Becky's Gift

Tears and... Trees

He kissed his wife's forehead, got off the bed and bowed deeply with one leg behind him. His legs shook. "My liege, should we discuss having one council member for all artisans? Oparnen forced the Artisan Council to split between him and Micansen. I think Micansen well for all traders, Elshar or Zheien, and I wish to represent all our artisans. Liege, Saponer is very unwell in these changes, and worries how she will work! If I represent all traders, she is well to assist me, and suggested this."

Fa hugged him. "Eae, I think this very well. Ask of our people, and if they agree, I have nae objection. But rest and take healing. Wish you both to join our people in Rainbow? Now that this issue is settled, perhaps the rest of our council sees you and they will also go. Galar, I know you are eager to see to our people. Pas stays with our Becky, and we are well to help Hathan care for Nathan." Hathan waved his diplomat's uniform into a soft brown tunic to his ankles. Nathan's became that.

Another man ran in. "Ejis nae, is Nathan unwell, Fa?"

Yelena gasped. "Are you Nathan's brother, Hanet?"

"Eae! I only just arrived from Areon. Fa, I brought many things Rahn Estar wished, and left them with Tupor. Are any of our traders well to send them, or should I—"

"Ba, did you bring foods? Our children cry so with their hunger!" Nathan sobbed again.

"Ba, we have plenty of foods, from all the worlds of Alb!"

"Alb, in the First?"

His brother went gray. They looked a lot alike. His brother's curls were lighter.

Galarsmen sighed and sat with him. They got the memory-sharing stare. Poor Yelena's lips trembled.

I put my hand on her shoulder. "It's all right. The stuff wears off. He'll remember you."

"W-what if he d-doesn't? That m-master healer said they used it too often! It does brain damage! He a-lready had too much, and that m-maniac gave him m-more!"

Pas put her on his lap. "Lady Yelena, ea, he can do damage, but I listened as Galarpah saw him. He is unharmed. There will be ne damage, because he gave him healing. Ashapat spoke of continued use, because many individuals carried it with them and used it more oft than even healers did, and saw ne healer. You must understand, we took this harmful herb from everyone—"

"Then h-how did that sorry person get it? T-they complained in Rainbow progs don't work!"

"O, we have stronger progs here. I can ne answer how he defeated them, but saw you Peh Ras? He is server instructor for all of Elshar Zheiea, and very clever. Is difficult when a council member does harm, for they have permissions that we ne. But, all of Esta Faho's council is now well. You have fears we ne, for Earth's government has many who let greed control them. In a Zheien government, a corrupt one can ne stay in power long, for his telepathy betrays him.

"Lady, you must calm, for your health. May I offer you a mild herb to help you?"

Yelena took a deep breath. "I'll just calm down. Everything's so different here!"

"It is, but a lot of things are better! We have all the food we can eat, and you got all your stuff, right?" I rubbed her shoulder.

She nodded. I hadn't even thought about mine. Kind of scared to look, but a mental display came up and everything was there. It'd be awful if I reassured people about their stuff and then maybe I didn't have everything!

"But there's no trees here." Poor Yelena. There weren't trees in Rainbow, and I felt like I'd die if I couldn't see one! I missed Piedmont Park. But if I agree, we'll both be crying.