Page 61 of Dark Destiny: A New Thread in the Tapestry

"Yes," Kian confirmed.

We asked to be let out, and he offered us a better enclosure, the collective thought.

He said we would be free to come and go, Dumuz said.

"Can I walk to Sullha's house from the enclosed compound?" Yaaf asked.

"Of course. That's the entire point of you moving into the village, so you can be close to those you care about."

Yaaf let out a breath and nodded.

"How long until the houses are built?" Bardov asked.

"Several months. Six to eight."

"Months?" Bardov asked. "You want us to wait that long to move into the village?"

"That's not how long you will be waiting. You can move in a few days."

"But you just said months," Bardov pressed.

"I said it would take months to build the houses. I didn't say that's how long you will wait. As soon as the lab configuration is done, you can move into the village. We have plenty of empty houses to choose from, but none that comfortably fit eight. You can take one and sleep four to a bedroom, or you can take two or more neighboring houses and split up between them."

We have never lived in separate dwellings, Ravsoh said. Not since the merge. We do not know if we can handle it, or even if we should. Four to a bedroom sounds like the better solution.

We can test it, Camdor said.

Kian shook his head. "Please conduct your conversation out loud. Those silent talks of yours are irritating."

"We'll take two houses and see how it works for us," Yaaf said. "If it doesn't, we can always congregate in one later."

Kian nodded. "Makes sense."

"When can we move?" Bardov asked.

"The lab moves first. Petrov and Dimitri can't be without a functioning lab for even a day. We'll start on it tomorrow. The council will vote later this week, but I've already spoken with the members, and they're all going to vote in favor."

That was surprising and encouraging. The collective hadn't known a council existed, so they couldn't have expected a vote in favor, but apparently not everyone in the village was as suspicious and cautious as Kian.

"Thank you," Yaaf said. "Please thank each council member on our behalf. We appreciate the vote of confidence and vow to always be worthy of it."

Kian nodded. "I will pass it on."

When the call ended, Bowen closed the laptop and tucked it under his arm. "That went better than I expected."

Yaaf nodded. "Your idea to prepare the lists was brilliant. It wouldn't have gone as smoothly without them. Thank you."

Bowen grinned. "You're welcome."

"How can we repay you?" Ravsoh asked.

"You can buy me a beer at the Hobbit Bar."

"All eight of us?" Ravsoh asked. "Or just one?"

"Eight beers, one from each of you." Bowen headed for the door. "I'll collect when you move in."

As the door closed behind him, silence stretched across the conference table.