Home Is...Series Vol.13 Home Is Rainbow

13th Volume in Home Is Series.

Dovetails with Rainbows Growing, 3rd volume in Rainbow Series. Zhea~ Year 7830-31

The weary Yeff travel once more, this time to form a remnant of their battered colony in Rainbow Unwell Colony.

The people of Zhea~ return home. But, the Galactic Council is unsure of how to protect themselves, or the Yeff, from Councillors!

ASIN: B002JCSR34 File Size: 584 KB (Kindle Edition - July 27, 2009)

Home Is Rainbow: Home Is Vol.13 Kindle Edition

Excerpt. © Dannis Cole. All rights reserved.

Molly waved over her terminal. “Cola, we need somebody who knows about old ships.”

Ahstam stepped from a green dimportal. Staggered.

I grabbed his arm. “Ahstam, you shouldn’t port—”

He smiled. “Sister, I am ne harmed.” Then his eyes studied the ship. Ahstam’s normal orange paled to yellow. “I know this ship.”

Swiftly, he walked about eight feet around the perimeter of the ship, to a little square that barely showed from the white light of the other ship. Pushed it.

A hatch splooshed open. Inside, curved gray walls narrowed. Ahstam didn’t wait for the hatch to float up. Ducked under it and sprang inside. Felt along one wall until a plate the size of the outside square pushed in. Another hatch opened up and flattened against the curved ceiling. He reached across to the other side of the small ship and sprung another hatch. Ahstam’s skin shone with sweat. The old healer’s chest heaved.

“What’s going on?” Molly spoke before I opened my mouth. “Ahstam, are you okay?”

He squeezed her hand. His pale blue eyes peered into the openings, looked over the walls, the flickering light. “This ship still has power. Molly, I am unwell. I know the ancient, and yet I am unwell for this. Laura. Go to Hass~, and Neos, and say nothing to Pas! Please, go quickly!”

I opened a dimportal and woke the guys up. We took another dimportal. Old Hass~ went to Ahstam and put both his hands on the master healer’s bald head. “Ba, you are very unwell—”

“Who is well for this shock! You see the age of this ship. You see these dark chambers.”

Hass~ studied the darkness under the hatches. “Stasis chambers from our youth, ea. But, who?”

Ahstam trembled. “I was the healer selected to send colonists to Ye~. Most of them traveled in behemoth colony ships.” Images of ships the size of Earth’s Moon came to us. “Ha~Veh’heien’s ship was like this. He died of Traveler’s Sickness on his return from Bisillipia, aged only 51 years. Colonists of Ye~ died at age 70 in those years. Ha~Veh’heien, first King of Ye~, and I stand on his ship. Perhaps. Of all the colonies, Ye~ is best remembered, because of the masterful treaties of Ha~Veh’heien. Eanne~’s ancestor.”

I touched Ahstam’s points. “What’re we waiting for? Can’t we take the folks out of stasis and go back into the Hospice?”

Ahstam shook his head. “This is ancient stasis. We cannot rush this.” His blue eyes filled with tears. “I fear they are dead, unless they used it recently. No method to determine when—”

“Ryee always kept logs—”

“This ship’s propulsion kills thinkers. It is danger to those who travel, also. Years past, this ship flew without weapons, without communication beyond telepathy. Slavers had the same level of tech.” Ahstam sighed. “How did you find it?”

The Thordes touched the back of Ahstam’s head, also. “I came upon it in Bisillipian space. An area not widely traveled, even now. When I am bored, I sweep space for distant objects. Pretty sights to interest me. It appeared dark. Yet, the energy signature gave a false rainbow image. The more I studied it, the more unusual this image seemed. Finally, when I realized it was a ship, I scanned it for passengers. The two, in stasis.”

Ahstam cried. Molly made him sit in her lap on the floor. “Surely, I take them from stasis to Burial Chambers! This ship is old enough to have passengers many times my age!”

“I don’t understand,” Molly said. Her green eyes blinked tears, too. “If you were young when Ryee’s father’s great grandfather—”

“Time differs in the Sixth Galaxy, the galaxy of Zhea~. Time is slow there. Time passes quickly in the Seventh. Alb Seer is in the First, that of Earth, and it passes most quickly of all known space here.” Molly swept tears off Ahstam’s face and healed it of grief bruising. “I fear to see their faces. Will I know them, after this passage of years? Will they know me? I am wrinkled and old. I was a young man when I helped them prepare. Should I tell them—but, they are surely dead or nearly so—Molly, I am feeble help—”

“Nonsense. Tell me, Ahstam, how long do we have to wait before we can move them?”

A long groan came from the chamber on the right.

Ahstam jumped up and leaned into the darkness. “I am Ah—a healer. Can you see me?”

Slowly, a trembling hand, almost white, came up and touched the front of Ahstam’s white healers’ robe. A twin-fingered hand. “Ea. Where is this?”

They spoke some dialect that didn’t make sense until Ahstam’s translation hit me. He didn’t recognize the man.

“Alb Seer, near Fhiah.”

“Where? Alb Seer has a colony of Bisillipians—”

‘Ao rushed aboard. Heard the man’s voice. Froze. His dark red skin paled to a dark pink. “Hav, is it you?” I moved to touch him, but he waved me back. Staggered to the chamber.

Ahstam gaped at ‘Ao. They both held the twin-fingered hand.

“Let’s sing some healing!” Molly leaned in and sang some silly jingle, like usual, while ‘Ao and Ahstam stood staring. For a min. Then, we all recovered and sang with her.

Afterwards, Molly pulled him out onto the intricately-carved metal floor. An old man, gold hair, wrinkled whitish-yellow skin, with orange eyes like Ryee’s family. He clung to her. Tenderly, she mopped sweat off his face with a self-cooling cloth.

“Healer, my wife is much afflicted with Travelers’ Sickness, and I, also.” His head leaned on her shoulder.

“You want aandats? It’ll help.”

Ahstam wept. ‘Ao held him on the edge of the large compartment.

The old man lifted his head. “You, an Areonian, offer me an aandat after I negotiated years—”

“I’m not Areonian. I’m Earthan. This is Rainbow Colony, and we give aandats to anyone who wants ‘em. Say the word, and I’ll have two, impregnated with Tessite, delivered right now.” Molly hugged him very gently.

He cried, too. “Ea! Please, put it on my dear wife first.”

Molly smiled and stroked his beautiful, thin hair. “Laura, will you take care of the man’s wife?”

