Now Cevit Ion moved his huge, twin-fingered hands to Farley’s head. He’s also yellow-skinned. “Farleikon, my son, look on me. Nae this upset. Take of bis tia.” Five tiny green leaves floated near Farley’s mouth.
He saw them and inhaled. “Ej-is. Min-ister.”
“My son, I bring your fa. Be calm. Nae think to bow. You saw memories from Queen Adia?” His father’s still alive!
“El-la.”
“Eae. Nae open so to me. This is nae your report, but thank you for showing me this. We shall withdraw trade from Ronsara, now that I know of their council’s evil. I will nae lose any more of my brave ones there. You did excellent work.
“My son, your team is released from DS. You shall have Decision again, in your home. Did you know all of Esta Faho is safe on Elshar Zheiea, a new world for our peoples? Mines now orbit on a moon with automation for them. People shall nae have poisons in winds, or in foods. Even now, King Nitomahan’s traders, all of them, found markets for all the mineral your people can nae use, but these are valued by many species. His trade bal rises and all are fed. You need nae worry for work now, my son. Fhiah gave many diplomats to Esta Faho, that all of you may rest.”
“I nae rest! Must pro-tect m-my El-la.”
“We can protect all of you. Ella, please tell my son of your well.”
I startled. “I’m all right! Farley, I feel fine, honest.”
“Show him your feet, that he believes.”
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
I ran hygiene and waved my socks off. That old healer lifted me so I could put my feet in his hands.
He wept. “O, she is harmed!”
“Farleikon, I am Pas, and I know healing for Earthans. Their feet are ne like ours. Know you an Elshar’s foot, or a Thordes’? They are same.” He had red-gold eyes, like Konomai’s, but orange skin. They won’t change shades.
“Are they?” He felt my feet. Kissed them. “They nae pain you, Ella?” He sobbed.
“No, they don’t hurt at all. I’m tired, but I walked a lot, and I ran some, for exercise. I couldn’t run if I had foot problems, could I?” Well, my surgeon warned me not to run, but I don’t do that much running. I need to lose weight.
“O, Ella, let me die if you have harms!”
“She will nae, my son. Will you recite your Petition to her? Here is your fa, to help you.”
“Fa died, on--”
“I shall nae send him! Konaris, take your bae. He nae listens--”
“Ejis faea naea! I listen, Minister, a diplomat must--”
“My son, you are very unwell! Rest with your fa. Is nae time for work.”
Konaris took him. Another large man, like Farley, but he dripped sweat, and both of them were smaller than Farley’s memories. Oh, it scared me! Zheien shouldn’t sweat at all!
Pas lifted both of them and put them on that bed by Ley and Patamir, on a leiwege. Bent the mattress to hold him comfortably. “Dear bae, I help you marry your Ella. Be happy. Think only of this--”
“Fa, I failed as diplomat! I let my Ella be harmed, because I offended--”
“Elshar slavers can nae be pleased! I saw all and find nae fault with your treaty plan. Think nae. Ella is well. Pas, see her, that my bae knows you are well, please?” Poor Konaris wept, too. Held Farley’s head against his chest so he saw me.