Page 17 of Nixx
The first meal ends and Sarah heads for the Sarconze box. The little light is still red.
“It's too early,” she says, “we have to wait again.”
Her velvety voice, speaking in my language, makes me shudder again despite myself. I can't keep ignoring the signs.
I realize that this woman is the one for me, I feel it deep inside. But I can't accept it. My mind refuses categorically. She is a stranger; she doesn't even have wings.
And I, who refused to find my Life Partner, because I did not wish to weaken myself by worrying about her, think bitterly . . . The Winds have given me the weakest one ever! How will she survive here? How will she cope with an oncifelis attack? Or vorks? Or even worse, gortachs? How will she escape without being able to fly away?
Unlike her male companions, she is not even a fighter. If I accept the Bond of Union, I must never leave her unattended. If she loses her life and we are bonded, I will lose mine too!
No, definitely, that's not an option! I'll take her with me to the South Bastion and leave her in Azarr's care . . . far enough away from the West Bastion for my peace of mind.
“Jaxx, Udoo is on his way with eight of our men. When they arrive, you and Kurr will escort the humans and their devices to our Bastion. There are five humans here, plus the Sarconze, which will be carried by two of you. Udoo is bringing ropes as well. Since the forest area cannot be crossed on foot, it is necessary to go by air. Each of you will carry a human in your arms to get through this tricky area.”
“There are not five of us, but six!” intervenes Marc, who is still listening to us speak and who has indeed made further progress in understanding our language. “Eva, Sarah, David, Gregory, me, and don't forget Ferdinand who will soon be able to get out of Sarc-11.”
“I didn't forget anything and I didn't make a mistake. Lokk and I are taking Sarah with us. We have to go to the South Bastion to meet their leader. She goes with us.”
“But it doesn't make sense. Why take her there? Why her? If you want to keep one who will vouch for the others, take me, or David. But we would not want to be separated,” he insists.
“Please,” Sarah interjects, “let me stay with my companions. I am their doctor. I must be able to take care of them.”
“This is not up for discussion,” I answer.
I meet the questioning glance of Lokk, who does not understand my decision either, I see it well. Udoo announces his imminent arrival in the creek, with eight warriors of the Bastion. I have already informed him of my decision to leave without delay for the south. I approach Sarah, who does not seem to have fully understood what awaits her.
As I press myself against her and put an arm around her waist, she looks up at me in surprise. I launch myself into the sky and feel her tense up in my arms.
“But what's wrong?” she yelps. “Put me down immediately! I'm a human, I don't want to fly. I don't want to fall.”
“I won't let you fall,” I tell her, my eyes looking into her distraught green eyes.
She tied her arms around my neck, hugging herself tighter. The sensation is indescribable. I feel her little heart beating wildly in her chest.
“Are you sure of yourself? Your reactions and choices have been surprising, to say the least since yesterday, my friend.”
“Lokk, don't forget whom you're talking to and don't question my decisions!”I retort to Lokk who follows a few wing shots behind me.
“But of course, O great chief beyond the Winds!”he answers me mockingly.
The annoying thing about getting too close to your people is that they don't mind being disrespectful on occasion.
Annoyed, I accelerate, to increase the distance between him and me. This is of no interest, as the mental contact is rather related to the power of the interlocutors, to the distance as well and also to the link they have between them. I can contact Rymm at the other end of the territories. Anyway . . .
Sarah buried her face in my neck, immediately distracting me from my annoyance with my friend.
“Sarah? Don't be afraid, I've got you.”
“Of course, I'm scared! Not only am I several dozen meters above the ground, but you're going way too fast. Why didn't you leave me with the others?”
I'll slow down and come back down a bit and I can even explain what you're interested in and answer your questions.
I hover and put my second arm under her legs to carry her horizontally, so she can see down.
“Are you already tired of carrying the little human female? Need help?”laughs Lokk who caught up with us.
I don't respond to his insinuations and start explaining to Sarah:
