Rocki stared at the food she had been offered, contemplating whether it was worth it or not to eat it. Sure, she was hungry, she hadn't eaten supper yesterday, breakfast was small, and it was probably nearing lunchtime judging by her internal clock, but she still wasn't so sure it was a good idea to eat a lot of alien food. There was no telling what she could ingest now that her stomach was completely different with her transformation. Valicara or sariun could be allergic to anything and she would never know it.

She glanced at Kofi. He seemed to be enjoying the root he was gnawing on as he sat on the ground beside her. His legs were patched up, same as hers, so he seemed to have not a care in the world, although the healer wasn't able to do much for his torn wings. He would have to wait until they returned to Kliktal.

She leaned a little closer, putting her voice at a whisper. "Is this food safe for a sariun to eat?"

"Of course," he said, scraping his blunted teeth against the root. "Otherwise we would be throwing them at the sariun in an attempt to win the war." He chuckled.

Well then, there's nothing really stopping me, is there? She picked up a round, potato-like vegetable and inspected it. "How am I supposed to eat this?"

Kofi took it from her, broke it in half with his hands, then passed it back. "Eat the insides, not the skin. The skin protects the rest of it from dirt. Oh, but don't throw it away when you're finished. They use the leftovers to feed their pets and fertilize their fields."

"Fields?" She didn't remember seeing any large plots of land. Now they were inside Jex's home, sharing a meal with his family, so she couldn't look around to spot anything.

"They have adjoining caves that house their fields. These plants can grow all around the cave since it's all technically underground, so their fields are caves that grow plants on every wall, ceiling, and floor."

"What flies you to Sheere this time, Kofi?" asked Jex, beginning friendly conversation. "Looking for another answer to your prophecy?"

He laughed ruefully. "You see me. I think I'll have a different answer this time."

Rocki noted how he refrained from mentioning she was a savioress. Perhaps he was waiting for a more dramatic entrance, but just the same, she wouldn't mention it either. There was no telling what kind of people these were.

"What is going on with the lopenants?" Kofi asked. "I didn't know they ever swarmed. Or attacked valicara."

Rennua, Jex's wife, grimaced. "They don't. Didn't. Things have gotten so bad on Sheere even the lopenants are beginning to panic. They can't find as much food since the bugs are becoming more and more scarce. They've began attacking Sheeri of all clans, all that are left anyway. The only thing that stops them are the wind makers." She curled her heavy, spaded tail around her feet.

Jex doesn't have a tail. Some of the others didn't either. I wonder if it's only a female thing. Rocki paused eating for a moment to lift the mask to her face and take in a few breaths.

"Have your people decided to flee yet?" he asked. "I'm sure I could find someone to let you borrow their ships. There are other planets like Sheere."

She smiled sadly. "No. Sheeri are not meant to leave their home planet. We are made to be planted firmly. Whether we stay or go... there is no other fate."

Rocki's brows furrowed. She took a guess and touched her translator, whispering, "Sheeri," under her breath. "Your planet is dying? What happened?"

Rennua looked at Jex, who answered for her. "A war. There used to be twelve clans of Sheeri. Our ancestors grew restless, some grew envious of others' lands. Coups were staged, clans merged, Sheeri died. We killed each other off and upset the balance of the world. With only three remaining clans to nourish the plants, the bugs began starving, bringing the lopenants with them. The creatures have gone feral in their fear, attacking Sheeri who venture out alone. The plants are withering, we bear less children every year... Sheere is dying. There is nothing be be done for it.

"I don't understand," Rocki said. "Why not just leave? There is no reason for you to be so devoted to this place if it can't sustain you."

Rennua answered. "If a Sheeri leave her planet, she dies. Although there are other planets similar to Sheere, there is nothing that can perfectly replicate it. We require a very specific environment for living. There is also the sickness to consider. If a Sheeri leaves her homeland for too long, she inevitably become ill from longing. Loyalty to our planet is threaded through us as much as blood is."

Rocki winced as her left fang bit down on her tongue. "So... you're just going to die with your planet?" Surely there is something they can do. No one wants to just... die because their planet can't hold them. It's dumb. It doesn't make sense. Life is more important than a planet.

With a sad curve to her lips, Rennua nodded. "I would rather die in my homeland than waste away somewhere else in the galaxy."

As she looked into Rennua's eyes, she felt her distain for the Sheeri's stupidity wilt into a deep sadness. They love their home. Their entire culture is going to fade away because of their mistakes. So many lives and traditions lost... An entire world—gone. Yet they would rather be here than anywhere else in the galaxy. That is a loyalty I can respect.

