Thirteen
Catherina
“Lady Catherina! Are you well! We heard of the attack on Boforous!”
I smiled. It had been two days since the attack and I was still shaken, though I was beginning to recover. Having Stevan hold me during the night, stroking my hair and whispering to me how everything was going to be okay, had done much to quieten the nightmares.
I’d visited Tokalas the following day and was gratified to see Henmop, the Peragin I’d paired him with, sitting at his side as he slept. For someone who had their spinal cord severed by a blade plunging into their back, and another blade that had punctured his heart, not to mention the three deep cuts on his torso, he was doing remarkably well. It would be several more days before he would regain the use of his legs, and days more before he returned to full strength, but he would have died three times over with same wounds on Earth, so convalescing for a couple of weeks was a small price to pay.
“I’m fine Jhilu, thank you for asking.”
I was back on Estaan, though with a considerably beefed up security detail. Peval was with me, along with five others functioning as my personal guard. Outside the building, another fifty palace guards patrolled the parameter.
Previously, my guard detail was fairly relaxed. They’d function more as honor guard and crowd control, but they were deadly serious now. The look of imminent death was in their eyes, their hands at rest on the hilt of their short blades. By now everyone in the universe knew of the attack, and it was well known the ferocity and deadliness of the Firaspatciti, so few dared approach them.
The attack had galvanized the universe. Even those calling for punishment of Stevan had come out strongly in condemnation of the attack and had distanced themselves from those lobbying for the Peoples to allow fate takes its course. The outpouring of support had been amazing with millions of messages arriving every day in support.
“Is it true you killed two of the attackers yourself?”
I shuddered at the thought. When we’d returned to the palace, I’d spent a long time cleaning my hands, sobbing while having the nanites clean them again and again, even though the blood had been removed the first time.
“Yes, Jhilu, it’s true. It’s not something I’m proud of.”
Jhilu nodded. “I understand, but no one will fault you for protecting yourself.” She paused and gave me a small smile. “I always thought there was a lot of Estaan in you, but now I can see there is Firaspatciti as well.” Her smile widened slightly. “It must be true.”
“What?”
“That there is a little bit of all the Peoples in you. That’s how you can so easily understand us. Are all Humans like you?”
I smiled slightly. “Yes, I would say so.”
She shook her head in amazement. “Humans must be a remarkable People indeed. I hope, in the future, we can meet more of you.”
“I hope so too, Jhilu.”
As the room began to fill, everyone wanted to hear my story, so I finally told them I would tell everyone, all at once, when everyone arrived. I did.
When I’d finished, Quillat stood at the back of the room. Like with the Hedordians and the Fires, I’d forced the Estaans and Waters to mix by forcing them to sit in alternating seats, but today, the Waters had ignored that and had clustered together.
“Lady Catherina, may I speak freely?”
It took me a moment to respond because that was the boldest, most aggressive thing I’d seen any of these men do since I’d started working with them.
“Of course, Quillat, always.”
He swallowed hard and was clearly forcing himself to do this. “After the attack on you, we discussed what happened,” he began, gesturing to the other Waters around him. “Not only do we condemn the actions of those against you in the strongest possible way… we have agreed that if you are willing to risk so much for us, to give so much for us, the Peoples of the universe, we decided… that we must risk and give much as well. We… have agreed to redouble our efforts to learn from you and…” he paused and looked down, clearly uncomfortable.
“Go on, Quillat. I’d like to hear what you have to say.”
He looked up and held my gaze. “And we realize that perhaps we too should do our part to help the Peoples of the universe.” He looked at Garretu. “Garretu… I… would you like… will you join me for an evening meal?”
Every woman in the room, myself included, looked at Quillat in slack-jawed amazement. Only the Waters seemed unsurprised by the boldness of Quillat.
Garretu smiled. “I would love to, Quillat. Thank you for asking.”
Quillat seemed stymied over what to do next. “Would you like to suggest a time and place?” I asked softly, trying desperately to keep the momentum going.
He smiled in embarrassment. “Yes of course. Uh, seventeenth hour, today?”
Garretu smiled. “I’ll be ready. I’ll message you my location. You can meet with me there.”
I couldn’t hand hold him through the entire date so I stood silent, wanting to scream at him to say yes.
“It would be my pleasure,” he finally said and smiled.
I was still trying to decide what to say when Quosson stood as Quillat sat. “Jhilu… would you like to accompany me to Taluh Face tomorrow?”
