"It's all right, Capra. I understand. Thank you." Chelle's smile was genuinely warm. "Maybe I can do the same for you one day."
Capra looked relieved as she lifted her glass to her lips.
"Hankura, tell us how you found Chelle," Natar prompted. "And tell us about your visit to Earth."
"Well, she wasn't hard to find. Actually, we were looking for each other when I got to Earth. But our bond of recognition was sealed twenty years ago when the Argus-Lu locked into Earth orbit for a couple days on the way to Velran."
"Then it was the Serene Perception!" Natar murmured in wonder.
"You could say that, I guess. It took many years for us to understand, for me to realize what I had to do," Hankura continued. "And Earth is a very dangerous place." He went on to tell them about their misadventure and how Chelle had literally saved his life.
"Oh, my dear!" his mother gasped, as she understood how near death Hankura had been. And well she should have. It was her fault.
"No, Mother. It wasn't Chelle's fault. Berke hadn't the right to treat her cruelly just to amuse himself. That isn't the point, anyway. Chelle fought Berke and two men at the risk of her own life to come and heal me when I would have died. What more could you ask?"
"I've never been so terrified in my life!" Chelle shivered at the memory.
"Hankura is a lucky man." Trevin commented in frank admiration for Chelle.
"Indeed." Natar relented in view of her younger son's approval. "I am just thankful to have you home safe. Will you be accepting the position in Salla?"
"I will--providing they approve my profile. At least for a while. We don't know how long we'll stay on Aledus, and I don't need the credit allotment, but I need to keep my skills fresh."
"What about Chelle?" Capra asked. "What will she do while you are keeping your skills fresh?"
"Since she is already a gifted healer, she wants to begin Med-tech training so she can learn to channel her abilities more efficiently. Our psi-link will enable her to reach a proficient level in a relatively short time. As a physician, I have already been through all the tech levels."
"Maybe Chelle would like to be a physician, too." Capra said.
"Maybe." Hankura chuckled at her ardor. She was treating him like a brother, he realized as his tension lessened.
"Maybe someday," Chelle agreed. "Since I had no formal schooling, we thought I should take it slow to start. I only just learned to read on the voyage to Aledus. Going to the University at Salla will be a big enough step for me right now."
As Chelle said that, Hankura sensed his brother's concern about the plan. "What bothers you about Chelle's going to the University, Trevin? Do you think it will be a problem?"
"Enrollment won't be a problem once she's been evaluated. But--she's an alien psion. It's the other students who will make it difficult for her. I've seen how the Normals treat psions; I am a student there myself." Knowing the hard life, she led on Earth, I'd hate to see your wife treated that way. She has a certain innocence about her that women lack here.
In some ways, yes. Hankura agreed, meeting his brother's gaze. I doubt I could discourage her now. She is also very stubborn.
I suspect that makes two of you. Trevin grinned, obviously comfortable with his brother's telepathy. Hankura was easy to like and trust. Maybe they could be close again as they had as children. Trevin was hopeful.
A chime signaled from the processor that dinner was ready, and Natar urged the family to move into the dining area and take their drinks with them. They seated themselves in a circular booth before plates of food that contained a serving of each item on the menu. They could request extra portions from the service droids through the panel beside Natar.
Chelle waited and watched the others begin eating before she picked up the three-pronged fork beside her plate. She decided to try a liver-colored pate~ to start.
Chelle, don't eat much of the presh. Hankura indicated helpfully. I think you'll like it, but it’s very rich after the bland rations we shared on the Mran.
She nodded and took a few small bites. It was good, but Hankura was right about its richness. She left most of it on her plate as he advised. All the food was rich and tasty, but neither Chelle nor Hankura were used to eating large meals. Both picked at their food, savoring what little they did eat.
