“Hey, Veera?” Winters whispered. He paused the story, having noticed the Cauthan’s breathing turn steady and deep. Looking over at her he saw her eyes were closed, her head rested on his shoulder. Winters couldn’t help a small smile.

‘She’s…quite precious when she’s asleep, isn’t she?’ Io said, speaking softly as if she might wake the sleeping girl. Winters nodded in agreement, surprised at the care he heard in Io’s voice. He knew the two of them had been getting to know one another better, but Io sounded almost motherly. With a mental shrug he rewound the chapter they’d been reading so they could pick up approximately where Veera had succumbed to sleep. With extreme care, Winters turned so he could lay Veera gently onto the bed before standing up himself. He was happy she didn’t wake, curling up as he lightly draped the blanket over her. This is the first thing that’s getting replaced. He promised himself, turning away from her to check on the embers of their fire.

“Russell…no.” Veera murmured behind him. Thinking she might have awoken, her returned to the bed and knelt, bringing his face up to hers. Closer examination told him that she was still asleep. “Please. Russell, don’t.” Her brow furrowed, giving him an idea of the discomfort she was experiencing as she slept. Winters frowned, reaching out to rest a hand on her head. He stroked her feathers softly, satisfied as her face regained the expression he’d seen as she slept against him. He continued a few minutes longer until he was convinced that she had fallen into a deeper sleep. No details were forthcoming as to what Veera, or her subconscious, was worried about. Shaking his head, he stood and gathered his things before looking back at her one last time and walking out into the starlit streets.

“Hnnn…” Veera groaned as she slowly re-entered the waking world, blinking her bleary eyes and raising herself into a sitting position. The last thing she could remember was resting against Russell, enjoying the combination of his voice and warmth. She was distinctly disappointed that he was not there beside her when she woke up. Recognizing the selfish thought for what it was, she pushed it out of her mind. After quenching her thirst and splashing some water on her face, she prepared her satchel for the day, packing more food than she needed in case she met Winters. That done she stretched her body, feeling the satisfying popping of joints and straining of muscle. Exiting her home into the early morning bustle of activity, she proceeded out the gates and towards her farm. About half way to the forest she picked up on a slight aberration in her morning routine. The resounding thud of an axe could be heard as she approached the tree line. Making a small detour, she leaned against a trunk and watched the object of her growing infatuation. Her dour mood upon awakening was quickly dispelled as she watched his muscles ripple under his shirt. The vest and his other items had been placed nearby, and she could tell he was close to his objective. A growing pile of wood chips at his feet marked his progress. She called out to him.

“Couldn’t sleep? You’re here awfully early for someone who spent the night in his pod.” He halted mid-swing and turned to face her, face flushed with exertion. The bags under his eyes were back. Veera frowned. That improper desire to take him to bed with her was back, even if it was just so he could get a full night’s sleep. I suppose that’s pretty selfish too, thinking I’m the answer. She admitted to herself.

“No…not well.” He admitted, walking towards her. “How are you doing?”

“I’m fine Russell. What’s troubling you?” She asked, wondering why he bore such a concerned look on his face. It seemed to fade away, hidden behind a more neutral expression. He shook his head. Accepting that whatever it was would remain private for the moment, she procured some fish and vegetables for him.

“You’re the best. Thanks for this.” His smile came back and she found it immensely gratifying. He bit into some fish and placed the rest with his other effects. He seemed to have very little problem with eating food that had touched the ground or was otherwise not in pristine condition. That was the reality of life for most Cauthan but he was clearly taking to it well. After spitting out a bone and taking a deep swig of water he spoke again. “So what’s on the agenda for you today?”

“Getting ready for the harvest. I’ll dig up as many as I can today and then water. Repeat as necessary before hauling it all back. Can’t say I’m looking forward to that bit, not exactly the strong and burly type.” She let out a self-effacing chuckle.

“I’m thinking that’s for the best, from my perspective at least.” Winters walked back over to her and rested an arm against the tree, bringing them slightly within each other’s personal space. Her nose twitched as she caught the smell of his sweat and labor. The second dose proved to be just as intoxicating as the first. “Maybe we can figure something out between the two of us?” He reasoned.

“Yeah, that sounds…that sounds great. Thank you Russell.” She found herself suddenly flustered by his aroma and proximity. She shook her head furiously. Meylith, what is this man doing to me?! Sensing her discomfort, the human backed away with a look of stupid male pride on his face. He had no intention of pushing the issue, just of having a little fun. Io hummed in his ear as she processed what she’d just seen. Winters returned to his work, hefting the axe with little effort before bringing it down and around into the cavity he’d already carved out at the base of the trunk.

