I left the young couple to their mutual assuagements. I did not see them often, and I must say, it felt as if a great burden had been lifted from my shoulders. But, I did see them occasionally. As I once rode out, I saw Odum in the barn crafting a crib for his daughter. I saw Ava once, sewing with a synthetic needle. Then, I searched long and hard until I found fabric, thread, and needles; I also found a loom and left them on the longhouse bench during dark mode.

The family image seemed idyllic, although Ava still gave me the evil eye if I happened to wander too close. At any rate, I got to spend more time with Apple. I continued trapping, collecting new specimens, and, I even had a chance to finish the external cabin. I thought it would make a nice home for Khamuel and Barachiel when they returned.

I felt a satisfying disconnection from my recent past; I no longer recalled the men of mud and stone. The murders I had committed no longer haunted me. I actually had hope that turmoil on the Seed Ship would cease, that Odum and Ava would raise their child and settle into the satisfactions of a simple life. Yes, I was hopeful and content. And, the rotations hurried by.

I recall taking Odum and Ava with me into deep storage. I allowed them to search out treasures that pleased them. Ava carried the child on her back in tight wrapping. They wanted everything, but I only allowed them to have what they could carry. I too stumbled through the heaps noting items of interest. I walked behind Ava, looking into the baby's blue eyes. Then, I noticed a half-buried mirror and stooped to retrieve it. Mildly surprised, I studied the gray hair in my beard.

I said to myself, “Gray. Well, I guess no one lives forever.”

Ava turned to look back at me, and said, “Jeez get old. Not so high up now.” She took the mirror from my hand and walked away, continuing to speak. “No problem. Jeez not see face. Ava give to pretty baby.”

I wore my heavy leather gloves to make repairs on the ramp. I had to replace the old ropes with new ones, so I had the ramp inside. Odum saw me from afar and ran to offer help. I was thankful, but I wanted to do the job by myself. I finished with a sense of pride. I had learned to be self-sufficient on a hostile planet, and I felt I could take whatever it threw at me. I stood back and surveyed my work.

I lowered the ramp outside and jumped down with my tools. The star was hot on my back as I took the lower end into my gloved hands and pulled the top anchors into securing slots. I drove new stakes into the earth, anchoring the base. Finally, I applied a thick resin to the new ropes. It was a good job; I was pleased with my labors. My physical weariness brought a smile to my lips.

I walked up the ramp, throwing my weight into each step. The ramp, so tested, I deemed worthy of my home on Earth. When I reached the top, I hopped up and down to press the anchors into their wells. Then, I stepped inside.

“Close,” I said to the GM. The shield went up.

I placed my tools beside the door with the stacked cages. I was tired but in no particular hurry. I relished my fatigue. The ache in my muscles was perfect; it was meant to be. So, I took my time sorting, making sure all my items were exactly where I wanted them to be. I stood with an empty bottle in hand, one I had used to test external waters. I was about to shift to the fisheries and place it on a shelf when I happened to look down.

I saw a small lizard leave its hiding place among my tools. It must have felt emboldened as I stood quietly looking at the empty bottle. I reached quickly down and grabbed the lizard as it made a run for it. I thumbed up the bottle lid and put the creature inside. I closed the bottle, removed my gloves, and crouched in place to tap the side of the bottle. The lizard ran in circles looking for a way out while I smiled and tapped.

I said, “What were you thinking? You ran right into my trap.”

I shifted my new specimen to the enclosures near the falls. There was one off by itself, enclosed even over the top, a solid box of metal mesh anchored in the rock. There, I kept lizards and turtles. I still fed them as they made Odum nervous. Within the large enclosure was a smaller cage attached to the path-side fencing. The mesh of the cage had a tight weave suitable for a small lizard.

Tasker, a large drooling lizard, walked toward the cage to investigate. I tossed in a chubby rodent from storage and Tasker ran after it. I opened another bin and drew out three black crickets. I crouched and put the crickets through the slot.

“Make yourself at home,” I said. “Don't worry. I'll find you a mate. Tasker may seem intimidating, but that's just the shape of his head.”

Some rotations later, I was puzzled to be at the ranch and not find Odum working. I shifted to the longhouse, but no one was home. I went looking at the fisheries and was disappointed. I thought I knew Odum. I thought I knew where I might find him at any given time. I realized I didn't know Odum as well as I imagined I did. As I continued searching, my concern grew.

