Shunati looked over what he was wearing and sighed. He was a round-ears. He’d lived in Menthanla among humans for forty-five years, five at the mages’ college and forty as an apprentice healer at the palace in Sen-gan. He tried to keep some Elven traditions but others he’d have had to give up. Dressing like an elf was one of them. Among humans, men wore trousers, shirts, tunics, and boots. Among elves they might wear trousers, but more often wraps, kilts or loincloths and they wore vests or halters rather than shirts most days. Boots were only worn hunting, or if it got very cold. He thought about wearing a pair of slippers but decided against it. He still did go barefoot whenever possible, if he was off duty. “Shun! Hurry up,” Vor called from outside. “Come up,” Shunati called back. He seriously hoped his cousin wasn’t wearing something similar. They looked enough alike that they could be twins. When they were little, their parents had often dressed them the same. That was fine when they were kids. “What’s taking so long?” Vor asked. He was wearing a wrap and a halter. Shunati was glad he chose a kilt and vest. “Do I look okay?” He asked his cousin. “We’re going to vote. You could wear your palace clothes.” “But Sinta’s going to be there.” “So? She knows you live in Sen-gan.” “She’s my pledged. I want to make a good first impression.” “Shun, I know her. You’ll be fine.” “Vor, I can’t screw this up. There aren’t many Elven unreadables.” Shunati was a powerful healer, and he had little control over what he read. Even the briefest touch told him every ailment or injury the person had. He’d been pledged to a girl before his healing ability started. He loved her and tried to continue the relationship. He’d tried to force himself to have prolonged contact with her, and it had put him into shock. But, an unreadable was different. He didn’t read an unreadable without trying. He actually had to try and look for problems. And it didn’t hurt to touch them. He imagined it was what normal people were like, well almost.” “Shun, we look alike, what am I going to say? You look terrible?” “What about my clothes?” “You look good. You’re a peacock.” “I am not.” “Yes, you are. Come on.” **** “How do I look?” Sinta asked Deyama. “Very pretty,” Deyama said. “He’s used to human fashions. Is this close?” Sinta looked at herself in the mirror again. “Sin, there’s nothing you own that looks like what humans wear.” “Really?” Sinta looked alarmed. “Do you remember what Princess Ann wore when she was here?” “They all wear stuff like that?” “Not always so elaborate, but yes. Relax. He’s an elf. He was born and raised here. He knows how we dress.” “Thanks for doing this with me,” Sinta said. Deyama was pledged to Shunati’s cousin, Voramini but for some reason was angry with him and barely spoke to him. It was a big deal that she was accompanying Sinta this evening. “It gets my mind off the election.” Deyama shrugged. “Are you nervous?” “Of course. You would be too if you were a candidate for queen.” “Let’s go get this over with,” Sinta sighed. They entered the polling place, and Sinta looked around nervously. She spotted Voramini quickly talking with his mirror, as he liked to put it. The cousins were as close in looks as identical twins, she’d been told. But now, seeing her pledged for the first time, she saw differences. But to be fair, the only true difference in their makeup was Shunati’s hair was a slightly lighter shade of red. They both had the same green and brown eyes, the same slant to their pointy ears, the same height and build even. It was more subtle things like the creases around the eyes, a toll of his healing abilities, and the way he held himself, trying to avoid being touched in the crowd, not wanting to read anyone’s health that night. The cousins saw them and made their way to them. He was dressed in Elven fashion which he wore stiffly. It was clear he was used to dressing like the humans he lived among. But there was an underlying polish that said he always took care in how he dressed. He hadn’t dressed up just to meet his pledged. Unlike his cousin who didn’t care what he looked like and was happy if the clothes he wore were free of rips. **** Shunati and Vor wandered while they waited for their turns to vote. It was a tense time. King Arlin had created several laws isolating the elves from the other kingdoms. They weren’t allowed to live outside Erilu for longer than five years. The other races weren’t allowed in the valley, except a few escorted merchants that were allowed to use the pass to get to the northern kingdoms. And elves weren’t allowed to intermarry with other races or have children with them. Violating these laws was punishable by death, and King Arlin would send