Jal’s communicator beeped and it responded with a touch. “Jal? Where are you?”

“I’m in Kilfront, Haybuti.”

“I need you here at the Foundation office.”

“We’re in the middle of a meeting, Jan.”

“Step out! I need to talk with you.”

Jal excused himself and went into Luk’s sleeping room. “What is it?”

“Director Watene is asking to see you.”

“I’m tied up here for another hour or so. Can I contact her via the communicator or the visual communication system?”

“I think you should be here, Jal. Face to face.”

“What’s this about, Jan?”

“The expedition.”

“Tell me more.”

“She’s refusing to allow me a sabbatical.”

Jal sighed. “I’ll finish up here, then come there.”

“Change your clothes first, Jal. Put on your burgundy uniform.”

“Why?”

“You need to impress her, Jal. Formality trumps a lot of things with her. So does a quick response.”

“Formality?” Jal was doubtful. “I’ll handle it, Jan.”

***

Jal rose from the stool in front of the mirror in the bathroom. It had come home smelly and dirty from camping and working with Luk. Jal finished carefully braiding the long hairs on the sides of its head. It closed its eyes and concentrated, then looked in the mirror. There was now a wide strip of yellow curls down the center of the top of its head. Jal had been working on controlling the color. It knew the yellow would give the appearance that it was knowledgeable and had good judgement.

Jal gathered some books and tablets into the lavender spotted case that Sage Elvan had presented to it on the completion of its primary education. It was made from the highly prized skin of a pernow, a wild feline that lived on Nobela. Very few people carried these cases; Jal had only seen Sage Elvan and Director Watene carrying them. It was clear to Jal that Sage Elvan believed Jal would become a diplomat of some sort.

Jal transported to the Peace Foundation and strolled through the hallway. “I understand that the Director has asked to see me.” Jal said to Tin Yazar, her assistant.

Tin looked at Jal puzzled. “I don’t think so. But she is available for a few minutes.” She pushed the intercom button. “Jal Jomari is here to see you.”

“Send him in.”

“Thank you for making time to see me, Director.”

“You’re welcome. Please have a seat. What can I do for you, Jal?”

“Would you share with me the conversation you had with Sage Elvan about a sabbatical?”

“That’s between the sage and myself.”

Jal sighed. “Has Sage Elvan filled out a request?”

“Yes. I don’t know that this is any of your business.”

“It is my business,” Jal said firmly. “I’ve been granted permission by Luminary Yagyasan to do some scientific research. Sage Elvan applied and was accepted as a participant on the project.”

“What type of scientific research requires a diplomat?”

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“A wide variety of international researchers will be in attendance.”

“I’m sure they will be able to function quite well without him.”

“It is a privilege and honor to be selected for this activity. Sage Elvan is well-known and respected for drawing out the skills and personalities of those around it. This will reflect well on the Peace Foundation.”

“Sage Elvan is a valuable staff member here. I can’t just give him an entire year without pay.”

“Director, the Peace Foundation has a sabbatical policy that was formulated decades ago. It was put in place so that staff members could seek alternate ways to enhance their skill sets.”

“We can’t afford to have him take a whole year off.”

Jal leaned forward. “Are you saying that the Foundation is having financial difficulties?”

“Of course not!” she snapped. “Sage Elvan has been able to keep the people in the contested area of Shifos in some semblance of quiet. If he were to be gone for an entire year, the whole area would break into an all-out war.”

“You are saying that the only person who can manage the leaders there is Sage Elvan. I thought there were dozens of skilled negotiators here.” Jal shifted the pernow case in its lap.

“He’s the only one who gets along well with those in the contested area.”

“Director, forgive me, but I think you mean that Sage Elvan is the one who does the best job? There are other negotiators who have worked with those leaders.”

“They trust Sage Elvan.”

“They also trust Master Negotiator Victor ben Nacri. Guardian Wangu Makena and Guardian Assel Ibraey also have a lot of training. They may not be masters like Sage Elvan and Master Victor are, but they have years of experience.”

