Thalia and Earth E-Book

Mari Collier

• Herausgeber: Next Chapter
• Kategorie: Fantasy und Science-Fiction
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Beschreibung

A new force has awakened in the galaxy.

Thalia has defeated the Justines, the Krepyons, and the Sisterhood. After claiming his Earth son Lorenz, the Maca of Don returns to Earth for a family reunion.

But the planet has changed: it's the 1970's, and one of their family members is trying to dismantle their business. Another has killed four men, and the doctors are beginning to suspect that there's something strange about the MacDonald family.

Meanwhile, the newer members of the MacDonald and Rolfe clans are unaware of their alien heritage and abilities, and General MacDonald is carrying a heavy secret of other alien beings.

Soon after their arrival, The Maca of Don and Lorenz learn that there is a new presence in the galaxy... one bent on conquest and destruction.

Leseprobe

Thalia and Earth

Chronicles of the Maca V

Mari Collier

Copyright (C) 2016 Mari Collier

Layout design and Copyright (C) 2019 by Next Chapter

Published 2019 by Next Chapter

Cover art by http://www.thecovercollection.com/

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the author's permission.

To the Reader: The lilting speech of the Thalians is not Scottish. Their words are similar, but do not necessarily mean the same thing. They use the letter T before words like is, was, would, were, etc. so that the sound is tis, twas, twould, twere. You is pronounced “ye,” and your as “yere.” All of these sounds are alien to our ears. Their speech is used during their visit to Earth. To avoid confusion, I have kept the accents to a minimum in the rest of their history.

Chapter 1: Secrets

Lamar left Llewellyn's office with a frown on his face. A quarrel had erupted and he had been ordered to nay speak those words again. He hurried down to the Ops Room where Beatrice, his wife, was working. He was relieved to see she was standing up as though getting ready to leave.

“Can ye walk a bit with me ere ye return to whatever it tis ye do here?”

Beatrice looked her counselor. His hair was almost white and his brown eyes were filled with puzzlement. His right arm that had been destroyed by the Justines, hung loose from his shoulder. He was fine when he plied his Warrior's trade, but as someone confined to the ground, Lamar was not the most proficient being when dealing with others. He, like herself, had kept his Warrior's body and except for the right arm most of his muscle power. She couldn't fault him the white hair, but it was worrisome.

“Of course, I can, Lamar, as I was about to leave for lunch. Andrew and Linan have their tracking set in such a way that I rarely have enough to keep me busy. I'm hoping things improve as much as Llewellyn predicts and others are trained to do this work. Then I can spend more time at the Warriors and Flight Academy.”

They walked outside. Lamar was tight-lipped and glancing back and forth. Once they were outside in the walled section of compound, Beatrice turned.

“Lamar what tis wrong?”

“What makes ye think something tis wrong? I just need to discuss something, mayhap receive your counsel. My words seem to do nay but antagonize my Maca.”

Beatrice stared at him. It wasn't her imagination. The man was truly agitated.

“Lamar, what did ye do?”

I have done nay.” His denial was emphatic. “Tis Llewellyn and that, that one he calls his laddie. They will nay listen.”

Beatrice sighed. She knew Lamar meant well, but his advice for everyday living could be irritating. “And to what will they nay listen?”

“Lorenz and that Ab woman canna marry. Tis wrong.”

Beatrice shook her head. “Lamar, if ye mean the Kenning Woman, Llewellyn has named her and made her a Tri. Once she tis healed, he can appoint her to a position of worth and she will be House. Tis better this way. Who in any of the Houses would wish to marry a Justine mixed with some primitive planet's genes? It tis a perfect solution.”

Lamar was shaking his head. “Ye dinna ken. She tis apt to talk.”

“About what? She has been a land Ab these many years.”

“She will tear this House apart.” Desperation was building in Lamar's voice.

“Lamar, what have ye done? Did ye bed her ere the Sisters tried to kill her? I paid nay attention to that gossip I heard about ye taking her to the Warrior's Haven.”

Lamar swallowed. “I did nay bed her.”

Beatrice reached out and grasped both his hands with hers. “Lamar, why did ye take her there?”

“It was to be but a temporary arrangement before sending her inland. Rollo said it would be a way to silence her. How could I ken that the Sisterhood would find her and try to kill her?”

“But why did ye go along with that scheme? Why would ye want her silenced?”

“Rollo said the Sisterhood would come after us if she continued to say Don would be restored. He kenned she was nay a true Kenning Woman.”

“Lamar, her predictions have come true. Llewellyn tis back, his laddie tis with him, his eyes are the color of a blind man, and Don and Donnick are being restored. Of course, she tis the Kenning Woman.

