“Just land on the green,” Camellia said.

“Sure thing,” Meladee agreed.

Camellia peered out the windshield and saw Gotic’s Capitol building come into view.

Camellia shifted her gaze and took a discreet look at Meladee. On their walk to Halfmoon and then on their ride to Iruedim, Meladee had ignored Benham. It had gotten to the point that everyone gathered in the cockpit, except Benham and, of course, Eva and Sten. They synthetics stayed in Engineering together, but Benham sat in the lounge alone.

As Meladee set Halfmoon down, Camellia watched her pilot. Meladee powered down the ship and began lock-up procedures.

Camellia turned to Rooks and said, “Why don’t you go ahead and meet us in the cargo bay?”

Rooks nodded. “Strange ship that has only one exit and no medical bay, but I suppose I should have expected it. I’ve met the three of you after all. We’ll be below.” Rooks left the room, following Alim.

Camellia whipped to face Meladee. She whispered, “What’s going on with you and Benham? I thought you...”

“Not now,” Meladee warned. She opened a communication channel to Eva and Sten. “We’re landing.”

“I know. I keep an eye on everything that goes on upstairs.” Eva paused, but her voice returned in short time. “It’s a good thing we’ve landed because there may be a small leak in the cargo hold.”

“More?” Meladee whined.

“Yes, this ship is, as you might say, falling apart. Not quite so dramatic, but the more we fly it, the more maintenance opportunities arise,” Eva said.

Camellia couldn’t see Eva, but she had the impression that Eva stood before her main Engineering console, searching for the leak. Or, maybe Eva wandered through the cargo bay in a more hands-on approach.

Sten’s voice came through communications. “I understand your need to take such an old ship, but I’m growing concerned. Just how we will repair all the Lurrien ships and perform upkeep for ours? We may have to find some way to trade with...someone other than the Finial.”

Camellia felt a thrum of anxiety. How would they care for all the ships? Camellia didn’t want to trade with the Finial, and Iruedim didn’t have the resources for ship upkeep, unless they counted magic.

Camellia calmed herself. Someone else could figure it out. It was not her problem and not her job.

“I think we’ll have a bigger problem freeing the Lurrien ships,” Eva warned.

Camellia quite agreed, and behind concerns for Lurren’s well being, she had a host of personal problems. But, she would try. She would try with Adalhard.

“Did you hear me?”

Camellia turned and found Meladee at her side.

“Cockpit’s locked down. Let’s not keep everyone waiting. Plus, we’ve got a crowd.” Meladee jabbed a finger at the windshield.

Camellia gazed out. Gotic’s Capitol building filled the view. The gothic structure rose into the sky, simplistic in its decorations. Camellia always thought it looked like a depressed cathedral.

On the steps, a group of people gathered. Camellia searched the crowd outside the window and recognized Regle, the head of state. She saw Groaza’s most esteemed mage, Corentin.

Meladee put a hand on Camellia’s arm. “Come on.”

“Cernunnos!” Camellia’s eyes went wide. She saw her white-haired mentor. Beside him, she saw the dark hair and keen eyes of Adalhard.

“Let’s go before Eva gets upset.”

Camellia rose and followed Meladee out, hoping and feeling that Adalhard had done everything he could against Ah’nee’thit.

Moments later, Camellia took a deep breath and released the cargo bay’s hatch. The hatch lowered and became a ramp.

Camellia took barely three steps.

Cernunnos called, “Camellia! I’m so happy to see you.” He grinned, hopped down the steps, and left Adalhard and the rest of the gathering baffled.

Cernunnos ran to Camellia, and she couldn’t help smiling. She picked up her pace and ran into his hug. Cernunnos wrapped his arms around her and mussed her hair.

“Oh, no. I have to be presentable…” Camellia tried to brush his hands out of her hair, but despite her objection, she hugged him back.

Cernunnos pushed her away and looked at her. “Where have you been?” he asked with a grin.

“I’ve just been exploring outside the wormhole.” She smiled back.

“Yes, and you seem to have brought some finds home.” Cernunnos peered over Camellia’s head at the Girandolans.

