When Ratha stalked out of the forests near the river, she found her target immediately and sauntered up to him. Even in the presence of most of the village population, Antoth was an easy one to spot.

"Can we get this over with already? It's cooler in the shade," she demanded in her usual tone while rubbing right up against his left flank. He chuckled and threw an arm around her. Most of the villagers were used to such antics by now, and their attentions were otherwise held by the large, wooden contraption that had been built over many cycles. It was finally time to activate it. Antoth glanced at her, watching her brown feathers as they shifted subtly in a warm breeze.

"Our cub is already giving you grief?" He asked with love in his deep voice, moving his hand lower to cradle the slight swell of Ratha's belly. She snapped her jaws at him but rested a paw over his.

"It's not that, scarface. You know I bear our young with pride. But if my men are suddenly out of work thanks to this absurd construct-"

"Your way will always be in demand, Ratha. Do you know of a tree or bush that grows meat?" Antoth questioned with a teasing wave of his feathers. In keeping with tradition he now supported a robe over his armor and had taken to leaving his helmet at home. To no one's surprise, however, he'd declined any sort of custom made symbol to commemorate his status as sun priest. He'd opted instead for a small set of runes and images carved into the metallic plates of his armor, ensuring that he would always be required to wear it. Gentia had found the situation most amusing. Ratha scoffed at his hypothetical meat trees.

"Fine. You've made your point, Antoth. But Seil's light is strong today. I would prefer the forest. The shade is soothing."

Antoth nodded as the sounds of a sweltering late summer's day surrounded them. "All the more reason to give this thing a test and see if we can't bring the river to our doorstep," he agreed, motioning over the crowd of Cauthan heads and feathers to where a water wheel spun slowly in the river. The wheel and its housing had been the first task assigned to the temple of Tyrdus following trading season. With the help of Winters' blueprints and diagrams they had fashioned a broad wheel with fins that would work well in the wide and slow moving river.

"I have to admit, it's something else," Ratha whispered, watching drops of water sparkling in the sunlight as the wheel turned and turned and turned. It was mesmerizing.

"Our cub is changing you more than I thought," Antoth whispered back.

"I slit a chesko's throat and drank its blood because I wanted to yesterday. This is only for you, scarface. You gave me all of you. So you can have all of me," she replied as sweetly as the subject matter would allow.

"When will you stop hunting, Ratha?" Her mate asked with some concern in his voice.

"Later," she denied him flatly. "Let's get this over with."

"Later then," Antoth agreed in a tone that made it clear he wasn't going to let the issue drop. "Time to do our duty."

"Your duty, my priest of Seil," Ratha replied with unmasked hunger in her voice.

"They look to you as well, Huntress," Antoth contested, pulling her forward through the jovial crowd that parted for them and cleared a path forward to where Thantis, Xan, Zolta, and the rest of the disciples of Tyrdus waited in front of an Archimedes screw and a couple of axles and gears that would connect it to the power of the water wheel. They bowed to him. "Care to explain to how this all works?" Antoth requested. Quiet fell around them as Thantis walked forward.

"My Lord-"

"Thantis, how many times have we talked about this?" Antoth groaned as Ratha wrapped her arms around one of his and leaned forward.

"Keep doing it, he hates it!"

"Ratha!"

"And the balance is kept, my Lady," Thantis replied with a twinkle in his eyes. Xan chuckled as Ratha looked like she'd swallowed an antler. She tried to glare at him but Antoth shrugged his arm to get her attention.

"He saw Kel and lived. I'm not sure that's going to work."

"What have you done to me?" Ratha moaned dejectedly as her womb sent a pleasing wave of contentment through her, thanks to the proximity of the male who had sowed his seed in her fertility.

"I love you," Antoth replied before clearing his throat awkwardly and looking around. "So this machine? How about we discuss this machine."

"For the sake of us all, I think that's for the best," Zolta's master agreed. "You want to go first, wise one?"

"Theory before execution, of course," Thantis agreed. "The wheel relies on the river current to turn, and this contraption here, the one our good craftsmen carved from the trunk of a tree, will draw water from the river so long as it spins in the correct direction. It's a...uh...perhaps you could aid me, my apprentice?"

