Joel Chapter 3

Another Life Chapter 3

Joel leaned against the tree and breathed in the fresh summer scents.  Three weeks had passed since his first glimpse of this new world.  He knew he'd never become complacent about the vibrant colors, the freshness of the air, or the sounds of life that filled this world.  Earth had been ravaged for decades with drought and volcanos that shot dust and ash into the air that had been clogged with pollution and smog for centuries.  And although Gliese had natural disasters, the planet was unspoiled by pollution.

The first time Archer had helped him outside, Joel's legs had trembled with weakness and surprise.  Archer had understood Joel's reaction.  The Historians had explained to all the Guides how the New Ones would react to their world.  Quickly, but with sure, deft hands, Archer had helped Joel to this very tree to rest and take in his new surroundings.   Now, every afternoon Archer insisted that Joel rest.  And when Archer insisted, Joel's hackles would rise, but he'd obey.

Joel took another deep breath and released it.  Archer's high-handedness and directives had become more annoying.  Trey, Archer's mate, had said it was because they were both Dominants.  Joel didn't quite understand what Trey meant.  When he asked the two men about it, Archer would tell him firmly, one step at a time.  And that frustrated Joel even more!  He didn't want to take one step at a time.  He wanted to run and leap into this unexpected life.

A loud laugh shook him out of his own thoughts.  A man was trying to dance out of the way of who Joel assumed was his mate's hand.  The men were older than any man Joel had ever seen.  Most people on earth died before their 50th birthday, but these men looked to be on the far side of that age.  Joel couldn't tear his eyes away from the couple.  The larger man with the swinging hand reached out to grab his partner.  Again, the man danced out of the way, almost tripping over Joel.

"Oh, oh!  I'm sorry!  I didn't see you sitting there," the laughing man said.

The larger man sighed out with exasperation, "Adryn."  Then looking down to Joel, continued, "Please, excuse us.  We didn't mean to interrupt you."

Standing up, Joel brushed his hand off on his tunic before reaching out.  "No, problem.  I'm Joel."

"Rydir," the man said shaking Joel's hand. "And my mate, Adryn."

"OH! You're the New One!" Adryn exclaimed.  "I wanted to meet one."  He yelped when he didn't dance out of the way of Rydir's hand.

"Again, I must ask for your indulgence for Adryn.  The nice summer weather has him acting more like an excited pup, than a full grown man," Rydir said as he wrapped his arm around Adryn's shoulders.

When Rydir didn't say anything more, but stood and looked at him, Joel decided that he was awaiting an answer.  "Um. Yeah. Sure.  No problem," he stuttered haltingly, but when he saw the blush rise in Adryn's face, he felt compelled to make sure the man knew he meant it.  Giving Adryn a comforting pat on his shoulder, Joel stated, "Seriously, no problem, Adryn.  I'm happy to meet you too."

Rydir caught Joel's eyes, and said, "You're going to make a fine Dom.  Thank you.  I'll contact Archer and we'll make plans for a dinner.  But now, my mate and I are off to see if we can catch some fish for supper."

Joel absently returned their goodbyes, but his mind was on the words Rydir had spoken.  Would he?  Joel wondered.  Would he make a fine Dom?

Sitting back down, Joel started watching the people instead of the scenery.  Trey had told him that they lived in the Natori region, which was primarily full of men.  Men who lived and loved together.  As he watched the men, Joel began to see the subtle differences.  The Doms, for the most part, seemed a little bigger, more muscular.  The Subs weren't all small, but for overall they were smaller than their Dom partners.  There was something intangible in the way the two types of men held themselves.  Nothing that Joel could really name; more of a feeling he had, yet he could tell who was the Dom and who was the Sub in each couple.

Deciding that he would be put off no longer on the relationships of this world, Joel stood up and went in search of Archer and Trey.  He knew at this time of the day, they'd be in the little workshop behind their house.  The heat of the afternoon was the perfect time for the men to prepare the clay.   Archer and Trey were potters, creating dinnerware as well as decorative bowls and vases.  They had shown Joel the wheel they used to spin the clay into bowls, plates, mugs, and other wares.  Joel enjoyed the feel of the clay in his hands, but he'd like to try his hand at food production.  That had saved his life on earth.

