Love Before Civilization

A/N: This started as a one-shot for “Pay Us No Nevermind”, but uh...that didn’t work out. I started to think about what kind of people these characters were, what their background was...and honestly, these guys are waaaay to hot to be wasted on a one shot... So, lets see how far I can dredge this out for, eh? I think you’ll agree with me that the world of the Golden Sun and Dark Moon clans is quite interesting. If these broadens into more chapters (it won’t be many, I still think this will be rather short, but still have substance) I will add little fun tidbits I came up with as I was writing. Your first LB4C tidbit...
Names in this ‘era’ do not use the letter U. Also, male names typically end in ‘a’, and women end in ‘o’ (which is very unusual, you may notice as it is usually the other way-around). Also, they don’t often use the vowels I and E, except in younger children (like Jorra’s little sister Melee). –Anyway, enough from me! Enjoy!
–Oh, also...this may seem Native American, but is supposed to be...Mesopotamianish... I’m not sure where I was going with this...I was reading WILD ROCK, if you would like an idea of what I was thinking about when I started this. You have no idea how badly I want to use the phrase “Nii-chan”. Lol! –So, this is set WAY BEFORE any kind of large civilization. People lived in clans, and made do for themselves...that kind of thing. Just don’t pay me any mind. It’s alright. No one does. –I would also like to apologize for them being so articulate.

Love Before Civilization
Samma Jaye

The vast wilderness of early culture leant little to the ways of man. Then, the laws were simple, sometimes harsh, but simple. Mainly, be a good man and you will be rewarded. This was the belief of the Golden Sun clan of the West Mountains. The people lived simple, sheltered lives, keeping to their own side of the habitable territories. There was a truce between the Golden Suns and the Dark Moon clan, their nearest neighbors who lived in a valley on the other side of the forest, that kept them from branching over into other parts of the land.
However, before recorded time can show, the truce was broken (by whom, it is not known), and a scuffle began between the two clans. A plan of peaceful war was arranged. Each clan would pit their best warrior against the other in a death match. The two warriors would be put in the middle of the forest, fight, and the winner would drag home to losers remains before the seventh revolution of the sun.
From the Golden Sun, a hearty warrior by the name of Jorra was sent to the center of the forest. He was but nineteen summers old, with long silver hair that gleamed in the sunlight, a broad, muscular chest that told not only of days under the mother Sun but of hunting parties gone awry –a thick white scar crossing from his right shoulder to his left hip. The scar was defining element that made him look even more dashing with his bear skin loin cloth and boots made of deer hide. The only other things he wore included a necklace of boars teeth, a fang earring (from a crocodile he and his brothers had killed), and an eagle feather braided into his hair signifying him as the Chief’s son and heir to the clan.
From the Dark Moon clan was Norrova, an equally dashing warrior of twenty winters. His black, raven hair was pulled back from his face, tied with a string of leather into a braid. He dressed quite similarly to Jorra with the exception of his coverings being made of the pelt of a Sabertooth tiger –his first kill at sixteen winters. Three of it’s best teeth hung at his throat.
Their weapons of choice were simple, stone carved daggers and spears. Each had two of these weapons as they approached each other in the center of the forest.
“You must be Jorra. I have heard much about you.”
“And you must be Norrova. I have heard things of you too. They say you are a good hunter –yet you carry no battle scars.”
“I am careful.” Norrova smiled. “But I am afraid I cannot say the same for you!”
Jorra looked down at this chest as if seeing the scar for the first time, “Accidents happen –even to the best of us.”
“I see...shall we begin?”
“...I shall be honest with you Norrova, as you seem to be an honest man. I do not wish to fight you. I was born to hunt the wild beast –not my fellow man.”
Norrova nodded, “I feel the same way. But do we dare to disobey our clans, Jorra?”
Jorra thought for a moment, “Let us not fight yet, Norrova. We seem to be looking for the same compromise –perhaps we can find a solution to our problem without shedding each other’s blood?”
Norrova nodded, “Yes, that seems honorable. I will agree to that, Jorra.”
The two worked in silence for a few minutes, setting up a crude campsite for the night.
“That feather in your hair... You are the heir to your family?”
Jorra nodded, “And my clan. My father is chief.”
