Chapter Seven
It took three days for Vress to let her out of his sight, but when she could finally sneak away, Aubrey headed for the gym. She really needed to use her arms for something other than Hmrain riding.
The crewman who had been assigned to her smiled. “Lady Aubrey, how did you meet Overlord Vress?”
“I told the Education Station that I would have no other. As the oracle, my words have weight.”
“Can you really see the future of anyone?”
“If their path is clearly set. Yes.”
“I... would you...”
She grabbed his arm and asked, “What aspect of your life do you wish to see?”
“I am worried about my sister’s family. We have storms near our home, and the last time I spoke to her, our communication was cut off.”
Aubry nodded and touched the centre of his forehead and tilted her head to one side.
“Her youngest ran into the table, and the communication array broke. She has been waiting for repairs, but she didn’t have your com codes written down.
There was an issue with her middle child and juice.
She will be in communication before we arrive on Aten.
Get your nieces and nephews better toys. ”
She pulled her fingers back.
He grinned and slumped in relief. “That is what I had hoped, but I have been racked with guilt.”
“Don’t be. Just make sure you show the little ones plenty of things to do outside to run off the energy.”
The crewman grinned, and they continued their walk to the gym.
The ladies were there, and Whisper was her target. It had been days since she had seen the vision, and she wanted to focus a little.
She walked over to Whisper and said, “I need to read your future.”
Whisper slowly released the weights she was working on and blinked. “You tried that already.”
“I was looking for love because I am a romantic; now I am looking for destiny because that is what will lead you to love.”
“I don’t care about love. If it shows up, yay; if not, still yay. I am alive, and that is what matters.”
“Can I touch you?”
“Sure. Keep it PG.”
Aubrey touched Whisper’s forehead and smiled. “There it is. You have a fun destiny. I am just wondering how it happens.”
“Don’t keep it secret.”
Aubrey took her by the hand and walked her over to a corner, where she looked down at her and put a hand on her shoulder. “You’re a wizard, Whisper.”
Whisper laughed and then paused. “Wait. You aren’t kidding. I thought you were just misquoting a movie.”
“Nope. I see you using visible energy casting. I just don’t know how.”
Whisper frowned. “How? I don’t do any of that now.”
“I don’t know. This is my problem. I am figuring it out, and it is giving me a headache.”
“Besides, where would I do it?”
“Oh, there’s a school. It’s run by a second-gen Hmrain named Nerigot. I already got that much out of Vress.”
“Was that difficult?”
“It was exhausting, but I managed.” She grinned.
“How... he’s so large. Is he to scale?”
“Yes, but the business end is conical, so once he’s in, he’s in.”
“Oh. Wow. So this Nerigot runs a wizard academy?”
“It is called the academy, and the studying wizards are acolytes. Are you interested in this future?”
“I... yes. If we can figure out how to qualify me, absolutely.”
Aubrey patted her cheek. “I need the jokes, so I will see what can be done.”
Whisper cackled.
“Nice. Halfway there.”
“How much longer do you have before you have to head back to Overlord Vress?”
“About four minutes. I can feel him on the way. It’s like the rumble of a bowling ball down the hallway.” She smiled.
“So can he fly with those wings?”
“Oh, yeah. They are extremely strong with a lot of dexterity.”
Whisper winked. “How much dexterity?”
“They have the flexibility of hands. He can and does pick me up and hold me with them.”
“Oh. Sexy or not?”
“Very. Smells good, feels good, and is a cuddle monster. Nothing not to like.”
“He’s also faster than you thought.”
“He must have flown through the hallways. That’s why they are so wide.”
“I did wonder.”
Aubrey turned and smiled at Vress. “Hey, boo.”
He frowned. “What does that mean?”
“It is a slang term for beloved.”
“May I use it on you?”
“It would be unusual. You can come up with something else.”
He paused. “Svreta.”
Her mind spun through languages, and she blinked. “Pink petals?”
He grinned. “I have seen them frequently, and they are some of my favourite parts of you. It is that or Svrora.”
Aubrey covered her eyes. “Oh, lord.”
Whisper asked, “What?”
“Pink pearl.”
The giggling came fast, and then it morphed into laughter.
Vress pulled Aubrey close. “Your people laugh a lot.”
“We laugh because it is safe to laugh again.” She looked at him. “It is a relief valve for our souls.”
“Svrora, you need to dress for a formal lunch. I have included all your clothing and your shoes. We are passing another Hmrain, and he wishes to consult you on what his future may hold.”
She grimaced and asked, “Will it slow us down?”
“No, he is catching up to us. Our arrival at Aten is still on schedule.”
“Good. How long do I have to get dressed?”
“Twenty-four minutes. I can help.”
“Nope, your help gets a little freaky. Whisper, will you help me get dressed?”
