Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 71832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
"Well, we can't exactly ask it to move, can we?" comments Jason.
I tell myself I will not throttle him. "Can we turn it in some way?"
"We've tried, but it is too heavy," N'dek says. "There are not enough people to be able to turn even a single one."
I rub my whiskers, thinking. The creatures slowly shove themselves up the beach in a straight line from where they emerge. "It's possible they are following a path of least resistance. What if we gave them a new path?"
N'dek studies me. "Go on."
I gesture at the sandy beach. "They are forcing their way up the sands, which requires effort. What if we create a trench for them, an easier path for them to take to push their way up the sand, and we direct them away from where they would cause damage? I don't think they're picking deliberate spots. They're just beaching themselves. But if we make it easier for them to beach, maybe we can guide them away from the huts."
"That's not a bad idea," Jason says. "It's worth a shot."
"What tools do we need for the digging?" I ask. "I can go retrieve them and bring them back."
They all look at me in vague surprise.
I scowl. "What?"
"Why are you so...helpful suddenly? You haven't called me a single name," Jason says.
"Are your wounds fevered?" Corvak asks. "Do you need assistance getting to the healer?"
"Very funny, all of you. Would you rather I call you names or insult you before I offer to help out?"
"It'd probably be more expected," Jason says.
Figures that I try to be pleasant and no one understands me. I gesture at them. "Come on, idiots. Let's not stand around all day."
"That sounds more like you," Corvak says. "But yes, let us get started." He claps me on the back with his hand, and then we get to work.
CHAPTER 19
APRIL
Devi and I measure nautilus shells and their trails into the sand for hours. She's not interested in getting rid of them inasmuch as she's interested in comparing the size of them to how far up the beach they go. With a long strand of marked rope, she measures, and I write out notes for her to go over later. Makana starts to grunt at me, a sign that he wants down, and I pull him out of his sling and let him wander on the rocks while Devi and I take a break.
A quick glance down the beach shows that Valmir is working with several others, digging a trench in the path of one of the oncoming shelled creatures. Devi hums in surprise at the sight. "I wonder if that will work, trying to adjust their route? Or are they going to ignore it and push forward like they always do? There's only one of the tentacled feet that does the pushing. That's why they're so slow." Her expression is bright with interest. "Isn't that fascinating? It's like the other arms are used to catch prey but there's only one designated for movement. They can't figure out how to redistribute the workload. Their brains must not be big enough."
"That is interesting," I say, but my gaze is on Valmir and his big shoulders flexing as he tosses another shovelful of sand out of the way. Like the other men, he's stripped to the waist and digging as Jason calls out instructions and two of the kits try to scoop tidewater away with shells. It looks like a futile task, but it doesn't hurt to try, I suppose. And Valmir looks good as he works. I admire the breadth of his shoulders and the flick of his tail as he bends over to dig his shovel in again.
Watching him work should not be such a turn on...and yet I can't stop looking at him. I can't wait to be alone with him again. I want to run my hands all over his sweaty shoulders and let him know that I'm proud of him. That him being part of a team is a huge turn-on because I know he's doing it to please me.
Devi moves to my side, noticing my fixation on Valmir. "Resonance worked out for you?"
"Oh yeah." I manage a wry smile. "All that fighting it and there ended up being no point."
"I understand. I think there's something psychological to resonance. Everyone always ends up paired with the person who makes them happiest, even if they don't want to be with them. That tells me that either the khui is influencing our hormones and our brains, or the other way around. I'd love to study someone who ends up resonating to a person they hate and continue to hate, but that never seems to happen." She gives me an interested look. "Is there any lingering loathing on your end?"
"Afraid not."
"Darn."
"Thanks, I think?"