Xan smiled knowingly and extended a flask from his side. "You need to be cautious in this heat, master. I can mix all the leaves and roots you want but I can't block out Seil's light."

"Take care of yourself, Thantis. Listen to my former charge," Antoth insisted amicably. The elderly priest took a swig of the cool tonic.

"As you say, Antoth. I will retire to the temple shortly. But today is a special day for all of us. You were saying, Xan?" Thantis prompted, clearly proud of his apprentice.

"Right, so," Xan pointed with his cane. "As long as this screw turns in the correct direction, water will be drawn out of the river and fed into the system of what humans call aqueducts."

"That's what we've been working on throughout the village," Zolta added. "We wanted to make sure the water has somewhere to go if there's too much for the farms."

"If it works as you say it will, I'll consider it time well spent," Antoth agreed. He was still without a temple by his own decree, having prioritized almost any other labor that needed doing around the village. He pointed to two gears with large wooden spokes. "So what are those then?"

"Xan?" Zolta asked.

"Yeah, so far as I can tell this process relies on something the humans call 'momentum transfer'. It's a complicated way of saying that we need to take the turning of the water wheel and change it so that it turns the screw instead. That's what those cogs are for."

"And the metal? I know we received much thanks to our excess of ursae material but that's still a significant quantity," Antoth continued, wanting to ensure all resources were spent in an efficient fashion.

"I agree, but we wanted to reinforce the largest points of stress," Zolta's master clarified. "I think this crowd is growing restless. How about a bit of a show? Care to do the honors, servant of Seil?"

"What would that involve?" Antoth asked as a large wooden mallet was extended his way. Zolta's master had one too.

"Pretty simple, just give that thing a whack. Gear will slide forward, that groove there will catch and connect them!" The burly forge master chuckled. "Don't tell me you've forgotten how to swing a weapon!"

"Let's see it, big guy!" Staroth called from somewhere in the crowd.

"I don't think Uthos will be disappointed," Antoth smiled, walking up to the short, rotating axle that connected to the water wheel. The end of the circular wooden beam rested just out of range of a gear connected to the long axis of the screw, which itself laid at an angle against the river bank. When moved into place, the gear on the wheel's axle would connect the two contraptions.

"What, no grand speech, scarface?" Ratha called from where she stood on the bank, fluffing her feathers at him.

"Only if it works," he chuckled, looking at the priest of Tyrdus. "Ready?"

"We've spent long enough building it, let's see some action!" He agreed, taking a wide and exaggerated backswing before slamming the gear home. A resounding thunk and creak passed over the crowd as the gear moved and engaged. The wheel shuddered for a moment as the system adjusted to the new stress points before the screw began to turn. Cauthan all around gasped and crowded closer, chattering as the slosh of water slowly worked its way up the screw until it finally spilled into the trough of the aqueduct. A resounding cheer went up as the sparkling, life giving liquid began flowing toward the village. Adults spoke excitedly about how their work might be lessened or how they'd need more buckets. Young females contemplated additional time spent grooming their plumage. Children reached up to be hoisted onto their parents' shoulders, a much better vantage point to witness technological progress. Staroth and his men laughed and cheered along with the hunters as a group took off running for the fields, eager to watch as the large wooden reservoir was filled and to begin a new age of agriculture. Antoth, Ratha, and their small group looked at one another.

"Good job," the Huntress said simply. The priests nodded.

"Thank you, Ratha. By your leave I believe I will seek some shade, or perhaps avail myself of this water once it reaches the village proper."

"Selah, Thantis. I think we'll accompany you," Antoth agreed, taking Ratha by the arm. "Young ones?"

"I will stay and study a bit longer," Xan replied. "See you later, Zolta?"

"Yeah, I need to go find Asha," he replied, only to jump as a light grey paw rested on his shoulder. He turned to face the most beautiful Cauthan he'd ever seen, her belly large and swollen with their cub. She looked at him with bright green eyes.

"I can't wait to watch our cub play around in the water," she crooned as he allowed her to lean on him for support. "Shall we head back? I think all the standing is getting to the little one."

"How do you know?" Zolta asked, looking lovingly at the motherly bulge just beneath Asha's dress. She gave him a radiant smile and rested his hand on her belly. He felt movement.