I took the other healers and sang healing for her. Sweating. Feverish. Too sick to talk. I don’t think she knew we were there.

The aandats arrived with more healers to apply ‘em. I heard echoes of Ahstam and ‘Ao’s telepathic discussion: They both felt that to reveal to this fella who they were might kill him.

We sang healing another time, then both of the passengers fell asleep. Molly held the old man. Mike, a strong Thordes, carried him for her.

‘Ao carried the woman. Her dress, something like an English Queen might have worn, a beautiful red-violet shimmery cloth, didn’t have a wrinkle. His suit had a vest with jeweled designs, a long vest reaching to the knees, also in red-violet.

Slowly, we walked into the Hospice. Father stood in his red-violet sleeping tunic and pants. Saw their clothes. Turned deathly pale.

Ahstam and ‘Ao reached as a body to grab him.

“Fae Ha~veh’Heien,” he whispered.

The orange eyes opened. “Ea, I am Ha~veh’Heien.”

Mother stood by Father. Father grabbed her hand tightly and dragged her, because Molly didn’t stop. She looked scared, and pulled at her light brown hair, streaked with silver.

“Relatives? This is wonderful! Ha~veh’Heien, welcome to Rainbow. We’ll take good care of you. Eanne~, Mike’s gonna put him next to Ryee and J~oie for you.”

Father brushed quick tears off his cheeks. “Fae Ha~veh’Heien.” As Molly laid him on a soft leiwege, Father took his hand and held it. Kissed his forehead.

The old man smiled. “I am Ha~veh’Heien, Emperor of the Unified Seven Galaxies, and my home is Vohl.”

‘Ao gasped, put the woman tenderly beside her husband, and threw himself on the floor beside the bed. “Father Emperor! I am Ry’nao!”

Father looked from ‘Ao to Ha~veh’Heien with a deep frown. “Emperor? I ne knew! Why did ne on Ye~ tell me of this? My father, my fae, all of my family said you died at age 51, in your occupation as Most High Diplomat.”

At his last words, Ryee woke up, and rubbed his eyes. J~oie held him so he could see.

Ha~veh’Heien looked at ‘Ao. “‘Ao, rise and be comfortable. I am unwell, and must pass the reign to you again.”

“Hav,” he whispered, as tears made crystals and bounced on the bed, “you did. Now, another reigns in the Change.” A Yeff servant ducked around them to gather the tears in a clear pyramid, as always. The Emperor’s shadow. Molly warned me that my thoughts were too loud—

He smiled. “Another reigns? ‘Ao! You and I may have a respite together?”

‘Ao took his hand, pressed it against his cheek, tapped rhythms on it, and smiled. Nodded, speechless with emotion.

Slowly, Ha~veh’Heien turned his orange eyes to Ahstam, who sat on the bed. “My son, you are Ahstam! I touch your mind and find it same, but you aged. ‘Ao aged. I am old. Will my wife survive this long stasis? This unwell?”

Ahstam didn’t answer. Too overcome.

His head drifted to the other side so he could look at Father. “What is your name, my bae? You called me Fae—”

Father sobbed. “Your bae, A~vhen, was my fae. His bae, V~aen, my fae. His bae, W~Via, my fa. Here are my bae, J~oie, and Ryonne~. My sae, E~Janne, sleeps. Ryonne~’s bae, W~Via, sae Vadia, and J~oie’s bae, W’Vie, sleep also. It is late in our sleeping here.”

Ha~veh’Heien sighed. “Your sorrow speaks of the death of my bae. How I miss them! Yet, I hear them in your voice, see them in the eyes of your bae, my bae. Come near, my young bae, and take my hands. If I am to die, let me be selfish. Let me hold all my family in my hands.”

Mehrna woke Ryee, and he was able to rise. J~oie escorted us to the bed as Laura stopped sharing her memories.

Carefully, J~oie dragged Ryee near. Ryee’s hands shook as he reached for him. Fae Ha~veh’Heien frowned deeply.

“Are you unwell, my bae? Eanne~, are we all cursed?” Ryee slipped a hand with care under Ha~veh’Heien's. The fingers closed slowly.

Father kissed his forehead again. “Fae, Ryee is unwell from injury, ne Trembling Sickness. Habir, a healer here, has a cure, so I am ne much afflicted.”

“A cure!” Ha~veh’Heien smiled. His thin lips trembled. “Ahstam, can you help me with Habir’s remedy?”

Ahstam shook like a leaf! “I-I will bring him now!”

“Here he comes.” Molly kept a hand on the middle of Ahstam’s chest. I stared, for white light blazed there, and Ahstam ignored it! Perhaps a healer can ignore such a breach of the Protocols, that offend diplomats. For such healing, I had to bring Ryee, and he waved privacy. The young queen looked across the Hospice’s main chamber, and Habir, a Bisillip, ambled towards us with his clicking doublet joints.

Molly also brought Cog, that Zheien miracle worker from Ilhanhsa, a place where they rejuvenated dead slaves for spare parts. Her dark hair swung behind her as a curtain with her quick steps.

We all discussed much. Father helped his fae run a clothing former. The old man cried when he saw the clothes reform into long tunics. “This clothing is soft. Family color. O, my wife, we are blessed!” Laura wiped his face with a self-cooling cloth. He yet had a high fever. Laura felt that his awareness might be a bad sign. As when Zheien have a blow to the back of their heads, they have temporary increase in skills and intelligence for a brief time until damage fells them. A dangerous effect. Lack of nitrogen or other unwells can also bring it.

Father listened as Habir explained what he and Cog could do. It was their solution or watch them die tonight.

Habir held up a cylinder, a purple cylinder, after running a lot of progs. “This should regrow damaged areas. It contains yllis and healthy cells from Eanne~’s sons to provide a pattern. Chemicals to force the pattern on your damaged cells and regrow new ones, accelerate your body’s regen systems, and help your aandats repair this new damage. I cannot give you youth and strength; you may never leave bed. But, you will have a strong mind. There is safety here, with the remnant of Ye~.”

Ha~veh’Heien shook. “I am selfish. I will take your remedy. If I live only a few more days, if I have my mind, I can know these bae and enjoy their closeness. May my wife share in this pleasure? My bae, gather close about me, help me bear this pain—”

Ryee stood on bent legs and put both trembling hands on his head. “Where is pain, Fae? I am a healer—”

The old man chuckled. “Your thoughtfulness. So eager to sing healing, when you near collapse! My bae, lie beside me and rest. Let other healers touch me. Your concern for me is enough. Tell me of your occupation.”

