The sun cast long shadows as they turned up the drive to the cottage. Vylisa was surprised to see a large two-story house. When the chancellor said cottage, she got a vision of a tiny building, maybe with four rooms. It couldn't exactly be called huge, but it was large and welcoming.
As she ascended the wide steps to the front porch, she smiled to see several gliders ready for conversation and relaxing. Vylisa started to unlock the door when it swung open to reveal a smiling old man and woman.
"Welcome to Ocean Haven. May the Gifter grant you a restful time while you are here." The old woman's expression seemed as sincere as her greeting, as she waved them inside. "I am Tola, the custodian. This handsome young man is Kersna. He is the housekeeper and my mate of fifty solar rotations. We have followed Chancellor Llireh's instructions. After you have chosen your rooms and freshened up, you have about an hour before Kersna will serve you dinner."
Vylisa took the time to make introductions. "It isn't necessary for you to serve us. Just show me where things are and we will be fine."
"Well, you see," Tola began with a stubborn set to her mouth, "we have our orders and we will fulfill them. Now let me show you the bedrooms."
After they climbed the stairs, Vylisa stood to one side on the landing, waiting for the others to choose a room. Since she noticed that each bedroom was flanked with ocean view windows, she knew she would be satisfied with whichever was left.
Vylisa opened her mind to the emotions around her. Pleasant feelings swirled onto her awareness. The captain and commander, having already decided upon their rooms, were enjoying a friendly conversation just inside Kathryn's door. Something about the view of the sun-kissed waves helped to clear away the anxiety that had plagued the voyagers since this morning's change of plans.
Adjusting the strap of her travel bag more firmly on her shoulder, Vylisa moved toward the room just to her right, but she started when she found Enca at the window. "I'm sorry. I didn't see you come in here. I'll take the one next door." She twirled around, her face red. *Why didn't I sense him?*
"Don't go. I was just watching the ocean while deciding how to say this," he pleaded as she felt a strong sense of beseeching from him. "I'd like to talk about what happened this morning."
Despite her own feelings of regret, Vylisa refused to listen. Without turning back, she declared sternly, "I'm not ready to discuss it. I'm exhausted and would like to rest before dinner." She pulled the door shut as walked through it.
Vylisa hurried into the only vacant room and shut the door behind her. Closing her mind to any outside emotions, she dropped heavily on the bed. Why was she having so much trouble talking to Enca about their disagreement? Instead of wanting to lift her heart to the Gifter for help as was her custom, she was tempted to revisit the wounds to her pride and authority. As she did, the pain of the confrontation with Enca washed over her. From deep inside, a feeling of superiority took hold of her. "I'm an ambassador and he's merely an embassy escort," she said out loud.
Suddenly as if she had been doused with ice water, she gasped at the vanity and audacity of her statement. "What has happened to me?" Vylisa covered her face with her hands as tears of contrition fell. "Oh Gifter, I can't believe I would think that, let alone say it aloud." She sat on the bed for several moments, crying as she poured her heart out to the Gifter. After her head began to throb from the weeping and tiredness of the trip, Vylisa went to the tiny attached bathroom and washed her face.
"I must apologize to Enca," she whispered. Vylisa took a deep breath that ended in a yawn. She decided that a short nap would help her emotional control. Slipping off her shoes, she slid under the light blanket fully dressed and quickly drifted off to sleep.
A persistent tapping drew her from slumber. At first, Vylisa thought that she'd overslept and Nwad was trying to wake her. She opened her eyes to see that sun was turning the opposite wall pink and orange. I'm at Ocean Haven! Wondering how long she had been asleep, she swung her feet to the floor just as the knocking started again.
"Who is it?" Vylisa called out, her voice still thick from sleep.
"It is Tola, Ambassador Rosnet," came the muffled reply.
"Come in."
Entering the room, Tola bowed quickly over her hands. "The chancellor would like to speak to you." She gestured to the small desk in the corner. "Just touch the blue pad and the screen will rise; then tap the flashing light. I'll give you privacy." Turning on her heels, she left and shut the door.
Vylisa sat at the desk and did as Tola instructed. As she touched the flashing light on the screen, Chancellor Llireh's image filled it.
"Ah, Vylisa." Llireh smiled kindly. "Did you rest well?"
"How. . .?" Vylisa looked confused.
"Escort Alocty told me that you napping. I wouldn't have disturbed you, but Tola told me that dinner was nearly ready. And I wanted to see if the accommodations are satisfactory before I leave for the opera."
"This is a wonderful place," Vylisa enthused. "It's much larger than I expected. The view is spectacular. I was also surprised to find that Tola and Kersna here to serve us. It wasn't necessary, Madam Chancellor."
