by Dale Furse
‘She’s fine,’ Dar-Seldra said, putting a tray of drinks and glasses on the table. ‘She won’t be staying up for long.’
‘I’ll know when I’ve had enough excitement,’ Annet said.
‘I’m your physician and I will tell you when you’ve had enough.’
Nell giggled. It was more a command than an explanation. Her aunty took her role seriously and expected her patients to obey her.
‘Yes, Ma’am,’ said Annet with a grin.
Nell smiled and raised her eyebrows at Sam. He leaned close and whispered, ‘It’s about time Mum lost one.’
Mekie hit Sam. ‘Stop whispering. It’s rude.’
Dar-Seldra said, ‘Annet and Carl? This is Tish and her son Kale.’
Carl stopped fussing over the cushions behind Annet’s back and stood up. ‘Hel-hello,’ he said, and held out his hand. Tish rose out of her seat, gazing at his offering. Kale took his mother’s five digit, pointy-nailed hand and placed it in Carl’s hand. ‘It’s called shaking hands,’ he said.
Carl gave a short shake, as Annet said, ‘It’s so nice to meet you at last.’
‘And you,’ said Tish.
Nell was thankful her adopted parents weren’t too rattled by the Corls. Of course, they had already seen Nurse Fellder, but Annet was out of it and Carl was probably too worried about his wife to notice anything. By the time Eph got to the house, the nurse had gone. They had heard descriptions many times, and Sam had even drawn pictures, but nothing was like meeting them in real life.
Nell noticed Kale’s arm. ‘Kale, you have a bracelet.’
He looked down as if seeing it for the very first time. Holding his arm straight and twisting his wrist from side to side, he said, ‘Ah, so I have. It is beautiful, isn’t it?’
It was a plain okfor ring. Nell didn’t think it was beautiful at all.
‘Yeah,’ Sam said. ‘Give us a closer look.’ He stood up and leaned over the table to touch the bracelet. ‘Now you can go to any planet whenever you want.’
‘Not until he gains his upgrade,’ Tish said. ‘At present, he can only travel around Corl.’
‘I have to pass the final test,’ Kale said.
He spoke the words as if it was a foregone conclusion that he would pass, not gloatingly, but in a matter-of-fact way.
Nell suspected he’d pass any test easily. She’d never met anyone so smart, not even her father or Kandar.
Tanat helped serve one delicious course after another. After finishing the meal off with chocolate cake and hot fudge sauce, Tanat stood and said, ‘Please fill your glasses with your choice of wine.’
A fine collection of Grarlon, Corl and Earth wines spanned the table.
When Tanat stayed quiet, Nell gazed up at him, and said, ‘Us too?’
‘Yes, you too.’
Scanning the many bottles, Nell picked up a bottle of apple cider. ‘You’ll like this,’ she said to Mekie.
Tanat held out his hand to Dar-Seldra, who took it and stood up beside him.
‘Thank you, friends, for agreeing to share this night with us,’ he said. ‘I am only sorry Dar-tern and Kandar could not be here, but we could wait no longer. He glanced at Dar-Seldra. ‘Dar-Seldra has agreed to be my life partner.’
Nell jumped up and hugged Dar-Seldra. ‘I’m so happy for you.’
Everyone began speaking at once.
‘I’m so glad,’ said Annet.
‘It’s about time,’ Lesel said.
‘Congratulations,’ said Carl.
‘When?’ Orenda asked, clapping her tiny hands.
‘Hooray,’ Sam said, elbowing Nell and Mekie too hard.
‘Ouch,’ Mekie squealed.
Tish clicked her numerous teeth. ‘I will paint your portrait.’
Dar-Seldra let out a melodious laugh. ‘Our partnering won’t be until the Corl solstice.’
‘When’s the solstice?’ Nell asked.
‘It’s about half way through your Earthen September,’ Tanat said.
After giving Tanat a hug, Nell moved away so Sam could shake his hand. She had thought everyone had something to say, but Prince Ephry hadn’t. He stood in mid air, straight-faced and mouth tight. Orenda’s movement toward the engaged couple seemed to shatter his stupor. He grabbed her and hauled her into the kitchen through the wall.
Everyone else, including Annet, rose, and Dar-Seldra laughed. ‘We should go into the living area where there is more room. Carl, don’t let Annet exert herself.’
