He kissed his wife’s forehead, got off the bed and bowed deeply with one leg behind him. His legs shook. “My liege, should we discuss having one council member for all artisans? Oparnen forced the Artisan Council to split between him and Micansen. I think Micansen well for all traders, Elshar or Zheien, and I wish to represent all of our artisans. Liege, Saponer is very unwell in these changes, and worries how she will work! If I represent all traders, she is well to assist me, and suggested this.”
Fa hugged him. “Eae, I think this very well. Ask of our people, and if they agree, I have nae objection. But, rest and take healing. Wish you both to join our people in Rainbow? Now that this issue is settled, perhaps the rest of our council sees you and they will also go. Galar, I know you are eager to see to our people. Pas stays with our Becky, and we are well to help Hathan care for Nathan.” Hathan waved his diplomat’s uniform into a soft brown tunic to his ankles. Nathan’s became that also.
Another man ran in. “Ejis nae, is Nathan unwell, Fa?”
Yelena gasped. “Are you Nathan’s brother, Hanet?”
“Eae! I only just arrived from Areon. Fa, I brought many things Rahn Estar wished, and left them with Tupor. Are any of our traders well to send them, or should I—”
“Ba, did you bring foods? Our children cry so with their hunger!” Nathan sobbed again.
“Ba, we have plenty of foods, from all the worlds of Alb!”
“Alb, in the First?”
His brother went gray. They looked a lot alike. His brother’s curls were lighter.
Galarsmen sighed and sat with him. They got the memory-sharing stare. Poor Yelena’s lips trembled.
I put my hand on her shoulder. “It’s all right. The stuff wears off. He’ll remember you.”
“W-what if he d-doesn’t? That m-master healer said they used it too often! It does brain damage! He a-already had too much, and that m-maniac gave him m-more!”
Pas put her on his lap. “Lady Yelena, ea, he can do damage, but I listened as Galarpah saw him. He is unharmed. There will be ne damage, because he gave him healing. Ashapat spoke of continued use, because many individuals carried it with them and used it more oft than even healers did, and saw ne healer. You must understand, we took this harmful herb from everyone—”
“Then h-how did that sorry person get it? T-they complained in Rainbow progs don’t work!”
“O, we have stronger progs here. I can ne answer how he defeated them, but saw you Peh Ras? He is server instructor for all of Elshar Zheiea, and very clever. Is difficult when a council member does harm, for they have permissions that we have ne. But, all of Esta Faho’s council is now well. You have fears we ne, for Earth’s government has many who let greed control them. In a Zheien government, a corrupt one can ne stay in power long, for his telepathy betrays him.
“Lady, you must calm, for your health. May I offer you a mild herb to help you?”
Yelena took a deep breath. “I’ll just calm down. Everything’s so different here!”
“It is, but a lot of things are better! We have all the food we can eat, and you got all your stuff, right?”
She nodded. I hadn’t even thought about mine. Kind of scared to look, but a mental display came up and everything was there. It’d be awful if I reassured people about their stuff and then maybe I didn’t have everything!
“But, there’s no trees here.” Poor Yelena. There weren’t trees in Rainbow, and I felt like I’d die if I couldn’t see one! I missed Piedmont Park. But if I agree, we’ll both be crying.
“There are plenty of flowers.” I saw ‘em outside through the wall.
Yelena also looked.
Tom smiled. “Would you like a replica of the Atlanta Beltline? Many diplomats of Elshar Zheiea have trees and seeds. There are enough that all 24 Earthan Colonies can have one, and if you have a favorite park, Yelena, we can add one.”
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“I couldn’t ask—”
“Feel nae that is too expensive! We already hold the plants.”
“Your people need trade, Your Majesty.” She looked at her hands in her lap.
“Others wish for trees. Can you but miss the tree-lined streets of Atlanta? Many dogwoods to bloom, and wisteria, and spreading oak trees? I enjoyed them when I walked near Georgia State University. They planted many sustainable plants.” He smiled. “I heard many wishing for spring.” My handsome husband. I could look at those golden curls forever! He’s not as thin as I remember him, in Rainbow, and that makes me happy.
