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difficult.”
    “It was not easy, but after a few years of scavenging, Saluk called me to his rescue, and we have been together ever since.” She stroked Saluk with one hand.
    Imron sat back and cocked his head. “How old do the sand dogs get?”
    “Some have been seen nearly two hundred years in a row. When the priests go out to give them offerings once a year, they record which of the sand dogs are there. Their biggest source of mortality is reproduction.”
    Imron nodded. “Any natural enemies?”
    Saluk lifted his head until he was glaring at Imron above the edge of the table.
    “No. The sand dogs are the intelligent species on that world. They are the apex predator.”
    “How do your species and theirs coexist?”
    “We remain behind our walls, including our agriculture and manufacturing, and they have the rest of their world. It was part of the pledge made by our ancestors. They would live on a world and not become part of it. They wanted to suffer in order to give their descendants strong character.”
    “Did it work?”
    She thought about it. “I think that the confinement caused degradation of the social order around the third generation.”
    “Did they teach that in your history classes?”
    “I stole books. I knew how to read, so I stole the books I needed. It also kept me busy when the weather kept me in the city.”
    “Tell me about where you grew up.”
    “Only if you agree to the same.”
    He smiled and sat back. “Agreed. Tell me about your environment.”
    “Desert. The entire continent that we were on was desert. It made for interesting and rather creative moments in the wild.”
    He nodded. “I grew up in forests and lush fields. I was running through the trees and bush as far back as I can remember.”
    She cocked her head. “How long do your people live?”
    “The oldest member of my family was two hundred and twenty. How about yours?”
    Salika sighed. “I don’t know, and I was not close to any of my people.”
    “Right. Apologies.”
    Saluk slid off the bench and followed a riot of Yaluthu out into the fresh air.
    Saber was content to snuggle with Salika.
    Imron gave her a sober look. “I do not think that Saluk likes me.”
    “He does not like any males near me. Not bipeds anyway.”
    “Is there a reason for that?”
    Salika smiled tightly and nodded. “Yes. I was considered fair game due to my social status. Saluk had to come to my rescue.”
    Imron scowled. “Did it happen more than once?”
    “Yes.”
    Their conversation seemed to have run aground for the day.
    Salika got to her feet with Saber in her arms, nodding to him. “Thanks for the training. It was helpful.”
    She walked in search of Saluk, fairly sure that Imron’s interest had just been quenched. From what she had seen in her life, men didn’t want damaged women. It went against the teachings of the priests.
     

Chapter Seven
     
     
    Her schedule was blinking when she returned to her quarters. She frowned and touched the screen. Every morning was lit up with talent instruction.
    “That is odd. Imron has signed up to teach me how to use my talent. I didn’t think... well, I guess I thought he wouldn’t want to be around me anymore.”
    She looked to Saluk and Saber, but they didn’t have any commentary for her. Deep inside, a tiny part of her was pleased and happy. It was a very small part, but it was definitely there.
    She headed for bed with a smile on her lips.
     
    “Today, we are testing how much you can absorb and how long you can hold it.” Imron smiled encouragingly.
    The generators that were facing her had small leads that ended in metal grips.
    Salika inhaled and then exhaled slowly. “Will the charge be quick or slow?”
    “Slow. We are trying to test your tolerances. Tomorrow, we can deal with speed.”
    She picked up the handles and nodded. “Right. While I am charging, tell me what your talent is.”
    He chuckled and went to the machinery; it started with a whir. “My talent is