Page 11 of Scales of Time

“One or two. He’s nice, though. They just had a baby.”

Essan was suddenly very interested in the conversation. He took a seat and gestured for her to sit next to him. “The child is healthy?”

“Yes. So was the mother. She’s great, and he looks like he wants to populate a world with her.” Kris smiled. “I think he is planning on trying.”

Essan was amused. “What do you think his bondservant will do?”

“Kick him in the groin if he tries. It won’t do any good, but it will get her point across.”

“She would threaten a Hmrain?”

“Yes. She was initially thrown to him as food and chose to kiss him instead. He was shocked but got what he needed to do what was necessary. She recovered from torture and grew about a foot after they bonded.” Kris smiled.

Her smile softened her features. They were classically beautiful and symmetrical, but when she smiled, it was intriguing. Essan shook his head. “Which elder was it?”

“Kethen. His partner is Janessa.”

“I am going to research this.”

She shrugged. “Do or don’t. You asked questions, and I gave you answers.”

He smiled. “So I did. Now, are you up to telling me about your world?”

“It was hit by an asteroid, and only a tiny fraction of the population was taken up by the education station. From impact to recovery, it was over a year. Some folk didn’t get picked up until near the two-year mark. I think everyone is off the surface, but if you want to get a consort, you might want to contact the station.” She shrugged. “I mean, if you are shopping for one. Since you showed up here alone, I just guessed that you were currently unencumbered.”

Essan nodded. “Your deductions are correct. Now, how did you end up in service to my granddaughter?”

The woman smiled. “That is a very long and weird story.”

“I have time.”

She looked at him and sighed. “Right. I guess you do.”

Chapter Three

Kris scanned the food and wasn’t able to eat anything, so she sipped at the water, which was the only safe thing to consume. She was glad Theera had brought the food earlier.

“What does the ring look for?”

“Allergens. Things my body reacts to in a violent manner. I thought space would have less of them, but unless I keep myself vigilant, I am always one strange meal from disaster.” She smiled. “The best food for me was on Yasku’s world. There was only a small amount of food that would set me off.”

“How many Hmrain have you met?”

Yorness spoke up. “Four in my service. All had human consorts, or I would not have brought Harwin and Kris with me.”

Essan asked, “Why not?”

“I know a compatible being when I meet it. Harwin and Kris were both Hmrain compatible.”

“There was another one?”

Yorness chuckled. “Yes, she is off on an archaeological dig on Aten, and Kris and I negotiated a private contract for her to continue as my bodyguard. We get along well.”

Kris sipped at her water. “In our way.”

Yorness hissed in amusement.

Essan looked at Kris. “You are going to tour this world?”

---