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\pard\plain\pard\qc{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 Linked Minds\par }
\pard\qc{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 Mara Lynn Barbee\par }
\pard\qc{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 1 - 3 - 98\par }
\pard\qc{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab Myla the Tyjex set down the dust rag and surveyed the room.  She sneezed.  All the dust that was previously covering the shelves and cupboards was now dancing through the air, thanks to half a morning of work.  Myla held her breath and shook out her dust }
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 rag, adding a new cloud of dust.  She walked over to the door and switched on the ventilator.  All the air in the room was slowly sucked through a vent on one wall, filtered, and replaced sparkling clean through another vent on the opposite wall.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab After letting the vent run for a while, Myla turned it off and left the room.  She walked down a corridor of rooms storing similar loads of bric-a-brac, and dropped the rag down a shaft at the end of the hall.  It fluttered down to land in the laundry bin}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 .  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab Observing the dust that coated her entire body, Myla walked down the spiral stairway to the bathroom.  She opened the door and carefully held it open until she was all the way inside.  That particular door had a habit of swinging shut the moment you let g}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 o.  Doors like that were a pain.  You had to be careful not to let it catch your tail.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab Myla stood in front of the full-length mirror.  It was a familiar sight.  From her four legs to her lithe tail, to her centaur-like torso and lizard-like face ringed by its flexible frill, dust had turned her vibrant red hide and orange-and-yellow frill a}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 lmost gray.  The halter-top she was wearing used to be light blue, but was now also grayed by the dust.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab She turned the faucets that would fill the bathtub.  The water came from a glass-topped room that trapped the sun's heat and warmed the water.  It was a useful system, and one that worked nearly all the time since rainstorms and cloudy days were few and f}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 ar between in the arid desert, even over the fertile valley that housed her village.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab While the bathtub filled, Myla took off her halter-top and small gold hoop earrings.  She dropped the top down another laundry shaft and placed the earrings carefully on the sink.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab The bathtub was finally full, so Myla turned off the water and stepped in.  It was built with Tyjexes in mind, so she wasn't cramped in the least as she washed the dust off.  }
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\qc{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab The last of the dust gone, Myla stepped out of the bath and toweled off.  She didn't bother to dry off totally, since the warm air outside would do the job soon enough.  She found another halter-top in the cupboard and put it on.  It was a shade of greeny}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 -blue.  She put her earrings back in and pulled the plug in the bathtub.  She opened the door, careful not to let it close on her tail, and went out.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab As Myla walked out the door of the house, she caught sight of the garden.  Alongside the rows of flowers and vegetables, there was a handful of trees casting shade on the thick carpet of moss that surrounded their bases.  It looked so peaceful there in th}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 e shade that Myla decided to take a break from the day's cleaning.  She walked over and lay down on the moss.  It was cool in the shade, with a warm breeze making the leaves sway gently.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab She was just dozing off when a group of children started playing tag across the road.  Their shrieks of laughter broadcasted wholehearted amusement at a volume that would have annoyed somebody early in the morning.  Myla watched them with a smile, remembe}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 ring playing tag when she was a child.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab The branches rustled and a berry fell from the tree to bounce off her snout.  Myla glanced up in time to see a flash of silky black fur.  She laughed.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "I see ya up there, no use hidin'!"  More berries fell from the tree and presently a small black creature crawled into view.  It bore a resemblance to a furry lizard, or a cat-like creature with a rather long snout.  It, like all the other Drats living in}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1  the village, had formed a mental bond with a Tyjex.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "Enjoyin' those berries?" Myla asked as the small black Drat came to rest beside her on the moss, chewing contentedly.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab }
{\plain\i\f21\fs24\cf1 Berries taste sweet}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 , the Drat answered in a silent combination of pictures and feelings.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "They should, this time of year," commented Myla eating one that had fallen on the moss.  She stroked the Drat, who purred happily.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab Myla watched the children across the road.  They were playing hide-and-seek now.  Watching brought back the memory of the beginning of her friendship with the sleepy ball of fur resting beside her on the moss...\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "Six...seven...eight..." counted the Tyjex child who was It.  Upward of ten other children were scrambling to hide.  Myla and her close friend Jepally weren't having much luck at finding a hiding place.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab Myla foolishly suggested that they hide just outside the valley, contrary to the rules of safety.  She assured Jepally that they wouldn't get into trouble.  And with a child's lack of wisdom, he agreed.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab So the two children crept out of the secret valley entrance and into the desert.  All that could be seen in any direction was red sand, scraggly thorn bushes, and the jagged mountains that dotted the land.  The only sound was the wind.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab They looked around nervously for somewhere to hide.  The warnings of their elders sounded in their ears.  You should never go out of the valley without an adult, for it was dangerous.  The Tyjexes were in constant danger of attack from the Dijaderms, the }
