Day Ten
When the light of day finally came, Da'an was still recovering. She was wrapped in several blankets and still shivering in Liam's arms when Nye, Mem'na, Alo'in and the others came. Mem'na had another bowl filled with a steaming hot liquid. The ministers surrounded the three and kneeled for them. Mem'na administered instructions for her nurses.
"You must drink this now," Mem'na said giving Da'an the bowl.
She was hesitant to accept, but in the end her nausea, her shivering and her hunger pains made her submit. Liam helped her drink it, and a strong blush followed every drop down her throat.
"It is good to have things clear again," Nye said looking out the window at the sunny, snowy weather.
One of the nurses activated the energy shower above Da'an, and another gave her a special hypothermia blanket.
Nye approached Da'an and took her hands. "Just one more thing," she said softly. "I must ask all my subjects this. Will you remain here?"
"You know I cannot do that," Da'an said feeling much better after the nurses' treatment.
"Here, you may live in peace amongst our people," Alo'in offered. "We can care for you. You are safe from the priests here. There is no war and no conflict. Just peace and prosperity."
"I probably would have accepted your offer if situations were different," Da'an said. "But until I can help correct the mistakes made on Earth, my place is there. I belong to them now until they do not need me anymore."
Renee and Liam smiled.
"That is your choice, and we respect it," Mem'na said. "We wish you all the best."
"If you ever need anything from us, you know where to find me," Nye said. "You have accomplished something wonderful today. We will leave you to use this day to rest and celebrate." Nye pulled out something from beneath her robe. It was under a blue cloth. "Here."
Da'an opened the cloth. It was a blue rose with lithium thorns.
"Oh my God!" Renee exclaimed.
"It is real," Da'an said observing the thorns. "The legend was true."
"Not quite," Nye said. "The crystal glove was added in millions of years ago to promote Taelon innovation. The real Urumu did not require anything to touch the rose. He held it with his bare hands by power of sheer will…like you."
"You have earned that," Mem'na said. "Nye only gives it to those who truly deserve it. Nobody has willingly opposed the priests and lived to tell about it."
"Treasure that like you would your life. It represents emancipation," Alo'in said.
"Thank you," Da'an said. "But I cannot stay here any longer than I have to. I would like to leave immediately."
"Thank God," Liam muttered to himself.
"I will escort you to a ship. We have pilots there who will take you home," Nye said.
Liam and Renee helped Da'an stand. They took one last look at the room and the people who had helped them, and they left with mixed feelings of relief and appreciation.
Nye led them to the same launch pad from whence they came. The ship waiting for them was smaller, but it was still larger than a shuttle. She stepped aside for them to leave, but Da'an put her hand up in protest. She walked back out into the woods to where she and Renee had spent time at the creek. Renee and Liam rushed after her in concern.
"What is it?" Liam asked her.
Da'an just handed him her blanket. Then, she stepped into the water and walked out until it reached her calves. She then kneeled to her knees immersing herself from the waist down. She stared at the calm ripples in a posture that made her appear to be a priestess herself.
"What the hell is he doing?" Liam asked.
"She's looking for something," Renee said with a grin.
Da'an rose out of the creek, walked back to dry land, and asked for the blanket. Liam was quick to put it on. "Okay. Now we can go," she said.
"Did you find it?" Renee asked as they walked back.
"I found a lot of things," Da'an replied. "I am still here."
Renee nodded and walked her back to the ship.
Nye was waiting for them. She and Da'an waited for Liam and Renee to board.
"How many others?" Da'an asked her quietly.
"No others," Nye replied. "Just you. I am sorry."
"I know why I survived," Da'an said. "I understand it all now. I also know what the priests are planning to do and why you chose the blue rose."
"Evolution is a vicious cycle," Nye agreed.
Da'an nodded. For a long time they watched the last cloud over the mountain pass and fade away.
"I have heard of some lost ones in the Ma'hatu Galaxy, seven hundred light-years away from Maru'vha. They tend to accumulate around the old Haru System."
"The prison system," Da'an said.
"It used to be," Nye said. "Ever since your journey to Earth, the warlords have overtaken it. There are many thieves, mercenaries, smugglers, gangsters and bounty hunters there. The conflicting laws established by the warring lords have turned it into a lawless land. It is also dangerously close to Jaridian territory."
"I will send Liam and Renee back to Earth, and then I will journey there myself," Da'an said.
"It is a perilous place," Nye said. "Diplomats are far from welcome there."
"Is it the only lead you have?"
"Yes, sadly," Nye said hesitantly.
"Then, that is where I have to go," Da'an said. "Hopefully I will not be there long."
"You know those two will not want you to go, and when they realize you have to they will follow no matter what you say," Nye said.
"I know, but it never hurts to ask. The worst they can tell me is no."
Nye nodded humorously. "I am very proud of you."
"Me too," Da'an said.
Nye held a lock of Da'an's hair and chuckled. Da'an smiled and walked on to the ship. Nye continued to gaze at the clear sky long after it had left.
"Ma'el, did you predict this or did you create it?" she asked the sun.
There was no answer. But then, Nye had not expected one. After all, her services were no longer required. Her duty was done, her journey was over, and now, she could rest and find her own peace.
The End
