took me some time to find the small lichen-type creatures hanging high on the walls. They emitted a faint luminescence, lighting up the cavern.
“We aren’t far from the outside. The man wouldn’t take us any further until this ceremony the rest of the Crais tribes are doing is over.” Lucas shifted closer.
I coul d make out his features and see the strain around his eyes. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead; he looked uncomfortable and irritated.
“So again this planet’s inhabitants speak English,” I muttered.
T he continuity between these worlds never ceased to amaze me.
“A rough version anyways ,” Lucy said. “They definitely have one or many other dialects, but they do understand and can respond.”
I ’d clearly been out long enough for these three to gather intel on the Crais man. I shifted then, the burn on my skin almost gone. I was about to pull myself to a standing position when the man walked back into sight. I watched him cautiously, never underestimating those I didn’t know. Trust must be earned. It’s too late if someone I love ends up dead. So, for now, I reserved all judgment.
“You awake. Skin healing. Need more water.”
He spoke roughly, before stepping forward to place a stone bowl on the ground. A drop of water sloshed over the side, the bead falling into the dirt. He moved back then. Talina was the one who strode across the space to collect the bowl. She immediately sank her face into the liquid, lifting her head to let the water stream off her. The relief she felt was obvious.
“Here , Abbs, make sure you drink some of it in. This water is amazing and it definitely has healing properties.” She placed it gently before me.
I reached forward to grasp the bowl, lifting it to my face, letting a small portion of the contents pour over my head and into my mouth. I immediately understood what Talina meant. In an attempt to describe it, I’d say it was thicker than water, with a much higher viscosity. It reminded me of honey. It moved slower, absorbing into my body and replenishing the fluids I’d lost.
Feeling a million times better , I passed the bowl to Lucy, who had her share before Lucas finished it off. I turned back to the man. It took me a moment to find him, as he blended into the darkness that surrounded us. What an awesome camouflage technique.
“Thank you ,” I said, hoping he’d understand.
As he moved, the purple-black of his skin reflected the dim light. I examined him the best I could. At first glance I didn’t notice any obvious differences between us and him, but there had to be some features that marked him as unique to this world.
H e moved closer, watching me just as intensely, and a few of his unique characteristics became clear. His skin was rough, almost scaled, although I doubted without Walker vision I’d have noticed the slight mottling that indicated a rough texture. He was very thin, but the muscles on display showed a honed strength. He had no hair that I could see, not even on his head or face, just smooth skin. There was also something strange around his rib cage. I’d have sworn I could see an extra rib or a larger bone structure.
“Why are you here?” His eyes were dark and he never took them off me.
“We ’re looking for someone.”
There was no point elaborating too much . Firstly, this man didn’t need to know, and secondly, his English appeared to be very limited.
“Are there other s close by?”
He tilted his head, the way a predator did as it sized up its prey. I straightened, as did Lucas. Were we about to be attacked?
“You must follow me now.” He waved both hands at us, reiterating his words.
I glanced at the girls. This didn’t feel safe, but since my instincts appeared to be off recharging with my powers, I wasn’t sure what decision was right.
“We don’t have a choice, Abbs . This is our best chance to figure out where the people are.” As usual, Lucy had no problem diving in. The girl was fearless.
He
“We aren’t far from the outside. The man wouldn’t take us any further until this ceremony the rest of the Crais tribes are doing is over.” Lucas shifted closer.
I coul d make out his features and see the strain around his eyes. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead; he looked uncomfortable and irritated.
“So again this planet’s inhabitants speak English,” I muttered.
T he continuity between these worlds never ceased to amaze me.
“A rough version anyways ,” Lucy said. “They definitely have one or many other dialects, but they do understand and can respond.”
I ’d clearly been out long enough for these three to gather intel on the Crais man. I shifted then, the burn on my skin almost gone. I was about to pull myself to a standing position when the man walked back into sight. I watched him cautiously, never underestimating those I didn’t know. Trust must be earned. It’s too late if someone I love ends up dead. So, for now, I reserved all judgment.
“You awake. Skin healing. Need more water.”
He spoke roughly, before stepping forward to place a stone bowl on the ground. A drop of water sloshed over the side, the bead falling into the dirt. He moved back then. Talina was the one who strode across the space to collect the bowl. She immediately sank her face into the liquid, lifting her head to let the water stream off her. The relief she felt was obvious.
“Here , Abbs, make sure you drink some of it in. This water is amazing and it definitely has healing properties.” She placed it gently before me.
I reached forward to grasp the bowl, lifting it to my face, letting a small portion of the contents pour over my head and into my mouth. I immediately understood what Talina meant. In an attempt to describe it, I’d say it was thicker than water, with a much higher viscosity. It reminded me of honey. It moved slower, absorbing into my body and replenishing the fluids I’d lost.
Feeling a million times better , I passed the bowl to Lucy, who had her share before Lucas finished it off. I turned back to the man. It took me a moment to find him, as he blended into the darkness that surrounded us. What an awesome camouflage technique.
“Thank you ,” I said, hoping he’d understand.
As he moved, the purple-black of his skin reflected the dim light. I examined him the best I could. At first glance I didn’t notice any obvious differences between us and him, but there had to be some features that marked him as unique to this world.
H e moved closer, watching me just as intensely, and a few of his unique characteristics became clear. His skin was rough, almost scaled, although I doubted without Walker vision I’d have noticed the slight mottling that indicated a rough texture. He was very thin, but the muscles on display showed a honed strength. He had no hair that I could see, not even on his head or face, just smooth skin. There was also something strange around his rib cage. I’d have sworn I could see an extra rib or a larger bone structure.
“Why are you here?” His eyes were dark and he never took them off me.
“We ’re looking for someone.”
There was no point elaborating too much . Firstly, this man didn’t need to know, and secondly, his English appeared to be very limited.
“Are there other s close by?”
He tilted his head, the way a predator did as it sized up its prey. I straightened, as did Lucas. Were we about to be attacked?
“You must follow me now.” He waved both hands at us, reiterating his words.
I glanced at the girls. This didn’t feel safe, but since my instincts appeared to be off recharging with my powers, I wasn’t sure what decision was right.
“We don’t have a choice, Abbs . This is our best chance to figure out where the people are.” As usual, Lucy had no problem diving in. The girl was fearless.
He
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