"By Meylith...Asha!" Zolta gasped. His cub was very much alive and growing.

"Ah, the wonder of new life," Thantis remarked airily with a pointed look at Antoth and Ratha.

"We'll survive this," the sun priest promised. "Take care of her, young Zolta."

"Yes sir, I always do. Xan?" The brown-furred youth asked.

"I'm fine. Today's a good day for my leg, must be the heat. See you all later," he replied, turning to the water wheel. "Now then...how else could we use this?"

"You should be quite proud of him," Antoth said quietly to Thantis as they left the river bank.

"As should you, Antoth. The discipline and grit you instilled in him have been of great service. I no longer fear passing on," the elder admitted in a reflective tone.

"You'll be with us for many more seasons," Ratha insisted. "You made it this far."

"You are the expert on survival, my Lady. If Kel wills it I shall continue to serve the balance," the priest replied politely. "I just wish I could offer him something more…"

"He's doing a lot better than he was," Zolta added hesitantly, unsure if he was welcome in a conversation among elders. "I think it will come with time."

"Hope so. Lad was a big help with this contraption," Zolta's master agreed, rapping a fist against the wooden aqueduct as they walked along. "Sharp mind on that one. He'll make a good servant when you pass on to Kel, Thantis."

The elder took a final moment to pause and look over his shoulder, seeing Xan gazing up at the belly of the chassis that supported the wheel in its position above the river. "He will...he understands how cruel the balance can be."

-----

Xan's ears perked up as a new sound cut through the splashing of water and the creaking of wood. Bare paws in the grass. He'd thought himself alone. He turned. "Eris?"

"Hello Xan," she called softly, walking right up to him with minimal fanfare. "So, you built this?"

"Not a cripple like me," he said bitterly.

"But you were one of the minds behind it," Eris insisted, holding his gaze with piercing blue eyes. There was an eagerness and excitement there he wasn't used to seeing. Her feathers were nervous. "You are always so negative, but you've come so far…"

"Eris what are you-" Xan was cut off as her muzzle rubbed against his and she kissed him, fumbling eagerly as the two slowly sank to the ground in the shade of the waterwheel. Xan's leg screamed in pain for a moment but soon there was the soft ground beneath him and a softer Eris above him. Her hands were already at his waist. "Eris!"

"How long are you going to make me wait?" She asked huskily. "Let me do this, Xan."

"I, wait, Eris!" Xan shouted as she pulled down his trousers and then promptly stripped off her dress, allowing him to see all of her as she knelt over his thighs. She was so very beautiful, dark as night and sharp as a blade, but his leg throbbed angrily at the sudden agitation. It reminded Xan that his body was no longer powerful, that it was shrinking and wasting away. It reminded him that she could only see one of his eyes. It reminded him that his body was marred by angry scars while hers was perfect. She was looking at his groin. He did so too.

"Xan?" She asked, sudden hesitation evident in her usually confident tone. "What's wrong? Shouldn't it be getting...larger?"

"E-Eris I," he began, feeling his body shake with embarrassment and shame, the doubt feeding on itself and magnifying. A village beauty had just bared herself to him, an undeniable and brutal proposition of courtship, yet all he could do was shake beneath her, his manhood still hidden away within the dense fur of his nethers. "I don't know what's-"

"Is there something wrong with me?" She asked urgently, reaching for his face with her paw. "Do you not want me?"

"No! No, it's not that it's just-"

"Then why won't you…" Eris sobbed. "I thought that after everything you'd want me too."

Xan tried to swallow as his throat closed in, watching Eris suddenly bring her arms in front of her body, shielding herself from him. He had just gotten used to the idea of Eris being naked and now she was crying. "Eris, I don't know why! I just-"

"I'm sorry, Xan. This was a mistake. I thought...oh I don't know what I thought! I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!" She gasped, snatching up her dress and clothing herself before sprinting as fast as her legs could carry her back to the village, hands wiping the tears from her eyes. The young male was left shell-shocked on the bank of the river, though he did not begrudge her anything, even her abrupt departure. Instead his anger flared and he punched the ground with all his might until his knuckles screamed.

