Read Online Xone Of Contention by Piers Anthony - Free Book Online Page A

already knew that stuff before I came to Xanth. So I don't think it should apply.”
    “You're sixteen,” Pia said. “That's old enough.”
    “That's what I figure. But Justin is of the old school.”
    Pia considered. “You love him—and he loves you?”
    “He does. You can love at any age, or love someone any age. You just can't do much about it, in Xanth. if you're the wrong age.”
    “I appreciate your frustration. But you know, I was fifteen when I got together with Edsel, and we did plenty about it then. But now—the wonder is gone. I think we went too fast, too young.”
    “You mean you're siding with the Conspiracy?”
    “I wouldn't go as far as to say that. But it does occur to me there might be some reason for it, in some cases.”
    The girl pondered a moment. “When you were fifteen—if you had honored the Conspiracy—would you be happy with him now?”
    “Good question. I suspect things would me much the same, assuming we were married.”
    “So what would you have gained, honoring the Conspiracy?”
    In was Pia's turn to ponder. “Nothing,” she concluded. “And lost a lot of early fun.”
    “So what do you figure I should do?”
    “Take him.”
    “I can't. All he does is kiss.”
    “Face to face?”
    “What else?"
    “To use archaic terms you’re necking. You need to get into petting.”
    “Petting?”
    "Necking is above the neck Petting is below.”
    “I know that! But I can't get into it, because—”
    "I'll bet the Adult Conspiracy offers a bit of leeway in the in-between age. Why don't you try it and see?”
    “But what exactly—if he won't—”
    Pia realized that for all her professed knowledge, the girl had been stifled in Xanth, and lacked actual experience She had the concept with out the practical mechanics “Don't ask him, silly. Just do it.”
    “Do it?”
    “Get him alone. Maybe tonight. Take off your shirt. Hold his hand.”
    “Hold his hand?"
    “Like so ” Pia glanced around to make sure they were unobserved, then took Breanna's hand and put it against Pia's clothed breast.
    “Oho!” Breanna smiled with wild surmise.
    “I guarantee he won't ignore you. See how far the Conspiracy will bend. I think you will at least make some progress."
    "For sure, Breanna breathed raptly Pia felt good too, it was nice being reminded of the joys of early discovery.
    They came to the first of the planned tour exhibits a tangle tree. From a distance the thing looked like a drooping live oak. But closer in, she saw that it actually had long hanging green tentacles
    “You don't want to get close to such a tree,” Justin said.
    "But there's a nice little path leading right to it,” Pia said
    “Yes. But observe.” Justin picked up a small fallen branch and threw it at the tree.
    The tentacles came to life. They caught the branch, wrapping around it and snapping it in two. Then they carried the pieces down to the trunk, where a huge wooden mouth opened. It chomped on a branch—then spat it out, evidently disgusted. The two children chortled together, loving it’s frustration.
    “Trees don't like to eat trees.” Justin said “They regard it as can canabalism. I speak from experience.”
    "You were a tangle tree?” Pia asked, horrified.
    “No, merely an ordinary tree.” he said ”Sunlight and soil sufficed. Until I met Breanna. But the birds and the bees kept me informed of the appetites of other tree species."
    “I don't think the birds and the bees informed you enough about flesh folk,” Breanna said.
    Justin looked uneasy “Perhaps in two years—”
    “Yeah ” But the girl was plainly nettled. Pia could see that she had a legitimate complaint. Two years was an eternity to that age.
    They resumed their walk along the path “Next we shall pass a dragon's lair,” Justin said "Don't step out of the enchanted section.”
    “Why should we want to?” Edsel asked
    “The dragon's smart. It will try to fool you.”
    Edsel shrugged, figuring he was foolproof. That was