Page 20 of Hainn

Jezari squared her shoulders and walked into the main cave, keenly anticipating her cup of Badari tea. A worry struck her—should she be drinking tea while pregnant? Should she be surfing the monster waves and carrying on as if everything was normal?

Yes, she decided between one step and the next. Pregnancy was a special but normal condition of life for women who weren’t Badari and she was going to treat this pregnancy of hers as a normal thing too. Her genetically engineered body was tough and healed itself rapidly—she was sure it could protect the new life she was carrying. Accordingly she greeted Hainn cheerfully and accepted the mug of tea he brought her. “Exactly what I need this morning.”

While eating a quick breakfast the group drew lots for the order of today’s surfing and Jezari drew the third position, which was fine with her. She liked to have time to sit on the ocean’s broad back and contemplate what she was about to do rather than having to jump straight into her first run of the day.Carrying her board like all the rest she headed out to the waiting flyer and another day of high adrenaline activity and fun.

Driftingon the water’s surface, paddling lazily to stay in position, Jezari reveled in the freedom of being virtually alone in the vast space of an ocean. Hainn floated close by and the other brothers were within hailing range too but it wasn’t at all like being in the valley with all the residences so close together and humans everywhere. She raised her arms to the sky and gave thanks to the Great Mother for her chance to be here, as well as for the tiny life she was now nurturing.

You’re next, Hainn said in her head.Are you ready or are you going to pass?

You must be joking, of course I’m not missing my chance!

As she paddled to catch the beginning of her wave, she reflected how much she enjoyed the sound of his voice in her mind. He was a special person and it was hard not to see him as a prospective mate today.But I’m not asking him. It has to be his choice and not because I’m pregnant either.The swelling water foamed and churned and lifted her effortlessly along with its own weight and she let her mind go blank so her muscles could take over and she could have a triumphant ride. Carried along on the wave’s journey, balancing on its back, she exulted in the speed and the sensations. With regret she steered her board away as the wave collapsed and felt the tractor beam’s touch as Stonor retrieved her.

After his usual brief questioning to make sure she was fine, he and Vindy dropped her off again in the waiting area and sped away to collect the next surfer from the end of his run. She didn’t see Hainn so she supposed he was next up, maybe even riding this minute. She was tempted to touch his mind and share his exultation but shied away from the intimacy. It mightdistract him. Her sending mind to mind would surprise him at the least. Jezari decided to talk to him about it at the lunch break on the beach.

Her inner predator tensed and Jezari ramped up her situational awareness, scanning in all directions, talons extended. She’d drifted quite a distance from the group while she was lost in thought.

Suddenly there was a disturbance in the water and a huge creature surfaced right next to her, eyeing her from its giant opalescent orb, studying her as it floated effortlessly. Jezari was so startled she nearly fell off the board. The animal was easily ten times her height in length but it made no threatening move before releasing a great spout of water from its head and sliding underneath the waves again. A broad tail slapped the water as it descended, spraying her with crystalline drops. Jezari saw a smaller version of the animal following the first and submerging a bit less gracefully and on an impulse she let go of her surf board and dove into the water herself.

At first there was no sign of either of the two leviathans, except for a trail of rapidly dissipating bubbles, coming from far below. Then a shadow rose speedily from the depths, barely flicking its tail to ascend and pausing a few feet away from her.

I mean you no harm, Jezari hoped maybe the animal could hear her.

The smaller one, which was perhaps one third of its mother’s length, swam into view and did lazy maneuvers around and over the parent, playfully nudging her with its snout and then speeding away with a flick of its flippers and tail. Mesmerized Jezari watched the baby play as the mother indulgently drifted. The baby came at Jezari next, not with an intent to hurt, she was sure, but wanting to play and having no idea of its own strength. Jezari dove rapidly to avoid a collision which would probably damage her, even with a Badari’s tough frame. Unfortunatelythe baby took this as a game and followed. Only the fact it wasn’t as accomplished a swimmer as its mother saved Jezari. She swam toward the surface, hoping it might deter the determined infant.

At the last second before the baby was going to collide with her, the mother came up right under Jezari lifting her on its back and surfacing with a huge spray of water, leaping many feet out of the air. She clutched at the shells and vegetation growing along the broad spine to keep herself from falling off as the immense creature made its leap and dropped to the waves. Once the animal was floating effortlessly Jezari slipped off and patted the thick hide.

Thank you! Your baby is beautiful but too big for me,she telepathed.

As if she’d summoned it, the infant broached the water in its own leap, quite impressive for a young one and the resulting splash inundated Jezari and knocked her under again. Surfacing with a sputter, she found the mother had maneuvered between the boisterous offspring and Jezari and was keeping the baby away from her with one massive flipper. The baby settled in to nurse briefly as Jezari watched, marveling at what a rare opportunity she’d been given to observe these animals.

Then the mother rolled her gleaming eye at her as if to say goodbye and submerged as smoothly as it had come, the baby close behind.

Saddened, as if she’d had a visit from friends who were now gone, Jezari stared out to the horizon, hoping for one more glimpse. Sure enough, the mother made a stunningly high leap, going way out of the waves and landing with an epic splash as the calf did its own version of the move an instant later. Then the pair was gone and this time there wasn’t another sighting.

Jezari! What happened? Are you okay?Hainn’s worried voice sounded in her mind and he paddled furiously toward her.I saw your empty board and I was worried.

I’m fine, no need to worry. Did you see those creatures? Have you ever seen their like before?

He came up beside her, giving her the measured glance of a healer as if making sure she wasn’t lying about any injuries.I watched them leap from the ocean just now. There’s no record of any previous encounter with anything that big. There are some marine mammals we meet out here on occasion but we keep a respectful distance from them and the pod leaves us alone. Did they threaten you?

She shook her head.No, I think they were curious more than anything else. It was awesome—I even rode the mother’s back. Well, briefly.

Hainn didn’t seem pleased by the piece of news but didn’t comment.It’ll be your turn in two more sets. We should return to the surfing area. Then it’ll be lunchtime.

I want to go diving this afternoon,she said as they reoriented their boards and paddled toward the spot where the waves broke.The surfing is fantastic but I don’t want to miss the full experience of being here.

I’m happy to contribute to the full experience.His mental voice was over the top lascivious and he winked at her. Changing inflection, he added,I’ll dive with you—I know some pretty coral formations and the sea life there is astonishing. Makes the muddy lake at home look like a puddle with tadpoles.

She wasn’t displeased with the idea of his company although she enjoyed exploring on her own.I hate for you to miss surfing on my account.

You shouldn’t dive alone, not out here. We always go in pairs.

Oh.

Before she could process her disappointment at his matter of fact statement, he said,I need to do my share of fishing anyway. We can gather sea urchins for the feast tonight as well while we’re at the reef.

They had rejoined the small group of Badari floating on their surf boards and Hainn indicated she should get into position to catch the next wave. With a sigh, checking the horizon, hoping to see her leviathan friends again, Jezari did so. The gathering wave lifted her and carried her away from her musings. There was nothing to do but concentrate on the surfing and wringing every moment of pleasure possible from the ride. It was a heady rush and she was laughing as she glided away from the breaking wave for Stonor to pick her up.

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