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Chapter One

K ris attended to Madam Yorness and rarely had to use her defenses. Turning up the heat in a room was usually sufficient to speed the negotiations along.

They sat in their transport as Madam’s pilot took them to the larger transport that would get them to her home world.

Kris asked, “Why are you attending your own world, Merchant?”

“Oh, I have a clutch of grandchildren. The newest is about to arrive. We are going home for celebrations. It will be nice for you to have insight into my people.”

“I don’t have insight?”

“I am not the average Kifessan.” Yorness chortled. “Only a handful of my kind can live without the embrace of our world. You will see. It is welcoming, embracing, and only a fool would want to leave.”

“So, you are a fool, Merchant?”

Yorness laughed. “I am necessary. We need to keep up with the times. The technology that other worlds produce is necessary. New crops. New types of species. Since my people do not want to travel, I bring the universe to them.”

Kris smiled. “And take your art to the stars.”

“Precisely. We are a once-violent species that settled into peace and harmony with the world around us. We have ruins of a darker time that are now museums.”

“Harwin would have loved that. She’s all about ruins and ancient times.”

“I believe she is getting plenty of that with the expedition to Aten.”

Kris paused. “Aten?”

“Yes. There is reference to an ancient Hmrain elder named Ra. He is said to rest on Aten. I am guessing the team is trying to find him.”

Kris felt the slow grin crossing her features. “In that case, Harwin is exactly where she always wanted to be.”

“Where?”

“On a world that has reminders of home. She’s the last of her family. Travel and ruins were part of her life prior to the end of our world. She’s happy wherever she is. I just want her to call.”

Her boss nodded. “I am sure she will. There is a settling-in period when you are in an entirely new environment.”

Kris paused. “You will be at home. With family.”

“Yes.”

“My services will not be required. Do I stay on the ship?”

“No, child. I have arranged a place for you to stay. My estate has a guesthouse. I have also arranged a number of tours for you, including the great castle.”

“So, I get to have a holiday until you take off again?”

Yorness nodded. “It should be six months or so. Until my grandchild has her third shed. After that point, her body can weather most diseases that our world has to offer. Her parents are dependent on family as they care for her, so I have come home and allowed them access to my manor.”

“Nice. Am I a danger to the little one?”

“No, you don’t harbour the parasites that my people can. Many skin infections can lead to toxic mold getting into the scales.”

“Ew.”

“Right. Your biology doesn’t allow for that kind of thing, so you may be asked to hold the baby frequently.”

“Oh. I will be interacting with your family?”

“Certainly. Whoever is acceptable to me is acceptable to my family, and you have saved my life four times. That raises you to the status of a beloved niece.”

“Wow, Auntie. I have missed the last few holiday gatherings.”

Yorness’s eyes went wide. “Wow. You will have to help me shop. Our end-of-the-year celebrations are right around the corner. Can you fly a skimmer?”

“You know I can.”

“Ah, right. Good. We will be shopping in the capitol.”

“Don’t you have goods here you can give?”

“No, child. We need to give pieces of our own world to show where the value lies.”

“With home?”

“With what our people can do for each other. We do not exist in a vacuum, and we create wonders of our own that deserve to be celebrated.”

“Nice. I don’t think I will be helpful. I have no idea what has value here.”

“Beauty. Complexity. Grace.”

“Right. So, I am definitely not going to be any help. None of those are in my wheelhouse.”

Yorness hissed in amusement. “You are lovely by our standards, just not when you are standing still.”

Kris snorted. “That was once when I was drunk.”

“But you move so well. The ambassador was quite taken with you.”

Kris shook her head. “Never again.”

Yorness hissed again. “There is a lot of dancing over the holidays.”

“I will have to plead a headache or a religious objection or something.”

Yorness’s scaly hand patted hers. “Don’t worry about it. If you dance, I promise no one else will take an image and make a statue of it.”

Kris pinched the bridge of her nose. “I think we got them all.”

Yorness nodded. “I believe you managed it before they went into mass production.”

Kris grunted. Years of dance that had adapted as she grew out of ballet had turned into an obsession that was at odds with her tall, strong frame. Her mother always called her a delicate elk. She just loved dancing from the time she could stand.

“Well, I did learn not to drink anything other than water that day.”

“We have few intoxicants. You needn’t worry.”

“Yes, but what is an intoxicant for you can be a toxin for me.”