As the other members of Hankura's family ate, Chelle took the opportunity to observe them. The resemblance between Hankura and his father was amazing. Only a few flecks of silver hair and his brown eyes marked their physical differences. Especially Ludren's eyes. They held the wisdom of his years and his contentment with his life. Hankura's emerald eyes sparkled with dreams yet unrealized and a reckless yearning for adventure.
"Hankura, will you consider making your home here, permanently?" Natar asked. Her question broke Chelle's train of thought.
"I doubt we will stay permanently, Mother," he told her gently. "We came so I could get to know you all again and spend time with you. We'll probably stay only a couple years because we don't want our children born here--when that time comes. We haven't decided where we will settle, yet."
"Couldn't you stay on Aledus until you know whether your children are psions?" Natar asked hopefully. "If they are Normals, there would be no reason to leave."
"I don't want to raise them here even if they are Normals. I don't want them to learn the prejudices against our kind that they'd learn here . . ." Hankura frowned and reverted to telepathy. Look at Capra and Trevin. Despite their attempts at friendship, they're a little uncomfortable with Chelle and me. You've nagged them until they're afraid to act naturally for fear of offending us.
I just didn't want them to hurt you.
I'd rather they were honest instead of trying to hide their real feelings from me. Let us work out our own relationships, and we'll get along just fine.
What about Chelle? She's the reason you won't stay. I know you love her, but she's alien, and she doesn't belong in our world. Why . . why she may even be a mutant. What kind of children will she give you?
Beautiful children. Mother, we are all mutants so to speak. Chelle is my wife--my life mate If she doesn't belong here with me, where does she belong? His eyes flashed defiantly. He sensed Chelle's hurt, at the realization that she was partly the cause of their heated exchange. For that matter, Mother, I doubt that I belong here either. We didn't have to come here at all, but we came here for you and Father. Maybe it was a mistake for all of us. Maybe we should just plan to resupply the ship and leave as soon as possible.
Hankura, no! I don't want you to leave, not ever. And I know you'll leave if Chelle is unhappy.
Well, you'll make me unhappy if you try to run my life! I have been an adult for some time. Whether we stay a few months or a few years will depend on a lot of things . . . Including Chelle's happiness. We'll see, Mother.
Please don't be angry with me, Hankura. I've missed you so. I--I just didn't expect you to marry before you even came home . . . And to a Terran . . .
Hankura sucked in an exasperated breath. One moment you're pleased that we have pledged and then you criticize her origin. You know what psi-mates are to each other. She's part of me. We're pledged according to the laws of Arall.
Of course, you are infatuated with her now. You're a man with a man's needs, as Ludren said, and I expect she fills them quite nicely. I've sensed your passion for her . . .
"Mother!" Hankura hissed. This has gone far enough. You're intruding on my privacy. Either drop this probing, or I'll finish dining with Chelle in our own chambers.
Natar blinked slowly and sighed in resignation. I'm sorry. I don't dislike Chelle, darling. I just need to get used to your having a wife . . .
His expression softened a little. I understand that. But please try to be a little more tactful. Chelle feels your resentment through me, and it hurts us both. You know I love you, Mother. My love for Chelle won't change that . . .
"I know," Natar murmured. Forgive me. I don't want to ruin this evening by a
rguing with you. I'll try not to interfere with your private life.
"Good!" Hankura flashed her a dubious look.
"All right, you two," Ludren broke in. "You aren't dining here alone. You have the rest of us at a disadvantage.
"Sorry, Father," Hankura gave him an apologetic look and shrugged.
"I'm sorry, too," murmured Natar. "If everyone has finished eating, let's go back into the lounge and open a bottle of carava to toast Hankura's marriage and pledging.?"
Nodding in agreement, the family members rose and moved into the adjoining chamber. An autocart brought them a flask of thick, magenta carava and fresh glasses. Ludren opened the bottle and poured each of the six glasses half full. When each of his family had been served, he raised his glass.
"To Hankura and his lovely new wife, Chelle . . . Health, happiness, and love. May you have children as fine as my own. And welcome home."