Walking up to the workshop, Joel gave a courtesy knock on the door before walking in.  The sound of clay hitting hard on the sturdy wood table gave Joel pause.  He watched as Archer slammed the clay down with a twisting motion that Joel had learned was called cow-head wedging.  Archer's big strong hands slammed the clay down again, working the impurities and air out.  When Archer brought the clay up again, Joel took the opportunity to speak, before it hit the table.

"Will I make a fine dominant?" Joel demanded.

"I told you he wouldn't be put off long," Trey said.  Joel hadn't noticed him sitting at a table in a small alcove.

Archer tossed a grin at his mate and then slowly, deliberately took a damp clothe and covered the clay he'd been working.  "That is why I always say that a good Dom should listen to his Sub."

"When?  When do you say that?" Trey screeched, teasingly.

"I asked a question.  I'd like to have it answered." Joel tried not to growl out the words, but his patience had reached its end.

The look Archer turned on him didn't sway him from his quest.  Although, Joel did feel a tiny finger of fear slip down his spine, when Archer continued to look at him.

Without taking his eyes from Joel, Archer commanded, "Trey. Clean up those brushes, then head up to the house and please start dinner."

"Yes, Arkhe," Trey said and quickly did his Dom's bidding.

As soon as the smaller man shut the door, Archer walked over to the large sink and washed his hands.  "Do you know what Arkhe means, Joel?"

"What?" Joel asked, confused at the question.

"You heard Trey.  He said, yes, Arkhe. Do you know what Arkhe means?"

"No. I don't.  Just like I don't know about being a Dominant," Joel quipped.  He stood his ground when Archer gave him his full attention.  It was hard.  It took all of Joel's courage as Archer stood tall and strong before him. But Joel stood his ground.

"If you listen you will learn," Archer told him.  "Are you willing to listen?"

With a sigh, Joel said, "Yes. I'll listen."

"Good.  Now, do you know what Arkhe means?"

"No, I don't.  Is it a nickname for Archer?"

Archer smiled. "Now you are listening and thinking.  But no, its not a nickname, it's a title.  Arkhe comes from your world of long ago. When the people of Greece ruled and prospered.  The word means authority.  A Sub will say Yes, Arkhe or No, Arkhe when answering a directive from his Dom.  The Dom is in a position of authority."

Joel let that explanation settle in his mind.  "Like on earth we'd say Sir to police or soldiers?  When there still were police and soldiers."

"Yes, yes.  It's a word of respect and honor that our Subs give to us.  They give us the gift of authority over them," Archer said. "That word is an acknowledgement of our authority."

"Why do they give us authority?"

"It is said that with boundaries; Subs feel more free," Archer explained.

Joel shook his head.  He felt as though the understanding of that statement was just out of reach.  He repeated his question of before.  "Will I make a fine Dom?"

"You said us before. You said,'why do they give us authority'. You know you are a Dominant.  You know in your soul. Why do you ask such a question?"

"I met some people today; a couple. One of the men said I'd make a fine Dom."

"I'm glad you are meeting new people," Archer said with a smile.  "You will be welcomed here.  Did they give you their names?"

"Adryn and Rydir.  Rydir was the one who said I'd make a fine Dom.  But I don't know how he knew.  Or if I will," Joel said the last part almost to himself.

Archer smiled. "Aww, Adryn and Rydir.  Rydir was my Kalos; my teacher, mentor."

Joel grasped at the word.  "Kalos?  Mentor?  Are you to be my mentor?"

"Yes.  If you'll have me.  The Historians have deemed it so, but you must accept my service as well," Archer explained.

"So you'll teach me how to be a Dominant?"

"No.  The dominance is already inside you. It grows stronger.  I see it daily; as your body grows healthier, so does your dominance.  Trey too feels it.  But if you accept, I will guide you."

If you accept. Archer had said the phrase twice now.  With sudden clarity, Joel knew he had to tell the larger man that he wanted him as a mentor.  A guide.  A Kalos.   Joel didn't know where the words came from, but quietly, confidently, he spoke.  "Will you guide me, Kalos?  Will you help me find my way and my mate?"

Archer clasped a hand on each of Joel's shoulders and in a similar confident voice, said, "You honor me with your acceptance.  I will be your Kalos unto the next life."

Joel felt the tension seep out of his body.  Archer hadn't answered his question, but somehow Joel knew that it was up to him and eventually his mate to find the answer.

End chapter 3