"How many nights!" He grunted through clenched teeth. "How long have you dreamed of her?! Damn it...damn it. Damn it!" He cried, cursing Kel who had left him crippled but alive. "Why? Why is this happening to me? What the hell did I do to deserve this?!" He called to no one as he pulled his pants back up and slowly stood with the help of his cane. He thought about his best friend and his mate, how they would soon be parents huddled around a bundle of joy and fur. The sweltering summer day could not pierce the ice inside of him. "I'm sorry, Eris. I guess you deserve more than me in the end."

For a long while Xan stared at the surface of the river, watching the regular ripples from the waterwheel impact the bank. Only a cowardly urge to keep living stopped him from falling into the deep and letting go. He hated the way he looked, how slim he'd become, how his leg hurt. Xan was saved from the demons inside his own mind by an unexpected sound, the low, rumbling blast of the watch horn. It only sounded once, easing Xan's residual fears and replacing his self doubt with curiosity.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

"Wonder what that's all about? Caravans are long gone," he spoke to himself, beginning his long walk back to the village. His leg was no longer having a good day by any stretch of the imagination, and so he kept his pace slow. For step after step he worked to commit Eris' beautiful figure to memory. He had a sinking feeling that it was the one time he'd ever see a female naked. He only left the world inside his own mind and stopped staring at his feet when he realized that something very large was blocking his path. He glanced up. The hyrven stared back. For a brief moment Xan made ready to meet the gods, but he saw the eyes of the beast, recognized the yellowish orbs that were scrutinizing him.

"Fenrir? By Uthos, is that really you?" He whispered. "You're huge! What have they been feeding you? Wait…Winters and Veera are back," he deduced, suddenly dreading the idea of facing a man like Winters after experiencing a literal teenage nightmare. A hyrven though? He could confide to a hyrven. "You know Fenrir, I missed you a lot. It's been busy and a bit lonely without you around. But I guess now that you aren't a pup anymore you don't-"

Xan fell silent as the beast before him slowly padded forward and stopped but a foot away, the tips of its ears easily reaching Xan's sternum. Fenrir sat and made an inpatient and expectant sound. Xan smiled. "It's good to see you too, boy."

With love and care, Xan scratched Fenrir between the ears and around his neck just as the hyrven had enjoyed as a puppy. Eventually a steady, rumbling breathing left his throat, a sign of appreciation as Xan felt his worries and troubles fade into that soft, grey fur. "I really, really missed you," he whispered, dropping to his knees as gently as he could and hugging Fenrir. The hyrven allowed it without question as tears came to the young Cauthan's eyes. That was how Winters found them about half an hour later.

-----

"I was wondering where he'd gotten off to. Should have known. And here I was thinking I'm his favorite," Winters called out, walking up to Fenrir and Xan. "It's been a while. How are you, Xan?" The human offered his hand and helped the young Cauthan to his feet.

"I've been better," Xan admitted, bumping forearms with Winters. "It's good to see you again though. So Veera taught you to speak our language too, eh? That's pretty cool."

"She did. You wanna talk about it?" Winters asked.

"Not in a hundred lifetimes."

"Sounds pretty bad," Winters replied with a raise of his brow. "Is it-"

"It's not about my leg and I'm not going to kill myself, alright?" Xan snapped. Winters took a step back.

"Alright alright, say no more young man. I'll leave sleeping ursae to lie. How about all this then, safer topic of conversation?" He asked, pointing to the nearby channel of water.

"You expected us to lounge around until you came back?" Xan teased. "How does it look back in the village? We literally just got it flowing."

"The little cubs could barely help themselves," Winters told him with satisfaction, remembering the sight as he and Veera had returned to the village square to reacquaint themselves with their changing home. The ruins of the temple of Seil had been cleared, and channels of rough stone and wood had been added along major drainage pathways and roads that eventually led back out of the village to an overflow site. A passing hunter had informed them that the temple of Valta had laid claim to that area for more intensive hide preparation. Cauthan children ran through the streets in a group, following the flow of water as it slowly filled the system that had been under construction for many cycles. "You did well, all of you."

"You gave us what we needed. We couldn't afford to squander it. I think if we built another one of those wheels we could use it to grind some of the grains we grow, make bread easier to produce," Xan mused, allowing thoughts of the possible to alleviate the pain of the present. Winters clapped him on the shoulder.

