The pat on her head was heavy, but not unpleasant and she smiled up at Lydan when it occurred. His question about the children in her household made her nod. There were plenty of them running around. Sure, Korso and Brinlin were older, but their sister, demon that she was, was not. Aside from that, Chastral's brother had moved into their Pavilion temporarily bringing with him his three wives, one of whom had an infant in the arms and was pregnant again. She sighed, she hoped to never have children if it was as much work as her cousins and "siblings" were.
"Babies not know strength? Easy to hurt woman, but not mean too?" This she could understand. There were people in Endrykas who did not understand that what they perceived as a hug was a bone crushing experience for the young Drykas girl. Though this metaphor was, somewhat, inaccurate, to Mihiya it made perfect sense. She listened intently as Lydan explained how the Akalak men often raised their young. This must explain their skill as warriors, for fathers, in her experience, often promoted the learning of fighting arts and demanded the best out of their sons. Perhaps Lydan was no different in this regard.
"Akalak live long time, longer than most," Mihiya murmured when he mentioned how men and women didn't often stay together, "They no want attachments because women die sooner?" This made sense in her mind. Briseni's sister had often complained that the man who had sired her baby had grown distant as of late. He didn't touch her, didn't come to her bed (a concept that Mihiya only just understood), and absolutely refused to hear any discussion on having another baby. The first had been dangerous enough.
"Konti need babies too," Mihiya said as she thought about it, "Make sense to pick Akalak for babies. Akalak treat Konti well, give babies they want." It sounded both romantic and interesting to Mihiya, who had never seen a Konti before. Perhaps someday she would encounter one on her travels and question her on her culture the way that she was now questioning Lydan. She wondered if the man thought her questions rude, but only briefly. If he thought they were, he would send her away, as did most of the adults in her life.
"Ahhhh," was Mihiya's response as he explained the Nakivak women. She had not thought of it that way, how well they must have been treated by the Akalak who wanted children to carry on their bloodlines. She considered again, how difficult it must have been to carry on a bloodline with only males. Nakivak were more than likely, incredibly necessary, "Not bad deal, then."
"Babies not know strength? Easy to hurt woman, but not mean too?" This she could understand. There were people in Endrykas who did not understand that what they perceived as a hug was a bone crushing experience for the young Drykas girl. Though this metaphor was, somewhat, inaccurate, to Mihiya it made perfect sense. She listened intently as Lydan explained how the Akalak men often raised their young. This must explain their skill as warriors, for fathers, in her experience, often promoted the learning of fighting arts and demanded the best out of their sons. Perhaps Lydan was no different in this regard.
"Akalak live long time, longer than most," Mihiya murmured when he mentioned how men and women didn't often stay together, "They no want attachments because women die sooner?" This made sense in her mind. Briseni's sister had often complained that the man who had sired her baby had grown distant as of late. He didn't touch her, didn't come to her bed (a concept that Mihiya only just understood), and absolutely refused to hear any discussion on having another baby. The first had been dangerous enough.
"Konti need babies too," Mihiya said as she thought about it, "Make sense to pick Akalak for babies. Akalak treat Konti well, give babies they want." It sounded both romantic and interesting to Mihiya, who had never seen a Konti before. Perhaps someday she would encounter one on her travels and question her on her culture the way that she was now questioning Lydan. She wondered if the man thought her questions rude, but only briefly. If he thought they were, he would send her away, as did most of the adults in her life.
"Ahhhh," was Mihiya's response as he explained the Nakivak women. She had not thought of it that way, how well they must have been treated by the Akalak who wanted children to carry on their bloodlines. She considered again, how difficult it must have been to carry on a bloodline with only males. Nakivak were more than likely, incredibly necessary, "Not bad deal, then."
