《Adia, One Of Prophecy》


 Chapter 1 Arrival On Earth

    M¡¯Naga¡¯s holo gave light that woke us. ¡°Ryee, Adia, we are here! Landing was uneventful.¡± His gray eyes had his merry look. As if to punctuate his words, clicking beneath us ended. The smooth tempo had meaning for anyone who tested a ship. Our engines were not stressed in this. But then, our ship is new.


    Ryee pulled me into his lap and gracefully leapt off our huge, nine-sided bed. I giggled as he set me on my feet. With a wave, our plain redviolet sleeping garments melted into our working clothes. Ryee¡¯s redviolet formals included a coat with tails to his knees over his onepiece with a high collar, pointed at the bottom. His medium blue-bordered diplomat¡¯s sash had so many sparkling pins, little gray in the center stripe showed over his chest. On his dark curls, his ninesided redviolet flat looked soft and had gold Tessite trim, as did his sash. The hat looked soft and had gold Tessite trim, as did his sash. My handsome husband of 4 days is Emperor Ry¡¯nao¡¯s 2<sup>nd</sup> in command, his Unified Diplomat.


    That wave also dressed me. I also wore a ninesided flat of cloth, that felt light and soft on my hair. A redviolet dress to my ankles, trimmed in Tessite. Ryee used a design from a Celtic dress shop in Little 5 Points that Laura told us about, but with his modifications to make it different. I admired the modest neckline and dainty necklace. The title I cannot give to anyone is The One Of Prophecy. With that title comes responsibility to save our 13 galaxies from Eriganh, here. If only I knew how soon he comes! Ryee led me through the tapestry that his brother designed for us, standing on Ye~ with our people around us, enjoying our Wedding Festival. We walked through. I tensed, expecting pain, but the warmth, then cool sensation was pleasant. Ryee also relaxed when we were through. Only I would know of it. My husband never shows weakness.


    On our enormous redviolet ship, the center gave much space for our friends to gather. Around the outer ring, doorportals marked with tapestry designs gave the only sign of our many bedrooms, and Pirad¡¯s Lab of green, and our ScSv Lab of orange.


    Ry¡¯nao, Emperor of the Seven, met us and bowed low, right leg behind. We returned it. I took Ryee¡¯s twinfingered hand and yet expected mine to have five. I am Zheien after our recloning only 5 days ago. My reflection in the rubbery floor showed my wide cobalt blue eyes and my long, red hair. Our redviolet formals felt odd. For our excursion we shall dress as Earthans. Both of us easily came up.


    Our emperor smiled. ¡°We did much research. Adia, I took the liberty of working with Berto and Akras, as well as Cerict. Zheien kings and queens are also diplomats. Here is your sash.¡± He looked beside Ryee where a green swirl grew.


    Berto ported in. ¡°Adia, I want to thank you for my healing! I feel like a new man!¡± He took my hand and bowed low, from the waist. Laid a medium blue sash over my hands. On it, one sparkling pin in a cube shape. ¡°Thank you!¡± I returned it, in Elshar fashion. Then waved it onto my redviolet formals.


    ¡°It is my pleasure to assign you as leader of Adia¡¯s Team. You have a ship, so you are leader.¡± His Elshar eyes turned very light blue.


    I startled. ¡°But, this is Ryee¡¯s ship! We should be Ryonne~¡¯s Team.¡±


    Ryee put his arm around me. ¡°Love, your prophecies brought us together. This is your team.¡±


    Vonn laughed loudly. ¡°Oh, I said you would replace me as Lead Scientist, did I? This is better!¡± His gray eyes opened wide. My Areonian supervisor now worked for Yeff Science Service, with two other friends I worked with, and my parents.


    Berto slapped his shoulder. ¡°Careful, Links, you are using Zheien customs. I expect to see twin fingers on you any day now!¡±


    He chuckled. ¡°Oh, I think I might turn Earthan. My brother Tan is studying the laws, and we plan to go trading today. I learned enough biology from Oesha to collect samples, and there are plants all around us that we can get.¡± It felt odd to see him in blue jeans and a medium blue jacket! He raked a hand through blond hair.


    ¡°When we lived in Stuttgart, I learned a lot from the flower farmers, how to grow cuttings. I gave quite a collection to Oesha, and Sia gave him herbs and some flowers I did not have.


    ¡°Tanda¡¯s husband Kol is very good at trading, and he learned how to get money. We have many items to sell that we fabbed.¡±


    A wave, and Kol wore trousers of a deep blue material and a blue shirt the lighter shade of trader robes. ¡°This is how we will dress to go shopping. But this,¡± he waved for a deep blue suit with a vest and coat, ¡°is for our trading. We will be very formal.¡±


    Tanda wore a deep blue dress to midcalf, which seemed odd for her. No lace. She giggled and hugged her husband¡¯s muscular arm. ¡°Ah, today I must not wear anklelength for that is considered ¡®evening wear¡¯. This is business dress.¡± Her white shirt had frills down the front and along the collar. Her short blond curls bounced at her ears with every movement.


    Gravity here is twice what we had at home on Areon. Light blue eyes looked through the transparent hull of our ship to the sidewalk beyond. Streetlight showed an empty sidewalk and little traffic. A full moon shone above us, and I squeezed my husband¡¯s hand. Felt his delight tingle on me.


    He stroked a blond curl out of her eye. ¡°You are beautiful, dear wife, and your suggestion that we trade diamonds is an excellent one! We had to fab many credentials so that they believe in a legal source. Soon we have much money to spend on our trading.¡± He wore a gray three-piece suit with pinstripes of deep blue. His tie was the same shade of deep blue. One hand smoothed his immaculate blond hair, darker than hers.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    M¡¯Naga, Ryee¡¯s colony master trader, bowed low and his gray eyes stayed on him. We returned it. ¡°O, my traders are also ready. Ao~ played operative and taught us all how to hide our twinfingered hands with our telepathy. Many of us have items we may sell to get currency.¡± He waved and had cobalt blue jeans and a redviolet T-shirt. ¡°I plan to visit many second hand stores in Little Five Points today.¡± M¡¯Naga, Ao~ and Be~saech came with us, Ryee¡¯s 3 dearest friends.


    I smiled. M¡¯Naga¡¯s cheeks were very orange in his excitement, which tingled on me. ¡°Please be careful, my friends. I ¡ª¡±


    Berto laughed. ¡°We have an army of operatives! Meritt brought many Areonians who secretly fought against the Rads with us. Most are scientists. His specialty is contact work, for planets like this one that do not know of other worlds¡¯ peoples.


    ¡°Today one of his teams will visit the SETI project. This group studies signals from space in hopes of finding a pattern. Our men will ¡®discover¡¯ one and show it to them. We will give them friendly messages and start a conversation. Earth has protocols for when they find someone to talk. Once they give us someone, Ry¡¯nao is waiting.¡±


    I shivered. Ryee sent warmth into my shoulders, and I fought the urge to cry into his! He will be beside me. My husband is brave and I need to learn it from him. He gave me words for my Team. I called them all into our largespace. Fivehundred men, women, and a few children including my siblings! Aronna ran to me and I hugged her. Stroked her long, blond hair.


    ¡°Friends, and my family, I am happy to be your team leader, and shall try to do my best. Please be careful. We do not know this world, and there will be many dangers for us. Our progs will help, but no diplomatic mission is safe, and we are to do contact work, the most dangerous kind. If you do not feel safe, port to our ship. I wish everyone to have safety, and enjoy the exploration. There are already beings here from other worlds.¡± I thought of many I saw in dreams, and my worries projected to everyone through my telepathy.


    But, many of our scientists and diplomats had solutions to some of them. They shared these with all. I could not tell them that my main mission was to somehow defeat Eriganh, Emperor of the Six and his Red Cube of Fire. Some of the Earthans I seek are vital for what comes after, if I am to defeat him. Doubts of my ability shook me!


    My team is very skilled. If anyone can succeed in this, all of us together, can. I spoke long of their accomplishments, and people in my Diplomatic Link shared much I did not know. People who can help me with skills beyond my own. Such a gift it is!


    With us were over 500 diplomats, traders, and scientists, and a very few of other occupations such as the lady who cares for my friend Derees¡¯ children when he will be helping to gather specimens.


    His son Puret is old enough to accompany him at 9 and already has skills for writing progs and interest in biology. My friend worked with me to discover new


    fuels, but knows much of organic chemistry as well, a shared interest with Vonn.


    Ry¡¯nao stood beside me and spoke briefly. ¡°We stand in the prov United States of America, state of Georgia, County of Fulton, on Elizabeth Street. You will notice sidewalks and larger walks made of asphalt or concrete, made for their vehicles, cars, buses, and trucks. Try to avoid walking on these.


    ¡°You will encounter places with no sidewalks and you must try to walk on the grass. Oesha wrote guides about the many insects and animals you might encounter, and ways to use your telepathy to warn them from you. It is winter here, so most insects are dormant, but this part of the United States, the Southeast, does not get very cold. Be sure you can see your feet, and feel for the minds of these animals, for safety. My diplomats are trained in this so if you have questions, ask of them. Most of your teams will include a diplomat for this reason.


    ¡°Most of the Earthans you will encounter will speak English, which you know as Areonian, or Spanish, and a very few are from other countries and speak different languages. Many of my diplomats studied all the languages of Earth and wish to practice, so some of you will visit other provs. A group of our Areonians wish to visit Stuttgart and will try to locate ancestors.¡± He smiled at a group including my parents and sister, Aronna, who eagerly nodded. Aunt Sia and my Elshar uncle Asha Lir was in it.


    ¡°Today¡¯s date is January 19, 2022. It is winter until March 20. Here is the weather forecast today for Atlanta. Rain is not expected, and temperatures are warmer than normal, but cold. All of you will need to add a sweater or jacket to your Earthan clothing so you blend in, even though your progs will warm you or cool you. Those of you traveling outside our immediate area will have a forecast and suggested clothing for you.


    ¡°Enjoy your time! We will have to work harder to conceal ourselves once Earthans discover us.¡± He dressed in Earthan clothing and joined a group going trading in Buckhead, a neighborhood in Atlanta. His bright red skin appeared brown, and his four-fingered hands became five-fingered. Those redviolet eyes now appeared brown also. They ported away with smiles.