Yorness smirked. “I guess you will have to take your chances.”

“That isn’t encouraging.”

“I know, Kris, but it is very entertaining.”

Kris looked at Yorness as they docked with the larger, faster vessel. “I think I should have taken the offer to the retreat on Havor.”

“It wasn’t a retreat; it was a zoo.”

Kris shrugged. “Less chances to make an ass out of myself.”

Yorness snorted. “Just bide your time. You can make your own opportunity.”

Kris laughed as Yorness deliberately misunderstood her. They would be on her world in a few days. The vessel they were boarding was suited for going through the asteroid field when the lighter ship wasn’t.

She would spend her time in the merchant’s outer chamber for the week, and when they arrived, she would go where she directed. Kris wondered about the ship and hoped she didn’t have nightmares.

Fourteen hours later, she drank a cup of ice water to cool her overheated body. The nightmares always kicked in on big vessels.

Yorness had come out, woken her up, and gone back to bed. It was embarrassing that her boss had to pull her out of a nightmare of being trapped under tons of cargo with her friend screaming next to her. The idiot who had released the cargo plates before the vessel had stopped was fired and banished planetside. They were also forced to pay for a good chunk of the rehab that Harwin and Kris needed. The medic paid for the rest.

They had owed the education station until Yasku paid their debt. Kris was now with Yorness because she wanted to be. It was like being the bodyguard to a scaly, cranky grandma.

She washed her face and headed back to bed. Maybe she could get in another hour or two.

A week after they had entered the transport, they were landing on Kifessan, and Kris was on her way to another world where she didn’t match the population. It wasn’t the first time, and it wasn’t the fifth. After a while, one got used to being the odd face in the crowd, but it was still unsettling.

The scaled faces came in greens, blues, golds, and vivid purples. Kris was brought through customs by Yorness, and the decontamination burn would fade in a few days.

“I forgot your skin did that for the decontamination.”

“Well, the exterior layer of my body has been burned off. Even my suit is a little brittle now.”

“We will get you into normal clothing, and no one will notice anything other than that you are excessively pink.” Yorness checked her manifest tablet and smiled. “The offloading is going well.”

“Where is your warehouse?”

“Near my estate. It has to be kept under tight security.”

“Why?”

“Because dispersal has to be determined by Essan or his ministers.”

“He’s the Hmrain on your world?”

“In our sector. He’s the one I go shopping for.” Yorness chuckled as their driver triggered their vehicle to move through the streets, and they began to cruise through Kifessan.

“What is this city called?”

“The spaceport. The city over there that is Mercoth.”

“Oh. It’s pretty.” That was an understatement. Spires, towers, and beautiful glass were as far as the eye could see. The city glittered in the distance.

“That is our hallmark. Our architects and artists are in high demand in other sectors.”

“I thought your kind didn’t leave often.”

“We don’t. That is why there is so much demand. There are less than fifty of my people off world at any given time. We are guarded and protected.”

“Wow. Oh, yeah, you had other guards when I met you.”

“Correct, but I am more comfortable with females around me, and you two were so very special.”

Kris chuckled. “Yeah, that is one word for us. We appreciate you taking us on. Well, Harwin did. I am still on the fence until you delete that footage of me dancing.”

Her employer laughed. “Get comfortable on that fence.”

Kris grinned. “Yes, Merchant.”

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?”

“I should have checked your mother’s luggage. She’s sneaky.”

There was a lot of amused hissing, and Velueth rubbed her belly. “That she is. You know, she refused to have sons. Our family only has daughters. My father was very proud of having her as his wife, but she was a lot.”

Yorness called out, “I can hear you.”

Velueth hissed in amusement. “I meant you to.”

The room they walked into had low chairs next to low tables covered with food. Statues were everywhere on stands, plinths, and columns. They were in alcoves and niches.

“So, your family likes statues?”

Velueth nodded. “My mother gave us the obsession, and we all carry it with us. We love the idea of energy being frozen in the moment.”

“That does describe her interests.” Kris smiled.

She settled on one of the low chairs, and Velueth said, “The food at this table is safe for you.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“You are a guest, Auntie Kris. You should be free to eat without being poisoned.”

“That is the marking of an excellent hostess.” Kris settled and watched as Yorness was brought in by her family and settled across the room.

She was loved.