Lamar was shaking his head. “Nay, Rollo said…”

“Bah, Rollo said!” Beatrice was exasperated. “Rurhran hates the woman. They feared Rocella would make an idiot of herself over her, and they certainly didn't want Don to have the kine and sheep back. Llewellyn and Lorenz had to take the kine before the Sisters attacked. If our victory over the Sisters hadn't been so complete, Rurhran would still try to keep everything.”

“We are Warriors!” Lamar roared. “Nay kinemen. Even that Lorenz fought better than I thought such a skinny body could fight.”

“Lamar, Lorenz tis a kineman. Have ye nay listened to the tales LouElla and Llewellyn have told us about their life on his planet? Ye need to go to Llewellyn and confess what ye did and apologize.”

“Why? I did nay wrong. She tis an Ab. Who would care about her? It would be better to encourage Lorenz to see more of Lettuce.”

Beatrice felt like shaking him. “Lettuce tis but in her sixties. She tis too young to wed. Lorenz tis ready to wed as LouElla claims he has some sort of strange beliefs that he should be married ere bedding.”

“He tis in Thalia. He has nay need to follow the laws of his planet.”

“Tis nay a law of that planet. Many of the people there have kept their Book and try to follow its directives. Have ye nay heard the reports? He reads some black book almost every day according to his Laird's Home Director.”

“I tell ye, the man tis mad. I will nay apologize for what tis right in Thalia.”

Chapter 2: Changing of the Guard

The first meeting of the Guardians of the Realm after the Sisterhood's Rebellion had been temporarily thrown into panic when Betta, Guardian of the Realm, stood and announced, “I have grown eld. My decline starts soon, and I will nay sit in judgment of my lassie, Beauty.”

She held her white head straight, but her lips and skin were almost grey. She bowed to the minor House members, Tris and Abs seated in the tiers facing the rostrum. Then she bowed to the left and right where members of House were seated before leaving the rostrum and descending the stairs to exit the building.

Jolene, Guardian of Ayran, her brown eyes gleaming was ready and she spoke. “I think we should all thank Betta for her service, but we have much to do this eve. I nominate LouElla, Guardian of Flight.”

Cheers erupted from the tiers facing the Council members. A small smile played on the Maca of Don's face and amusement lurked in his dark eyes. Llewellyn realized Jolene was doing exactly as she had said and promised. She had also brought her Tri population with her to sit among the predominantly Don Tris and add to the cheers.

Ravin, Maca and Guardian of Rurhran, glanced to see who she could count on to nominate her, but Magda, Maca and Guardian of Medicine, was on her feet shouting, “LouElla, LouElla!” The promise of the Sisterhood that Ravin would be the next Guardian of the Realm forgotten.

The other stunned Council members voted for LouElla. LouElla appointed her brother, Lamar, Guardian of Don, as Counselor of the Realm, and her laddie, Llewellyn, Maca of Don, as Guardian of Flight. Llewellyn had no choice but to appoint Lavina temporary Guardian of Don. He could nay appoint his laddie, Lorenz, until the Claiming Rite had been approved and completed.

As soon as they were all reseated, LouElla began her speech. Her hair was graying, but her body was still a Warrior's body and her voice was firm.

“Guardian and Counselors of the Realm, I thank ye for this honor. As ye all ken, there tis much on the docket this evening. Our first duty tis to make Thalia safe for all again.

“Our first vote is to restore Thalia under our rules. Then we will reinstate Troyner as Maca of Troy. Nest the traitorous Sisters that fought to bring Don, Troy, Ishner, Brendon, and Ayran down will be sentenced. I suggest that Beauty and Belinda be tried separately and that the rest be adjudged by their own Guardians. Either way the labor force of Ayran will increase.

Once those issues are settled, Llewellyn, Maca of Don, will request the Claiming Rite for his Earth laddie, Lorenz, and then Llewellyn will be joined by Brenda, Maca of Betron, in a request to Walk the Circle. I'm told that once the reseating of Troyner as true Maca of Troy tis completed, he and Lady Marta of Medicine are making like plans. This tis truly a new beginning for Thalia.”

A few cheers and light clapping rippled through the crowd before the dull business of voting for the laws of Thalia, the names of the traitorous Sisters were read and sentenced to prison time and then as Abs for the rest of their lives. The seating of Troyner as Maca of Troy brought a few cheers.