    It is 4:05 am. Already, people are porting to convenience stores to buy things with found money that was dropped in public areas. At 9 am when banks open here, our team can open an account. Others are already porting to cities in other time zones, to open accounts and trade minerals progs gathered for currency.


    Tanda, one of my colleagues on Areon and her husband Kol have a diplomat with them, Aubus, and they are going to London, England, UK to open bank accounts, since it is 9:05 am there.


    Our Areonian delegation is porting to Stuttgart, Germany where it is 11:05 am, with Asha, who learned German and the Swabian or other Upper German dialects they may encounter while searching for ancestors.


    Ado Pragate, who once lead the Eicken Project and Areon¡¯s thousands of scientists, is going to a tiny village of Pragate in Italy where his ancestor came from, and with him are Maff, a diplomat who is Ryee¡¯s adopted A¡¯laf son, and Maia. One of Maff¡¯s many talents is languages. He hopes to figure out Pragate¡¯s dialect of Italian. Italy has many local languages. He learned many dialects of Italian and German last night. He held my sister¡¯s hand tenderly. She enjoys his new Zheien-like appearance, but Pirad¡¯s genetic mods on him will save his people. Last night, he volunteered to take them and Pas tells us he is healthy and will live a long life now! They hugged me before leaving.


    One set of our clones used Ryee¡¯s ship to go to King Lyyyrah on Esteerr! Ay plans to show him memories I saw of an Earthan, Liz, who stopped Zbbat from attacking Ye~. We lost two-thirds of our people in that attack. We hope to prevent it. My new sister will probably die, attempting this!


    Two other sets of our clones are going with Doug, our Elshar poet, to find his Jen, and with Ni¡¯olmai, an Elshar diplomat, to find his Suma. I clung to my husband¡¯s hand. Something will happen at Suma¡¯s mother¡¯s home, and I cannot see it. She is very important to our future, since she became a Councillor.

 Chapter 2 Aronna’s Octopus

    Ryee hid us with his telepathy so we also appeared brown-skinned. His orange eyes would pass for brown, and my blue ones, not very different from Earthan eyes. It felt odd to have brown skin. Areonians once persecuted anyone with brown hair and eyes like our friend Derees, so someone with brown skin as well¡ªbut my colony changed. I hoped no one had persecution now! Vonn and Derees said they were staying on Ye~ in our Areonian Colony, for fear that Areon is still unsafe. I hope Derees¡¯ wife comes back to him someday. His boys and infant girl need her.


    Two of Derees¡¯ sons came up to me. ¡°Oh, here is the brave lady who ended EDs on Areon! And discovered our fuel so we can travel! I am Puret Jons, Derees Jons¡¯ eldest son, and I am a trader!¡± He bowed at the waist.


    We bowed as Zheien do, one leg far behind. ¡°You have polite customs! You may call me Madame Rayaline.¡± I felt uncomfortable, to refer to myself so, but boys so young must use proper titles. I am only 18. I told Ryee I felt too young for this when I offered him my name. But he is 22, not 9 as this boy.


    ¡°Madame Rayaline, it is an honor to meet you!¡± He kissed my hand.


    His next brother bowed also and kissed my hand. ¡°I have not got a title, but I am Donn.¡±


    ¡°You have a title! Derees¡¯ Son! Ah, I am happy you can be young and play a little longer! My sister Aronna is near your age, at 7.¡±


    ¡°I am 7, but my birthday is 100 Oct¡ªoh, I am 8? Vater was working.¡± Tears came in his eyes.


    Derees picked him up. ¡°And, now we are on a mission! I promise to ask King Ryonne~ for a festival when we go home!¡±


    Ryee took him. ¡°I am happy to declare one here on our ship! Everyone, today we celebrate Donn¡¯s birthday, which was January 6 here, so 13 days past! We shall celebrate 3 days for him!¡±


    ¡°Three? Oh, thank you, King Ryonne~! Will you also declare it for my bruder Wisper, who came from Areon School 85 Oct? That was his 5<sup>th</sup> birthday, and I finally got to meet him!¡±


    Ryee raised his hands again. ¡°And we also celebrate Wisper Jons¡¯ 5<sup>th</sup> birthday, which was Wednesday, December 22, 2021!¡± The boy hid his face and clung to Derees. A shy one.


    All the Zheien aboard waved their arms. Many Areonians cheered!


    Aronna, my sister, ran over. Yanked at her long, blond hair. Curtsied to Ryee. ¡°King Ryonnie, may I also have a festival? All I want is a dahsee. My 7<sup>th</sup> birthday was¡ªwhen, Adia? It¡¯s January here, and Jan on Areon, and Yeff dates are confusing!¡±


    Ryee picked her up on his other arm. ¡°I am sorry our dates confuse. Your birthday is today, which is Jan 11, 222 on Areon, January 19, 2022 on Earth today, and it is also the first month of the Zhee calendar, Erisis, the 3<sup>rd</sup> week, Efas, and the first day of the week, Pu¡¯idah, and the 19<sup>th</sup> day in the Zhee year 7818 and Yeffyear 118.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t remember Yeff dates! We don¡¯t name our weeks like you do! I¡¯m only 7¨C8 now! Do 8 years have to learn all this stuff?¡± Her blue eyes filled.


    Before my poor husband could answer, my father ran to us. Took Aronna and set her on the floor. ¡°You most certainly have to learn it! I asked Huih to tutor you.¡±


    The shy Yeff came closer. ¡°Pardons, Joleon, but I ne know how to convert time without the server. Our children merely ask, and the server gives it. Diplomats can do this without, but they have a Sigan Mas education. I am yet with my tutor, Ao~.¡± He pulled at a dark curl.


    Papa frowned at him. ¡°But, you are on the Unified Science Service Of Ye~! And, Zheien are smarter than Areonians! Surely you can convert time!¡±


    Huih paled drastically! ¡°Joleon, I am only ScSv since 96 Oct. I study living things, ne time conversion!¡±


    ¡°Friends, please, ne argue. Huih, please sit with Pas. Joleon, I ne require my scientists to know all science.¡±


    My father got very red in his face! Bowed and stayed that way. ¡°I apologize. Should I ask a diplomat to tutor my daughter, then?¡±


    ¡°Please, rise and be comfortable! Joleon, our children study what they like. I wish your people to be free of fear in my colony.¡±


    ¡°She must study hard, if she will be in a career by 16. I only wish what is best for her. A father worries.¡± He frowned. Our traditions are difficult.


    Behind him, Pas hugged Huih, and wiped tear-powder from his face. I felt terrible!


    ¡°Do you know that Zheien children prepare for Sigan Mas beginning at 12? But ne all choose difficult occupations such as Diplomatics. Only those who choose to be diplomats or traders go there. Most do ne. Tutors feel a child must be free to choose according to interest. Ea, one going to Sigan Mas must study very hard. What are Aronna¡¯s interests?¡±Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    Papa thought a min, then shook his head. ¡°I never asked. We were always working, and when they put EDs in homes¡ªchildren are upset, when they want something. Discussion was impossible!¡±


    Derees took Donn with a hug. ¡°Joleon, we no longer have fears as we did! Pas told me not to let Puret trade any more. He said 9 is too young, that he hurt himself. I think we must consider education differently than at home.¡±


    ¡°It will not hurt Aronna to learn math.¡± He got his resolute look.


    ¡°No, but I think our children need time to be children, instead of forcing them to think of careers and be miniature adults!¡± He pulled Puret against him and the boy smiled and hugged him. ¡°Puret can think of many other careers now besides trading, because all our needs are provided. Look at D¡¯gmiash. He is now Yeff Poet! If he stayed on Elshar Mashai, he would be dead, for slavers nearly had him if not for Adia! Uh, Queen Adia.¡± He bowed.


    I put my hand on his shoulder. ¡°Dear friend, you do not have to bow to me! Scientists do not have to know protocols.¡±


    He smiled and relaxed.


    Papa nodded and picked Aronna up. ¡°Things are different. You may wait to begin your studies until we go home. Except for your remote classes in Sigan Mas.¡±


    Ryee startled. ¡°Sigan Mas? My kingdom will cover your expenses! Sa, what do you study there?¡±


    She giggled. ¡°I am learning about mine automation! Vatti bought me a mining sim. I like learning progs for it.¡±


    ¡°Then, would you enjoy learning from Be~saech? I think he has time to teach.¡± He looked towards a tapestry with men in orange tunics sitting around a table. Be~saech ran to us, saw our clothes, and bowed very low. ¡°Liege, you have need of me?¡±


    ¡°Dear friend, rise. Emperor Ry¡¯nao left!¡± A wave, and we now wore blue jeans and T-shirts with DS blue jackets. ¡°Do you have time to tutor young Aronna in progs?¡±


    He giggled. ¡°O, ea! Is long since I had a student to tutor! Did you have your dahsee yet?¡± A wave, and he gave her one on a redviolet platter. Waved up one for each of the children, even Wisper, who hid behind Derees, and several adults. Derees smiled a huge smile, watching his children enjoying them!


    Her blue eyes opened very wide! ¡°I thought I must wait until we went home for mine! Thank you!¡± She took the rare treat. Sighed. ¡°Maybe I will put mine in my alt storage. When it is gone, I will have to wait until my next birthday to taste one.¡±


    ¡°Aronna, our bakers know recipes from Areon now! They can make dahsee. Farmers of Areon brought cows, so they have ingredients for those and many other recipes including ice cream, for everyone in our kingdom!¡± Ryee giggled at the huge smile on her face. ¡°We brought many with us, for Areon gifted us a supply for our wedding festival.¡±


    ¡°Really? People said ice cream is good, but I never got to go to Kleideu, to taste any.¡±


    ¡°There is an ice cream shop in Virginia Highlands that has many flavors of it, and they will let you taste it.¡± I thought about Steve¡¯s, that was walking distance from here, in my memories of Earth. But they do not open until 9 am. It is only 4:20 am now.


    Papa smiled. ¡°Then, we should go visit it! Anything we buy there will go into the kitchen! People are planning to go to restaurants and get one of each menu item. We can go to this Steve¡¯s!¡±


    Mama smiled. Derees planned to go with them when they get back from Stuttgart. Vonn stood with the group.


    I worried that I did not see Ryee¡¯s brother. Or Fa or Mea.


