From outside the grotto, Krista used a voice command to lock the shuttle. “Alpha Omega R3 T B 9.”

     “Chuffy!” Nos cried as the ramp retracted, and the shuttle door slid shut and a whirring sound followed as the bolts locked in place.

“Alpha Omega R3. . .?” Nos looked at Krista. “What was the rest?” 

      “If you ever want to take a ride on my shuttle you better forget that code. Get it?”

      Nos wiped his hand across his forehead pretending to erase the memory. “Got it.”

     Moogy appeared out of nowhere, greeted the trio with a mew, and led the way to the ocean. Krista took a longing look up and down the shore. “Do you and Nos ever run on the beach?” Krista asked. 

     “Why would we do that?”  Aven asked. 

     Nos shrugged.

     “Just to run. Just for the fun of it.”

     Confused, Nos followed Krista’s gaze up the beach.  “I’ll do it .  . . “If,” Nos's blue eyes flashed innocently. “If you’ll teach me to fly the shuttle.”

     “Hey,” Krista ruffled his hair.  “I already gave you a lesson.”

     “I mean let ME fly it for real.”

     “I don’t usually make bargains,” Krista laughed. “But if you can catch me.” Red puffs of sand shot from under her feet as she took off up the shore. Moogy bounded after her. Nos paused for an instant then chased after Moogy.  Aven spun the stethoscope to her back and was off.  

     A mile later Krista stopped and looked back down the beach.  A hundred yards back, and a few feet away from the breaking waves Aven and Nos stood in a huddle panting. In the middle of the huddle, Moogy sat on his haunches blinking up at their faces. 

     Krista jogged back to the trio. “Didn't catch me Nos.”  Still breathing hard, the boy nodded. “But I'll give you another chance.” 

     “Okay.” Nos's face beamed hopefully. 

     “Running . . .Just to run . . .” Aven gasped, “is kind of fun.”

     Nos turned swiftly and gave Aven a skeptical look. “Really?”

     Krista broke the circle with a sigh. “You get used to it. Especially when the endorphins start kickin’ in.”

     “One of those dorphins . . . ” Nos grabbed his side. “Is eating my insides.”  

     “Your just not in shape!” On an impulse, Krista did a double kick high in the air. 

     “You are feeling better.” Aven smiled.

     “I am. I am. But, missing my daily workouts.”  Krista spun and kicked again making quick martial arts jabs at nothing. Nos watched in puzzled amazement for a few moments, then tried to duplicate Krista’s movements. 

     Not to be left out of the game, Aven joined the duo with a few high kicks of her own. Moogy stood on his back legs and pawed the air. Ten minutes later everyone collapsed on the sand breathless. 

     Krista looked at Nos. “I'm out of shape too.”

     “You'll teach me to fly the shuttle?” Nos pestered. 

     Krista sighed. “Nos, believe it or not, you already know all you need to know to fly it.”

     Aven turned on her elbow and looked from Krista to Nos. “He does?”

     “I do,” Nos said with subdued pride easing an imaginary lever to one side in his cupped hands. 

#

     That evening, Krista took a long soak in one of the many hot springs near the Joeng village. She wasn't alone. Moogy had hopped in right after her. “What is it with you Cat?” Krista puzzled. Cats don’t like water. And hot water? . . . Krista watched the surface steam disappear into the evening air. Another note for my report. Iuama is still cooling. Lots of hot, volcanic spots. Magma is not too far from the surface. 

#

     Later in her reed abode, Krista used a coarse Tineke towel to dry off Moogy and herself. Krista dragged out her down-world bag, which she’d carried from the shuttle that afternoon to an improvised makeup table.  

     As soon as she sat down Moogy hopped on her lap, curled up, and purred contentedly. Krista pulled a small mirror, comb, brush, tweezers, and scissors from her bag and went to work. She clipped her hair forming an ebony curtain around her tanned cheeks. She cut her bangs and ends with an ingenious pair of seashell scissors she'd been gifted from Aven's mother Nimi the day before. She plucked a few annoying eyebrow hairs. Added touches of blush, and lip coloring, and looked at herself in the mirror. ‘Not bad.”  

      Moogy mewed in accord.  

      “Thank you for the compliment, but . . .” Krista lifted a disgruntled Moogy and set him on the floor. From a wall hook, she pulled on a pair of lime green Tineke trousers ─ a gift from Aven – stretched her legs, and sighed with comfort. Why did I wait to try these on? She wondered.  She spun around and looked in the mirror.  Makes my ass look great. 

     The trousers molded to her body. The inside was warm and fur-like. The tunic top was similar to the latest word in Joeng female fashion cut low in the front and slits up the side.  There was one exception above her left breast, in a myriad of orange and white threads, Aven had embroidered a remarkable resemblance of Moogy. Aven is a young woman with many talents. 