The crowd leaned forward when Beauty and Belinda were brought before the Council of the Realm. Both had wires around their wrists. Beauty was six feet, five inches tall and heavily muscled as a Thalian Warrior. She held her head high and glared at all. Belinda was shorter, a softer round version of the House of Betron. She was bewildered and looking frantically for any ally, but saw nay in the Council. Even those from the House of Ishner or Rurhran refused to look at her and she knew they were doomed.

“Beauty, Lass of Betron and Belinda, Lass of Betron, ye are charged with rebellion and murderous use of force against fellow Thalians. Do either of ye have ought to say before we vote on your crimes and pronounce sentence?

“Ye may bring your lies against me, but Belinda was too devastated by her Mither's death to participate in our fight for freedom.” Beauty spat the words at them. “Ye are charging her because she tis my counselor, nay for what she did.”

LouElla eyed the couple below. Mayhap what Beauty said was true as Belinda had nay been with any of the Sisterhood troopers. She had been found in the quarters she shared with Beauty. LouElla turned to Brenda, Maca of Betron.

“Do ye find credence in her words?”

“Aye, all ken she tis nay a Warrior.”

“In that case, I suggest we turn her over to Brenda, Maca of Betron, or declare her an Ab.”

“How would her own House detain her?” The scornful voice came from Jolene.

“I hate all of ye. I will fight ye anyway that I can. Condemn me with my counselor; nay by myself. Ye, LouElla are the one that killed my mither Ye should be on trial.”

LouElla looked at her. “As ye wish. The confinement will nay be pleasant.”

“Do nay forget they both must be judged Abs. I suggest we do that ere we finish.” Jolene was impatient, and there was always the chance Beauty would be sent to her mines.

“That leaves the matter of securing Beauty, Lass of Betron and her counselor. Who kens such a place?”

“Why nay ask Troyner to confine them in that miserable hovel where they held him and my laddie?” Brenda's hatred of what the Sisters had done to her laddie was in her voice. “The House can take turns supplying troopers to guard her. My troopers could be sent as the first ones. Then the troopers or enforcers from the other Houses could rotate with them.”

For a moment, silence reigned among the Guardians of the Council and then Troyner spoke. “I intend to demolish that place.”

Llewellyn addressed the Council. “The cells at my Tower are capable of holding them till a place tis built or one refurbished to hold them. I suggest the holding place be on Don or Ayran. Arrangements for rotating guards from all the Houses would mean that all share in the expense.”

“Who would select such a place?” It was Raven, Maca of Rurhran.

“Why nay send her to the Justines.” Magda, Maca of Medicine spoke. It would be fitting since that tis where she made sure Llewellyn was sent as a youth.”

“That presumes the Justines would keep her. I doubt if they would oblige us even for a price.” Llewellyn's deep voice rumbled out and others nodded and began to offer suggestions.

LouElla banged her fist on the mat provided. “Enough. We'll vote on Llewellyn's suggestion of securing her on Don. Once all tis in place, we can make the decision as to who the guards are and if more containment cells should be built on each continent.”

The hope that this meeting would nay continue too long ended with Jolene's request to recognize Jarvis as Maca of Ayran and JayEll as Lad of Ayran. Once again the proceedings slowed.

LouElla smiled at Jolene, but she had to say what all were thinking. “Your lassie tis his elder. By tradition, she tis the Maca and her laddie, JayEll would be Laird.”

“She has renounced the title and her laddie.” Jolene snapped back.

“Nay before the Guardians of the Realm, therefore, I fear we need to postpone a decision till she stands before us and tis able to answer what we ask her.”

“I have provided for that.” Jolene smiled back. “She resides in Ishner's Ab section, but she tis here this evening. Call her and she will answer your questions.”

LouElla raised her eyebrows at Jolene before sitting back to call Jaylene.

“Jaylene, once kenned as Maca of Ayran, step forward.”

Jaylene stepped from the Ab section and walked to the center of the arena, and looked at the curving wall rather than up at the Council. Her stocky figure was hidden by the brown Handmaiden garment. She deliberately left her cowl over her head.

“Jaylene, your mither has stated that ye renounced your birthright and your laddie. Tis this true?”

A hard smile appeared on Jaylene's face as she lifted her head. “I am the Handmaiden to Martin, nay else. It tis my duty to care for the Abs and provide for them. I reject all other titles. As for the one I birthed, he refuses to listen to Martin. He wishes to be part of House. Ye profit from the hard toil of so many and give them nay. The Abs go hungry and need Medicine for their wounds, but ye let them die and suffer. Their lifespan tis reduced to but two hundred seventy-five years on the average by your cruelties. That one,” and she pointed to Jolene, “oppresses the Abs with a heavier hand than all Thalia uses. Ye are murderers all!

