“Oh, Muthr,” Eva cut her off. “They are allowing us into their home. Remember?” She consumed the drink in one gulp. Warm herbs and spices tingled her insides as the liquid made its way down her throat. “Much thanks and gratitude,” Eva said, mimicking Rovender’s gesture.

“And to you,” Hostia said, taking the glass. She looked at Muthr.

“Oh!” Eva grabbed Muthr’s drink. “Don’t worry about her. She does not eat or drink. She’s a robot.”

“What is a robots?” Mægden asked.

Hostia studied Muthr, cocking her head to one side. “Why doesn’t it drinks?”

“She just doesn’t. She runs on power cells,” Eva said, handing the drink back. Rovender intercepted it and gulped it down. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “It is true. The mother is a machine. A contrivance.”

“She is a toy, Mamus. Remembers?” Zoozi asked.

“That’s right,” Rovender replied with a grin. “You don’t feed your toys, right?”

“Ah, yes.” Hostia nodded in understanding. The rest of the family did the same.

“Come and sits,” Fiscian said, spreading the large pillows out onto the floor. “Tell us of your journey.”

“Yes, it’s been some time since you haves been here, Rovenders,” Hostia added, sitting down on the pillows. Mægden brought pillows over for Eva and Muthr to relax on.

And so, Eva and her companions enjoyed the hospitality of Hostia and her family. They all listened as Rovender recounted his story of the strange creature he’d encountered named Eva Nine. Rovender described a daring escape from the vicious huntsman, Besteel, and he told of the surprising companionship of Otto, the giant water bear.

Afterward Fiscian taught Eva a traditional Halcyonus fishing song. After she entered the words into the Omnipod, Eva joined everyone in singing:

“Oh, the wind was at our back

and the tide up to our knees.

As we gathered up our gifts

from the green and giving seas.

“Both my feet are cold and wet,

but I walk without a care.

Very soon I shall be home,

where my family waits there.

“Mother cooks a tasty meal

as my children all hug me.

Please don’t thank me for my gifts.

Thank the green and giving sea.

“Sing! Sing! Sing!

For the green and giving sea.”

“We appreciate all that you are doing for us, Hostia,” Rovender said, carrying his heavy rucksack behind Eva. She and Muthr were following their host as she led them up a ramshackle staircase lined with fishing equipment, to an empty loft above the house. Eva could hear roosting turnfins chortling softly from within their baskets.

“You know, Rovender, our home is always welcomes to you,” Hostia said, opening the round door and entering. “All ofs you.”

“Much gratitude,” Rovender said as he held the door open for Eva and Muthr.

“Thank you,” Eva said, nodding to Hostia as she entered.