Two of the officers drew level with Lorkan, on either side of him, and drew their plasguns.
“Dad,” she yelled, but Rishi grabbed her arm and yanked her to an abrupt halt.
“What are you doing?” His expression flickered between fury and bewilderment.
“Let. Me. Go.” she said, glaring at him as she wiped the dust out of her eyes. “That’s my father.”
“Kara?” Lorkan started toward his daughter as recognition dawned.
The men had drawn their weapons and lined them up on her and Rishi’s hearts.
“Dad.” She tried to move forward but Rishi still held her back.
“You are not alone anymore, gradhaig,” he said, taking her hand and moving toward Lorkan. Bowing low before the trade delegates, he spoke in perfect Universal. “I am Rishi of the Eastern Desert tribe, nephew of Ikeya, the Shanwatah of our people, and Kara’s husband,”
Kara blinked away the tears threatening to fall, as surprise turned to joy on her father’s face.
“Welcome to my home,” Lorkan uttered the traditional reply.
It was Rishi’s turn to be surprised at the greeting voiced in flawless Marut. He released his hold on Kara’s arm and she went straight into her father’s arms.
The soldiers lowered their weapons.
“Weren’t you supposed to stay at the shelter on the farm, young lady?” His tone was stern, but the way his mouth lifted, and his eyes twinkled let her know he wasn't angry.
Kara grinned up at her father. “Yes, I was, but I had pressing business,” she said.
“You are far too much like me for your own good. I take it these are the Marut representatives?”
They turned to see Ikeya and the Elder walking toward them.
“Yes,” said Rishi moving aside as they approached. “Kara? You’ll have time with your father after the talks, I promise. Be patient till then.”
Kara nodded.
As the formal greetings were uttered, Ikeya’s eyes flashed briefly with pleasure as he and Lorkan greeted each other. Even though it was some years since they met, they recognized each other. The Marut leader seemed amused they were now related. “You will always have a place at my fire,” he told Lorkan.
“And you at mine. Will you enter my abode for refreshments before we discuss recent events?” Lorkan requested.
"Thank you for your offer, but this time, I think not,” Ikeya said, turning and beckoning forward several young men. They hurried toward him, each carrying a pile of blankets. “We shall talk as we did during the first meeting between our people.” The young men created a circle with folded blankets for seats, and Ikeya invited Lorkan and the trade delegation to sit.
“We’ll leave them to talk,” Rishi said in an aside to Kara.
“No,” said Ikeya, indicating the circle, “both of you should stay for these talks.” He looked at Lorkan. “For they are our future, are they not?”
Postscript
A new treaty between the Maruts and the settlers was renegotiated. The terms were not much different to those already in place, except this time access to medical care was included. This would inevitably mean more interaction between the colonists and the Maruts. In return, meteorologists and astronomers from the base requested meetings with those Elders responsible for the lunar calendars.
Both parties approved quarterly meetings rather than the current annual one, as it would give increase opportunities for interactions between the two races, and disagreements or misunderstandings could be sorted faster. The goal, both sides agreed, was to increase contact between the people of the colony and the tribes. Everyone understood this might take generations. Opening up their world to all incomers was non-negotiable, but in time it was hoped that the various tribes would eventually come to visit the base freely of their own accord.
Lorkan was officially deputized as the lead negotiator and representative for the colony and Kara as the colonists’ primary liaison officer in the field. Elders from the Maruts' Inner Council elected Ikeya and Rishi to represent the tribespeople, which suited the young couple fine. Discussions were often impromptu and fiery but generally ended in a compromise which satisfied both parties.
Eight months later—Marut pregnancies came to term in a slightly shorter period than human ones—Kara gave birth to twins; a girl they named Anya for Kara’s mother, and a boy they called Thanosi after Rishi’s father.
THE END
FROM THE AUTHOR
Thank you very much for reading Veiled Planet, Book One in the Hidden World Trilogy. If you enjoyed the story, let your friends know. If you have time please leave a review as they are like gold, and they help other readers decide if the book is one they wish to read.
Sign up for my mailing list, and get your free copy of Hekate’s Chalice, Book One in the Adept Solutions Series, and receive notice of new releases. Click here to get started: http://tinyurl.com/hk39yun
Books by Teagan Kearney:
The Kala Trilogy
Healer’s Magic
Vampire’s Bane
Demon’s Nemesis
The Adept Solutions Series
Hekate’s Chalice
Sorcerous Deeds
One Summer in Montmartre
https://writingmynovelnoworkingtitleyet.blogspot.co.uk
Twitter at: https://twitter.com/@teagankearney
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeaganKearneyWriter/
Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/teagankearney
Drop by anytime
Veiled Planet (Hidden World Trilogy Book 1) Page 24