***Tirnanog, Mount Aerie***

***Astra***

Expecting to encounter something horrible, we approached the jagged fissure in the cave's floor in absolute silence.

Something was digging there, throwing up head-sized rocks as if they were dirt. The creature was also huffing and snorting like an elephant, despite the hole offering no more space than a very large human could comfortably fit through.

I allowed my filaments to drift into the fissure and concentrated on my echolocation to sense what was going on. It took a moment before I got the picture and relaxed slightly. “It's fine. Our digger is a wild molerat.”

“Dangerous?” Magnus asked, pointing his spetum nonetheless down into the hole.

“Moderately, but it won't attack as long as we don't enter its hideout,” I explained, ignoring the hiss and the two yellow eyes that twinkled at us from the darkness as I walked past. One of my filaments drifted too close and the molerat tried to nip at it, but I pulled it back in time. Thankfully, the creature stayed well away from the fissure's entrance which was well lighted by my bioluminescence. “They are prey animals and subsist mostly on plant life, though they aren't above eating a carcass if they find one.”

“That's a large mother fucker,” Magnus commented while he stepped around the hole in the ground. “But I prefer it to all the other things in this world which want to eat me. I think molerats will be my second favourite animal right after zippers.”

He had judged the molerat's size with his Second Sight, while I relied mostly on echolocation.

The both of us passed the creature's hidy-hole without incident. A fight might have been unavoidable if there had been no room to dodge the animal, but the molerat's little side tunnel gave it the comfort it needed to ignore our passing.

“It's the same as the ones which draw the carriages?” Magnus asked. “This one seemed at least twice as large.”

“They are the same,” I affirmed and returned my attention to the tunnel ahead of us. “But we use the young ones for carriage duties. Once they no longer fit the width of the carriage side by side, they are butchered for meat. Even the large transit tunnels have only enough space to allow two carriages passing each other.”

“I see.” Magnus shouldered his spetum in a more relaxed manner once he deemed us far enough away from the molerat so it wouldn't be coming charging after us. “It didn't like us walking past its tunnel.”

“It was fine,” I commented. “We will encounter a few real challenges on our excursion. I am glad you are doing this with me. It's kind of a tradition among the Aerie for a newly partnered pair to disappear into the caves and hunt something of their own. Like a honeymoon.”

I turned and looked back at him while I kept walking. “Are you sure it's fine? Regarding the... you know...”

He looked back, eyeing the dark tunnel behind us. “It's fine to talk here?”

I shrugged and turned my attention back to the path ahead. “It won't get any better. If we can't talk here without being overheard, then we can't talk anywhere. Though, I would still avoid mentioning any specifics.”

Magnus took his time before he answered. “I don't want to risk giving away the key after everything you've told me about the families. Your parents and the Tates made a trustworthy impression, but they are just two voices among fifteen. I have no illusions about the key simply being taken from me if I reveal it without enough backing.”

I nodded, finding nothing wrong with his judgement. If anything, I had probably painted a too rosy picture about the political state of clan Aerie. Even with having the Frosts and Tates firmly on our side, the mere possibility of reactivating the colony's central computer system would be too large of a temptation for the other families.

The best outcome would be someone trying to steal the codes from us. At worst, they would overrule my parents and simply take the codes – for the sake of the clan, of course.

“If it works, the key is our best leverage, should the families decide to pull something funny. I wouldn't trust certain elders farther than I can throw them. Which isn't far at all. Furthermore, I wouldn't give such power out of my hands if it killed me. So the question is: How are we going to use it? At the very least, we have to create an opportunity to enter the hall of law without being supervised.”

“Can't we just walk in and take a look around while the hall is unattended?” Magnus asked.

I shook my head. “Could you simply walk into the head of state's government building back on Earth? Guards are watching the entrances around the clock. Getting in there without permission won't be easy, given our current status. Normally, nobody but the elders enters the hall. The only other option is to accompany an elder as a visitor or to be summoned.”

