Becky's Gift

Anfon's Fate

Slowly, he sat up. Oh, how his head pounded! I did what nesfa does, when a Zheien takes it for a head injury. Didn't get rid of all the pain, but made it bearable. His blue eyes stared at me. "A maiden. Healer maiden."

My face burned. "I am nae a healer, my son—"

"You are a healer, Morgan, and very skilled. Llsam did this. He gave you this skill, that I lack." Pirad clicked his face into a smug expression, and folded his arms.

I looked down at my white patient gown and sighed. Like my Zheien in front of me wore.

"Healer Morgan, you speak my language and make it poetry." He smiled at me. "I am Anfon, King Of Calladia. Is this Alb Seer? I smell flowers." Slowly, his head turned, and he looked out at them. An arch opened.

A king? "Your Majesty, it is an honor to touch you—"

He giggled. "I am only a man. My kingdom barely has 300 persons, and we are far from here. I went to Earth to secure trade—how came I here—o, a diplomat found me. I must report!"

An Elshar healer ran in. Not the one that healed me. "I can take your report, my son! I am Siasch, and I assist Pirad. Oh, you have a new one?"

Pirad laughed, and he clicked all over. "Trained by an Elder I thought dead! She can heal Deesamor. This man had Deesamor herbs on Earth. I wish to know how Academie Praetoria trades such harm to Earth after Traders Service shut their experimentation facility down."

King Anfon looked at him. I barely kept my fingers in position on the back of his straight, black hair. "There is much trade in these herbs. With them, a Zheien will tell any secret to taste them again!" He shuddered, and a green cloud of his sweat sprayed.

"Think lightly, King Anfon." I hummed, and he stopped shaking. His head fell onto my shoulder.

His mind opened, and we all heard his report to the Emperor.

I saw many in New York at a social function. A lady came near on Diplomat Giten's arm. I tried to move, but her fingernails scratched my hand. "Don't go away yet—oh, he's sick, Giten."

Yellow cream absorbed into me. My arm grew moist. Decadent sensations filled me. I tried to speak. "I-I muss—" Ejis! I am drunken.

Secret Service men expected an attack, but other Elshar diplomats touched them before they could move to help me. One who appeared Zheien came. "I am a healer. Let me take him." Only I saw his five-fingered hand when he took mine.

"Plll. Nnnae."

"Do you fear healing, my son? I will not harm you. Let us port to rest—"

"You can't port a sick Zheien!" The lady's shout faded in the portal. My eyes closed.

I woke many times in decadent pleasure.

"Fools! You'll burn him out—"

"I got his secrets. Watch." He held the yellow candy.

I recited plans for five new treaties with Earthan worlds, plans I nae mentioned to Secretary Maruun. My visit was to be long and secure much trade for our people. Then, I told him of our Tessite mines, on a remote world in our system. Nae ever did I think of it, for we die without trade from them! Yet, in my cravings for the herb, I cried, and sobbed secrets, all that I held. I betrayed many who ruled neighboring colonies.

He gave the herb, and several died when they felt what I felt.

His blue eyes stared past me. Slowly, he hugged me, then cried.