Journey To Tarvos-Day 1

I think I've finally got to a place I have a bit of time to write!  Joel and Teegan are now on their way to Tarvos.


Title: Journeys Day 1
Characters: Joel/Teegan
Series: Another Life

The sun sparkling off the water was like a spear stabbing through Joel's eyes.  In the months he'd been on this new home, he hadn't yet become acclimated to the brightness of the Gliese sun.  Or the vividness of the colors.  Earth had been washed in a palate of grey for all of Joel's life.   Grey from pollution and ash from the erupting volcanoes. The weeks he'd spent with Archer and Trey had been in the forest village with the sunlight dappling down through the trees.  Here on the open river, the sunlight was brighter than anything Joel had ever seen before.

Sounds also seemed amplified.  Joel wasn't sure if it was the canyon that nestled the river they traveled or if it was the plentiful wildlife that created such a cacophony that hurt his ears.   He braced his body so that he didn't flinch when a large bird of prey squawked at the sight of his hunt.  The splash of a fish jumping a few feet away sounded like the largest ocean wave Joel could imagine.  Even the gentle lap of the oars in the water seemed loud to him.  He tried to tighten all of his muscles to hide his pain from Teegan.  What kind of dominant was weaker than his submissive?

Knowing the time was close to midday and that they'd stop along the banks to take their noon meal, Joel tensed his body.  He was preparing to block out the sensory overload for the next hour or so before they would stop.  A not unpleasant prickling sensation washed over him.  The sights dimmed and the sounds became muted.  Joel shook his head.  He didn't know what had happened but the world seemed understated, muted, now.  He let out a sigh of relief.   Joel had wanted to use this time that they had traveling to learn more about Teegan and Tarvos.  But calmness washed over him and he was content to finally be able to enjoy the scenery as they rowed down the river.

"Joel." Teegan's voice broke the silence.  "The noon day is here, there's a nice sandy bank.  I think we should stop for lunch."

Joel turned and looked at his submissive.  He couldn't quite contain the thrill of excitement that this strong, young man was his submissive.  And that was one thing he wanted to discuss with Teegan.  How does one such as himself, a man who is not a warrior, dominate a submissive who is a warrior?  Maybe after lunch when they traveled further down river, they could talk about it.  But right now, Joel's stomach was rumbling in loud agreement to stopping for lunch.

Joel turned slightly to look at Teegan. "A meal sounds good. The nuts and berries we had before leaving this morning has long since gone."

"If you'd pull your oar in, I'll steer us to the sandy beach," Teegan said.

Joel couldn't help but admire how quickly and efficiently Teegan steered the small canoe to the shore.  Soon, they were both jumping out of the boat, and with Teegan's instructions, Joel learned how to bank the boat.  Slipping one end of a rope through a small metal circle on the boat, Joel watched as Teegan tied the other end around a large rock.

"If you'll get the satchels that Trey gave us, I'm going to collect some of those reeds," Teegan said.

Joel started to gather the items, when he felt Teegan watching him. Turning his head, Joel saw a look of query on the other man's face.  Then it hit him.  Teegan hadn't been instructing, Joel; he'd been asking for permission.  Again, a little thrill of dominance shivered up his spine.  Clearing his throat, Joel said, "Yes, go collect the reeds."

The smile that spread across Teegan's face warmed Joel's heart.  Joel couldn't contain the answering grin.  "Go on, get the reeds.  I'll get our meal together."

By the time Joel had gathered the satchels with food and had laid out, Teegan was back with an arm full of reeds.  Joel watched as the young man started to twist the plants together.  He couldn't figure out what Teegan was making.  "What are you doing?"

"I'm making a net.  Archer and Trey gathered us enough food to just get by if nothing delays us.  But nothing fresh.  With this net, we can catch fish and have a good meal when we stop for the night," Teegan explained.

Joel nodded his head and smiled at Teegan, but that was another concern.  Teegan knew things that Joel didn't.  How would he dominate a man that was so capable?  That knew more than he did?

