High Judge Nue’ant was wealthy, august, and set in tradition.

Their three storied mansion was capped with tile roofs, had a ten-acre garden and pathway, a swimming pool, and a strange observatory with star-painted walls and crystals imbedded within. Three dozen androgynous dull haired elves served throughout the mansion. At least, that’s how many Juliana counted. They shuffled here and there, focused on their work. As Nue’ant approached, they froze and bowed their heads, not even raising them to glance at Juliana as they passed.

Nue’ant insisted that the first thing Juliana did was to be measured for clothing.

They left her to the mansion’s tailor. It felt so embarrassing! Most of the outfits were low and showed her midriff or flowed to her thighs. She was used to her scarlet power suits and much more conservative clothing. Civilians in this country showed more skin than at the formal High Hall where she first saw the Red King. This was a change. She insisted that at the very least the length of her clothing be longer while the dull-haired tailor assured her that this was common clothing for spring or summer.

Juliana observed the tailor’s thin hands and wrists as they quickly worked on pinning material this way and that.

“I don’t want to sound rude—but what are you? Are you a man or a woman? I am new to this planet and haven’t learned the differences yet.”

They started, surprised. “I’m sorry, Mana Giver. But I am neither a man nor a woman.”

What a strange title. Maybe that’s the words they use for those from earth?

“Then are you male or female?”

They blushed. “As I said, I have no sex as you do.”

“I don’t understand. Is it common to be without sex?”

They backed away, “Mana Giver, I feel I am not the best to answer this question, this is rather personal. It is best you asked your sponsor.”

“I didn’t mean to offend. Fine, I will ask Nue’ant later.”

“High Judge” the tailor corrected.

Holding back a retort, Juliana repeated, “High Judge.”

The tailor looked relieved.

Her loaned white gauzy outfit flowed as she walked the halls looking for Nue’ant. It fit snug in the chest and the hips, but she would make it work. The staff gave her a snack of something like a savory pudding. It was herbal and different. They assured her that humans were not allergic to the local cuisine, so she had to trust the servants’ words.

Juliana stopped to ask one of the workers where Nue’ant was, but they stuttered and avoided eye contact. Okay, that was strange.

“Excuse me,” a blue haired elf with a long braid approached, “I hear you’re looking for the master?” She recognized him as the mansion’s steward.

“Yes, please.”

They approached a stone located outside a doorway, “Press your hand against the stone and flow your mana into it. Say his name and the house will answer which room Nue’ant is in.” They demonstrated. A clear hallow voice answered back. “West gardens.”

“See, now you try.”

“I do not know how to input mana.”

“You do not know—of course you don’t. I’ve forgotten. You haven’t attended classes yet. You’ll learn how to do so at the Training Center, and only after you’ve learned mana exchange. Come, I’ll lead you to the High Judge.”

They found the judge, as the gem said, in the garden. They were pruning swaying plants that reacted to their presence. The steward bowed and left.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

The plants had “mouths” that opened and closed. Nue’ant fed them water through the mouths. Then with a pair of scissors they cut the stems. The remaining plant withered and died.

“Sensitive things these are. Once they are full and nourished, it is best to harvest them. They make the best perfumes and medicines. These snapping trumpets earn a high wage on the market. One season’s harvest will pay for your sponsorship price three times over.”

“I guess you got a cheap deal.”

They stopped and looked deeply at Juliana. “Do not consider yourself less than because of the nature of your arrival and that foolish measurement. I predict you’ll do powerful and amazing things if you are given the chance. Your courage that day proved it to me.”

“You mean my temper.”

“In either case, you came here for a reason. What do you need?”

She didn’t know how to bring up the question about sexes so she started something with something simple, “Am I going to see you for dinner tonight?”

“Yes, we’ll eat together each evening. Once you’ve had enough classes at the Training Center, I’ll introduce you to a few of my allied clans. We will find a good one for you to call family.”