Camellia glanced behind her. Meladee and Eva led the Girandolans forward. When Camellia turned back to Cernunnos, she peered over his shoulder. She saw Regle lead his Iruedian gathering forward. So instead of continuing their conversation, she stifled her smile, assumed a respectful stance, and waited.

Cernunnos did the same.

Both groups arrived, and Camellia began introductions. She started with the Girandolans and gestured to each in turn.

In Groazan, she said, “This is Commander Wren Rooks. She commands all of the ships that came through the wormhole, which total six functional vessels and one shell.”

Cernunnos’ eyes widened, taking special note of Rooks.

Camellia sighed. She continued, “And these are Sten, Benham Martin, and Alim Tomaine. They’re scientists and explorers.”

Camellia switched to Ganden. “Nicodeme Regle – Groazan head of state. Corentin – Groaza’s preeminent mage. Cernunnos Pater – an archaeologist and my former teacher.” Camellia introduced Cernunnos with a smile, but her smile faded when she reached the other AAH member. She started. “Oh. Uh...Florian Adalhard, head of the Anthropological, Archaeological, and Historical Society. We call it the AAH for short.”

Camellia’s heart pounded, and she took a short break from introductions to compose herself. She glanced around the gathering and knit her brow when she saw two young Tagtrumians.

She set her eyes on Inez. “Do I know you?” Camellia felt her eyes widen. “Oh, you’re the Enchanted Textiler?”

Inez nodded and put a hand on her chest. “Inez Ferran. My brother Eder.” She pointed to a young man at her side.

Camellia translated for the Girandolans, though she didn’t think it was entirely necessary. She just didn’t want them to mistake ‘brother’ for Eder’s first name.

Regle stepped forward. “You wouldn’t know these others, Miss Zaris.” He gestured to three scary looking men. “Military Director Cloch, and his counterparts for both the Tagtrumian and Ponk armies: Piatro Venvoight and Rida Kazu. Please, translate for me.” Regle gestured to the Girandolans.

Camellia relayed the names and roles.

More people stood behind Regle.

Regle caught and followed Camellia’s gaze. “The rest are members of a team we plan to send to Lurren. Actually, to work on that problem you brought to our attention. I’m glad you’ve returned because we could use your and your friends’ expertise in this matter.”

Camellia gaped. Regle seemed to know all about her. But, then, if Adalhard spoke to the head of state, the men were bound to discuss her contributions. Camellia’s heart warmed.

Not only had Adalhard listened to her letter, he had helped to organize an expedition to deal with Ul’thetos – Ul’thetos! Adalhard went above and beyond the problem presented by Ah’nee’thit.

Regle cleared his throat.

Camellia realized she had been very quiet. She averted her gaze.

Regle said, “Please invite your friends inside and let them know that we will be discussing their arrival as well as our Lurrien problem. I assume you’ve brought them to aid us?”

“Yes, they will aid us. Actually, we gathered them to serve as new colonists for Lurren,” Camellia admitted.

Regle’s eyes widened. “Really?”

Camellia nodded and half-turned away. “I’ll translate now.”

Regle said, “You do that and invite them inside.”

Camellia relayed the message, speaking foremost to Rooks. “We’re going inside to talk about who you are and your pledge to help with Lurren in turn for the land.”

“Are these negotiations on friendly terms?” Rooks asked.

“So far.”

“Good.” Rooks motioned, after you.

Camellia nodded to Regle that they were ready.

Regle led them to a large meeting room. Camellia walked between Regle and Rooks, feeling strange to be beside such powerful people. Everyone else followed, including Adalhard. Camellia didn’t dare turn to look at him.

Regle led them to the front of the room and took a chair. “Please have a seat. Except you three.” He pointed at Camellia and waggled his finger. “Come stand on my right so I can see and hear you better.”

Camellia nodded. She turned to Rooks. “Please sit.”

Rooks complied.

Then, Camellia led Meladee and Eva to the head of the room, where all eyes and ears could focus on them. Reluctantly, they stood before Regle.

“Good,” he said. “Please tell me first about what you’ve been up to and why you thought it was such a good idea to steal a ship from a Lurrien monster and leave through the wormhole.”

Eva and Meladee looked at Camellia.