assassins to carry out those executions. Some people hoped the new ruler would change the laws, others vehemently opposed doing so. So, while the voting was confidential, it was also supervised by the Council of Elders. There were only four elders, so it took a while. People mingled while they waited. They spotted the women and went to meet them. Vor made introductions. “Shunati, you remember Deyama. And this is Sinta. Sinta, meet my cousin Shunati.” Sinta curtsied. “Pleased to meet you.” Shunati bowed as much is his kilt allowed. “The pleasure is mine.” He meant that. She was beautiful. She had long blonde curls and purple and pink eyes. Her skirt showed off her legs nicely. She wasn’t petite, like Deyama, but she was nowhere near his height. Few people were. He was used to it. Deyama laughed. “You two act like you’re meeting foreign dignitaries.” Both blushed. Then, Sinta smiled. “Deyama said you and Vor look exactly alike. Frankly, I don’t see it. You seem much more mature and well groomed than Vor.” “Hey!” Voramini protested. Shunati laughed. “I like you. You have a good eye, a very pretty one too.” “Thank you. You live in Sen-gan. Is it very different there?” Shunati nodded. “Sometimes, I think humans are afraid of the weather. Some almost never go outside. If it rains, they all huddle in cloaks like they’ll wash away.” “What do they do if it snows?” “It doesn’t snow in Sen-gan. It’s too warm.” “No snow? I’d probably never go indoors.” “I don’t have much choice. My patients don’t like to be examined outside.” “Really?” “It’s a privacy thing.” “I guess I can understand that.” “And they won’t let me hang a hammock in the garden.” “You can’t?” Shunati shook his head. “I even offered to put it up high so it wouldn’t be noticeable.” “Where do you sleep?” She was looking more and more baffled. “They have sleeping rooms, but they call them bedrooms.” “Bed-rooms?” She frowned at the unfamiliar term. “They sleep on pads on the floor or on frames of wood or metal.” “That doesn’t seem comfortable.” “It’s not. And it doesn’t move. It took some effort, but I did convince them to let me hang a hammock in my room. There’s a bed there too, but I never use it.” “Humans are strange.” “They say we’re strange.” “I imagine we are to them.” Shunati looked around. “We’ve lost our company.” Sinta looked. “I hope they’re talking things over.” “Me too. Do you know what Voramini did to upset her so?” “I’m not really sure he did anything,” Sinta admitted. “What?” Shunati frowned. Sinta shrugged. “They were friendly right up until he left for the college. She never said anything about being upset. She was kind of quiet, but I don’t know why except she said she wasn’t feeling well. I thought she just missed him. Then, he came home, and she refused to see him.” “Maybe I could try talking with her. She used to talk to me when Vor upset her.” “Have they really been pledged since before they were born?” “Before she was born. Vor’s a few years older. He didn’t understand and called her his wife. He’s loved her since all her life. You wouldn’t find a more loving or devoted husband among really married men. It’s sad. I hope they work it out.” Sinta agreed. “He’s been coming up a lot lately trying to talk to her.” “He has?” Shun hadn’t heard that. Sinta nodded. “A friend advised him not to give up. She gave him some suggestions on how to deal with Deyama. The friend died, and Vor feels he’d dishonor her memory if he didn’t try. She’d been through a lot of hardships and managed to overcome all of them. Vor feels he can’t give up. “It’s funny,” Sinta continued. “Some of the things she told him to try, it’s like she knows Deyama.” “Unlikely,” Shunati said. “I’ve met Vor’s friends. They aren’t the type Deyama would consort with.” “You do know she’s for open borders and more contact with the outside?” Shunati nodded. “Why do you think of voting for her?” “Really?” “A round-ears like me? Why would I vote for someone against it?” “You’re no round-ears,” She said. “Sure I am. I just hide it well. I’ve been in Menthanla for forty-five years. I couldn’t help but be a round-ears. Does it bother you?” “No. I agree with Deyama too.” “But…” Shunati prompted. He could tell there was a but coming. “My family’s polarized on it. My father’s side is for change. My mother side is against it. My mother agrees with my father, but she has to keep quiet. Her family is very strong believers in King Arlin’s ways. Her brother and his sons beat my cousin Pisha almost to death because she was late getting back from the college.” “Pisha was hurt?” Shunati looked up. “You know her?” “We met in Sen-gan. There aren’t many elves that far south so I’d go to the college to be with other elves and to help those having trouble with being away from