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 hideous creatures that were trying to conquer the land.  Dijaderms looked like some bizarre hybrid of animals that should not be mixed.  They had huge shells on their backs, two elephant-like legs, lobsterclaws for hands, long prehensile fingered tails, an}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 d anteater snouts.  There was a Dijaderm colony south of the village, and patrols were everywhere.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab Myla spotted a small mesa, almost twice the height of an adult Tyjex, and three or four times as wide.  She pointed it out to Jepally.  There were handholds that they could use but a Dijaderm could not, if a patrol should appear.  They hurried over to it }
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 and began to climb.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab Halfway up they both heard sounds coming from the mesa top.  Quiet chitterings, joyful croons and an occasional raucous squawk filled the air.  They continued the climb in silence, and soon caught a glimpse of the berry bushes around the mesa top.  Myla, }
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 who was in front, peered over the top and beckoned Jepally to look.  He did.  They beheld the rare sight of a Drat nesting ground.  Both children knew that Drats commonly laid their eggs in a nest in the middle of nowhere, and built a new one each season. }
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1  But sometimes Drats grouped together and made a communal nesting ground, where they had safety in numbers.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab This particular nesting ground had upward of fifteen nests scattered through it, cushions of hot sand holding the Drat eggs tinted with the future fur colors of their occupants.  Each nest had either one or two adult Drats watching over it, and the berry }
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 bushes were situated so that no nest was out of reach of one.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab Myla and Jepally were hidden from view by the screen of a large berry bush.  On the other side of the bush was a nest guarded by a single female Drat.  She looked so nervous, the children guessed it was her first litter.  There were five eggs in the nest:}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1  one brown, one red-gold, one purple, one green, and one black.  They all looked big enough to hatch, and they all had the glossy look to them that Drat eggs get just before hatching.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab The two Tyjexes watched the Drats at the other nests either guarding eggs, licking clean the fur of hatchlings, or helping the eggs hatch.  The hatchling Drats were clumsy and hungry, and were lovingly attended to by their parents.  One parent fed them th}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 e soft red berries, while the other washed their fur.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab Jepally's and Myla's attention was drawn back to the nest closest to them.  Two of the eggs had started to wobble, and the mother hovered anxiously about the nest.  Another egg wobbled, and then another, and soon all five were rocking as the Drats inside }
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 sought to crack the shells.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab The red-gold egg was first to show a crack.  The crack widened and chips fell away as the hatchling struggled within.  The mother Drat hurried over and helped peel away the chipped eggshell.  Presently there was an audible crack, and the remaining shell s}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 plit in two, spilling the hatchling out onto the sand. The mother purred reassuringly at it and licked its fur.  She picked off a cluster of berries from the bush and fed them to the hatchling.  She then left the hatchling with a pile of berries and moved }
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 to the next cracking egg.  It rocked wildly, chips of brown shell falling to the sand.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab Further proof of the mother's inexperience was shown as it rocked its way right out of the nest, which wasn't built well enough to hold it.  The mother tore after it, and stopped it gently before it had rolled far.  She was too occupied with it to notice }
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 when two other eggs wobbled clear of the nest.  The green one rolled to a stop right in front of Jepally's astonished face. Before he could do anything, the egg split, and a little green Drat with darker green stripes was lying on the sand peering at him. }
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1  As if in a trance, he reached out and placed a berry in its open mouth.  It chewed happily.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab Myla's attention was jerked away as the other egg wobbled it way over to her and a small black head poked out.  She put out a hand and pulled away the shell that prevented the Drat from pushing out its paw.  Working together, they chipped away at the brit}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 tle eggshell until the hatchling was free.  It looked at her pleadingly and she fed it a berry.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab As the tiny black hatchling ate the berry, Myla felt something.  She didn't hear it out loud, but as clear as spoken word, was the phrase }