“They took a big risk sending you here then.” Norrova shook his head.
“The only other option was my half-brother. I would not let him come here. You would best him in a heartbeat.”
Norrova laughed, “My reputation exceeds me, I see!”
“The Golden Sun clan is not blind, Norrova. You’ve bested us a few times to often when your hunting parties venture into our territory. That is why we are here today.”
“I only go where my chief tells me the game seems to be located. My clan does not want to starve anymore then yours does.”
“And that is fine until you take the animals from right in front of us.” Jorra sounded slightly bitter. “Which I am afraid you have done on a few to many occasions, Norrova.”
“I am sorry. The hunt often gets away from me. What can I say or do to apologize?”
“Simply help me stop his feud, so we can get on with our lives.”
“I will try my best.”

“Your chief –does he have a daughter?” Jorra asked, a bit later as they began to stoke a fire, after each taking a long while to think.
“Hmm.” Norrova nodded. “But she is young yet –only twelve. Not even a woman yet.”
“Any other children?”
“Hmm.” He nodded again. “But just me.” He gave a slight smile at Jorra’s surprise, “Yes, my father took quite the risk to send me here as well.”
“Then I see we are scarily similar you and I.”
“Apparently.” Norrova nodded. “–And that isn’t really helping our problem.”
“Maybe...maybe not.”
“You have an idea?”
“...No.” Jorra shook his head. “At least, not one that I want to share with you just yet.”
“Something to sleep on, yes?”
“Hmm.” Jorra nodded.
In all truth, Jorra knew more about Norrova then we was letting on. Their hunting parties had often crossed paths since he had joined in the hunt, and he had known from the moment he met him –so long ago now on the frozen tundra of his fifteenth winter, that Norrova was a person he wanted to know more about. After nearly being mauled a year later, Jorra hadn’t seen Norrova, even as their parties moved stealthily along each others fighting to be the first to their prey, in a long time.
And here was his change –a week to get to know this elusive enigma. He knew their places as heirs to their clans was more important then anything else. He was expected to choose a wife, and create an heir so that the Golden Suns could live on through further generations...but he hadn’t the heart to tell his father, the Chief, that he wasn’t sure if these were tasks he was capable of. –Oh, of course there were dozens of pretty Golden Sun girls who could steal a away a warrior’s breath with a single sigh, but...he didn’t want any of them.
Jorra found that he was much more interested in his fellow hunters. He wasn’t sure what exactly it was about them that was so alluring, but he knew he couldn’t join in on their bathing games, or really even play the same way that they did with each other. The others thought Jorra to be shy, or polite. None of them would think that he avoided them because he was trying not to lust after them.
Across the camp, Norrova was having quite a similar chide with himself. However, unlike Jorra, he was more outgoing because of his difference. Rather then shy away from his particular taste in the flesh, he ventured after it, sometimes with interesting effects. Most of the time, the other warriors would laugh him off, or go along with him because he was the Chief’s son. Rarely though, Norrova’s advances would be accepted, leading to an interesting night in his little shelter, a bit away from the camp, enclosed by animal skins on four sides, but usually opened to the sky to allow the Father Moon to over see his activities with approval.
Back on his own turf, it was not unusual for him to seek that kind of company when he wanted. He always had a vast array of Dark Moon warriors to choose from. Now he wanted only the silver haired hunter from the Golden Sun clan, but had no idea how to initiate his scarred beauty into a seductive dance under the loving gaze of Mother Sun and hopefully Father Moon.
Norrova looked across their makeshift camp where Jorra was spreading out his bear skin pelt near enough to the fire for safety, but far enough away to put some distance between the two of them. In fact, it seemed to be just far enough away that there would be no accidental night-time encounters. Now was the time to change that!
“You know, it might be safer if we slept closer together.”
“I doubt that.” Jorra tried to hide his smile as he smoothed out the soft pelt.
“What do you mean?” Norrova asked. “You think I would molest you in your sleep?”
“Jorra’s head snapped up, “No! I never said that!”
Norrova nodded, “Ah, you are afraid of your own actions! Should I keep my weapons nearby, just in case?”
“N-no...” Jorra shook his head. “Of course not.”
“I sense, however, that there is something you aren’t saying.”
“Such as?” Jorra asked.