“Then how about getting your parents' help?” Magnus suggested.

“Possibly,” I admitted. “We would have to let them in on the secret, which has its own issues. It would look strange for them to take us on a stroll to the hall of law while there is no meeting in progress. But it could work.”

“Your father talked about giving me some tasks in the coming weeks,” Magnus whispered. “If I manage to gain his trust, we might be able to leverage a political position out of it. With that, we might be able to get in?”

“Hmm.” I hummed softly as I considered the possibilities. “I am not sure whether I want to involve my parents just yet. Judy Walsh, the current head of the elders, is like a lie detector and my parents have no choice but to interact often with her. It would be a question of time until they slip up. Them withholding information from the other elders could be seen as treason. If we get found out, we could claim we were still thinking about the best way to reveal this information. It's better if my parents can honestly claim ignorance until we have a solid plan.”

I ducked a little to avoid the lowering cave ceiling. Thankfully, the passage widened again a few metres ahead. “We also shouldn't discount my mother. I will approach her and try my best to seek out possibilities. She should know what to do once I explain I want a position with the power to help you find your remaining missing sister.”

Magnus nodded. “Thanks, though your father indicated he wants to put me through the gauntlet once we are back. I wondered why he would allow this little trip if he doesn't approve of me. But this being a sort of wedding tradition explains it.”

I giggled softly. “I remember his sour expression when I told him he has to delay his plans. I am afraid proving your resolve to him will be unavoidable. The things we wish for can't be gained without clashing heads with the other families.”

“Will they bear grudges because of Hector?” Magnus asked. “I hoped the issue was dealt with.”

I gestured in a 'so-so' motion with my hand, indicating the situation would be a little more complicated. “Not only that. There will also be envy once they realize the Frosts might have a second partnered pair powerful enough to lead the family. And... this is embarrassing. But should we be capable of having children, the elders will pull their hairs out.”

“You mentioned something about that.” He coughed. “By the way... how many people can have children in clan Aerie? I just want to get a feel for things.”

“Very few.” I gave him the harsh truth. “I don't have the exact numbers, since those who can procreate are intentionally hidden even within the clan. During the clan wars, the other clans intentionally targeted those who could grow a clan's numbers.”

“That's hideous!” Magnus whisper shouted. “Don't people already have enough survival trouble in this world?”

“It is an easy way to sabotage a clan's future.” I countered. “Do you kill an entire clan with several thousand people, or do you assassinate a few hundred to keep them from replenishing their numbers? Age may no longer be a concern, but there are still monster attacks and accidents. If there is no new blood, a clan of our size would be worn down to the status of an insignificant power within a few short decades. Many of the smaller clans vanish completely if such a thing happens to them.”

“How is it going anyway,” he asked, sounding slightly embarrassed. “You've been jumping my bones every chance you got.”

I smirked. “I am not aware of us succeeding in this particular endeavour. Sienna said it would take time, so I am not worried. In my mind, we should simply enjoy the act and deal with the results once they happen.”

“That's more pragmatic than I expected of a woman,” he mumbled.

Shrugging, I hopped over a larger rock before I explained myself. “I've had a lot of time to think about it. The harsh reality is that we will most likely be like my adoptive parents. They can't have children at all for some reason. Once we get powerful enough to wish for a successor, we might have to adopt from those who can have kids. Maybe our offspring will be stillborn or I may die in the attempt of having them.”

Magnus reached out and stopped me by holding onto my shoulder. His voice was suddenly serious. “Don't say such a thing.”

“Don't worry.” I took his hand in mine. “I fully intend to spend a lot of time at the hospital if you do knock me up. I've already made up my mind about trying at least once. And who knows? In the unlikely case they do come out normal, our influence will soar through the roof. Knowing a group's future is ensured is a powerful political tool.”

He huffed. “I don't even know whether I am ready to become a father. Becoming one at this point might even be a bad idea, considering I still have to save my remaining sister.”

I turned and blinked innocently at him. “Oh, didn't I mention I intend to have a lot of kids if I can?”