“Not sure how this is all going to go down with the Tyrdus guys, but if I’ve got time I’ll come find you later. Sound good?” He asked, his sentence punctuated by grunts as the axe made impact repeatedly.

‘Is there a reason you’ve been spewing awful puns lately?’ Io asked, allowing Veera to listen in as well. The Cauthan chuckled.

“Good morning to you too Io. I’ll be going now, alright?”

‘Of course Veera, we will see you later! And do not worry; Russell has figured out a way to communicate with members of your village.’

“Right, sorry Veera. Forgot to mention that. No need rush back on my account.”

“Ok Russell, I won’t. I’ll see you later.” She waved at his back.

“Oh and Veera?” He stopped briefly and glanced over his shoulder. She turned to face him, looking a question his way. “Whatever it was…I won’t do it, alright? You don’t have to worry.”

“What are you talking about Russell?” His face changed immediately.

“Oh…it’s nothing then. Sorry Veera.” His posture indicated that no further information would be forthcoming so she turned and left, more confused than ever.

“Looks like we’re just about there…ready Io?” Winters called, hearing the creaking and straining of the wood as what was left tried desperately to support the full weight of the tree atop it. With a slight push in the right direction, Winters stepped back and watched with childlike glee as the towering mass crashed to the earth below, smacking into its brethren on the way down and showering the forest floor with branches and leaves. He’d gotten the angle just about right, seeing the very tops of the tree poking out into the clearing that surrounded Veera’s village. He had not crushed anything or anyone, though he was getting a couple of disgruntled looks.

“Uh…timber?” He shrugged with a grin. Io clapped with delight in his visor. Task complete, he shouldered the axe and headed for the forge. Looking to the sky and noting the position of the star, he figured it was just before midday. I’d say I made pretty good time.

A short while later he arrived at the temple of Tyrdus and found Zolta to be much more agreeable to using the earpiece, given that he’d kept it safe overnight. He handed the young Cauthan the axe with thanks. “Unless you’d prefer I help with the next part?” Winters offered.

“Now Zolta, what’s all this about?” A husky male voice rang out from the entryway. “You have business with the human?”

“Oh, hello master.” The apprentice bowed to his superior before explaining to him the arrangement he and Winters had worked out the day before. The human leaned against the wall and observed. Overall, the master seemed pleased that his pupil had gotten experience in the art of bartering. Cauthan society was clearly based on the principle, to say nothing of its necessity within a guild. He was far less pleased when he’d learned how much of the fallen tree Winters had secured for himself. Seeing an opportunity the human interjected.

“Perhaps we can work out another deal?” He looked between the two craftsmen with his hands out in offer. Zolta began translating and the elder craftsman nodded.

“What do you propose human?”

“I find myself in need of a hired hand or two. I’ve got a harvest coming in and it’s a significant ways away from here. So if you two gentleman could come up with a cart or wagon of some sort as well as-” He shot a pointed look at Zolta. “Some strapping young lad to assist me, I was thinking we’d be happy to leave you with a bit more timber.” Zolta looked for a moment like he was about to refuse, but the look in his master’s eyes made it clear that it wasn’t his choice. The master spoke again.

“He says that would be most agreeable and offers a forty-sixty distribution.” Zolta repeated.

“Absolutely not.” Winters scoffed, playing hardball. “No offense kid, but you aren’t worth twenty percent.” Zolta blanched but translated effectively. His master crossed his arms and stared at Winters. The HEL Jumper stared right back.

“We will offer an even split.”

“Done. Pleasure doing business with you.” Winters smiled, offering an arm. The master threw his head back and let out a hearty bark of laughter before completing the Cauthan version of the high five. Zolta did not look nearly as pleased. “Cheer up kid; you get to spend all day with the human.” Winters joked.

‘Yes, because who wouldn’t want that.’ Io asked sarcastically. Winters arched a brow. ‘Oh right…I do!’ She winked and vanished again before either of the Cauthan could become suspicious.

