My 16 year old sister ran over. “Mama, I’m going with y’all! Margarite’s going, and the family she cares for is going, too, Sis!”

“Oh, I’m glad—”

Mama stared at my sister. Frowned. “How old are you?”

“I’m Priscilla, and I’m 16, Mama. I can live with Bedelia and Keiley—”

Mama sobbed. “You don’t want to live with us?”

“I don’t mind living with you! Don’t cry, Mama!” Silla hugged her. Mama clung to her!

Wulai held onto my husband’s arm and I realized he sent healing into him.

“Let’s find a place to sit, Mama. How long before the ship takes off?”

“How many daughters do I have now?” She sobbed. “I don’t want to lose any of you!”

Three others came close. They didn’t look anything like me. “We wanted to talk with you, but you were busy wrapping up the boutique. You can name us and we can be younger, if you want.” The other two nodded. One had blue eyes and blond hair, one was green-eyed with bright red hair, and the last had brown eyes and brown hair like Mama and Daddy.

She pulled ‘em all close. “I was so worried about my figure and my stupid business, and I missed watching you grow up! Margarite was right! I missed it all! Atherton spread rumors about everything, where I sourced my fashions, how much I paid people who worked for me designing, what happened in my factories, all lies! I’m so happy to get away from that.”

Daddy led us all to where Elsie sat. She didn’t look comfortable.

Wulai put Keiley in a leiwege. Other healers put Elsie in one before she could refuse, and Mama and Daddy, too. My sisters giggled.

Wulai went over healers’ progs and meds for narcolepsy. My healer’s record already had it set up for me. Wow. Daddy made some different choices. Apparently he learned Zheien healing in the other future, and how to write these progs, too. So they saw their futures? That’s why Mama’s so upset?

Like Becky, I went home to check on them and found Daddy dead. Mama was drunk. I gave her vek ea to wake her up, but she died in my arms. That’s when I went to Atlanta Police. Her autopsy said she was an addict. Someone got her with Elshar herbs. So much blood on my hands. How’ll I ever make it up to everyone?

Keiley pulled me close. Love, may we discuss, here? He made his Outer Circle look like Elshar Zheiea. Children ran and played, and a festival was going on. A circle of seven-sided buildings surrounded us.

I hugged him. If it won’t give you mind pain. We’d call it a headache.

I feel well enough, Love. Your mind must be free.

We walked around, and my mind clung to him even harder than my arms, back on the ship. I’m scared, Love.

I am also, but we are an honest people. Every mission, I felt would be my last.

That startled me! We never talked about his work. They tortured him if he did, and used herbs on him to make sure he felt a beating every time he thought of work. You were scared? Were you working on an important treaty?

Nae, Love. Disputes. Diplomats who do this work are many, so persecution is common for all of us.

That’s horrible! I knew Elshars hate Zheien, but didn’t realize it was that bad on every planet. Will they be after us at home?

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Nae. Elshars in my home fear other Elshars, so progs run for all, to prevent harms. We shall have safety. Keiley shivered. It’s not cold.

I hugged him. But, you’re scared.

Look up.

Above us, it was past sunset. The sky was red and getting dark. A moon rose, about the size of our moon. Past it was the Milky Way! I didn’t expect to see that here!

Our skies were empty. He showed me how it looked. They had 4 stars! Here, I counted 22. In his home, no Milky Way. There was a faint, gray nebula low in the sky. Hard to see, even for Zheien eyes.

So, what’s scaring you so bad? Are there bad Elshars here?

Nae. Newness will be difficult for us. Home had many dangers. Poisonings. Elshar slavers who came in the night for our children! All of us who served our king as diplomats, we had to watch on our respites.

I couldn’t imagine danger like that! We worried about break-ins, but burglars usually don’t kill anyone or take hostages. So, you expect that to happen despite the progs?

He nodded. I think many of us will yet listen for danger. Our sleep will be unwell.

Is there anything I can do to help, Love?

Pray for our people.

Wulai popped in. My son, you overuse your telepathy.

Will mine hurt him when it comes in? I looked down.

Nae! Jos’ telepathy is strong. You nae have worries as you had in Rainbow. Fear nae, you nae harmed him even there. I was well to protect him.

Did I hurt Tom? I mean, First Prince Antomias!

Nae! His heart was very weak. Slavers harmed him, nae you. Jos, you must rest.

We looked towards the happy crowd, but as people walked from the commons to rings of houses, healers pointed towards another circle of buildings. People didn’t look happy.

What’s going on?

Last night, many had unwell in their homes. Tonight, healers bring all to Rainbow.

That doesn’t look like Rainbow!

Wulai laughed, and we were back on the ship. “Rainbow looks like other Zheien cities with sevens. Every world of Alb has a Rainbow Unwell Colony now. Molly sent clones of herself to all. Millie is ours. She will govern Earth Elshar Zheiea.” This ship was orange.

Tom sat there and reached for Keiley’s head. “Is Jos unwell, Wu?”

Wulai startled. “How shall I call you?”

“My ba shall be Antomias, but he stays to conduct our business. Call me Tom, Wu. I am 3rd Prince. Tom is with his Becky, and she must sleep. I came in case one’s telepathy wakes. May I touch you, Bedelia? I think yours is active!”

I nodded. “Thank you, Tom. I am happy to let you see me. I don’t—do not wish my telepathy to harm anyone.”

“Nae these fears. I think you learn well of me. Ah, she is active and you already use fine control. Follow me.” We ran through a garden, and Keiley ran with us. We all giggled! Then, the view zoomed out to space and he told us about all 25 worlds of Alb. We ported between them and ended up on Elshar Zheiea. That festival was still going on. We zoomed down, but Keiley pulled me against him and gave the top of the portal a twist. Our feet rested gently in the sand, and I relaxed.

“O, such joy to take a portal without pains!” Keiley laughed, and I enjoyed the deep sound of it. A tenor laugh.

“I worry for you, my friend. Sleep longer.”

“But, I wish to wake and enjoy our travel, for I travel nae more. Cevit Ion released me.” His sorrow rumbled on us.

“As he did Tom, Farley, Nathan and all of us! But, all of us have bae like me to help in the Reign. So you will have Decision?”

“I fear I shall have to begin as a child, and I am unwell for it! What shall I do, if nae diplomatic work?”

Tom hugged him and an older man came running. Everyone bowed! I let go of Tom and tried.

Like a shot, he grabbed my shoulders. “Lady, nae bow! I wish nae to harm herself in our pleasant customs. I am Nitomahan, King Of Esta Faho, and we are only a small people of 400.”

“Four-hundred?” I laughed, then my face burned.

“In Rainbow, how many were we?” The king paled, and his red-gold eyes went black.

“Three-hundred.” Tears jumped out of my eyes before I could blink. Great, I’m embarrassing--

“And, where was I, and what became of my people?”

The anguish in the poor man’s face got me. I sobbed. “Tom said you died. I am not sure what happened to the rest. No one talked about it.”

“My liege, Tom was unable to speak of it. Slavers tortured him and put terminals in him. Rainbow removed them but even after, healers could nae reverse his training, which killed him. Becky tried to save him, and Bedelia could nae help, for the sight of old friends brought Becky excitement that was too much for Tom to bear. He felt such guilt, that Becky and he had to stay far from everyone, and o, Becky suffered without her friends! I am far happy that we may dwell in safety!

“Pirad’s healing is well for us, Fa. Bedelia has skills to help you in your Reign. I wish to appoint Jos to our council to help our Earthans and Elshars adjust, and Bedelia’s skills will help all. Feel how strong she is, in her telepathy!” Me?

The king smiled. “Ah, Lady Bedelia, so she is! Would this please you, to help my fine Council?”

“Yes! What do you need me to do?” Oh, I smiled! Important work!