Back in the valley of Rhysh, his house is a little ways up on the Backwater hills, nestled against a hillside and raised up on stilts.Back in the valley of Rhysh, his house is a little ways up on the Backwater hills, nestled against a hillside and raised up on stilts. It's also separated from the hillside by a meter-wide gap. "It's to keep the runoff from spilling into the house," he explained. "It also lets me keep a drawbridge." I laughed. Inside, he put his vest and pants aside and padded about in all his naked glory. He disappeared into the bathroom for a while. "So," I shouted, "what do you think?" "Of what?" he asked back as I rummaged through his kitchen, looking for the glassware. "Rowan," I asked patiently, "Where does Aaden keep his glasses?" "Third cupboard from the right," the AI answered back. Aaden came out finally, disappeared out back, and then returned with an armful of wood, throwing some of the smaller ones onto the fireplace. "Of the deal Ress made with you?" I asked. "I think it's great. Somehow, though, we have to find a femMeph who one, likes me, two, likes you, three, loves children, and four, fits into Castle Shardik." "The last one's the problem," I said. He laughed. I started to hand him a glass of wine, but stopped when I saw his paws. "You're a mess," I said, brushing the little bits of wood and bark out of his fur. "I'll get it," he said, moving close and hugging me closer, holding me. I melted against him, feeling so wonderful in his arms. "You really want me to do this?" I asked. "What, tonight? Yes," he breathed. He let me go and wandered back to the living room to start the fire. Night was coming fast. I followed him, sitting next to him on the blanket he had laid out in front of the fireplace. I put his glass down on the marble sill the fireplace rested on and sipped from mine. After a few minutes he had the kindling going and was starting to put on larger logs. |