Otherwhere Chapter 3: Rest

“We don’t know what drives the Draco to make their choices. We think it may be smell, or possibly something about the way the person thinks as the Draco communicate telepathically but, to answer your most important question, if the tribute refuses, we all will die.”

On that note, they reached the Human settlement. It was a warren of corridors and rooms with maybe one hundred people living there. The temperature remained a little bit on the warm side of comfortable and there was ample light from more of the magic globes like on Leela’s staff. She showed them how to turn them on and off, which involved clapping. She seemed puzzled at the gales of laughter this demonstration set off.

They ate at in a communal dining hall. The food was simple but good. They were assigned rooms, Rory and Colin sharing one, Dee and Astra the other. Leela promised they would discuss the tribute situation again tomorrow.

Before going to bed, the four companions talked about it among themselves. None of them liked it very much but they were very cognizant of the ‘we all die’ alternative. It was late, they went to their rooms, but sleep was difficult. They took what comfort they could from one another. Not surprisingly, after they were able to sleep.