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what do we get out of it? You ask much in return for nothing.
I would never propose anything so one-sided. The seated Ehomba was quick to reassure her. Your
rewards for helping us will be many. For one thing, you will be rid of us and any lingering worries our
presence in your territory may cause you. More importantly, you will have that rare chance to work
together in a manner I know your kind delights in but can only rarely experience. It will require great
precision and timing on the part of you and all the members of your school. He looked away and
shrugged indifferently.
Of course, if you are not the kind of school that delights in this type of activity, we can always try to
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make contact with another. It may be that you and yours are not up to the challenge. If so, I will
understand. After all, that which is elementary is for those whose focus is forever on taking it easy.
What, what? Backing off, the greatly distressed dolphin churned the water as she spun in a tight circle.
After several moments of this she reapproached the shore and spat a mouthful of dirty pond water
straight into Ehomba s face. Simna straightened and next to him he could feel Ahlitah s muscles tense, but
the herdsman did not appear in the least perturbed.
Calmly, he wiped water and plant matter from his dripping face. That is not an answer. Can you do it?
Can we? Can we? She took up another mouthful of water and for a moment Simna thought she was
going to drench his friend again but she did not. Slowly, the water trickled from her jaws. It is not a
matter of can we, but will we.
I refuse to concede the point without proof. Will you? Ehomba leaned forward and squeaked
something at her. It will be great fun if you can make it happen.
It is not up to me. We of the water do not work things as humans do. Not even queens. Turning and
squeaking, she swam out into the deeper water of the pond, calling the members of the school to her.
While they convened in a mass of squeals and barks, Simna sidled over to his friend. Ahlitah pretended
disinterest as long as he could, but soon he too was standing within leisurely hearing range of the tall
herdsman.
What did you ask of them? The swordsman kept his eyes on the garrulous, squawling dolphins.
To help us, Ehomba explained honestly.
Help us! Ahlitah grunted. How can such as they help us? Without filling our bellies, I mean.
Remember what I said previously about engaging conversation? Ehomba nodded toward the dolphins.
I have just had some. Be patient until they are finished with their squabbling.
So Simna ibn Sind and Ahlitah squirmed silently and waited to see what their lanky friend was about,
wondering how it might involve the three of them with a pack of obstreperous, noisy water dwellers who
were not fish but not human, either.
After what seemed like hours of raucous argument the school broke up, its members resuming their
former activities of hunting, playing, mating, and chasing one another around and around the single island.
Merlescu swam slowly back to land. Leaning back so that she was floating upright in the water, she once
again addressed herself to Ehomba. But her words and her gaze encompassed all three of them.
We will need to find some vines. As she spoke a trio of adults leaped clear of the pond, across the
intervening open space, and into another, larger drifting body of water beyond. This may take a little
time. With that she turned her head and slipped back beneath the surface.
Vines? Simna frowned at his friend. What do we need with vines?
I am not even marginally vegetarian, Ahlitah added.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to swim to the bottom of a pond and be able to stare
right through the bottom? It must puzzle the fish. Stripping off his kilt and shirt, Ehomba kicked off his
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sandals and dove, naked and none too gracefully, into the water. A pair of the younger dolphins promptly
swam up to him and, chattering and squeaking, began a game of tag with him as the divider between.
Will you have a look at that. Simna was grinning and shaking his head even as he began removing his
own accoutrements. I suppose any chance to get clean is a welcome one.
Not at all. Lying down on his side, the litah promptly dropped his head onto the soft earth and closed
his eyes. Simna eyed the big cat disapprovingly.
Going to sleep again?
One piercing yellow eye popped open to fix him in its glare. When not hunting or screwing I usually
spend eighty percent of my time sleeping. It s what we big cats do. And we do it well. The eye closed
and Ahlitah rolled over so that his back was facing the human. Go soak yourself, if you must. It s a
human thing.
Simna started to turn away, then paused. An entirely impish smile spread across his face. Searching until
he found what he needed, he walked to the water s edge, knelt, and then retraced his steps, tiptoeing up
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