"They live at the cottage," Llireh told her patiently. "Ocean Haven has been their home most of their bonded lives. They were supposed to retire, but neither wanted to. I allow them to stay at Ocean Haven full time, using the cottage as my home away from home. They don't have to work as hard and still feel useful. So indulge them. Be spoiled. You might need the rest." Her tone changed and her face sobered.
"What is it that you haven't told me?" Concern tinged Vylisa's question.
"I don't have time to explain fully." Llireh looked to the side and leaned closer to the viewer, whispering. "Enca has the information. Talk to him." She straightened and said, raising her voice once more. "My escort has arrived. It is time for the opera. We should enjoy it."
After a pleasant farewell, the screen went blank.
Vylisa felt her apprehension build. Something was wrong. The foolishness of her previous burst of pride taunted her. How could she keep everyone safe if she thought only of her own interests? Now she not only had to apologize to Enca, but she had to find out what the chancellor was so secretive about as well.
She lifted another prayer to the Gifter as she rose after putting on her shoes. Vylisa checked to see if her hair was tidy, but found several of the pins had come loose and the braid was falling out of place. Knowing that there wasn't enough time to rearrange the formal style, she tore all the pins out and pulled her tresses from the intricate style. Her hair fell in shining waves as she brushed the remaining snarls out.
Quickly rummaging through her bag, she found a plain clip. Vylisa clasped her hair at the nape of her neck. She studied the effect, almost cringing at the childish style. *I don't have time for vanity or conceit,* she thought. *I need to be reminded of who I am anyway."
Vylisa opened her door and moved into the hallway. She could hear the muted sounds of conversation coming from the ground floor. Her stomach rumbled as the aroma of home-cooking greeted her at the top of the stairs. Plastering a smile on her face, she descended the steps.
As she neared the spacious living room, she saw Enca seated and talking amiably with Kathryn and Chakotay. He glanced up but didn't smile at her before turning back to answer a question from the captain. The regret over her previous actions and concern about what Llireh had told Enca made her stomach roll. Vylisa kept her emotional barrier close around her. She would deal with those things sometime after they ate.
"Did you rest well, Vylisa?" Kathryn asked.
"Yes, I did," she sighed. "I didn't know how tired I was."
"The nap must have agreed with you," Chakotay complimented her. "You look refreshed. I like your hair down like that."
Vylisa laughed. "Thank you."
"Enca told us that the chancellor spoke to you." Kathryn's curiosity was obvious.
"She wanted to know about our trip and if we like the accommodations." Vylisa chuckled. "I told her that we were delighted."
Before Kathryn could ask another question, Tola entered the room. "The meal is ready. Would you please come with me?"
"Since the weather is so lovely, we thought you would like to eat on the back deck." Tola pointed to a long table filled with all kinds of delicious looking food. "Help yourself before you head out. Kersna will serve you drinks once you are settled."
No one declined the invitation. After filling their plates, they made their way to the main patio. The setting sun painted bright orange and purple across the water's ripples. The small group ate in silence as they enjoyed the spectacular display of color.
Vylisa wondered as she thrilled to the beauty before her if the voyagers were enjoying the view as much as she. Unable to stem her curiosity any longer, she opened her mind to their feelings. Their deep awe and pleasure washed over her, deepening her own delight.
Pushing aside her now-empty plate, she leaned back against her chair and smiled. Her parents would love this place. She envied her folks' closeness; the connection of two empathic minds. The very possibility of being able to share feelings on such a deep level created a longing as powerful as the tides in the ocean stretched out in front of them.
Cold reality pushed away the dream. Vylisa upbraided herself. *Enough selfish wishes.* She had work to do and the Gifter had a task for her to perform as well. Sighing, she pulled her thoughts and feelings close again.
"What's wrong, Vylisa?" Enca asked in a low tone, concern evident on his face.
Her face reddened as she remembered what she needed to do. Vylisa opened her mouth to speak when Kersna appeared.
"Is there anything I can get for any of you?" Kersna asked.
Chakotay spoke up first, smiling. "The meal was excellent. I ate more than I should." He patted his stomach. "I need to take a walk on the beach."
Before Vylisa could question whether a walk would be safe, Kersna answered the commander, "The cove is small and completely enclosed on the north and south by rock cliffs. The chancellor had force-fields installed along the ridgelines and sensor buoys set about a half kilometer into the surf for the protection of her many important guests. Ocean Haven truly is a haven for those who stay here."
"Great!" Chakotay stood and extended his hand to Kathryn. "Would you like to join me?"
