Waymakers (Champions of the Crystal Book 9)

Chapter 20.2

Perhaps fortunately, Baldaran and Sheeren were in conference with the Lthosyenne ambassador, so Sabrina, Ford, Sastarn, Terel, and Marvan had a few minutes to clean up, grab a snack, and relax a little before they went to report. It should have made them feel better, but Sabrina was still unhappy as they walked over to the royal Residence.

Relax, Ford thought. Like you pointed out, we achieved our goal, we took no casualties, and we made it back. It's not like every mission is going to go perfectly to plan.

None of ours ever has, she thought, smiling a little.

Exactly. Baldaran probably wouldn't believe it if we said we had nothing to report. Plus, he should be excited to hear what Shariara and Seuréa did.

I want to go home. I can't wait to thank them in person. Sabrina released a small sigh.

We'll go right after this, Ford resolved.

They were silent the rest of the way. The guards at the Residence entrance nodded in acknowledgment of their right to pass unscanned, and once inside they were greeted by one of the king's footmen. "His Majesty requests that you wait in the blue salon."

"Thank you," Ford replied.

Sabrina was relieved she wouldn't have to climb any stairs. The ground floor room in question was mostly used to receive officials, but she was familiar with it. It was three doors down on their left, and another footman, this one female, opened it for them with a welcoming smile.

"Ford! Sabrina!" Seuréa shrieked, flinging herself at first her brother, and then with slightly more caution at Sabrina. "That was close. I should go next time!"

"There won't be a next time," Ford said firmly, squelching his horror at the thought of his sister on such a mission.

Sabrina looked behind Seuréa to see Shariara hanging back. "Ara, thank you so much. I'd never have gotten through if you hadn't reached out."

Shariara smiled. "I was glad to help."

"Are you in touch with Mother?" Ford asked, just as Sabrina was about to.

She nodded. "Before I reached out to Sabrina, yes. All was going well."

Sabrina frowned. ""That's been a while, then." She reached for the Crystal herself, relieved at the easy access, and tried to find Mara there. That, however, was not easy. Several times she thought she heard her, but she wasn't able to connect.

Ford said, "Ara, we can't reach her. Can you?"

"What's wrong?" Seuréa demanded. Sabrina felt her join them in the Crystal, casting about furiously for her mother. Shariara did not join them, but Sabrina felt her connect her mind directly with the three of them, then reach for Mara.

Shariara! Mara thought. Seuréa, Sabrina, pull us to you! Quickly!

It's too fuzzy! Seuréa thought in alarm.

Anything near you? Sabrina demanded.

Only Reissians. Do not worry about precision, Mara said.

Sabrina made her best guess at Khediva's mass and dimensions, grabbed a good margin of extra space, and, with Seuréa's help, moved the Wayship into Praxatillus' orbit. She realized too late that she'd accidentally gotten too close to Orbital Platform One, over Dansestari, but fortunately Khediva and Mara were able to coordinate and avoid a collision.

Sabrina opened her eyes with a gasp and half-sat, half-fell into the nearest chair. Seuréa vanished, presumably to go to her mother, and Ford leaned on Sabrina's chair, catching his breath and waving off Terel's attempt to scan them. Shariara was the only one who noticed Baldaran and Sheeren in the doorway.