“Sure. I might even have time to do your hair. Let’s go.”
“It’s ten minutes to my room.”
Whisper grinned. “Then, we had better run.”
Vress laughed, kissed her forehead, and let them go.
Aubrey sprinted through the halls and ended up in Vress’s quarters, sweaty and panting. So nothing new.
Whisper said, “Sonic shower now, and I will arrange the pile he left on the bed. Is this a game?”
“He likes to help.”
“Ah. Foreplay. Got it.” Whisper waved her toward the shower.
Aubrey finished and wrapped herself in the robe she kept in the chamber. She walked out, and Whisper said, “He knotted some of the ties. They are clear now.”
“How did you do that? By the time I get them untangled, he’s helping.”
Whisper grinned and wiggled her fingers. “Magic.”
They laughed, and Aubrey was dressed and getting her hair done before the deadline. Twists at the front and a French braid that acted as a coronet went from one side to the other.
“Short hair is tricky, but this looks cute.” Whisper smiled. “If I had a curling iron, I could have gone to town on you.”
“This is nice. Thank you.”
“Now, where do you have to go?”
“Oh, shit, I didn’t ask.”
Whisper nodded and walked to the com on the desk. “Captain, where is Vress meeting the visiting Hmrain?”
“Oh, Miss Whisper. They are meeting at the shuttle dock and continuing in the oxygen farm.”
“Where shall Aubrey go?”
The door opened, and Vress grinned. “The oracle shall go with me.”
Aubrey got up, and he smiled. “You managed.”
“Whisper has a magic touch.”
Whisper snorted, but Vress held his hand out to Aubrey, and she walked toward him and left the room with Whisper behind them.
Whisper was tagging along.
Aubrey looked behind her, and Whisper made a face. “What? I haven’t seen other Hmrain as you have. I will just peep and go. Promise.”
Whisper walked behind them at a suitable distance, and when Aubrey kept looking back, Vress opened his wings. Aubrey heard the giggle behind them, but the footfalls kept coming.
Vress spoke softly. “I have a meeting space arranged in the oxygen farm. If you wish for your friend to attend, she will have to take position behind you as your attendant.”
From behind them, Whisper said, “Okey dokey.”
Vress turned and said, “How good is your hearing?”
“Dunno. Always had keen senses. Just happy you don’t have a tail.”
Vress chuckled. “This is the oxygen farm. Refreshments have been prepared. Aubrey, don’t wander off.”
Aubrey opened her mouth and then closed it. She was going to tell him he wasn’t the boss of her, but he literally was.
She entered the space and noticed the crewmen on guard.
Whisper chuckled. “Wow. That is a very fancy setup.”
“Hmrain know how to play fancy. I would familiarize myself with the implements if I were you. He wasn’t kidding about you playing attendant. You will need to pour tea, or whatever, and pick up napkins and stuff.”
“I worked as a server in a fancy restaurant. I can manage.”
Aubrey looked at her. “What can’t you do?”
“I dunno. Haven’t run into it yet. You said it yourself. I’m a wizard.”
Aubrey laughed. “That isn’t going to get old.”
“I know. It’s a fun conceit.”
The table was made of some sort of pale polished stone. Two Hmrain chairs, one standard chair. The table setting was elegant and had a lot of implements. Whisper smiled. “Not a problem. I ranked high on table etiquette.”
Aubrey believed her. She had that sort of personal control that made other women feel intensely comfortable.
“Mistress Oracle, would you care to take a walk or have a seat?” Whisper smiled.
“A short walk.”
“Very well. Shall we? How long does it take Hmrain to high-five and brag about getting laid?” Whisper walked with her.
“Well, if it is along the same timeline for actual sex, we have a while.”
Whisper laughed.
They walked on pathways through the green space until a voice called out. “Oracle!”
Aubrey paused. “That has to be a common name, right?”
Whisper laughed. “It’s Hmrain for Smith.”
They turned and headed back, giggling.
Vress was standing near the table, talking to another of his kind, who seemed made of stars and nebulas.
Whisper murmured, “What is that?”
The Hmrain slowly turned his head to look at her. “A being older than most cities on your world. What are you?”
“Really impressed.”
Aubrey covered her mouth and moved to Vress’s side. She went up on her toes and kissed him. That small gesture seemed to be the right thing to do.
Vress looked down at her. “You went for a walk?”
“Yes. We haven’t seen anything green and growing for years.” She smiled. “This is a wonderland.”
Whisper took up a respectful position to the left of Aubrey’s chair, a few steps back.
Vress turned to the other Hmrain. “Oracle, this is the Hmrain, Nerigot. He and his ship will be accompanying us to Aten.”
Aubrey looked at the man made of the most fascinating stellar night that she had ever imagined. “It is good to meet you, Overseer Nerigot. Do you run the academy?”