“It’s been three days and I would swear the hivuls have more than quadrupled in size,” Adahlia says. She leans further over the water and attempts to touch the nearest hivul creature with a solitary finger. The hivul shakes it tail and darts away. It settles on the bottom of the pond and breathes heavily—its gills opening and closing with every sharp breath.
Lerfaf shifts his gaze between Diyrl and Sotet. “I would recommend that you eat,” he states calmly.
Diyrl opens one eye and offers Lerfaf a tired version of her usual smile. “That would barely be a snack. Our entire stock wouldn’t be enough to stave my hunger. It would be better to wait a little longer.”
Lerfaf takes a step closer to the lean-to and observes Sotet—who is slumbering uneasily. “I do not agree. If you will not eat…We will have to find another solution. You cannot survive much longer like this.”
“Don’t sell me short, Lerfaf,” Diyrl growls. The effort saps her energy and she rests her cheek on the ground rather than continue to hold her head up. She still stares squarely at Lerfaf. “Sleeping helps. I have often had to do this when my food stores ran low. You forget, I have been here many life lines as well.”
Lerfaf is suddenly very interested. “You can hibernate?”
Diyrl nods slowly. “Yes. I rest for as long as necessary and then I move on to another watering hole. My regenerative properties are not what they once were, but are capable of sustaining me for brief periods when I am unable to hunt and find nourishment.”
Lerfaf chooses his words carefully. “Not quite what I had in mind. Perhaps, a different approach would be more suitable? I too hibernate. My last period of hibernation was over twenty cycles ago—and lasted for thirteen cycles.”
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Diyrl lifts her head and shoots Lerfaf a disbelieving glare. Adahlia utters a loud gasp. “You slept for thirteen cycles?”
“It’s a unique ability known to my kin. The ability to hibernate for exceptionally long periods of time. No energy is expended; and the aging process is slowed exponentially. So much so as to be negligible,” Lerfaf explains.
“Suspended animation!” Adahlia screams with excitement. “You’re describing suspended animation. Like in sci-fi movies. Or an Asimov novel. That’s so cool! You can really do that?”
“Yes,” Lerfaf answers. “But I can help you too, Diyrl! That is…If you trust me. When you and Sotet reawaken, the pond will be stocked and there will be enough to eat. I will watch over Adahlia. I promise that no harm will come to her.”
Diyrl uses the last of her strength to climb wearily to her feet. She approaches where Lerfaf stands and leans down into his face. Her usual wolfish grin reappears and smoke curls from both corners of her mouth.
“It had better not.” Diyrl utters so that only Lerfaf can hear.
Lerfaf’s response is to place a hoof solidly against the right side of Diyrl’s chest. He can feel the rhythm of her beating hearts through the bottom of his hoof. Steadying his own heart rhythm, Lerfaf matches it to Diyrl’s. He closes both eyes and concentrates on bringing his own heart rhythm down even further. Diyrl’s heart rhythm, now linked to Lerfaf’s, slows even more. Diyrl grows drowsy and drops clumsily to the ground. Lerfaf manages to follow her descent and maintains physical contact. Diyrl emits a soft growl from deep in her throat and breathes out a small puff of flame. The flames do not hit Lerfaf; but pass harmlessly through the air. Diyrl’s shakes her head vigorously, while making mournful guttural sounds. Finally, her eyes close and her body no longer shudders. With her head propped up on one folded wing—Diyrl is now in deep hibernation.
“Why did Diyrl cry out like that?”Adahlia exclaims in a frightened tone. “Is she going to be okay?”
“I was able to see into her thoughts,” Lerfaf replies. “She was thinking of her little ones. And of her mate—who was lost to her many cycles ago. I saw sickness and disease. I saw many lix die. She is haunted by a past which is not of her own making. But she blames herself just the same. She will be just as she was when she reawakens. No better. No worse. I must see to Sotet. Stay close to me, Adahlia. I have made a promise for your protection.”
END PART TWO