I was back at the ranch, frustrated by a failed search, and turning in a baffled circle. I threw up my hands in resignation. Then, it dawned on me; I had my father's sight. I could have kicked myself. I lowered my eyelids and stood still, breathing slowly. I allowed the sight to expand. I could see the horses, the cows, and their calves, I could see the bull in the barn, and the birds flying overhead. I could see the pigs and the new lambs.

Then I found them; Odum sat below the peach trees. Ava sat with him, holding her child. So, I walked from the ranch. As I came upon them, I heard the girl giggle and Ava laugh.

Ava looked up and said, “Make us wait too long.”

I seated myself, then asked, “Are we telling stories again?” I looked between them and added, “I hope I'm not the only one with something to say.”

We began meeting again, to take a turn for pleasant stories, and I felt I was getting better at it. Odum told stories of his work while Ava regaled us with the antics of her child. We took long walks, meandering through first and second fourth. I call them happy times. Still, in all, some stories were neither pleasant nor happy.

We wandered into second fourth several rotations later and chose to sit below towering pine trees. A silence fell on our stroll. As we sat in thick matted thistle, Ava asked for another story.

“Tell why Jeez put poor Kee girl in tree,” she said.

I felt I was being challenged. “All of us want to do our best,” I said. “All of us make mistakes. My mistake did harm to the people I cared for. Odum asked to go into the tree after he failed to kill me.” Ava glanced at Odum as she rocked her sleeping baby.

I continued, “I was not yet King, and Captain Taush was about to punish me. I was dragged to the longhouse by Taush and Lamet. They showed me idols and told me Ava did that and worse. They said you abused the workers.”

I looked into Ava's eyes and she looked away. She calmly answered, “Stupid monkeys.”

“Lamet called it the work of an ilith,” I said, “a witch, and she must die.” I remembered those events as if they had but recently happened. “Both Taush and Lamet gave me one option.” I sighed, resting my head against the tree. “You ran off and hid for a long time. I felt really bad for what I made you endure. It was my fault.” Ava nodded. “Then, you came back. It broke my heart, but they forced me to drug you and put you in with Odum. I'm glad, though; it saved your life. Of all my wonderful Kee friends, I at least got to save the two of you.”

Odum spoke to avert a sad silence. “Now, Odum here with Ava and baby. Happy after like old Kee stories.”

Ava leaned forward as the baby awoke and whimpered. “Hold baby,” she said to me.

“I really shouldn't,” said I.

Odum said, nodding approval, “Hold baby.”

I took the child in my arms. Her wrapping gave little room for her to move. She licked her lips and yawned. Then, she closed her eyes. So, I sat with Ava's baby in my arms while Ava and Odum sat quietly watching me. I looked at the fair-skinned child. Her blue eyes were closed in returning slumber. Her hair, I noted, had grown. It was a soft brown color like the tassels on corn.

I felt uneasy with such a fragile life in my hands. When I looked up, Odum and Ava were looking at each other, not me. I wondered what they were up to. Why did they want me to hold the baby? They turned from each other to look at me, and my unease doubled.

I held the child out to Ava, but she shook her head. “Arms tired. Jeez not get to not hold baby.”

Well, that made me feel guilty. Their eyes bored into me, and I could see them seeing a man with fair skin holding a baby with fair skin. I looked down at a sleeping responsibility, one thrust on me as much by my own actions as those of Ava. I was on the hot seat, and I squirmed.

“Fine,” I said. “You have a beautiful daughter. A little sunshine will darken her skin. I hope she's blessed with many brothers and sisters.” I saw Odum nod his head, but Ava sat with a straight face. I handed the baby back to Ava, feeling immediately relieved. I asked, “So, what have you named her?”

I looked first to Odum, who shrugged. He looked at Ava, who looked down into the face of her daughter. Both Odum and I waited. Then Ava looked up, not at Odum, but into my eyes, and answered, “Lilith. Little witch.”

I stood by the barn waiting for Odum to return from the field; he wanted to drop extra hay before our walk. While I waited, I looked up at the lights, shading my eyes. I had a new respect for the lights as I had recently been forced to replace one. I had a nagging trepidation about heights. When I crawled out to change the light, I peered through a small hole, looking down at the tops of trees. They seemed so small, and so very far away. The rotation was different, but the lights were ever the same. I amended my thought; one light was different.

