The Quarry

[Rage Menelas]

[font=Lucida Sans Unicode]My name is Leurraij'ha, she said with the most beautiful smile Ryan had ever seen in his life. She was obviously Pella'agrene, as evidenced by her long, wheat-colored hair. It flowed down her back in an incredible river with tributaries spilling across either shoulder down to her waist, running through creamy bands of ornately carved bone in its course. Her luminous pale blue eyes were moist almonds tilted just slightly at the outer corners. These features, along with her long, willowy body, made her race unmistakable to any man that had spent time amongst the Segatchwe, as had Ryan.

Looorrr-AY-juh-hah... My, my... but that is a mouthful, isn't it? Can we... shorten it some...? She did not answer but just continued to smile at him. Can I call you Laura? That would be much easier on my American mouth. I mean, the way you pronounce it is quite lovely but I am afraid I would just continue to butcher it badly.

She nodded her head ever so slightly. Yes, you may call me that.

Good. My name is Ryan Manniks.

May I call you Rezla'astex...?

Um... I suppose. Why do you want to call me that?

It was the name of a young goat I had when I was a girl back in my village... I grew quite fond of it until... she trailed off.

Until...?

...until the sacrifice.

Ryan was taken aback. She wanted to name him after a pet goat that her family had slaughtered. He needed a psychiatrist to figure that one out. He shook off the thought. He was incapable of deciphering it at the moment anyway; his head was fogged with either medication or sickness or both. I guess one good turn deserves another, he conceded. Yes, you may call me that if you wish.

At that she laughed merrily, a truly melodious tune that lifted Ryan's heart immeasurably. See... I jest with you, sir. I will call you Ryan.

He smiled. It was nice to know she had a sense of humor. He hadn't seen much evidence of it amongst the Segatchwe, but then the circumstances they had faced while he was with them left little to laugh about. He looked back up into her beautiful face. Can I ask you a question?

Yes.

Where am I...?

Why... you are at the archaeological site on Hei'a 12, she assured him, patting him on the arm gently. Now rest some.

What happened to me...? and where is Charlie...?

Charlie...? I know no Charlie... You must rest. All your questions will be answered in short order. With this she fiddled with something below the table upon which he was resting and he softly sank back into a deep slumber.