A Note on the Diacriticals and Quotation Markings
A portion of the dialogue is telepathic and, in the original, is set off by italics.
Unfortunately, italics, accents and diacritical markings do not translate to the web from ordinary text files, and they are replaced with junk. To simplify matters I have set italic text--such as thoughts to oneself, or words to be stressed--off with <...>; telepathic and telepathic dialogue with <<...>>.
t/t
Chapter 4 - The Compound
At our next general meeting, we discussed moving the pods into a formation that would enable us to include part of the cavern outside to make an outdoor recreational area that wouldn't feel so out-in-the-open. Shrubbery, or fencing of some sort, could be placed around the outer sides to soften the looks of the place. Our present arrangement was reminiscent of photographs we had seen of old-time Terran trailer-parks; and we had rather unpleasant memories of them.
Azel, our architectural engineer, began drawing plans that would enable us to create an attractive and secure structure. Since the stone ceiling was at least ten meters over our heads, we decided to make a look-out tower on top, with maybe an eating area; and, perhaps, a tennis court. The roof area would be accessible from the top ports of all four pods. We just had to figure a way to move the things that wouldn't break everyone's backs.
The next morning when we stepped outside, we discovered that Azel's plan had been carried out to the letter, overnight; and the entire place had been beautifully landscaped. There was also a small corral with four strange animals that none of us had ever seen. They looked like copper-red short-haired sheep, no horns, one male and three females; and by late afternoon, two of the females had borne young. We called them lambs; even though we knew they were not sheep. We learned that they were called ovin [OH-vin], and the young ones, ovini [oh-VEE-nee]. Now we had our own milk factory.
<<If you will meet me by the lake, I will bring you to one of our villages.>> I heard in my head.
Everyone was working outside in our newly-enclosed space. I went inside to make myself presentable to any new acquaintances I might meet on my visit.
My hair was a very light blond, and prone to be extremely curly, my eyes were deep blue and I was generally considered to be a , by my friends. I had never had an interest in girls; but they had certainly had an interest in me. Every feminine guile in the world had been used on me to attract my attention. My mother had been an excessive flirt; and it had been a constant source of embarrassment to me all my short life. She flirted shamelessly with every male that came into her presence. I suppose that is what had built up my immunity to feminine "charms."
I dressed in a clean uniform, including the dress cape; and slipped out of the compound without encountering anyone, walking the short distance to the lake. Oestl was waiting there for me.
<<Have you been waiting long?>> I asked.
<<No, I knew when you left the Compound,>> he replied. <<You should know beforehand, that you will be greeted by the Mages' Guild. They will give you an honorary citizenship because of our union,>> he said.
<<They know about that?>> I asked. I didn't know how I felt about that.
<<They know everything that happens. The Mages' Guild will gift to you a dwelling in the village; and you must take it. It is a great honor; and it would be, as you would say, `politically incorrect' to refuse it,>> he instructed. <<It will also enable you to have a voice on the Grand Council in matters concerning your people,>> he explained. <<I will tell you more later; we must go now.>>