“But the leaders in that area ask for Sage Elvan every time!”

“Yes, they do.” The yellow hairs on Jal’s head slowly uncurled and stood up. “And Sage Elvan responds to your requests consistently. It’s very loyal to the Peace Foundation, Director.” Jal listed off several of Sage Elvan’s successful negotiations. “Sage Elvan’s hard work should be recognized and rewarded; don’t you agree?”

“Yes.”

“A year of sabbatical would be a perfect way to recognize all the work it’s done.”

“It would be,” she smiled. “You’re a very wise metamorph, Jal. Thank you for reminding me that others are training to be master negotiators.” She turned on an electronic pad and flicked her stylus on the screen. A moment later, she signed a document. “Would you please inform the sage that his sabbatical has been approved?”

***

Ladi Woer, a female Maz, scrambled up the side of the mountain, dropped a pack, and turned to the person behind her. “Zalim, we’re about half-way up. Do you still want to stop and look closer at the cloud pattern you had noticed?”

“Yes.” The meteorologist stepped onto the ledge and looked east. “That’s the typical cloud formation for this time of the day. That,” he pointed west, “Is very intriguing.” It looked to Ladi like a stack of clouds and she said so. “Those colors are very unusual. The sienna red color can’t be attributed to the angle of the sun or moisture in the air. There must be something unusual in the atmosphere over there. Perhaps there’s an odd geologic formation.”

He pulled a pair of binoculars out of his backpack and studied the reddish-brown shapes. “The cloud shapes are changing, but the colors aren’t.” He slid a pair of colored filters over the lenses. “I’m very curious, and I know that we aren’t probably going to find out what that is today. I wonder if it’s a fumarole?”

“What’s that?”

“It’s a hole where gasses and vapors are vented.”

“Like a geyser?”

“Sort of. I might ask for a special scan tomorrow after we return home. It might be helpful to know if there are others on the route west.”

The two continued on the climb and joined the rest of the group a short time later. As Sali and the other instructors made their way through the participants, Zalim found Luk talking with Jal. They were discussing the terrain and tent placement. It had been dry during the four days of outdoor living and skills training, but the clouds looked threatening. Jal turned to Zalim and with a grin asked whether he was predicting where rain might fall during the night. “I’d like a dry spot, please.”

“Right! I’m pretty sure that we’re above those clouds here. I didn’t mean to cut into your conversation.”

“You’re not. Is there something on your mind?”

“Yes. Luk, I wondered if you’ve noticed places through the mountains where you’ve seen other clouds like those.” Zalim pointed to the unusual, pillared formations.

“There are several places in the valleys to the south where those can be seen. I’ve never gone to see what they are. I’ve heard that they smell like sulfur,” Luk answered.

“Aha! Another clue as to what they are,” he said. “I’ve seen fumaroles in other places, just not that color. I’m guessing there’s a mixture of gasses there. Likely toxic, so don’t go there. The best way to investigate would be with a probe. Thanks for the information, Luk.”

“Wait, Zalim.” Jal stopped him. “How likely is it that there are more of these things through the center of the continent? Would they show up as brown clouds like that? Or another color?”

“They’re most often found in old volcanoes. Most planets have vents of different types. In this case, they leak gases. You’ve heard of the geysers of Malboaa? Those are different types of vents. They’re underground pockets that fill with water. Magma heats the water and it shoots up through holes making fountains. Quite fascinating.” He noticed the concern on Jal’s face and realized that Jal was worried about similar formations and the risks of walking into them unaware. “Don’t worry, Jal. These are things that I’m constantly watching for. I’d let you know right away if I thought it would endanger the people here.”

“Thanks, Zalim.” Jal watched as the weatherman helped Andi Bandro with her tent. “This is interesting, and we haven’t even started on the expedition!” Jal thought to itself. “Two more months and four more campouts.”