    They sleep because Jo needs more sleep than we. So do Eavia, Joean and Hav, until they have enough healing. Ryee¡¯s sigh rumbled on me.


    ¡°When we return, they will learn to play Oa Pas with Fa!¡± I saw them on our commons enjoying this.


    Ryee giggled, but lost his smile when he saw himself in Pas¡¯ lap, watching.


    ¡°You will play again, and I will work on the Science Council.¡± I clearly watched as Ryee took the Reign again. We will not have to travel. Our clones can do this for us. My husband trained to be a healer with Pas. But Pas¡¯ clone who sleeps in the room next to us will have to sit by me as I work, to protect my feeble telepathy. I hugged Ryee and tried not to think! The enjoyment of the strength of this Zheien body and my telepathy now will be a difficult loss after my mission is over.


    Ryee¡¯s mind led me to think of more pleasant things. Earth was very pleasant except for Ryee¡¯s injury. We are healthy and can enjoy being here.


    ¡°I want to see an octopus! Where do they live, Adia?¡± Her blue eyes opened wide, like a Yeff¡¯s. Father smiled, which surprised me!


    I found some like the one I held at 7. ¡°Octopus vulgaris is what they are called. The most common species of octopus. But the one I held was a baby that fit in my palm. They can grow to be 25 cm with arms a meter long! People in Atlanta would say 10 inches and 3 and a third feet.¡± We opened a holo to watch them. These were off the coast of Tybee Island in Georgia.


    Pirad came out of his lab holding a grown one! Aronna saw him and ran across the ship to him. ¡°Oh, he is beautiful!¡±


    ¡°This is a female and she is pregnant. I grew her from an egg just now. Do you want her?¡±


    She looked at Papa. ¡°How will we care for her? How long will she live?¡±


    ¡°Habitats are easy, and I have progs to give her crabs with a puzzle to solve. In the wild on Earth they live only a year and a half, but I can reclone her annually and she will live as long as you.¡± He clicked his face into a smug expression.


    ¡°Can she live in our home on Ye~ in Bremen?¡±


    ¡°She can live anywhere. I wrote a containment to keep her cool and wet.¡± I looked closer and there was a film of water between her and Pirad. She had her arms around his arm and kept touching his head. He didn¡¯t try to stop her. Her skin was deep green like his, and smooth.


    Papa touched her and she grabbed his arm. Came over to him. ¡°Ja, we will keep her! Thank you, Pirad. How much trade should I give you?¡±


    ¡°I have as much trade as I need! When I made clones for you and recloned you, I did not ask for any, and I will not. You may have as many pets as you like.¡±


    We both wanted a cat, but Ryee was not sure if we would have time to give one affection while on this mission. He wanted to have plenty of time for the cat to get used to our home and us. I agreed. But it was tempting to ask for an octopus. I can share Aronna¡¯s. Derees¡¯ boys were fascinated with her! Shy Wisper came to touch her. ¡°Oh, she is cold!¡±


    I wanted to stay and enjoy being with children, but our server alerted us that Greg Wenh Cet was walking to a house in Molly¡¯s neighborhood. They all ported, anyway. We planned to try to meet him, a Ty¡¯nirrhan, and find out what he is doing on Earth. He appears Earthan and teaches chemistry at Georgia State University in Atlanta. But why is he walking? Most people have a car.

 Chapter 3 Molly

    Ryee and I ported to a street in Marietta, Cobb County, Georgia. This is northwest of our location in Atlanta, on Elizabeth Street. Large houses on this street, all in a row, surprised me. I grew up in a deciplex, what Earthans would call an apartment. These were two-story houses like Laura¡¯s.


    We found the location of Greg Wenh Cet, behind the house across the street. Ryee and I crossed it. The full moon above us in a black sky filled with stars took my attention. My husband smiled and pulled me against him.


    A noise behind me startled us. ¡°Oh, hi!¡± A young girl on shoes with wheels nearly hit Ryee! He caught her. Feared both would need Pas!


    ¡°Are you well?¡± His golden eyes opened past wide!


    Her green eyes looked up at my husband, a head taller than she. ¡°Depends on your definition of ¡®well¡¯. I hope I didn¡¯t bruise your arm. Have you got a fever?¡±


    ¡°O, I am well, thank you. My doctor tells me it is not an illness. Some people have higher temperatures than others.¡±


    She leaned forwards and Ryee held her up. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m not falling, I just have to lean so my stops on my skates keep me from rolling.¡± She whispered. ¡°I saw that light. You two just appeared in my neighborhood. Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t tell anybody. We should move over to the sidewalk in case a car comes.¡±


    We walked, and she skated to the side. Ryee smiled. ¡°You are ne afraid?¡± His orange eyes watched her.


    ¡°I¡¯ve always wanted to meet someone from another planet! Can I go with you? I¡¯m not very happy at home.¡± She sighed. When she looked at her skates, an expression of fear on her face startled me. The wheels were not round.


    ¡°How old are you, Child?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m 12. When I¡¯m 13 I might be able to convince a judge ¡ª but I don¡¯t want to go into foster care. My parents are going to all these parties all of a sudden. They leave me at home. Dad gets mad at me if I have any friends outside the neighborhood. Toni and Mark said they¡¯d try to adopt me, but they¡¯re scared I would get put in foster care anyway. Social workers can decide stuff, and nobody can do anything.¡± She pulled at a red ringlet. Her curls bounced as she shook her head.


    I realized that this was Molly Brown, who will start Rainbow Unwell Colony. ¡°Do you want to learn healing?¡±


    ¡°Healing? I want to be a doctor. Mom got the local high school to put me in an accelerated program, since I was taking college classes. I just started the FasTrack Program at Marietta High School last fall. It¡¯s a lot of work, but I don¡¯t mind. At 16 I¡¯ll have my high school diploma and a four-year college degree in pre-med.


    ¡°Because of the COVID epidemic, I¡¯m staying at home. But, Dad and Mom go to so many parties because he¡¯s into real estate now, they bring everything home. We all had Alpha, then Omicron. I won¡¯t have any intelligence left ¡ª¡±


    ¡°We can give you an aandat. You will get immunity and telepathy and be able to learn Zheien Healing.¡± I showed her, then had to slow my telepathy twice! ¡°We need permission from your parents.¡±


    She looked down and poked at grass by the sidewalk with her shoe. ¡°They¡¯ll never give me permission. Mom always bugs me to dress like she does, ¡®cause she¡¯s into fashion. But I guess if you gave me an aandat, I could make sure I never wear a tank top or short shorts and they wouldn¡¯t know.


    ¡°I want to dress like my friend Angel. I think she¡¯ll look like Sarah Brightman when she grows up, with that long, black hair and striking light blue eyes. You know, Sarah Brightman, who sang in Phantom of the Opera? ¡®Forget these wide-eyed fears,¡¯¡± she sang. ¡°I can¡¯t sing like her, but Angel can. She¡¯s been giving me singing lessons.¡±


    ¡°Many will enjoy your voice. Healers sing as they heal.¡± I took her hand and let her listen to my memories.


    She smiled. ¡°I still sound like a little kid singing. People think I¡¯m like, eight until they hear me yak. My parents will get home late tonight. I never know when. But, I could introduce you to Angel¡¯s parents. Mark and Toni are great people. Will ¡ª¡±


    She saw her future. I had to slow the memories several times. Pas sent healing into her with my Link. Quickly, I took her into my arms. Wept.


    But, Molly recovered and looked up. ¡°I still sound like a little kid singing. People think I¡¯m like, eight until they hear me yak, ¡®cause I¡¯m so short. My parents will get home late tonight. I never know when. But, I could introduce you to Angel¡¯s parents. Mark and Toni are great people. Will¡ª¡± She had strength, and Pas offered to teach her. She answered him using my telepathy! Such skill in a young one! Her green eyes opened wide as Yeff do when listening. She learns fast!You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    Ryee shook his head. ¡°By Alliance or Unified rules, we must have her parents¡¯ permission. Even though Earth is neither, we are bound by them.¡±


    ¡°My parents will never give permission! You saw all my memories, too, didn¡¯t you?¡± Tears came.


    I shook my head. ¡°I would not invade your privacy so!¡±


    ¡°But, I want you to see! That¡¯s not invasion of privacy because I¡¯m asking for help.¡±


    Ryee smiled. ¡°If I put my hands on your head, you may think of whatever you wish us to see, and I can share these memories. In this way we collect telepathic evidence for TS Inspectors, to keep our trade honest.¡± He showed her how this is done, and she agreed.


    I was not prepared for what I saw. Mom throws away my stuff, things she knows I want bad, to hurt me. Criticizes me constantly. Dad doesn''t try very hard to get her to stop. My best friend Angel keeps whatever she wants in her room, and her parents do not mind if she has stuff in other rooms. They display her school projects everywhere. My mom ruins them or they vanish. Her father did not interfere though he tried to convince her mother to stop. For comparison, she shared how her best friend Angel kept items in her room, and her parents did not mind if she had her items in other rooms in their home. They displayed her school projects prominently. Molly¡¯s mother ruined them or they vanished.


    Ryee ran progs to trace Molly¡¯s DNA and found all of her discarded items. Repaired and cleaned them. Put them in a terminal for her. She wept when she saw how much there was!


    Our lawyer friend ported to us. He offered his hand and she shook it. ¡°Hallo, I am Tan Links. I saw all your memories, and I have been studying Earthan laws of the United States, Georgia and and all counties of metro Atlanta. You still have a bank account from your summer job last summer with most of your earnings. You are in a very accelerated school program with college credits and high grades. Our problem is your young age. Georgia stipulates that a minor must be 16 to be emancipated.


    ¡°Your father worries that you will become pregnant, being around older boys. What if we used his fear to our advantage? You will marry Binneas. If they offered for you to live with them, that fear might sway them. Your parents might agree to your marriage, and we must ask a juvenile court judge to allow it. Then you will be an emancipated minor, with most rights of a US Citizen of legal age. Mississippi needs a form signed by a parent, in the presence of a notary.¡± He paused to let her think about that. Studied her, blue eyes wide. He and his brother Vonn look much alike, tall with wide shoulders.


