Adia, Scientist

Theaspaura, King of Fhiah Visits

I opened my eyes, and Ryee sat watching me. No nightmares! We ported out to the commons.

I startled. "Oh! Do portals always hurt this badly?" Ryee gasped and took me off my feet! Then I noticed stares from King Theaspaura and Fa, who grabbed my head and hummed! Already the pain left me.

"Pas, I beg, see her!"

He added his hands. "O, forgive me, Queen Adia! You must accustom to this, for we must port oft. Pain is severe because you had many injuries. Recloning repaired much, but I fear portals shall always be very painful. Ryee can send discreet healing—"

Fa frowned at him. Theaspaura paled. "Injuries?"

Pas returned the frown! "Ean, we must be honest, I beg!"

Kirnonos ported to us and he laughed. "Let me explain to him. I recloned her as an Elder. She was Areonian." In a flood of memories, he explained Areon's evil punishment of my people.

Theaspaura gasped. "How is it you can change one's species? Did she wish to be Zheien? Ejis faea naea!"

I got out of Pas' arms with a leap into a bow of the Old Forms. "Oh, King Theaspaura, ne worry for me. These changes are well for me—Ryee is unwell, Pas! I must speak as I did, but I fear to offend you. I was only a common scientist."

He smiled and helped me to my feet. "Only a common scientist, one who gave us plentiful fuels for all travel? If you are well with these changes, I am well. But I warn you, women of Zheiea are fragile. Let Ryee help you, and he can do this discreetly when you must meet with officials. Nae use the Old Forms with any but our emperor and our lieges in Zhea~. For us, simple bows are enough." He bowed, one leg far behind, but not as low as the Old Forms.

I returned it, exactly that low and up to my feet. Oh, I felt powerful with the strength of this Zheien body! Every color of flowers at my feet was brighter with distinct shades I did not see. Even the sand had rainbows in it. My old body would just see lavender sand. I can see things both ways? And hear each distinct color, as bells with ringing tones that made music.

But Theaspaura still held my arm. "How had you injury, if you nae mind my question?"

Ryee took me off my feet! "I fear for her, if she answers! She becomes very unwell—"

"Ryee, you may show our friend. I will think of more pleasant things, such as these beautiful flowers." Children came and put many in my hands. Already, weeping parents brought children woken from Burial Chambers to me. We hugged them all.

Theaspaura wept as Ryee showed him. Lut also heard. "Liege, if I held a diplomat so injured, I would warn him against portals and ships. For a woman, I feel even a portal between chambers too much!"

Pas nodded. "You would do this, even if a leaf of nesfa gives relief, then?"

"I would. Our kingdom is large, and is easy to open an arch between chambers, or avoid travel."

Then, I touched Kirnonos' arm and jerked my hand away. It hurt! "I am very sorry! We are cold when we are healthy."

Ryee held my hand and warmth soothed it. "It is great happiness you have health, Healer Kirnonos." I nodded.

He laughed. "I am a scientist, as your wife. Elders can be any occupation. The Council does not tell me what I can do, so I do as I please. Now you may share our confusion about what the Council expects of Elders." Laughed again. His body clicked all over in many tones.

He smiled at Lut. "I wish to tell you of tech that makes portals and ship travel painless." He shared memories with both master healers. They smiled.

But he bowed to King Theaspaura. "We disabled all traps in the Tunnels, and your people are invited to explore them. All fia are converted to gelsai because we saw what King Ryonne~ did with his Tunnels on Ye~. What a delightful idea! Ah, they come out!"