“As for the one I birthed, he kens all this and still he would be House. Ye are welcome to such a traitor.”

She did not bow, but turned and marched to Ishner's box to await her return ride to the Ab compound.

The majority of the Guardians and Counselors sat stone-faced. She was the traitor. It was the Abs who had refused Medical. Jaylene had nay even bowed to them. They looked at Jolene who was looking straight ahead, her mouth in a straight line. Silence had descended upon the onlookers.

LouElla said through tightened lips, “If there tis nay more discussion, we will commence the voting upon the requests of the Guardian of Ayran.”

The Council voted for recognizing Jarvis as Maca of Ayran and JayEll as Lad of Ayran. The rest of the voting and calls to order went on for another hour and LouElla began to wonder if being Guardian of the Realm was an honor.

Chapter 3: The Claiming

Lorenz had tried to think of some way to avoid the Claiming Rite, but he had promised Llewellyn that when on Thalia he would abide by Thalian ways the same as Llewellyn had abided by Earth's laws and customs while he was stranded there.

While on Earth, Llewellyn had adopted him, a rather dry court procedure and everyone that attended wore clothes. On Thalian there was a Claiming Rite and except for the capes both men were nude.

“Are ye ready, Lorenz?” Llewellyn asked as he closed the clasp on his royal blue Don cape that fitted over his four hundred and twenty-seven pounds of muscle.

Lorenz's mouth was in a tight line and his grey eyes flat. At six foot, three inches, he was six inches shorter than his father and had the leaner, muscular build of a ranchman.

“Hell no, I'll never be ready for this.” His nude body was completely hidden under the blue cape.

Llewellyn's brown eyes flared with the amusement that had always lurked there while he lived on Earth. He kenned the ways and beliefs of his laddie's land.

Lorenz's Justine mind had seen the mental picture of what Llewellyn wished to do when he was still in his teens. The image had sent him running over the Texas prairie. His mother's screams echoing in his mind had brought him back to the ranch. Instead of the beating he had expected from his father, there had been an explanation. The idea of having to actually participate in the rite was far from his then fifteen-year-old mind. On Thalia, it had happened much faster than he anticipated.

Once the Council's business was over, LouElla and the Council accepted Llewellyn's request to Claim Lorenz as his laddie, a rite that would officially make Lorenz his laddie, and recognize him as the first born of a Maca. Lorenz's title would be Laird of Don.

Then the request from the Maca of Don and the Maca of Betron to Walk the Circle had been granted.

LouElla stood and announced, “The ceremony of my laddie, Llewellyn, and my Earth younger will take place after the viewing members of House, Tris, and Abs have left. Thank ye all for attending.”

The members of the Council of the Realm remained seated and the House of Don's immediate family members remained in Don's viewing box while Llewellyn and Lorenz had retired to the enclosed Don section to change. The other members of House had departed to the Dinner Arena.

Now Lorenz squared his shoulders and nodded his dark head at his father. Llewellyn opened the door and they walked through the aisle of the seating section and out into the arena. They turned right and walked to where they stood directly in front of the round wall enclosing the raised rostrum where the Guardians and Counselors of the Realm sat in a semi-circle. Lorenz stared straight at the wall and both men bowed to the Council members and then turned to face each other.

Llewellyn used his right arm to sweep the cape back over the shoulder and Lorenz used his left to do the same. That meant all members of the Council were staring down at them and could see one-half of their nude bodies.

Llewellyn put his left hand on Lorenz's shoulder and Lorenz put his left hand on Llewellyn's shoulder. He looked directly at Llewellyn's straight nose and lips. The lips had the slightest twinge of a smile. Lorenz clamped his teeth tighter as he knew what would come next.

Llewellyn's huge right hand reached outward and down and he firmly clasped it around Lorenz's balls and penis. What Lorenz had feared all those years happened. He had an erection. He dared not look at Llewellyn's face, but he heard him intone the words.

“I, Llewellyn, Maca of Don, claim ye, Lorenz, as my laddie and name ye Laird of Don. Your seed and all of your offspring belong to Don.” In his mind Lorenz could see the man smiling as Llewellyn looked up at the Council while he spoke.

“And my laddie tis anxious to give his seed to Don.”

The hand withdrew and Lorenz took a deep breath and performed his part of the ceremony. He reached forward with his right hand and clasped the balls and penis of Llewellyn. He hoped his voice wouldn't quaver as he intoned the words.

“This man tis my fither. All that I will have comes from him and all who comes from my seed belong to Don.” His grey eyes were looking at the Council, but he saw nothing.

