Page 31 of Master
"There are species that are all... turds," I said, using her vernacular. "I've never met a Kerzak that wasn't a turd."
Clara gave a low, amused snort. "Based on my experience, neither have I?"
In the distance, a low, baleful warble sounded that sat my teeth on edge. I'd heard the battle cry of hundreds of species and creatures, but this thing, this sound, was deeply melancholy and too nearby for comfort. I moved, putting Clara at my back and drawing my longest blade.
“What the....” Clara began when the sound ripped through the air again.
“Oh my God,” Clara’s voice was faint with shock, and she began shaking.
The idea she shook with terror ripped open protectiveness deep in my gut. I glanced over my shoulder, intent on comforting her, wanting her to know I'd give my life to keep her safe.
Clara’s violet eyes held tears, not from fear... but from laughter.
The wail sounded again, and I raised my blade into attack posture, glancing about for the creature.
Which only served to make Clara laugh harder.
"What is wrong?" I hissed. Faint noises in the underbrush spoke of an impending attack.
“It’s... a... it’s....” Clara fought laughter for words, losing frequently before she blurted. “It’s a cow.”
“Is that a dangerous beast on Earth?” The moniker didn’t trigger a recollection from my Earth studies.
Clara wheezed with laughter, plopping to the ground, and holding her stomach as she rocked back and forth her amusement hitting the cackling stage.
The thought of her being amused by my warrior prowess stung, but I would deal with that later. Right now, I had a creature to slay. It was so close I could hear sluggish, heavy footsteps, and it broke through the dense underbrush to our right.
Well, fuck!
I understood why Clara lay on the ground, chortling in amusement.
The beast had a massive body that sat atop four legs that appeared too spindly to hold the creature’s massive weight. The fur it bore was brown, with a nap only slightly longer than my own pelt. Oval-shaped ears flicked in unison with a long, tufted tail. The creature's homely face held a long snout, ending with a pink muzzle from which a handful of grass appeared, swaying back and forth as the creature chewed.
“You could have told me.” I glared down at Clara, sheathing my knife.
Clara’s only response was to shake her head back and forth, giggling while wiping tears from her face.
I sat down beside her to wait until she collected herself.
Out of the forest, Tau Ceti was a truly beautiful place. Clear blue skies dotted here and there with pale pink clouds, rolling hills, and lush greenery. Danger still existed, thankfully far away from the settlement most times.
Except for the cow. I kept my guard up, refusing to believe anything that slow and stupid looking wasn't innately dangerous.
"Oh my God," Clara gasped. "I haven't laughed that hard in forever.
She sat up, wiping her eyes on the back of her sleeve, a smile plastered on her face. I liked her smile. I liked her laugh.
I liked her.
She leaned over to nudge me with her elbow. "I take it you've never seen a cow before?"
"I've seen similar beasts." I cast a hateful glance at the creature and—capitulating to my wounded warrior’s ego—fibbed. "Most I've encountered like it have razor-sharp hooves and teeth."
The glance Clara shot me said she recognized my deception, but still smiled. "A cow. How exactly did it get here, do you think?”
"There are many Earth animals here." I stood and held out my hand. Clara placed her fingers in my grip without hesitation, and I pulled her to stand beside me. I made noattempt to break the contact between our hands, but she pulled away, moving closer to the cow.
“How did they get there?”
