Rift in the Sky

She understood Enris’ concern; she had no time for it. Not while the M’hiray waited beneath their feet, trusting them to find the way out. “There are seven hundred and thirty of us. We need a place to live. Now.” Aryl thought of the crowded roofs and buildings outside and shuddered inwardly. “Better than this. Private. Away from Humans.”

So much for blending in. With a hint of irony.

It knows we aren’t Human. Flat and sure. Trust me.

The Carasian dipped its head from one shoulder to the other. “If you picked this world, you know anything can be arranged for a price.”

“A price?”

This is where you trust me, beloved.

She’d prefer to test her new weapon, but this was Enris’ knowledge, not hers. Though why was she so sure?

The reason slid away, leaving only belief.

Aryl subsided, crossing her legs on the rock to prove it.

“We’ve brought items to trade,” Enris said in a casual tone. “Offworld items. Quite valuable.”

We did?

I’ve asked Naryn and Haxel to check our belongings. There must be something. Any doubt of that Enris might have had—which Aryl shared—he didn’t allow to reach his face or voice. “We’d be glad to show them to the right trader. Would that be you?”

Silence, then a deep, “No.”

Aryl prepared to get to her feet. We can still find the creature I chased.

“That would be Louli,” the Carasian continued. A smaller claw indicated the stairs.

“Lawren Louli. This is my place. Doc’s Dive. Do you like the name? It’s a little joke. Not everyone gets that. Gurdo tells me you have a problem that could mean profit. Profit I like. Wasting time, I don’t. You look like a waste of time. You get that?”

Bemused by this rapid stream of words—Louli seemed to not need to breathe—Aryl missed the tiny pause that was her chance to speak.

“That’s a lot of offworlders to settle. Private and safe, I hear. Quick, too. Why’s that? Why quick?”

“We don’t waste time,” Enris countered, smiling. “Can you help?”

This Human female was different from the others Aryl had seen, beginning with her clothing. Every colorful section was a different eye-twisting pattern. There were two sections for each arm, and left and right arms didn’t match. Each shoulder differed from the torso, which was itself, though shaped like a snug-fitting jacket, in four fabrics. The sleek pants were divided into three down each leg, neither leg coordinated to the other. Each foot, Aryl noticed when she snuck a peek under the table, wore a different kind of shoe.

The only item of clothing spared the battle of color was the white cap on Louli’s short-cropped white hair. Was “cap” the right word? The object in question was taller than any cap Aryl remembered, and sat neatly on the back of the Human’s head. It did add height, she decided.

Not that Louli needed help to dominate the conversation. Her bright blue eyes darted between them as if she suspected trickery. Between her quick incisive speech, and the way the Carasian lowered itself at her side—once it had forced its way up the stairs and through the door with loud rattling and complaints—Aryl was quite sure who felt in charge.

Here.

They overlooked the packed floor, with its “stage” and pox pit. The area around them was quiet except for their own voices and, though they could see the crowded tables to either side of this area, no one there appeared to see them. Aryl didn’t know how it was done, but she approved. The three tables by the rail looked the same as the rest, but were of polished wood. Real flame burned in bowls of scented oil at their centers. Except where a second set of stairs led down, the floor was covered in a thick, rich carpet, its surface carved with an ornate design.

Marred with wet footprints. Aryl’s hair had dried itself, but she and Enris sat at the Human’s table in sopping clothes courtesy of Gurdo’s aversion to sand. She sniffed self-consciously. The bitter water had left a smell behind.

Louli didn’t remark on it. Perhaps because more carpets hung on the back wall and she’d have this one changed once her damp guests had left.

“Help you?” she repeated. “Depends. Depends. Names would help. If you have them. Species. Gurdo says you aren’t Human. Could have fooled me. Look it, both of you.”

Her Chosen’s silence said it all. Aryl felt her face grow warm. “I’m Aryl di Sarc,” she said quickly, before Louli went on. “This is Enris d’sud Sarc. We’re M’hiray. The only Clan—”

“Clan. Simple. I like simple. Start giving me glottal stops and nonsensical spits, and I won’t bother remembering you. Now. Aryl and Enris of the Clan. I’m a busy being.” Not that there was anything to be busy about in sight, but Louli sounded definite. “Tell me what you have to offer.”

Something she’d like to know, too.

“I can do better.” Enris was unperturbed. “I’ll show you. There’s a sample on the way here.”