Under a Starless Sky novel Chapter 45

Arne introduced him to Yaffa, the woman with the bow. Erico, the man who wanted the shirt. Tane, the man who wanted to kill him. And Torny, the woman who didn’t like the smell of the place. He led them up the hall towards the dining area. The stairwell cup was a solid pillar. No one would be climbing up to the rest of the fortress uninvited. He had never seen that feature, but was not surprised by it. It made sense. He realized he had been here for years, and didn’t know all the secrets to his own place. TL had secrets. It not a malicious thing, it was just a curiosity of AI activity that extended beyond human control. He wondered what secrets Loxy might have. One can know someone, even experience a full telepathic connection, and still not know everything.

Shen showed his guest the lavatory, as he anticipated it might need explanation. The men went straight way to pee on the far wall. Torny was very interested in the plumbing. She pushed on the ball, allowing water to fill the trough sink. Shen washed his hands, using the bar of soap. They understood faster and better than he had anticipated. Erico tasted the soap and spit it out.

There were towels hanging to dry hands, but Shen shook his hands and wiped it on his pants and led them to the dining hall. There was a slight chastisement from TL in his head, but she recognized the affect it had on the guests. They were impressed he was human enough. Large, paneled salt rock planks lined the wall with clear edges, illuminated from behind. The table was stone, circular, with a fire in the center, and a lazy Susan iris. The chairs were wood. Torny ran her hands along the wall, along the table, and touching the Lazy Suzan she discovered it moved and spun it.

“You’re a seriously skilled crafts man,” Torny said.

“No. I am fortunate enough to have a friend who is,” Shen said.

“How do you get to the surface?” Yaffa asked.

“The egress is the way you came,” Shen said.

“You live in a cavern?”

“By yourself?”

TL arrived with a tray of drinks. They were the good cups. Metallic, jeweled and a jug of ale.

“Not alone,” Yaffa said.

“She is definitely not a goat,” Erico said.

“This is Loxy,” Shen said.

“I told you I smelled sex,” Arne said.

“So, he’s not just playing at being a man,” Yaffa said.

“Oh, we definitely play,” TL said.

There was laughter. It was extended because Shen blushed. He was mad at himself for blushing. Inside his head, TL told him to relax. Blushing was normal, and he was out of practice being social and was likely to blush more than normal.

“Just the two of you?” Tane asked.

“We are not alone,” TL said.

“You’re a sorceress?” Torny said.

“When I need to be,” TL said. “Shall we exchange books?”

“I would like to see your maps,” Torny said.

“After we eat. We can relax by the lake,” TL said. “Or to the hearth down the hall.”

Orb ‘servants’ brought food- lamb, rice, vegetables and fruits, dried fish- and a pizza. There was a feast. The servants were formidable looking men and women, who were all likely to be WWF pro-wrestlers in another world- so the feast may have looked like a mere a snack. Shen dived into the pizza, explaining it and demonstrating to them how to eat it. Everything they tried was well received, or at least, they said they have never had its equal. They wanted to complement the cook, to which the butler ‘Rock’ bowed, graciously.

“What kind of animals is pepperoni?” Yaffa said.

Shen looked to TL.

“Cured Irk,” TL lied. It was the closest thing they would likely accept.

“I think I might want to stay,” Erico said, clearly lusting after TL and the servant in proximity.

“Your wife might not approve,” TL said.

Erico seemed confused.

“Your mark,” Shen said. “That does mean you’re married, right?”

“How do you know or ways?” Arne asked.

“We really don’t. I ask that you correct me if we get things wrong,” Shen said. Then as an afterthought, added: “If you find it reasonable for me to know. I do like knowing things, but people do like their secrets.”

“You’re a seer!” Yaffa said.

“That would explain why he lives in a cave,” Torny agreed. “Lots of places don’t like men practicing the path.”

“And your people?” Shen asked.

“All people are equal,” Arne said.

“You mentioned slaves. Are they equal?” Shen asked.