The sarcastic and grim-scaled merchant was the matriarch of a loving family. Kris wouldn’t have imagined it, but there was Yorness, hissing with her daughters and granddaughters. The husbands stood to one side and let the ladies have their moment. Kris cocked her head and considered, or perhaps, they were separate for a reason.

Yorness was venomous. Kris knew that. She had gotten nicked by teeth and claw tips while getting her boss out of a dangerous situation. The merchant travelled with antivenin, and Kris only ended up bruised and swollen. Getting control of her tongue again had taken days, but after a while, she had been able to match Yorness’s mocking.

Everyone took a seat, and servants began to pour beverages once the children settled. Kris followed what everyone else was doing but used her toxin alert to check the food with a sweep of her hand. The ring flickered faintly over the food but didn’t alert.

She waited until everyone started eating then carefully took a vegetable and put it in her mouth. It tasted fizzy but not bad. Kris moved through the meal on her small table and found a few things that didn’t set off an allergy or sensitivity. She was going to be a little itchy but otherwise fine. She had antihistamines in her bag. One would think that she could travel the universe just fine, but no, she sniffled and sneezed her way through every new world and stunning star. It sucked for her, but the beauty was still there.

Kris finished her food and sipped at her drink. To her amusement, music started, and the kids started dancing, energetic moves of children who were getting control of their own bodies. The littlest ones flailed, and the older ones mimicked some of the most serious ballet that Kris had ever seen.

When the song ended, there was soft and encouraging hissing. Kris was glad she hadn’t tried to clap.

The girls bowed, and the men started dancing. It seemed that this was a traditional thing. The music was stronger, the guys did a lot of acrobatics, and when the hissing started, Kris kept her mouth shut.

Yorness smiled. “Kris, your turn.”

“What?”

“Everybody dances to welcome the matriarch home.”

“I hauled your scaly ass across two star systems. That should be enough.”

Yorness hissed with laughter while her family looked shocked. “True, but you are here, and tradition is tradition. Just be lucky that I didn’t follow all protocols.”

“What protocols?” Kris narrowed her eyes. “Does it involve shaving me because you have threatened that a few times?”

Yorness cackled. “No. There are other matters of etiquette that I skipped over so that we could get you acclimated to the estate and my family.”

“Huh. Fine.” She stood up and stood in the centre of the dance space.

Yorness grinned, showing a lot of sharp teeth. “A Vrrska beat.”

Kris flipped her off, but the music began, and she went up on her toes to mix every dance style she had accumulated as the beat cycled from fast to slow to energetic to melancholy. She finished her dance with her head up and glaring at Yorness.

The hissing for applause was nice, and when Kris took her seat, the four daughters stood and began their dance. It certainly was sexy to human eyes. Even the heavily pregnant woman moved gracefully.

Kris tried to mimic the hissing when the ladies finished, and Yorness nodded in approval. “Well done. I am very proud of my family.”

The family grinned.

“Now, someone show Kris to the guesthouse. She has some sleep issues that require some isolation.”

Kris snorted. “She’s not wrong.”

One of the servants was summoned, and Kris got up and followed them out to the guesthouse. Her bags were there already, and a moment after she got there, she had her antihistamine in her hand and was injecting it into her thigh.

The itching of her skin and throat eased up immediately. The bread was fine; the fruit was fine. The vegetables in the raw state were suspect. The meat was fine. She now knew what to avoid.

The servant looked concerned. “Are you well?”

“It seems that leaving my world did not sever me from allergies.”

“Allergies?”

“A histamine response that my body has. I have it under control now that I know what I am dealing with.”

“The mistress is insisting that you rest and get used to our days. Someone will come to retrieve you and deliver any clothing considered appropriate for your day.”

“Well, as long as whoever is choosing realizes that my whole body is like the skin under your scales. A protective layer is needed.” Kris smiled.

“I will make sure that it is passed along.”

“Thank you.”

The servant left, and Kris explored the guesthouse. It was large, with four bedrooms, and her bag had been left in the larger of the four. She did a standard recon and went to her room. She needed to lay down, and the fatigue from the antihistamine kicked in.

Kris needed a nap in the worst way, so she pulled off the tabard that marked Yorness’s household and Kris’s fealty to Kifessan. She dropped onto the bed in her suit because she wasn’t sure what the knock-to-entry protocol was, and she settled on the platform into sleep. She was sure that things were going to increase in intensity. That was how Yorness worked.

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