A short time later, after securing the necessary cart from one of the construction sites in the center of town, Winters and Zolta departed from what the human was beginning to think of as the main gate, though it was really just the one he used most often. Before leaving he informed the elder craftsman how he’d envisioned the tree being divided and shaped. Given that the vast majority was to become firewood, it wasn’t a long discussion. Arrangements had been made to have as much as possible delivered to Veera’s home, with the remainder to be placed out back. The older Cauthan hadn’t been thrilled at the idea of devoting labor to the task of dismantling the fallen tree, but once he’d learned Winters’ reason for felling a tree at such an inopportune time the conversation proceeded without any further complaint. It didn’t hurt that firewood would be in higher demand as well with winter on the way. As Winters and his ‘hired help’ left, the young guard he’d come to recognize called out to his friend.

“Hey Zolta, what’s all this then?” Xan asked with ill-concealed interest.

“Work, Xan. Not that you’d know anything about that.” The craftsman-to-be ribbed the guard.

“Just because you’re utterly useless in a fight doesn’t mean you have to take it out on me.” Xan retorted. Io appeared in Winters’ visor and raised her brow at him. He just laughed, addressing the one that could actually understand him. Boys will always be boys it seems, even all the way out here.

“Zolta, just ignore him. You’ll have more than enough time to fight at the festival alright? We’ve got work to do. Faster this gets done; the faster you can get back to…well…whatever it is you feel like doing. Alright?”

“Yeah yeah, alright. I get it. You’re not my bloody mother.” Zolta brooded.

“Thank the gods for that. Otherwise I’d have raised a whiny brat of a son.” Winters concluded. “Be thankful Xan can’t understand me right now, otherwise I’m sure you’d be hearing that one again. Now move it out soldier.” Winters dropped any pretense of humor.

“Yes sir.” Zolta replied dejectedly, tail drooping as Winters led him away from the comfort and safety of the village. When they were out of earshot of the rest, Winters tried again.

“So Zolta, how old are you exactly?”

“Sixteen.” The kid replied, clearly uninterested in maintaining a conversation. Winters fell silent for a moment, listening to the creaking of the wooden axle as they wheeled the cart along behind them. He tried again.

“Ah, I remember sixteen. Smoked some weed once, thought I’d found an in with the cool crowd. Dad found out and kicked my ass so hard I still remember it.” He laughed at the memory. “So kid, you got your eye on any particular lady this year?” Zolta snapped his head forward and focused very intently on the forest path.

“None of your business human. Don’t you have the mutt to worry about?” He retorted.

‘Don’t hurt him too much…but do hurt him.’ Io snarled.

“Zolta, I’m only going to say this once.” Winters lowered his voice and made sure the young Cauthan was looking at him. He spoke steadily, like a cold steel blade. “If I ever hear you call Veera a mutt again, I will drag you kicking and screaming into a sparring pit during the festival, with my armor on, and I will make sure the object of your affections is there to watch what happens to bigots. Do I make myself clear runt?” Being sixteen, Zolta reacted before thinking.

“What the hell crawled up your ass human?” He shot back.

“You want to know, you little punk?” Winters roared at him. “All of my best friends just died. My mate just fucking died ok?! The people who were my family out here in the great abyss are gone. Your precious fucking sun god killed them before spitting me out here.” He knew it wasn’t really ‘Seil’s fault’, but it felt good to assign blame. “They’re dead and gone and I’m left here trying to figure out what the bloody hell to do with myself. There’s a part of me that wants to just lie down and not move, ever again. But I can’t. There are other things I have to do and Veera’s been the one who’s helped me do them. She’s offered me the kindness and acceptance that you and the rest of your gods’ forsaken village denied her all of her life. I’m in no position to give her the love she deserves, I’m an emotional mess, but you’d better believe that in another world where I’m not…a world where I can…I would take hold of her and never let go.” He’d calmed down somewhat and was basically whispering as an utterly flabbergasted Zolta stared at him with open mouth. “She’s too good. Too good for me, too good for any of you. So you know what Zolta, you’re right…you snarky little shit. You worry about your precious girl and leave me out of it. Like you’d know anything about what being a mate really means anyway…”

‘Mein gott.’ Was all Io could say, subroutines shocked and rewritten as she processed the implications of what her partner had admitted in his fit of rage.

“Can you teach me?” Zolta asked in a tiny voice. Winters shot him a venomous look.

“Teach you what, runt?”

“What it means to be mated?”

“Don’t you have a father for that?”

“He’s in the fields all day. I’m learning my trade and I can’t…” Zolta trailed off as everything clicked in Winters’ head. Farm boy, parents working their hands to the bone to give him an opportunity to climb the economic ladder, no time to teach him about courtship. He shook his head and took a deep breath before extending a hand.

