Hannah was besidesuddenly. She greeted Nu-reeh politely.
“Cwith me,” Nu-reeh ordered and started to walk.
I took Hannah’s hand and we started out trailing close behind Nu-reeh. I had been glad when Hannah stopped hissing and growling at Nu-reeh. I got the sense that Hannah respected the Large woman. Nu- reeh seemed like a good role model. She was powerful and knowledgeable, things I certainly was not, so I didn’t have an issue with it. They had developed what oddly enough seemed Like a business relationship.
We walked back to the steep rock wall Nu-reeh had takento the day Hannah was born. Once again the big woman scoopedup and flew into the opening above us. I looked down and Hannah followed.
Once we reached the top Nu-reeh pointed ahead of us.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt“Walk,” she told me, “I wish to speak with the young one.”
It was an unusual request and I walked toward the center of the women’s living area alone. Tosu met me and requested I stand with her, which I did. Ahead of us was an opening in the stone floor. It seemed to be emanating heat. Vaguely I remembered seeing it at Hannah’s birth.
I didn’t want to disobey Nu-reeh, but I worried for my daughter. When I glanced back the way I’d come they just seemed to be talking. Surreptitiously, I watched until Hannah got close to me.
It was warm here, I noted, much more so than I was accustomed to. I made no comment to Tosu and asked no questions. I was glad when Nu-reeh and Hannah passed. Nu-reeh was telling Hannah why it was hot in this area.
“You will find these in every mountain range,” Nu-reeh said pointing to a sunken glowing area in front of us.
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“We have made ours easier to use, but you will find them naturally in every cave system.”
I started to walk forward and Nu-reeh stopped me. “It is too hot for you, it is for the young one.”
I could see the heat rising from the central pit. I could see a set of stairs carved into the rock went down into it.
“What is it?” I asked quietly. Nu-reeh ignoredand started to instruct Hannah on how to dip the tips of her wings into the stuff. She said once Hannah’s talons started to grow she should dip those also. It would make the tips hard as any metal and nearly unbreakable.
“There are very few substances that can survive the treated tips of our wings,” Nu-reeh explained. “When the slavers attacked this planet, we found they had no material that would stop us. We pierced and shredded every defense they had.”
I guess it hadn’t just been the men that fought that battle. The slavers really didn’t stand a chance.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm“How Long should I hold it in?” Hannah asked.
“You will know when it is enough. Once the pain fades you will feel them grow harder. It is a choice for any woman how Long she leaves them in. You will have to experiment to perfect it for yourself,” Nu- reeh answered.
Other women had flown down and were standing around. I watched as little Hannah walked down the stairs. Nu-reeh stood at the edge and coached her.
I heard a little yelp and got concerned. I tried to move forward, but Tosu grabbedfrom behind.
“My baby, you’re hurting my baby,” I cried fighting her. “Your daughter is doing what all women do. Stop struggling or you will upset the young one,” Tosu said into my ear.
The smell hita few moments Later. It was the distinct odor of burned flesh. I had no idea what they were doing to my daughter. My terror didn’t abate until Hannah’s head popped up from the pit. She looked expectantly atwith a huge grin.
“Look Mama, Look at what I can do now,” she said driving the blackened tip of her wing into the rock beside her.
Breathing deeply, I gave a big, fake smile. “Good girl, that’s wonderful, now cback up here.”