“But you cannot be my clan,” She squinted her eyes.

They raised their eyebrows, “While that would be lovely, I am older. See? I’m starting to have brown strands in my hair. Eventually, as I age, I will lose the ability to access this planet’s mana. The stronger your access, the brighter your hair and the longer your life. Our planet’s energy nourishes us. It would be an honor to have you as family, but you should have a good chance to match with someone you can see yourself harmonizing with. The responsibility of a sponsor is to give you the opportunity to have the best connections.”

“I see. I spoke with the tailor today. They said something very interesting. They said they have no sex. Is that common here? What about the rest of those who work in your household. They all have a similar look—I can’t tell what gender they are!”

“They have none.”

“None?”

“And nor do I.”

What? Juliana looked at them again. They had narrow hips. Their chests were flat. Their voice was medium in pitch. Their long face had some soft notes, their shoulders not as wide as a man’s. Their lithe androgynous body, like every Adasion Juliana met, could easily pass as a male elf in fantasy novels.

The magic they were using to translate dialects used the word “they” to describe every elf Juliana met so far. It also translated Adasion and elf as the same word. For it, both words meant “born of the Adasion planet”. The complex magic simply made her intent known.

She assumed the lack of biological sex was a translation error.

“I don’t understand. In my mind, Judge Nue’ant, you appear a little like men from my world. Some of the Adasions I’ve met have soft faces that remind me of women. It’s a bit of a shock for me, but I’ll get used to it.”

“That is fine. I hope you will understand and adjust to Adasion. Those of great power have stronger bodies to quickly flow large amounts of mana. Those with weaker access won’t have the abilities.”

“So that’s why those in the gallery at the High Hall didn’t want to be matched with a woman who measured too high. If she’s supposed to help them flow mana, it may be too much for them.” Juliana was starting to understand, “Flow of mana…what are Adasions hoping to do—to create with this flow? Wait—how do you even reproduce without the sexes?”

“The Training Center instructed us to allow them to explain first. Something about women being shocked with how alien we are to them.”

That was the most foreboding thing she’d heard since arriving planet-side.

Nue’ant and Juliana rode in a carriage pulled by ruddy beasts to the Training Center. Other Adasions arrived with their beneficiaries to the columned building. Its structure reminded Juliana of classical architecture, yet not. It had three stories, but it also had balconies and tall, frequent windows.

“I’m sending one of my servants with you. This is Jun'ep.” Jun’ep had rich brown hair with thick purple streaks. Their androgynous look was more pronounced than Nue’ant, “Jun’ep is Re class. They’ll be your protection. Their illusion magic will be enough to help you get out of a bind if you need it and their skill in hand to hand combat is of the highest order. They’ll accompany you to classes.”

Jun’ep bowed as they stepped from the carriage, “A pleasure, my lady. I am looking forwards to being your guard. It’s been a long time since the House of Nue’ant had a ward.”

A loud bickering came from their right.

“I am going to the Training Center and that’s final, Your Highness.”

“It’s only Hirote for you.” The Prince softened his voice for their partnered Sol, Sophia.

Her eyes flashed, “I don’t care who you are—I want the same start as everyone else.”

“But you’re privileged. I don’t see why you don’t come to the castle and have the finest tutors in the land.”

“I’m making friends. I won’t be isolated.”

Prince Hirote hung his head.

Sophia continued, “I’m sure the High Halls will think of something to tutor me.”

Hirote’s eyes brightened, then frowned, “Yes, the Training Center must be lacking something. But wait, that would mean we’d have less time together?”

Tossing her thick black hair behind her copper shoulder, she laughed, “Then you better find out what I really need to learn, Your Highness.” She strutted into the building, leaving behind Prince Hirote who stood flabbergasted. Realizing that they were being watched the prince snapped, “What are you looking at?”

Juliana’s group bowed, holding two fingers above their hearts, the Asa Dominion’s way.

With a flourish of their robes, the heir apparent left.