"I'll help. Io will too," he promised.

'Batteries primed and loaded, ready to advance the civilization!' The AI added with a leap of joy. 'I'm quite impressed by what I've seen so far.'

Winters chuckled. "She says you did well, too. Do you have some time, Xan?"

"What do you mean?"

"I didn't come out here just to find Fenrir. I was looking for you. We need to speak with Thantis and Antoth."

"Why? What's going on?" Xan demanded, watching as Winters looked to the Western horizon with a contemplative frown.

"Veera and I have been moving as fast as we could for about five cycles now. We found something out there."

"Something? What is it?

"Veera called it the forge of Kel. Io and I think it's evidence of a possibly extinct hyper-advanced species. Either way…"

"Come Fenrir," Xan said urgently. "Let's get going, Winters. You can tell me when you tell Thantis, Antoth, and Ratha."

"Ratha?" Winters questioned as the three of them headed for the village gates. Xan nodded.

"Things have changed, Russell. She's pregnant and has stayed in the village more of late. What? What the hell is wrong with you?" Xan demanded as the human and his AI both sank to their knees.

"That madman," Winters whispered in English. "That absolute madman."

'That absolute barbar! He mated her! Talk about getting in bed with crazy! Wildlife status: domesticated!'

"He did it."

'He really did it!'

"Io!"

'Sir!'

"Do you know what this means?!"

'Ratha's going to get fat?' She exclaimed jubilantly.

"Yeah! And Antoth's gonna be a dad!"

'How much do you want to bet that cub will be born with a sword in his hand!' Io swooned, imagining the adorable progeny of the village's most prominent power couple holding a tiny wooden blade. Xan and Fenrir stood by and looked at one other.

"How did you deal with this for two whole seasons?" The Cauthan demanded. Fenrir just licked his muzzle. "The silent treatment? Yeah that'll work. You're a good boy, Fenrir. Hey, Winters! If you think that's fun, wait until you see Asha."

-----

Winters did not have to wait long to find the mate of the first young Cauthan he'd befriended in the village. Asha and Zolta had been waylaid by Veera at the eastern gate. The tall, striped female was positively beaming as she spoke quickly and animatedly with the young mother. When Winters approached, Asha was giggling as Veera rubbed her belly.

"Russell! He's kicking!" She exclaimed happily, her tail waving back and forth behind her.

"What if it's a girl?" He asked jokingly in Cauthan, earning surprised and approving looks from Zolta and Asha.

"She's kicking!" Veera sang, completely unperturbed. Io looked at Winters in his visor, taking a private moment.

'There is something adorably heartbreaking about all this,' she concluded sadly.

"You don't need to tell me twice. But for now we have bigger things to deal with," he whispered in English.

'Do you think anyone will get our message?' Io asked.

"We can only pray," Winters finished, approaching Zolta and greeting him before turning to Asha. She initiated an awkward hug around her cub bump and so Winters returned it, Cauthan social decorum observed.

"Welcome home," she said sweetly. "I'm glad the two of you are healthy. And Fenrir is so big!" She exclaimed as the hyrven sniffed carefully at her belly. Winters held him by the scruff of his neck just in case.

"Be gentle, boy. That cub is precious," Winters advised, though Fenrir seemed to not need urging. With his increased size his puppy temperament had vanished, giving way to a more reserved pattern of behavior typical of a semi-tame wild animal. Asha was neither prey nor a mate, so the hyrven gently sniffed her instead, receiving more attention for his curiosity.

"I guess you are a pretty gentle thing, aren't you?" Zolta murmured.

"Not when we're hunting chesko," Veera qualified. "But he seems to understand Cauthan aren't to be eaten. Russell, shall we?"

"Yeah. Zolta, Asha, we'd love to catch up sometime soon but Veera and I need to report to Antoth," Winters explained. The couple nodded.

"Would you like to come over for dinner tonight?" Asha offered. "I know you don't have much food left at home after so long away. Xan was already going to be there."

"We'll take you up on that," Winters accepted as he met Veera's eyes and got her silent approval. "You're still doing well?"

