Someone pounded on Shunati’s door. He was reviewing his notes from the patients he saw that day. He opened the door. There stood a couple of nobles and a healer from town. “You need to come with us.” One insisted. “I’m off duty. Talk with Mila.” He didn’t like the nobles ordering him around. He wasn’t a citizen nor was he apprenticed to them. They had no authority to do so. It would be different if it were an emergency, but it never was. “Mila’s otherwise occupied.” “I need to get my potions bag.” “You won’t need it. No one’s hurt.” He grew suspicious. “What’s this about?” “The princess’s back. We need you as a witness.” “What? Now? No. I’m not helping you harass them. They weren’t even supposed to be back until tomorrow.” The treaty laws stated that the royal family had to wait until after marriage before having sex. The law was punishable by death. The nobles had made claims that Ann had broken this law since she’d return home from being a runaway. For some reason, they seemed determined to have the girl executed. “We need a palace healer to serve as a witness. You will come, and you will do as we say and say what we tell you to say.” The noble insisted. Shunati was about to refuse when he continued. “Do you remember Islin? How will the elders fields know you slept with her, a human?” Shunati grew cold. How did they know about her? Shades, if they told the elders that he slept with her, he’d be marked for death. “I never slept with her.” “We have a witness to say otherwise. You’ll come, and you’ll tell Emeton the results we tell you.” “I’ll come, but I’m not trading the princess’s life for mine. I will tell you if the proof they offer is genuine. I will not lie.” “The truth will be fine.” The other noble whispered to the first. “Her mother was a slut. She grew up around that sexed crazed Pt’this. She was seen in the same bedroll as Andy at Dragon Castle. There’s no way she was a virgin when they got married.” The first noble nodded. He led them up to Ann’s room and pushed his way in. Ann lay in bed, barely conscious. Sapphire, Andy, and another woman were there. The woman was a dragon in elf form. Shunati knelt by the bed to check Ann, brushing against the woman as he passed. She was a healer, Kith’s mother? When did they return? “You’re not here for her,” the noble said. “I am now. You can wait.” He growled. “She’ll be okay,” the woman said. Shunati read Ann. Like all dragons, Ann was telepathic. But because she was a half-breed it caused her some difficulties. Someone had overwhelmed her mentally using telepathy. Kith’s mother had healed her. She would be fine for now. But if she hadn’t stayed a virgin, she’d be executed. “You bloody vultures get out.” Andy insisted. “We weren’t even supposed to be back until tomorrow. You can wait a few hours.” Then Pt’this entered. He argued with the nobles a moment and then talked with Andy softly. He informed of the nobles that since the treaty law in question was with Baj-tisk they would require a representative and that their emissary would accompany them. Shunati felt ashamed. Yet even more people would know of his involvement. But he also felt relief. Nim was the emissary. He wouldn’t allow them to falsify the results. In the morning, Shunati would talk to Emeton and then to Deyama. This would be the only time anyone could use his indiscretion against him. “Enough of this.” The noble said once Pt’this a gone for Nim. “Give us the wedding sheets. This emissary can meet us.” “Pt’this said…” Andy started. “I don’t care what that wyrm said. He’s just a servant. He has no authority.” The noble snapped. Shunati stood to speak, but Kith’s mother cut him off. “Pt’this is an ambassador of the Council. That he wears the ring of his station shows he acts in their authority. Even if you don’t recognize it, the Council does. You’ve been warned that leaving would be a violation of the treaty. Violating a treaty after such a warning would be seen as an act of war. Do you really want to risk a war with the dragons?” Shunati held his breath. He knew this woman was no longer Baj-tisk and had no authority to make such threats, but did they?” The noble hesitated and then nodded. Soon, Pt’this was back with Nim. Andy gave Nim the sheets. “Andy, I’m sorry,” Shunati whispered as he passed. “Keep them honest,” Andy said. The look in his eyes told Shunati so much. Andy knew he wasn’t there by choice, but he also recognized Shunati was in a position to protect Ann. And he would. In a healing room, he and the other healer both examined the sheet. The couple had been busy that night, but the proof was authentic, and everything indicated Ann had been a virgin at her wedding, and he reported such. “Could they have saved the sheets from some other time?” The noble asked. “No. The sheets are from five days ago.” Shunati insisted. “Even you aren’t that precise.” The other healer insisted. “The sheet was marked the day before the wedding,” Shunati informed him, showing them the mark made with Emeton’s signet ring dipped in ink. “At the earliest, it was the night before but they both had chaperones and slept on different floors. “Kortu was witness to this,” Nim added. Somehow, the chief steward always seemed to know where everyone was at all times. Everyone was aware of this. “It seems there was an awful lot of activity,” the healer said. “Yes, there is.” The noble agreed. He turned to Shunati. “Thank you for your help. Don’t worry about the other matter. It’s forgotten.” He turned and left with the others. Nim frowned. “That was too easy.” He did something with a ring he wore and activated a spell that made it difficult to focus on him. No one would notice he was there. Then, he followed the nobles. **** Shunati transported to Erilu. There was only one person he’d ever told about Islin. He transported right to her room. The flash woke her. “Shunati? What is it?” Sinta asked. “Who did you tell about Islin?” He demanded. “Who?” She looked confused. “Islin. The human I fell in love with.” He didn’t want to believe Sinta had betrayed him. He figured she had confided with someone and either they had been the one to tell his secret or someone overheard. “I didn’t tell anyone.” She claimed. “You had to. The nobles at the palace know.” “Shun, I swear I didn’t tell anyone. I wouldn’t do that to you. It’s too dangerous. What’s going on?” Shunati explained what had happened. “I swear I didn’t tell anyone.” She assured him again. “In the morning, I will. I won’t let them use this against me again. If the elders choose that I should be executed, so be it, but I’m not going to live in fear or under someone’s control.” “I’ll talk with Deyama. She’ll help. You didn’t break the law.” Sinta offered. “No. You keep out of this. I don’t want you involved. If this goes bad, I don’t want it to hurt you.” “Shun…” “I mean it. Don’t say anything. I can’t stay, but I’ll be back in the morning.” “At least allow me to make sure you get time with Deyama tomorrow.” Shunati nodded. “Thank you. I can’t stay. They might try something else.” “Good luck. See tomorrow.” With that, he was gone. **** “Kortu, I need to speak with Emeton.” Shunati told the steward. “He’s in a meeting.” “I know he’s in a meeting. I can wait until it’s done. But I need to speak to him in person, no leaving a message.” Messages had a tendency to get lost. Kortu hesitated. “Kortu, this is very important. I’ll talk with him between meetings if need be.” “He has a few minutes after this meeting, but this may take a while.” “I can wait.” He’d gotten Darkham to cover his shift. He didn’t know how long this would take. It wasn’t long before the nobles left. Shortly, Andy Nim also left. Kortu went in to talk with Emeton and returned a moment later. “You can see him,” he said. Shunati entered. He found Emeton and a private room accessed through the outer meeting room. He looked like he might spit fire. Shunati was glad he wasn’t a dragon. “Is everything okay?” He asked. “Those curs tried to claim the proof was faked.” He growled. “I examined it. It was not faked.” Shunati assured him. “They tried to claim they had sex too many times.” “Sire, Ann is half dragon. They’re more active than humans.” “Andy is a human.” Emeton pointed out. “Andy is young and healthy. Their activity is perfectly normal. If I may be blunt, don’t expect us to slow down for a while. They are newlyweds.” Emeton nodded. He was obviously uncomfortable discussing his daughter in this matter. “Is that why you came to see me?” He asked. “No, Sir. I need to go to Erilu. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, and I’m not sure if I’ll be able to come back.” Emeton frowned. “What’s wrong?” “Back when I was first apprenticed, I was in a relationship with the human woman. I didn’t sleep with her but the nobles last night, the ones that just left, claimed they have a witness that says I did. They tried to use that to get me to say the proof was faked. I need to talk to the elders and let them know. I can’t let anyone try to coerce me like that.” Emeton nodded. “Who is the woman? Maybe we can find her, and she can testify that you two didn’t sleep together.” “Her name was Islin va…” He paused to remember the name. “Islin? She’s the wife of one of the nobles that were just here.” “Shades. She’s the witness. She’d lie about it?” “Talk with the elders. You didn’t break the law. We’ll help you out.” Emeton assured him. “Sire, I can’t ask you to do that.” “You didn’t. I volunteered. You’ve done a lot for this family. You cured my wife and nephew of sleepless fever, kept two premature babies alive. You helped my grandson through his problems.” “Sir,” Shunati interrupted. “That’s my job. I’m a healer.” “Is defying your mistress part of your job, apprentice?” “No, Sir.” “But you did. Mila thought that because of Bacna’s birth defects, combined with his early birth, he shouldn’t be saved. You insisted we try to help him. You went out of your way, spent hours of your own time researching and coming up with treatments. You not only helped him survive, but you also gave him the ability to live an almost normal life. That alone is worth whatever we do to help you.” “Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir.” Shunati was stunned. “Scry the palace and let us know what the elders decide. If you can’t, have Vor do it. We’ll do what we can.” “I will, Sir. Thank you again.” With that, he hurried out. **** Shunati approached Deyama’s aide. It wasn’t Sinta. He wasn’t anyone Shunati knew. The aide looked up. “Vor, is Deyama expecting you? She didn’t tell me you were coming.” “I’m not…” Shunati started. “Wait, you must be Shunati. I’m sorry. My eyes aren’t what they used to be. Sinta said you were coming. As soon as Deyama gets done, you can see her. It’ll only be a few minutes.” “Thank you,” Shunati told the man and offered his hand. The aides took it to shake but froze. Shunati smiled. “How are the eyes now?” The aide smiled. “I forgot you’re a healer. Thanks.” “Showing off, Shun?” Deyama asked behind him. Shunati turned. “Just helping.” “Uh-huh. Come on in.” She led him to her office. “The room is shielded. You can speak freely.” She told him. Again, he told of his relationship with Islin. “I may have bent the law, but I didn’t break it. I just wanted to be able to touch someone, to be touched without pain and we went too far.” Deyama nodded. “I remember what happened when you tried to sleep with you first pledged. You almost had a heart attack. Only your healing abilities stopped that.” “My healing ability started it,” Shunati said bitterly. “I don’t see that you have anything to worry about, but I do need to talk with the elders. Most of them are open for change, but some of the traditionalists will cause problems so for now, I’m working with the elders in these types of matters. They’ll be the meeting soon, and I can talk with them. I do believe one has a sister who is a healer so he may be understanding. I’ll tell them what happened and then they have questions for you.” “Thank you.” “Does Sinta know you’re here?” He hesitated. Admitting she did know would imply she knew why. If they decided he’d gone too far, she could be in trouble for not reporting it. “I’ll tell you what, I’m sure she’ll want to see you. Why don’t you two use a meeting room to catch up and you can tell her what’s going on.” Deyama offered as she stood. “Thank you,” he said again, standing too. She turned back to him. “And, Shun? Keep your clothes on for now.” “Excuse me?” It surprised him that she would suggest something like that. “You round-ears are all alike. I can tell when you’ve been up here visiting.” Shunati gaped. “We didn’t… I haven’t…” Deyama smiled. “I don’t care if you do or not, just not now.” She led him to a meeting room to wait. Soon, Sinta joined him. “It’s good to see you,” she said and hugged him. “They’re listening.” She whispered in his ear. He kissed her. “I need to tell you why I’m here,” he said, understanding. He sat her down and told her again about Islin. She asked similar questions to what she did the first time. He answered in the same manner. Then they waited. “Tell me more of Sen-gan. You said humans dressed differently, and they stay indoors. What else?” “Their windows have glass in their closed almost all the time. It’s very rare that they open them.” “I’d feel so closed in.” Shunati nodded. “Mine are open all the time. And I have a door to a balcony overlooking the garden. That’s open too.” “What about the food?” Shunati made a face. “It’s all so sweet. The cook always sends vinegar or lemon juice with my meals. I have some bitter spice I also add sometimes. Andy puts honey in his coffee.” She made a face. “Eew.” “And at the wedding, they had a cake. It’s a custom of Andy’s homeland. He helped make it. It had this stuff called frosting. I swear it was almost pure sugar.” “Did you eat some?” Shunati nodded. “I wanted to be polite. I had to rinse with vinegar afterward. Vor gagged the whole time.” “How about Deyama?” “She only had one bite. I think she shared the rest with one of Ann’s nephews.” “Everything is so different. Don’t you feel lost?” “It can be daunting. I try to focus on our similarities.” Sinta’s eyebrows wrinkled. “Similarities, round-ears?” “We’re not all that different. Yes, we eat differently and dress different, but we have the same values in the same morals, and we love.” “What’s your favorite thing in Sen-gan?” “Sen-gan isn’t anything special, although the ocean reminds me a little of the lake in the glen. It’s the people.” “Humans?” He nodded. “And dragons. They’re my friends. We work together so often. I want to continue to be able to help them.” “How do you help them?” “It doesn’t matter.” He shrugged. “But they’re your friends.” “That’s why it doesn’t matter. Like I said, we work together they help me too.” “Of course.” “I wish you could meet them.” He told her. “Perhaps someday.” Deyama came in. “The elders aren’t happy about what you did, and they would’ve preferred you hadn’t hidden it, but they understand how lonely being a healer can be. You broke no laws. There will be no repercussions.” Shunati let out a sigh. “Thank you.” He turned and hugged Sinta. “Thank you too.” He whispered. He recognized that her questions were meant to cater to their sympathies. “I have work to do. Sinta, when you’re done here, can you join me?” Deyama said and left. “That other issue, did it get resolved?” Sinta asked. “It did, in a favorable way too.” “Good to hear. Do you have to go back right away?” “I’m supposed to be on duty now. Darkham is filling in, but he’s not fond of working in the palace.” He kissed her. “I’ll try to visit soon.” “I’ll be waiting.”