He scooped Annet up effortlessly and took her to the sofa. ‘I can walk,’ she said, pouting at Carl. He chuckled.
‘Doctor’s orders, Mum.’ Sam quipped in a mock serious voice.
While everyone else followed Carl, Nell glanced at the closed kitchen door and noticed her cousin hadn’t moved from her seat. Instead, she sat still with her head bent forward.
Dar-Seldra’s worried eyes gazed down at her daughter’s crown. ‘Cay-Meka?’ she said, placing her hand under Mekie’s chin and tilting her head up.
Tears trickled down both sides of Mekie’s nose.
Stepping forward, Tanat said, ‘Are you angry?’
Mekie looked from her mother to Tanat. She laughed and leapt into her mother’s arms. ‘Oh, Mother. I’m not upset. I’m happy.’
Nell hadn’t realised she’d been holding her breath until Tanat wrapped his arms around mother and daughter. She let the air out of her lungs. All three turned towards her and Tanat opened his right arm, signalling for Nell to join them. She did, ecstatic that they had included her.
After a moment, Dar-Seldra said, ‘We’d better join the others.’
Nell moved back. ‘You go. I’m going to find out what the prince’s problem is.’
She hurried through to the kitchen.
The Grarls, hovering over the long bench laden with dirty cutlery and crockery piled hurriedly on top, mustn’t have heard Nell enter because the prince continued talking. ‘We must warn them,’ he said.
‘Agreed,’ said Orenda.
‘Warn who of what?’ Nell asked.
The Grarls descended to her level. ‘Tanat and beautiful Dar-Seldra must keep their union secret until the problem on Grarlon is overcome,’ said Orenda.
‘Why? Are you saying that won’t happen by September?’ Nell said.
Prince Ephry twitched his black nose at Orenda. ‘You need to convince the child first. I will wait for you with the others,’ he said, and floated through the closed door.
Perching on the only clean spot at the end of the bench, Orenda said, ‘Come here.’
Nell dragged a stool over and sat, waiting in silence while the enchanter rubbed her face.
‘It has always been a matter of concern to Grarls when a Phib and Wintar unite, but Dar-Seldra is slightly different in that it is common knowledge that she is blood-related to you.’ Orenda paused as if waiting for Nell to understand her words.
Nell frowned. She did understand. The rebels’ main dispute with the royal family was their reconsideration of the return of the people of Wexkia. Where the royals once declared Wexkians enemies of Grarlon, they now took a wait-and-see attitude.
‘So, the likelihood of Dar-Seldra having a child of Wexkia is too high for the rebels to ignore?’ As soon as she finished the question, another thought struck Nell. ‘And if they found out about her partnering they might try to stop it.’
‘Not try, they will stop it. If they can’t get to Dar-Seldra or Tanat directly, they will search out and kill all mixed children to ensure the Wexkians don’t return. The previous fear of Wexkians will resurface throughout the galaxy.’
‘Compore and his followers feel that strongly? Haven’t they heard about me? Don’t they know about what the Book of Wexkia had to say about the first people of Wexkia?’
‘Nell, many Grarls, not just the insurgents, are alarmed over you and the return of Wexkia. However, those loyal to the King agreed with Grarlon’s official position of a wait-and-see attitude. You are only one Wexkian and no real danger to Gra
rlon, but if more are discovered, they could threaten any world as they did in the past.’
Nell didn’t like they way Orenda sounded. ‘Do you believe that?’
‘No. Of course not. However, I have had time to rethink my previous attitude. Compore is doing his best to make the old fears of Wexkia resurface throughout Grarlon.’
‘Are you saying, if he gets his way, no Wintar-Phib child would be safe whether they were Wexkian or not?’
‘That’s correct.’
Nell rubbed her hands over her face. ‘Idiots.’
Orenda’s whiskers twitched. ‘That is also correct.’
‘Okay, but why don’t we just wait for a while? Grarlon might be sorted out way before then, and if it’s not by July, then we tell them.’
Orenda gazed blankly ahead. Nell was about to ask what was wrong but realised the enchanter was talking to Ephry. After a minute, she faced Nell. “We will tell them now, but they don’t have to do anything about their partnering date yet.’
Nell frowned. ‘Fine.’ Bloody prince. She went directly to Prince Ephry, who was talking with Sam and Kale. They way his nose twitched at Nell told her he was thankful she was there.