     A polite rap on the doorplate interrupted Krista's musings. Aven strolled in without waiting for an invitation, took two steps, and stared at Krista.  “Wow! You going for a casual or a pairing?”

     “I have two questions,” Krista smiled.  “Have I been looking that bad?  And when are you going to give me some details about casuals and pairings? Though I think I’m getting the message.”

     “Come on Lady,” Aven took Krista’s hand and pulled her toward the door. “The whole Joeng world is waiting to meet you.”  Aven reached into a pocket and pulled out her stethoscope. “Think it would be okay to wear this?  Not to . . . You know?” 

     Krista laid both hands on Aven's shoulders. “As a patient whose life you saved, you have earned it, and much more.”

     Aven's eyes glassed over.  Proudly she slipped the stethoscope around her neck and called, “Come on Moogy. You’re a big part of this event.”

#

     At the Night Fires, Krista was given a special seat, in the middle of the bottom tier next to Ravel the current leader of the Joeng. Although she was the guest of honor and a long line of people waited to meet her, most of the Joeng came to see a cat for the first time.

     Protectively, Aven cradled Moogy in her arms allowing only a few the privilege of any contact. Even then, she directed each new hand where stroke or scratch. Children and adults squealed when Moogy returned a scratch with a grateful PURR.  

     The last three people in the greeting line were two young men, and a chubby young woman rocking a sleeping baby in her arms. “I am Xeko.” The girl lowered her eyes and spoke rapidly. “Do you remember me? The friend of Aven. I want to thank you for the salve you gave her.” Xeko pointed to the two men behind her. “Our baby’s rash is gone.”

     “Of course, I remember you. I’m glad it helped,” Krista said.

     Xeko put her hand on her heart. “Aven has much love for you. So do I.”   

     Krista instantly picked up on the gesture, placed her hand on her heart, and said, “You’re welcome.” As the trio passed by Krista wondered, ‘Our baby?’

     The evening began with a short and sincere welcoming speech by Ravel including a special acknowledgment of Aven's prowess as the fledgling doctor who was instrumental in saving Krista's life. His comments were greeted by appreciative cheers and applause. 

    As Ravel returned to his seat, a woman and two men appeared from the other side of the smallest Night Fires. Each was dressed in the usual Joeng fashion with the addition of almost florescent yellow-orange sock caps. Each cap was topped by a pear-shaped tassel. Around them, the crowd grew quiet. Attentive and anxious.  

     “Ah, ha. Time for a beverage.” Ravel exclaimed. 

     One by one the woman and men drew earthen mugs from behind their backs. Each mug was etched in Spencerian script-style letters.  U   T    R   respectively. 

     “Let me introduce our brewers,” Ravel said pointing to the two men with long dangling walrus mustaches.  “Indo, Tomx, and this lovely young woman is their sister Reima.”  Reima's white skin went beet red. She glanced shyly at Ravel. Ravel returned her glance with a warm smile and continued. “Our brewing families are highly competitive and in celebration of your arrival have asked you to choose your favorite.”

     Krista looked at the three hopeful faces. Then realized the music had stopped and the crowd had gone quiet. “I couldn't possibly,” she said with embarrassment. “I'm not a judge. It wouldn't be fair for me to —”

     Ravel held up his hand. “I. . .” He waived his hand around the Night Fires for quiet.  “People. People. We all . . .” Ravel leaned close to Krista and whispered, “I understand and wouldn't want to make you uncomfortable . . . Especially this evening. So . . .”  Ravel rose. Cupped his hand around his mouth to add volume and shouted.  “SORRY FOLKS THERE WILL BE NO FRESHLY BREWED BEVERAGES TONIGHT !”  

     A chorus of WHAT'S? And WHY'S? shot from every direction. 

     Krista stood, tugged Ravel's sleeve, and whispered above the cries of dissent.  “I'll do it. I'll choose.”

     Ravel smiled broadly and held out his hand again for quiet. “LADIES AND GENTLEMEN I WAS MISTAKEN. THE JUDGING WILL BEING IMMEDIATELY.”

     Cheers and applause echoed around the Night Fires. The music began again. Ravel held out a closed fist and smiled confidently. “Krista, would you please pick a stone from my hand?  The Joeng are thirsty.”

     “Damn it. You knew I was going to consent.” 

      “I was pretty sure.” Ravel enveloped her with his smile.   

      Krista pouted, grinned, and lifted a blue stone from Ravel's palm. Tomx stepped forward and offered his mug. “Balhai Ho.” Off of Krista's puzzled look, Tomx added, “It means – ‘To the road that lies ahead.’” 

