Quiver by Viola Grace Page A

through the halls to the dining room.
    The men looked a little the worse for wear. Yem-lal was bustling around them and sighing. “I am sorry, but the volcanoes are necessary. They relieve the tectonic pressure and allow for new land to expand.”
    Dey-lal had discolouration on the side of his left cheek. “Does Hemcorl have to set them off so close to habitation?”
    Yem-lal chuckled. “He warns them. He warns them several times but will not change the path from where his children want to pursue. They have the right to the most fertile soil on his world, but it has its risks.”
    Karo-lal chirped, “And we get to go in and save them from their own determination.”
    Dey-lal got to his feet and moved slowly toward her. “You look like you are walking into daylight for the first time, Anna.”
    She squinted. “The first time today.”
    “What were you working on?” He kissed her softly in greeting.
    She touched the dark mark on his cheek. “Something less dangerous than you were.”
    He smiled. “I will heal. I just don’t take to the regenerators as much as others do. They can only get me so far.”
    Yem-lal chuckled. “It is because both of my sons operate with sonic frequencies. They disrupt the machines after prolonged exposure. They vibrate at the same frequency as the healers.”
    Anna pulled Dey-lal’s head down to hers, and she kissed the burn on his cheek. “There. The only thing I can offer.”
    He smiled. “You have done wonders. Now, tell us about your day. Ours just involved screaming villagers and a volcano.”
    He escorted her to the table, and she sat next to him, trying to remember everything.
    “Yem-lal, were you serious when you said I could invite my family here?”
    Her mother-in-law smiled. “Of course.”
    “Good. I have amassed enough funds to transport them safely, as well as set them up in a home with vehicles and enough funds to last them the rest of their lives, including medical expenses, should they need them.”
    Dey-lal brought her hand to his lips. “You did all that today?”
    “Well, I started yesterday, but today, I just kept going. I have priced out everything that I imagine they would need and worked toward that goal. It’s done.” She grinned as the bots brought the evening meal to the table. “And I am hungry.”
    Yem-lal smiled. “Your husband can help you with a communication to your family, if you wish. If they want to come, they are more than welcome. I will sign all necessary documents to make it happen.”
    Anna Baxter Aricor felt a curl of joy unfolding. It was a flicker of hope. Her parents might not want to come, but it was her one chance to bring them to her before she started a family of her own.
    Dey-lal smiled. “I will arrange the communication after dinner.”
     
    He was true to his word. They entered the com office, and he started the time-consuming process of sending a secure communication to a destination in the stars.
    It took three hours, but when the link was made, Anna was there.
    Her parents looked worried when they appeared on the screen.
    Her mother teared up. “Anna? Oh, baby. You made it.”
    Her father was more practical. “Honey, why are you calling?”
    “Mom, Dad, I have a question for you.”
    Her parents glanced at each other and then nodded. Her father said, “Go ahead, Anna.”
    “Would you consider leaving the Earth and coming here to join me? I have asked, and it is not only possible, the permissions have been given if you say yes.”
    Her mother hesitated, but her father said, “Yes. What do we need to do?”
    Her mother looked a little more hesitant, but she nodded. “If you want us, we are on our way.”
    “You can think about it for a few days, but I would like to have you here when the baby arrives.”
    Her mom went from hesitant to delighted. “Yes, can we go now? Babe, start packing.”
    Her father looked at her mother, and he grinned. “The word has been given.”
    Dey-lal was behind the screen, and he