She sighed. “I would not say it was a good idea. Just an idea – sans value judgment.”

Regle nodded. “Oh. Wonderful then. We’re in agreement. But, still, you need to explain the why.”

“We did it…” Camellia paused and searched for a simple answer, something she could tell Regle to shut down this part of the conversation. She wanted to bypass their mistakes and address Rooks’ crew and their desire for Iruedian citizenship. But, there was no simple answer.

Camellia breathed in and out. “We all had our different reasons for doing it. Eva was driven to help her people. Meladee wanted to escape the Agaric healers and the creatures. And, I helped Eva because there was nothing better for me to do. And, by that I mean, there was nothing else that I should be doing above helping her.” Camellia knit her brow. “Does that make sense?”

In the background, Eva quietly translated the conversation.

Regle stroked his chin. “Yes.” He considered Camellia. “But, I hope you realize what a risk that was. Not just for yourselves, but for all of Iruedim. Even now, someone has followed you back.” Regle gestured to their new friends. “Who knows what you might have found outside the wormhole? Iruedim has encountered some hostile species in the past. I would expect an anthropologist to know that.”

Camellia met his eyes. “Oh, I do. And, the most hostile is sitting on Iruedim, eating away at us.”

Regle’s eyes filled with interest. “Indeed. To leave the wormhole for the first time in three-thousand years is an achievement.” Regle smiled a small smile. “To discover a danger and do something about it, even more so.”

Camellia thought she heard a compliment.

Regle continued, “Now, let’s explore what ways your friends can help us.”

In the background, Eva continued to translate.

Camellia perked up and stood straighter. “Our friends, the Girandolans, have left a restrictive government. They are looking for freedom of the kind we have on Iruedim.”

Camellia paused and waited for Eva’s translation to catch up. Camellia stole a glance at Adalhard and found him watching her with a thoughtful face.

She looked back to Regle and continued, “They will help us free Lurren in exchange for the land, land that is under Eva’s authority. They also bring spaceships, which they have been running with skeletons crews. I…” Camellia glanced at Rooks. “We’ve discussed the possibility of Groazan, Tagtrumian, and Ponk people serving as crew members.” Camellia bowed her head. “I understand that the addition of spaceships shifts the balance of power on Iruedim.”

“That it does, but that is the problem you’ve given me and other leaders. And, be assured, we will discuss this with your Commander Rooks.” Regle’s tone lacked surprise.

Camellia nodded. She looked back at Rooks and found the Commander’s gaze reassuring. Rooks would handle the issue with the ships and Iruedim’s power balance. Camellia would not shoulder that weight.

Eva stepped forward. She stood straight and, in a loud voice, commanded the attention of the room. “No matter what decision is reached regarding the ships, the Girandolans are going to resettle Lurren. As the most advanced synthetic from that land, I can and will speak for it.”

Silence fell, and Eva smiled as they waited for her to go on. Camellia thought authority suited Eva well.

Eva said, “Also, not in dispute is our need to do something about the creatures. As the monsters’ high priestess, Camellia can make decisions concerning them, and she has chosen the Girandolans to help.”

“I...I have.” Camellia’s skin warmed. She took over translation duties and gave the gist of the conversation to Rooks.

“High priestess? For both of them?” Regle asked.

“What one has, the other one wants.” Camellia shrugged. She didn’t know why both Ah’nee’thit and Ul’thetos targeted her, but she suspected that the creatures saw a smidgen of their lonely souls in herself.

“I see.” Regle rested his chin in his hand. “So, what decisions are you going to make regarding your monstrous benefactors?”

“I’m going to make a decision that’s in their best interest.” Camellia stood a little straighter still. “I believe we should kill Ul’thetos and...relocate Ah’nee’thit.”

“Different fates I see. Why is that?” Regle shifted in his seat and narrowed his eyes.

Camellia thought of the two creatures. In her mind’s eyes, she saw the differences in the two beasts. “Practicality mostly. We believe we can move Ah’nee’thit, but Ul’thetos will be too difficult to move, due to her – I mean its – size.” Camellia didn’t know if she should go on, but she wanted to begin a new habit, a habit that involved telling the whole truth. “Ul’thetos is sick, suffering even. Ah’nee’thit very much wants to live and seems rather young and healthy.”

