little.
"I do not know whether I can hold off much longer. I had hoped to reach my village before we–" he paused as the tremor doubled back on him, making him grind his teeth.
"However, I fear that is not to be." Despite the fact that this was to be a third Incarnation for him, it seemed one did not get used to the burning contractions. The spasms actually seemed more intense this time. He scanned the rocky ledges noting several platforms leading up past a high waterfall. Halfway up, there appeared to be a Travelers Cave. The entrance was partially covered with vines of night-blooming tasmin . Travelers Caves were scattered throughout M'Yan and were usually well-stocked with necessities. Their king, Gian Ren, took good care of his people; Salair had heard that the caves had never been so well-tended.
He quickly made his decision to stay there for the coming night.
As they entered the dim interior, several banked fires and wall torches roared to life, no doubt under the guidance of the Wizards of the Charl. Such spells often made good livelihoods for lesser mages, who went about performing such services for reasonable fees. Several bags of preserved foods and systale gourds were strewn about. The gourds were used on many worlds for porting water and other liquids. On a higher ledge, fluffy, fragrant bali leaves were stuffed into the cloth-covered bedding.
The small cavern was divided into two levels. A hot spring at the top flowed over into a lavender waterfall that fed a smaller pond below. The tinkling sound of rushing water bubbling over rocks was soothing to Snow, but not to her sense-heightened mate, who felt every sound as a scrape along his skin.
"There is a pool for bathing. Someone has left us food and other supplies. We will stay the night here . . ." He hesitated, then added, "Or, perhaps, many nights."
"Many nights?" That sounded strange to her. "I thought you were anxious to return to your home?"
" Our home, Snow. And, yes, I am; although I am not sure why."
"You wish to see your family?"
His brow furrowed. "Perhaps." But was that the real reason? Had he missed his father, after all? He had not seen the old xathu for years.
His mother had died when he was still a babe. Salair had not wanted to get mired up in ruling the clan. As soon as he had reached the age of roaming, he had left his home.
He had always marveled that his father had the stamina to stay in one place long enough to own it. Such had never been for the likes of Salair, who lived to see a different sunrise each day.
Yet, he loved his father.
Even if they did argue constantly.
Sometimes it was just that way with two males in their prime.
"I am looking forward to seeing my home again, but–" Another strong tremor shook him. This time he could not hold back the groan that escaped his lips. Alarmed, Snow squeezed his arm. "Salair, is this part the Incarnation you spoke of?"
"Yes. Do you not remember any tales of it?"
"No, I do not."
Mayhap she had been too young to learn of it at the time of her parent's accident. He sighed as he realized he would have to explain it to her. "You have heard that Familiar males are always at their peak of vitality?"
"Yes." She worried her lip. "Some say it is quite a good trait."
Despite his discomfit, he chuckled. "Some do say that."
"That has something to do with this Incarnation?"
"Yes. When a male Familiar reaches his peak level of vitality–somewhere between the ages of thirty and forty standard years–he undergoes a process of rejuvenation that allows him to maintain the height of his physical perfection. And so it is throughout most of his adult life. During this time span, he will undergo nine Incarnations–each lasting a span of ten years–in which he rejuvenates to his peak level. A physical level of perfected stamina. These are a Familiar's productive years. Males can thus explore all aspects of physical pleasure during these years of Incarnation."
"They are very fortunate then,"
"I do not know whether I can hold off much longer. I had hoped to reach my village before we–" he paused as the tremor doubled back on him, making him grind his teeth.
"However, I fear that is not to be." Despite the fact that this was to be a third Incarnation for him, it seemed one did not get used to the burning contractions. The spasms actually seemed more intense this time. He scanned the rocky ledges noting several platforms leading up past a high waterfall. Halfway up, there appeared to be a Travelers Cave. The entrance was partially covered with vines of night-blooming tasmin . Travelers Caves were scattered throughout M'Yan and were usually well-stocked with necessities. Their king, Gian Ren, took good care of his people; Salair had heard that the caves had never been so well-tended.
He quickly made his decision to stay there for the coming night.
As they entered the dim interior, several banked fires and wall torches roared to life, no doubt under the guidance of the Wizards of the Charl. Such spells often made good livelihoods for lesser mages, who went about performing such services for reasonable fees. Several bags of preserved foods and systale gourds were strewn about. The gourds were used on many worlds for porting water and other liquids. On a higher ledge, fluffy, fragrant bali leaves were stuffed into the cloth-covered bedding.
The small cavern was divided into two levels. A hot spring at the top flowed over into a lavender waterfall that fed a smaller pond below. The tinkling sound of rushing water bubbling over rocks was soothing to Snow, but not to her sense-heightened mate, who felt every sound as a scrape along his skin.
"There is a pool for bathing. Someone has left us food and other supplies. We will stay the night here . . ." He hesitated, then added, "Or, perhaps, many nights."
"Many nights?" That sounded strange to her. "I thought you were anxious to return to your home?"
" Our home, Snow. And, yes, I am; although I am not sure why."
"You wish to see your family?"
His brow furrowed. "Perhaps." But was that the real reason? Had he missed his father, after all? He had not seen the old xathu for years.
His mother had died when he was still a babe. Salair had not wanted to get mired up in ruling the clan. As soon as he had reached the age of roaming, he had left his home.
He had always marveled that his father had the stamina to stay in one place long enough to own it. Such had never been for the likes of Salair, who lived to see a different sunrise each day.
Yet, he loved his father.
Even if they did argue constantly.
Sometimes it was just that way with two males in their prime.
"I am looking forward to seeing my home again, but–" Another strong tremor shook him. This time he could not hold back the groan that escaped his lips. Alarmed, Snow squeezed his arm. "Salair, is this part the Incarnation you spoke of?"
"Yes. Do you not remember any tales of it?"
"No, I do not."
Mayhap she had been too young to learn of it at the time of her parent's accident. He sighed as he realized he would have to explain it to her. "You have heard that Familiar males are always at their peak of vitality?"
"Yes." She worried her lip. "Some say it is quite a good trait."
Despite his discomfit, he chuckled. "Some do say that."
"That has something to do with this Incarnation?"
"Yes. When a male Familiar reaches his peak level of vitality–somewhere between the ages of thirty and forty standard years–he undergoes a process of rejuvenation that allows him to maintain the height of his physical perfection. And so it is throughout most of his adult life. During this time span, he will undergo nine Incarnations–each lasting a span of ten years–in which he rejuvenates to his peak level. A physical level of perfected stamina. These are a Familiar's productive years. Males can thus explore all aspects of physical pleasure during these years of Incarnation."
"They are very fortunate then,"
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