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.

“A slave who does not feel safe to speak will not serve you long,” Arne said. “I am sure someone who lives in a rock home so finely crafted can appreciate the need for workers. Your servants seem well kept.”

“We’re a community,” TL said. “We all participate.”

“The same with us,” Torny said. “You must having Viking blood in you.”

“No,” TL said.

“Perhaps you’d like to?” Erico said.

“Erico,” Arne said.

“I am not offended,” TL said.

“It isn’t you who I am worried of offending,” Arne said.

“You should be. She’s in charge here. If she’s offended, I am offended,” Shen said.

“You practice the old ways?” Yaffa asked. “Only females own property?”

“I practice the old ways. If the woman of the house is happy, everybody is happy,” Shen said.

The men roared, stomping their feet. The girls were amused, but didn’t laugh. TL gave him a look.

“I like you Shen,” Arne said. “Even if you do walk around in pajamas all day.”

“I will have you know, Sir…”

“Jon,” TL interrupted him.

Shen reconsidered. “That I like you, too.” He stood, lifted his drink. “To friendship.”

Arne stood first, taking up his drink.

“To friendship, until otherwise specified,” Arne said.

“An appreciable caveat,” Shen said.

“Agreed,” the Vikings said at once.

“Agreed,” Shen and TL echoed. They touched cups, going around until it came back to Shen. They drank as one.

“I would like to retire to the hearth and see your books,” Torny said.

“Come,” TL said. She motioned and Abby came forwards. “Please, bring us tea to the room.”

“And coffee, please. Thank you, Abby,” Shen said.

“What is coffee?” Arne asked.

“I can bring some for everyone, if you wish to try it,” Abby said.

“It’s a stimulant. If could interfere with sleep,” Shen said.

“Bring it, woman,” Arne said.

“Abby, bring sweetener, too. In case their first taste is disagreeable,” TL said.

“Can I have your hand in marriage?” Erico asked.

Abby smiled, gracefully. “No.”

“How about just your hand for the night?” Erico said.

“Either one of yours should do the trick,” Abby said.

Erico blushed. Everyone laughed, but the Vikings stomped.

“Forgive Erico, friend Shen,” Arne said.

“There is nothing to forgive,” Shen said. “I have behaved much worse.”

“I told you he fucks goat,” Erico said.

There was silence. Shen stared at Erico as if he was ready to challenge. “Just one, Sir. And you ate the evidence.”

Everyone laughed. Even TL stomped. Arne hit Shen in the arm. They retired to the end of the hall, pushing through a door of heavy curtains. The room was rectangular. Chairs, coffee table, a couch, and pillows on the floor. Except for Arne, the men sat on the floor. Arne and Shen remained standing. The fireplace was on the far wall, and was a large wood fire. Torny tried to see up the chimney but could not get that close. She sat by the fire and admired the tapestries hanging from the wall. Quilts, patch worked to be maps of the world. The world size was derived from math, leaving undiscovered continents and islands to be placed. TL had several books on the coffee table. Several completed editions of each of their work, and one each of the newest edition. There was a book shelf just for their ‘books’ on the far end and place for guest to donate copies if they so choose. There were copied editions sealed and ready to be gifted.