Laura frowned.

Ryee sweated; Molly made him lie next our fae. Before he could answer, ‘Ao spoke. Molly used silent healing on him so they could talk. Not many healers are skilled with healing without the use of the voice! I could not give well healing such.

“Ryee served me as Most High Diplomat, and sacrificed his health. Laura, this Earthan healer, saved his life and brought him back to us. She married his brother.” ‘Ao took her hand, and put it in Ha~veh’Heien's. Hot! She tried not to squirm.

He smiled. “I will die happy because of you. All of you. Happiness surrounds me.”

Habir took the blue cylinder and rubbed it down the length of his arm, back and forth, liquid in it sloshing, until all of it vanished.

“V~aen, my bae, comfort your old fa!” He pulled Ryee’s head against his chest and quietly sobbed.

Ryee cried with him. All of us. Molly’s progs kept our upset from the sleeping, there in the hospice.

“Fae, may I offer comfort?” Father stroked Hav’s head.

“Dear bae, A~vhen, bring me a bit of sand and a cake of yett. Sand, in the herbs on my ship. Mea keeps yett in her cerjie.”

Molly opened a dimportal, then returned with a vial of orange sand and a flat round cracker. Not round; nine-sided.

Father took the vial, and Fae’s hand. Orange sand flowed from it over the pale fingers. They darkened to a very light orange. Gave him a large crumb from the cake.

Slowly, Fae’s head turned. ‘Ao stroked his face. “Ah, my friend, if only I could offer comfort.”

Hav laughed. “You do. ‘Ao, you are here, to remove the weight of this realm from me. I am old, ‘Ao. I cannot stand more hardship.” More tears hid in his wrinkles. “When Eriganh offered me reign, I felt I would organize a trade government to surpass all others.”

“You did,” whispered ‘Ao.

“Yet, death and destruction marred my success. Pirates gained power over worlds and smaller alliances. ‘Ao, I failed to provide safety.”

“We cannot.” ‘Ao stroked Hav’s face.

“I tried, ‘Ao. With all of my skills, I tried. But without my family, I had ne strength. When I succumbed to endless fevers and shaking, I passed the reign to you. I took A~ and we endured deep stasis. I thought to die here, among my family, and now we are here. ‘Ao, I am confused. Our people asked for purple healers’ chambers. I wished to have it white. A new colony needs its traditions—old mixes with new—so, I agreed to purple. Yet, I see all colors.” His eyes floated from one wall to the next. “Seven walls, each in a different color.” Orange eyes closed with a heaving sigh. He laid very still.

Ahstam and ‘Ao snapped their heads up. Ryee lifted his head from Fae’s broad chest.

The shriveled hand pulled it down. “Rest, my bae. Rest with me.”

“Ea, Fae,” Ryee said. Weary eyes closed.

Ha~veh’Heien did not open his eyes. Sleepily, he murmured, “Ahstam, will you watch over my bae? He grows cold. Will my fever warm him?”

“Ea, Liege,” Ahstam sobbed. His shaking hand caressed Ryee’s head. And, that of Ha~veh’Heien.

Father kept his hands on both his sons alternately, and one hand firmly in the old man’s. “Sleep, Fae Ha~veh’Heien. It is safe. I will watch over you also. Many healers are here.”

A smile flashed, and his face relaxed. The gentle rise and fall of his chest did not disturb Ryee’s sleep. None of us slept much. Habir left. Mia watched over everyone and encouraged all of us to sleep; I slept, but nightmares interrupted, nightmares of Eriganh, of the Fortress. When I woke, no one but Molly and Ryee slept. Yet, no one seemed aware that I had these nightmares! They spoke quietly, words of awe at these ancestors thought dead. I felt much awed. Yet, I anticipated more.

Ryee and Fae yet slept when I woke. Fa shifted his weight oft as he sat, and waved a hand near his chest. Diplomats of age suffer when they delay a meal. His golden eyes rested wearily on the two sleepers.

“Ean,” said Mother, “let us eat—”

Fa pressed her hand to his cheek. “Ne, Pa’isha. Here, before me, is Fae Ha~veh’Heien, a miracle!”

“Ne called me a miracle, V~aen,” muttered Hav, as his orange eyes opened. Blinked. He smiled.

Fa took his hand. “O, Fae, you are a miracle. I never thought to see you alive. I am ne V~aen. He was my Fae; I call you Fae because I cannot address you otherways. To say, ‘Fae’s Fae’ is awkward. I ne wish to call you by your name because we are closer than this; do you agree?”

“Ea, my bae. Tell me your name again, and I will try to remember ne to call you V~aen. It is difficult! You look so like him!” A wizened hand rose to touch his face.

“I am Eanne~.” Fa’s tears ran onto Hav’s hand.

“Eanne~. And, your bae who sleeps?” His other hand cupped the back of Ryee’s silver curls.

Fa touched Ryee’s head also. “Ryonne~.”

Fae repeated both names again. “‘Ao said this one served as Most High Diplomat for him. Is he too unwell to serve?”

Fa tried to answer, and tears took his voice. Nodded.

Ryee stirred.

“My bae, rest. Do you need healers?” Fae stroked his head.

“Fa.” His eyes remained closed, and tension rose in his face.

“I am here, dear bae. Eae pas?” Fa massaged Ryee’s hand; Ryee held it loosely.

A whisper. “Mind pain.”

Molly sat beside us, holding a dish of chocolate ice cream with caramel. “Ryee, I’ve got ice cream for you—”

“Do you feed the dying? I have seen—”

Molly put a gentle hand up. Giggled. “Ryee isn’t dying, sir. This is an herb—well, it’s two herbs—to help his mind pain. The brown color of the ice cream is chocolate, an Earthan herb. It helps pain. The other herb is the sticky light brown stuff. Caramel. It’s an Earthan herb, too. Good to relax those tense muscles. Ryee, take a bite, Pal.” She dipped the spoon and smoothly put it into his mouth.

Ryee held his mouth closed for almost a min. I thought he’d fallen asleep again.

“Is it helping, Ryee?”

His mouth fell open. “Ea.”

Molly gave him another bite. My husband shivered.

“Ea ne, he is cold!” Fae pulled the blanket over the back of his head and rubbed his forehead with long, slow strokes.

“Ea yeo,” Ryee whispered.

Father watched Fae carefully; he looked pale, but more orange than last night. The older one saw him. “Your bae has grace, in pain that would render another irretrievably rude. Ryonne~, may I call you Ryee? Your names are difficult for my ancient tongue. Perhaps this fever will bring my retirement. Such a fate, for a diplomat!” Fae shook his head.

