He waited then, briefly, but their neighbor seemed to have nothing to bring to the conversation. That being so, he bowed slightly and went down the steps. The map in his head located the road directly in front of him, at the end of the gravel path leading to the house. He therefore walked down the path, scout-trained senses still registering a hidden observer, who nonetheless, and happily, seemed inclined to let him go.

The path curved slightly 'round a portly shrub, and there before him was the road.

Daav sighed, the sense of being watched departing altogether, and turned his face toward Jelaza Kazone.

#

The road had dwindled until it was scarcely as wide as a single small vehicle, narrowed further by grasping branches, above, and an encroaching gully, below. There were also large rocks situated inconveniently, and the occasional pothole.

Daav consulted the map he had memorized. Not very far now, to the house. He anticipated a hot shower-- and perhaps his lifemate would deign to join him for a nap.

...whether his lifemate found this offer attractive, he could not say, as she remained outside his ken, occupied with whatever it was that occupied her when she was not manifest.

He had of course from time to time reflected upon Aelliana's state of existence. She had no substance of her own; no manifestation beyond a voice in his head. Occasionally, she claimed use of the body they co-habited-- very seldom, really. Their adventures on the Clutch transport had improved her physical mastery; and he had expected, then, to find her more often in control of their route, yet she seemed content to be a passenger, observing their life through his eyes.

More than once, though not recently, he had asked her how she filled her time.

I fill my time as I have been accustomed to do. She'd answered his last inquiry with rather more tartness than he was accustomed to having from her; with thought and with work.