Jhilu’s face split into a wide smile. “I would enjoy that very much, Quosson. I’ve never seen it. Thank you for asking me.”
He dipped his head. “Thank you. I will arrive at your location at tenth hour.”
That was only minutes from now. The Peoples of the universe seemed able to keep track of planetary rotations and adjust for the various times with ease, but it was a skill I hadn’t acquired yet. Tomorrow was an off day for them, which was probably why he’d asked her for a date tomorrow instead of today, or tonight, or whatever.
“Would you two like to be excused from today’s class?” I asked, not wanting to let this opportunity pass.
Jhilu looked at Quosson, her eyes begging him to say yes.
He paused, looking between me and Jhilu. “By your leave, my Lady,” he finally said.
Like the breakthrough with the Water women over a year ago, I wanted to step outside the room and run in circles while screaming my excitement for all the world to hear, but this time I didn’t. As Quosson stepped toward Jhilu, she rose and extended her hand. He took it with a smile, then looked at me. He looked terrified but determined.
“Have fun,” I said, trying not to cry.
Quosson and Jhilu hadn’t even let the room before Quorin rose. “Gurthu, will you join me at Folu Rain?”
Gurthu rose and swayed her way to him. “I would be delighted.”
“Would you like to leave now?” I asked.
“No, my Lady. Folu Rain is much more romantic at sunrise,” he said, holding Gurthu’s gaze with his enormous eyes.
“Perhaps we should spend the night together at Folu Rain,” Gurthu purred, “so as to not miss even the first rays of light.”
Quorin looked like he wanted to run, but then he smiled. “I will make the arrangements.”
Several more Waters stood and asked for dates, and I had to work hard to hold my tears. The Aquallians were stepping outside their comfort zone in a show of unity with the rest of the Peoples of the universe. When it was down to the last five pairs and the remaining Waters didn’t stand, the Estaans looked disappointed. I didn’t blame them. It hurt to not be wanted, but these were Waters, and maybe they just needed a little bit of help.
Everyone had stayed with the exception of Quosson and Jhilu, but the room had shuffled, and those that had dates were sitting together.
I picked the Estaan closest to me. “Bleu? Do you have something to say?”
She looked at me in confusion, until I glanced at the back of the room. She smiled, understanding suddenly dawning. She rose and slowly walked to the back and sat down on Quilob’s lap. “I’d like to see Taluh Face,” she breathed.
I held my tongue, willing Quilob to say something, anything. “Please… come on,” I muttered under my breath too softly for anyone to hear.
“This is where you invite to take me, you thick-headed Eld,” Bleu said softly.
There was another moment of silence. “I’ll take you, Bleu,” Quird said.
“No!” Quilob said suddenly before Bleu could respond. “No. I’d like to take you, Bleu, if you’ll go with me.”
Bleu kissed him softly on the lips. “I’d love to.” She turned to me. “By your leave, my Lady?”
I gave them a wave of my hand. “Go.”
The cracks in the dam that formed when Quillat asked Garretu to Taluh Face finally gave way and the final four Waters asked the Estaans to join them on a date. I had to call a break because I needed a moment to get myself together. I had never been prouder of a group of people in my life.
I stepped into the hall, waving Peval back when she snapped into a battle stance and began to approach with a look of concern. I stepped a few meters down the hall and stopped, breathing hard, leaning against the wall as I tried to get control of myself. I didn’t cry, but it was near thing. The Waters had finally risen to the occasion, all because of an attack on me. I felt a new wave of tears threaten, but I fought them off, then laughed, my voice thick with unshed tears.
I’d never had one hundred percent success pairing up members of a class. Yesterday, if someone had told me the Waters would be the first, I would have laughed at them.
I took several deep breaths and I felt the rush of excitement start to overtake the tingle of pleasure that I sometimes felt when someone does something unexpected and pleasant for me. I still had a lot of work ahead of me with these Waters, but they’d finally taken the first step.
Taking a deep breath, I turned back and saw Peval standing, giving me space but watching me carefully in obvious concern.
“It’s okay, Peval,” I said. “We’ve just had a major breakthrough in there and I needed a moment to compose myself.”
“What kind of breakthrough?”
“What would you said if I said every Aquallian has asked one of the women to be his companion for the evening?”
She stared at me for a moment then smiled. “It wouldn’t be polite to accuse my Lady of lying.”
I giggled. “Had I not been in the room and seen it for myself, I wouldn’t have believed it either. But it’s true.”
“Why the sudden change?”