Touching their glasses together in the ancient tradition, they saluted one another then drank.
Unprepared for the potency, Chelle took a normal swallow just like the others. She gasped and choked as it burned all the way down. "Strong . . . But very good," she murmured hoarsely. Pure liquid fire! You should have warned me. She flashed accusing eyes at Hankura who chuckled at her expression.
It's good for you. He teased silently.
Someday, I'll give you what's good for you. She threatened half seriously.
Smiling at their silent exchange, Ludren asked, "Have your psi evaluations been scheduled?"
"Yes. It was one of the terms of ground clearance," Hankura replied as Chelle drifted away so they could talk alone. "Mine is tomorrow, and Chelle is scheduled for the day after . . . Father--would you mind coming with me to the Psi Institute? I---"
"I'll come," Ludren assured him. "I'll take Chelle, too, if you like. I don't think either of you should go alone, and I'm sure your rapport with her would make it impossible for you to go with her.
"Thank you for understanding, father." He smiled in gratitude then looked for Chelle. She had drifted over to the dome's largest window to look out over the garden and complex grounds. She was still holding the half-full glass of carava clutched in her hand, reluctant to sip anymore after her first eye-opening swallow.
"Have things been going well for you here since I have been out of touch?" Hankura glanced toward Chelle again as Trevin moved to the window beside her. His brother's growing interest in her bothered Hankura, yet there was no reason for concern. Trevin was just being friendly. Hankura turned back to his father and forced himself to concentrate on what the older man was saying.
"The complex pretty much takes care of itself," Ludren replied. "I just watch over things. We have good crops this season, though."
Capra moved to join them while Natar discreetly went to the kitchen to program the cleanup in the dining area. "Another term, and I'll be an authorized legist."
"Good," Hankura muttered. "Maybe you can get them to let us vote so we can get the discrimination laws against psions repealed."
"I wish I could, Hankura," she gave her brother a thin smile. "I hope they don't make your life here too miserable---for either of you. If there is anything I can do to help, let me know."
"Thanks for the thought, little sister." It felt good to know she genuinely wanted him to be happy there.
The sound of breaking glass turned their attention to Trevin and Chelle. "No!" she murmured as the magenta stain spread over the carpet. "I couldn't!"
Chelle turned and ran headlong through the tunnel exit on the far side of the lounge. It led to the underground tunnel and would take her the dome she shared with Hankura.
Hankura set down his glass. Clenching his fists, he stepped menacingly toward his brother. A deep red flush crept up his neck and over his face as anger threatened to take control of him.
"I didn't mean any harm," Trevin stammered guiltily. "I just---"
"I know what you did!" Hankura gritted. "Chelle is no one's free mate---not yours, not anyone's! She belongs to me. Leave her alone!" With that, he pivoted and stalked out of the chamber after Chelle.
Trevin shrugged in bewilderment to his parents. He had simply asked her to share his bed. He found her terribly attractive, and extra-curricular sex was common practice on Aledus regardless of marital status.
"It's all right, Trevin," Natar soothed, pressing for a service droid to clean up the mess. "You didn't know they would feel that way. I never would have guessed. They say some psi-mates are like that."
"I'm sorry, Mother. I know what you said." He sighed. "She looked---almost scared. I don't understand. I wouldn't have hurt her."
"It's all right. She'll calm down---then you'll straighten it out."
Trevin nodded. "I will," he agreed, knowing it was an order, not a request. "If you don't mind, Mother, I think I'll be going, too. Good night, Father."
Trevin drained his glass and set it on the autocart with the others, leaving through the tunnel immediately afterward. Natar watched his receding figure thoughtfully. Maybe things weren't so bad as they seemed.
Ludren frowned at her expression.
CHAPTER NINE
Hankura and Chelle came out of their domed dwelling into the bluish morning haze that hung over the garden. Turning left onto a garden path, they sauntered toward their newly arrived hovercraft.