“My god, you’d better not be one of those cultists,” Cloch growled.

Camellia shook her head. “I’m not. Just the high priestess – through no choice of my own.”

“How do you plan to move the monster? Better still...how do you plan to kill it?” Regle waved for Camellia to explain.

“We have a ship and plan to tow Ah’nee’thit elsewhere. We also have a spell – a kind of decay magic.” Camellia looked at Meladee.

Corentin stood up. He reached for Meladee. “Let me see that spell.”

Meladee raised her eyebrows and handed the paper over. “It’s more like a bunch of spells. Sorry ‘bout my lines. I rushed to get ‘em done, and I think the measurements are a bit off.”

“Don’t trouble yourself over it. I…” Corentin’s statement trailed off. “Order of Agaric magic. I’ve seen plenty of this stuff lately, though they’re rather secretive about their symbolism and linework. Where did you learn this?”

Meladee wore her disgust. “I learned it from the Order. Before they joined Ah’nee’thit’s cult. I’m not an Agaric healer. I joined them by mistake, been running from them for over a year.”

Corentin studied the magic.

Regle folded his hands. “We had a plan to move Ah’nee’thit as well. Anthropologists Pater and Adalhard so kindly retrieved a Volanter wormhole spell, and our Textiler friends worked it into something serviceable.”

Camellia whirled to face Cernunnos and Adalhard. Her lips parted, and she stared. She wondered how they managed to find such a spell.

She also bristled under Cernunnos’ surname: Pater. It felt strange to hear it. She always thought of him by his given name. As for Adalhard – she never had the audacity to use his given name.

“Miss Zaris,” Regle called.

She turned back.

“I understand you’re tired, but please, stay focused.”

Camellia nodded. She felt not at all tired, but she admired Regle’s respectful gesture.

Regle took a deep breath. “As I’ve said before, it may be best to destroy both creatures. We can’t assign a destination to the wormhole, and I’m not even sure how your towing plan works. We can’t send the creature just anywhere. We won’t endanger others.”

“But, Ah’nee’thit...” Camellia said.

“Enough.” With an upraised hand, Regle halted the conversation. “We have a lot to discuss. “For now, Commander Rooks, Eva, myself, and our military leaders will discuss our situation.” Regle looked at the male anthropologists. “One of you may join us.”

Camellia frowned and turned away. She didn’t even bother to see which of her colleagues got picked. With their luck and their records, probably both.

Outside the meeting room, Camellia joined Benham, Alim, and Meladee.

“Want to go eat?” Meladee asked.

“I do.” Benham stuffed his hands in his pockets and slouched.

Meladee smiled and, with cheer, listed Benham’s options. The earlier tension between the two seemed to evaporate.

Camellia quietly exited the sphere of conversation. No one noticed her slip away, and she walked down the hall, till she found a bench, situated outside an office. She sat down and closed her eyes.

That went better than I thought. All except for being left out of the meeting. Nice to see that I’m still me, even after a trip through the wormhole.

Camellia opened her eyes. She stared down the hall and found Adalhard staring back. For a moment, he spoke to the young Textilers. Then, he broke away and stalked towards Camellia, with what she felt was a somewhat predatory gaze. Camellia’s heart beat a bit faster, both at the notion that some man pursued her and that it was Adalhard.

A hand touched Camellia’s arm, and she jumped.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you,” Alim said. “Meladee and Benham left to eat. They said you didn’t want to come, but I thought you seemed a bit sad. Do you…not want to come?” Alim glanced at Adalhard.

Camellia followed his eyes.

Adalhard watched them with...worry?

Camellia mumbled, “Um, I’m going back to Halfmoon to rest. Sorry. I’m more tired than hungry.”

“Alright. Should I walk you there?”

“No.” Camellia pointed after Benham and Meladee. “They seem to be in a hurry. You’d better catch up.”

“Yeah. I guess. Goodnight.” Alim trotted after the two.

Camellia rose from her chair. She looked at Adalhard, and keeping her eyes on him, she headed to the back exit. She wondered if he would follow.