Odum walked toward me, his top undone. Sweat dripped down his chest, and I noted how long his hair had become. He looked into my eyes and took a deep breath. “Work done,” he said. He crouched in place to conclude, “Now, wait for Ava.”

Somewhat facetiously, I said, “Or, we could shift to her.”

Odum looked up at me, a frown on his face, and replied, “Jeez reach for Odum, Odum run.”

I had to smile. I stared into his dark eyes and moved my right hand. That caused Odum to stand. I would not take it further than that. I turned my face in the direction of Thusa, and said, “Perhaps, we should meet her.”

I found Odum standing beside me, eyes toward the longhouse, scratching thoughtfully in a thick beard. It was at that moment, the GM appeared in the guise of my father. Odum immediately fell on his face, fearing the apparition of the dead King. I was stunned, as I didn't recall having asked it to do so. I was more than surprised when the GM spoke.

The GM spoke in the King's commanding voice to a cowering Odum. “Rise. Don't bow to me. Never bow.” Odum trembled as the GM said, “Stand up. Don't make me repeat myself.”

Odum stood with a fearful expression on his face and stepped close to me. I turned to the image of my father with a baffled look, and it met my eyes.

“GM?” I asked uncertainly.

The GM spoke without preamble. “The small lizard was eaten by Tasker. It broke through and swallowed it whole.” I opened my mouth to speak but the GM continued. “Tasker has broken free of the enclosure.”

I stuttered, and finally asked, “Can't you tell where it is?”

The GM answered, “Not without line of sight. It is among the trees. You must find it, and you must hurry.”

Odum bemoaned the charge. “Odum not like big lizard.”

The GM turned to Odum. “Tasker has poison saliva. Do you want it to bite your wife or baby?” The GM turned back to me with an uncharacteristic command. “Hurry. Use your gloves, and wand it.”

Having said that, the GM vanished, drawing another moan from Odum. “Not like this,” said Odum.

I was still gaping at the actions of the GM, but I could deal with that later. Tasker on the loose was a serious problem. At ninety-eight stones, Tasker could easily overpower any of us. Even if Ava and the baby were safe, Tasker could climb in with the wild goats and kill them all.

I turned to Odum and said, “Run to Ava. Lock her and Lilith in. All the windows must be locked. I'll fetch my gloves and wand. We'll search from fourth to second, then first and third. Hurry. I'll meet you at the longhouse.”

I shifted to the wall box by the door and found Ava there. She was attempting to unlock the wall box. I called out in anger, “Ava!” Beyond that, my anger robbed me of anything I might say. She jumped up, looking guilty, and Lilith began to cry. I shook my head, moving her physically aside to fetch my wand. As I raised from locking the wall box, I stared hard into Ava's eyes, accusing with a glance until she looked away. Then, I shifted us back.

Odum was running from the longhouse when I appeared with Ava and Lilith beside me. He stumbled to a stop and gaped. I said, “I found her in my things. We can all have a long talk later.”

With an angry sound in the back of his throat, Odum took his wife by the arm. He said as he pulled her to the door, “Odum lock all windows. Ava go in and lock door.”

Ava freed herself from her husband's grip to ask in a voice of frustration, “Why Ava have to go in?”

Odum answered, “Big lizard get out of cage. Bad temper. Poison spit. Ava go inside, lock door while Odum help Jeez.”

“Ha!' said Ava. “Put Tasker in stew.”

I said, “You're no match, and I don't have the time. Go inside.” When she glowered at me defiantly, I shouted, “Now!”

Her defiant expression turned to one of hate, but Ava turned and entered the longhouse. I immediately touched Odum and shifted us to the falls. Odum made an angry noise and shook off the shift.

I said, “Walk that way.” I pointed to my left. “Keep me in your sight at all times. Call out if you see it. Don't forget to look in the trees.”

We walked through the enclosures. None of the wild goats had been touched. I expanded father's sight as I walked. Odum and I were diligent, but we found nothing in fourth fourth. We moved into second fourth and searched among the pines. Our pace was lively, but by the time we had reached the third pond, we still hadn't found Tasker. I stood by the pond and watched Odum walk in from the pines on my left. He stood before me panting, and shrugged. At that moment, the GM called out over a loud alarm.

“The shield is down,” said the GM. I made the shift, leaving Odum behind.