Llewellyn's penis came alive in his hand and he knew his eyes widened, but unlike Llewellyn, he did not ad lib to the Council. He released his hold and stood with shoulders squared, then stepped forward, rose on tiptoe and put his head on Llewellyn's right shoulder and then the left, giving the “tsk” sound in each ear.

Llewellyn repeated the head rite and they turned and bowed to the Council before standing straight. Most members of the Council saw the scar descending on Lorenz's body and wondered why it was still there.

LouElla was beaming at them both. “Henceforth, he tis Lorenz, Laird of Don. He and his issue belong to the House of Don. Gar's blessings on ye and your House.”

“Members of the Council,” she continued, “behold my younger and youngest.” She pointed at Lorenz and then at Andrew MacDonald seated in Don's viewing section. “Andrew tis the laddie of one of Lorenz's Earth laddies and will now be known as Lad of Don. More of Lorenz's offspring dwell on his native planet, but they all acknowledge Llewellyn as the head of House.” She bowed her head in their direction.

Llewellyn placed his arm over Lorenz's shoulder and looked up at the Council. “If ye will give us a few moments, we will join ye and the rest of the Houses at the Dinner Arena.” Both men bowed again and walked towards Don's private quarters.

Once inside, Lorenz grabbed for his clothes, slipped on the thong, cinched it tight, and then whirled on Llewellyn, but Llewellyn was busy pulling on his own clothes. Lorenz shrugged and pulled on the blue of Don that he had been wearing since he arrived.

“Ye realize that ye are expected at the Dinner Arena this eve, aye.”

“I realize it, besides if I don't show, Grandmère would come charging after me.” He let out his breath. “And y'all realize that I'm still waiting for Medicine to heal Diana. I want her whole and I want to marry her.”

“Aye, that tis next.” Llewellyn smiled at his son. “Thank ye, my laddie.”

For a moment Lorenz stood baffled. Then he remembered how proud he had been when the judge intoned, “From now on your name is Lorenz Adolf MacDonald.” Lorenz smiled at his father.

“Ye are welcome, my Fither.”

Chapter 4: Attack

Lorenz landed his fliv at the Kenning Woman's Shrine at mid-morning. Diana seemed truly fearful of living here. He found a round, two-story building with every ground floor door and window smashed or missing.

The first floor contained an entry way, waiting chamber, cleansing room (Thalian for bathroom), a round room with shelves and one plasglass enclosed, empty nook towards what he presumed was the back of the room. The rounded walls of Thalia were still alien to his senses. There was a lume at the top of the nook to illuminate whatever was missing. The gym with an empty pool lacked any exercise equipment. A flight of stairs led to the upper section.

The first room was completely empty except for a rodent eaten chair. One room might have been a kitchen, but ragged splinters lined the walls where the cabinets and the Thalian version of a stove or a cooling cabinet should be. He wondered if it had been stripped for the contents or to obliterate the Kenning Woman. The round room before the kitchen may have been an eating area, but nothing remained. The same held true for the other two rooms branching off the welcome area. The cleansing room had been as brutalized and stripped as the kitchen. The only thing in this place was dirt and grime; not even footprints except the ones he was leaving in the dust. He looked down at the wall-wrapped garden area. Something was sticking through the overgrown shrubbery. Was it a statute or a fountain?

Outside, he found his way barred by the dramelberry's thorny branches woven together by nature. Lorenz bent low to crawl under them, but the way was blocked after a couple of feet. He took out his knife. Before he could use it, the air scents changed and the sounds of the earth and sky shifted. The tingling at the back of his neck stayed his movements.

Lorenz turned to edge his way back when the explosion shook the earth and debris flew at the bushes and over his head. One chunk slammed next to his hand and the next grazed the side of his head and kept going.

Lorenz came to looking at a patch of dirt while overhead dramelberry branches were laced in an embrace. The dirt seemed to lead to a clearing, and a loud bellowing tried to override the buzzing in his ears. The bellowing turned into Llewellyn's voice.

“Lorenz, Lorenz!”

Lorenz pushed up on his knees and the action sent the world spinning. He retained enough sense to close his eyes and breathe deep before looking around. Brambles were on either side and above. He must have crawled in here for some reason. Something sticky was running down the right side of his head. He raised his hand, touched it and looked at his fingers: Blood. He gritted his teeth and crawled out.

“Back here, Papa.”

Llewellyn rushed to the back and lifted him as if he were a child. Lorenz saw two more people behind Llewellyn, but the fog in his head kept recognition at bay.

“Would y'all put me down?” He muttered. He might need assistance standing, but there were other people watching.

