Page 33 of Nixx
And I don't want to go home.
Sarah
These few days spent at the South Bastion have been very enriching. Whether it was the day of our arrival or this unfortunate incident that allowed me to be very well received by this community.
The next day I spent with Tanny and Lorry who were very kind, patiently answering my many questions during the visit to the weaving workshops.
The day continued with the acrobatic ride with Nixx through the breathtaking scenery. It was fabulous and I remember his eyes sparkling with mischief as he stopped us just before we finished in the crystal-clear waters of the canyon.
And yesterday, on our third day, I finally got to visit the kitchen. Like the other rooms, it is built directly into the cliff. Bread ovens are used to cook food. From what I see, these people don’t have control over metals, by choice or not, I do not know. They found alternative means for everything. Their knife blades are made of bone or horn, polished and my goodness, it cuts perfectly well. The handles are made of hardwood. On the dinnerware side, they alternate between wooden plates and dishes, or enameled and nicely decorated terracotta. For glasses, they are horn flasks.
Tanny told me that the great ruminants of the northern plains had four of them each and that their people had been collecting them since the dawn of time. Their kitchen is equipped like any kitchen worthy of the name, with ovens, sinks with hot water, and large tables. In short, I was thrilled.
Well, on the other hand, there is something to say about the recipes. I only see boiled dishes. Whether it's eggs, vegetables, or fruit . . . everything that needs to be cooked inevitably ends up immersed in a bowl that goes in the oven. I don't see any pies or cakes. Well, if it's the same story at Nixx’s, no doubt I'll be making suggestions.
On the other hand, no kind of evolution in my relationship with Nixx.
In the morning, he trains with Azarr's men.
In the afternoon, he becomes a thoughtful and entertaining guide.
For the dinner they call “last meal,” he doesn't let me down anymore and ignores the advances of Sally the bitch.
But every night, he becomes mute as soon as he passes the bedroom door, he lies down fully dressed, takes me in his arms and I sleep surrounded by the warmth of his wings. But nothing else. And as soon as he woke up, he was already up and ready. There was no further attempt at a kiss either.
Yes, my daughter, it seems that he has already put you in the “girlfriend” box. What a bitter disappointment!
This morning, we leave for his stronghold in the western lands; the Western Bastion! I feel him impatient to be back there. So, the three of us go to the dining room to have a quick first meal.
I discovered that the blueberries discovered on the first day with David and Eva are similar to our coffee beans. Even though our AI said they were not a good caloric intake, they use them the same way we use our coffee. They roast the beans in the oven, then crush them finely, and run them through hot water to make their kafae. It doesn't taste as strong as the one I know and it has a different color and smell too. But I quickly adopted it as a replacement for my morning coffee fix.
Azarr and Zull come to thank me again and remind me that if I need them, I can call on them. The farewell does not drag, Nixx cuts it short by dragging me gently toward the exit.
Arrived on the platform which overhangs this superb canyon, Nixx wraps again his arm around my waist, lifts me and launches us in the air without further delay.
The beginning of the journey is spent in absolute silence. Not being able to stand it anymore, I start a conversation.
“I am anxious to see my friends again, I hope they are well.”
“They are doing well.”
Well, his answer isn’t very elaborate. If it bothers him so much to make conversation with me and to put up with my presence, he should have just left me in the south. And send my friends there to join me. What a versatile grump! One minute he's kissing me, or almost kissing me. The next minute he sulks for hours.
“You don't know that. Maybe they're okay. Or maybe your friend Kryll went back to finish the job. Who knows?”
“I know! I talked to Udoo and he told me that your friends are fine. And Kryll is not my friend, but a member of my people. And he's keeping a low profile for now, he's gone to see some family in a remote village.”