“...Jorra, I think we are more alike then you think.” Norrova closed the space between them, taking the younger man by the shoulders, his thumb tracing over the beginning of the scar on Jorra’s shoulder. “Say it –what it is that makes us different...from others.”
“I-I don’t think I understand.” Jorra was taken aback, his stomach churning in the beginnings of excitement.
“What makes us special, Jorra?” Norrova’s lips pressed against his collarbone. “Tell me.”
“Uh...why are you...Norrova?” Jorra’s palms pressed against Norrova’s stomach, his fingers flattening against the smooth skin.
“Tell me what you want me.”
Jorra looked up, his eyes gleaming with innocence and surprise, “What?”
“Tell me...you want me.” Norrova repeated.
“I...” Jorra’s breath quickened, his fingers flexing against Norrova’s stomach, “I-I...”
“Say it.” Norrova coaxed, letting his hands move down to Jorra’s elbows, his lips kissing the underside of Jorra’s jaw.
“I...I can’t!” Jorra tried to pull away, but Norrova caught him by the wrist. “Please, let me go!”
“Why can’t you? I know it’s true. You know it’s true, but you will not let yourself say it out loud. I will not reprimand you for it. I want it as well.” Norrova pulled him closer, “I can say it. Why can’t you?”
“Perhaps because I am more chaste. Or because you simply think you understand me. That could be culprit in this dilemma as well.”
“I think my assumption was right on it’s mark. I also believe you are afraid. Is that true?” Norrova linked his fingers with Jorra’s. “You can’t tell me that as handsome as you are, no one has at least ventured a guess at these feelings you have.”
“I...stay away from...them. The others. It keeps us all better. It keeps us all safe.”
“Safe from what? Who benefits from you lying yourself? The others, the ones you are attracted to? They think you are shy or timid. You don’t think that they know the truth behind your reclusiveness. However, I am sure some of them have ventured a guess. You can’t tell me that of all the men you deal with, not one has captured enough of your fancy to warrant a trial of flirtation.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Let me make you mine, and let me be yours. Even it is just for one night, or two nights, or even if you would allow me a lifetime with you. Give me chance to show you what I am capable of. Let me be your lover.”
“No. I can’t. I don’t...I don’t even understand these...emotions I have for you. I don’t know if it is you that I want, or your if it is just your body I am craving. I don’t deserve to share in carnal pleasure with you, Norrova, if that is all that I want.”
“Start with my body, Jorra. Then begin to crave the rest.” Norrova coaxed, placing Jorra’s hands against his chest.
“I don’t even...I don’t even know how.”
“Tell me what you want.” Norrova’s mouth was near Jorra’s ear, “When you say it, I can make it happen.”
“Can you really?”
“Hmm.” Norrova nodded, his tongue lapping against Jorra’s neck for a moment, “ I have enough experience for us both.”
“Even if I agreed, I still wouldn’t...know what to do. How to help.”
“I would teach you.” Norrova promised, pressing his forehead against Jorra’s, “And I would make it one of the most glorious experiences. Please, tell me?”
“No, I can’t. ...What if someone came to check on us? What would they think?”
“Who cares what they would think, Jorra? This isn’t about them. It’s about us.”
“How can you not worry about what others think of you?”
“Because most impressions are wrong.” Norrova shook his head, dropping Jorra’s wrists, “Never mind, I can see that you will not play this game with me.”
“It...it isn’t that I don’t want to, Norrova! I just, I worry, and...I’m nervous.”
“Its alright. It’s not important.” Norrova turned away, “Should we go find something for dinner? Would you like fish? There are plenty of them to be had this time of year, in the river.”
“I...you go from trying to talk me into copulation to thinking about food?”
“Hmm. The two things man cannot live without –Sex, and food!”
“You maybe. I’ve gone nineteen summers without the first.”
“...I find that very hard sad.” Norrova shook his head. “You should let me break you.”
“...Excuse me?”
“Not like that! I mean, stop being so uptight all of the time, and such a nervous wreck. Try something new and exciting. Or you could just come with me to fish.”
“Lets just start with the fishing –and you best hope I don’t decided to change my mind about you when I have that spear in my hand.”
Norrova laughed, “I understand. I will be on my best behavior!”