"What a minute," says Fred. "Did you say 'last few customers'? Are
you saying that Astra would have to come too?" "And the cubs - I mean babies
- as well." "But that's impossible! It would be far too dangerous. They
are only a few months old. And they won't be weaned for ages yet. Are we
supposed to bring along a couple of wet-nurses? And another thing. Once
the Crystallic is destroyed, how are we supposed to make the return trip?"
"You forget that I'm a mage. Creating a sailing vessel for the journey
home should present no great problem. We shouldn't be gone for more than
three or four months all told. As for feeding the babies, I thought I might
magically adjust Astra's metabolism for the duration of the trip so she
would produce enough milk for all of them."
-
 Fred
wasn't sure that that idea would go down very well with Astra.
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