“First lesson. Learn when you’re wrong, learn how to apologize. No female likes a stubborn man that can’t admit he’s got a weakness. Denial isn’t pretty.”

“Yes sir, I’m sorry sir. I won’t use that word anymore either.” Zolta took his hand in a weak grip.

“Good. Apology accepted. Now c’mon, what the hell is this grip? I thought you were training to be a smith?” Winters goaded the young Cauthan who tightened his hold. “There you go. That’s a proper handshake. And you’ve got the whole look them in the eyes thing down too. Good, good. No female likes it when you’re talking to them and your eyes are roaming. There’s a time and place to admire them, that’s not one of them. Got it? Doesn’t matter if the very idea of being close to your little lady sets you heart hammering and your legs trembling. You stand there and you look her in the eye and treat her like an equal, because she is. If you’re lucky enough to be mated, she’ll be more than equal to you. Got it?”

“Yes sir!” Zolta was getting into it now. Io appeared in Winters’ visor, sitting with her legs crossed at the ankles in a relaxed position.

‘You know sir, if I had a womb it would likely be exploding right now at this sudden display of fatherly impulse. Didn’t know you had it in you.’ She winked at him. ‘And yes, I know I’m abusing the fact that you can’t talk to me right now.’ Winters could only shake his head in wide eyed disbelief. Flirtatious Io was definitely back. He turned back to Zolta, eager for distraction.

“I just realized why you were so pissed off at me for bringing you out here. You were working on something for her, weren’t you?” He asked with a knowing glance. Zolta nodded. “What’s her name? Tell me about her.”

“Her name is Asha. She’s the daughter of another couple that works the fields. She’s got a few brothers and sisters so she’s considering becoming a seamstress.”

“Really? Where does one go to do that?” Winters asked, knowing that he’d not seen anything like that yet.

“Believe it or not human, that would be the temple of the twin goddesses.”

“Eiur and Auril?”

“Yes. They are tricksters, but they also bestow luck and fortune upon those they favor. The night conceals much after all, gives them a lot to work with.”

“Ok, but what does that have to do with making garments?”

“Most of what we need we make ourselves, but there’s a few things we need to trade for when the caravans come through once a year. The acolytes at the temple are in charge of that, wouldn’t want unlucky business dealings right? So when they aren’t trading, they spend the year making and compiling luxuries. That includes woven garments. We don’t devote much land to cultivating the required plant since you can’t eat it, but there’s always some each year. The traders enjoy them quite a bit, especially the ones that have hyrven fur woven in.” Zolta explained animatedly.

“Interesting. Thanks for the rundown kid. So, this Asha of yours is skilled with a needle?”

“She is. I’ve seen some wood carvings she’s done as well. She’s just got a flair for it. She’s made some…very beautiful things.” He clutched something under his leather tunic as he spoke.

“When did she give it to you?” Winters asked.

“What?!”

“Oh c’mon kid, you were all but shouting it at me. Let’s see it.” The human insisted. Zolta huffed in embarrassment.

“Oh fine.” The young Cauthan removed the pendant and handed it to Winters tentatively.

“I’ll be careful, promise.” He said, running a finger over the talisman. It was a piece of petrified wood, gnarled but smooth to the touch and vaguely circular. In the middle was a roughhewn, deep red stone.

“This was one of the first pieces she made. We were just kids back then, eight years old. After showing it to the priestess at the temple she gave it to me.”

“That’s quite the statement Zolta. Why you?”

“I don’t know…I was just the boy next door. Always dirty from working the fields and wishing I could swing a sword instead.”

“Nothing wrong with being a craftsman, Zolta.”

“Says the soldier.”

“There might be a day Xan doesn’t come home to his mate, far sooner than either of them would like. It’s not all fun and games Zolta. What was the last time your village was attacked?”

“I was too young to remember.”

“Exactly. So don’t go fantasizing what you know nothing about. Xan doesn’t know anything about it either. Take it from a soldier who’s had to kill in order to save the people he cares about.”

“I think I understand…”

“Yeah? Good. So what’s the plan kid? How are you planning to win Asha’s heart? You’re already lined up on a good career path, and your feathers and scales seem to be in decent shape. Does she like brown fur? I hope so.”

“Me too Winters. I was planning on making another one of these.” He took his pendant back. “Found a good piece of wood at the river a while back. Haven’t had time to find a stone…and now…”

‘Ok, now I feel bad sir.’ Io informed him. Winters nodded.