"I'm as healthy as a young mother can be, Russell. Gentia said there should be no complications. Go, please. We'll see you this evening. Selah," Asha reassured them.

"Great. And Zolta?"

"Yeah Winters?"

The human gestured to the nearest channel that was now full of clear, running water. Veera jumped the gun. "He's trying to say he's really proud of you both!"

"Yeah, what she said," Winters chuckled as he rubbed his neck. "Xan?"

"Yeah, I'm ready. Let's go find Thantis."

-----

A short time later, Veera and Winters found themselves in the temple of Kel along with Thantis, Xan, Ratha, and Antoth. The huntress had reached for her knife the moment Fenrir pawed into the space, but it remained sheathed as the beast simply walked over to where Xan was seated. Her hand left the handle of the blade as the hyrven rested on his stomach and allowed Xan to continue to show him affection, much to Thantis' utter delight. He looked ready to hop up and start rifling through his scrolls right then and there.

"We would be happy to answer your questions about his development afterward," Veera assured the death priest, who bore that signature twinkle in his eye that was the hallmark of Cauthan curiosity.

"I would appreciate that very much, Veera. He has become remarkably calm as a young adult."

"Much as I'm sure the walking carpet interests the rest of you, I want to know why we're all here. Cause I sure as hell know you didn't summon me just to say hello. What did you find, human?" Ratha pressed. Winters smirked at her.

"Nothing of Valta's, hate to tell you," he replied in passable Cauthan. Antoth and Ratha both sat back in their chairs.

"Winters, you continue to surprise me," Antoth declared, cocking his head as Winters stood and motioned for him to do the same. The human extended his hand and Antoth took it, remembering the human greeting from his wedding. They clapped one another on the back.

"We've got a lot to talk about, but congratulations. We're happy for you both. There's someone else who'd like to speak with you as well," Winters declared, casting a glance at his visor. Io gaped at him as he spoke to her in English. "You said it yourself, Io. First contact doesn't mean shit anymore. You're part of this village too. Time to stop hiding in the shadows."

Winters stood back and held out his left wrist. Whatever protest Ratha was about to lodge died on her lips as the AI's avatar shimmered to life in front of them. Veera clasped her hands together in elation. "Hi there, Io!"

Thantis was saved from falling out of his chair only by Xan's quick reaction as the small human woman waved to them and spoke a greeting. 'Selah to you all. Antoth and Ratha, you have my congratulations as well. I wish you happiness and health for your cub.'

Ratha's dumbfounded expression was something they all knew should be savored, given its rarity. She turned to her mate. "I thought you were speaking in metaphor, Antoth. He's...he's actually protected by a spirit?! Explains the ursae."

"Named for one of their moons, no less," Antoth confirmed. "I am glad to see you are well, spirit Io. I worried after that particular hunt."

"Wait, you know her?!" Ratha ejaculated, pointing a claw at Antoth. "How long have you been keeping this from me!"

"Ratha, we forced Antoth to swear a vow of secrecy," Winters clarified. "Times and circumstances have changed."

"She aided in the planning of our defenses during the raid," Antoth added. "Winters was concerned about starting a war with whatever species uplifted his own. I don't understand the details, but I made a vow to Uthos to remain silent on the matter."

"Uplifting? You mean what he's trying to do to us now? I don't like any of this, my mate. The gods seem content to test our rule. But I'll forgive you, eventually," Ratha pouted as Io looked around.

'I suppose I can understand that sentiment. Perhaps this would do better to show whose side we are on?' She asked, spinning in a slow circle as her projection dissolved and reincorporated itself. She had a coat of sleek, blonde fur, piercing emerald eyes, onyx claws and talons, and a mane of black feathers of a volume to rival Veera's. The HEL officers uniform added an otherworldly touch to it all. Xan whistled appreciatively as Antoth scratched his jaw and Ratha regarded the miniature Cauthan with an analytical gaze.

Thantis finally found his voice, proving to be of a quite different opinion regarding the unknown and technology. "What a marvelous day to be alive. Selah, spirit Io." The AI gave him a winning smile and tested out her plumage. Veera played along with her own, mimicking her.

