Part 21 (1/2)

Epilogue.

IN Vernon's cottage in the middle of the Barakhai woodlands, Benton Collins slouched in a hard log chair watching Korfius wrestle with the puppy he now knew as Farrihn. The two rolled and yipped across the floor under the watchful eye of the puppy's father, Ralthoroh, now in a human form that little resembled the huge, pointy-eared furball Collins had encountered in the carnivore caverns. Falima explained the intricacies of furniture to the too-skinny girl while Mataia, the tortoise, cruised around the confines, exploring every object. Vernon ran a hand through his tight black curls, studying a Wendy's fried potato pinched between his fingers. ”What do you call these things again?”

”French fries.” Though Collins addressed Vernon, he kept his gaze on Falima, thrilled by every confident movement, every casual toss of her ebony hair. ”Though I'm not sure why. They aren't any more French than Canadian bacon is Canadian.” He added with sudden realization, ”Or even bacon.”

Vernon's long silence finally drew Collins' attention. He turned to find the enormous black man staring at him, thick brows arched. ”You do know you're speaking gibberish, don't you?”

Collins could understand why none of his tangential jabbering would translate. ”Yeah, I know. I've gotto do something every once in a while to remind you I'm a foreigner.”

”You mean in case your weird clothes and your weird food and the weird little devices you bring back with you aren't enough?”

”Exactly.”

Vernon popped the fry into his mouth, chewing thoughtfully. Having exhausted his conversation with Collins for the moment, he addressed Falima. ”I heard you got offered a guard position at the castle.”

Falima raised her head, hands on the rope pulls of Vernon's dresser. Crouched beside her, Skinny Girl continued to examine the cupboard. ”I'm not taking it.”

The last Collins knew, his fiancee was still considering the offer. ”Why not?”

Falima ruffled the other woman's tawny hair. ”The cavern people need someone to help them adjust to civilization. I'd rather do that, at least for now.” She turned back to the dresser. ”Besides, if I'm going to preach that people no longer have to pursue careers prearranged by their animal form, I should set an example.”

Though it bothered Collins that Falima had not consulted him before making her final decision, he found some solace in the realization that she had helped him make an equally difficult choice. ”If we're not living on the castle grounds, I guess I can't take that job as adviser to the king.” He shrugged. ”The thought of following in Carrie Quinton's footsteps creeped me out anyway.”

Falima rose and approached Collins, Skinny Girl following her every movement with worried eyes.