{\plain\i\f21\fs24\cf1 Thank you}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 . It was said by thought and feeling.  It wasn't as if she heard someone thanking her, but as if her mind was linked to that of another, and the other was sending her feelings of gratitude.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab She gave the hatchling more berries, and found that the new mind she felt was also feeling lessening hunger, acceptance of its new surroundings, joy at being able to communicate after all that time locked in an egg, and above all, love.  Love for the pers}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 on providing food, sharing thoughts, and returning her love.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab Myla found that the little Drat was female, had the patience attributed to her kind, was optimistic, and was a little mischievous, which was also a trademark of her kind.  Myla knew these things about the tiny creature that didn't yet know the meanings of}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1  the words, but knew who she was.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab Gradually, all that the little Drat felt about her new life was clouded with weariness, and all the thoughts and feelings and wonders she shared with Myla were slowly replaced with the image of slowly swirling colors that formed a peaceful dream.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab Myla came out of the trance, and awareness of her surroundings filtered back.  The first thing she saw was the Drat mother curled up in the sand with her three hatchlings.  She had not related the three hatchlings to the five unhatched eggs.  Myla remembe}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 red someone telling her that Drats count their eggs after they hatch.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab Then she noticed Jepally gazing about with the same expression she supposed she did, one of wonder, joy, and love for the small furry creature that slept peacefully in the arms of its new, inseparable friend.  \par }
\pard\qc{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\qc{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab The two Tyjexes carefully picked their way down from the mesa, ever mindful of the sleeping Drats.  Watching for danger, they crossed the hot sand and slipped through the valley entrance.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab Their friends had stopped playing hide-and-seek, and were trying to find them.  Once they were spotted, all activity in the immediate vicinity halted, and eager children surrounded Myla and Jepally.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "Where'd ya go?"\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "Shh!  You'll wake the Drats!"\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "Ohhh, they're adorable."\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "Lucky!"\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "Where'd ya find 'em?"\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab Amid the confusing babble of hushed voices, Jepally and Myla managed to get across the general idea of what had happened.  Since they had not stopped walking when the other children crowded around, the sight attracted the attention of several adults.  The}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 y had to be told the fragments of story too, and most scolded Jepally and Myla for breaking the rule.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab Soon the group of curious villagers had migrated to the houses where Myla and Jepally lived.  The two children managed to detach themselves from the crowd and go inside.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab Myla's parents came and fussed over her and the Drat.  She looked out the window into Jepally's house and saw that he was getting the same treatment.  She told her parents the story and was scolded again.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "Myla, you }
{\plain\i\f21\fs24\cf1 know}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1  you're not supposed t' leave the valley!" said her mother.\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "I know," she answered quietly.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "Then why'd ya do it?" asked her father.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "I dunno."\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab After they felt she had learned her lesson, Myla's parents got out a book that would further her education on Drats.  Amazingly, the silky black hatchling had slept through the ordeal of walking home.  The Drat book said that hatchlings always fall asleep}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1  after Impression, and need their rest.  They are difficult to wake.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab While her new friend slept, Myla read the book and learned a lot about Drats.  She also took a long time deciding on a name for her Drat.  She finally settled on Zyla.  Her parents privately thought the name a bit unimaginative, but they kept their opinio}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 ns to themselves.\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1   }
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\qc{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab Zyla slept from early afternoon to dusk.  She finally woke when dinner was being prepared.  The Drat book advised making the hatchling's next meal of meat.  Drats are omnivores, and along with most varieties of plant life, they eat insects and yunes, tiny}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1  rodents the size of a Drat's paw.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab Myla captured a handful of the flies that abounded in the shed outside.  She put them in a glass jar and fed them to Zyla one at a time.  Zyla looked at the first one with interest.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab }
{\plain\i\f21\fs24\cf1 What it it? }
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 she asked Myla, with a feeling of confusion.\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "It's food," answered Myla.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab }
{\plain\i\f21\fs24\cf1 Oh.  }
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 The Drat's instincts clicked into place and she licked the bug out of Myla's palm.  She sent a feeling of enjoyment that could only be translated as: }
{\plain\i\f21\fs24\cf1 Yummy!\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\i\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab }
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 Myla smiled and gave her another.  Soon they were all gone.  Zyla wordlessly conveyed the fact that she was thirsty.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "Fruit juice or water?" asked Myla.\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab }
{\plain\i\f21\fs24\cf1 Fruit juice?  }
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 There was the feeling of confusion again.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "It's squashed fruit, like the berries y' had before."\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab }
{\plain\i\f21\fs24\cf1 Oh.  Water?}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1   \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "Water is, well, a liquid, something that y' drink, but isn't made from berries..."\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab }
