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"Is she a subject, then?" The male with the giant butcher knife looked confused.
"She’s subject to no one." Varus gave me a humored glance. "But I like her, anyway, so be nice or you’ll have to answer to me."
The next several minutes were a blur. Someone took our supplies and carried them away to store. I was led to a roughly crafted table and bench, where the male who called for Isath’s death by glacier freeze set a giant bowl of delicious-smelling hot stew in front of me. I ate it up so fast while they talked around me. Their attention hung on Varus when he sat next to me and recounted his experience at the hands of the Quarek captors. I finished half of my second bowl by the time he finished. The sun was setting, casting the rocky ledges of the canyon in gold, reds, and oranges.
Lerun sat by while someone came with a pitcher of a frothy drink. I could tell by the smell that it was potent. "Time for a celebration," he announced. "The king has returned."
I took a drink of cold and crystal-clear water that someone filled in my cup. "Sounds like fun." I suppressed a yawn. "Excuse me."
"You sound tired," Lerun surmised. "We prepared a room in one of the cave houses for you if you wish to rest."
"That sounds like a great idea." Between escaping another planet, detouring at a moon base, and probably suffering the effects of the space version of extreme jet lag from all the interstellar travel, I was close to passing out. I was sure whatever was in the ingreberg stew had plenty of carbs to send me off to dreamland. "Sorry, Varus. I’d be a buzzkill if I stayed."
"Don’t apologize." He got up from the bench so I could have room to leave. "Get some rest."
I addressed Lerun, remembering the manners my mother taught me. "Thank you for welcoming me."
"Of course. Any friend of the king is welcome among us."
The sky darkened and the stars didn’t waste any time coming out. An elder female Racopian with beautiful white hair led me to the space they provided. Her grandchild ran along in the illuminated cave ahead of us, playing a game of trying to outrun his shadow. Two little gray nubs formed along his back. I surmised Racopian children didn’t develop their wings until puberty.
I passed several housing structures within the cavern, amazed by the combination of nature and engineering. The technology was modern. At least, compared to Earth standards. Lights were embedded into the cavern walls and ceiling. Air circulated through both natural and crafted ventilation.
"How far does this network go?" I asked the Racopian elder.
"These residences were built along the underground river, about half a mile in," she answered. "The tunnels lead to other parts of the land."
I looked beyond the last structure, where light showed another path that wound further into the cavern. Part of me was curious while another part of me remembered the little trek going down here from the cliff. I was sure going further underground would have its challenges. Varus could tell me where the path went later.
We reached the place where I was supposed to stay. The exterior cavern space, though wide enough to accommodate the winged Racopians was deceptive. The interior was huge, in height and breadth. More embedded lights threw a soft gold glow on the cool space and sparse furnishings.
"Is this satisfactory?" The elder asked.
"If my quarters back at HQ looked like this, I'd enlist for another five years."
Her white eyebrows furrowed as she appeared confused by my answer. "Enjoy your rest. My grandson and I will be across the way if you need anything." In a testament to Racopian strength, she pulled the weighty stone and wood door of the structure closed once she exited. I barely heard anyone walking outside, thanks to the natural sound-dampening properties of the cavern.
Ah, peace and quiet.
All the supplies Varus and I brought with us were stacked neatly on a table in one corner. As I opened one of the packs for a bed roll, I wondered where he would be sleeping. They didn’t expect us to share this space, did they?
No sooner had I found the bed in the adjoining chamber did I hear the door slide open. I returned to the common area to find the king of Racopia standing there. "I would’ve knocked, but I just saw Namina leaving."
"No worries. I haven’t even taken my boots off yet."
He closed the door behind him. "I was hoping those would be the first to go."
"You’re really bothered by my boots."
"They hurt my shinbone."
"I only kicked you one time and that was when you took off in the air with me. I didn’t know you, then."
"I’ll remember to give a formal introduction next time."
"Gosh, I hope you’re not in the habit of randomly swooping people up in the air." I found the sleeping bag and carried it into the bedroom to use as an extra blanket.
"Only you." Varus blocked some of the light from the ceiling as he followed me. "I came to check on you and make sure you were comfortable."