     “To the road that lies ahead.” Krista lifted the mug. She had every intention of taking a small sip. A taste. But it was delicious, and she swallowed several large gulps before Ravel suggested. “Easy. Joeng beverages are strong, and you still have two more to sample.”  

     Embarrassed, Krista returned the mug to Tomx and picked up a second stone. White. Reima stepped out forward and offered her mug saying, “Balhai Ho.” 

     “That's her family's traditional way of saying cheers.” Ravel translated. 

     “Balhai Ho.” Krista grinned and took a sip from Reima's mug.  A second sip followed, and with it a cascade of memories. Uibeer, she thought. Just like home, only better. A bit more bitter. Krista drifted back to Keling II her home world. Uibeer had been responsible for more than a few embarrassing moments in my younger days, Krista mused and returned the mug to Reima. “Delicious.” 

     Reima stepped back into line. Indo twisted his walrus mustache and took a military step forward offering his mug with the U symbol.  “Balhai Ho.” 

     “To the road that lies ahead,” Krista answered and tipped the mug. A burst of laughter came from all sides as a glob of pale green foam stuck to her nose.

      Moogy leaped from Aven's arms onto Krista’s leg and lapped up the foam. 

     “I WIN! I WIN!”  Indo teased.  “The cat has chosen.”          

     Krista took a long sip and said with a slight slur, “YOU ALL WIN! They are all wonderful.”   

     “THEN IT'S DECIDED” Ravel waved his arm around in a circle. WE HAVE THREE NEW BEVERAGES TO ADD TO TONIGHT'S CELEBRATION,” Ravel shouted to the cheers of the crowd. Reima offered Ravel and Krista a fresh mug of her brew and disappeared around a Night Fire. 

     Krista gave Ravel a look of disdain. You mean there was always going to be . . . something to drink tonight?” 

     Ravel took a long drought from the mug and grinned a white-toothed grin. “Of course. We are Joeng.” 

     The celebration continued. Poems were read. Songs were sung. Solos. Duette’s. A sad song of the sea, by five young Fisher children, gave Krista the chills with their haunting harmonies.

     Course followed course of various Joeng delicacies served in bowls of polished yoee nuts and on a variety of seashell plates. 

     Though never a finicky eater, Krista stopped asking Aven about each serving when she questioned a particularly spicy item and was told it was the end part of an ech tail. “If you know what I mean?” Aven pursed her lip. “The very end.”

     Near the center and biggest Night Fire, the Fisher elders performed a comical skit about a sailor who had lovers in three different ports. All of whom were pregnant. All of whom arrived at the same pier to greet his return from the sea. All of them discover they’re waiting for the same man. And as Krista was learning — all lived together happily ever after. 

     During an interval in the festivities, Krista turned to Ravel. “May I ask you a question?” 

     “Of course, but I might not know the answer.” Ravel smiled. “Though I am our current leader I’m neither the most qualified nor the brightest of our people. I never wanted this honor,” Ravel gestured to the cushions and his privileged position at the Night Fire. “But I was elected and at times decisions have to be made without the advice of council.” Ravel took a sip from his mug. “My tenure has been unremarkable . . .  But 

. . . With the addition of you and Moogy. . . My term in office will be remembered for quite a few circles of our star.  Sorry, there I go on, and on about nothing. What is your question?”

     It took a moment for Krista to digest Ravel's comments. A lot was said. More was left unsaid. “Aven is very young.” Krista paused. “She told me fourteen. Yet, most of the time, she carries herself and seems much older.”

     Ravel smiled. “We still use the term years. Iuama’s orbit around our sun is only a few turns longer than the old term for a year; but as you already know aging on Iuama is different. Slower. Especially when children reach puberty. Throughout the history of humankind, puberty has been the bane of so many. On Iuama the transition—I’m sorry. There I go again. What was your . . . Question?”

     On the far side of the Night Fires, drummers began to tap a soft, infectious, syncopated rhythm. Involuntarily Krista's foot began to move. Reed flutes and tendril lyres added to the tempo. When a quartet of horns joined in Aven volunteered, “It takes a few circles to make a horn. It’s a passion. They use hair, horns, feathers, and hallowed bones.”

      “What a beautiful sound,” Krista said.

     “I know.”  Aven held Moogy out at arm’s length. “Will you watch Moogy? Nos and my friends are going to dance.” Without waiting for assent,  Aven set Moogy on Krista's lap and skipped off to the beat of the Tineke drums. Nos followed. Quickly, they melted into the crowd of celebrants. Moogy circled twice and dropped headfirst onto Krista's lime-green trousers. Krista scratched.  Moogy purred. 

     “Your question was about Aven’s age?” Ravel asked. 