{\plain\i\f21\fs24\cf1 Liquid?  Drink?  What do they mean?}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1   \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab Myla fumbled for an answer until Zyla suggested a solution.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab }
{\plain\i\f21\fs24\cf1 Explain in your mind what it means, and I will understand.}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1  The suggestion came with an image of Myla imagining what something looked like and what it was for. Along with that was the feeling that Zyla understood thoughts better than words, and merely picked up mental images that went with the words.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab Myla tried it.  She imagined a clear glass of water and herself drinking it, and tried to get across the words that went with the pictures.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab }
{\plain\i\f21\fs24\cf1 Ah. I understand now.}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1   This was conveyed with a feeling of enlightenment, and pride that they had figured it out.  Myla returned a feeling of happiness.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab When Myla was called to dinner, Zyla asked to come too, and spent the time curled up on a pillow watching the Tyjexes eat.  Myla offered her some fruit, but she declined.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab Myla's family was already very fond of the tiny Drat.  Her parents helped as often as they could, and her two brothers (who were from the same brood she was) were a mixture of adoration and envy. \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "She's cute."\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "You're lucky," they said at the same time.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "I'm sure you'll both get a chance to Impress a Drat sometime," said their father, "Meanwhile just be patient."\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab The two little boys scowled at the thought of being patient for an indeterminate length of time.  Their mother cheered them up immediately by suggesting dessert.  They forgot their envy and helped clear the table.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab Dessert was a fresh cake made from sweet grasses and flowers.  Everyone enjoyed it except Zyla, who had fallen asleep on the pillow.  Myla carried her, pillow and all, into her bedroom and arranged more pillows and a blanket around her lovingly.  Then she}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1  brushed her teeth and went to sleep herself.  \par }
\pard\qc{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\qc{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab The next morning Zyla woke first and roused Myla with pleas for food. Luckily, Myla's parents were already making breakfast when she came in.  She and Zyla enjoyed breakfast at the table before her brothers woke up.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab After breakfast the two new friends went next door and met Jepally and his Drat, whom he had named Jepper.  They wandered down to the lake together, and met a crowd of friends having a sand castle contest.  Myla and Jepally sat down and watched, the conte}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 st being too advanced for them to have any chance in.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab The two Drats soon became bored with watching the contest.  Zyla fell asleep in the sun, and Jepper searched for interesting things to do.  When Jepally wasn't looking, he started climbing the massive rock that reared from the beach.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab When Jepally found him, he was almost at the top, and very high up.  Jepally called out to him, and he looked down.  Everyone watched fearfully as he stopped climbing and clung to the rock.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "He's too scared t' come down!" cried Jepally.  The other children chattered worriedly as he tried to convince the hatchling to climb down.  Jepper refused.  But he did manage to climb the rest of the way up so he could rest.  He was obviously tired from }
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 the climb.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "I hafta go up after 'im!" said Jepally determinedly and started climbing before he could be stopped.  The crowd below watched anxiously as he slowly ascended.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab After many dangerous moments and what seemed like years, he made it to the top.  The other children cheered.  Jepper scampered over and was comforted.  Everyone saw Jepally stroking the Drat, then suddenly freeze and crane his neck to the south.  Jepper i}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 mmediately looked south and uttered a squeak of fright that everyone heard, along with Jepally's shout.\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "There's Dijaderms comin'!"\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab Nearly of half the children stayed to watch him climb down, while the rest ran off to warn the village.  In a very short amount of time, scouts were sent to gather details.  The rest of the village was assembled in a meadow to wait.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab The scouts returned promptly, saying that there were about fifteen Dijaderms advancing slowly.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "It looks t' me like an exploration party," said one scout.\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "Aye, they can't expect t'fight with only fifteen," agreed another.\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "And they don't have much -- relatively -- in the way of weapons, but they've got packs o' food 'n' such," added a third.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "Even if they're not here t'fight, they're still a danger," said a woman, "I think we all know what they're hopin' t'find with their explorin'." \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "}
{\plain\i\f21\fs24\cf1 We're}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1  what they're hopin' t'find!" exclaimed a boy.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "Right, young 'un," said a veteran named Cubar, "It's looks t' me like we've got two choices.  One, we just lie low an' hope they pass us by-"\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "An' what if they }