    Molly paled. ¡°Oh, I dread what my father will say! If he saw me with Greg Wenh Cet, he would be accusing him of things. He teaches chemistry at GSU and helps me with my college chemistry homework. Lets me take his lab and do marathon sessions on teacher workdays. He comes to the Bruces often, they¡¯re right there, and I ask him things then.¡± With a bright smile, she pointed behind us. The front door opened. A lady walked to a black box on a post. Ryee kept us hidden. This is Deb¡¯s mother.


    ¡°But, I could get on with my life. That might work. Mom would never get over the shame of it and she might agree. Do you think Binneas would want to pose as my naughty ¡®boyfriend¡¯? Especially if he was rich. All Mom thinks about is the next expensive item she wants. Oh, my.¡± She smiled. Pulled at a red ringlet by her ear.


    ¡°Let us ask him.¡± Ryee touched Binneas¡¯ mind and he ported to us.


    He bowed to Molly. His appearance in a formal white suit pleased her much! When I shared the future with Molly, he heard it also. ¡°I shall be happy to pose as your ¡®naughty¡¯ boyfriend!¡±


    They both giggled. ¡°You¡¯re going to be my husband IRL! Now that I know Zheien don¡¯t get naughty, I¡¯ll let you be romantic.¡±


    His happiness tingled on us and we laughed harder! ¡°This pleases you that I am nae naughty, then?¡±


    ¡°Very much! I don¡¯t approve of what my parents do. They embarrass me by how they carry on in front of me! Love Angel¡¯s religion and the Zheien Religion is very much like it, because you have temples to get married forever!¡± She is different in this future than I remembered her! Religion did not interest her much in Rainbow.


    Binneas gracefully dropped to one knee. Took her right hand. ¡°Molly Bradford Brown, Student of Earth, I love you already! I, Binneas, Diplomat of Fhiah, wish to ask you to join with me in this Petition of Courtship, a time of hardship and delight, to test our love. By the Ancient Protocols of Fhiah and Zhea~, Will you agree to court me, Molly?¡±


    ¡°Yes! I, Molly Bradford Brown, Student of Earth, do wish to court you, Binneas, Diplomat of Fhiah, by the Ancient Protocols of Fhiah and Zhea~! I am very happy today, my love!¡± She looked away and blushed. Held his hand very lightly as Mia, a master healer, coached her in those memories.


    Binneas let go of her hand. Ryee steadied him. Molly lost her happy smile. ¡°Ben, you okay?¡±


    ¡°O, I am happiness! I am much more than okay!¡± His skin barely held orange! Ryee sent discreet healing. From my husband¡¯s memories, most marry in their 20s and faint during the Petition! Binneas is very strong, and he is only 15! Ryee¡¯s worry rumbled on me, but Molly was too excited to notice! She is also pale.


    She smiled a huge smile! ¡°I am, too! I never knew falling in love could be so much fun! Ben, love the jewelry! I¡¯ll think about Rainbow and us every time I see it!¡± All of the stones were circles in rainbow colors as most Zheien cities, seven-sided pyramids that sparkled around a central diamond. Beautiful!


    Across the street, Deb and Greg rushed to us.

 Chapter 4 Greg and Deborah

    fellayoung


    I can''t tell her that I married him at 16. Stay cool. college work high diplomatvery he¡¯s young diplomat, right?


    earned


    twelve She''s old-fashioned, Ben


    also abroad therebe Courtship.


    ¡°pick dresser bright


    ¡°too


    King Ryonne~, do you think King Theaspaura would allow us?


    I keep smelling licorice, that worries me.


    I speak with him. Ea, he will. He worries for your health, Binneas. Any king in Zheiea would allow it. But, I think Ry''nao wishes to avoid controversy during discussions in the UN about the Alliance Treaty. Molly, you are welcome to join us on our ship while we negotiate with your parents and Earth officials.


    ¡°themthemhousesfriendsphonemeI¡¯m very happy to live on your ship until Ben and I can marry.


    ¡°him graduate she workgood


    hire


    mindgrills modest look want modest


    ¡°wantsI


    ¡°lotreligionrightsStolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    ¡°gives off


    ¡°earrings


    first


    ¡°heirloomsI didn''t know. Wow. Her younger sister died at 15.


    ¡°Thosediamonds


    ¡°met


    Deb¡¯s mother and grandmother sing like that. Deb¡¯s parents and her parents are all people I¡¯d love to have in my family. Dad''s parents were loving people, like Deb¡¯s parents, not like Mom''s family. Poor thing, being raised by .


    ¡°parents


    ¡°


    ¡°


    ¡°mother


    died


    bis tia


    her I found this out long after I founded Rainbow.


    desert thirstparentsweeks40s


    slaverslaves


    died


    injured are mom


    ¡°frighten futuressorryrest


    love not


    do there


    cannotsafe dying


    ¡°Dyingtoo


    ¡°cure


    ¡°


    ¡°too


    stand


    ¡°funI''ll marry Ben and go to Rainbow! Not many stars in the city. There¡¯s Orion.


    We all nodded, and we ported. The whoosh startled Molly even though she was ready for it, and worried that Binneas¡¯ hand went even colder! She rubbed the back of his head and it was cold, too! Like we stepped into warm bath water, then a cool breeze blew on us. Binneas shivered, but as a healer, I knew it was high emotion, not failure of our comfort prog. Now we stood in Pirad¡¯s green lab, much as it was in Rainbow.

 Chapter 5 Ty’nirrhan Brothers

    We stepped into Pirad¡¯s green lab with green obsidian tables of cylinders in various colors and thin deep green beds at waist high. Through the clear wall was a crowd of people. Twin-fingered Zheien in a rainbow of colors of skin. Purple Thordes with hands like ours. Elshars¡ªmost look like us but their eyes lighten when they¡¯re happy and darken when they¡¯re not. Pirad has five-fingered hands, but he¡¯s got dark green skin and shoulders half the width of an average man. Molly¡¯s loud thoughts amused us. No fear. This lab looked bigger than the rest of the ship and had a high ceiling.


    ¡°


    ¡°


    Shelves in the wall held cylinders of various colors. I knew he kept memories of people who had great skills, to make clones of them.


    ¡°


    ¡°aandat


    cat


    therapy


    ¡°much


    ¡°herekilled


    Pas put a tiny white aandat on her and hummed. Then took her out into the big room, with a smile. All the Zheien and purple Thordes rushed to see her. Sylvania butted every hand that reached for that soft, white fur. She¡¯s in her element, now! And, I won¡¯t have to get those vaccinations or give the poor thing insulin shots any more. Her ears pricked in every direction! She¡¯s almost a year old, so still about half the size of a grown cat. I wished to hold her when we rest tonight.


    he


    I want


    am cold


    ¡°


    ¡°


    ¡°


    okaypale


    Pas brought an aandat for Briahh and he bared his ankles. His white pants were loose and had embroidery in white of a rocky landscape.


    I have to call Jesse, my GTA. Hope he¡¯s able to teach my classes today!¡±


    ¡°despite


    dangers


    ¡°


    ¡° but he will have labs on all the worldsThis narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    Every world?


    usslaverhere


    Ryee took their hands. ¡°I can provide colony space for Ry Pethe, or whichever name your colony wishes. We will protect all of your people!¡±


    ¡°


    marriedyou


    ¡°likemeCan we talk about it¡ªyour father¡¯s still asleep!¡± She paled when she recognized homes of Inman Park through the transparent hull of our ship. When she looked, the server let her see more.


    frequent


    ¡°hurting


    ¡°


    ¡°


    ¡°


    tradeexpensive


    ¡°gift


    They smiled and relaxed. Because they were not afraid, Deb and her mother also took aandats.


    ¡°


    askAt 5:30, Daddy¡¯s alarm¡¯ll go off. If we port now, we can be there when he wakes up.¡± Mrs. Bruce smiled and nodded.


    ¡°


    South


    ¡°


    Ryee sent diplomats to the other Ty¡¯nirrhans. A married couple bought an airline ticket to Scotland in Atlanta Airport. Ryee sent them because he felt Sika and her husband might have more comfort with a couple. My thoughtful husband!


    She hugged the teddy bear and cried. ¡°Grampa gave me this bear on my 5th birthday. He died a couple days later. Dad saw it and got teary. Mom got mad at him for crying and threw him in the garbage! I''m so happy to have him back! Grampa was Dad''s father and he was good to us. I think she was jealous because her dad was so mean to her. He broke her arm once for making a B in algebra. Maybe I ought to be nicer to my mom.¡± Molly waved everything into her alt storage. Smiled again.


    But she saw Cevit Ion, Seventh Galaxy minister and ran to him.


    ¡°talk


    ¡°


    ¡°merite


    this


    Eae oa ya oeo¡ª


    ¡°RyokayEmperorIn that other future he got hurt, when all the Yeff went to slavery!


    I shield our thoughts, Maiden. Let us go to a chamber. He took her into his chamber.


    Both of us shuddered at the thought of that¡ªso I giggled! ¡°Molly surprised our Minister much, did she?¡±


    Ryee laughed! ¡°Ea, she did! But Molly is very surprising to many. I am happy she is safe here.¡±


    Tan frowned. ¡°When she comes back, I shall take her to her parents. They deserve to be woken for this!¡±


    Vonn took his hand. ¡°Tan, you are shaking. Should you rest before you go?¡±


    He laughed. ¡°Will I ask sweet Justice to rest? Nein, I shall take her before she thinks to go to school.¡±


    ¡°Surely she will stay here!¡± I lost the merry mood.


    ¡°If she does not go, the school will call her parents and we would have much to explain.¡± He shook his head.


    Binneas smiled. ¡°Fa and I planned to go trading today. This is better! Their rules are easy. They have a student handbook for all Marietta City Schools.¡± He dressed in blue jeans and a sweatshirt with the school¡¯s name on it. A jacket that also had the logo.


    His parents Lineas and Keea stood by him. Frowned. ¡°Can you be ready for our speech at the United Nations at 3 pm?¡±


    ¡°Eae, Fa! I learned English this morning. Is much like Areonian, and I also learned German to help those traveling to Stuttgart. Ado Pragate asked me for help with Italian, so I also learned that, but Pragate, Italy speaks a dialect that is uncommon. Asha helped me find sources for that and Elshar Zheiea¡¯s Science Council helps him.¡±


    ¡°Our Science Council will also help!¡± My husband waved towards the orange tapestry that showed Oesha and many of our scientists, all in orange tunics. Unified Science Service does not require the purple ScSv uniform?