home. “She was such a sweet girl. I can’t imagine anyone hurting her. How bad was it?” He asked. “She’s still in a coma.” “She’s what? Maybe I should check her while I’m here.” “They won’t let you. They won’t let anyone heal her.” “Why not?” Shunati frowned. “They say it’s what she deserves.” “That’s awful. Has anyone talked to the elders?” “It won’t do any good. My uncle was an aid and still has influence with some of the elders.” “Were you and Pisha close?” Sinta nodded. “They let me visit her some and I make sure she’s cared for.” “I’m sorry,” he said, taking her hand. He braced himself for the shock usually felt touching someone, but all he felt was a slight tingle. Then, he heard his name called. It was his turn to vote. He excused himself and went to the elders. **** When Shunati was finished voting, he looked for Sinta. Vor would be in voting, still. He was on the list right after Shunati. Sinta was talking with friends, but Deyama was by herself. “Can we talk?” He asked her. “About Vor?” She guessed. “Why not? We’ve talked about him before.” “There’s nothing to talk about. He’s a shade blasted cur,” She said darkly. “Let’s talk in private,” He suggested. He wasn’t going to let up, but the people didn’t need to see their, hopefully, future queen get yelled at. “I said there’s nothing to talk about,” She insisted, but she followed him to a private room. “You called my cousin a shade blasted cur. There is something to talk about.” He closed the door behind him. “Deyama, I want to help.” He put a hand on her shoulder. She jerked away. “Don’t touch me.” He frowned and turned to the door. Looking out, he found his cousin. “Vor! Get your pointy little ears in here!” He bellowed. Vor hurried in, frowning. “What?” He asked, closing the door behind them. “Why didn’t you tell me Deyama had a miscarriage?” Shunati demanded. “What? She didn’t…” He stopped. He turned to Deyama. “Why did you tell me?” “I did tell you.” She insisted. “You didn’t even tell me you were pregnant.” “I did. I sent messages. You never responded.” “I never got those messages. You know how I feel about you. Do you really think I wouldn’t be headed home the day I found out?” “We were together almost all the time then,” Shunati added. “If he’d gotten either of those messages and chose to ignore them, I would’ve known, and I would’ve dragged him home.” “You really didn’t know?” Deyama asked softly. “I thought you didn’t care.” Shunati chose that moment to slip out and let them have privacy to talk it over. He was joined by Sinta a moment later. “What happened?” She asked. “They’re talking.” “Really? You did it?” She looked pleased. “What was it?” “Did you know she had a miscarriage?” “No, when?” “I’m assuming shortly after he went off to school. I know they slept together the night before he left. I don’t know of any other time.” “She hadn’t been feeling well at the time. I thought about scrying Vor and telling him, in case he needed to come home, but she seemed to get better, and I knew he needed help from the school.” “You had no way of knowing. And they’re talking now.” Shunati reasoned. “So there’s hope.” Sinta nodded. “Did you vote?” He asked. “Yesterday.” “Why are you here today?” She smiled. “To meet you. I’d like to know the man I’m pledged to.” “I’m glad you came.” They spoke a while longer, and then Sinta said she had to go so she could check on Pisha. “Do you want me to walk with you?” Shunati offered. “They won’t let you in to see her.” “I can wait outside.” “You don’t have to.” “Don’t want to be seen with a round-ears?” “It’s not that exactly.” “You don’t want them to see you with me?” “No. I don’t care who sees me with you. But, they don’t want to see it. Right now, they’re in denial that I’m pledged to you. Seeing us together will make them see it’s real.” “Won’t they see us if we get married?” Shunati asked. She smiled. “Good point. Let’s go.” She took his hand and led him to a house not far from where the voting took place. She let him inside without knocking. That was something else different between humans and elves, Shunati reminded himself. Three men were sitting at a table. They frowned when the two of them walked in. “Who’s that?” One asked. “This is my pledged, Shunati,” Sinta said cheerfully. “Isn’t he that round ear healer?” He asked. “He’s a healer in Sen-gan,” she said. “What you doing here?” Another asked. “We wanted to check on Pisha.” “We told you, no healers. The cur got what she deserved.” “I just wanted to introduce them.” “She’s in a coma, you stupid…” “Hey, now.” Shunati stepped in. “There’s no need for names. Just because she’s in a coma doesn’t mean she’s completely unaware of her surroundings.” “You can see her. He stays out here,” One of the brothers insisted. Sinta looked