CHAPTER 47
It was a short drive to the cliffs. They were about fifteen minutes west of the Capital city.
M’Pak ran alongside the vehicle. He was a good deal faster than we were, and I could tell he was enjoying opening up to a full gallop on the clear roadway.
I’m sure we made quite a sight, six-wheeled vehicle chasing a giant predator down a Ptekennan highway.
We got out and admired the series of small canyons that stretched as far as our eyes could see.
The canyons had been carved by the river that fed into Lake Nekali, and several waterfalls dropped between the cliffs into the river below.
It was a gorgeous day to visit. I saw a mother and her toddler playing in a shallow pool at the edge of the riverbank deep in the canyon.
We had just laid out our picnic when Leo got a call on his wristband. He wandered off a bit as he took the call, then came back a bit sheepish, but also extra bouncy.
“OMG, you won’t believe it!” he said.
“What happened?” I asked.
“They’re early! The Prime Minister’s ship just arrived. Aldrin and Gafand are here!” he wrapped me in a bear hug and squeezed.
I was so happy for him, but a little disappointed we had to cut our day short. “That’s good news! Don’t worry about it, we can come visit another time. We could bring your partners,” I said, leaning over to pack up.
“No, no! I don’t want to ruin your day,” he said. “They’re sending a car for me. You can stay as long as you like. And we have 15-20 minutes to enjoy the picnic and the scenery together while we wait.”
“That’s sweet, you didn’t have to do that,” I said. “I’m happy to take you back.”
“Ahem, bestie, I’m trying to tell you I need some alone time with my partners first,” he winked at me. “The car will take me to the spaceport, and then I’ve rented a hotel room where we can have some time to ourselves. We’ll be back at the Palace tomorrow.”
I laughed. “Noted!” I said. “You go have a good time with them.”
“We still have time to enjoy lunch while I wait for the car,” he said. “I’m still getting to see the cliffs. They are really gorgeous.”
“Right? I love the waterfalls. Here, I brought a mix of fruit - some from Earth and some from here for you to try.”
“Excellent!” he said, “Let’s eat!”
We ate companionably on the blanket I had laid out and pointed out various features of the cliff face. There were several flying orange bird-like species. I hadn’t seen them before, but they appeared to have nests built high on the cliffs. All too soon, another vehicle parked nearby, and Leo got up
“It was short, but sweet,” Leo said. “I’ll see you at the Palace tomorrow?”
“Yep! I’ll come by to practice the piano after my chores, and then maybe I could meet your mates at lunch?” I suggested.
“Sounds perfect. Thanks, Andie,” he gave me a quick hug and hopped in the car. I sat back down on the blanket, grazing a bit more on fruits and some dried nuts and meat I had brought. M’Pak had wandered off, but came back as he saw Leo leaving.
“Why is he leaving?” he asked.
“The Charonu are early. He’s eager to see his partners,” I explained.
“Understandable,” M’Pak said. “He must miss his mates.”
I thought back to my conversation with Dakleth about M’Pak finding a mate. “You can stay with me forever, you know that, right?” I mindspoke to him. “But if you ever decide to leave and find your own mate, I won’t hold you back. It’s your choice either way. I just want you to be happy.”
“I feel a pull sometimes,” M’Pak said. “There is an urge to return to the wild and find a mate. I may do that someday. But not today.”
“Of course. I understand. If you find a mate, maybe you can convince her to come live with us, and I could play with cute Granthor cubs!”
“I doubt I could convince an adult female Granthor to live in a Ptexari village.” M’Pak said.
“I know, I know. A human can dream!”
“I suppose she can, Andie. You would be an excellent Second Mother to my own cubs.” He nuzzled his head affectionately under my chin.
“We can convince them through belly rubs,” he said as he dropped dramatically to the ground and exposed his belly to me.
I, of course, complied. He may be one of the scariest predators on the planet, but he was a big furry dope, and I loved him.
“Come on,” I said, standing up. “I want to walk around the cliffs to that waterfall, and then we’ll head back.”
It was getting late in the day, and the mom packed up her toddler and flew back towards the city.
I waved at them as they headed out of the canyon.
M’Pak and I made our way around the edge of the cliffs - not too close - and headed towards the waterfall.
M’Pak sniffed the ground as I carefully picked my way around the stones and some slippery moss.
Suddenly, a large orange bird flew up from the cliffs below and dove right for me.
It screamed as it pecked furiously at my head.
I waved my arms to fight it off, but it dove and swooped as it tried to drive me away from the canyon.
M’Pak growled and lunged at the bird, bumping into me in the process.
I lost my footing and screamed in terror as I went tumbling over the cliff’s edge.