    Binneas smiled. ¡°Ah, they offered, but there are scientists who study interstellar linguistics on Elshar Zheiea, so they are better with Earthan languages. Already they learned most languages spoken on Earth.¡±


    Ryee smiled. ¡°Ea, I had many advisors in Sigan Mas from Elshar Zheiea when I took Interstellar Linguistics. They are very well!¡±


    Asha also stood with us. Bowed to me. ¡°Queen Adia, I wish to thank you on behalf of King Challet! Our people are saved from destruction because of your research!¡±


    I took his hand. ¡°Oh, I did not work alone. My friends¡¯ research helped me choose paths that brought my answer more quickly.¡± Vonn, Derees and Tanda were already walking the streets of Stuttgart with many others.


    But, Asha stared. Nerah, his healer, startled and came to him. Then, he also stared! My Gift is unpredictable, and they are seeing their futures! Pas also came, for we needed to go.

 Chapter 6 Suma

    Ryee let our clones who went with Ni¡¯olmai know we were ready to take their place and we ported to a yard in Northeast Georgia near Commerce. They came back to our ship in case Ry¡¯nao needed something.


    They were already in the house and Ni¡¯olmai called Ket to them! Suma¡¯s mother was on the couch and Ket scared Suma. In that instant, we took our clones¡¯ place outside. Ket has the Diplomatic Link so Ryee knew from it that Ket planned to port with the lady.


    Neal held out his hand. ¡°Please, Suma, come with me.¡±


    ¡°No! I have to go back to Atlanta!¡± She ran out to where we stood. Pulled that key out of the lock and ran for the car. Dropped her purse.


    ¡°Please, Suma! Wait! Pirad might heal your mother. She will not die.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s still an alcoholic, diabetic, and does drugs!¡± With her back to him, she trembled.


    ¡°We have a cure for addiction. Ket is giving it to her, now.¡± He had tears in his eyes.


    ¡°Are you the people SETI is talking to?¡± Suma turned around and saw that Ni¡¯olmai¡¯s eyes were black. Fear contorted her face! Too scared. He¡¯s not doing anything scary. They helped Mama. They cleaned the house! If he was going to hurt me, wouldn¡¯t he do it, already?


    The car¡¯s only 15 feet away. But, who would I tell?


    She fell but Ni¡¯olmai caught her. ¡°Are you ill? Should I bring a healer for you, Suma? Or, should I call you Miss Cliatt?¡±


    She hugged him. Got the blank stare of those who see futures.


    Ni¡¯olmai looked at us. ¡°What should I do?¡± He trembled.


    Ryee touched his shoulder and sent healing. ¡°My friend, she sees her future now.¡±


    Then he had the blank stare as well. We waited. Did I look like that, when I saw memories?


    Ea, Love, you did.


    I looked up at the moon and Ryee recited a poem from Persennon.


    Love¡¯s Garden


    A walk in the garden with my love


    And time stops, and beauty grows with her smiles


    The touch of our hands makes flowers quake


    But our laughter announces our well.


    One more walk in our garden¡¯s sand brief,


    Too brief, but memories are long now.


    As my ship takes me far, as my ship takes me far


    These memories sweet will color my


    Sleep, will color my sleep, ¡®til I land.


    Suma gave a half-scream, then looked at Ni¡¯olmai. That¡¯s him. But, blond curls, a large man. And, tri-toed feet but human hands. Huh? He¡¯s not thin, or sick. I got him out. I took him up the hill to Mom¡¯s house, today! Memories kept coming. My memories. How I felt. He was big and blond-curled like my big brother. And, I was 24. I¡¯m 24 now.


    That necklace appeared in his hand. The large blue stone on it glowed. And, a creature like an asymmetrical white walrus, in front of us!


    I wailed at it, a song in its language. him


    Suma ran! I feared she would hurt herself, but Ni¡¯olmai ran after her.


    Our conversation was not long, but I felt weak.


    Rentappenen I will not fight him alone


    Ryee pulled me against him and hummed.


    Suma and Ni¡¯olmai appeared next us.


    Ni¡¯olmai shook all over. She reached for him.


    ¡°Are you all right?¡± Her brown eyes, huge, studied him.


    ¡°I am all right. Scared. The Imwa are not of this level. He ¡ª saw all of my memories. I feared ¡ª Adia, he is still listening to me?¡± Tears fell from his eyes, which were black. ¡°Will he make me blind, or weak?¡± They did, in that other future! Suma trembled. It was today. Mama died. I stayed to make arrangements. Came down here and found Neal. Took him to the house. His father sent energy to his ship and we left, but Neal was very sick. Thin. They tried to heal him but didn¡¯t know what they were doing, that he should be symmetrical. Then they healed him but left him blind. He became a healer--


    ¡°No! I asked him not to change Ni¡¯olmai, and he agreed. They will listen because they are curious. They have hive minds like Zbbat or Esteerrians.¡± They do? Ryee hummed and I felt Pas¡¯ healing for all of us.


    She looked at the blue crystal on the necklace. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Gasped. When she spoke, it glowed in rhythm. Just like it did in those memories.


    ¡°I should have spoken before they sent it to you, Suma. Our genetics are connected now. Oh, I am sorry! If we do not stay near one another, both of us will die!¡± He went limp. Ryee held him up. Feared to send healing! He touched Ket¡¯s mind.


    Suma grabbed his arm. ¡°No, no, no! Neal! I wasn¡¯t close enough? How close do we have to be? I¡ªI¡¯ll go with you!¡± She pulled his arm closer. I saw a faint yellow glow.


    Slowly, his head lifted. ¡°You will?¡± His eyes turned very light.


    ¡°I will. I don¡¯t want to be alone! Where are we going?¡±


    He put weight over his feet. ¡°Show me your house, what you need to take.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re still shaking. Can you make it?¡±


    Neal chuckled. ¡°Oh, a diplomat can work.¡± He held out an arm, and she put her hand on it.


    ¡°A diplomat? I¡¯m just a school psychologist.¡±


    ¡°You will help a lot of people in Rainbow Unwell Colony. It will rescue many slaves and they will need you.¡± I smiled at her. Suma trembled also. Ryee moved to support Ni¡¯olmai, but both looked scared.


    ¡°What do they need with a school psychologist? I just test kids, and get very frustrated that the school doesn¡¯t give me much time to talk with ¡®em, except about schedules or changing classes, since I have students in 3 schools.¡± Suma shook her head, and her long, brown hair waved. Then she recognized us from these new memories. Brown eyes opened wide.


    ¡°You will have all the time you wish to speak with them, and you will be a great healer beside your husband.¡± I smiled as we ported to her mother¡¯s front doorstep. Small, with a door that didn¡¯t quite meet the threshold.


    There¡¯s light? Power¡¯s off. ¡°You¡¯ll have to be careful. There are rats.¡± Poor Suma shuddered.


    But Ni¡¯olmai ran hygiene on the house, with a white flash. ¡°I hear them. I can port them away.¡± He waved up progs to port them. All pests in the house, rats, mice, cockroaches, and even ants and wasps all ported. In January? It is cold! The door creaked open. He put a green cube in her hand.


    Suma looked in, trembling. Neal put an arm around her and she hugged it. ¡°A-Are you sure they¡¯re all gone?¡±


    He laughed. ¡°It is not hard! I moved the alives to our ship, in stasis. We may trade them and give the bal to you, Suma.¡±


    She shuddered. ¡°Who would want ¡ª¡± Suma paled.


    Neal touched her forehead and color came back to her face. ¡°Oh, thanks. But you should sit down. You¡¯re shaking harder.¡±


    ¡°I am all right.¡± He shivered.


    Ryee waved a hot blanket on him.


    ¡°My friend, I do not need ¡ª¡± He blinked, and his eyes turned lighter. ¡°Let us go in and pack.¡±


    Suma had a display up. ¡°I can do it now. Sweet! Now, what do I do? I¡¯m happy I don¡¯t have to go back in there!¡± Tiny holos of everything. I can keep all Daddy¡¯s stuff! I left the rest for Mama. But holos of all Daddy¡¯s things stayed. Later. I wonder if any of her¡¯s left, after Jesse. He got her addicted. He was just her drinking buddy until he got her on other things, then she was eager to marry him. Why? Her thoughts were loud.


    ¡°You have alt storage. Your things are accessible but do not have to have a place, a physical place.¡± Ni¡¯olmai showed her with his telepathy. Put a green cube in her hand.


    Suma rubbed his arm. Pulled the hot blanket over it. ¡°Do you feel like going to my apartment? I¡¯ll be fast. Then we can go to your place.¡±This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    Ni¡¯olmai laughed. ¡°Suma, I am ¡ª oh, I¡¯m rude! I¡¯m using your shortname but didn¡¯t give you mine! I am Ni¡¯olmai, but for you, dear, I am Ni. Or Neal. That sounds more Earthan. You may all call me Neal.¡± We ported and stood in a pink hall. The door said 314. And, it opened.


    ¡°It was unlocked?¡± Suma peered in.


    ¡°Habis maif! No, I unlocked it. I am very sorry, Suma! I did not mean ¡ª¡±


    She pulled him in and I tried not to smirk. ¡°Please, sit here. I¡¯m worried about you, and so is your friend.¡± Ryee helped him walk to her sofa, a soft blue one. He sank onto the arm of it.


    ¡°I¡¯m all ¡ª¡± His eyes closed.


    ¡°Neal?¡± Ryee felt his head. ¡°You need healing! Ket!¡±


    A man in white ported to us. ¡°What happened, Ryonne~? He should not be gray!¡±


    Suma moved, and Neal sweated!


    Ket pulled her to the sofa. Waved his hand between them. ¡°Habis maif, you are linked! Sit here, so I can help him! How could this happen, to an Elshar?¡±


    Ryee and I shared memories with him and he paled. His hands trembled as he spread them across Neal¡¯s forehead. He groaned. ¡°Do not try to speak. Rest, while I see you.¡±


    Suma worked on holos while she rubbed his arm. Everything but the sofa vanished. Tears kept coming. I¡¯ll have to leave Earth. Is that bad? I liked living on Ye~ with him until the slavers came.