‘The boys are full of questions,’ he said.
Nell laughed and hoped it sounded natural to Sam and Kale. ‘Orenda wants you in the kitchen.’
He vanished.
‘Why?’ asked Sam.
‘I think that’s between them, don’t you?’ Nell said.
‘Yeah, I guess.’
Tanat had moved to the sideboard to pour more drinks. Thankful he was by himself, Nell darted alongside him. ‘Can you get Dar-Seldra and go to the kitchen? The Grarls and I need to talk to both of you…alone.’
‘Why?’ Tanat peered at her as if he searched for the answer.
Nell spread a pained expression across her face. ‘Why does everyone have to ask why when I ask them to do something? Please. I can’t explain now, just hurry.’ As Nell headed for the kitchen, she glanced at Sam. Blast. He watched her as if she was a premature foal. She glared at him to indicate he stay where he was and hoped she was threatening enough. Pushing into the kitchen, she felt Tanat behind her and held the door for him. Sam was close on his heels. She shook her head at him and quickly latched the door shut in his face. Huh. He has to learn to tame his curiosity.
‘Dar-Seldra will be along shortly,’ Tanat said. ‘What’s this about?’
‘Please, Tanat,’ said Orenda. ‘Listen to us and don’t interrupt until we have finished.’
He sat on a stool. ‘All right, but make it quick.’
Orenda and Prince Ephry took turns explaining their reasons why he and Dar-Seldra need to wait before announcing their partnering ceremony until the royals had regained their authority over all of Grarlon.
Like twins, the Grarls frequently finished the other’s sentences. Orenda also made a point of telling them that everyone who already knew must keep the secret. She, more than the prince, focused on the need to keep Dar-Seldra safe. Nell included Mekie in that equation.
Once they’d finished speaking, Tanat kept quiet for some time. Nell couldn’t stand the silence any longer. She hoped off her stool and started pacing the length of the bench and back again. On her second trip to the end of her trail, she came face to face with an Eldorap. The pure white hairless thing was watching her with its hollow black eyes. Deesc. He was wearing his usual Eldorap black trousers and, as was his custom, no shirt. Nell wondered if that was an Eldorap custom or just Deesc’s sense of style. She opened her mouth to speak.
‘Don’t say anything,’ Deesc said. ‘They will only think you’re mad. Tanat has to work through all he has heard in his own time.’
While Nell agreed she should keep quiet, she glowered at Deesc. She said with her mind, ‘I’m not a complete imbecile.’
‘Ah, yes, I had forgotten you’d learnt that little trick.’
‘What little trick?’
‘Telepathy.’
Nell grinned. ‘Nice to know you’re not invincible then.’
‘Ah, but I never said I was.’
‘Ugh. I hate talking to you.’
Huh. No comeback.
‘Why don’t you show yourself instead of hiding behind Eldoraps and whatever else takes your fancy?’
‘Because if I did that, everyone could see me, and I’d prefer to remain anonymous. At least until you learn a few more things.’
‘Like what?’
‘Like manners.’
Standing up, Tanat said, ‘I understand’
‘Good,’ the prince said. ‘Perhaps you could persuade Dar-Seldra to postpone your partnership, or, better still, cancel it all together.
Nell swung around.
‘I will not cancel it,’ Tanat said.
‘I am glad,’ said Orenda. ‘I’ll see what’s keeping Dar-Seldra.’
‘No,’ Tanat said. ‘Let me speak to her alone first.’
‘Tanat, we need to–’
‘Now, now, my sweet,’ said the prince. ‘Leave him be. Dar-Seldra is his true love and it is his responsibility to tell her what to do.’
Tanat looked at Nell as if he couldn’t believe the prince had said that.
She laughed. ‘Good luck with that, Tanat.’
He stood and shook his head at the prince. ‘Prince Ephry, I will discuss what you have said with my soon-to-be life partner and will ask her thoughts on the situation.’
‘That would never happen on Grarlon,’ said the prince.
‘Wanna make a bet,’ Orenda said in an Australian accent.
Tanat left. Still giggling, Nell turned back to Deesc. He was gone. ‘It’s you who needs to learn some manners,’ she screamed silently.
CHAPTER FIVE
WHILE NELL AND THE GRARLS WAITED FOR TANAT and Dar-Seldra to return to the kitchen, Nell kept checking her watch.