"We'll find our destiny together, Joel.  You are thinking of only one way to dominate.  One way for us to live.  But there are as many different types of relationships as their are stars in the sky," Teegan said.

Joel laughed self consciously.  "I didn't realize I'd said that out loud.  There is just so much I don't know."

Teegan blushed bright red.  "There's a lot I don't know too.  I worry about many things."

Teegan's admission gave Joel a feeling of relief.  He wasn't the only one who was unsure.  They'd walk this path of life together.  Learning from each other.  And Joel wouldn't hide his uncertainty.  The only way to learn was to ask questions.  "We'll share our worries.  Our concerns.  And we'll be honest with each other.  I'll start first, how in the world does that net you are making work?"

Teegan's blush subsided and he eagerly explained the net.  "We'll set the net in the shallows of the river and when a fish swims over it, you pull it up. See these long reeds that aren't woven into the bottom?  They float on the surface and when you pull on them, they lift the net capturing anything inside it."

Joel nodded his understanding.  He picked up a piece of cheese and leaned over for Teegan to take a bite of it.  "I'll feed you while you weave your net.  I don't want you going hungry."

Teegan took the offering.  After chewing and swallowing the morsel, he pleaded, "will you tell me about earth?  About your life on earth?"

Joel startled.  Did he want to tell Teegan of the abysmal life he'd had on earth?  He really didn't.  He didn't want Teegan to know how many times he'd gone without food or clean water.  But sharing was a two way path.  He'd have to travel to Teegan as Teegan traveled toward him.  "It's not a pretty story, Teegan.  Life on earth was very different than it is here. Earth and it's inhabitants were dying, but no one knew it."

Teegan looked at him and nodded.  "There were many stories being told about the people who would come to earth.  Whispers from the Historians and from the Anax.  We were told that those that would come would have the strength of thousands.  But the strength was within them, not of physical strength.  I see your strength, even if you don't."

Joel didn't see the strength in himself that Teegan saw, but he knew that together their individual strengths would be tenfold.  He honored the young man's request to know about earth and his past.  He told Teegan of his life, leaving nothing out.  He talked of the dirt farm that he was his childhood home.  Of how his family tried to coax food from the hard, dry earth.  Joel explained how he studied to find different methods of food production-hydroponics, water irrigation, and other methods.  He also told of how they all failed one after another.  As he told his life story, he ate and he fed Teegan.  The midday fled past as Joel talked and Teegan wove the net.  Soon they had packed up their food and were back in the small boat heading north.

As they started to travel the river again, the sounds and sun became muted again.  Joel didn't know if it was from his full stomach or because he was becoming use to this new planet.  Whatever it was, he was thankful for it as the river became swifter and he needed all his attention to help navigate the waters.

"The rains must have come early," Teegan yelled from behind him.  "The river shouldn't be this fast this early."

"What does that mean?" Joel asked.

"We'll be alright," Teegan assured him.

Joel stiffened.  He didn't want platitudes, he wanted an answer.  And he would get one.  Turning to face his new partner, he growled, "I didn't ask if we'd be alright.  I asked what it means that the rains came early. Please answer me or we'll stop and discuss it more fully."

"It means that we'll work harder on our journey," Teegan admitted.

For the next several hours, both men struggled to navigate the small boat through the white waters.  By the time the sun was setting, Joel and Teegan were happy to find a spot to spend the night.  Pulling the boat to shore and anchoring it down, was difficult due to the rushing waters and the sore muscles of them men.

As Teegan finished tying up the boat, Joel pulled out a large tarp that Archer had given him.  He pulled two saplings together and tied them with leather cord.  Throwing the tarp over the small trees, Joel gave a small prayer of thanks to whoever was watching over them.  With the setting sun, the air had become colder.  He knew that Tarvos was an ice and snow covered nation and that good shelter was a necessity.  Tonight they'd have something to keep the cold wind from them and they'd use Teegan's net to catch fish for dinner.   Working together their strengths and knowledge blended together; Joel's earlier doubts subsided.  Yes, they belonged together and they'd learn of each other.  They had plenty of time; after all, today was only the first day of their journey.

TBC