    Finally, Ket smoothed his wavy blond hair. ¡°He must rest today. How shall I call you?¡±


    ¡°Suma. Is he okay?¡±


    Ket sighed. ¡°I do not know what to do for him. Imwa! Tomorrow I shall see him again. I wrote a prog for several herbs to treat injury ¡ª¡±


    ¡°He is hurt?¡± Suma cried.


    ¡°Esta, but I think I saw him in time to prevent permanent damage. Pirad can help him, if he will not scare you. Let us go to the ship.¡± Ket had blond hair with dark streaks at his temples. He waved.


    The green left us in a room with her furniture. ¡°Will this please you, Suma? I will put a bed for him, but you must share it, or he will fare worse.¡± A Zheien bed appeared against the opposite wall.


    Suma paled! Neal groaned. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s okay, Neal. You have to ¡ª¡±


    His eyes snapped open. ¡°Ket, you can¡¯t¡ª¡±


    Ket held his head. ¡°You are linked. She must touch you. I only saw Zheien in this situation! If she leaves you, both of you will die! You must marry, today.¡±


    He cried. ¡°I can¡¯t force a maiden ¡ª¡±


    ¡°See my memories? You are half Ishah, so maybe that is a factor.¡±


    He shuddered, and yellow sparkled on his arm. ¡°Imwa.¡±


    Ket touched the yellow and studied it. ¡°Sleep. If you keep waking, you will be too ill for me to save you!¡±


    ¡°Suma needs ¡ª¡±


    ¡°She needs you alive. I can¡¯t give any more herbs. Sleep now.¡± He slid his arms under Neal and made sure Suma came to the bed also. Ryee helped her get on the bed so she laid beside him on the leiwege. Then he bent it to hold his head up and his arms out. He sighed and relaxed.


    Suma tried to put her head very lightly on his arm. Ket pushed it down. ¡°Rest. You will not harm him. Does your head hurt?¡±


    ¡°I got a migraine. All those rats! There¡¯s mold.¡±


    Ket waved and an aandat appeared in a clear box, white gel that undulated. ¡°Did they explain aandats to you?"


    ¡°Adia showed me. I¡¯m ready.¡± I¡¯ll never have a cold or COVID again! Or need a bathroom! A living swimsuit.


    Another wave and the clear box vanished. The aandat flowed up Suma¡¯s ankle. Ket¡¯s eyes turned light. ¡°Good. It didn¡¯t move fast. You should get telepathy in one to three days. And this should help your headache.¡± He waved so she saw. An Elshar herb.


    Her body relaxed. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s better!¡±


    ¡°You can sleep. I¡¯ll be sleeping up here at your heads, in case either of you need me.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Ket. I won¡¯t be scared with you here.¡±


    He chuckled. ¡°That is what healers do. I am happy Ni found you. He is a lonely man, Suma. When you wake, I will be happy to help him marry you.¡± He tucked three leaves of yllis between Neal¡¯s lips and hummed. They slept, and Ket planned to give them first vek ea, then yllis. But that yellow glow brightened.


    Neal surprised Ket by sitting up. Looked at my husband. ¡°Could you try to separate us? Your telepathy is legendary!¡± His anguish came to me.


    Suma startled and pushed him against the leiwege! ¡°No! I don¡¯t want to be separated! I want to marry you, right now!¡±


    Neal giggled. Waved an Elshar Marriage Petition. The Elshar Heizghan version had flowery language. Some Areonian Elshars did that. ¡°Oh, just write your signature, like you would on any legal document.¡± He waved up a web site with beautiful wedding dresses.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t just any legal document! We¡¯re getting married!¡± Suma sighed. She¡¯d always dreamed of a big church wedding, but she didn¡¯t even have a church in Atlanta. This was her first job, with Atlanta Schools. Her car was an older model with high repair bills. We heard echoes of her thoughts, though she tried to control them. Without telepathy, it is impossible.


    Neal assured her he would work hard to pay them all, but Ryee showed him how to use the ship¡¯s credit card. Earthans in Rainbow always worried about their debt, so M¡¯Naga planned ways to make Earthan money, to pay any person¡¯s debt so they could leave Earth if needed.


    Ryee moved her car into her alt storage. Asked a diplomat to help Suma with her bills, so she could rest.


    But we dressed in our formals and Neal now wore a white version of his diplomat¡¯s uniform. ¡°I am sorry I could not arrange a church wedding¡ª¡±


    ¡°Who would we invite? All my friends¡ªmy fosters died of COVID so I just lived in the dorms at GSU. This is fine, Love.¡± Her eyes filled.


    Ryee touched her arm, but she flinched. ¡°We are your friends, Suma. You helped us much, in Rainbow. Molly is already on our ship, but she will leave for school soon.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t see how I could help anybody! I¡¯m an alien.¡± She rolled her eyes. Looked down.


    ¡°I do not see you as that.¡± Neal pulled her chin up. ¡°You are my beautiful wife. Sign, so you may rest. Later, we will speak to your landlord.¡±


    Our diplomat smiled. ¡°I sent them an email and a payment for the rest of your lease. They will be happy, for their waiting list is very long. I also paid all your utilities and paid off your car. Your school loan is paid in full. There are 144 boxes of dark European chocolates in your alt storage also.¡±


    Suma giggled. ¡°Wedding present? Neal, want one?¡± A wave, and she held a box. ¡°Wow! This must¡¯ve cost a mint!¡± Her happy smile vanished. Ket pushed his finger from a lumpy chocolate to a smoother one.


    Ryee caught her attention. ¡°Ne concern. We recycled garbage in Atlanta and told officials of our plan to use the funds. They approved.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised!¡± She shook her head. Took a chocolate. Her favorite brand.


    ¡°Atlanta is grateful we have solutions for the poor. They will meet today in their City Council to discuss this. But we are free to pay bills for anyone.¡± He smiled.


    ¡°Thank you! I feel guilty, with so many homeless people.¡± She looked down.


    ¡°See our efforts! Many diplomats wish to practice English. Here is a large homeless camp in Atlanta.¡±


    Suma stared into the holo. This area was a sea of tents. People stood in lines at tables. One served meals. Another gave clothing. A large mobile clinic accepted patients. Other tables had signs telling of programs to provide housing. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s wonderful! Can you help kids at my schools?¡±


    ¡°Give me their names, and I will send diplomats to them now.¡±


    She started to name them but records from her work computer came up. Diplomats ported to each family.


    Neal pulled her wrist to the holo, still up. ¡°Suma, dear, please marry me. I promise, when we go to Rainbow, we will have a church wedding.¡±


    love


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    marry


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    Nothing pleases me! I¡ªhe¡¯ll want a divorce! And, he¡ªbut I remembered all the times I cried and couldn¡¯t keep it from him. Neal loves me. He loved me there. He loves me now. Websites with beautiful wedding gowns. So expensive. Why waste so much money


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    e left.


    Ryee looked at me. ¡°Shall we share our wedding pastries? O, Moris An made a holo of Kate as he waited in a doughnut shop for her! She is about to leave her work.¡±


    To my shock, she was slim, not very overweight as she was! ¡°Well, hi, Adia! Want me to give out yer pastries?¡± If she agrees to recloning, he can make her so.


    We nodded and she went from person to person with the basket, but near Suma and Neal¡¯s room. I saw futures for several people as we ate pastries.


    Apparently, Neal and Suma woke, because she ran in there with a basket of Heizghan ones! A very realistic holo.


    Tan took Molly and Binneas with his parents and ported. Poor Molly! ¡°Ne concern, Tan will ne let her parents keep her.¡±


    I felt uneasy. An Elshar Zheien trader passed by me and I took his arm. He saw memories. Oh, this is Asha who married Ray! He startled and ported to find her.


    ¡°Berto¡¯s diplomats to Si Ka Ne Lai and her husband had success! They agreed to take a plane to Atlanta. They will stay with them. Is a long journey from Scotland!¡±


    But I saw them arriving safely this evening at 8:15 in Atlanta Airport. They will be on a ship to Alb. It is 11:10 am there now.

 Chapter 7 Ray Faces Satauuver

    Crying startled us. Asha waved for hygiene and a purple dress appeared on terrified Ray.


    ¡°Asha, your foot! Let me heal--¡±


    ¡°See my maiden!¡± Deep-voiced crying made Ray turn around.


    She studied Asha. Taller than her. Yellow skin, but pale. Twin-toed feet looked odd. His right foot was huge.


    Pas held out twin-fingered hands to her. Red-gold eyes filled with tears. ¡°Maiden, we wish ne to harm you. Please, let me offer healing to you. I fear Asha will ne let me touch him until I see you.¡±


    She looked from him to Asha. ¡°I¡¯m sorry! You saved me--¡± She rubbed her wrist and winced. It was misshapen!


    ¡°You had great fear! Pas, she is injured, please, heal her! Heden tried to take her!¡±


    Everyone around us gasped. I felt unwell!


    ¡°He is with Ih Esta.¡± Another man started to pick him up but his healer in white robes took him.


    Pas put an arm around her. Ray let him. ¡°Please, come to a bed.¡± He nodded to his right and one appeared. She hesitated. ¡°I plan ne decadence.¡± His mind filled us with images of healing children.


    She let him pick her up and put her on the bed. In a leiwege. He was careful not to touch her wrist, and it rested on an unseen support. He wore white robes with Tessite trim over his purple tunic and pants.


    Tears rolled out of her blue eyes and down her face. How long has it been since anyone touched me, except to try to take what I didn¡¯t want to give? This month-long nightmare of living in a tent--


    Her reflection in the curved hull showed her, mouth open, blue eyes huge, and light brown hair ragged on her shoulders. Thin. I used to be overweight. Ray shivered and he put a blanket on her.


    Asha¡¯s healer healed his swollen foot.


    She got the memory stare. I felt something and shuddered. Ryee held me. ¡°Should we rest, Love?¡±


    I shook my head. We both heard our TS Inspector for Earth, Andrisch. He is angry. Heden was not there when he went to his last location. The man on his ship is a clone of him.


    Asha pulled at Ray¡¯s hand as she looked at him again. Now, his eyes had that terrorized look in them, black marbles in white, as white as his skin, now.