at Shunati. “It’s okay. You go see her. I’ll meet her another time,” He assured her. She nodded. “I’ll be right back.” Then she hurried to the other room. There was an awkward silence while the brothers watched him. Or, perhaps they were sizing him up. One stood and advanced on him. “So, round-ears, you think you can come back here and marry our cousin? You think you can corrupt her?” “I came back to vote. Our parents feel the marriage is a good idea,” Shunati said. “It’s bad enough our aunt married that human lover. There’s no way we’re going to let our cousin corrupt the bloodline with a round-ears.” “It’s her choice, not yours,” Shunati pointed out. The cousin smiled menacingly. “Only if you’re still around.” He took a swing at Shunati. Shunati dodged and then grabbed his wrist. The man started gasping for breath. “One of the first things they teach healers is how to restart a heart. Stopping one isn’t much different,” Shunati said conversationally. The other two started to rise. “If you come closer, he’s dead,” Shunati warned. “And it would only take a brief moment for me to do the same to you. The contact of your fist to me would suffice. And I’m strong enough, clothing won’t buffer it.” It was part truth, part bravado. The clothes he wore wouldn’t stop it or slow it down, but he never tried to stop a heart while being hit. “Sinta!” One called out, instead. “Hurry up. Your pledge is needed elsewhere.” Sinta came out a moment later. “It wouldn’t take me so long if you three would do a better job,” She said, unaware of what it transpired. Shunati walked her home. He didn’t say much. “Are you okay?” She asked. “I’m fine.” He nodded. “How long are you staying?” She asked as they approached her house. “Unless there’s an emergency in Sen-gan, and I get called back to help, a few days.” “Would you like to get together for breakfast?” She asked. He smiled. He wanted to stay together until breakfast, but they couldn’t do that. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.” She smiled. She gave him a quick hug and hurried into her home. **** Shunati spent a very restless night. He really liked Sinta, but he realized he couldn’t marry her. He couldn’t get married until he was done with his apprenticeship. But when he was done, he’d have to return to Erilu. If he did that, people like Sinta’s cousins would harass him continuously. Any family he had would also be targets. The only way to stay safe was to stay gone. The only way to stay gone was to stay an apprentice. It was the only thing that allowed him to live outside the valley. But, then he couldn’t marry. He’d have to end things with Sinta. It wasn’t fair to either of them. When the sun rose, he dressed in hunting clothes. They were more comfortable, and they were better suited for what he had in mind. Sinta arrived a short time later dressed similarly. “How did you know?” She laughed when she saw him. “Where you scrying me?” “Of course not. That’s rude.” “Then…” “I want to talk, and I figured it would be best if we went somewhere else.” “You don’t mind hunting, do you?” She asked. “It’s been a while.” He admitted. “I should probably stick with a bow rather than a knife.” She nodded. “Bows it is. Let’s go.” She took his hand and transported him to the woods. She staggered a little. “You okay?” He asked, concerned. She nodded. “Transporting is pushing my limits, but I can do it.” He checked her magic level anyhow. It wasn’t long before they were enjoying a breakfast of pheasant and berries. “What was it you wanted to talk to me about?” Sinta asked. Shunati sighed. “I really like you. I had a great time yesterday and this morning.” “But…” “We can’t get married.” She frowned. “Why not?” “I’m too much of a round-ears.” “Shunati, I knew you were a round-ears before we met. I’m not stupid.” “No, you’re not, but you don’t understand either. I’m not still an apprentice because I can’t control my abilities. I’m an apprentice because I can’t come home. I’ve been gone too long. “I’m a very powerful healer. Miramar used to compare me to her brother, Thailyn, saying we were close in strength. I don’t know if it’s true but I don’t find many healers with my strength. “When I finished my studies at the mage school, I still struggled with my abilities. The teachers at the college helped me arrange an apprenticeship. They searched for months. The only healer they could find who was strong enough and willing to take on an apprentice was Mistress Mila at the palace in Sen-gan. They worked it out with King Arlin that I could stay as long as I needed. “Mistress Mila is a good healer, and she tries very hard to be a good mentor, but she was inexperienced. She insisted I should be able to control my abilities so that it didn’t hurt to touch people.” “It hurts just to touch?” Sinta asked, surprised. “Not you.” He smiled. “But, most people, yes. Back then, neither of us understood that it was because of my strength that it was so difficult. It was ten years before we realized that I would never be able to control that because, in addition to being a strong healer, I’m also a sensitive. By the time we understood, the damage was done. People were already seeing me as a round-ears, and in truth, I was. I picked up too many human ways. “Ambassador Pt’this had spent several years in Erilu so he was familiar with Elven customs. He’s also spent a lot of time among humans so he’s learned to separate customs. He acts like a dragon when he’s with dragons, like a human when he’s with humans and even an elf when he’s here.” “He acts like an elf?” “His alternative form is elf rather than human. One time when he was here, he used a potion to change his eye color. People thought he was a real elf for two days. “He offered to help me seem less like an outsider to my own people. But it didn’t matter how I acted. People saw me as a round-ears. “Mila agreed to keep me on as an apprentice for as long as I wanted. She needed the help but couldn’t hire an assistant. I needed to stay an apprentice so I didn’t have to come home. “King Arlin agreed to all this. He didn’t want me coming back and tainting the people. And he saw me as a potential spy, though I don’t know if he thought I’d spy for him or for Menthanla. “The problem is, if I give up my apprenticeship, I have to come home. But if I don’t, I can’t get married.” “So, come home. We’ll live near the border.” “I can’t. It’s been forty-five years. I don’t know how to be an elf anymore. Too many won’t want me here. “Your cousins attacked me last night for trying to corrupt you. It won’t stop there. If we get married, have kids, you and they will be targets too. I can’t ask that of you.” “You can, and you will,” Sinta insisted. “Listen, we’re in the middle of an election. We’re going to have a new ruler soon. Deyama is for open borders. She’ll agree to you staying in Sen-gan because of that. Tristia wants to stay with the old ways. She’ll agree just so you don’t come corrupt everyone else.” “There’s more,” Shunati said, softly. “You can’t tell anybody about this.” She frowned. “What?” “You not the first unreadable I’ve met. Princess Ann and her mother of course. But there was also a woman, Islin, who was at the mages’ college.” “You slept with a human?” She was more surprised than upset. “No. It never went that far, though it came close. We were friends. She was amused by the fact I could touch her and it didn’t bother me. She used to touch me in various ways, and it didn’t take long before became sexual. I realized I was falling in love with her, so I ended it before we went too far.” “It really hurts to touch someone?” She asked. “You ever have your foot go numb because you sat on it too long? You know how it feels when the feeling comes back? It feels like that.” “But not me?” “You, I can feel little of the sensation, but it’s very light and kind of pleasurable.” “Really?” He nodded. “That’s weird.” “Sorry. It’s the way I was born.” “I didn’t mean to say it was bad.” “It depends on who you are.” Shunati shrugged. “So, are you going to propose or my going to have to get hurt so you have to come back here?” She asked. “What?” Shunati frowned. “We’ve been pledged for two years. It took King Arlin’s death to get you up here so we could finally meet. I figure, if you don’t actually propose and make this official, it’s going to take a serious injury to me to get you back up here.” “But Sinta, I told you, I can’t.” “And I told you, we’ll work it out.” “Sinta…” “Shunati, if you don’t propose, I will transport you to the square and propose in front of everyone, making us both look like round-ears.” “You wouldn’t.” “Try me.” “You really know how to pressure a guy.” “I’m waiting.” She folded her arms across her chest. “Can we wait a few minutes so we can pretend it was my idea?” “Nope.” She shook her head. He took her hand as though he was going to ask her. “Sinta, you’re not strong enough to cast transport spell yet.” She pulled away. “Blasted healer.” He laughed at her reaction. So many people fell for things like that. “I’m just watching out for you so you don’t get hurt. I really like you and want you around a while.” She looked at him, skeptically. “I hope, eventually, you’ll be my wife.” She waited. “Will you give me your pledge that if I ever managed to finish my apprenticeship, you’ll be my wife?” “No.” She shook her head. “No?” He frowned. “I’ll be your wife whether you finish it or not. We’ll find a way.” “You’re going to be trouble.” Shunati laughed. “Not ‘going to be’.” She smiled.