Becky's Gift

Wasa Mai Wants To See Me?

I dressed in my sky blue formals, with a wave. This diplomat wore white.

Mama sighed. "I don't get all this princess stuff. Your family needs you."

"I'm sorry, Mama, but I have to take care of the whole kingdom, not just our family, while Tom is resting. Rilley's got both of you, and maybe this won't take long. You know I love all of you, right?"

She nodded, and pulled at her blond hair which had a few white hairs in it. I got my green eyes from her. Dad's are green but have some brown in 'em. He smiled at me.

Like I know how to talk to Wasa Mai! He rules all 5 cities! I felt like a fake princess! But I put my hand on the diplomat's arm and we stepped.

This city had seven buildings, but they were more blocky, and opaque, with seven spires apiece. It had a diamond-like one, and next to it where we stood, a white, opaque one with nine spires. Orange sand covered this commons, with gardens in all shapes that had borders. Outside the border that rimmed the commons, yellow sand spread. People were about half Ishah here, but peacefully walked, enjoyed the flowers, traded, or watched artisans at work. There were also many Elshars and Zheien among them. And, more than a few Thordes and even Xchou. They have fire-engine red skin like Emperor Ry'nao, and four digits on hands and feet.

Here, too, a festival was going on. People were demonstrating all sorts of work and a lady offered me a pastry. We all took one, and it seemed to surprise the diplomat when I offered him a bite after I bit it. He smiled. Zheien always did that in festivals in Rainbow. Musicians played near us. Happy faces all around. Some danced in a long line around the city. Many more people here than in Rainbow Elshar Zheiea. But, even here there was a crowd around the white healer building. Buildings here were blocks with onion domes, not flat gem-like buildings.

My diplomat waited for me to gawk. "Yea Becky, if you like, when we finish, I can show you Rahn Estar. Many of Esta Faho like to trade here." Like a laser pointer, he showed me five traders and seven diplomats in the market. All of them were Elshars and one Ishah.

They all stopped trading and ran over here to bow to me! I returned the bow. "Please, rise and be comfortable!" Two had bright red robes under their blue traders' robes.

All of them smiled, then went back to the market and the people they were trading with smiled at me, too.

My diplomat bowed again and waited for me to return it. He had dark brown curls that bounced on his collar. "I am Feronoras, Master Diplomat Of Esta Faho, and I am Stationed Diplomat To Rahn Estar. As a member of Wasa Mai's staff, let me welcome you to us. Shall we go in to the Council?" His blue eyes went light.

Oh, my! "Yes." I hope I don't embarrass Tom!

We entered the building, and it had a huge open space, ringed by a white table. It was seven-sided. Everyone at it stood. There were seven couples. I didn't expect that!

Wasa Mai and his lady were to my left, and he waved. Part of the table vanished. "Please, Becky, 1st Princess Of Esta Faho, come to me."

I tried to be poised as the diplomat escorted me in front of his side of the table. He bowed, and I bowed, and I wobbled as I came up. Embarrassing! Then, the diplomat left.

I kept my eyes on Wasa Mai. Staring is polite here, and shows respect. My eyes watered.

"Is Tom unwell? I cannot contact anyone on the Council, and I lost contact with even Micansen and Keris Pon!"

I shared memories with him of all that happened with Micansen, the Elshar Elder, Math~an and Farleikon, and what little I understood of Ella's programming skills through Elsie, who didn't like explaining things. I didn't hold anything back. Kings need to know everything going on in their kingdoms. He kind of held my mind open and flipped through my memories, fast. Didn't pry into anything personal.