02 Quetzals Flock

QUETZAL'S FLOCK
"The Unmentionable Ones must have called us something else, but now we do
not know - it has been lost. Obeid told me that we have always called this world
Jubal, for that was the way it was recorded."
Kane felt a surge of excitement.
"It must mean that your people knew of this planet when they were on the
Home World. On my Home World, we named many of the nearer stars - and even
those which were far distant. Perhaps, those on the Ship knew about this place and
that was why Tursac wanted to investigate and so, he landed the Ship."
"Perhaps - "
Kane fell silent again. Jubal had been known to Hammadi's ancestors, it could
mean that they had come from a nearby star system - but then, there had been the
references to the long journeys between the stars.
"Do you wish to share the cloak, my father?"
The question was put in the same deferential tone as before. Kane could see
his face this time, it wore the same sort of expression one might expect of someone
who was offering a spare blanket. It was still uncomfortably cold and they were more
in the open than on the previous night. They were still in the twilight area of the night
line. It was their social custom and he had no objections. Kane nodded agreement.
The whole effort was an exercise in masochism. Their two bodies were sent
into an abject cringe, whilst trying to wrestle with two Kous in the gusting, icy wind.
The objective was to make their cloaks a double thermal layer. Into this, thankfully,
they retreated. Kane muttered through chattering teeth.
"There must be a better way of doing this!"
Hammadi didn't answer. Kane was glad to see that he also lacked Spartan
qualities. He could feel his back shaking against his. After a while, the shuddering
subsided.
"How much further to the Ship?"
"Another two stages."
There was a long silence again.
"You are very quiet."
"I thought my father wanted to sleep."
"Not particularly. Why do you persist in calling me 'my father'? You know I
would rather you called me, Kane."
"Because you are my father. After not knowing you for two days, why do you
wish to deny me the opportunity to call you by the title of affection?"
"To call you Hammadi is my way of showing affection - I respect your
reasons, but you can also express your affection by calling me by my name.
Physically, we could be brothers, rather than father and son - or even friends of the
same age."
He turned to lay on his back and Kane followed suit. It made talking easier.
"On Jubal, we find no problem looking the same age as our father. In your
terms, our lifespan is long. A father and a son often look the same age. I don't find it
strange to call you my father. I think it is you that finds it hard to be called - father!"
His four thousand year old wisdom was showing. He was right, Kane wasn't
used to the connotations implied by fatherhood. It meant responsibility and that was
something he lacked, if the trail of pregnant women he had left behind in his travels
was any indication. They lay shoulder to shoulder in silence, Kane had suddenly lost
the desire for conversation.
During the following day, they started to feel warm again. The Picun were
more docile. They gorged to their fill and Hammadi allowed them to do so. The pace
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