Page 11 of Relyn
“Yeah, I know. But first we’ve got to take care of this hole in your side. I’ll see you when you wake up. Welcome to Etlon 2, by the way.”
“But-”
Nora wasn’t able to respond because Jane smiled and poked her with something that sent her into a blissful cloud of sleep.
“I don’t know.I’m not in charge of every Terran on the planet. I keep telling you this.”
“I just want to make sure that everyone knows that this is not my fault. I did not send for this one. She just appeared. Unless someone else sent for her?”
“He’s just hoping that we eventually forgive him for Odette and Val.”
“You have forgiven me for them. You have told me so. You like Odette and Val.”
“Yes, sweetheart, but they like to make you squirm.”
The voices continued to chat around her as Nora slowly awoke from sleep. Her mouth was chalky, but a quick wiggle ofher fingers and toes proved that everything was working right. Her hand went to her side, and found it not only dry, but without a scar.
“You’re all healed up as promised,” Jane said.
Nora opened her eyes to find a group of five people around her. Two towering green aliens were bald but bulging with man chest and wearing tiny black shorts. Swirling tattoos that Nora recognized as the Mahdfel badges of honor covered the six packs and biceps. The other three were human women, as far as Nora could tell.
She sat up. The world swirled around her.
“Whoah, there, I said healed, but you lost a bit of blood there. It’ll take a few days to get you back to full strength.”
“What coward shot you and wrapped you in such a demeaning way?” One of the aliens asked. The medical treatment must have included a universal translator, because Nora could actually understand him.
“Kave. Give the girl a moment to catch her breath.”
“I need to get back to Earth as soon as possible,” Nora said, sliding her feet to the floor.
“About that,” Jane said. “This wasn’t exactly an easy two way trip.”
“Etlon 2 is just about as far away from Earth as you can get. But it’s beautiful here, and you are welcome to stay. I’m Meadow, by the way. And that is Kave. He’s the leader. And his wife, Humility. And you’ve already met Zenik and Jane.”
Nora tried to process all the introductions, but she was already trying to read into what she hadn’t said, but implied. Getting back to Earth was going to be a problem.
“How long will it take to get back home?”
Meadow looked at the floor. “According to Mahdfel law, anything Earth sends through the portal becomes property of the Mahdfel.”
“Are you telling me that I’m property?”
“No, no, no,” Humility stated. “Just that the law seems to think so. And we’re pretty good at bending the rules around here, aren’t we?” Humility poked her husband in the ribs.
“I don’t know what you're talking about. I follow all the laws. I am an honorable Mahdfel.”
She actually rolled her eyes at her husband.
“I’m sure there will be some clause for exigent circumstances. I’m sure you’ve been through some of those,” Meadow prompted.
“I was shot,” Nora said.
“Yes, by whom?” Kave demanded.
“You know, even if you find out, you’re not going to be able to do anything about it,” Humility said, patting her husband’s arm.
“Injuring females and shipping them out to the middle of a jungle is not honorable!”