“It would be helpful if he were in a sitting position, Llewellyn.”

“Aye, Melanie.” Llewellyn knelt and placed Lorenz on the ground, but kept his arm around him.

“Ye, laddie, were birthed under a lucky star.”

“Uh huh.” Recognition flooded through him as he looked up. Ishmael, Lad of Ishner, and Melanie, Lass of Medicine, were standing there. Both were slender by Thalian standards, but they were dark-haired and brown-eyed like the majority of House members.

Melanie removed something from the medical sack slung over her shoulder and did a quick scan. “Tis nay deep, but I need to cleanse, seal, and put a field bandage on.”

Lorenz felt a spray that seemed to numb the whole area. Within seconds she finished applying some kind of cover over the gash.

“It will be healed by nightfall.” Her large dark eyes sparkled and she smiled. “Ye are in luck. Tis nay deep, but head wounds bleed profusely.

“Shall I put off seeing the Kenning Woman until another day?”

“No, I'm fine. What happened?”

“Someone set off an explosion. Leta tis searching for any trace of the materials to find where it was constructed and who tis responsible.” Llewellyn answered.

“Do y'all have to guess? And who the hell knew I was going to be here?”

“We need proof of the bombers and probably all of Thalia kenned ye would be here.” Llewellyn started to reach for Lorenz, then changed his mind, stood, and extended his hand. Lorenz couldn't help but see the puzzled look on Melanie's and Ishmael's faces.

Lorenz grasped Llewellyn's hand and pulled to a standing position.

“By the way, Fither, I was glad to hear your voice.” He smiled and realized his mistake. Llewellyn pulled him into a full Thalian embrace.

Chapter 5: The Examination

At the Laird's Home, Daniel started his usual run at Lorenz when they entered, but Melanie stepped in front of Lorenz.

“Ye must wait till tomorrow. Can ye nay see there tis a bandage?”

Twelve-year-old Daniel stared at his fither, his large shoulders still hunched. All he had wanted was to be held. Diana appeared in the doorway, her face full of concern and then realized that Lorenz would be fine. She started to back away when Lorenz spotted her. Both Diana and Daniel had the lighter brown hair and eyes of the House of Troy. Unlike most Thalians, Diana's hair fell in waves.

“Diana, don't run off. Y'all are the reason we have visitors.” His grey eyes lighted and he smiled that transforming smile at the sight of her. With a few quick steps he was beside her and hugging her. He turned to the couple in the doorway.

“Where do y'all wish to do the examination?”

“A spare room with a cot would be fine.” Melanie was puzzled. The Kenning Woman was considered Tri while protected by Don and allowed to wear the Tri blue, but in reality she was Ab.

Ishmael walked over to Diana and hugged her. “Di, tis good to see ye. I canna believe it.”

Lorenz did a mental shrug and forced his jealousy downward. This is Thalia, he reminded himself as Diana and Ishmael greeted each other.

“Our bedroom is here.” He took Diana's arm and led them down the hall and into the room where they slept.

Melanie raised her eyebrows, but followed.

In the blue hued, blue draped room Lorenz led Diana to the bed. He did not see Ishmael stop at the doorway.

“I wish ye to stay with me.” The fierceness in her voice surprised Lorenz. She would not relinquish his hand, but tightened her grip.

“Why? They are both here out of friendship.”

“I dinna trust Medicine. They belong to the Sisterhood.”

Lorenz looked at Melanie who gave a faint smile.

“That tis why my sister, Marta, took her laddie, Timor, and fled.” She looked at Diana.

“Ye need to stretch out on the bed.”

Diana nodded and complied.

Melanie pulled her scanner from her bag and ran it over the length of Diana's body. “Ye need to lie on your stomach now that I may scan the other side.”

Diana swallowed, let loose of Lorenz's hand and did as bid. Melanie quickly ran the scan.

Lorenz stood trying to block any view from the doorway as though he was blocking the view of Diana's painful movements.

“How soon will y'all be able to recommend anything?”

Melanie gave him another puzzled look. “Right now, but first I need to ken if your Maca has seen her.”

“Why? What does he have to do with it?”

“She tis the Kenning Woman, but all ken she tis Ab. The Maca must name her.”

“He gave me the name of Diana when we met.” Diana's prim words caused Melanie to pause. Diana stood beside Lorenz. “But I nay expect ye to believe me.”

She half-turned her head. “Ye, Lorenz, must answer.”

“Of course, I've introduced her to my Fither and grand…, Elder Mither. Why wouldn't I? Isn't that what families do?”

