“I’ll do what I can,” Acorna said, grateful to the man for his thoughtfulness on behalf of the former captive.
They clanked across open metal grating on their way back to some of what would have been cargo holds and crew’s quarters on a standard vessel. Following Becker into one of the holds, Acorna heard the clatter of bone on bone. Then a monster arose before them.
Even as hunched up and crooked as he was, Aari towered over Becker and was taller than Acorna. But his joints did not articulate properly and there was a huge hump on his back. His legs bent incorrectly and his head was at an odd angle-and then there was the stomach-churning sight of that sunken-in forehead.
She tried to take this all in only on a physical, visual level and not think about it, not react to it at all. The expression in his deeply haunted eyes showed that he could read her before she sent or he received a thought.
She extended her hand to him-horn touching would be inappropriate in this instance with no other horn to meet it. “I am called Khornya. I was born in space after the evacuation and have only just arrived here myself. But welcome home.”
He dipped his head, and though he was trying to sound composed, his voice trembled as he replied, “I was Aari. I thank you.”
And then, from behind her, she heard the clatter of hard soled feet on metal grating. The three males entered the hold behind them, and made gasping noises.
(What i) it?)
(I think I’m going to be sick!)
(They really made a mess out of you, didn’t they?) from Thariinye.
Acorna closed the distance between them before Aari could retreat farther back into the hold. She took his hand with hers and this time did lean her horn against his cheek, for healing, for calming. (They are young and stupid and know nothing of anything outside this world,) she told him. (I’m sure the physicians here can put you right in no time.)
Thariinye, who was thoughtless but not intentionally unkind, realized his error at once and crossed to them as well, also, with only slight reluctance, laying his horn against the newcomer. (Khornya is right. I was rude and cruel. The physicians will be sent for at once.)
“Maybe before we unload the Ancestors’ bones, you people would want to take Aari to some kind of hospital or clinic with you?” Becker asked, and Acorna realized that he, too, had a definite, if somewhat limited, ability to read thoughts.
“I will go below and discuss the matter with the viizaar. But, my brother,” Thariinye said to Aari, “would you not be happier if we brought physicians to you before you meet your little sister and old friends again?”
Aari gave him a glance full of bitterness. “You mean so that I don’t frighten them? You are very thoughtful, my brother.”
“Okay, that’s it,” Becker said. “I think we’ll just stow the moving of the bones until your docs see what they can do for Aari, here or there, I don’t care. Just get off my ship for now, all you guys. Lady Acorna is welcome any time she wants to come, but the rest of you do me a favor and wait for an engraved invitation, huh? Tell your leader lady that I still need fuel and I hope they got a long hose on the gas pump at the spaceport to bring the fuel to me since I can’t get to it.”
(Very hostile and aggressive,) Thariinye told Acorna in passing.
“I heard that!” Becker said.
“I think I should go, too,” Acorna said. “You will need someone to speak for you. Not that my opinion is much valued
by the vuzaar, but if Grandam Naadiina, the elder, backs me, they will have to listen.”
Aari almost smiled at her. “Is Grandam still with us, then?” “Very much so,” Acorna said.
“I would like to see her. She will not be frightened of me, though she may be sad. Grandam was always kind to Laarye and me when we were small.”
“She has taken care of your little sister since your parents ” Pain spasmed over his face and she realized that if his parents had been lost before they reached Vhiliinyar, he would not have known he wouldn’t be reunited with them here. “Oh, I’m sorry. You shouldn’t have found out that way,” she said.