Kathoc Bose 1: Found
Barefoot, the two men walked slowly, hand in hand through the tall grasses to the shore.
From 🌿Leaves’ Science Fiction archive of 2022, this is Part 1 of Kathoc Bose, a romantic story of a man finding his place on a strange world. If you like it, a link is given to Part 2 below.
Kathoc Bose woke up. The air he breathed was as dense and gray as slate.
He heard the thin, high screeeee of a seabird, closed his eyes, felt the scraping of sand under his cheek. His clothes were damp, he’d lost a shoe, and a dull pain spread out across his chest He was in no hurry to get up. Rolling over in the wet grit, arms outspread, he struggled to draw air deeper into his lungs. It was near dark, a moon sat low on the left horizon. What is this place? he thought. He shivered and slept again.
Two men came walking along the shore in the moonlight dragging a net behind them. They noticed something odd near the high tide line, and went to see. Approaching cautiously, they found the unconscious traveler, Kathoc Bose.
They tried to rouse him. Kathoc groaned and caught a breath, but did not awaken. Lifting him onto their net, they carried him away under the lantern of the moon as if he were a large fish. A light mist softened the landscape, ragged high cliffs and sharp rock edges were diffused in the waning light. A layer of thin black clouds slipped across the sky just above the sea, the heavy air smelled of water weed. The two men and their “fish” disappeared into the brume.
Kathoc awoke in a dark room, starlight glowed faintly through the window. A low fire smoldered nearby, casting a flicker of shadow on the wall. A woven blanket covered his naked body. There was no sound.
The room was small and spare – a table, a bed, a flame, a chair. Across the room a man was sitting on a low, deep window seat, his back against the wall, one knee drawn up, one bare foot on the floor. His hair was long and appeared as stiff as a broom. His robe was tucked around him. Kathoc Bose didn’t move or speak.
A short time later, Kathoc startled from a shallow dream to see the soft, half-light of early morning spilling through the window. He looked up and found the man standing next to the bed looking down at him.
“Almosheh,” the tall man said softly, and pointed out the window.
“Who are you? What is this place?”
“Néhna lámu,” he answered. He reached out and rested one hand lightly on Kathoc’s head.
“Okay,” Kathoc replied, trying to clear his brains. “Okay.”
“O-kei, ” the man repeated, and nodded. He went to the table and filled two cups from a ceramic jug. Kathoc watched the man crush dried leaves in his hand and sprinkle them into the cups. He brought the cups to the bed, knelt on the floor and handed one to Kathoc.
Kathoc was wary and did not drink. The man took back the cup, sipped from it himself, handed it back to Kathhoc and continued to drink from his own cup. The brew was fragrant, like spiced pears and it gave Kathoc a feeling of strength. “Thank you”, he said.
“Dan-gyu?”
“Yes … thank you.
“Dan-kyu ... tan-kyu,” he repeated it until he was satisfied he had it right. “O-kei. ”
“Who are you? Where are my clothes? Please, I want my clothes.”
The man looked at Kathoc and pointed to himself saying, “Fahlo. Inahm Fahlo,” his hand on his chest.
“Okay … Fahlo. I am Kathoc.”
“Kat-dog?”
“No. Kathoc.”
“Ka-toc?”
“Kathoc, yes.”
“Hah. Ka - toc - yes, ” said Fahlo with a smile.
“No. Just Kathoc.”
“Kat-oc! O-kei. Tan-kyu.”
Fahlo brought Kathoc a purple fruit, a bit of heavy bread-like food and more of the spicy liquid. They ate together in silence. Fahlo helped him stand up from the bed. He studied Kathoc’s nude body slowly and thoroughly from head to foot. He then handed him a robe. Kathoc’s legs were weak, his chest ached, he continued to gasp for more oxygen. Fahlo helped him put on the robe and again rested his large hand on Kathoc’s head.
As Fahlo turned and busied himself with the fire, Kathoc noticed that he was extraordinarily tall - at least a foot taller than himself. He was strong and sturdy, with wide shoulders and wiry hair that stuck out from his head like bracken. Other than that, he seemed a man like any other.
Fahlo returned and pointed to the door. “Ka-toc … manahm voh.” He took him by the hand and led him out into the morning light. Both barefoot, they walked very slowly, hand in hand through the tall grasses to the shore. Kathoc did not resist; he sensed no threat. His breathing eased.
At the water’s edge, Fahlo spoke. He swept his arms out toward the sea, the clouds, the cliffs, the rocks.
Kathoc, not understanding, said, “Okay.”
Fahlo bent down, gave him a long look, eye to eye, and laughed. He embraced Kathoc and took his hand again. They continued walking down the beach.
••Continue Kathoc Bose HERE , if you like.
Sharron, not sure what this is or where its going but I mean to find out! I am properly intrigued. Thanks for sharing. - Jim
An amusing interchange between Kathoc and the man. Well, you ignited my interest. I'll have to read Part 2.