It was a four passenger LeFarian air wedge, fully automatic with an auxiliary manual guidance system, vid com, a refreshment dispenser and other conveniences.
These and similar fliers were used to get from place to place outside the five major Aledan cities where there were no roads to speak of and no public transportation. There were hoverports that served as parking areas outside the city domes at various locations for the crafts to be parked while the occupants did their business in the cities.
Hankura pressed his hand to the ID plate, and the hatch opened for them. They climbed inside, and he showed Chelle how to operate the craft.
"After the Mran, this should be simple for you," he told her. "The wedge is already programmed for all of the larger cities. All you have to do is make your selection, and the craft will automatically take the shortest route to our assigned Hoverport at each of those cities. For any of the smaller villages or agro complexes, check the computer for coordinates and lock them in with this button."
"No problem," she nodded. "Being able to read the controls makes things a lot easier. I never realized what I was missing. Reading is terribly exciting. . especially now that I have so many book discs available to read." Her enthusiasm, however, did not cover her confusion over his family situation.
"You're still a little bewildered by what happened with Mother and Trevin last night, aren't you?"
"A little. I can see how Natar feels. . And Trevin meant no harm. I just never expected. .and he didn't understand. You never told me that it was like that here."
"Sorry---it never occurred to me. We have both taken it for granted that our psi-mating will make our marriage a monogamous relationship. But that is not a usual thing here on Aledus," Hankura replied, trying to push aside his anxiety. "Maybe this was a mistake from the beginning. Maybe we should just supply the Mran and get out now. Mother was right; you are different. .but so am I." Sweet Mother, I wish I didn't have to go through this. What if I can't hold my shield? What if the tester breaks through? I am afraid, and I am afraid for you."
"I know, Hankura. I'm afraid, too--for both of us. But you're not ready to leave, and we both know it. You need time to know your father again and your brother and sister. And you need to come to terms with your mother. You know if you leave now, it will always haunt you.
"Besides, you've done theses evaluations before, and you said yourself that my telepathic ability is fairly well under control."
"It is. I just don't think you're ready for the kind of pressure you will face at the Psi Institute. Trevin says they make it very hard for off-worlders. . ."
"There's no choice, Hankura. You've taught me everything
you could. I can do it."
Her words were brave, but he wasn't fooled. She was just as nervous as he and just as determined not to give into her fears.
"I wish I could go with you."
"I'm afraid we can't do this together." He wished he didn't have to do it at all. "The evaluation will be unpleasant enough as it is. Try to block it out as much as you can, and use the med-dot I gave you. You'll need it."
"What about you?' She looked at him worriedly.
"No drugs until it's over. That would only distort my concentration. Father is coming. Why don't you go back to the dome and play some music? It'll help you to relax."
"It's hard to relax when I can feel you're so tense."
She draped her arms loosely around his neck, touching his mind with her tender empathy. It helped a little.
"Do the best you can," he murmured and kissed her lips lightly. "I'll be fine."
Hankura pressed the button that opened the hatch and let her out as Ludren arrived. Chelle gave him an uneasy smile with a silent endearment and turned toward the dome, walking slowly back to the entrance.
When Ludren slid into the craft, Hankura closed the hatch and started the hovercraft's power source with a low hum. Already set for Salla, the craft rose slowly into the air and started moving forward at a steadily increasing rate of speed until it tapered off at regular cruising speed. In less than half an hour, they would be on the outskirts of Salla, two hundred fifty-seven klicks northwest of the agro complex.
"You look tired, son," Ludren remarked. "Did you sleep well?"
"I slept badly when I slept at all," he muttered.
"Maybe you should postpone the evaluation."
"So, I can keep worrying about it longer? No thanks! I want to be done with it."
Ludren shook his head musingly. "I hate for you to have to go through this, Hankura. All of the evaluations you've had on Velran should make it unnecessary."
The Aledan PSION: The Aledan Series Book 1 Page 9