Lost and Sound by Viola Grace Read Free Book Online Page A

them.
    Climbing down was a moment of pure relief. Yllin stretched and scratched the hide of her beast. “Should we take the saddles off?”
    As she said it, the beasts turned their heads and the harnesses slid off to dump the saddles on the ground.
    Her beast walked up to her, and to her surprise, he pressed his head against hers.
    You are going to go far, Yllin Gerocard. You have courage and compassion, two things that are needed in our universe. If you ever come here again, you may use what communications you will. You have my permission.
    You are…this world?
    I am. Jehrkreez are the most advanced life form here, but they have no memories. I would have found her myself, but my Avatar also has no sense of smell. I could not find her, and the one she rode could not remember where he had been.
    I had not thought…I mean, I imagined that you would know everything that happens on your surface.
    Do you know about each body hair and skin cell? I can know that something is on my surface and still not know where unless the creature I am looking through can see them. You were up in the mountains; did you see other creatures?
    No. I had no thought…I just learned that you were real and I could not imagine how it would work.
    If you find yourself at Citadel Balen or Morganti, ask the Avatars for details on what we can and cannot see. You are still learning and that is good, but knowing and understanding are two very different things. I hope that one day you will understand. Good day, Yllin. May your future be bright.
    Yllin staggered backward and rubbed her head. The six eyes of the Avatar were swirling with colours that had not been readily visible when she initially met him.
    Nearing caught her and helped her into the shuttle. “What is it?”
    “Didn’t you hear?”
    “Hear what? You head-butted your beast and then you staggered back.”
    He settled her in her seat and buckled her in before sealing the ship. He lifted off and she was still shaking off the effects of that weighty mind against hers.
    “What happened, Yllin?”
    She smiled weakly. “I just met Vicorran. I have been riding him all day.”
    Nearing stared at her. “You are joking.”
    “I am not joking. The jehrkreez are the dominant life form on the surface and that is where he took his Avatar.”
    “Why did he speak to you?”
    “He knew I was uncertain about my skills and my future. He also wanted to explain why he could not find Arka. The species that he inhabits has no memory. They constantly move forward but do not plan; they live in the moment, so the one that Arka was riding could not remember where he had left her.”
    “Oh, damn. That must have been frustrating.”
    “It might have been, but Vicorran let them call for help.”
    They cleared the atmosphere and Yllin unbuckled. “I call the shower.”
    Nearing narrowed his eyes. “That isn’t fair.”
    “You have to fly and I called it. I might respect Vicorran, but his beast was a bit smelly.”
    She sprinted to the back and stepped in the shower, blasting her uniform before removing it and taking another solar hit. Fresh and clean, she suited up again, pulling the boots on and flicking her hair over her shoulders.
    She grabbed a ration pack and a cup of tea for herself before returning to the cockpit.
    “I have my snacks, and we are hours away from the jump. Go eat.”
    He leaned over, kissed her on the cheek and headed to the back.
    Yllin sat still for a moment with her cheek humming warmly where he had kissed it. She shook her head and turned her attention to the monitors. His people probably kissed like they shook hands. Anytime, anywhere.
    She checked the trajectory and sat back to eat her meal. He returned in ten minutes and sat in his chair as they returned to Webar.
    “You can put your com unit on again.” He was working on his meal, and he gave her an amused look over the edge of his fork.
    “Oh, good. I suppose I need to file a report or something.”
    “We both do.”
    She