“Alright Zolta, listen up. I’m not going to be the guy who goes around destroying young love. I like your idea so let’s make it work, yeah?”

“W-what?” The young apprentice looked at him with a shocked expression as they reached the bridge.

“I know, you guys are all about doing everything yourself, but I took advantage of you on your first barter and I’m going to make up for that. I want you to help Veera fill this cart with as much dato as it can safely carry. I’ll take it back to the village. In the meantime, you get yourself in that river and look for a suitable stone. The water’s very clear here and the riverbed is full of pebbles and rocks. What color are her eyes?”

‘Oh…aren’t you a romantic?’

“They’re green.” Zolta got a wistful look in his eyes.

“Then you know what color you’re looking for. You understand?”

“I do Winters, and thank you.” Zolta told him sincerely.

“Call me Russell.”

“Hey you two!” Veera called as Winters and his unexpected guest arrived at the field. She’d already made good progress uprooting some of her crop. “So what’s all this then?”

“Already been asked that once actually! This young lad here has been conscripted into service by yours truly.” Winters declared regally. “I need to stop by the pod quickly for a few things, but I’ll take the dato back. Anywhere in particular you want these Veera? We’re going to have a bunch of firewood coming in too.” His partner thought for a moment.

“Firewood in the back, dato near the door. The cold actually helps them keep a bit longer in the winter.” Veera rattled off. Winters found he liked her ‘no-nonsense’ mode quite a bit.

“Understood. See you two in a few.” He waved casually and walked past them en route to his pod. Veera sighed after him longingly before looking at Zolta. The kid looked angry.

“You know he’s in love with a dead woman, right?” The question stunned Veera. Just what did the two of them discuss on the way here?

“Yes Zolta, I know of his mate.” She informed him

“That doesn’t trouble you? I saw the way you looked at him.”

“Well aren’t you a perceptive one.” Her tail flicked sharply behind her.

“Wasn’t hard. He did the same thing to me. Caught me thinking about Asha.” It was odd for Veera, hearing Zolta talk about the object of his desire and thinking about the harvest festival. The two of them weren’t that far apart in terms of age, but it seemed like they were worlds apart in terms of their concerns regarding courtship. “So really, you don’t mind?” He asked again.

“What should I say?” She asked, hefting dato into the cart. “Should I expect him to hop into bed with me just like that? I’d be worried if he did. He has to deal with his grief before he can even start to figure anything else out. He’s much more to me than just a potential mate. We’ve become partners. I know it’s not normal but I’ve never been normal and life with him is proving to be much better than life without…even if the emotional side of things is a bit crazy. Even if it never goes anywhere.” Veera tried to explain, finding it hard to put what she felt into words.

“A bit? The human’s pretty…well…alien. But I guess I can understand. He really snapped at me on the way here. Told me about what happened to his friends and his mate. Really made me think about…well…everything. What’s important, you know? He even offered to help me with…with Asha.” Something fluttered in Veera’s stomach as she listened to Zolta. Looking over at where Winters’ pod lay in the distance, she got the feeling that she was about to discover a completely new side of the human over the next few days.

“So maybe you understand a bit then?” Veera asked.

“Maybe.”

“Io, can we do sandpaper? Just a small piece or two. Functional equivalent is fine.”

‘So you really are planning to play father?’ She asked curiously.

“You got a problem?”

‘No sir, not at all. How does this look?’

“Perfect. Knew we’d find a use for that sand. Adhesive should be easy enough, right?”

‘Exactly. Shall I?’

“Please. Then make yourself ready for a battery change.”

‘Yes sir.’ Io went to standby as Winters swapped out the required power sources, gratified to see that everything was topped off after a couple days away. He rolled Io’s words around in his head again, wondering what in the world had possessed him to offer Zolta advice. In the end he decided it was probably just passing along what his own father had done for him. He didn’t really have a reason; he just figured it was what a man was supposed to do, HEL Jumper instincts maybe. He would always put himself and Veera first, but that didn’t mean a bit of kindness couldn’t go a long way, especially in a world dominated by equal exchange. Life is hard enough down here as it is. No reason not to try and bring a little bit of light into it. Better to love and lose? Eh…maybe not that far. That one’s tough to say.

‘Hello again sir. Shall we head back?’ Io rebooted and interrupted his thoughts before he could dwell too much on Jess.

“Yeah, let’s go. Harvest is waiting.” He said, looking at the sky. “Can’t be disobeying the Captain’s orders, can we?”