“The attack on Boforous. It, somehow, motivated the Waters to try harder, to go beyond themselves. I could tell as they did it, it was one of the hardest things they’d ever had to do, but they did it.”
She looked at me strangely then sniffed out a brief laugh. “The more I know about the Aquallians, the less I understand them.”
I shook my head. “I’m not sure I understand it either. It seems what motivates them is doing something for the greater good, or the good of others, or something. I don’t know, but maybe, with the help of these women, I can figure it out.” I smiled. “Maybe all they need is to feel like their mates need them to mate with them.”
Peval smiled. “I can understand that. I’ve met men that I needed badly.”
I grinned. “Yeah, but these are Waters. You can’t just walk up to them and say, ‘I need you to mate with me… right now.’”
Her smiled widened. “Their loss.”
I snickered and shook my head as I turned back to my pupils waiting inside.
-oOo-
I stepped into the ward where Tokalas was recovering. Unlike the last two times I’d seen him, he was awake, and like both times before, Henmop was there.
Henmop was a Peragin, a lovely people that reminded me of the Highland Scots more than anyone I’d met so far. Peraginisis was ruggedly beautiful but not suitable for farming or fishing. The Peoples there had become renowned for their animals and for food and products they provided. They were all kind, caring people that were gentle, yet fearless when protecting that which was important to them. They generally lived solitary lives in family groups as their families traveled over vast distances following their herds, living for a few months in one of their dozens of homes before moving on to the next.
Because of their semi-nomadic lifestyle, they weren’t firmly attached to any one place, like the Hedordians, and because their planet’s water was in millions of freshwater lakes, they viewed water more like the Fires, as a resource to conserve.
“Henmop, good to see you again.”
“The pleasure is mine, Lady Catherina.”
“How’s the patient?”
“He’s better,” Tokalas said.
His voice was far stronger than I would have expected and I give a small shake of my head in amazement as I smiled. He should be dead, yet in only a little over two days later he was sitting up in bed, talking.
“That’s good. You scared the shit out of me!”
He dipped his head. “My apologies, my Lady,” he said with a smile. “They said it would be two to three weeks before my heart and spine are fully healed, but by tomorrow I should be able to feel my legs.”
I gave him a pat on the arm. “Don’t push it. Take all the time you need.”
He nodded. “Henmop has invited me to Peraginisis as soon as I can move on my own.”
I smiled at her. “Are you going to go?” I asked, returning my attention to him.
“I think so. I’ve been relieved of duty until I am fully recovered. I’m sorry that I won’t be at your weak side, my… Catherina.”
“Don’t worry about it. Peval is still with me and she’ll take good care of me.”
“It’s bearing season. I’ll show him how to deliver a cyruh and maybe an aadumiter.” Henmop grinned at him. “We’ll see how tough he is then.”
I smiled as he rolled his hand over on the bed and she took it. There was chemistry between these too. I’d introduced them only days before the attack, but clearly, there was a connection there.
Henmop stood. “I have to go. I need to check on the pregnant females, but I’ll be back in a few hours.”
I saw Tokalas give her hand a squeeze before she released him. I stepped back to give them room. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and a smile before she stepped back. She turned to go then stopped and faced me again.
“I’m sorry. By your leave, my Lady.”
“You may go,” I said with a smile.
She stepped away from the bed, opened a portal, and stepped through, disappearing as if she’d stepped behind a mirror. I looked at Tokalas. He’d obviously been schooling her.
“I’m not her Lady, Tokalas. She doesn’t have to request my leave.”
I didn’t expect anyone to do that, but the Fires clung tightly to their traditions and I’d stopped fighting them. He looked at me, his eyes alive.
“I didn’t tell her she had to do that. She asked why everyone said that, and I explained it to her.”
I smiled softly. She’d done it for him. “I like her.”
He smiled. “So do I, even more than Lurell or Paulten. I’m just sorry that…” he paused and waved his hand over his legs.
“But you’re going to make a full recovery. If she doesn’t wait for you, she wasn’t the right one anyway,” I said as I gave his hand a soft pat.
“Yes. I’m hopeful that the third time is the charm.”
I smiled. “I think the chances are good. She invited you to her home, after all.” He crossed his fingers and I giggled. “Do you even know what that means?”
He smiled. “No, but I’ve seen you do it in situations when you want something to happen. If Lady Catherina does it, that’s good enough for me.”
I giggled again and crossed my fingers on both hands and held them up for him to see. “For you, Tokalas.”