    Ray gasped. ¡°Asha, I love you. We have to get married, right now! You waited too late and they almost couldn¡¯t save you!¡± Zheien have telepathy, and the stress of keeping his mind out of mine because he loves me, can kill him!


    Asha cried. ¡°I meant nae¡ªo, he wished to kill you and I lost reason! Does Eriganh know I took you here?¡± I tensed. He is watching!


    Cevit Ion ran to her¡ªyellow skin, light, straight hair, sash with sparkling pins across his chest, and redviolet one piece suit. ¡°Asha, nae think of him! Be calm, my son. Eae, he seeks her, but Pirad can hide us and so he does. Maiden, please listen to Ry¡¯nao. He is our Emperor.¡±


    And Ry¡¯nao ran to them. They seemed to vanish.


    My tension did not end. I trembled. My eyes went to that yard, Laura¡¯s yard. Someone is there.


    Asha, Diplomat Of Elshar Zheiea, ran to them and vanished. They must be friends. Asha is a very common name among Elshar Zheien, Ryee told me.


    Ray¡¯s Asha invited all of us to his Outer Circle. Cevit Ion touched the mind of his father, Cevit Soron, who is there in Elshar Zheiea. There, is before dawn but moons are out. Asha is Master Trader Of Elshar Zheiea, as M¡¯Naga is to our kingdom.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    Asha wore his cobalt blue trader¡¯s robes. Ray now wore a beautiful wedding dress, soft lace in white. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s pretty!¡±


    ¡°Watch more.¡± His hand trembled visibly as he held hers. A few clouds gathered on the right side of the moons. ¡°O, if it will only be clear enough¡ªah!¡±


    A tiny point of light traced a path of white across the two moons. A third moon. Asha knelt, with that wondrous sky as his backdrop. ¡°Raylene Elisa Green, Trader Of Earth. I, Asha, Master Trader of Elshar Zheien Colony, ask that you join with me in a Petition Of Marriage Without Courtship, in the manner of the ancient people of Zheiea, by the protocols of Zhea~ and Elshar Zheiea and Atlanta, Georgia. I promise to honor you with all my heart. I will give you all my patience. In return, I ask your love. How will you answer my plea for marriage?¡± He shook so violently, he nearly fell over.


    She watched him, unsmiling. ¡°Asha, Master Trader of Elshar Zheien Colony, I, Raylene Elisa Green, Trader of Earth, do wish to marry you! You honor me by this Petition. I promise to learn all I can of your customs and serve your people as I learn.¡± She gave a resolute nod, and I almost showed my mirth!


    Pas held him as he fainted.


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    Ah, a prize to bargain with. Ray, Trader Of Earth, I am Satauuver. If you value these people, you will trade with me. Eriganh is tired of your interference.


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    Zheien

 Chapter 8 King Wtensau

    He bowed with one leg far behind him. It was a split, and his forehead rested on the floor. ¡°My liege, I surrender my kingdom to you! I, I can feel your Link, and all of my diplomats agree! I beg, these plants my son grew, may I send them to Aryll? We are dying, all of us, without this!¡±


    The Black lady and Perretau came with her and they bowed. Ry¡¯nao held her shoulders so she couldn¡¯t bow low. ¡°Did you mean to give these plants to these people?¡±


    ¡°Yes! I want to save Aryll! They are like the Zheien! See how King Wtensau prayed for them, for all of them, to be forgiven for what they all did!¡± We all heard her memory, but Wtensau put his hands on her head, and so did Perretau. He spoke as he did in that memory.


    Wtensau spoke softly. Perretau looked surprised.


    "Father of All, I have not been able to pray, but now I wish my children to be married for eternity! My daughter is without the heavy sins we bear, though she feels guilt for the crimes of the man who dared touch her against her will!¡± In her future, this tragedy happened. Her memories showed to us, how she cried afterwards, and she was older.


    Her father startled, then frowned at her. Deep concern and anguish, not anger.


    ¡°I pray for Thy wisdom. Help me to lead my people into the light, when we craved the darkness for so long, too long! I feel many minds heavy with sorrows, and they ask of me, Father, of me, and I have no answers. All of us seek Thy wisdom, and I dare to ask for blessings. What answers shall I give my people, that a king can give? Kaling, my brother, you need to pray with us. A prophet cannot lead us without much prayer." He paused, and shuddered again. Hugged them both against his chest. Wept.


    We felt peace. At last, the healing Aryllans were promised, here it is! And we are witnesses! Fear of these Aryllans from others who saw them vanished.


    "Oh, I feel the love Thou hast for us! I feel it! Our innocent children, they are blameless, the ones who suffered while they watched others become the Adversary''s. All of us who turned from the Evil, we are Thy children, and Thou lovest us! Thou lovest us still.


    "Our Temple sealings are valid, if we keep the Covenants, if we pray, if we serve others, if we practice repentance! We must find comfort in Thy Word. We must gather and share Thy sweet Spirit. My people, we know what we must do, to be good. I ask that all of you, strive to be good, and repent. Try to do something to help the ones you hurt. Try to forgive yourselves.


    ¡°Then, pray for that loving Father to forgive you, and He shall. My people, we left evil, most of us. Release any slaves you might still have with you. Help them return to their families, their healers. Give them much trade, and ships that do not belong to us. Return all items not ours.


    ¡°We must not assume that all is lost and these things, this repentance does not matter! It does. We are not lost, my people. We are found. There is hope for us. Pray with me, for the blessings of Aryll we have because of Bess, an Earthan!


    "We thank Thee for Aryll, the scent that brings us life, the life Thou givest to save us! We thank Thee for Bess, and her children, that she gave without asking trade! She gave the Earthan magnolias that made the Aryll bloom again. All worlds of Aryll now enjoy the scent, and feel the strength. Healers report miracles to me. We thank Thee for all of these mighty blessings! Let us never, never forget to be grateful."


    He said a lot of things. I felt the gratitude, and the tears, and the guilt of their people, but most of all, their humble joy that in this prayer, they finally felt forgiveness! But the plants brought minds to him, to Kaling, and there were none who did not hear. They all agreed to release all of their slaves. Plants allow them to contact each other telepathically? Ryee thought about the pin dat shai, intelligent plants that made healer colonies, years from now. In Bess¡¯ future, she served on a DS Team with these Aryllans, the first to attend Sigan Mas after their cure. Memories came to me.


    Kaling, the Aryllan Prophet, touched minds, and heard the ones with the most guilt. He prayed for each one of these suffering people, and got revelation for each one. Others had blessings from their religious teachers. Children knelt in prayer with their parents, and some, like Earthan children, misbehaved.


    Tens of thousands of worlds of people! Ryee worried for King Wtensau. He is old! Contact with this many minds would kill a normal Aryllan. But, the Cube whispered to me, he is the Host Of The Blue. Ray will use the Blue first, then give it to him. Satauuver stole it from him. But, I must not think of this now.


    Queen Selafae directed members of their Council¡ªThe Nolo, same as Bess¡¯ last name¡ªto take the rest, and Wtensau reluctantly let her guide them. His head drooped.


    Ry¡¯nao helped him up. ¡°King Wtensau, you may keep your kingdom. I know that you will lead your people as you did before the accident.¡±


    Another girl appeared. Ry¡¯nao seemed surprised. ¡°Uh, you don¡¯t know me. I¡¯m Morgan.¡± Oh, I remember her! She needed a lot of sessions with me in Rainbow. Horribly abused and traumatized. Obsessed with the Hades Building. Molly was really worried about her. Suma¡¯s loud thoughts reached me!


    He took her hand. Startled. Brushed leaves off her arm. A homeless girl? ¡°Pas, please see her. Morgan, I do know you, I know of you. Have you something to add about the Aryllans?¡±If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    She cried. ¡°Llsam didn¡¯t do it! Not willingly. He, and Sela, and her parents, Toning and Semana, they were forced to create the plague by Ker¡¯rant¡¯hru, Prince Of Tch¡¯Zbbatr. He knew if he could corrupt anyone Aryllan, he could deal in higher level slaver herbs for Opseh Wenh Cet!¡±


    A yellow Zbbat appeared and drooped before Ry¡¯nao. Blue light hit him and a green slick spread. Perretau pulled her away from it. I lost sight! Ryee held me but even he trembled! The Blue Cube did this. Ray¡¯s shock came to me. She did not wish this! I felt the anger of the Blue Cube¡¯s Collective, and their happiness to have contact with King Wtensau.


    Another Zbbat appeared. Touched the green slime with a finger. These people had six large arms and six large legs, big around as maybe 6 meters! Everyone looked scared.


    Still another Zbbat took his six-tentacled hand. ¡°I am Mollysias. Learn from me, their language. I will not allow anyone to hurt themselves, just to talk to you.¡± She waved a tentacle and white light cleaned the floor.


    ¡°You are one to talk! I am King Tch¡¯lanterserah! I am powerful! You killed my son. But, today, we will all change. Now that Satauuver is gone, I will not bow to Rentappenen or Eriganh. We renounce slavery, and I am destroying all the slaver herbs from upper levels.¡± Diplomats reported Zbbat ships landing in many locations! At first, everyone on these worlds were afraid they came to take slaves. Instead, they had weapons and destroyed slaver herb fields, without harming any people working in them! Then they released slaves in great numbers.


    ¡°King Wtensau, we stole your plants from Aryllan worlds to enrich ours. I am willing to return what we took, what did not die.¡±


    Wtensau sweated like rain on the red-violet floor. ¡°We will free all of your slaves. Does Lyyyrah also agree?¡±


    He appeared in blue light. This alien was a meter wide and a meter tall. His two arms ended in round mouths. One spoke. Green skin like a frog¡¯s, and yellow frog eyes the size of two basketballs rose higher from his shoulders. ¡°Adia taught me that friendship is important. I want to be friends with all of you. Is Ryee here?¡± Ay and Ryee came with him, but he looked at my husband.


    He bowed to him, one leg far behind. ¡°I am here.¡± I worried for how pale he was! He and I nearly died there! But, I must last! He trembled as much as I!


    ¡°I want a treaty between Esteerr, Tch¡¯Zbbatr, and Aryll. All slaves must be returned to their home worlds. I will supply healers but I wish healers to teach them.¡± All his neon-yellow bulk quivered. As with Zbbat, diplomats reported Esteerrian ships that destroyed slaver herbs and released slaves.