     “We’ll this is a bit embarrassing. I'm not sure —  It's not simply her age. . . For someone so young —” Moogy pawed Krista’s knee until she got the message and resumed scratching behind his ears. “Aven seems to know quite a bit about human sexuality.”

     Ravel smiled a cautious smile. “Let’s begin with the problem of age and aging on Iuama. No one has solved the whole puzzle. But we think it’s something like this. Children age normally until they reach puberty. The onset of puberty seems to be the catalyst that slows the aging process. The current theory is eight for one. That is, it takes eight Iuaman years to age one year — or what we used to know as a normal year. . . But, we. . . The Joeng thinks that's off the mark.”

     Ravel clunked the side of Reima's mug that Krista still held absently in her hand.  “Please join me.” Together they sipped. Ravel began again.  “Aging for the original colonist takes even longer. It will happen to you too.” Ravel placed his thumb under his chin. “Aging or the lack of aging . . .Caused the great schism years ago. It helped create the Council of Equals – around here, known as the Council of More Equals— and Sagra’s rise to power. Sagra was right about the part —”

     As the music and the revelry grew louder Ravel turned until he faced Krista completely. He took a sip of the foamy brew and continued in a more serious tone. “What is your plan, Krista?  You’ve brought a new factor into the social and political troubles of this planet.”

     “It's mostly the shuttle. Isn't it?”

     “The shuttle and your presence. Sagra is right to be concerned about the invasion of immigrants. Suppose the rest of humanity became aware of the various gifts Iuama offers. Our world would quickly become a polluted, overpopulated quagmire.  A nightmare. There is an undercurrent of apprehension among the Joeng, the Magnon, and the people of the Labyrinth about what will happen when your starship returns to its home base. Will they send a rescue party for you?  We’ve been told Sagra used a Tineke mask to convince your Captain to leave. Wouldn’t some curious scientist or physician want to study that video of that encounter? I would. You’re a doctor, wouldn’t you? ”

     Krista held out the palm of her hand. “How did? . . . Who told you about the video? The Tineke masks?”

     Ravel smiled. “Ah, We ─ The ignorant Joeng have our ways. We have allies on the council. So do the Magnon and the Labs . . . Or Rock People. . . Most are not happy with the current political climate. We sent a messenger and flew a gazbag to the Magnon the day we saw your shuttle. We didn’t know where you came from. Or whether you would live or die when Ste, Aven and Nos . . . and your cat brought you here.  And there was more doubt as to your intent when two of our homing gasbags returned from the Magnon describing your arrival on Iuama.” Ravel set his mug on an empty place to his right.  “We may be simple folks, but we are not stupid. Having a flying ship, the only flying ship on the planet, would be a huge advantage to any society that controlled it. Valkyrie, the leader of the Magnon sent a detailed report on what transpired between Sagra and the captain of your starship. Valkyrie calls you the ‘Star Lady.’  And she wants to meet you as soon as you feel up to the journey.” Ravel took Krista’s hand in his. “Krista, your arrival could be the best thing that has happened to Iuama in a century. . . Or, it could be the worse. Much worse.” Ravel paused. Their eyes locked. 

     Krista’s mind raced in thought. I came to help. Krista petted Moogy absently and listened to the music of the Joeng. I've done nothing to help. There was no disease. No infection. No impending doom. I was impetuous. I should have stayed on board the Erebus. . . . Of course, then I wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t have met Aven. The wonderful people of the Joeng. Seen the Glass City.  Or ─ Krista lifted Moogy into her arms and rose. 

     “Ravel, if you would give me the directions, or suggest a guide to the Magnon. I’ll leave in the shuttle.  It sounds to me like you're worried about a war. “

     “I am.”

     “And it’s because of me.”

     “Not just you.” Ravel shook his head. “It’s been festering in stops and starts for decades. You and your shuttle will be the excuse.”

     “I’ll need a short time to prep the shuttle.”

     “There’s no place to land something of that size anywhere near the Magnon pit. And as soon as you take off word will spread about its direction and destination. You might jeopardize the people of Magnon. The shuttle is better off where it is. Out of sight. And just as we have allies on the Council of Equals, Sagra certainly has spies in our midst. But only Ste, Aven, and Nos know where you’ve hidden the shuttle and it will stay that way.  Do you feel strong enough . . .” Ravel's brown eyes fixed on Krista.  “Could you leave. . . Tomorrow?” 

     “Are you trying to get rid of me?”

     “I’m trying to assuage problems already brewing in Lakal.” Ravel held out his hand. “Do people still shake hands?”

     Krista shook his hand. “They do.” She looked around the Night Fires. The music was reaching a crescendo. Krista set her mug of brew beside Ravel's. Stretching her legs and gently handed Ravel a sleeping Moogy.  “I have to spend some energy. I need to dance.” And she did. 

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