Chapter Eight- A New Home

Exodus 15:13- "In your strength you will guide them to their holy dwelling."

The ride to Kansoth, the colony where Tesian Hamani lived, was an awkward one.

And for all of Tielle's lessons on etiquette and making small talk, she couldn't think of a thing to say. What did you say to someone who approached you and asked if you were looking for somewhere to live, because they had a place ready?

Chayden seemed to be at a similar loss for words, and Tesian wasn't saying much, only concentrating on driving the hover-car, which was a slightly outdated model that most worlds had stopped using. Tielle applauded herself on being able to look at the model and realize that without going into hysterics; Chayden's presence seemed to dispel any phobia of hover-cars that she had once had.

Diresh, Tielle decided, was quite possibly one of the most boring planets to look at. There was nothing remarkable or unusual about its flat, grassy prairies, and although Tielle was sure the fertile soil and landscape was wonderful for farming, it did nothing to add any interest to the long and already boring trip.

Tielle tried to compose herself and think about what a perky Farearian might say. "Well," she said, drawing the second syllable out, "I guess you might want to know a bit more about us, considering as we're going to be living in your community." She smiled at Tesian. "I know you already know our names, but that's not much to go on, so I guess I can tell you a bit more."

She breathed deeply and then jumped into her practiced history. "We're from Fareari, from its capital city, Citaege, actually. And Chanh here isn't my only brother; there's six children in our family."

"Six?" Tesian glanced up. "Where are the other four?"

"At home, on Fareari," Chayden replied, having turned away from Diresh's magnificent landscape. "We're the two oldest and decided to set out on our own."

"And come to Diresh?" Tesian chuckled. "There's not much here for two young adults like yourselves."

**

Tesian didn't know about this whole thing. Why were these two here? It didn't make any sense; why would a young brother and sister come to Diresh of all places? Sure, there was lots of opportunity if you wanted to farm, but other than that, this was not exactly a booming place.

And it didn't look as though either of them had ever done a day's work in their lives. Absent was the perpetual tan that all those who worked outside possessed, and neither of them, especially the girl, Ella, had the rough hands of those who were used to manual labor.

Although the girl did have bruises and scratches on her face. Tesian vaguely wondered if the marks continued down her torso and onto her arms and legs, but then wondered why such an obviously beautiful girl would have such abrasions all over her body. It didn't make sense.

"Well," Ella continued, reminding Tesian that she had asked a question, "we. we didn't want to be found."

Tesian frowned. Just who had she taken in? Criminals? Fugitives? Was this seemingly harmless couple really a pair of thugs who were going to mug her?

She shook away such thoughts. Highly doubtful. She had nothing of value. "If you didn't want to be found, you've come to the right place. This planet's nothing but a haven for people who don't want to found."

"But mostly religious criminals, right? Those who are willing to work hard, and not criminals like those who flock to such planets as, say, Surlow."

"Oh, heavens no!" Tesian exclaimed. "No, there are no murderers and crimelords here, if that's what you're asking. It is mostly religious criminals." She paused, and then said, "I'm a religious criminal."

The two gaped at her, and she slowed the hover-car's pace and then pushed one sleeve up, revealing a tattoo with the inscription RO. "I was a Religious Offender on Thaera."

**

Chayden stared at the tattoo, hardly believing that this woman had been a slave. what a horrible practice, and to enslave people for believing what was true.. He shook his head and replied, "Well then, I feel comfortable telling you that we're believers also."

The older woman smiled. "That's good to hear. Everyone at the colony will be glad to have other believers join us." She frowned then, a thought coming to her. "But aren't Farearians generally pagans, believing in more than one god?"

Chayden was impressed by her knowledge of galactic religions and that she would know such a thing; most wouldn't. The galaxy was simply too large to know about every planet. "Yes, that's correct, and that's why we're here. Our family disowned us and was going to have us arrested, although we wouldn't become slaves, like on Thaera. We'd just be imprisoned for an indefinite time."

"I see," Tesian nodded and glanced at the hover-car's timepiece. "We've got about ten minutes until we reach Kansoth."

*Ten minutes,* Chayden thought, glancing over at Tielle, who was vibrating nervousness. *Ten minutes until we face our future and our future together.*

**

Thirty minutes after the strangers had arrived, Shaina Ontine and her friends met at the small creek running just past the colony and compared notes.

"I heard they're dangerous criminals that want a second chance," one girl declared, leading another to say, "Well, that guy could steal my heart anytime he wanted."

Everyone giggled, and another said, "But that girl with him? Who's she? His wife?"

"I think so," another replied glumly. "That's what I heard."

"Oh, nonsense," Rashea, the most sensible of the group, said. "My mom brought them in, and *she* said they're brother and sister. Chanh and Ella Raynani are their names."

"Good," Shaina smoothly interjected, speaking for the first time. "That means I won't have any competition." She gave a hard look to everyone around the circle, leaving no doubt as to what she meant.

Rashea threw her hands up. "Don't look at me. I don't want him."

"Me neither," another girl piped up, and soon all the girls were agreeing that the mysterious stranger didn't appeal to them.

"Perfect," Shaina purred, standing up. She smiled and tossed her long, glorious blond hair, letting everyone know who was the most beautiful there and who would win any contest for any man.

And with her figure, it was true. Full, voluptuous curves in all the right places supported a backless dress that, while unpractical for farm living, was ideal for emphasizing her faultless body and slender build. Full, ruby red lips that worked together with sultry violet eyes to make a perpetually suggestive expression further added to her sex appeal, and Shaina knew that she was a rare gem on this world of fields and farmers. She was a rose among weeds, a diamond among rocks.

"Perfect," she repeated, smiling indolently. "Because Chanh Raynani is going to be mine."

**

Myll spread. And spread. And spread. The medics on Hidon were helpless to stop it, and could only watch as their people spiraled to death.

As the situation worsened, Prince Kall on Shansire considered whether or not he wanted to marry onto the sickened planet. King Faihn of Fareari questioned whether or not he should stay on Hidon or just let them all die.

And perhaps most importantly, Grand Duke Klane Satine wondered whether or not he should end Hidon's misery and produce a cure.

But he decided not to. How would that benefit him? It would only if King Faihn left.....

So the one person who knew how to stop the death of millions, perhaps billions, sat back and thought about where in the galaxy his niece might be.....