Magnus sputtered. “I guess I would be fine with two or three. Kind of unavoidable considering you already got me hooked to you. I don't believe I could keep my hands off of you for more than a week.”

“Are you trying to flatter me?” I asked jovially. “We are a natural fit! I thought about something similar. What do you think of the timing?”

“Well, like you said. If it happens, it happens. But maybe we should space them out after the first one. We have all time in the world, don't we? Five-year intervals don't sound too bad.”

I nodded. “Three kids every five years sounds manageable. But I wouldn't want to turn into a complete breeding machine.”

He choked.

Unable to hide my shit-eating grin any longer, I turned around.

“You were messing with me.” Magnus let out a deep sigh.

“Not exactly, but you are probably turning this into a bigger deal than it is.” I patted his shoulder. “This isn't Earth, Magnus. We can keep all the kids and hire nurses. Or we allow other families to adopt them. If you don't want to, you don't have to be a full-time daddy. Anyway, considering we no longer age means you have to come to terms with having a lot of kids sooner or later. Unless this world unexpectedly advances to Earth standards and we find a reliable contraceptive.”

“I don't know whether I would be fine with the adoption thing,” Magnus admitted. “Just give me some time. It's a surprise to find out your wife intends to field an entire football team of her own.” He chuckled. “I guess I have no reason to complain as long as I don't have to give birth.”

Then his eyes lit up as he had an idea. “Couldn't we do it differently?”

I tilted my head and looked back at him to find out what he meant.

He mimed rubbing one off with his hand. “You know... avoiding the consequences?”

“You want to tell me that you are the type of guy who can hold back with the real thing for weeks? Months? Years?” Rolling my eyes, I tilted my hips and added a little swing to my backside while I walked. Just in the way which I knew him to like immensely. “Sienna said that sometimes, all it takes is one lucky shot.”

Magnus slumped in defeat. “I am doomed.”

The serious discussion somehow led to us messing around like teenagers, bringing a smile to my lips. Magnus and I clicked as a team. Who knew jumping into the cold water of partnership sometimes ended in drifting to the shores of paradise?

When I saw a brighter glow from the tunnel ahead, I stopped playing around and raised my hand to get his attention. “A little more vigilance now. We are about to enter the first larger cavern.”

I dimmed my luminescence and led Magnus to the end of the tunnel before I slowly took a peek into the first cavern.

Beyond the tunnel, a massive natural cave opened up.

It wasn't anywhere close in volume to the clan's central cavern, but it was still impressive.

The ceiling was about thirty metres above us, while the edges of the cavern stretched out hundreds of metres to the left and the right. A few massive stalactites and stalagmites met each other at irregular intervals, forming massive pillars which held the ceiling. Meanwhile, their smaller siblings made the area look like the massive maw of a beast.

But what was impressive was the verdant and alien flora.

While the forest around the Old Camp held a small resemblance to its counterpart on Earth, this was a completely different world.

Glowing sponges floated through the air, while algae hung from the ceiling. White and strangely formed plants covered every space with fertile soil.

“Welcome to 'The Beast's Maw'!” I stepped into the open once I couldn't discern any obvious dangers. A swarm of stingers hung from the ceiling a few dozen metres away, but they weren't dangerous to us. Their prey were larger animals from which they could suck blood while their victims slept.

“An ominous way to name a cave, but I can see the reason,” Magnus commented while he studied our surroundings.

I pointed at the stingers and gave Magnus a short explanation of the creatures.

Then I led the way downwards.

The Maw was angled at a decline of roughly fifteen degrees, which allowed us to quickly get deeper down the mountain without having to get to the icy surface.

But unlike our trek away from the Old Camp, this was more of a casual walk while we explored the area. I used the opportunity to introduce Magnus to the animals we encountered and to warn him away from dangerous plants.

One particular thing to look out for in the caves were the dusters. They were a type of plant, yellow with spongy leaves and long bulbs which spread yellow pollen like dust. If the pollen was inhaled, it was virulent enough to sprout inside the host. The result of such a thing happening was never good for humans.

