for wine,” she announced. “I shall fetch the bottle.”
Klara paused in her attempt to dispatch the judakle fruit to follow the elderly woman with her astonished gaze. Wine was among the most expensive libations to be had on Haedus, making her rethink her assessment of the woman’s finances.
The answer was provided when she returned with a bottle so dusty, its vintage might very well have predated Velkma’s birth.
Klara swallowed with some difficulty. “It might be better to sell that instead of drinking it. It has to be worth a bundle.”
“Perhaps,” Velkma said as she pulled the cork. “However, the trick would be finding someone who could afford to buy it.”
Yet another good point.
Velkma poured the clear burgundy liquid into a glass that was surprisingly clean. “This wine was made from grapes grown on this world before our climate began to change.” Her eyes grew misty as she held the bottle up to the light. “I recall a time when there were green fields and vineyards as far as the eye could see.” She shook her head sadly. “All of that is gone now. Stolen from us by malice and greed.”
“Are you saying someone stole your water?” Temfilk asked.
“It sounds impossible, doesn’t it?” the old woman said. “But over time, that is what happened. Our atmosphere couldn’t be taken, but the water…” She shook her head again. “The most important component of life on this or any other world, and it was taken from us to provide fresh water for those worlds that had been careless with the purity of their own water. You see, of all the known planets where water is plentiful, our oceans were not salty. Apparently those of us who live here were considered…expendable. If it weren’t for its location on a trade route, this planet and its inhabitants would’ve perished long ago. Instead, we have fallen prey to jackals like Pelarus.”
“I take it this water stealing was done secretly?” Nexbit asked. “I mean, didn’t anyone try to stop them?”
For a moment, Velkma made as though she would’ve hurled the wine bottle against the wall, were it not for the frugality that necessity had embedded within her nature. “Yes, the thieves must’ve come in darkness or far from land where no one could witness their crimes. But what would it matter if it was done openly? How could a peaceful agrarian society ever hope to fight back against ruthless beings with the means to drain our oceans?”
“You certainly couldn’t make anyone give it back,” Temfilk said with a snicker. “But you’re talking like it never rains here, and it does rain. In fact, now that the winds have come, it should start raining pretty soon.”
Velkma nodded toward a grimy window, which creaked in protest as a strong gust of wind shook it. “The Timaval winds used to herald the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Now they bring only a brief respite to land so parched, the moisture evaporates before most plants have time to grow. You see, this region wasn’t blessed with plant life that evolved to thrive in such harsh conditions. This change took place during my lifetime. There hasn’t been enough time for plants to adapt, even if they could.”
As was his habit, Moe had been content to sit back and listen until he felt he had grasped the situation well enough to comment. Clearly, there was more to this planet’s woes than a guy who liked women with beautiful Davordian-blue eyes.
“There are other ways of restoring water besides stealing it,” he said. “I mean, I get why whoever stole it didn’t want to take the time to do it naturally, but it can be done. In the meantime, I’m assuming there were desert regions here originally. Perhaps some of those plants could be relocated—”
Velkma cut him off with a derisive snort. “You speak as though anyone with the wherewithal to do such a thing would actually trouble themselves to do it. No, life on this world is doomed, although its death throes would be far easier to endure without tyrants like Pelarus.”
Undaunted, Moe continued, “But if we can bring down Pelarus, there are things that can be done to improve your world, even if the oceans can’t be fully restored. There are edible plants whose leaves gather the dew and funnel it down the stalk to water the roots. Other plants clean the air and require comparatively little water to grow.”
Velkma actually smiled, albeit a trifle grimly. “You have traveled far,