Title: Night’s Secrets
Characters: Albric; Arvad/Perry
Series: Another Life
POV: Perry
Perry rolled over and stared out the window. He’d waken when the constant ache in his leg turned to painful throbbing. Arvad and Albric had both chided him that he was doing too much, but he’d dismissed them just wanting to be a part of their work. The sea had been rougher, tossing the boat about, causing Perry to put more weight on his better leg. Yet, as he stared out the window at the night’s glow, Perry didn’t feel the overwhelming despair that he’d felt before. Yes, his leg was throbbing, but he didn’t feel the panic he had always felt on Earth. Before he could figure out why his emotions were so different, he heard the whisper of movement in the other room.
As quietly as he could, Perry rolled out of bed. Arvad slept deeper here on Gliese than he did on Earth, but Perry knew that his husband was still worried about him. He stood still, barely breathing when Arvad rolled over. Assured he was still asleep, Perry slipped on his linen pants and pulled a tunic over his head. Padding softly to the door, he pulled it open just enough to squeeze through.
The glow from the crystal that sat on the table showed Albric standing at the stove. Without turning around, Albric said, “Have a seat, Perry. The tea is almost done.”
Perry wondered how the older Historian had known he was there. Had Albric had a vision? Had he heard Perry moving about? Or was it just the instincts of a dominant?
“No,” Albric said, sitting a mug of tea in front of him.
“No what?”
“No, to all of it. I didn’t have a vision. Or not a vision of you waking. I was already awake when I heard you. And no, it’s not ‘just’ the instincts of a dominant.”
Perry sighed. “So you are a mind reader.”
Albric’s laugh warmed Perry’s heart more than any tea could. “No, I’m not a mind reader. Although I should allow you that thought. It might keep you out of trouble.”
Giving an exaggerated huff of offensive, Perry sputtered out, “Me? Trouble? Why I never!” When Albric leaned down and kissed him on the head, more than Perry’s heart was warmed. His whole soul and essence felt the love and care of the older man.
“I might say rarely in trouble, but not never.”
Perry smiled at him. “Agreed. Rarely am I trouble.” He lifted the mug and took a sip of the hot liquid. “Why were you already awake?”
“Tonight is special. It’s the night our moon reveals her secrets. The ocean captures her light and gifts us with beauty and rebirth. I thought to go alone, but now that you are awake, would you like to go with me? To hear and see the wonders the moon will share?”
“But I’m not like you. I’m not a Historian. I’m just an ordinary human,” Perry said.
Albric frowned at him. “You are more than ordinary. You are courageous and strong of spirit.”
Perry blushed at the older Historian’s praise. Except for Arvad, no one had ever thought he was worth much. In a world where survival depended on strength, Perry had been seen as weak and worthless.
“Besides, the moon shares freely. There’s no reason to think you wouldn’t receive a message from the stars.”
The magic in Albric’s voice convinced Perry. “Should we wake Arvad?”
“I woke the minute you so carefully slipped out of bed.”
Perry blushed. He should have known. Arvad had never been able to sleep without Perry by his side. “I didn’t want to disturb you.”
Arvad stalked across the floor and took his chin in his hand. He titled Perry’s head up and kissed him hard. “You are never a disturbance.”
“Do you want to go and hear the secrets of the moon?” Perry asked.
“How bad is the pain in your leg?”
“It’s more an ache than a pain. Nothing more than I’ve felt before.” Seeing the concern in Arvad’s face, Perry quickly continued. “I’d like to go. I’d like to see the moon reflecting on the sea.”
“Arvad. I would not let Perry, or you, suffer. When I heard him I added a mild analgesic to his cup. A minimal amount to dull the edge of pain. Come. The sea is calling all of us.”
The three men dressed for a night on the water in boots and light overcoats. Despite the summer season, the night wind on the sea was chilly. Albric put a water skin of tea in a canvas bag, then added some dried fruit. When they were ready, the light of the moon cleared the path to the sea.
Perry gasped in wonder as the beach came into view. The waves had turned luminous as the moon shimmered over the whitecaps. “What? What is this?” Perry asked.
“I told you. This is the night the moon shares her secrets. On this night, the sea shines almost as bright as the sun. The moon and the water live in harmony and tonight they show us their love for each other.”
Perry stared at the beautiful sight as Arvad and Albric readied the boat. There was no need for fishing nets or lobster cages. The night was only made for feeling the magic of the moon and sea.
“Grab my hand, I’ll help you in,” Arvad called from the boat.
Perry limped toward him and held out his hand. Albric leaned over and gently pulled him onto the deck.
The men were silent as they sailed out to deeper water. The brightness of the moon and the waves captured their attention. When the dolphins skipped across the waves, the droplets sparkled like stars. The song of the whales floated over the men, welcoming them to the enchanted night.
“Look,” Albric said and pointed toward the moon.
Next to the nightly orb, another planet was partially in view. A planet that they’d never noticed before.
“Oh, what is that? Another moon?” Perry asked.
“A planet. A lost planet. This must have been what was calling to me,” Albric said in quiet reflection.
The planet disappeared for a moment when a sea bird flew above them. A feather drifted down and Perry reached out his hand. The quill landed softly within his grasp.
“Oh, it’s beautiful. Look at how it shines in the moonlight.” Perry turned to show Arvad and Albric.
“Just stunning,” Arvad whispered in awe.
Perry looked up to see what Albric thought of the gift he’d received. But the Historian’s eyes showed he was no longer with them. A vision had descended from the stars and held Albric in its grasp.
Arvad and Perry propped blankets around the older man making sure he was steady and safe.
“Perry, your leg is hurting. Sit down next to him,” Arvad softly commanded.
Sitting next to Albric, Perry rubbed his leg. Yes, there was pain, but being with the ones he loved and out on the water, it didn’t seem so bad. He leaned against the big dominant hoping the physical contact would help him through the vision.
Time passed as the vision held the older man. Perry and Arvad watched over him as the boat swayed on the waves.
Then in a soft murmur, Albric said, “There are others who are coming. Their presence will be....problematic.”
“Others? Other people? I thought we were the last on Earth,” Arvad asked.
“Not from Earth, no. From another planet a galaxy away. A world lost, divided by anger and war. They will struggle to find peace within themselves. It will be a hard battle. That is all the stars have shown so far.”
“When will they come?” Arvad questioned.
Albric’s eyes cleared, Perry could see he was released from the vision. “I do not know when, but soon, they will arrive. It will take many to fight them. To help them. We will need to prepare ourselves and warn others.”
“How? How will we prepare?” Perry asked. “What do we need to do?”
“I will call a council meeting. We will plan with others. A burden shared is a burden lightened,” Arvad explained. Then he smiled softly at them. “But for now, we will greet the new day and allow it to give us strength for the trials to come.”
The moon hid in the sea, as the sun emerged. As night became day, Perry deciphered the message the night had shared with him. He rubbed his aching leg and knew the reason the pain was different here. It was the feeling of safety, of hope, that made the pain in his leg bearable. It’s what made his life valuable. Perry knew he had always had the love for Arvad, but now they had a future. A future that may be in danger, but together they’d fight to keep what they had found.
End
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