“What’s taking Jal so long, Tarryn?” Sage Elvan said impatiently.

“I’ll ask.” She knocked on the door to the sleeping room Jal had been using. There was no answer. She opened the door slowly. The bed was made and the room was tidy. “It’s not here, Jan. That’s so odd. If Jal goes somewhere, it usually leaves a note.”

She looked around the sitting room and then the kitchenette. “Jan! There’s a note next to the juice. Let’s go eat. Jal’s been down there waiting for us.”

They found Jal in the restaurant eating breakfast and visiting with Eiske.

“Sage Elvan! It’s very good to see you.” Eiske’s smile grew as he stood up.

“I told him he could stay with us, Jan. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Where exactly is he going to sleep, Jal?”

“In the other bed in my room.”

“I hope you can sleep through loud noises,” Tarryn grinned at the doctor.

“Let’s not get into this argument again. Stafriez do not snore. This is one reason we have the extra breathing holes,” Jan reminded her. Eiske grinned at this comment. It wasn’t true, but he wasn’t about to get caught in someone else’s argument. “How long will you be in the city, Doctor?”

“I expect I’ll be around for a few days. I thought I’d meet up with a few friends and maybe spend some time with Jal. It offered to show me around the garden at the Peace Foundation.”

“Jan, would it be improper protocol for Eiske to be with the group for today?”

“It’s unusual, but I think it would be fine. I’m sure you know that what you hear today is not to be discussed with any news reporters?”

“Of course. I’ve been following the news reports about how the trade agreement negotiations with the Nobelans are progressing. It all sounds very positive.”

When the discussions resumed that morning, Jal took careful notes. After a presentation the facilitators created smaller groups of participants. The groups and participants mixed and shifted from table to table with the various facilitators.

“Do you see what I’m talking about, Eiske?” Jal whispered.

“I do,” he murmured.

“Do you think you can do this?”

“I will give it my best shot, Jal. Introduce us during the next break.”

“That will be at the noon meal.”

“If I can be seated next to her, it would be helpful.”

Nela looked around the room as she entered it. Arrangements for the meal had been made, and she nodded when she saw Jal. As people moved from the presentation area to the dining room, Nela moved several of the name tags on the tables. Dignitary Tripathee saw what Nela was doing and came to the table. “What are you doing?” she demanded.

“I’m trying to make the meal more comfortable for you. I’m seating you with people you are familiar with, for the most part. You know that I do this occasionally. This will be less stressful for a while.”

“Thank you, Nela.” She stood looking at the name tags at the table.

“Who is Dr. Eiske Bonnema? This is someone that I haven’t met.”

“He’s Jal’s uncle. I thought you might like conversation other than the negotiations.”

“You are a genius, Nela. This is a very draining process.”

Jal and Eiske made their way around the tables to their seats. “Dignitary Tripathee, Nela, this is my uncle, Dr. Eiske Bonnema. Uncle, this is Dignitary Bikram Tripathee and her aide, Nela.”

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“It is a great pleasure to meet both of you.” The doctor’s gentle voice was a definite contrast to the noise of the other diplomats talking and the jangle of eating utensils across dishes. “The events that are occurring here will a be part of Zuphreon’s history that will affect many people. It is a privilege to be allowed to witness it.”

“You aren’t at all part of the process?” the dignitary asked him.

“No, I’m in the city visiting various friends.”

Victor ben Nacri and Tuni Focel joined them just as the servers brought drinks and menus to the table. Tuni was forced to take the last open seat between Jan and Victor, who proceeded to talk over her head.

At the same time, Jal explained to Eiske that the Dignitary had brought more plants for the Foundation Garden and told him what types of plants they were. Conversation was casual, and Jal’s gut burned as it drew the elderly stateswoman into conversation by asking what were her favorite things about Nobela. She spoke about her children and grandchildren and her home in the countryside.

Before long, Eiske and the Dignitary were in a conversation comparing the areas around each of their homes. Occasionally, she would sigh, and she would look over the rest of the gathering. Midway through the meal, she and Nela got up to use the facilities. Jal and Eiske whispered for several minutes before Sage Elvan reminded Jal that it was being rude.

