Bedelia's Dilemma

Healer's Plans

 Then, he asked a healer to speak. This older man, Galarsmen, bowed to him, then to us. He had red-gold eyes that wavered from orange to black. Like Wulai's eyes. I sobbed. But he's got the strip of family color with Tessite symbols down the front. A master healer. I didn't like the term, but the Alliance still allowed slavery until just Wednesday when we moved! It'll take a while for derogatory titles to change.

Outside, animals made soft noises and their keepers petted them. No one seemed impatient, waiting there, not even the animals. They didn't have bridles and just followed their keepers around or maybe walked over to a flower or grass to munch.

The old healer's red-gold eyes stayed dark and he looked really tired. "My bae and sae, we are ready. My sisters and brothers, come, and let none of our Zheien walk!" His white robe's borders were a yellowish-green. Not a loud color, but bright. It reminded me of some plants on Earth.

A bunch of white-robed healers came in.

"Nae worry for protocols, Becky! Rest your head. My people understand—"

Galarsmen carried Tom off the bed and another healer carried Becky, whose neck trembled. Even her blond hair and the curls on her shoulders jiggled. But she looks better than she did. Their sky blue looks really good on her. He's light gray and not happy with being carried. King Nitomahan ran to Tom. "Bae, are you unwell? Galar, what happens?"

Galarsmen tried to bow and the older man took Tom so he could. "Liege, he saw his future and has to marry now! Please, let me help him—"

Tom looked panicked. "I wish Fa to help me, Galar. You may help me, after."

"What do you mean, he saw his future?" Well, if I hadn't been so nervous about him seeing my memories--

"Fa, share my memories." He shook all over.

Very gently, the older man held his head against his silver curls. "O, Bae, such a frightening future! Eae, I think your Becky may help you with it more than I! We escaped much harm lastweek. My people, forgive this fast marriage, but Antomias is unwell, and so is his Becky! They must marry—"

"How long does he know her?" A dignified Elshar stood there. Lots of pins on his sash, but none of the meaningless ones I saw on most Elshars in Rainbow. They walked past him. The sunny yellow ship opened to dark red sky with few stars. Other people got on riding animals, but they stopped to watch. Past him, I stood with Keiley, and Elsie.

"My people, you know my bae. Please, we must continue here!"

Most people raised their twin fingers and swayed. We got with the program and did it, too.

We left the ship and the sky was deep red. It kind of unnerved me, not to see many stars as in Atlanta, but five moons, one that traced a path through the other four. Buildings like glowing gems in bright colors sat in yellow sand. Beautiful flowers grew in it. We went to a sky blue building that came to a dull point. In that sky, those 22 stars shone in diff colors. Pretty. Healers carried all of the Zheien, including many in white robes who protested!

Tom reached for Becky's hand and Galarsmen held their hands together. "Becky, what is your fullname?"

"Becky Kimberly Edwards." She still sounded hoarse!

"And, your occupation?"

She flinched. "Student." She changed majors from Computer Science to Art, and her father said she'd never get a job. Probably still upset over that. She's talented, can't he see that?

"Becky Kimberly Edwards, Student Of Earth, I, Antomias, First Prince Of Esta Faho, I love you with all the love in me! I invite you to hold the hands of Esta Faho in the strength of our family as my wife. In this Petition Of Marriage Without Courtship, by the Ancient Protocols of Zhea~ and Esta Faho, and also Rahn Estar, Becky, will you agree?" His deep voice has strain in it. I hoped that rude Elshar doesn't make trouble!