    ¡°I taught them. Pirad can clone me and send my children.¡± Mollysias bowed and I could see her star-shaped mouth between the arms move. For her 4 meter diameter, she was graceful. ¡°I know healing for all the species Pirad knows, including Aryllans.¡± She reached a tentacle to King Wtensau and hummed. He stopped sweating and stood straighter. Another tentacle reached for Perretau and the others with him.


    Ryee gathered diplomats together and they wrote a treaty with Ry¡¯nao. Lyyyrah and Tch¡¯lanterserah added to it. Centuries before, all of Wtensau¡¯s sons vanished on Esteerr from their mission to discuss a treaty. Lyyyrah took power during their visit. He agreed to return them all.


    They appeared in blue light. Ray looked sick. Her husband took her to a room.


    Neal and Suma sang healing. They had yellow light around them!


    Wtensau tried to hold all five of them! There were Zheien with them. Suma and Ray saved them all and took away memories of torture and slaver herbs. They looked up.


    Suma and Neal held the Zheien and sang healing. The yellow light surrounded them, too. Perretau knew them. Binneas¡¯ uncle, aunt, and four brothers. These weren¡¯t the ones Binneas lost before Molly came to Rainbow. They were much older than he was!


    Selafae, Queen Of Aryll appeared in a holo. "Fine husband! Your words gave us great comfort! I will organize all our women for Nolo in every place, along with men of the Nolo, until all can meet in prayer often! We need Father of All most in this time of blessings, to help us feel that we are worthy to enjoy them! You are very wise, Tens."


    He cried loudly and pressed his hand against her cheek. "Sela, my Sela, Father of All gave those words, not me! I could never have wisdom, that He did not grant. Feel that joy that drips from our people?" Gently, he put their forearms together. Both dripped sweat, but that is their tears. "I feel peace, at last, and I feel the Aryll enough to help. Perr, I can help you more, now. Finally, the Gift is in my Sela again. We shall live to see home. Look, your Bess gains strength! She carries the name of Nolo, and I shall appoint her Healer to Nolo!"


    She shook her head. "Father, Nolo is a nickname¡ªa shortname, as the Zheien call it¡ª" No one ever called me by my last name until I joined Diplomatic Service, years from now.


    "What does that matter?" He laughed, a soft, gentle laugh more like a low purr. "Father of All brought you to my son, when he felt he would die soon, for lack of a wife! Now, he shall not die. Let me teach you to gain strength, in your telepathy, by taking strength from others!"


    "I don''t want to make people feel bad--"


    Again, that wise laugh. "If you take just a little, from those who have much, after rest, they will not miss it. Everyone contributes to my strength, because I am an old man, and travel is bad for me. Once, I could travel alone. Now, I have to take 20 men with me, and my poor wife can''t go with me much now. She is strong on Aryll and weak on even Abyll, where I gain health!"


    They discussed a new treaty and all those former slaves went to sleep. Lineas and Keea held the Zheien. Their relatives! Ryee arranged for a ship to take them all to Fhiah with healers. Ry¡¯nao sent Ryee and Ay to take them. My husband modified the treaty framework with Ry¡¯nao, Lyyyrah and Tch¡¯lanterserah, and all of them remembered a similar treaty far in our future, and the consequences of what they decided. This treaty had many different choices. Lyyyrah touched my mind often, expecting me to think in his language as Ay did, but I did not react as my sister. No Esteerrian came to me as in my other future, where I once knew some unexpectedly. My face burned and I felt very unwell.


    I had great fear with Zbbat and Esteerrians on the ship! Several ported in of each species. Mollysias taught every one. This was not like Herdyyyath, the Zbbat Molly taught to be gentle. She was like her clone, Siadiasly, who helped Suma, Molly and others heal people sometimes. This meeting made me wish to run!


    But my husband enjoyed it, despite growing mind pain. Normally, Yeff must eat taida to make their telepathy stronger to bear this contact, and he never had to meet with Esteerrians and Zbbat both in one meeting, nor so many! Even with Pirad¡¯s giving Ryee the telepathy of a Zbbat, he fatigued quickly. I feared for him. Lyyyrah never became very skilled with his telepathy, not even after learning Zheien healing.

 Chapter 9 Wally, Councillor Of Imwa

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    Ay, what an opportunity! We see the leaders of the two largest slaver nets, here on our ship!


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    buyhaveThis story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


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    She sang the Aryll Song. He sang harmony. Perretau added a bass line. The other Aryllans on the ship added complicated rounds to it. King Wtensau sang a ballad about the importance of flowers that made a descant in tenor. I felt calm. Peaceful. All the Zheien smiled, though many were unaware of what just happened. Their happiness tingled on us, not as intense as Zheien happiness, but pleasant. Ao~ and Huih came in with animals they collected, but they heard the singing and smiled. Tried to see where it came from, but could not!


    Biome media underneath the floor sprouted and flowers bloomed between the people lying on it! Flower scents smelled wonderful together. Pas gasped and touched a flower near him. His delight tingled on me! Many of these flowers were rare ones from Zhea~ that Ahstam grew for healing. Pas carefully harvested leaves and made cuttings to grow. Wtensau smiled and waved one of his diplomats to help Pas!


    King Wtensau showed us how this would be Bess¡¯ healing, all over Aryll. Children would learn her healing and spread it to all the loyal colonies, tens of thousands of them!


    Bess trembled after they raised plants all over Aryllan worlds.


    Pas stopped and ran to her. Looked over her points. Then, held her head against his chest. "King Wtensau, she is Earthan. Her body cannot withstand this strain! Gravity on Aryll is higher than Earth. Her mind nearly spilled."


    He hit the floor and wept! "She has a Gift, Healer, a Gift that can keep Aryll alive! Look what she did. My son wishes to marry her, today! She told him she wishes to help him keep the Aryll alive, our Aryll, the old Aryll." They stared at each other, and I noticed that the old king sweated puddles. So did Perretau, who took her hand as if he were poisonous.


    She held his hand against her cheek.


    Pas sighed, and it rumbled on me. "Child, you wish to marry Perretau?"


    "Yes. I love him. I love Aryll." She gave him a panicked look. "Can I last long enough to teach the children, Pas?"


    He shook his head. "I think you shall die on the journey, Daughter. Once you marry, you feel too much pain. An Aryllan, she survived and drew strength! Your strength is ne enough. Wtensau, did you ever reclone one?"


    Wtensau shuddered. "Satauuver did this, and because of his savage experiments, I had to agree by treaty that no Aryllan would ever reclone, in the other future. We could not have children during the plague. Our ages stayed our ages. I thought the loss of Deesamor was the end of Aryll also, and I blamed Ty''nirr, and I took nearly all of Ty''nirr as my slaves! Now, they are released, and went home. Aryll is nearly empty, Ahstam. Every colony lost many.¡± Ahstam? Pas appeared as him, so his healer¡¯s links brought the master healer of Zheiea.


    ¡°Our people were hunted, and I feel we are blamed for savagery done to us. We all carry the guilt of blood on us, because of the plague that the Wenh Cet planned. But, I did not take revenge. Opseh Wenh Cet was in my hands, and I let him return to Ctral, because my wife pled with me.¡± Behind him, Deb, Suma and Ray frowned.


    ¡°We are no longer savages. All I wish for my people, is that we live in peace, as your people live in peace. We have no tech to help an Earthan! I beg, will other Elders help us? Some Gifts cannot be Taken, and Perr gave his Bess a wondrous Gift." Wtensau held a hand on Bess¡¯ forehead, and she smiled.


    Pas shuddered. His voice whispered. "Some Earthans have Gifts that are too much, and die in them. I speak to Pirad, then I return to you." Gently, he put her in Perretau''s arms. "Marry your love, Perretau. You both may die in it, but if you ne, she dies, and I can ne save her. Try to share strength, while I see what we can do, to help. Preparation takes time, if my brothers agree, and she has ne time." He turned away weeping, and Mehrna helped him walk into a side room. Wally shook his head at Suma. Oh, no!


    Wtensau held their hands together. "My children, you are now married. I speak to all of Aryll¡ªmy son Perratau, Keeper Of The Aryll, marries Bess Of Earth, who has a great Gift. Their lives are in danger. Sing the songs of Aryll, to give them strength, and begin a great festival, to honor Bess, who grew Aryll, who gave seeds with love, and her children blossom before you! Because of her, we have Aryll.


    ¡°Now, we pray to Father of All that our repentance is enough, that we may keep it, and live in peace with our brethren, our sisters! I am willing to go to the United Nations of Earth, and I will sign our Treaty with Earth and the Earthan Colonies. We shall have live plants, but they need much love that they will grow in love in our homes!


    ¡°Sing of love, my people! Let all of us sing our love to Father of All for preserving us from the Plague, and for my blessed son, my only child to learn how to keep the Aryll."


    From the other side of the holo, people sang, and I listened to the harmonies. Such a huge change for the Alliance! Lyyyrah and Tch¡¯lanterserah swayed to the music.


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    We see the end of large-network slavery today! Now we wait while Alliance government considers the treaty with them. There will be much change today in the Alliance, and so with the Unified.

 Chapter 10 Opseh Wenh Cet

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    Bess¡¯ father asked for one room for all her family. But, their room was filled with plants! Perretau moved everyone to theirs. All the Aryllans looked exhausted.


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    ¡°


    ¡°undistractedconvince


    ¡°


    ¡°Who<sup></sup>destroyed<sup></sup>destroyed<sup></sup>chaos


    <sup></sup>


    ¡°abovemeobservingI


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    <sup></sup>


    I tried not to think about what I saw. Aryllans are now healed? Surprised diplomats are discovering they are free from Aryllan slavers. They are reporting this all over the Thirteen. Zbbat and Esteerrians are healing them and taking them to Alb in large numbers, to all of the Rainbow Colonies.


    People are randomly destroying fields of slaver herbs. Slavers land ships of slaves at healer colonies. The Elshar Council is debating slavery. People are keeping Ih Esta busy! Even here on Earth, on our ship, Earthans come and report slavers to Andrisch, and he is busier than ever in his career! But now he is in the room of Aryllans settling centuries of trade disputes with his people. And, I am rude to listen, but I cannot stop.