Chapter Seven #3
Vress paused and nodded. “We can finish our conversation later.”
Nerigot smiled slightly. “Of course.”
Whisper looked at Aubrey with wide eyes.
Aubrey said, “I can take her.”
Nerigot shook his head. “The medic on Vress’s ship is a Hellaz. They can be intimidating for females if not accompanied. Also, you have not been to medical on the vessel?”
Aubrey grimaced. “I can read the signs.”
Nerigot said, “Your friend will get assistance faster if I simply take her now.”
He didn’t say anything else, just walked to her and lifted her, letting out a soft hiss. “How are you moving?”
“Practice.”
His wings flared wide, and he launched upward. Whisper’s eyes closed, and she went limp.
Aubrey clutched Vress. “What happened?”
“He did a rapid launch, and she has limited vascular activity. She fainted because her body depends on the circulation being calm and controlled. A launch if you aren’t expecting it is neither calm nor controlled.
If I lift you for a sudden takeoff, lock your head to my shoulder and stiffen your neck. ”
“Oh, okay. Can we check on her?” Aubrey felt incredibly guilty.
“No. Medical will let me know if anything occurs that requires my authorization.”
Vress touched her cheek and offered his arm. “There is one thing that I am sure of in regards to your friend.”
“What is that?”
“I don’t have a Hellaz medical officer, but Nerigot does.”
Aubrey took three long strides, and Vress lifted her. “He has mirror mind. When you touched his thoughts, he saw what you were thinking. He is willing to wait for Whisper until she is healed and until she qualifies for the academy.”
She grimaced. “He’s bringing her back for dinner?”
“He is. His population is varied. There are a few that can become acolytes in each population. If they wish to study, they are welcomed.”
“Where is his ship?”
“Attached to mine. She hasn’t left to where you can’t reach her.”
She exhaled. “If she isn’t back for dinner, I am going to go get her.”
“I will accompany you.”
She relaxed. “Thank you. I can’t believe that I just blurted that out.”
“That is why Nerigot doesn’t leave his home that often. He can bring quite a bit of mental pressure to bear. You are very new to your power. You had no resistance when someone pushed back.”
“But you knew.”
“I did, and I watched over you, as you are my concern. Your friend is nice and all, but you are my consort and my only concern.”
Aubrey slumped. “Well, fuck.”
“Interesting idea, but I believe teaching you to spar in the gym will be more beneficial.”
“Dressed like this?”
“Why not?”
She blinked. “Right. Why not?”
He carried her to the gym and distracted her until it was time to get ready for dinner.
* * * *
Whisper woke up in a room made of a different material than Vress’s ship. The medic was tutting over his screens; his crimson skin was carved with marks that went down his arms and around his neck and forehead.
Nerigot was sitting against the wall, eating an apple. “Ah, you are awake. You are nearly dead, you know.”
“I know. I didn’t want to ruin the surprise.”
He chuckled and kept munching. “You know what the oracle showed me?”
“Showed?”
“Ah, I have a skill called mirror mind. What you think, I can see. She made direct contact with me, and so I could see what she could see. At least I know you recover from this condition. When you were on your world, could you call energy?”
“I could make fire on stone. No materials to burn. I lost the ability five weeks before I was rescued.”
He smiled. “That is a first skill for an acolyte. Calling one element to survive.”
She looked at the IV in her arm. “What is this?”
The medic smiled. “Fluid that is a very close match to your own blood. You will have to work on improving your physical condition, but this injection will give you an additional month.”
“What about the food thing?”
“It is enzyme rejection. It happens on many worlds. You need injections until your body understands what is being required of it. You have already been given an injection for all species on this vessel and Overlord Vress’s vessel.
They will help you extract the nutrients from the food grown on a soil foreign to you.
” He smiled brightly. “Your musculature is solid, if emaciated.”
“Oh. Thank you.” She smiled. “I don’t know enough about your people to return the compliment.”
He grinned. Nerigot cleared his throat. The medic straightened his expression, but he winked.
“How often do I need the injections?”
“Once every three hundred and ninety-four days. You will know when it is needed, and most spaceports have clinics that specialize in it.”
“Oh, okay. I will let the oracle know.”
Nerigot smiled. “Why her?”
“Because she bought our bond. Until she hands us over, we are linked to her.”
He grimaced. “That complicates matters.”
“That, and we are also children of Geb, so Ra is out there and has paid our bonds. Especially those of us who didn’t scan for Hmrain compatibility.”
“You would only be compatible with a stick in your condition.”
“Flatterer. I bet you get all the girls... you pay for.”
He raised his brows and grinned. “Well, you must be feeling better. I have ordered you clothing for dinner. We are expected in an hour.”
“How long does it take to get there? How much longer am I on the drip?”
The medic smiled. “Ten minutes.”
“Great.”
Nerigot looked at the medic.
The red man nodded. “Overlord, I will just go check on that clothing.”
“I have seen quite a bit in your mind, Whisper. You moved water, you moved stone, you called fire and wind. You did it all until you ran out of food.”
She blinked.
“That is why you departed to live on your own. You woke, and that usually has a destructive effect. Not wanting to hurt others, you left.”
“I... that is really annoying.”
He smiled. “I am very annoying. May I show you what you will see at the academy?”
She looked at the drip. “Sure.”
He smiled, and her mind opened up.
Men in robes, with etchings in different languages on their foreheads, necks, and arms, were engaged in focused exercises, projecting blasts toward a target range.
Acolytes were kneeling in meditation with glyphs over their heads.
There were a number of younger males who had creatures that were surprisingly familiar.
Whisper sat up. “Dragons! You have dragons! Sign me up.”
Nerigot put a hand on her breastbone and pushed her back. “I thought they would get your attention. I saw the mark on your thigh from the oracle’s image.”
“Are they all cute and small?”
“No, those are the children of the Ver. They come to us for socialization, and they help those who are having trouble being away from home. Short counsellors.”
“Oh. So, I can’t keep one.”
He laughed. “They are sentient beings. You may make friends with one, but you cannot keep them.”
She sighed. “Fine. I have to be content that they actually exist.”
“How do you know about them?”
“Myth and legend. We are finding that quite a few species out here are known to us as supernatural beings.”
“Interesting. Do they mention Hmrain?”
“Well, there are still pyramids built by Ra, and he is a name that anyone who looks into that region’s mythology knows. He is known as the god of the sun, fighting off darkness.”
“Interesting. I think he has an enormous ego.”
“Probably, but he also has a wife and son.” She smirked. “I have heard it from Aubrey. He’s delighted with this moment in time and his foreseeable future.”
Nerigot said, “Oh, you were also sedated when you came on board. Even the oracle. You have been out for three months, perhaps years. Vress wasn’t sure; time is different for us.”
Whisper was horrified. “What? Why?”
“Vress’s vessel came under attack the moment that you left your system. The oracle is of great value, and all Terrans were put into sleep until safety could be assured. When the attacks ceased and repairs had been completed, he resumed his travel.”
“So, we came on board, were introduced to the ship, had dinner, and then...”
“You were out. The oracle was sedated after she and Vress had consummated their connection.”
“Geez. I am betting she doesn’t know.”