Molly finished feeding him the ice cream and waved the dish away in a bright streak of light.

“What tech is this?” Fae stared at her.

She giggled again. “I don’t know! Ask one of them.” The young queen of Rainbow pointed at Fa. Fa smiled at her.

Ryee looked up at him without lifting his head. “Fae, you may call me Ryee, if it pleases. If ne, give me a name that does—”

“Ryee is pleasant on my old tongue, my bae. Forgive me. Your names sound strange. But, then, I am from Zhea~, Ye~ Prov, where we have the longest names of any Prov. We believed long names brought good fortune. Then, I became a diplomat.” Fae laughed. “O, do I make you unwell with my loud voice? Ee so ya oae, bae.”

A tear rolled from Ryee’s eye. “I am ne harmed. I am ashamed, that you see me prostrate.” His orange eyes held large pupils.

Before we could stop him, Ha~veh’Heien carefully moved Ryee from his chest to his lap while sitting up. Turned him over and supported his lolling head. Held him very tenderly in his arms. Pulled the blanket over him. “There is ne shame in unwell, Ryee. If there was, all of Ye~ would be moved to Gowa!” Fae shuddered.

Ryee looked up with droopy eyes. “So many were unwell, in your reign? I know many of the Colonists perished when Areon refused to honor the Treaty, and—starved in orbit—became ill with Traveler’s Sickness.” He frowned deeply. Tears dripped from his face onto his elder’s arm.

Fae smiled. “You know our history well, my bae. I hear echoes in your mind. Eanne~, you taught him well—”

Ryee’s sob brought his surprised frown. “I know ne, Fae, ne! Ea, I lost half of Ye~ in the Zbbat War, but that was short hardship. Our mothers lost many children. Your mothers suffered worse. Your colonists suffered as I cannot imagine—”

Ha~veh’Heien pulled Ryee’s head gently, very gently, against his broad shoulder. “My bae, the Great Father did ne send me to judge your reign, or that of your fae! We are all alive to be tested. Every man’s test differs. Rest in my arms, and do ne concern so for my opinion. I am proud of you, my bae. Do you ne know that ‘Ao is my dearest friend? I trust his opinion more than my senses. His friendship with you echoes in his eyes. To see this tells me you honored our family with your service. My friend tells me you sacrificed your health to give it! Rest with me. Ne worry an old one.” Hav bent and kissed Ryee’s forehead. ‘Ao smiled at them.

Ryee opened his mouth, with that apologetic look, and Fae tickled his lips. “Ne, my bae, ne words of regret for me. I wish to celebrate this day! We are together. I wish to introduce you to your meae, A~, now that she wakes.” At first Laura thought he said Ay, Ryee’s shortname for me!

He held Ryee up so he could see her as she sat up. What a large lady! Not heavy—Zheien are never overweight—but broad, with big bones. A warm smile with thick lips on a narrow mouth. Deep brown eyes—huge—set in a face lacking the wrinkles of her husband’s. Both her thick hands reached for Ryee. Her wispy silver curls floated attractively about her.

“My bae, V~aen!” Her high-pitched voice sounded fluttery and soft. Laura expected it to be husky. I heard all of her impressions, and ‘Ao looked towards her oft with a frown.

Fresh tears filled his drooping eyes.

Fae laughed. “This is Ryonne~.” He struggled with Ryee’s full name. “Ryee. My bae gave me permission to call him by his shortname.”

His head nodded towards Eanne~, who rubbed the back of his gray head. “Here is Eanne~, Ryee’s father.” Again, he struggled with the name.

“Would you like to call me Ean?”

“I would like that very much.” A~ sighed. “Your names are difficult. When I was young, I enjoyed such challenges.”

Fae leaned his arm, that supported Ryee’s head, against hers. “I must tell you astonishing tidings; our bae V~aen is Ean’s fae.”

She turned very pale. My friend moved behind her and put her arms about her. “I’m a healer, ma’am. Laura, of Earth.”

Fae smiled warmly at her. “Laura is very skilled. She saved Ryee’s life so we could meet.”

A~ looked at her. “Healer, will you put your hands on my bae Ryee? What unwell makes him cold?”

Molly spoke. “I’d like Laura to take a look at both of you. I’ll see your points, Ryee.”

The moment she touched him, her eyes filled. “You don’t feel very useful here in Rainbow, do you? Ryee, you’ve helped so many of our recovered slaves—you don’t see it. How do you think King Theaspaura could bear having to stay in bed if you didn’t share memories with him oft? And, Ben. My dear husband needs your stories to cheer him up. M’Naga needs you. So does Be~saech. And, the other Yeff in here! The comfort you give these folks is a full-time job, Ryee. Don’t discount it. It’s work, and it’s the most important work on Rainbow.”

Ryee nodded, but silent tears ran down his pale cheeks the whole time Molly saw his points. Four times.

“Is my bae well?” Ha~veh’Heien stroked Ryee’s head around Molly’s ten fingers. A~ kept both hands on him, too. His orange eyes fixed on Fae Ha~veh’Heien.

“Ne, but he won’t die. Ryee, ee so eao, but they need to know so they won’t worry and get sick.” Molly stroked his head as she explained. “Ryee’s had some brain damage. He thinks okay, and he can learn. Sometimes he feels well and there aren’t many problems. Right now, you’re here, and for a few days, it’s such a surprise, he’ll have more unwells. Then he’ll adjust to you being here and you’ll see him well for a bit.”

“I cause my bae unwells?” Ha~veh’Heien put both his hands tenderly on the back of Ryee’s dark curls. My husband relaxed noticeably.

Molly lifted him to reposition him in Fae’s arms. “Not you. Changes in routine bring more of the problems he’s already having. You aren’t causing him unwells; he’d have problems anyway. Change makes it happen more oft.”

“And, these unwells?” Ha~veh’Heien held Ryee’s head close to his chest, but his arm trembled. Molly pulled a part of his leiwege to support it. “What causes his mind pains?” A~ smoothed the soft blanket over him.

“Because of the damage in his brain, signals go out that cause bad mind pains, or make his body shake, or mix up his thinking and get him confused.” Molly helped them straighten Ryee’s legs; he looked up at her sleepily.

Ha~veh’Heien nodded. “We had many diplomats return to us in mind injuries of exceeded regen. People who survived dangerous fevers oft had shakings that were ne Trembling Sickness; terrible mind pains or confusions. I saw much of this among our people. But, the unwell never survived long. You tell me my bae is unwell, but ne to die. Did you find cures for Travelers’ Sickness as well as Trembling Sickness?”

