Page 4 of Scales of Time

Yorness chuckled. “Call me Madame or Auntie while we are here. I will make sure that my family knows you are more a friend than an employee.”

“When did that happen?”

“The fourth time you saved my life.”

“Dang. Maybe I should have stopped at three.”

The hissing laughter continued for a few minutes as they left the port and headed for the hills.

After an hour, they were inside the estate, and the house they approached was enormous.

Yorness sighed. “Home and family. They are all here.”

“Your children live with you?”

“And grandchildren. I have a guesthouse for you out back. Don’t worry. You will have your privacy.”

“How do I get meals?”

“You are invited to join us, but if you don’t wish to, the kitchen has been given instructions for your food. Nothing will be toxic to you.”

“Well, that’s handy.”

“Come. You will meet my family, and they will thank you properly for watching over me.”

They exited the vehicle when it came to a stop, and Kris came around to help Yorness out of her seat.

The driver handed their bags over to servants, and Kris looked at her employer. “Come on, Auntie. Your family is waiting.”

Yorness hissed in amusement and took Kris’s hand to leave the vehicle. She helped her out and walked her to her family.

Yorness’s family waited until they passed a mark on the floor, and when the mark on the sidewalk was passed, the merchant was rushed by her family.

Kris kept her boss balanced as the hugs, slides of cheek to cheek, and the young ones rubbed against her hands. Scale to scale was huge here.

After the fifteen people greeted Yorness, she lifted her head. “This is my off-world bodyguard, Kris, of the dead world of Terra.”

Kris winced. Hearing it always hurt.

“It has been a pleasure to take your mother, aunt, and grandmother through the stars. She’s not easy to work with.”

Yorness hissed happily. “Kris keeps my wits sharp. You will address her as Auntie or Auntie Kris while we are home. I want her to see all of the joys of Kifessan.”

A pregnant woman came forward and nodded. “Welcome, Auntie Kris. I am Velueth, and my child is due within the week. Thank you for bringing her home on time.”

Kris smiled. “There is always one more station for one more purchase, but she finally decided that she wanted to be here. In her own time.”

Velueth hissed softly. “That she does. Please, Auntie, come inside. We have a celebration prepared for my mother’s return.”

Yorness chuckled from the depths of her family. “Come with us, Kris. You aren’t authorized to leave without me.”

“Fine. Take my fun.”

Velueth offered a hand and led Kris inside.

The inside of the home was covered with statues and differing designs. The statues were all glass, and they were gorgeous. Statues. Oh no.

Velueth looked at her. “Is something wrong?”

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