“Because I was leading you around them,” he replied with an amused glance. “Like I said, it’s easy to avoid them in the day. I’ll show you how to spot them from a distance tomorrow. We will be dealing with them for a little while longer, so it will be a useful skill for you to learn.”
“How do you know all of this?”
“As I said, my people avoid technology. It’s not to say they do not know how to use it, but they opt for a very basic, almost primitive existence in harmony with nature. So, naturally, my early years were spent doing what all youths in my village do. Namely, hunting, gathering, exploring. Learning to navigate by the sun and stars, how to find food, water, and shelter in just about any setting. And tracking and trap making, of course. I always enjoyed those. The thrill of the hunt was exciting for a young boy.”
“But then?”
“Then I grew older. And what might be fun for a boy is not so satisfying for a man.” A look of something akin to regret flashed across his face.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Nothing. It’s just that I spent a long time behaving in a manner I now realize to have been…less than ideal.”
“What do you mean?”
“Let’s just say I have enjoyed experiences across this world, but did not always care about the ramifications of my actions.”
“Ah. You were a player.”
“Player? I’ve heard that term before, and yes, I suppose you could say that.”
“So, you got any baby mamas out there you just found out about?”
“What? No! We do not reproduce with other races unless we are bonded. In fact, without the Infala bond, it cannot be done between different races without great effort and medical intervention.”
“Hang on. You’re saying you can only get your own kind pregnant?”
“If we are not Infala bonded, then yes. I must apologize, I forgot your circumstances and means of arrival here. You see, this is common knowledge among the population.”
“The pregnancy thing? Well, that’s got to be a relief. But I bet a lot of people catch things as a result. Being carefree sometimes has consequences.”
“Ah, another facet you are unfamiliar with. I forget twice in as many minutes.”
“What are you talking about?”
“That the Dotharian Conglomerate’s eradication of all sexually transmitted illnesses happened hundreds of years ago. There have not been those sort of infections for longer than any can remember.”
“You’re saying that not only can womennotget accidentally knocked up, but also there aren’t any STIs in this entire Dotharian realm thingie?”
“Essentially, yes.”
“Meaning you were out there breaking hearts all over the place. I can see the appeal.”
“I suppose, yes,” he replied, but his mood had darkened somewhat.
Maria took it all in, her mind processing that tidbit in a flash. Despite her utter exhaustion, the realization hit her that getting your freak on had no consequences, at least, not physically, on this world. Sure, feelings could be hurt, and it seemed likeZepharos had done his share in the past. But the man also seemed like he was genuinely remorseful about it. That, however, was a subject she wouldn’t be broaching. At least not now. While she was curious to learn more about her savior and his life, this was hardly the time.
Silence hung like an uncomfortably damp cloak weighing upon them as they walked. Her levity about his past trysts had rubbed a nerve. A change in subject was definitely in order.
“So, you came all the way to the games. Have you been before?”
“Oh, yes. Many times.”
“How far from your home is it?”
His shoulders relaxed slightly at the welcome shift in topic.
“It’s a long trip by foot, but a relatively short flight. I would typically fly in, but I found myself in need of some time to myself after, well, no need to get into that. Suffice it to say, the walk was long and exactly what I needed.” He looked up ahead, gauging the distance remaining. “We should pick up our pace. I’d like to have some daylight in which to get us situated for the night. Are you good to continue a bit faster?”
