Ch. 6: A Walk In the Woods

Daniel was sitting on the rock Jack had occupied earlier. The party had long since died out and there were only a few Tsu'dom left, cleaning up. Daniel watched the waves crash on the beach, so lost in his own thoughts that he didn't hear Mytel walk up behind him. He felt a hand on his shoulder and jumped slightly, turning his head.

Mytel blushed as Daniel turned. "My apologies. I did not intend to frighten you."

Daniel smiled. "It's alright, I was just thinking."

Mytel perched herself on another rock. "What about?"

Daniel chuckled. "A lot." He thought for a moment. "Do you know about the pillars by the Shoo'a'ma?"

Mytel shook her head. "All I know is that they were there long before my people moved to the caves to wait for our queen to return."

"Will you show me the writings about the queen?"

Mytel smiled in the dim light. "Yes. Tomorrow. Tonight is not for work; it is for fun." She stood up and took Daniel's hand. "Come with me." She led him through the woods for about 20 minutes, then stopped. "Close your eyes."

Daniel grinned as he shut his eyes. "Where are we going?"

Mytel smiled mischievously. "It is a surprise." She led him along a seldom-used path…but she obviously knew exactly where she was going. Mytel stopped as they entered a clearing and positioned Daniel at the edge, facing the center. "Alright, you may open them."

Daniel did as he was told and as he took in his surroundings, his jaw dropped. He'd never seen anything like this. The majority of the clearing was occupied by a hot spring. It was the size of a large pond and a light steam rose from the surface of the water. The stars and 2 moons were clearer here than they had been at the beach. After a few minutes, Daniel was able to regain his voice. "This is incredible."

Mytel had sat down on a low-slung tree branch. "I used to come here all the time to watch the stars and swim. I have not had the time to come much since I was elected."

Daniel sat next to her. "How long ago was that?"

"Nearly 5 years. The next time the moons are full my service will be over. I plan on refusing reelection."

Daniel was more than a little curious. "Why?"

"I think I have done my good for my people. I miss being able to take my walk here."

Daniel nodded. He missed that too sometimes…just being able to take a late night walk. "When is the full moons?"

Mytel's eyes were fixed on the larger of the two moons. "2 days. There will be an election and we will have a new leader…" She looked at Daniel and smiled. "You tricked me into being serious again."

Daniel returned the smile. "Sorry. I'm just curious."

"I could tell." They sat a few minutes in silence before Mytel spoke again. "When must you return to the Shoo'a'ma to travel back to Earth?"

"1000 hours." Daniel noticed Mytel's confused look. 20 minutes later, she finally understood the concept of time.

Mytel looked at the moons. "It is late. We should return to the caves and sleep."

Daniel agreed and they walked in silence to his door.

"When do you wish to look at the wall writings?"

Daniel thought for a moment then set the alarm on his watch. He took it off and handed it to her. "This is gonna make a bunch of noise at 0700. We can go then."

Mytel didn't take the strange object. "I have nothing to give you in return."

Daniel smiled. "It's a gift…I've got more."

"Thank you." She took the watch and blushed and her fingers brushed his. "I will meet you in the main chamber at 0700. Sleep well Daniel."

"You too." Daniel watched her disappear down the dim corridor before going into his room.