First Watch: A Watcher Bay Adventure Read Online Free Page A

had a big heart and an even bigger sense of humor that kept Levra smiling, even during the darkest days.
    Once Enric was born, there were some slight adjustments as Levra had to learn to care for a child who couldn’t speak. But when Gunnar left—after nearly 13 years of marriage—to explore the far reaches of the Paradisi system and beyond under the employ of Abramov Security, they were firmly entrenched in a marriage that worked like a well-oiled machine. They’d fought to survive through overwhelming grief and hardship and it had worked.
    Until he left on Altius 11. Something happened after he left and she had only misgivings about what would he be like when he got back.
    Levra rolled her shoulders back, forcing the tension out of her neck and back as she sped over the landscape on her bike. He was fine. He had to be fine. She would know if he wasn’t. Wouldn’t she?
    The marshland bogs started appearing, becoming more and more frequent as they gave way to inlets of bright blue water. It indicated she was leaving the far reaches of the crowded city of New Seattle behind. She could smell the salt water; her first indication she would soon be approaching Dwyr.
    She brought the hover bike to a stop near the common area of the village, and waited for the bike to settle back to the ground with a flip of a switch. Levra dismounted and walked a few meters through the village toward Mera’s house. The Dwyr villagers refused much of the technology willingly offered to them by the Founders, so walking into this village was reminiscent of her first arrival at New Eden. They enjoyed such a simple life, opting for natural wooden huts with thatched roofs which stood bare in contrast to the tall apartment buildings where she and Gunnar settled into soon after the Founder’s arrival back in 1 AA. The contrast of tall buildings which soared up into New Seattle’s metropolitan skyline compared to the more organic round huts and thatched roofs that dotted the Ddaeran village countryside was significant.
    Part of her wanted to live this way, free from the comm devices and the constant tech that invaded their lives. But there were too many conveniences technology offered. She wasn’t willing to walk away from the niceties of life. Even though she missed simpler times. She looked forward to living among the Ddaerans full time but would bring her technology and its conveniences with her.
    Her time teaching in Dwyr afforded her the opportunity to live with the best of both worlds—Founders and Originals, or Ddaerans, as the Founders referred to them. It was a true benefit to be able to expose Enric to the easy lifestyle of the Dwyr clan. If Gunnar were home—and not obnoxious—her life would be rather ideal.
    “Mrs. Shield, Mrs. Shield,” Alena called eagerly as she ran to meet Levra in the meadow courtyard of the village. Her laugh was infectious and soon Levra joined in. Alena grabbed her hand, and together they skipped through the meadow.
    Levra felt more than heard Alena communicate through her touch. The palms of the young girl's hands were soft on Levra’s arm.
    “How is Enric?” Alena asked silently.
    “I wish I could talk back to you like that. It would be very convenient.” Levra giggled like a school girl and marveled at how peaceful she felt among the Ddaeran people. “He’s great. Thank you. He wanted to come today, but he and Serla stayed home to play Wonders of Earth.”
    Alena squeezed Levra’s arm, sending more thoughts. “I love Wonders of Earth!”
    They slowed as they approached Alena’s family hut, and Alena squeezed Levra’s hand even harder.
    Alena’s pale green, almond-shaped eyes, typical of the Ddaerans, sparkled with anticipation. “Come in. Come in. Mama has something to show you.”
    Levra walked into the home and took a second to let her vision adjust. Her eyes found Mera as they adjusted in the dark interior of the home. She always envied her friend’s long, straight dark hair laced with