Free Echoes from the Lost Ones by Nicola McDonagh

Wirt are in great danger. Manlymen are known to be fierce when wronged, and you two have wronged them greatly. I am amazed, to be sure, that you made it this far without molestation. You must repose awhile with us, until we can be assured that the Manlymen have tired from the looking for you. Do not fear, we are hidden from all those whose company we do not wish to keep.”
    “Wirt found you out pretty quick.”
    “Only Wirt is privy to our whereabouts. He would not blab.”  
    “Nay. I would not.”
    I chewed my lip and Audrey sensed that more was amiss. “I take it you have other concerns that weigh deep within?”
    “Ever since I left Cityplace I have reason to believe that I was followed. Suspicion falls on Agros, since it was they who sent forces in to bend us to their will.”
    “The Agros have been busy my dear. Word has spread of their infractions concerning provision distribution. Even we Ladies have been caught up in their scheme. We sensed something ugly in their manner the last time we were called forth to entertain. Good for us that our reliance on these villains is minimal. We here have all but severed connections with them. Still, they have made us somewhat itchier than we like.”
    Her words caused a wave of high-pitched agreement from those present. I was glad in some measure to be talking of the far-reaching Agro threat. It seemed to dissipate its menace somewhat.
    Yet my innards twisted at the thought of irate Manlymen bent on our demise. I was all but given over to panic at the thought, when I felt a softliness swish around my lower legs. I looked down and saw a tiny kittle nudge and budge at my ankle. I had never felt such cosiness and I guess my face reflected said thought, for the Ladies all as one said, “Ahhh.”
    Audrey picked up the fluffy bundle and laid it upon my lap where it snuggled into my thighs. It turned and turned and made itself into a ball and for the first time in my life, I touched the furriness of a living animal. Oh, I had stepped upon beetles and buggles and the like, but I had never seen, let alone touched a breathing mammal. There were a few rigid stuffed ones in the class at the learning place, but they were old and musty and had eyes made out of glass. This, this was warm and soft and made a noise that made me want to smile. I did and let my hand fondle the tiny thing.
    “It likes you. Not all kittles here would be so bold as to rest with a stranger. He knows you are no threat.”
    “It hums and vibrates. Ha-ha, it tickles,” I said and all let loose a chortle. I heard a wailing cry and the kittle sat bolt upright. It opened its mouth and sent an ear piercing “Meeoooow!” back, then jumped off my lap and scampered towards what I believed to be its mam, who gave it an earnest licking before they wiggled-bottomed out of sight.
    “How come you have such things? Are not all pets quite extinct?”
    “That is what those in power would have you think. It keeps the order of things intact. As you can see, some animals survived and thrived, thanks to those who sought to preserve them for future generations.”
    “Such as?”
    “The forgotten ones.”
    “And they are?”
    “Moocow monks of the order of Maya,” Odelia said.
    I stared at these fine fems, my head all-full of what others had said about them. How they are foolish, vapid and only exist to ease the lustiness of males. But even in my short time amongst them, I realised they were as deep as the barren seas that surround our blighted land.
    “I am grateful to said monks for their farsightedness in protecting such beasts. I do not think that I have ever been so overwhelmed by the caress of any creature before.”
    “You have a fine sensitivity about you, my dear, that is rare in these harsh times,” Audrey said.
    “Do not they consume flesh?”
    “Yes. We feed them with prepared goo that comes  from...Well, perhaps you will find out for yourself.”
    I was about to press the matter further when Odelia spoke,