The only hope was to reach Tate's hospital and get operated on before the plant took over the hosts entire lungs, effectively suffocating them.

Magnus steered away from the plant once I had pointed it out. “Shouldn't we just burn everything in this cave and be done with it?”

I chuckled. “That's what we are doing in the central cavern. Once every year, we have a festival. The whole clan spends a week doing nothing except for uprooting all the plants we don't want and then we burn them on a large bonfire.”

“Sounds like a tradition born from necessity,” Magnus commented while he glared at the duster.

“Indeed.” I gestured for us to get going. “Come on. The Maw is largely safe because it is so close to the colony. Hunters regularly pass through here, but we still shouldn't remain in one spot for too long.”

We continued our trip and I kept up my explanations as we made our way deeper into the Maw.

Our trip came to a sudden halt when I felt a familiar tingle run down my spine. Something was watching us. I stopped and slowly turned my head while I scanned our surroundings for signs of life.

When I lowered the intensity of my Second Sight, I spotted a familiar greenish glow coming from between two stalactites on the ceiling. I placed a hand on Magnus's chest and pulled him behind a shrub of gnarled, bone-like vegetation.

Then I pointed at the spot where I had made out the faint glow and whispered, “Do you see the light? That can only be a caveglider!”

“Caveglider?” Magnus asked. “Like the one in our mutation?”

I nodded, already feeling my mouth water in anticipation. “Tonight, we are going to dine on properly seared meat. Not the overcooked stuff we had to put up with for months!”

Magnus gripped his spetum tighter. “How are we going to do this?”

“The ceiling isn't so high here. We will sneak up as close as possible and I will send out my filaments. The caveglider is like a large...” I fumbled for an apt description. “... squirrel-bat-thing with membranes between the appendages. It's strong, but it won't be able to fly if I latch onto it with my filaments. It will try to stay hidden from us for as long as possible by keeping a stalactite between us and it. If it tries to attack or flee, feel free to take a shot with your throwing spears, even though it's unlikely for you to hit it without me entangling it first. Just look out for the flare, should it decide to burn up its bioluminescence.”

Magnus nodded and we commenced with our approach.

We got within twenty metres of where I had spotted the light, allowing me to spread out a web of filaments around the pair of stalactites.

When we were almost beneath our target, the caveglider shot out of its hiding spot with an ear-splitting screech, but I had anticipated the possibility of it choosing to attack.

My filaments quickly closed around the creature and pulled tight. It bobbed and weaved in mid-air, almost finding a way through. But even with its supernatural premonition, the caveglider wasn't able to avoid all of my filaments. And the closer it got, the less space it had to dodge.

Finally, one of my filaments made contact and I flexed my muscles to send an electric jolt along the filament, using it as a conductor.

What should have been an easy jump for the caveglider turned into an uncontrolled fall as it was entangled in more filaments.

Magnus was right there when our prey landed, launching a throwing spear into the creature before he followed up with a stab of his spetum.

I saw the curling lines on the caveglider's skin flare and closed my eyes, quickly turning my head and pulling away my filaments.

Then I felt the searing heat of the caveglider's last-ditch effort of escape.

When I looked back, I found Magnus cursing and kicking the pitifully struggling creature which he had pinned to the ground with his spetum.

I drew my rapier and quickly approached it before stabbing the creature in the head until it ceased its struggles.

Upon checking on my partner, I found Magnus grinning at me with tears in his eyes. “There has to be a better way to catch these fierce fuckers. The electricity almost didn't bother it and standing right next to that flare will leave me without eyebrows sooner or later.”

“That's why sensible people trap them,” I pointed out and bent down to butcher the creature. “We have to take the meat and escape the area because the fight caused a lot of noise. Pay attention on how to butcher it. Knowing how to take apart the creature will allow you to aim for the vitals next time.”

He dried his tears with his sleeve. “I take it we aren't sensible people then.”