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‘We can check on the fencing and the animals.’

‘Livestock?’

‘Where do you think we got the fresh milk for yourkahawa?’

Riv cocked a brow. ‘Cows?

‘A Devansi form of them. They’re called dzo, a cross between a mini yak and cattle. Their milk is top-grade, and even though they’re small, they make ideal pack animals for hauling gear in these treacherous plains because they are nimble. I rear them for trade as they’re valuable in these desert parts. Which also means we’ve had some unwanted attention as a result.’

He paused with his cup mid-air. ‘How so?’

‘We get an attack at least every other month from the desert tribes, who prize them.’

‘Looters?’

Élisa nodded with a rueful turn of her lips. ‘Sand pillagers who roam the surfaces of the fissures and sleep in pits dug deep into the rocks. They once lived in the cooler chasms until warfare drove them above, where they now scavenge from their enemies below and us. They find our small herd irresistible, given the quality of our milk and meat and their hauling capacity.’

‘Fascinating. I must set eyes on these creatures then.’

Her eyes lit up. ‘Help me feed them; afterwards, you can help me with more chores.’

Riv walked over to the natural rock sink and washed his coffee cup.

‘Show me these bearers of fresh milk. Being a spacefarer means I don’t get the chance to interact much with animals, which will be a treat.’

Élisa smiled. ‘Follow me, Ribau.’

She turned and strode through the house towards a side entrance.

Outside, the warm desert air flowed over a landscape covered in salt dunes and fissures, their bleached color bouncing heat and rays in every direction.

Lifting a hand, Riv shielded his eyes while his noids adjusted. He followed Élisa as she headed towards an outhouse, surrounded by the same lethal-looking chrome fencing as the homestead.

Élisa punched a code into the security panel on the gate; it beeped and swung open.

As soon as it did, a cacophony of braying and yipping hit Riv like a wave.

Followed by a flurry of hooves clattering hard over rock towards him.

His eyes widened on seeing a herd of miniature silken animals with long, flowing, dappled silver-white and caramel coats prancing towards him.

Élisa surged ahead of him to stay their advance, and they followed with earnest calls.

She approached a feeding bin and reached inside for a scoop, using it to gather and spread seed over the rocky ground.

The dzo leapt for it with excited yips while Riv watched with a half smile. ‘Bizarre yet adorable.’

‘Want to try?’

He started at the offer. ‘I suppose.’

Strolling towards Élisa, he nabbed the scoop and sunk it into the feedbag.

The animals pawed at him, butting his legs with gentle nudges until he scattered the grains as Élisa had done.

‘They’re insistent buggers.’

He and Élisa exchanged a smile, and he had an epiphany at that moment.