“Can we have them? My father wanted to go to their plant sales, but never got time.” And he’s probably wondering why I haven’t called him! That fear went through me. They died when slavers came to Earth. He insulted an Elshar in his office. Next I knew, an Elshar took over Dad’s logistics business, and I got a notice that they died in an aviation accident. A portal brought their plane down while Dad was training an employee. All three died. Litigation took the business, and I lost the house Dad gave me and theirs. Went to Merit Colony. Don’t think!
Tom put an arm around me. “We have plants from them. Eae! I sent a diplomat of Fhiah to your parents. They are thinking of emigrating here. Many of their relatives also wish to come, and we run protections. Fear nae, Becky. We put the Beltline in the middle of the Earthan colony, eae?”
“That would be wonderful!” I cheered up. And plants like we had on campus?
“Who speaks?” Nathan groaned.
His father took Yelena’s hand and held his against it. “Here is your wife, Nathan. I love my new sae. Will you let him keep your hand?”
“If it won’t scare him.” The ends of that straight mop, with waves in the dull copper, quivered.
“Ejis! My mind reaches—”
“Let him reach!” Pas held his head. “You can injure yourself—”
“I wish nae to dishonor a maiden! O, let me die!”
Yelena pulled him into her arms. “I love you, Nathan! I don’t want you to die, novas!”
I smirked. There was a sitcom called Danger Service that I loved, and every other word was, “Novas! What’s that?” Or “That’s terrible! Novas!” They had an episode where they were on a planet and a nova lit up the sky, then a 2nd one, and that’s where they got the expression from.
And she noticed. “Oh, did I do that?” When she burst out laughing, I did, too! None of the other Zheien got it, but Tom did. Nathan laughed a bit, then put both hands on the back of his head.
“Oh, I need to be quieter. Pas, can’t he have something for that headache?”
Galarpah shook his head. “We can nae give any herb—”
“Not even chocolate ice cream with caramel? I saw it in the menus.”
Pas smiled. “Brother, do you know of it? Ea, let us give him some. I think he will ne be frightened of a pleasant food. Most of Esta Faho fear herbs, for mixed ones react unpredictably, but I ne noticed trouble with this remedy.”
“You know more than I, Pas. Eae. Yelena, will you give?’
“He’s scared of me!”
Nathan pulled her hand against his cheek. “Pas brings our mind close—o, Yelena, I forgot you!” He sobbed. “Pas, I can nae keep my pain from her—”
“I don’t care!” Yelena sobbed. “Is he dying? He’s gray!”
And he was lying in a puddle of sparkly yellow. But Pas didn’t seem that upset.
“Eat of this pleasant food. He brings sleep near, and pain ends with sleep. Will you eat?” He waved up a dish of one scoop of chocolate ice cream with caramel and whipped cream. Held it so Yelena could get some on the spoon.
Nathan watched. “Eae, I wish to try. You enjoy this ice cream, Yelena?”
She smiled and fed it to him.
“O, is cold! Such a pleasant food! And pain is less, far less!” His eyes went lighter blue.
“Eat more.”
He took another bite and giggled. “Eae yeo, Love!”
His father smiled, too, and Nitomahan, Galarsmen, and the Elshar and his lady, too. When Nathan finished, he fiddled with their leiwege and held Yelena. “Should we walk?”
His healer frowned. “Must you push well into unwell? Sleep. You may walk later. If you are nae moist.” Gently, he pushed his head against Yelena’s shoulder.
“I’m just grateful you still remember me.” Her brown eyes watched him as if he’d die if she looked away.
“How could I forget you, Love? I—” He frowned. “What happened?”
And, they explained again, but he fell asleep before they got far.
But Pas insisted that we all go to Rainbow.
Nitomahan sighed. “We will go.” He waved, and we ported to a bed. His eyes stayed dark blue.