Page 35 of Orange Lake
“No, they are not passing through. They continue to wage wars against each other. But now that this topic has come up,” Roqs shifted his leg so that it’s on top of the other. His thinking mode. “It is strange that the skirmishes are very few and far in between. I also got a report that one of them, the Skirx, are building an underground passage that we cut down immediately.”
“That is insane!” Crix exclaimed. “They don’t like to burrow beneath the land. That is why they like upper lands.”
“True,” Roqs nodded. This time, he got up and paced. Not a good sign when he paces. A trait he learned from one of his fathers and a trait I got from him. “We found crates, boxes, metal containers. So maybe they are stacking some supplies.”
“But the question is,” I said, knowing how he thinks. “Are they storing supplies for warring with the other gangs or readying for a long out battle to take out the Silver Tribe?”
Roqs paused and looked at me. There is a gleam in his eye. Yes, an anticipation of war is sure to bring our blood to a boil. It excites us. We do not fear death, except for our tribe, our mates and little ones.
“That is unheard of!” Crix now stood up and paced on the other side of the room opposite Roqs. But he stopped before continuing. “That is why they are called gangs. They live for themselves, they want their own autonomy and instead of using their claws to make a living, they insist to create a -”
We all paused and I felt Brin stiffen beside me.
A young one entered the room. Who allowed this child to be here with us. Just shows that we are close friends. Yet, why now?
The answer came with running feet. Jigen was quick to intercept the child heading for Coone. Coone is wary of children but young manasties are known to like their kind.Especially the toddlers.
“I’m so sorry - “ somebody wheezed behind the child. Must be one of the fathers because their coloring is alike.
The child though was very quick, made me remember Tax, one of the 4 smaller children in our tribe. He is the fastest among his child group. This child evaded the adults, and landed with an oomphed at Brin’s lap when he was thwarted to approach Coone. I was not fast enough to catch him.
Crix just sighed and sat down. Jigen and the father froze. I wanted to growl at them. It’s not like Brin will hurt a child. I’m more afraid of what the child can do to Brin.
“Hi,” Brin said cautiously. She seemed petrified but I think she knew the gravity of this opportunity presented to her. There are very few young children on this planet. This one is not older than 5 years old, based on my take.
Roqs and Coone look on curiously.
The child went to her ear and whispered, that made Brin squirm a bit. Yes, I know how ticklish she is on that part of her face.
“No, I’m not from that planet,” she softly answered. The child asked another one that made her chuckle. It was amusing to know that the child is very curious about other people. A trait that came with being a child and probably from one of his fathers.
The father was able to move now. But when he tried to grab for his child, the child burrowed further into her. His arms trying to encompass her middle.
“No!”
More running feet. Another adult and possibly the other father came into the picture. This one is more stern and came from the Purple Tribe. The other one from earlier is from the Green Tribe.
“Bez!” the other father shouted. “This is not the time and place to barge in here. We have guests.”
“But he said he did not come from that planet!” The child thought Brin is a male.
That made the parent turn more darkish purple. The other father sighed and quickly plucked his child out from Brin without causing much disturbance.
And in a few seconds, they were gone. Jigen went back to close the door and went back to his place.
“I hope he doesn’t get scolded too much,” Brin said to the room.
“I’m surprised you did not throw the young one away,” Coone commented.
I frowned. Coone is usually not this disagreeable.
“You have children on your planet?” Volks softly queried. If you don’t know him, you feel as though he is trying to interrogate you. But like his mates, he is not being aggressive. Just inquisitive.
“Yes. Lots.”
There was silence after her statement. The kind of silence we feel about other races when they talk about their children. We grieve at the same time thankful we still have the capability to produce children. For now.
I used my thumb to brush her eyebrow. “Don’t worry Brin. We are just happy for other races that can produce children. Lots of children.” I smiled softly at her.
