Page 28 of Hope Forged
When he sat opposite her, his gaze on her, she poked the strange food.
“It’s made from some sort of ground plant?” she asked, lifting a piece to study the underside. “Then rolled into this odd shape?”
“Flattened, I think,” he mused, snatching up a slice and biting into it. “There’s a red fruit sauce, cheese, and slices of pepperoni—some kind of meat.”
The flour she got, almost like when she made dava cakes. If she smashed them enough, she might achieve this thinness. But the orange substance, so salty and gooey, was unlike anything she’d tasted before. She hummed on the first bite, closing her eyes at the explosion of flavors. Even the round meat she could replicate, although, trapping and killing anything larger than fish and birds turned her stomach.
“Human food is quite appetizing, but too much can give you a stomach pain.”
“Human?” She hummed. “I’d like to meet this species. If their food’s this amazing—”
“They are too passionate. Statistics, planning, precaution, patience—the humans I have met would not do well against Durns.” He grinned. “Except Quin. She is most capable.”
Ziamee stared at the half-eaten slice in her hand, a knot forming in her chest. He spoke of this Quin with affection. A chill trembled her shoulders. She lowered the slice, no longer eager to finish it.
“You admire her?” she managed to ask.
“I do. She saved my life and became a dear friend.” He wiped his hands on a cloth, then glanced at a bronzed male scratching Seba behind an ear. “Brac, have you prepared a plan for discussion?”
“I have, indeed.” Brac smiled at Ziamee. “Please, let us meet in the comm room.”
As one, they rose and trailed the male to the room they’d teleported into. Brac led them to a lifelike depiction of a cave shimmering above a table. At the base was a faint point of light.
“This is all theCeleericould scan,” Brac said. “The entry point is the crevice. External reconnaissance has shown no other viable path.”
Coll joined them, tapping on the glowing dot which flickered and reformed. “The male’s heat signature is dim, and I suspect it has nothing to do with the thickness of the rock preventing us from reaching him.”
“The kuta cannot enter the cavern; the crevice is not wide enough. Nor do I think blasting our way in would be wise, further endangering the male.” With a flick of his fingers, Brac swiveled the cave’s image. “We will mount a rigging at the entrance. Illan and Coll will descend.”
“And me,” Ziamee said, raising her chin in open defiance.
“Very well, milady,” Brac said. “While you find your father, Ulta and I will search for your mother.”
“Be careful,” she said. “The buvarre are territorial, and their webs…sticky.”
Brac’s smile was gentle. “We will fly in, bypassing the forest. We located the source of the heat signature but could not confirm what or who it belonged to. We have yet to find a clear spot to land the kuta without damaging what seems to be a tended garden.”
Illan frowned. “Let us rescue her father first. Together, we can travel to the plateau.” He widened his eyes at Brac, then nudged his head at Ziamee. “Her father might need urgent medical care.”
Coll handed out med-guns. When he offered one to Ziamee, she hesitated. Despite already having one, she couldn’t bring herself to reject the chance to own another. She accepted it, cupping the device to her chest.
“I agree with Illan. The most dire is the male.” Coll clasped his hands behind his back. “We do not know what awaits us. I wouldprefer Ulta remain on board for porting, if needed. Brac, you will guard and await our return.”
“The western side of the crevice is the ideal point to descend.” Brac straightened. “Coll and I will prepare the anchor. Comm when you are ready.”
She caught his arm before he left. “Seba will want to come with me into the crevice. Brac, please, try and stop him from following.”
He chuckled. “I shall pack extra kreso.”
Those massive haunches of meat came to mind, making her smile. “That should keep him distracted.”
“We will prepare, as well.” Illan snatched her by the wrist and tugged her closer to him. He gave each male a look she didn’t understand and didn’t move until only Ulta remained in the comm room. “Come, let us arm you.”
She trailed Illan but didn’t say anything about his odd behavior. Instead, she asked, “Why do they defer to you? They are older and wiser—”
“We are the revered Durn,” was all he said. “And they show you respect because you are Durnanda female.”
She scoffed. “Neither matters when survival’s at stake.”