Kathryn accepted his help to her feet. "Sounds good to me. Vylisa and Enca, are you coming?"
"Not right now, maybe later, but thank you," Vylisa declined, hoping that Enca would stay as well. "I'll just stay here for a while and enjoy the view."
"Since Kersna says it's safe, you don't need an escort," Enca explained. "I wouldn't go far into the water though. It's best to wait until daylight and you're able to see what the shore line is like. Sensors and force-fields aren't any help with that."
Kathryn and Chakotay chatted cheerfully as they made their way to the steps leading the sand. Once they reached the ground, they hurried up and over the grass-covered berm to the beach. It seemed that being at Ocean Haven was helping them both to relax.
Vylisa stood and walked to the railing, continuing to watch her new friends as they toed off their shoes before they walked side-by-side down the deserted beach. She suppressed another sigh as she turned from the view to face Enca. His expression was intense. Vylisa knew what she had to say. "You asked what was wrong," she began.
Enca nodded, waiting for her to continue.
"I have been wrong and I want to apologize. I let my temper and my pride control me. I still have much to learn. Just because I'm now called ambassador doesn't mean that my ideas are better to yours. The Gifter has shown me how prideful I was. Please forgive me." She held her hands, flat and opened in front of her, symbolic of having no excuse for her behavior. Her heart pounded but her mind was at peace as she watched him.
Enca swallowed twice before he spoke. "Vylisa, I'm the one who acted disrespectfully to you as both my superior and as a person. I should be the one apologizing." His gaze slid to her outstretched hands.
Vylisa understood that his reluctance wasn't because he couldn't forgive her. He, too, battled with shame for his actions. Finally he lifted his head and slid his palms quickly over her open ones before he placed both of his hands over his heart. In doing so, he declared his acceptance of her apology.
"Thank you," Vylisa whispered passed the lump in her throat.
Without a word, Enca held his hands out to her, mirroring her previous entreaty. Vylisa choked back her emotions, as she gestured her forgiveness, ending with her hands over her heart.
They stood silently staring into each others eyes. Without forethought, she reached out to him in her mind, and she experienced the strength of his emotions – regret, forgiveness, and most of all, affection. The sensations tugged at her so strongly that she was tempted to move closer, but abruptly she dropped her gaze and broke the connection. She still had her mission. *Gracious Gifter, help me.*
Moving from the railing, she felt his disappointment as she withdrew. Vylisa sat down again in the chair she had vacated, reaching for her half-finished beverage. As she sipped her drink, she remembered that they still needed to discuss the chancellor's call.
After Enca sat back in the chair beside her, she said, "Chancellor Llireh told me to ask you about the latest development. She didn't have time to fill me in before she left for the opera."
"I didn't mean to overstep my authority by taking the call. You needed the rest and I only wanted to let you sleep as long as possible." Contrition was evident in Enca's words.
Vylisa put her hands over her heart once more before patting his arm. "I'm not upset about you taking the message. Thank you for the consideration." She smiled at him before she continued, "I just want to know what she said."
Relief apparent on his face, Enca nodded. "One of the apprentices the chancellor sent to deliver a message to your folks found some graffiti on the fence behind your home."
Vylisa sat up straight as she stammered, "Is my family okay?"
It was Enca's turn to give Vylisa a reassuring touch. "They are fine. The apprentice had the fence cleaned as soon as possible. Your family didn't even see the graffiti, but the authorities assure us that they will keep your home under surveillance for as long as needed."
She relaxed against the back of the chair as she asked, "What did the vandals write?"
"I asked that question too, but Chancellor Llireh didn't know word-for-word. The apprentice told her that it was more of the isolationist's rhetoric. It was something like 'Aliens go home. Netcket is for Netcket.' She doesn't seem too concerned at the moment, but she wants us to be diligent."
"What about our visitors? Shouldn't they be told?" Vylisa worried about how the guests would respond to another encounter.
"Commander Tuvok was contacted. He agreed that we should be cautious but didn't advise any more precautions than we have already taken. Voyager's officers and crew have about ten days more before the repairs are made and their leaves are finished." Enca rubbed his face, his day's growth of whiskers making a raspy sound against his hand. "None of the other crew members have been harassed during their visit. I'm sure that we're doing what we can to keep everyone safe."
Vylisa pondered what Enca said for a moment. After lifting up a quick prayer, she decided that she would trust Enca and the chancellor. She stood and returned to the railing and strained to get a glimpse of her charges as they traversed the short beach. The sun had just slipped below the western horizon, making it more difficult to see. "Maybe we should join them with some lights."
"Let me ask Tola for a couple," Enca said as he went inside.
Vylisa waited at the top of the steps for his return.
