Page 47 of Jace

“I am not sure how to describe it in a way you will understand,” he said.

“It reminds me of a Terran bat,” she said. “But look at that thick white fur.”

“The pelt is most likely to protect it from the elements, since it sleeps in the open,” Jace guessed.

“But it’s so visible,” Susannah whispered. “Does it have no natural enemies?”

“It could be toxic,” Jace said.

“Or maybe it has better ways to defend itself than a bat,” Susannah said.

“Maybe,” he agreed.

They moved on between the ancient trees, kicking up the heady scent of damp soil.

Jace felt lighthearted, and realized it was because he enjoyed spending time with Susannah. They shared a curiosity about their natural surroundings. His brothers in arms used to be impatient with his wish to thoroughly explore the ecosystem of each planet they invaded. But to Jace, the desire to understand the world he inhabited was a part of him, deep in his bones as his dragon was.

The sound of a stream gurgled just ahead of them.

“Slowly now,” he warned her. “There’s a fresh water source here, so there may be animals around.”

“Should we make a little noise?” she asked. “Just to warn them, so we don’t startle anything big enough to hurt us.”

He smiled, just able to resist the desire to kiss her. She really was attuned to the natural world.

“The next time we walk these woods, we’ll do just that,” he told her. “This time, we’re learning what we might be up against, so we’ll stay quiet, but alert.”

“That makes sense to me,” she agreed.

“Stay back a pace or two,” he whispered. “If I turn around, you’ll know it’s time to run back in the direction we came from.”

He moved forward, allowing the dragon to come close to the surface once again.

He could scent small mammals, a herd of them down by the water. Hopefully, they weren’t fast-moving. It would be best if he could take one down and bring it back with them.

Protein packs were fine for the short term, but nothing could replace real food long term. Some meat for dinner would be nice.

He stepped into the slight clearing around the stream and had just enough time to see the ground teeming with arbistles before they all vanished into the woods in a quick shivering of leaves.

“What was that?” Susannah asked from two paces behind him.

“Arbistles,” he told her. “They’re docile creatures and good to eat, but they spook easily. I’ll set up here early on another day, and be here waiting when they come to drink. We will eat well that evening.”

“So overall, good news?” she asked.

“Yes,” he agreed. “And the water looks clean. You can join me now.”

She stepped out of the trees, and he was struck with her all over again. In the dappled sunlight her hair shone like gold, and her green eyes sparkled with delight as she examined the crystal stream.

“The fact that the arbistles were here tells me the water is fine to drink,” he told her. “It will be an excellent resource if your well ever fails.”

“And fun to play in,” she said, smiling.

“I suppose,” he said dubiously.

“Didn’t you play in the creek when you were a boy?” she asked. “I think Zeke will love it out here.”

In the sling, Zeke made a soft gurgling sound, as if agreeing from his sleep.

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