Many hours later, Stuart called a halt, declaring himself too tired to think properly. By this time Tara had fallen asleep, an exhausted little bundle by Kolyei’s side.
Jim, Larya and Afanasei accepted Stuart’s offer of quarters in his cabin.
“Tara and Kolyei will come home with me,” announced Winston Randall. “Janice would never forgive me if they didn’t.”
“You have enough room?”
“We’ll make the room,” he declared looking down at the girl. “It’ll not be the first time I’ve made do,” he added, resolving to pop her into his and Janice’s bed. With that, he stooped down and lifted her carefully. “She’s as light as a feather! You sure she’s been eating properly?”
Kolyei snorted indignantly and Winston chuckled.
“Let’s go,” was his command to the large male. “Janice and the children will be delighted to meet you. It’s not every day we get guests.”
The three of them walked slowly, Winston anxious not to waken Tara if he could help it. An inquisitive crowd followed in their wake, speculating amongst themselves. Winston again heard Tara being described as a ‘Child of the Wolf’.
“Is she asleep?” asked Janice in a low voice as he carried Tara inside. “Your meeting went on for so long.”
“There was much to talk about.”
“I’ve kept supper for you and set up a camp bed in the girls’ room. It won’t do her any harm for once if she washes in the morning.” Janice was a firm believer in frequent baths.
“Is there room for Kolyei?”
“Her Lind? Where is he? I’ve made up a bed in the corner there with two old ship’s mattresses underneath. Will that do?” Janice pointed to the large pile of rugs in the corner of the living space.
“He’s waiting outside,” said Winston as he made for the girls’ bedroom. “On the way over he told me he expected to sleep on the floor.”
“I spoke to Thomas,” answered Janice briskly, opening the door to let Kolyei in. “It was made perfectly clear that comfortable bedding would be appreciated.”
Kolyei whuffled his appreciation when he viewed the sleeping arrangements.
“Thank you,” he said to a surprised Janice. “I will be most comfortable here.” He wagged his tail.
“Are you hungry?” she said, greatly emboldened by this show of courtesy.
He shook his head.
“Do you want to see Tara? I’ve put her in with the girls for now.”
“Tara sleeps,” Kolyei announced. “I see no need to disturb.”
As that was exactly what Janice was thinking, her estimation of Kolyei went up another notch.
“You and Tara must stay here,” she found herself saying, “for as long as you like. My children will be most excited at the thought of one of the fabulous Lind staying with us. I’m warning you though, they’ll be up with the lark.”
“The lark? What is lark?”
“A bird that inhabited the planet we come from. An early rising bird with a beautiful song,” Winston answered for her.
Kolyei’s face cleared. “I understand. We have a saying very similar. We say ‘unst si malinon’ when talking about those of our kind who rise from their daga before sun is high in sky. The malinon has a pretty song. You see many when you come to Zanatei.”
“Come to Zanatay?” Janice turned to her husband. “What’s he talking about?”