Prince Ephry floated up from his sitting position, and said, ‘I will visit Worow and call a meeting of the United Councils. Call me when you are ready to leave, my love.’ As soon as he finished speaking, he disappeared.
‘That Grarl has no patience,’ said Orenda. ‘Come sit with me, Nell.’
Nell looked at her watch for the umpteenth time. ‘Um…no. I’m going to see what’s taking so long.’
Sam rushed up to Nell as soon as he saw her emerge from the kitchen. ‘What’s going on?’
‘Where’s Tanat?’ Nell asked.
‘He took Dar-Seldra through there.’ He pointed to the hall Mekie had taken Nell through to her bedroom.
Nell only took a step in that direction before Lesel called to her. ‘Nell. Come here.’
Nell swore under her breath. Why did everyone have to know everything all the time? She changed direction. Putting on her friendliest expression, she walked to her grandmother with Sam hot on her heels. ‘Did you want me to get you something?’
Tish regarded Nell while Lesel said, ‘No. We want to know why you were in the kitchen so long and what was said to Tanat. He never spoke to anybody before he just about dragged Dar-Seldra out of the room.’ Her gaze fell on Sam.
‘Don’t look at me. She wouldn’t tell me a thing,’ Sam said.
Mekie joined the group. ‘I’d like to know too. You know I hate secrets, Nell.’
Nell frowned at all of them. At least Carl and Annet weren’t there to join the chorus. ‘Look,’ she said. ‘It’s not my place to say anything. And anyway, I don’t know everything. Let’s wait ‘till they come back. That way they can tell us all what’s happening.’
‘All right,’ said Lesel.
Nell shot her grandmother a thank-you look.
Sam said. ‘Anybody want a drink? And there’s still some chips left.’ After taking the orders, he turned to Kale. ‘Come and help me.’
‘No, Kale,’ said Tish. ‘We will go now. It is late and I need to start on that portrait early.’
‘You can’t go,’ Nell said quickly. ‘Both of you have to wait so Tanat and Dar-Seldra can tell you something. Anyway,
I wanted to show Kale my book.’ She hurried to her backpack and pulled out the book. ‘Here, Kale.’
Tish let out a low growl.
‘Please. It’s really important,’ Nell said.
Lesel touched Tish’s arm. ‘Yes, stay. We still have a lot to talk about.’
‘Earth has Yexers,’ Kale said, staring at a page in the book.
Nell said. ‘They’re dragons.’
‘They look like Yexers. Earth is an interesting place.’
Sam laughed. ‘Dragons don’t really exist. They’re myths.’
‘Myths?’ Kale said. He stared at the picture a moment. ‘Stories?’
‘Yep,’ Sam said.
Mekie joined them. Nell was thankful they seemed happy enough to chat and discuss Earth’s myths and legends.
As Orenda and the prince materialised in the living room, Dar-Seldra and Tanat returned. They told everyone what was happening. While they had no intention of postponing the partnership, they did ask everyone to keep their secret.
Tish sat down, saying, ‘Yes. No one will tell a soul.’
Everyone agreed.
Lesel said, ‘Come along. It’s time to go home.’ She ushered Tish and Kale out so fast, Kale only had time to say a quick goodbye.
Mekie had positioned herself between her mother and Tanat while her mother spoke. She gave Nell a small smile as she put an arm around Tanat as well as Dar-Seldra.
Nell winked at her cousin.
‘We have to go too, Orenda,’ Prince Ephry said.
Orenda squeezed Dar-Seldra’s hand. ‘Thank you,’ she said, and then vanished with the prince.
The excitement had gone from Dar-Seldra’s eyes. Nell sucked in the inside of her cheek. Every time something good happened, something bad spoiled it all. She hugged her aunty. ‘I’m so happy for you.’ Transferring her hug to Tanat, she said, ‘And you.’
Dar-Seldra smiled. ‘Thank you, sweet Nell.’ She gazed at Mekie. ‘I think it’s about time you children went to bed now.’
Nell didn’t care that Dar-Seldra had called her a child, she was just glad to see her smile.
The next morning Orenda spoke of her and the prince’s meeting with United Council. The UC assured them Kandar and Dar-tern were safe and comfortable. The royals had not been imprisoned and still held the palace. The UC was of the belief that the rebels would never attack such a place.