Melanie smiled. “Forgive me, Lorenz, but at times it tis hard to remember ye consider him yere fither. Ye rarely call him that.”

For a moment Lorenz didn't know whether to be angry or laugh. He began to understand the amusement that lurked in Llewellyn's eyes while on Earth. Thalian ways could be as infuriating to an Earthman as Earth's customs must have been to a Thalian. It was better to laugh than lose one's temper.

“If we could have your professional opinion, please, we can decide on a course of action.”

“She sustained these injuries several years hence. That has allowed the damage to continue. The leg and hips bones need to be immobilized and the nanorobs injected. The same goes for the damaged shoulder. There was also some damage to the cranium which would benefit from treatment. She probably experiences frequent aches in all areas. Since she tis Tri, I can leave these here.” A smile dimpled her cheeks and she proffered a small case of pills. “They are but a temporary solution against pain. Ye dinna need to worry about their purity. Nay kenned that I would be here. Take one now and then one each morning.”

“Thank ye.”

Lorenz smiled and asked, “One more question, can the nanorob treatment be done here?”

“Nay, she will need to be immobile and there tis more than one injection. The procedure can be mildly painful, but a sleeping draught tis given. In the eld days, the bones would have been re-broken. The nanorobs do their job of correct alignment and strengthening, and then the remnants dissolve.”

Lorenz nodded. “That is the same procedure my grandson described as the Justine treatment for injured bones.”

He realized they all looked puzzled. “Gary, is my younger in your language. He's a physician, uh, medicine on our planet. If y'all had refused, we would have waited for Gary to return on the Golden One.”

Melanie shook her head. “Lorenz, your Maca may have named her, but the rest of Thalia considers her Ab. Ye canna take her up to the Golden One.”

“But since y'all can do the procedure, it doesn't matter.” His words were short and clipped.

“I will nay go to Medicine.” Diana was tired of them speaking of her as though she were stone. They will kill me.”

“How dare ye?” Melanie's face flushed with anger.

“Nay ye, but one of the Sisters there would. Could ye truly stop one from using Sleep or Dark?”

The anger vanished from Melanie's face.

“Y'all healed Beauty's wrist without taking her to Medicine. Why can't the same be done for Diana?”

“That was but two small breaks and they were new. I shall have to do one area at a time, and the pain without proper medication can be severe. I may nay be able to take that from the premises.”

“I have lived with the pain for seven years. A little longer will nay matter.”

“Everything may be done at my home. The Sisters would nay believe that I would permit such a thing.”

They turned in the direction of the hall. LouElla stood there looking at them. Daniel was up in her arms, his arms around her neck, his legs dangling downward, and he smiled at them.

“Ye were so intent on the matter at hand, the wee one answered my call.” LouElla set Daniel down. Today she wore the black warrior's uniform and every corded muscle rippled under the black.

“Ye are all correct. It can be done in the home, but more slowly. It would be best one procedure was done here, one at Llewellyn's home, then at mine, and however many more are necessary. Then she comes to live with me to learn to be a proper House Counselor and Warrior. Tis what the two of ye wish, correct?” There was a tight smile on her face.

“Grandmère, your solutions are wonderful, except Diana comes here for dinner and at night. Daniel needs her. She can train with you all she wants, but this is where we sleep.”

LouElla squared her shoulders and explained. “Ye canna wed her till ye ask permission to Walk the Circle and complete the House visits. Ye can ask to Walk the Circle after she tis healed and at the then next Council of the Realm meeting. Nay matter what we do, she,” and she pointed her finger at Diana, “will nay embarrass us when she Walks the Circle with ye.”

“She can still be here with me and Daniel when the pain from the healing subsides. That will just confuse everyone all the more.” His grey eyes and face were hard. LouElla glared back at him and he turned to Melanie.

“Melanie, when can ye start the treatment?”

Before Melanie could answer, Marta's face appeared on the screen. “Laird of Don, I must speak with my sister.”

Chapter 6: A Thalian Bedding

Andrew arrived at Kit's home shortly before the midday sustenance hour. There was a harried look on his lean face under the graying reddish hair. He was extremely busy between the negotiations with Rurhran and trying to receive records of the sheep costs and profits. He oversaw the beginning of the Don's leather factory production, getting the new Don schools up and running, the accounts for the three Don Centers, and the other small businesses that seemed to want a startup.

Rurhran's reluctance to open their clothing and material accounts for inspection had went on and on. Rurhran preferred the negotiations deal mainly with transferring the kine herds to Don and ignoring his remarks about the sheep and the profits from the subsidiary businesses of meat, oil, and cloth.

