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“They must,” Othim says. “Reaching the other continent is not optional.”
“What about a boat?” I ask.
“A what?” Othim asks, all of the Zmaj are looking at me and Charlie snorts while Asia and Leah laugh.
“You used Common,” Leah says. “I don’t think they have a word for boat.”
My cheeks flush warm with embarrassment, mostly at not having realized what I’d done.
“Don’t stress it girl,” Ziva says, reaching over and placing her hand on my arm. “I do it all the time.”
I smile and the others all nod their agreement and understanding of the mistake.
“A vessel that will, uhm,” I pause trying to think of a Zmaj word that equates to float, but I can’t find one, “glide. On water.”
“On water?” Othim asks, his brow furrowing as he struggles to understand.
“Yeah, it glides, over water,” I say, finishing lamely.
I’m no expert, but I’ve seen plenty of boats in Earth vids. Of course, in a lot of the vids the boat sinks and here on Tajss who knows how many dangers might be lurking under the water ready to eat you, but it’s an idea.
The Zmaj each begin speaking fast. So fast I can barely follow their conversation especially as they use a lot of words I don’t know. I rest against Bahr’s chest and relax, letting the idea I gave them gestate. Either it will help, or we’ll figure out something else. I’m certain of that.
I look at my friends. Alien Zmaj and human alike. My heart fills with so much joy it almost hurts, and I know, deep inside, that this will all work out. Where does this certainty come from? It hits me in a sudden rush, and I sit up gasping in surprise.
“Belle?” Bahr asks as I jerk upright.
“Fate,” I say.
Everyone is looking at me with obvious confusion. The idea is so big though I can’t fit it into words easily. It’s a concept, not a simple idea and how do I shove something so big into the confinement of words?
“Belle, you okay there?” Riley asks, rousing from her sleep.
“Yeah,” I say, excitement rising. I stand up and step back beside Bahr so I can see them all at once. “I am. I truly am. Listen, this is something…”
Something, yes, but what? It moves through my heart, swells in my chest, and fills my head with a giddiness that I can barely contain. I want to laugh and cry and scream with joy. Bahr rises and some of the others are getting onto their feet too.
“Belle, maybe you need some sleep,” Mick says.
“No, listen, this is…” I trail off and shake my head. Closing my eyes I take two deep breaths to get myself under control. “Look at us. What are the odds?”
“Odds for what?” Allie asks.
“That we are here, at all!” I exclaim. “That we survived the ship wreck is a miracle, but then not only do we survive, we land here. Right here, out of how many planets might have been close enough for our escape pods to aim towards?”
“Three,” Rakstan throws out helpfully.
“See? Three. Three possible places we could have gone, but we end up here. With the Zmaj, who despite the fact that they’re completely alien, are compatible with us.”
“It’s all strange,” Lisa says.
“Strange is the understatement of a lifetime,” Michael says, and Lisa nods agreement.
“Right?” I ask. “Strange doesn’t encompass it. It can’t be coincidence. I mean, look at Riley!”
I point at her belly which is swollen big enough that she looks like she could pop any day. She’s spending most of her time resting now, and though no one says it, we’re all worried because she has to be past the expected nine months. She rubs the top of her belly and Rakstan keeps his tail protectively over the baby bump.
Riley stares at her belly then up at me and shakes her head. “Odds are against it,” she says.
