The piece I found by the river. There were others here. I know there were.” Rona’s words were short and abrupt.


Nova knew this was hard for Rona. She softly murmured encouragement. Once all the worries were released, then their leader could rest.


“I want to search. Find what they may have left us. Yet, our supplies won’t last forever. Maybe instead of looking for the remains of an ancient civilization, we should settle. Find seeds to plant. Sustainable water source.”


“You are second guessing yourself. If you give the word to move on, they will follow you.”


“For now. Because the Keepers told them to. But the memories of the Waiting Place will fade. Then the others will follow one who they respect.”


“Then earn their respect.”


Rona rolled over and buried her face in Nova’s neck. “What if I can’t?”


“You can.” Nova ran her finger’s through the tight curls of Rona’s hair.


“I’m fearful I will make a mistake.”


“You will.” Nova tightened her arms when Rona gasped and tried to twist free. “Shhh. Mistakes are inevitable. How we react to them are our choice. We have two options. Learn and grow. Or repeat them.”


“Words are easy to say, yet they float on the winds out of reach of mere humans.” The defeat in Rona’s voice was at odds with the strength that Nova knew lived within her soul.


“Words become actions. Especially when you have those that are willing help you. Let us help while you guide.” Nova knew she’d given her leader more than enough to digest. It was time for them to rest. “The new day will bring more challenges. Close your eyes let sleep claim you in peace.” The feeling of completeness filled her when Rona obeyed her and snuggled into her arms.


As the two women faded away, Wryn found himself back in his own life. The tangle of arms and legs wrapped around him brought comfort and peace. In the morning, he’d tell Chandir and Enoch of his own vision. Together they’d learn what the stars wanted them to know.


On to chapter 3.

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