“I’m sorry, Master. If we could just have one more minute, please?” It nodded.

Their whispering stopped when the pair returned to the table. Eiske watched as the color drained from Jal’s face, as if it were in great pain. Jal excused itself and walked slowly to a side door and into the hall.

“Is something wrong with Jal, Eiske?”

“It seems so, Sage Elvan.”

“Perhaps the food isn’t sitting well? It is very rich. Would you check up on it? If Jal needs me, let me know.” Eiske nodded and went off in search of Jal.

He found Jal standing at the far side of a large open area. “How do you feel?”

“I feel fine. Her condition is worsening rapidly.”

“Are you absolutely certain about this?”

“I am.”

“Very well. I’ll be back shortly.”

When Eiske returned, Sage Elvan, Dignitary Tripathee, and Nela were with him. As they entered the room, Jal suddenly bent over holding its stomach. “What’s this about, Jal?” Jan demanded.

“Dignitary Tripathee is very ill.”

“It looks to me like you are very ill, Jal,” she responded.

“When we first met, and you were agitated, I sensed that you were not healthy, that something was not right. When the distance between us increases, I slowly feel better.”

Eiske didn’t hesitate. “Some Stafriez are sensitives,” he explained. “At times, they pick up on how others are thinking or feeling. At other points they may have premonitions and a sense of the future. It is said that others have the ability to heal others in ways that cannot be explained. I believe Jal is a sensitive, Dignitary. May I?” He reached for the woman’s hand.

“Certainly.”

The doctor turned her arm over. “How long have you had these bruises?”

“They’re not bruises. I’ve not injured myself.”

“But this isn’t your normal coloring, is it?”

“N-no.”

He looked at her other arm. “These marks are more recent. Are you aware that the whites of your eyes are yellow?”

“Yes, Nela and I talked about this last night.”

“Would you share with me the places that you’ve visited here on Zuphreon?”

“Nela, do you have your tablet with you?”

The doctor studied the itinerary. “Have you been to the hot baths here in the city?” She shook her head. “How about the beach?” Again, her answer was no.

“You went to the zoological garden,” he observed. “Dignitary Tripathee, I think you should go to a doctor this afternoon.” She looked at him, shocked. “I have several friends who have offices here in the city. I could accompany you and introduce you to them,” he offered.

“Today’s sessions are scheduled to go into the evening. I’m expected to make a presentation.”

“It’s all prepared,” Nela pointed out. “Another team member can present, and they all can answer questions.”

“I’ll present it,” Sage Elvan offered. “You need to take care of yourself.”

***

“The Nobelan delegation is gathering for transport to their ship, Jal. We need to attend the formal departure ceremony.”

Jal stopped typing and followed Sage Elvan to the large foyer.

“It was a great pleasure to work with you again, Bikram! I’m so glad we were able to come to agreement on what we’ll present to each of our world governments.”

“Thank you for all your work, Jan. I appreciate all your efforts.” She looked around. “Where is your aide?” Sage Elvan spotted Jal saying goodbye to the younger members of the delegation. It tapped its private communicator and spoke into it. Jal stepped out of the crowd and rejoined Sage Elvan.

“I was hoping I would see you before I left, Jal,” Dignitary Tripathy raised her voice so everyone could hear. “I didn’t realize how ill I was when Dr. Bonnema suggested that I see Dr. Gonezhuk. The tests that were done revealed that a microscopic parasite had entered my body and affected my internal organs.” The room had become very quiet. “The scientists found the parasite was on the grounds of the zoological park. When I took off my shoes, I dislodged some of it onto the floor of my suite, and then walked through it with bare feet.”

“I’m very grateful that you realized that I was ill and didn’t hesitate to speak to Nela about it. Please accept this as a token of my gratitude and friendship. It is the Necklace of Triddata. When rubbed, the cubes grant the wearer speed, telepathy, and the power of suggestion.” She lifted the chain high, and Jal lowered its head so she could put it around its neck. “Thank you for saving my life.”

“You’re welcome. I’m glad everything turned out so positively.”