As we moved closer to the mountain, I realized that the city didn't span the mountain. It was built into the mountain! The huts at the edge of the village had rounded mud bases and a type of thatched roof. But the huts were positioned on levels on the mountain. It was like looking at giant steps up the mountain with a main curved path inclining up and around on either side of the city, creating a huge ramp. On the edges, the mountain had been dug out so that there were man-made sheer cliffs where structures had been carved into the mountain itself. At the peak of the village was a large carved building. It reminded me of a pyramid with a large plateau on the top where a structure had been erected.
I know I complained about the lack of technology, but the architecture to this place was incredible. I wouldn't want to be an enemy horde trying to attack. On the plains leading up to Bena, vast fields of grain crops swayed in the wind. Each of the village tiers also had a set of crops, all of which were different. I didn't dare count just how many huts I saw. It had to be several hundred and I couldn't imagine the logistics of managing a place this big!
All around were men farming the fields and tending the crops. Some had even shifted to their creatures to help with moving equipment and crops. Off in the distance, I could see men heading into the forests, most likely to hunt. One thing I noticed very quickly was there were no women to be seen.
"Where are the women?" I whispered to Ocello.
"Many are in their homes tending to their children, but they may also be meeting to make decisions on the village."
"What do you mean?"
"It is a large village, but there are sure to be disputes. We have a council of women who meet every few days to address issues and give direction on maintaining the infrastructure of Bena. They are the ones who carved it into the mountain."
For a moment, I thought that I would be stuck in a place that only let women be mothers, but it seemed they had a lot of power here.
"What about the men?" Ocello looked at me oddly.
"What do you mean?"
"Do men also make decisions about the village?"
"Most husbands let their wife handle that, but there is a council of men that ensures that we have a say." I nodded. The men wore a combination of animal hide and fabric attire. As we got closer to the town, I realized something. Most of the men were as tall as I was.
Ocello towered over me and so I assumed that all the men would be as tall as he was, but when he was a man, he was by far the tallest. I think there were even some that were shorter than me. I wondered if there was a way to ask that wasn't offensive. Though, if I just waited, I would probably have the answer. Were women also shorter?
"We should stop here one last time before heading up to see the village chief." Sliding down off of Ocello's back I let Cuddles out of his sling. As soon as he shifted, he opened his bag and gave us some fresh fruit and nuts. As I looked around the small break area, I realized that there was a giant snake lying on the stones next to what looked like a well. It was covered is a crisscross of marks as if he had been cut many times.
I could feel the blood leave my face as I stared at the giant. Ocello noticed my fear and came over to envelope me in his arms.
"Don't worry. That is just a friend of mind. I usually meet him here after my hunts. Cuau, can you shift to your human form?" In front of me the snake blurred and was replaced by a man several inches taller than me with green hair. A short tunic covered his body as he stretched and yawned from his nap.
"Welcome back, Ocello." He stared for a moment at me before his attention was caught by the bara at my feet.
"You are supposed to bring food back dead, but even I wouldn't bring anything back that small." The man smirked and jumped off the stone. As a snake, I had seen the scars, but as he came closer, I saw the same markings on his arms and legs. Whoever had done it had avoided his face.
"Hi! Judging from the was Ocello is treating you, you must be his mate, though I don't think he has been gone long enough to get anyone pregnant. I'm Cuau, what is your name!"
My eyes popped open in surprise at Cuau's statement, and I looked over to Ocello in embarrassment, but he was blushing.
"You shouldn't say things like that to people you just met." Ocello grit his teeth and looked at his friend with a warning glance.
"What do you mean? Don't tell me that you haven't asked yet?" Cuau tried to affect and innocent face but failed miserably. Turning to me, he said with an exaggerated sigh. "You must be so frustrated at him, but I can assure you that he must like you quite a bit. He had never treated anyone with as much care as he as given you."
"I'm Kami, but it isn't like that. Ocello found me in the woods and is just helping me out!" I shifted uncomfortably, but I could feel in my heart that even though I was denying it, I did feel some interest.
"Oh ho! He has you believing that! But he knows that a woman riding on his back is a declaration of intent, at least in the village. He let you ride him all the way across the plains!" Ocello took this opportunity to pull his friend away and smack him. Before whispering to him under his breath. I couldn't help but be amused at the scene before me. It was obvious that they were very good friends for him to be teasing like that. After they were done talking Cuau stood and grinned over at me.
"I guess you need to see the Village Chief. Welcome to Bena! Just so you know, it is a very nice place to live and raise your children." With that, he began to head back to the fields but stopped at the edge of the corn field. "Oh, but you should keep Ocello. He really is an old bachelor. None of the women want him so he is…" Ocello had picked up a rock from the ground and threw it toward his friend in warning. It wasn't big enough to cause any damage to the thick-skinned man, but he laughed again and left. I had a feeling I would be seeing him again.
"I should have gone the other way. I'm sorry for my friend's behavior." Ocello let out an exacerbated groan as Cuau yelled from the fields.
"You should really marry him! Put him out of his misery for Oichlys's sake!" Ocello blushed even harder if that was possible. I giggled but then paused.
"Oichlys. Who is that?"
"Oh, that is the goddess of misery and death."
"What!" I exclaimed, shocked at his words.
"Oh, but his isn't cursing me, I promise."
"I didn't think that he was." I stared off at the green headed man. He had been just as beautiful as Ocello in his own way. I wondered if he had a wife.
By now, we had finished up our snack, and I took Cuddles and put him in his sling. Ocello insisted on carrying him as well as his bag up the mountain. Staring at the hill before me, I was already breathing hard just looking.
"I can carry you too if you want." Ocello said after I reached the first tier, huffing and puffing from the steep incline.
"I might take you up on that offer." I said jokingly until I felt Ocello's hands under my legs as I was swept off of my feet. Looking up at Ocello, I wrapped my arms around his neck, startled at the suddenness of it. Did I day that the princess carry wasn't romantic? Right now, I felt safe and protected. I could smell the woodsy scent of Ocello, and his face was so close. As he carried me up the hill, he didn't falter and I buried my head in his neck.
Being held like this was both embarrassing and made me feel happy. Which was confusing to say the least. It wasn't long before were reached the top of the village where the Chief resided. The structure I had seen at the top of the pyramid like carving was actually the place we were going to.
"Village Chief! We request and audience with you!