Jex slapped his thighs. "When the two of you are finished eating, I will take you to Lindka. I'll bring a few friends along as well for protection."

Rocki glanced at Kofi, who raised his eyebrows. She nodded and he turned to Jex. "We can go now. Thank you for providing us with food and medical care. It was a pleasure to eat with your family." He stood and offered his hand to Rocki, but she refused it and raised herself.

"Thank you," she said to Rennua, wishing she had more to say. But what is there to say? I'm sorry about your planet? I hope you die peacefully? I love your loyalty?

The Sheeri woman smiled. "You're welcome. Good luck on your visit to Linkda." She suddenly wrapped Rocki in a strong hug, making the woman stiffen. She politely touched the Sheeri's back and pulled away, but Rennua was still smiling. "I hope you find what you are hoping for."

Rocki managed a smile in return, noting that she needed to brush up on her people skills. Jex took them around the giant cave, gathering the other Sheeri he needed before leading them down a tunnel.

After several minutes of walking, Rocki noticed that there weren't any signs of other Sheeri through this tunnel. She lowered her mask. "Does Lindka not live with the rest of you?"

"She keeps to herself," replied Jex. "She prefers space over community. She's not even a Sheeri—her kind is called Enso-ji. It means something like 'sad travelers' in their ancient language."

One of Rocki's wings raised a little as she tipped her head. "Why does she live on Sheere then?"

"It's a quiet planet. Not a lot of people can find her here and we help keep the bad sort away from her if they manage to find their way here. You know, the kind that her to use her gift to get them wealth or power."

Rocki kept the rest of her questions to herself, mulling over everything as she adjusted her mask. The galaxy is a crazy place. The valicara and sariun are at war; a planet is dying with its people on it; and seers have to hop from place to place because people follow them with plans of greed. Home was so much more peaceful. She glanced at her stomach. Well, most of the time. I hope you're doing all right, little guy. I'm going to have Whilin check up on you as soon as we get back to Kliktal.

A lopenant squeaked somewhere in the tunnels. Rocki flinched, not eager to encounter another one of those crazy creatures. Kofi stepped a little closer to her so their wings occasionally brushed but didn't say anything.

Most of the walk was quiet, everyone was keeping an eye out for danger. Despite her excellent night vision, Rocki was hit with longing for the sun. It's like being underwater. I feel as if I'm drowning in the darkness. "There was no light for miles to comfort her as she marched through the inky shadows. The only comfort was the thought of having other people with her. Darkness alone is worse than darkness with an ally." Poor Kofi though. He probably can't see anything. Perhaps that's why he's so close to me—he might need comfort as well. That or he's still trying to flirt. Could be either.

Jex turned down another tunnel that opened into a small, well-lit cave, but stopped at the entrance. "Lindka? You have guests. Kofi has returned with a friend."

"How exciting," a sweet voice said in Sheeri. It sounded like she was a distance away. "I'm gardening right now. Anyone who wants to visit is welcome to come in."

"I'll take you in," said Jex, "but we'll wait out here. We try to give Lindka her space." He took Kofi and Rocki through the cave while the other Sheeri stayed behind. They had to cross the entire cave, which looked like it was probably the living space based on the baskets of food and the bed pallet, before entering an adjoining cavern that had been blocked off with a curtain. This cave was much darker, but it still had a few glowing trees planted around the borders to illuminate the garden and the woman working on it.

She smiled when they came in, putting down her tool to walk over. Her features were sharp, but kind. Her skin was a pale lavender hue, complimented by her very long, dark magenta hair and royal purple eyes. One of the first things Rocki noticed though was the lines that tendrilled around her face. They were made of tiny leaf-shaped patterns that alternated between black and white as they swarmed from her jaw to edge towards her nose, back up her cheekbone, and into her hairline on both sides.

"Hello, Jex, Kofi, Kofi's friend." She took them by the hands one-by-one to squeeze them in greeting. "What a lovely occasion this is—to have guests."

"I'm Roxanne," Rocki said, forgetting about the mask that hindered her speech until she said it. She dropped the mask, clearing her throat. "I'm Roxanne. Nice to meet you." She tried to keep her eyes from staring too long at Lindka's ears. They were black, pointed and stuck straight out of the sides of her head with white tassels that dangled from the tips.

"Enjoy your visit," Jex said, dipping his head before leaving.