{\plain\i\f21\fs24\cf1 don't}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1  pass us by?" demanded someone, "What if they find the village and get away to tell about it?" \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "-or we c'd persuade 'em t'take a diff'rent route." continued Cubar.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "How?" called someone from the back, "If we run out 'n' attack 'em, they'll know we live 'ere somewhere." \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "If we attack from another direction, like, say, the mountains, they'll think we live in that direction," Cubar said, "We c'n make it look like we saw 'em wanderin' past an' just went out t' do battle." \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "Flippin' blighters should know we don't attack without a reason," muttered someone.\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "An' why would they know that?" retorted Cubar, "They don't care what our motives are.  If they were smart enough t' know that, then they'd 'ave found us by now."  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab So, after some more discussion and a lot of worries that they were taking too long, they settled on Cubar's plan.  \par }
\pard\qc{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\qc{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab The plan worked flawlessly.  The Dijaderms had halted, so it didn't matter how long it had taken to decide on a plan.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab When everyone was in position and knew the plan, the signal was given.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "Eeeyaar-dayaaa!" came the Tyjex battle cry. \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "Eeeyaar-dayaaaa!" echoed the others. Thirty warriors pounded down the slope toward the startled Dijaderms.  Some of the better shots were shooting arrows as they ran.  The shafts were tipped with gliptite, a poisonous metal, and the only one strong enoug}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 h to pierce a Dijaderm's shell.  All the Tyjexes carried a small amount of the antidote when they went to battle, but the Dijaderms had no such antidote.  A Dijaderm hit by a gliptite arrow went down and stayed down.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab By the time the Tyjexes reached them, the Dijaderms were ready.  Each had a sword made to fit its lobsterclaw hands, a short spear, and a sling.  That wasn't much, by Dijaderm standards.  They hadn't been given enough time to ready their slings, but most }
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 had either a sword or spear out.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab They met with a clash.  The Tyjexes each had a sword as well, and most were armed with long pikes that outreached the short Dijaderm spears.  Both sides fought fiercely, but the Dijaderms were outnumbered two to one.  Soon those that were still alive mana}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 ged to break free and race back toward their colony.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab Of the original fifteen, only nine survived.  Seven Tyjexes were wounded, and only two seriously.  Injuries were quickly seen to, and stretchers were brought out from where they had been hidden.  The warriors then returned to the village.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab Once back, they were hailed as conquering heroes, along with Jepally and Jepper.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "If it weren't for you an' the hatchling here, it woul've been much worse," said Cubar, patting Jepally on the back.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "Maybe so, but I'd never have met Jepper if Myla hadn't gotten me t'leave the valley," Jepally answered.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "O' course!  Where is she?  There's always room for another hero!" Cubar said, looking around.  Myla was ushered over with Jepally and the others being honored.  She smiled at Jepally, and Zyla crooned happily.  The crowd burst into enthusiastic cheering.}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1   \par }
\pard\qc{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\qc{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab Myla smiled.  It really was a wonderful memory.  She knew she would never forget Impressing Zyla, or the events that it led to.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab Still asleep, Zyla shifted position.  She ended up curled into a ball with her tail over her eyes.  Myla smiled and stroked her.  Zyla purred.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "Oh, there y'are, Myla," said Jepally, ambling up, "Takin' a break, are ya?" He flopped down beside her.  Zyla woke up and chirped drowsily at him.  He smiled.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "How's the dustin' comin'?  Finish your floor?"  Jepally asked Myla.\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "A while ago," she answered, "How 'bout you?" \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "I just washed off my blinkin' dust collection," he answered, "Y'know, if we did this more often, we wouldn't have to clean so much each time."\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "True, but we'd really be doin' more work if we did," Myla replied, "It doesn't take much more effort t'dust off an inch o' dust than half an' inch."\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "Good point, love," Jepally grinned, "I don't know what I'd do without ya."\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "Prob'ly a lot more work," Myla joked.  Jepally laughed. They were both silent for a while.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "By the way, where's Jepper?  Swimmin' at the lake?" Myla asked.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "He was with me a while ago; he'll prob'ly join us soon," Jepally answered.  He was right.  Minutes later, Jepper trotted around the house and joined them in the shade.  Zyla chirped in recognition.  He lay down next to her and purred.  The two Tyjexes sm}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 iled.  It was uncanny how Drats reflected the feelings of their Tyjex friends.  \par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 If someone was rude to their friend, they took an instant disliking to them.  If their friend married someone, that someone was immediately in the Drat's good graces.  And if that someone also had a Drat...\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab "They make a lovely couple," Myla said fondly.\par }
\pard\ql{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 \tab }
{\plain\i\f21\fs24\cf1 So do you and Jepally}
{\plain\f21\fs24\cf1 , replied Zyla.  }
}