'I would love to speak with you later, Thantis. Your never ending pursuit of learning is most endearing.' Io chuckled happily as Thantis looked ready to expire on the spot, having been complimented by a divine being. 'For now, however, we must tell you all of what we found out on the plains, far to the west of here.'

All eyes turned to Winters. "I'm not sure you're going to like this…"

-----

"Russell, you never mentioned this," Veera said worriedly as he and Io concluded their tale with the mechanical being that had looked and acted like a Cauthan. He inclined his head to acknowledge her point and ran a hand through his hair.

"Honestly, Veera, that's where Io and I are still the most confused. It's either the greatest coincidence in history or it indicates that your species has been here on Mara, in its current physiological form, for at least a few million years. And they were very advanced technologically.

"Then what in Kel's name happened to us?" Antoth muttered sadly.

"Scarface, you don't mean to say you believe in all of this forge nonsense...do you?" Ratha demanded, though she seemed unsure herself. Io had vanished. In her place rotated slowly cycling images from the inside of the installation, including the 'drill' and the old robot.

"What would you have me say, Ratha? Winters has proven a comrade and friend to us. I should disbelieve him and his spirit when we can all see what they saw?"

"May I offer anyone tea?" Thantis asked. "Xan and I attempted a new brew this morning. It should be sufficiently cool and refreshing."

As Winters had predicted, no one sitting in that small circle had enjoyed his little tale. Fenrir appeared neutral on the matter, but the Cauthan around him all wore serious expressions, even after taking a sip of the beverage proffered by Thantis.

“That’s not bad, Xan. What’s in it?” Winters asked during the pause in conversation.

“Bit of ground up bark and roots, that’s what gives it the kick. Better than kina in my opinion,” Xan elaborated.

“Yes, yes, while the tea is all well and good can we get back to the fact that there are metallic Cauthan wandering around some ancient chamber a few cycles’ journey from our village!” Ratha demanded impatiently before giving Antoth a hard look. “Assuming, of course, we’re just to believe everything the human says?”

“I heard you the first time, Ratha,” Antoth growled.

“And you didn’t give me an answer that inspired much confidence!” She threw back at him. “We’re going to have a cub, Antoth!”

Winters and Veera remained silent. Ratha was always a frustrating individual, but both of them could sympathize with her frustrations in turn. Antoth brought a couple of fingers to his temple. “And what should I say to you, Ratha? That there’s no way the human could be right because our stories don’t match his tale? You know as well as I do that something else is out there, Ratha. Occurrence after occurrence, event after event...there is a world out there beyond our people, Ratha. Maybe even beyond the gods.” Antoth’s declaration brought quiet to their group.

“Vash would have put you to trial for that,” Ratha eventually stated, baring her teeth. Antoth chuckled smartly.

“If he wasn’t afraid of losing his sun guards, you’re right. But Ratha, the fact that Winters and his spirit even exist in the first place…”

"Could be explained by Kel," Ratha tried. Winters shook his head.

"Both Io and I can be fully explained by non-divine means, unfortunately. But I understand. Coming to terms with this sort of thing isn't easy."

"Sod off, human! I am not having a hard time!"

"Ratha, you may be having a bit of a hard time," Antoth whispered.

"I am not!" She yelped. Antoth gave her an arch look. "Am not…"

"When my species realized we weren't alone in the universe, there was utter chaos. Rioters burned buildings and store fronts, called it the end of times," Winters recalled the tales from his parents. "Even after a formal treaty of peace was signed things didn't go back to normal. Not sure such a thing is even possible when you, you know, realize there's something out there and it's stronger than you. But we survived, we thrived. If it comes to that, I'm sure you all can do the same."

"What a reassuring tale," Ratha scoffed.

"I would die for your cub, Ratha," Winters retorted. Her blade was out in a flash, only Antoth's quick hand stopping her from lunging.

"Don't you dare use my cub against me you filth!"

"Ratha!" Antoth shouted.

'Please everyone, calm yourselves!' Io bade. 'Ratha, I have known the Lieutenant my entire life, and while we might feel a bit bad about saving you, he is absolutely serious in this. It is what he was trained to do, and what he chooses to do. This is our home and if the worst comes, we will stand with you.' Ratha was still breathing heavily, not turning her eyes away from Winters, but the 'spirit's' assurances stayed her hand at least.