Father patted Fae’s chest, and I startled. “You wear an aandat. We all have this protection. Ne fevers.”

Fae opened his red-violet tunic and stared. Pressed his wrist to his forehead, then to his wife’s. “We are ne to die?” His fingers stroked his wife’s silver curls. Short curls, like Ryee’s. And Jo’s.

“This is a healing colony,” Molly said, with a hug, “not a dying colony! Your temp’s still a little elevated, but by tomorrow you should feel like getting up—”

“I feel strong now, Healer Molly.”

Molly smiled as she pressed his tunic closed. “Just don’t go flashing that aandat around! They don’t replace clothes—”

“I apologize, my family. Perhaps the fever leaves a bit of strangeness, ah?” He let Molly push his shoulders against the leiwege. Looked down at Ryee; still silently crying. “My bae, what comfort do you need from me?”

Ryee startled. “Comfort? I take too much comfort from you, and make you unwell!”

Ha~veh’Heien laughed softly. “Holding you does ne make me unwell. I am fatigued from the long fevers. During some of them, A~ told me I cried as you do now. I do ne remember.”

“Sometimes, you spoke of our dead, and how you missed them.” A~ rubbed her flat fingertips against his forehead. “Or opened painful memories. I shared them with you, Love of Loves. Sharing lessens the pain of memory.”

They looked at Ryee. His orange eyes stared up at Fae Ha~veh’Heien, a mirror of his. Large. Dark.

Father touched their hands. “Fae, Meae, Ryee cannot share memories when unwell—”

“I can lend him my telepathy,” Fae said quietly, as his twin fingers stroked Ryee’s head.

“It is ne telepathy.” Fa sighed deeply. Ryee stared into his eyes and cried harder. “Ryee feels the pain of his memories more fiercely when unwell.”

“Give him siar, and he will diminish that pain,” said A~.

Molly touched her arm. “Ahstam told me siar isn’t good for people with memory problems.” A~ gave her a hug.

“My bae has great pain.” Fae stared at him. “He needs to share our strength. Ryee, open your mind to me—”

Ryee weakly gasped. “Ne, Fae, it will harm—”

“He will ne harm me. My mind is strong. Show me your most harmful memory, and I will prove my strength.”

Molly frowned. “And Mia fussed at me for going in peoples’ Inner Circles while healing ‘em. Ha~veh’Heien, you’re probing! That’s gonna hurt Ryee.”

Fae did not look up from Ryee’s wide orange eyes. “I will ne harm my bae. He allows me passage. I see the Fortress of D’gharr, and the harm my friend Eriganh did to him. I ne understand, how one well sinks far into corruption—eja fae ne!”

Ryee’s right arm shook. Seizure progs ran. I watched, without much thought.

Carefully, Ha~veh’Heien kept Ryee’s head from moving much. His body flailed, but Fae seemed experienced in holding one during seizures. “My bae, think of healing. I hold you safe. Think only of healing. Feel the white warmth in your head; it spreads to your limbs and quiets them. Pain seeps away.” His fingers tenderly smoothed his silver curls. I felt it, and smiled.

As he spoke, Ryee’s arms and legs limpened.

“You feel peace in your head, here.” Ha~veh’Heien touched the back of Ryee’s head.

Fa watched him. The rest of us.

Ryee’s staring eyes gradually moved from the ceiling to Fae. “My bae, you lie in healing. All is healing. All is warmth, in the whiteness. If you feel well returning, smile for me.”

Slowly, Ryee smiled as he looked up at Ha~veh’Heien. “Fae,” he whispered.

“I am here. I will ne leave. Molly tells me I will ne die soon, though I am old.” Fae kissed Ryee’s forehead. “My bae, I saw D’gharr. I am unharmed. I felt your pain, and I am ne harmed. Do you feel my pride in your acts? If I suffered such pain, ne secret would stay with me. You are stronger than I, dear bae. It is ne surprise that the Great Father sent you later than I; the most faithful are saved for last.”

Molly and Laura worried that he might have hurt Ryee; Molly was brave enough to ask to check Ryee’s points.

Laura, he’s amazing! She sent Laura what she found, and I heard.

Usually, after every seizure, Ryee woke with mind pain that also afflicted me, and nothing relieved it but sleep. This seizure fit Laura’s worst case scenario. During each seizure he usually relived his torture on D’gharr. He did attack her with his mind, once. And, I, once. I dreaded his confusions! After, he had worse mind pain because the thought that he might hurt us terrified him. Fae helped him not to have mind pain by convincing him that he could not hurt him with the D’gharr memories. Helped the seizure prog to succeed with the lightest herbs so it didn’t put him to sleep.

Molly checked the old ones also, after Laura. All had well.

Fa worried until Molly and Laura shared with him, so I heard all again. “How, Fae? My bae lies calmed in your lap, able to understand comfort, and I wish to know this healing you have for him!” His hand wrapped around the patriarch’s thin arm.

“When I was a young man, I believed that tradition was the most important value.” Fae chuckled softly. Ryee watched him. “Then I led a colony start. I watched the miracle of faith. Those who believed there was enough food, survived. Those who prepared to die, died. You might say, the amount of food determined this. It did ne. All had same portions. Ne person took any extra food offered; we all believed in Tradition. One does ne take food from the starving. On the same portions and activity level, some lived, and some died. All of us who left Zhea~ had perfect health!

“Ean, I entered your bae’s mind and helped him believe he was safe. I entered more strongly than tradition dictates. Unwells that interfere with reason require more gentle force from the mind. I shared my strong belief that if he stopped fighting, he would ne cause himself pain from overextension of the energies. I believe he is more well because I made him see reality during the shakings. Many of our unwell had waking nightmares during shakings. We trained our healers to show them they lay, safe, in healers’ care. Those who believed enjoyed more well than those that could ne.”

“Fae.” Ryee blinked. His hand came up, then sank down again, beside him.

Tenderly, Ha~veh’Heien took his stiff fingers and stroked them. “Remember what I taught you, my bae. Ne exert after shakings. Rest. You are safe. Some of my words lack meaning for you, but you feel my mind near you. My voice offers comfort. It is calm. You are calm, my bae. A calm body accepts more healing.”

‘Ao sat up suddenly.

Fae looked at him. “My friend, eae pas?”

