The Way Back (Champions of the Crystal Book 4)

Chapter 12: Promises Redeemed

Sabrina struggled out of a deep sleep to find sunlight streaming across her face and someone shaking her shoulder. She tried to roll away from both annoyances, but the shaking continued. "Sabrina, wake up! I haven't much time," a familiar voice said. "What's wrong? Are you ill?"

"Oh, for God's sake," Sabrina groaned, covering her face with her hands and wincing against the splitting headache that had just announced its presence. "Would it matter if I were?"

A silvery laugh answered her. "My poor Sabrina! Wake up. I have good news for you. Here." Small, strong hands removed Sabrina's own from her face, and a cool palm was laid on her forehead. The pain eased instantly.

"Thank you!" Sabrina said, focusing on Mara's quizzical smile.

"What is wrong?" Mara asked. "I hope you're not having a reaction to our altered biosphere. We've made so many repairs over the years since the Xoentrols left, but some of the interactions have been unexpected."

"The biosphere's fine," Sabrina yawned, sitting up. "The Prince's Reserve, on the other hand—"

"Ah," Mara said.

"I only had a glass! No, two. Or maybe..." Sabrina frowned. "Oh well. I won't make that mistake again anytime soon!" She looked around. "What time is it?"

"I'm not sure, but I must hurry," Mara said. "We are delivering the Telurians home today, and I am afraid I must be very much in evidence to reassure them that the danger is past. We do not want to offend them, or frighten them off."

"They used to be fearless enough," Sabrina said, as her brain started moving at its normal speed again. "What is it, Mara? Have you heard from Tirqwin?"

"Yes. Homeworld has agreed to undertake Scotty's treatment," Mara smiled. "It is all experimental, of course, but Tirqwin is hopeful."

"Thank God!" Sabrina breathed, falling back against her pillow and closing her eyes against a sudden onrush of tears. "Oh...I don't think I knew how worried I was."

"I know," Mara said. "I have been very anxious too. But at least now, progress is being made. Tirqwin has promised to send us regular updates, as often as he can. But no direct communication between Homeworld and Praxatillus is allowed, except in extreme emergencies, so it may be not as often as we'd like, I am afraid."

"But..." Sabrina frowned. "Why should he need to send reports? Won't you know?"

Mara turned a little away and shrugged. "It has always been one of the conditions under which Tirqwin is allowed to go home that he must shut down our link while he is in Homeworld space."

"Oh, Mara. I'm sorry," Sabrina said. Then she took a deep breath. "What's the price, Mara? What did they demand for saving Scotty's life?"

"It's nothing that concerns you, Sabrina," Mara assured her. "Lady Chavadanafra intervened on our behalf, and this is being treated as a scientific matter, not a political one."

"But there must still have been a price, even a scientific one," Sabrina insisted. "I know them. They don't do favors. What is it?"

Mara sighed. "It's why I'm in a hurry, Sabrina. I've been here for nearly an hour already, talking to Niavar and Imari. It wasn't easy to convince them, though I must say Niavar was less difficult than I expected."

"Is this about his ship?"

"No, though there will be trouble over that when the time comes. Which must be soon. Niavar must confess to his father, and to Homeworld, when he goes."

"Ford's going to Homeworld?" Sabrina exclaimed, sitting straight up in bed and staring at her friend in horror. "Mara, no! They'll never let him go!"