He was a lonely, tired man when he pressed the stone sculpture of a plow beside the door. It served on the worker's quarters the same purpose as a doorbell on his planet.

Kit welcomed him with a huge smile as she opened the door wearing the new light blue top with the wide sleeves, narrow wrists and waist. She had paired it with a short, blue leather kirtle. Her dark, sun streaked braided, brown hair gleamed and swung over her right shoulder.

The Earth being was taller than she, his hair was becoming the white hair of a natural Guardian, and his eyes a frightening light blue. Dear Gar, what had she agreed to? It did nay matter. The Maca had promised her security if she brought a smile to Andrew's face, plus she had this new blouse and the afternoon off.

Andrew's blue eyes seemed to smile, but then he was all business. “Where do you keep the display screen? We can set up there.”

For a moment Kit's eyes simply blinked. He did nay act like a lonely man. Mayhap Earth beings were different. She pointed to the wall that separated the activity quarters from the food preparation.

“Tis there.”

“Good, we'll have you entering things like an accountant before spring is here.”

Kit stared at him. Her brither, Kahli, used those things. He had tried to teach her, but there wasn't time. Finally, she licked her lips and asked. “Would ye nay like a brew first?”

Andrew pulled out a bag of crystals and a stylist from his pocket, some thin folded metal sheets from his inside suit jacket pocket, and pulled up a chair.

“No thank you, we've too much to go over. You'll need to bring over a chair, and, oh, yes, my name is Mr. MacDonald.”

Kit was truly puzzled. This man was House, the newly named Lad of Don, yet he was polite to one who was born Ab. If he did nay drink, how were they to proceed to the bedding? She brought over one of the chairs, but remained standing.

Andrew had the display on and was pressing the circles. “Yes, yes, there it is.”

He looked up at her. “I was making sure the forms I wish you to use are here. I routed them over yesterday afternoon. I've provided some sheets for you to practice on, but I've also put them on a crystal.”

Kit swallowed and her face remained blank. Kahli could write, nay her. She stared vacantly at the screen.

Andrew turned to her. “How many acres do you have planted?”

Kit shrugged. “I believe the Laird said two hundred and forty acres when he had Laten show me this place and where the field boundaries were. I requested the amount of seed I needed.”

For the first time Andrew really looked at her. “How did you know how much to plant?”

Kit smiled. “All fields are the same size for the planting. I had nay ordered before, but I kenned how much seed it takes. Don has been permitted to grow their own eating produce and somehow the Laird had the seed kernels for wheat.”

Andrew lowered his eyelids. He wasn't about to tell her that her Laird, his grandfather, might have purloined the seed on one of his raiding trips to Rurhran. He was beginning to suspect his mother had been correct about one thing: His grandfather wasn't above taking the law into his own hands. Then he remembered Lamar's comments about Abs nay learning anything.

“Uh, how much math and writing are you able to do?”

Kit smiled down at him. “I was Ab. I was taught nay of those things. Ye will have to teach me.”

Andrew slumped back. Grandpa Mac, her Maca, would have known. Why was he sent here? He turned to look at the woman who was smiling at him and leaning closer. Her scent was heavy like musk and he realized how long he'd been without female companionship.

“Mayhap we should have a brew while ye point out everything to me. Kahli showed me how to draw diagrams on there. Mayhap, I can learn to put numbers there.” Kit's smile deepened and she bent to touch her lips with his.

Andrew blamed his weak male nature and the years of lonely nights. He found himself standing and pulling her close and the urge of all mankind was upon him. Somehow Kit had dropped her kirtle and was moving his earth slacks downward and her hand found regions that sparked a desire so deep that both sank to the floor.

Chapter 7: The Challenge

Millay was seething after hearing Melanie's message that all was well with the Laird and she would return later. As Director of Medicine, Millay had looked forward to pronouncing the alien dead. The man must live a charmed life.

She increased her pace, the Sisters behind her hurried to keep up. It was the tenth day after the Sisters' defeat and her attempt at revenge had failed. Worse, Magda was with her elder lassie, Marta and Marta's male wee one for a frivolous excursion to Don's First Center for treats and a bit of swimming.

“Ye could demand they eat treats and swim here as tis proper.” Millay had tried to cast Marta as slighting her Mither and Maca.

“She fears for Timor's safety. She will come around when Thalia returns to all the eld ways.” Magda had patted her shoulder.

“Ye need have nay fear, Director. Soon Marta will be my Counselor. Melanie tis too young to be Director of Medicine. When that day comes, mayhap we can open a second unit on Rurhran or Ishner.”