"Ratha, they are on our side," Antoth repeated harshly, emphasizing each word. "Winters, Veera, what's your evaluation of this...installation, is that the right word? Yes, the installation you found. Is it a threat to us? I'm not sure we could even spare anyone as things stand but-" The human held up a hand to forestall him.

"Honestly Antoth, I don't think you need to worry. This place has been there for a very, very long time. If something was going to happen it already would have, we think. It raises a thousand questions, but not threats. It appears to be much more dangerous to my own people and our ships."

"Now that...is another matter entirely," Thantis agreed sagely.

"Will they come for you?" Xan added, his tone somewhere between cautious and anxious. Winters nodded.

"Protocol demands that they try. I don't know if that will be soon or in a few years or at all. Depends on our ships and where they are, but I'm not sure if any of them would even survive the journey. If they do…"

'Then we will help negotiate a peace treaty on behalf of this village and endeavor to establish a cultural exchange between peoples,' Io declared. Thantis at least seemed excited by the prospect. The rest were more circumspect.

"That would be an ideal scenario," Veera agreed. "But Russell, your treaties?"

"With the discovery of the forge I think enough has changed to make this planet a necessary place of study if humanity can make the jump," he admitted.

"I don't see how we stand to gain from any of this," Ratha hissed. "Antoth, you know what happens when the strong and the weak clash! The humans will 'study' us! We will be slaves again, just like our ancestors."

"Then we should ensure we don't clash, even with Winters on our side," the black furred Cauthan concluded darkly.

"He will never fight his own people, scarface. You're too idealistic."

"I would never abandon my family!" Winters roared, earning him a desirous look from Veera. The sun priest was not pleased.

"Both of you!" Antoth demanded calm. "By Uthos...Ratha, before today where would you go if you needed fresh water?"

"The river."

"And now?" He insisted, leaning forward in his chair. She sighed but conceded the point.

"Pretty much anywhere in the village."

"Exactly. We could not control the fact that Winters ended up on our world. We will not be able to control if more of his people follow. Our God given duty is to guide and protect our people. That includes ruthlessly exploiting human knowledge for our own benefit at any opportunity we're given. If my...if Staroth's men had access to armor like Winters, we would never fear raiders again."

'I'm glad we didn't include firearms in that little book,' Io declared before turning to Winters with a knowing glint in her eye. 'Care to reconsider, sir?'

"Io…" Winters groaned. "How many times have we been over this?"

'Clearly not enough for you to see reason, especially now that our species...well, them and the two of us at least, are united in the need to understand what happened on this planet long ago.'

"It's not our choice," Winters ground out as Xan and Thantis traded glances and stroked their chins thoughtfully.

'Antoth's choice seems rather clear. I knew I could count on you, oh priest of Seil!' Antoth flared his small crest in confusion while Winters chastised his AI.

"Io!"

'Think about it! The transition would be easy, even into something like the Jumpers! They're curious and capable!'

"That's what I'm afraid of…" Winters said quietly as he looked around the room. "Antoth, we're at your disposal if you need anything. Io and I have some things we need to discuss."

"Please take your time and settle back in. The two of you have been gone a long while," Antoth deferred. "There is much to discuss for us as well."

"Damn right there is!" Ratha insisted angrily. Antoth let out a heavy breath.

"What does it say that I love her?"

"That you have good taste," the Huntress insisted. "And before I forget, how did the gear hold up?"

Veera fluffed her feathers as she and her husband stood to leave. "Your work was a fine tribute to Valta."

"Good."

-----

"Fingers crossed for jump number seven, Alice? Data from the Lancer's beacon indicates a system quite suitable for complex life!" Natori beamed as everyone on the bridge made the final checks and preparations necessary to send the Event Horizon into warp space.

"My fingers are always crossed, Admiral. C'mom Qul'Roth, you too! You'd be great at it!" Alice encouraged cheerfully. The Ghaelen shook his head and snorted indignantly.

"I need not rely on such...superstition." he insisted.

"Suit yourself, big guy. But if something goes wrong I'm blaming you!"

Natori gave a small chuckle as his first mate held up a hand to signal all clear. The admiral activated the shipwide intercom. "All hands, brace for the jump to warp space."