‘Ao smiled, despite the light color of his red skin. “I am rested. You look well, Hav. Ah, J~oie and Adia are yet sleeping, so I am ne last to wake, ea?”

Fae laughed. “You always loved your sleep. So did I.”

Jo woke up smiling, and I felt more alert. Laura and Molly introduced everyone.

“This is A~.” Fae gave a broad smile. “My bae Ryee tells me he calls you Ay; I am delighted his generation remembers one of us.” I took Meae’s hand and bowed low on the bed. Laura had to help me rise to lean against my leiwege, and I felt much discomfited.

“We must eat! V~aen,” Fae looked at Fa, “Ean, my bae, forgive me. You look so like. Ean, I feel your hunger—”

“Ee so ya eao—” Fa oranged badly.

“Give me ne apologies, young bae! I hunger also. Any diplomat of many missions needs his food. I wish my family ne to wake over me in hunger.” Fae hugged Fa without disturbing Ryee, who enjoyed the group embrace.

Ron carried a huge platter of Zhee foods. Fae sang a beautiful blessing asking healing for all of us unwell, by name, then touched each food on the platter. He gave Ryee a FFbah first.

I think he tasted everything on the platter in handing dishes to the others. Laura worried that ne did not eat much, however.

“Daughter, where is your home?”

I felt much shame. Shook my long, red hair, streaked with silver, and it curled more. “I fear to offend you, Fae Ha~veh’Heien.” I looked down.

Ryee tried to sit; Fae leaned him against his shoulder. “Sae, after years with us, surely you learned that diplomats ne offend.”

“My people offended our people greatly. I was born on Areon.” My whisper brought silence over the Hospice.

A~ and Ha~veh’Heien stared at one another. “How did Areonians raise a Yeff?”

I sobbed. Both of them pulled me into Fae’s lap by Ryee. He put his arms around me. “She was Areonian when I married her. Fae, she saved my life. She ended the War, as prophesied, because she wielded the White Cube of Light—”

Ha~veh’Heien put his hand on my head. “And, you are the One of Prophecy. My liege, if I could rise, I would bow—”

“I wish none to bow to me! I am not the One now. Another has the White Cube—”

Slowly, Fae put his hand on myface and lifted my chin so I had to look up. “You ne understand. The Ancient Prophecies were hidden for a time. I know them all, and I can reveal them to you. Oeket, your Councilor, was assigned to Areon. I could ne reveal this to anyone. Eriganh was my Councilor. We were friends, yet I saw the temptation for him to overstep the Guides. He assigned me to be Emperor of our level when ‘Ao fell.

“I served fifteen years; I organized a logical trade system and watched it corrupted by greedy men. When I complained about Eriganh’s inaction, he told me to be patient.

“When I became unwell too oft to keep up with my duties, a new Councilor came to me. He did ne reveal his name. He filled my mind with Prophecies. Forbade me to speak of them until I woke. I expected us to wake on Ye~. The Councilor told me I would find a King who was but a child.”

Ryee wept. “My bae, W~Via, was given the form of a man of 22, but he is nine. I gave him the Realm when I was too unwell—”

W~Via ran up to the bed. “Father.” Took Ryee’s hand, very gently, then his orange eyes gazed into those of Ha~veh’Heien. “Father is unwell. I took the Realm, but Father missed my smallform. When I assumed it, the Councilors called me foolish.” The boy choked on a sob. Ryee stroked his hands.

“Ah, my bae. You had a difficult calling. A man can be foolish, but not a child. Children are learners. What happened, after you became a boy again?” Ha~veh’Heien touched the back of W~Via’s dark curls.

He sighed. “We came here and became a remnant. Was it my fault, that our people lost our colony? Half of us went back to Zhea~. The weak came here for healing.”

Ha~veh’Heien smiled. “The Councilors taught me that Ye~ would gain a reward for her suffering. You have it! Here is a place of safety. I was told that Ye~ would exist in two parts, one on the Motherworld, before the Change, and one in a place of safety amidst great danger, after the Change.”

Molly looked from one of them to another. “Would somebody please explain who Councilors are, what the Change is, and Cubes, and the One?” Her green eyes opened very wide, and her red ringlets bobbed at her ears.

Fae smiled. “I was once a diplomat. I had a diplomat’s understanding of trade, treaties, and danger. Zhea~ always had uneasy peace with pirate space. She took the injured slaves of slave traders and tried to heal them. When I was older, our Yeff Council chose me to lead the colony start for our prov Ye~. They taught me of the Areonians and their far space given them by Bisillipia. I was to negotiate the precise location of our new colony.

“Ahstam helped our bodies prepare for long stasis and genetic alterations. Much was required for the moist environs of the warm climes of Areon.”

I frowned. “But, the Barrens, where you were to colonize, were dry.”

Ha~veh’Heien patted her hands. “Changes Areon’s government made would bring all the moisture to its colonies; we were to have time to adapt our bodies from moisture to dryness. The Barrens became barren after our time. But, my treaty did ne please them. We conversed in Qvarn, a limited language. Eriganh forbade me to use Areonian: I did ne learn it. Areonians sent me oft to Bisillipia. I acquired things they insisted I trade to them for the land, and what lay under the land. This provision, ‘what lay under the land’, confused me. Areonians mined all valuable minerals from it. At intervals, they mined it again. Ne of value was found in any of these reminings. Finally, I signed the treaty. Before I left, A~ feared she would grow old, too old for children, before my return. She was unwell. I opened my mind to her, to thoughts of children, believing that she would die and I would return to an empty home. The memory of our last parting tortured me!

“The mission took well over a year. On my return, ‘Ao waited for me. ‘Ao, here? I expected him to be far. My Council declared a nine-day festival in honor of my treaty. I was too weary to enjoy any of it. The wish of my heart: to go to my home, to see if my wife somehow survived. I felt ne sorrow from any mind. ‘Ao offered to bring me a healer. I turned to him, then, and asked, ‘Does frail A~ live?’ I nearly fainted before hearing his answer.

“‘She is well! Come, see her.’ ‘Ao led me. My feet trembled. He led, ne to my small home, but to the palace of the King. Former residence of a young King of Zhea~ from our Prov, Ses~nehenae’fa. A beautiful residence of red-violet. I was sad that it was not purple, my family’s color for generations, but with a colony start, tradition must bend. I said nothing of it. These buildings would travel with us to the new colony. Ne my home. We would dwell in the chambers of King Ea, King of Ye~ Prov and of the Colony.

