I looked back as id noticed that Earthpig had stopped. What gave me real pause however was that he'ed also drawn his sword. His catbat flew up and stopped on the rock just behind Him. I followed his gaze and saw for the first time what I had not seen as Id walked past. Earth pig was already in motion. He grabbed the shoulder of what I could now see was a young girl of 15 or so. "She's alive" he said. As he turned her though, water came out of her mouth. He squeezed her around the middle and it seemed a goodly amount of water did come out of her. I remember naught else for a while as I passed out then.

I saw her boot first. She was muddy and nearly invisible in the mud and scrub of the cove. I had drawn my sword, but now I laid it down and grabbed up the girl. She luckily was laying nearly face down, that one fact preventing her doom, as she was able to breath ever so slightly with the small amount of lung not filled with water. I forced the water out as best I could. Jerach passed out. The girl coughed. She was lucky to be alive and still might not have made it. I know not what providence had brought her this far from the surf, but again luck was on her side. She coughed and gasped. I held her. Her breathing was ragged. So ragged. She shuddered. She gasped. She sobbed. again and again. Mind mind was lost in the past then. In my arms was not this young girl, but a fellow warrior, a woman from venus. She had fought alongside me for many years. And now she was dying. The splinters of a shell had torn into her, and the blast had damaged her inside. She breathed in short gasps. I held her. she coughed up blood, gasped and tried to speak. again and again. Tears ran from my eyes in a way they had not since, until this day. I held her, praying for a miracle. None came. She died in my arms that day so long ago. I was sobbing when the girls breathing became almost regular. She said "Im ok, its ok" I looked up. She smiled. My helmet lay ext to my sword on the ground next to her. I didnt remember taking it off. "You must be my friend, but I can't remember your name." she said. Then she said "I think my name is Love".

I remember choking. I remember trying to get control of my lungs, but feeling like I was out of control, like crying for a small child. I saw his face, his eyes shut tight, tears pouring out. I watched him and forgot bout my lungs and soon they calmed down. As soon as I could I whispered "Im ok, its ok". He looked up. He looked happy and relieved and a little overwhelmed, I think. I tried to get up. I guess I was still weak. I could only get up to my elbows. I said, "You must be my friend, but I can't remember your name." "Im not sure, but I think my name is Love.". "Rest" he said. I looked into his eyes. Piercing grey eyes, and a noble chin. His beard had some grey in it as well. I wondered who he was. I could not remember how I had gotten there. I could not remember what I had been doing. Or who this girl that I was, was. Love seemed an odd name, but it felt right. I was as certain about that as I could be about anything. I was certain about nothing else. The man busied himself getting firewood and I realized I was cold. Cold, wet and filthy. Then I noticed a body nearby. I gasped.

I gathered wood. She watched me with curiosity I think. She leaned back and looked toward Jerach. She gasped. "No hes not dead" I said. "He passed out when he saw the ocean come out of your mouth." She winced. "I have no idea how I got here" she said. "You're not my father are you" she stated. I said no, and I waited for more questions as I built and lit the fire. "What is your name?" she asked. "Earthpig."I answered. She didn't react except for what might have been a puzzled look. "Thats as unlikely a name as Love I think". she said. Jerach came to slowly.

Earth worked on the girl for a while. I watched, then groomed. I have very pretty wings you know. Then the girl spoke. Obvious things, like "Im ok". and "You're not my father". Meanwhile Jerach lay like a beached whale on the ground. As usual, I was expected to get dinner. I flew over the surf and the tide pools looking for a likely dinner. I found a largish fish and brought it back. Earth rubbed my head and neck behind my ears, and between my wings. That felt good. The girl spoke again. She asked "Do all cats have wings?" She really asked that. Of course all cats dont have wings. Just me as far as we've seen. but she petted me too. Then Jerach woke up.

Dinner by Jerach: