Ann sat and attempted to keep patient. The Ertonian senate was horribly slow. They had questions about the attack on Cramda’s house and the palace. Since she was Menthanla’s ambassador, she was chosen to go talk to them. “Cramda’s attack on the palace could be seen as a retaliation for the attack here by the dragons,” one senator pointed out. Someone translated, but Ann spoke Ertonian and responded. That earned her several surprised looks. “The dragon that attacked came to rescue us. Cramda and Morcri abducted a group of us from Menthanla. Dragons are extremely protective of family, especially their mates. We form a bond with our mates. It causes us to go out of her way to protect them.” “Based on our reports more dragons attacked than you claim were taken.” “I also said they were protective of all family. Two came for their daughters and one came for his sister and his chosen mate.” “Chosen mate?” One frowned at the term. “It’s like a bride-to-be,” Morina filled in. “You were one of the captives?” One asked Ann. “Yes.” “How did they catch you? You have a reputation for being able to defeat immortals.” “They ambushed us and used large quantities of copper and a sleeping potion dispersed in a mist. There, they collared us, drugged us, and beat us.” “Beat you?” A senator frowned, doubting it was true. “Do you have a healer capable of reading past injuries?” Ann asked. “We do.” “Is it one that can distinguish recent past from long ago?” She pressed. They glanced at each other and nodded. “Have you had other injuries of that nature before?” “When I was a prisoner of Lyra,” Ann admitted. More glances at each other and then at Morina. “This is the girl you wanted to help while undercover?” Morina nodded. “She is.” Ann and Morina had already discussed this. Morina had been undercover in Lerjao when Ann had been captured and taken prisoner. She had done what she could to protect Ann. It hadn’t been much, but it helped keep her life. She had also preserved and protected Kith’s body and vial so they could be retrieved later. “You would submit to one of our healers?” the senator asked Ann. She nodded. “I would.” The healer was summoned. He took the hand she offered. Then he frowned. “What trickery is this? I can’t read anything from her.” “I’m an unreadable,” Ann explained, guessing at the Ertonian term. “Some mortals are resistant to being read by healers,” Morina explained. “A strong healer is needed and needs to make an effort to read her. Most of the healers in Sen-gan are strong enough, so it’s easy to forget about.” The senators looked at each other. “Summon Lokalia,” one finally said. A short time later, a woman entered. Her eyes were wild and darted everywhere. Ann could see she used a spell shield to keep from touching anyone. Lokalia, we need you to read this woman and tell us if she’s been beaten recently.” “You want me to read someone who may have been beaten?” Lokalia frowned. “I have been beaten multiple times,” Ann informed her. “They want it confirmed.” “Why can’t he do it?” She indicated the other healer. “He can’t read me. They think you’re strong enough to.” Ann held out her hand. “Of course I can read you.” The healer took her hand and frowned. “You are difficult. She’s been beaten frequently. Some of it was recent.” She looked at Ann. “Did you know you’re pregnant?” Ann nodded. “My dad’s a strong healer too. He told me.” “The baby’s like you, difficult to read. It wasn’t hurt during the beating.” Ann nodded again. “I know. If you don’t want to use your spell shield to block your healing abilities, a layer of dragon skin and a layer of silk woven with linen will block it some too. My dad always wears it.” Ann retrieved her cloak and covered her hand with it. Lokalia took it and smiled in surprise. “He had this made for me when I was little, in case I was a healer too.” “Your dad is quite impressive.” “I think he lives to heal. He was injured in the attack and is still recovering, but I think when he’s done, he might teach healing. He used to teach it on Tricon.” “Tricon?” The healer looked surprised. “Is he Thailyn?” Ann nodded, surprised herself. “Your dad is a powerful healer. I was wondering who healed you. I saw him once. I’m one of the strongest healers in Ertonia and compared to him, I’m nothing.” She reached into her healer’s pack. “If he can’t heal himself, he’s very bad off. This will help. It’s a very rare, powerful potion. Give it to him in small doses, like a spoonful at a time. It will increase his own abilities so he can heal himself.” “He has an atrophied heart and it’s a four. I don’t know if this is a good idea.” “Was he born a four or is it due to damage?” “Damage. He was born a two.” “Then this will be fine. It might even lower it some. If you worried, have another healer check it first.” Lokalia turned to the senators. “This woman has been beaten by immortals. I recognize the spells used by the damage. She and her baby are lucky to be alive. She also shows signs of being collared both times. She was a prisoner. It’s likely the second time was about the same time as the fire. Execute whoever did this.” She walked out. Ann was surprised. Very few in any of the four kingdoms would talk to their rulers like that, and she’d gotten the impression the senate was even less tolerant than anyone back home was. Chapado led her to a waiting room. “She’s the most powerful healer here. She’s not as good as Thailyn or Shunati, but she isn’t far behind. She stays isolated because, like your dad or Shunati, she reads anyone with just a touch. And unlike mortals, where there is only at most a few thousand years to read, we can have several times that. “You telling her about the way to block healing will help her greatly. That’s why she gave you the potion. It’s very rare and valuable. The plants it’s made from are rare and it’s difficult to make. If they’re willing to talk about a treaty, offer to let Andy make the potion for them in exchange for the recipe. He could do it.” Ann nodded. “Will Lokalia have read my family?” Ann asked. Chapado shrugged. “It’s possible, but she didn’t say anything so it’s doubtful she ever will. She might say something if the senate asks specifically, but I don’t see that happening. She used to be close with my daughter, Lonna. She’d keep it secret for her.” Morina entered. “I think it’s time we returned back to Menthanla.” Chapado frowned. “Why? Are they siding with Cramda?” “No. He’s guilty. They all agree. You all have been found acting in self-defense. But I think it’s better to be across the desert before they start wondering how a dozen mortals defeated at least twice that many immortals, even with Chapado’s help.” “What about the treaty?” Ann asked as she stood. “They’re still discussing it. They said we could leave while they do. It will take a while. And you’re pregnant. They want you to be near your healer when the baby is born.” “I’m not that far along. I’ll be pregnant almost a year.” “We’re aware of that. I said it’s going to take a while. By a while, I mean by immortal standards. Your grandchildren may be negotiating this treaty. However, I did get them to agree to help you if you have more immortal trouble. And they’ll help with Wyrm if needed.” Ann nodded. “Shall I do the first transport?” She offered. She could transport directly across the desert, but she was pregnant so her aim was off and they might end up someplace besides the palace in Sen-gan. Chapado nodded. Ann cast the spell. They did arrive in the palace, in the men’s baths. Fortunately, they were unoccupied. “We should ward this room from that,” Morina muttered. “Oh, that’s no fun.” Chapado laughed. Morina frowned and left. They followed.