“I followed ‘Ao. He said, ‘My friend, you are quiet. What happened to you, on Bisillipia?’ He thought it only Bisillipia. I visited many provs of Thorde, S’ai, Fhiah, Jovia, Zha Jen, and K’hasa Zha in negotiations of provisions of this single treaty with Areon. Too exhausted to speak of any of it! ‘I traveled much, and I am weary.’

“From a room, A~ ran to me, followed by an infant, running after her. ‘Hav, we are blessed! See our bae! I named him A~vhen, a name you gave him in my dreams.’ I fainted. ‘Ao revived me, and brought healers. Ahstam told me the shock of seeing my bae nearly killed me. They ne knew of my journeys. I was forbidden by Eriganh to speak of them.

“There were many missions; to Kajar, to Bisillip, to Elshar, to places I ne longer remember. Between them, I lay unwell with fevers. Our colony moved to the space of Areon, and for two years I negotiated for our lives as the weak starved on ships. A~ and A~vhen accompanied me and kept me alive between negotiations. I wonder now how I did such! They dragged me to the outside of the ship, and Eriganh moved my body for me. Spoke using my lips. Somehow, we discussed provision after provision in the treaty. Councilors spoke in my mind. Much argument! None seemed to agree what goals I should negotiate.

“Finally, I realized how many poisons lay buried in Areon’s Barrens. Poisons worsened by the high moisture. Genetic alteration is easier to allow Zheien to bear dryness than moisture. I shifted my negotiation for one of the three moons, untouched by poisons. I found success quickly. We first lived in the Tunnels left by an unknown species’ colony. Their food stores sustained us until we grew crops.

“Our level had the Alliance, based on Bisillipia, and the Unified, all Zheien. We felt we needed a new level between the Alliance, which had a lack of strong leadership, and the Council, which had little contact with us. It never formed. Too much contention.

“I served many missions, and my family went with me. In my 51st year, a few months after becoming Most High Diplomat, Eriganh told me I must die and be reborn.”

‘Ao touched the back of Fae’s head. “As I was told.”

Ha~veh’Heien nodded. “My family witnessed my death of Traveler’s Sickness. A~ died of grief. Yet, we woke on Vohl, healthy and young! I appeared before the Council and they appointed me Emperor. Emperor! They told me you died on V’chsan, of an attack. That Kirnonos had you for recloning on Alb Seer, in the Bisillipian Colony there.

“‘What is my reign?’ I expected an answer such as the Seventh Galaxy. They told me, ‘Seven Galaxies’. A staggering amount. But then, they reminded me that ne all worlds have life or civilization ready for trade at our level.

“I negotiated more treaties as Emperor than I ever expected to write as Most High Diplomat, my final calling. ‘Ao helped me. The Councilors took many of my family to help us in this work.

“Then, Eriganh began collecting favor in the Sixth, now his home galaxy. This was forbidden. The Sixth was my home galaxy. We argued. My contention brought Trembling Sickness on me. I became very unwell. A~ also. I feared we would die. From Vohl, I took my ship and put us both in stasis. Our course should have taken us to Ye~. I know now, the Councilors came to us and found Eriganh’s deception.” His face grew serious. “I am eager to hear tidings of the Realm, now that I am with thought.”

‘Ao locked minds with him for nearly a Standard hour.

Father watched them. “If the Councilors took many, perhaps more of my fae and meae are living.” He trembled.

Molly jumped up. “I’ll see if there’s any more people on the ship. Or, maybe we can search the area where the ship was found.” She ran out.

I worried for Ryee; he shivered in Fae’s lap. We put another blanket on him. I put my arms around him and fell into that state that seemed sleep but was not. Ryee entered it before me. My half-Yeff body gave me limited health. The Councilors tried to make me Yeff, but I had damage from the Red Cube, and my White Cube, that seemed beyond their healing.

Father, Mother, and Laura shared many memories about Ye~. How Ryee went to the Fortress to try to fight the Kajarians and was tortured by Eriganh himself. My rescue of him and our flight to Earth. The Final Battle there, when I used my White Cube to defeat Eriganh’s Red Cube. Ryee’s unwells interfered with his duties as King. His mission to Esteerr nearly killed him, and I, also. Ahstam saved him in the slave market of Ndibph and took him back to Zhea~; even the skilled care of hundreds of master healers could not restore his health. Somehow, Vadia survived birth on Zhea~ and had health. ‘Ao, Emperor then, gave him a new duty recruiting and training Master Healers for the injured Thirteen Galaxies. He trained many enneads to travel and train more, but lack of health curtailed his efforts greatly. Then, the short Zbbat War killed a third of us. King Lyyyrah of Esteerr came to Ye~ to try to protect us. Ryee’s health worsened. Slavers captured him. Father had to institute the Change to save his life. The Change did not give health as the Councilors promised. The New Diplomacy turned out to be the revenge of Eriganh’s remnant. Our son W~Via, my miscarried infant, reappeared alive in the Change and came to help us. Despite his help, Ye~ was captured by slavers and two-thirds of us died in the mines. Zhea~ declared Ye~ a failed colony and took all of us to live there. Another move to Sghan Mas gave us a year’s refuge. W~Via turned into a child again. Then, in the middle of the night, we moved to Rainbow. Even here, we had rogue progs that tried to hurt us. Molly said we were safe. But, are we? Laura shivered.

Father pulled her close. Daughter, we are truly safe now.

‘Ao and Ha~veh’Heien suddenly looked towards the door. Fae gently gave Ryee to Father and leapt off the bed. ‘Ao steadied him. Both men rushed towards the wide arch leading to gardens and sunshine—

Molly carried a small man. “Ha~Veh’heien, here’s A~vhen. Mike’s got V~aen. They were on your ship. Weren’t there others?”

Fae took A~vhen in his arms and cried loudly. “My bae, my only child left to me! O, what comfort you gave, when we lost our other bae!” His orange eyes opened past wide. “V~aen, dear bae!”

A holo formed in front of ‘Ao. Laughed.

‘Ao stared at the red-haired man, redviolet eyes dreadfully wide. “W~Via!”

The holo bowed very low, one leg balanced far behind. “My Emperor, I am ever ready to serve—”

“W~Via, dear friend,” whispered ‘Ao, “I am ne longer Emperor. Are others with you?” His skin paled from red to pink again!

He rose. Short red curls framed a round face with blue eyes the color of mine! Fae W~Via, for whom we named our son—

Fa stared at his father, pale as moons. W~Via saw him and lost his smile. “They are, but my bae needs comfort. Many of us travel to Alb Seer. Have we permissions?” W~Via strode towards our bed.

