Page 49 of Breaking Ties

“Once every three hundred and ninety-four days. You will know when it is needed, and most spaceports have clinics that specialize in it.”

“Oh, okay. I will let the oracle know.”

Nerigot smiled. “Why her?”

“Because she bought our bond. Until she hands us over, we are linked to her.”

He grimaced. “That complicates matters.”

“That, and we are also children of Geb, so Ra is out there and has paid our bonds. Especially those of us who didn’t scan for Hmrain compatibility.”

“You would only be compatible with a stick in your condition.”

“Flatterer. I bet you get all the girls... you pay for.”

He raised his brows and grinned. “Well, you must be feeling better. I have ordered you clothing for dinner. We are expected in an hour.”

“How long does it take to get there? How much longer am I on the drip?”

The medic smiled. “Ten minutes.”

“Great.”

Nerigot looked at the medic.

The red man nodded. “Overlord, I will just go check on that clothing.”

“I have seen quite a bit in your mind, Whisper. You moved water, you moved stone, you called fire and wind. You did it all until you ran out of food.”

She blinked.

“That is why you departed to live on your own. You woke, and that usually has a destructive effect. Not wanting to hurt others, you left.”

“I... that is really annoying.”

He smiled. “I am very annoying. May I show you what you will see at the academy?”

She looked at the drip. “Sure.”

He smiled, and her mind opened up.

Men in robes, with etchings in different languages on their foreheads, necks, and arms, were engaged in focused exercises, projecting blasts toward a target range. Acolytes were kneeling in meditation with glyphs over their heads. There were a number of younger males who had creatures that were surprisingly familiar.

Whisper sat up. “Dragons! You have dragons! Sign me up.”

Nerigot put a hand on her breastbone and pushed her back. “I thought they would get your attention. I saw the mark on your thigh from the oracle’s image.”

“Are they all cute and small?”

“No, those are the children of the Ver. They come to us for socialization, and they help those who are having trouble being away from home. Short counsellors.”

“Oh. So, I can’t keep one.”

He laughed. “They are sentient beings. You may make friends with one, but you cannot keep them.”

She sighed. “Fine. I have to be content that they actually exist.”

“How do you know about them?”