“Ea!” Molly’s shout made everybody look up. “How many of you are there? Do we need to build another building? I’m Molly, Queen of Rainbow, the Unsinkable Molly Brown!”

W~Via started to bow again, but Molly dragged his holo next to his son. A holo with substance. “There are 98 of us, including myself. Ean, my bae!” They embraced, and Father cried loudly.

“You raved, on the ship, in your death! I watched you die! Fa!”

W~Via kissed his son’s forehead, his powdery cheeks, stroked his long, silver curls. “Ee so ya eao vah, my bae! Would my tongue be stilled forever than to speak such harm—”

“Ne, Fa. I know you did ne mean—”

“You had ne my confirmation of what you suspected, my bae. At such a young age, you did ne know that men rave in unwells, and oft say unthinkable words in pain! Ee so ya eao veh, dear bae. Did I curse the day of your birth? You held me to comfort me, and I loosed my anger on you because any touch harmed. What thought I, at the time? I see your memories, but have ne to match—”

Molly put her hands on W~Via’s head. “I hate to interrupt, but W~Via, you’ve gotta go. You can talk when you’re here, and in bed. I’m a healer, and I’m telling you you’re hurting yourself with this long-distance call. Say ‘bye, and get your healer to hold you. Okay?”

W~Via cried. Father and ‘Ao held onto him. Suddenly, W~Via himself fell out of the holo. Limp.

“Oh, no! W~Via, you weren’t well enough to port—Eanne~, hold him.” She helped ‘Ao put the large man in Fa’s lap. Father held him and cried loudly.

Ha~veh’Heien held his son, A~vhen. “Ean, listen to me!” Father looked at him, sobbing. “Put a blanket on W~Via. Ea, my bae. Is his head cold?”

Slowly, Father pulled the blanket up, then touched W~Via’s head. Frowned. “He burns!”

“I fear all of them have Traveler’s Sickness. Molly.” The old patriarch looked up at her.

“We have plenty of aandats. Let me see him, Eanne~.” Molly pulled his stiff collar open. Gray, brittle aandat. “Clothing former, put something red-violet and comfy—how ‘bout a long tunic? Did your dad like those, Eanne~?”

Father shook his head. “Ne, he slept in stiff clothing, as did all Old Colonists, a tunic that belonged to Fae.” Tears streamed from his golden eyes.

“Well, he needs soft stuff to sleep in, so I’m leaving this tunic. If he wants the shirt back later, I’ll give it to him.” Molly checked his points carefully. “Don’t look so worried, Eanne~! He’s okay. Gonna have a bad headache for a few days, but he’s not near RG. New aandat’ll do wonders for ‘im. Looka that red hair! Could be my dad. Or Adia’s.” Molly stroked the short, red curls.

“Who?” His cobalt blue eyes, the color of mine, snapped shut as pain lines deepened in his face.

“Lie still, W~Via.” Molly rubbed ea fae into his head. “You ported from the ship because you worried about Eanne~. He’s holding you.”

His blue eyes opened. “My bae? But, your hair is silver, my bae, silver!” His was pure red. Not a silver hair.

Father held him very close. “Fa, I am older now. I had silver early. Do you need rest? Molly tells me you have severe mind pain—”

“Molly is this skilled healer? Where is Pas, who served me when I became King of Ye~?”

Molly leaned over him. “W~Via, Pas is very old. I don’t think we can spring this on him yet.”

“Why, Sister?” Ron, a yellow-skinned Elshar, carried Pas to the bed. His red-gold eyes opened as widely as his smile! “I am old, but ne too old to enjoy this reunion. W~Via, my liege, I am very surprised to see you! I cannot rise, but I can offer my hand.” Pas lifted twin fingers and reached for him.

W~Via laughed, despite his mind pain. “Pas, if you are here, my friend, I can bear anything.”

Ron looked at Molly. “The other ship is here. Can I bring anyone to you?”

“V~aen!” Ha~veh’Heien shook. “A~vhen will need his bae.”

W~Via sat up, and Father supported him. “A~vhen? My fae? My fa! Alive?” He trembled.

Ha~veh’Heien stared at him. “If my bae is your fae, then you must be W~Via. But, W~Via is the child King of Ye~.”

W~Via laughed. “I am ne child, Liege! Some say, perhaps, I act as one, especially with fever—”

The little W~Via tugged at W~Via’s red-violet tunic. “I am W~Via, named for you, Fae.”

His smile dropped. Both hands shakily reached for the back of the tiny, dark head. “Your fa is dead, that you have his title?”

Little W~Via cried.

“My bae,” Ryee said, “I am ne dead.” Mea held him up, and he shook all over. Orange eyes stared at his bae.

“I am confused,” said the elder W~Via.

“Father is confused at times,” said the younger W~Via.

Now Ryee cried.

Molly stood on the bed. “Hey, everybody, this isn’t confusing, it’s wonderful! There’s Ha~veh’Heien, holding his son, A~vhen, whose son, V~aen is just coming in—hi, V~aen! Your son, W~Via, is here, but you might want to help Ha~veh’Heien, there, with A~vhen. W~Via’s son, Eanne~ is here, his two sons J~oie and Ryonne~, and Ryee’s son, W~Via, named for W~Via, the red-haired guy there. How many generations does that make? Eight! Dan Sa, bring your crew in with the aandats. Everybody, don’t check your trade balance. You’re all welcome to our healing, no charge. We have a Tessite mine, thank you very much.

“We have two rules at Rainbow that everybody’s gotta follow. Rule #1: Rest when ya feel tired. Rule #2: See a healer if ya don’t feel good. See this white robe? All in white robes are healers. Now, repeat my two rules, please.” She listened as the whole huge room chanted the rules. “Thanks, Rainbows! Anyone who wants to stay here, permanently, can stay. We have the Yeff Remnant with lots of buildings; there’s plenty of room for any of you 98 Yeff who are well enough to stay in Ye~. Anybody who’s sick—looks like most of you—we’ll show you a bed and give you lots of good healing. Excuse me, well healing.

“If any of you want to leave Rainbow, talk to your leaders. Ye~ is a failed colony now, so that’s not an option. Slavers have it. But, half the Yeff are here, and half are on Zhea~. If you want to go there, we have ships going back and forth safely, but do consider the gravity’s over twice what it is here. If your health isn’t 100%, please stay with me. We’ll take well care of you. Okay? End of soapbox!”

Go to Vol.14 preview of Home Is Elders