Rhoe’s Request by Viola Grace Page A

this?”
    “Because it will be part of the uniform, so you need to get used to it. Not all of the females there will have feathers covering their human-ish genitals. Be ready for comments on your markings. The average species don’t have them either. So, unless you run into a white swan female, you are going to be on your own.”
    Lagala had a point. There were no dark swan females currently in the planetary defense corps. It was the men who usually did a year or five in the corps. Flight school would be the first step. Rhoe was planning for much, much more.
    After four changes of clothes, Lagala slid a heavily embroidered robe over Rhoe’s shoulders.
    Rhoe blinked away tears. “What is this?”
    “Your father commissioned it two years ago. He said when you came asking for clothing, it would be time to give you this piece of home.”
    It was ivory and black with swans picked out in all stages of swimming and flight. Gold and silver highlighted the images.
    “It’s beautiful; has my father seen it?”
    “No. He paid for it and left. I am guessing he has been waiting for this moment.”
    She sighed and looked at herself in the mirror. This was a piece of home that she would always treasure.
    “I think I will wear this home if you don’t mind.”
    Clothing was always optional amongst the dark swans but wearing a robe like this would show people that she was having a rare solemn moment.
    “I don’t mind. I will have the final alterations done tomorrow. Go home, Rhoe. Things are going to change faster than you know.”
     
    Lagala was right. The next week was a whirlwind of preparation while her father registered her with the flight school and arranged quarters for her in the city.
    Rhoe met with friends, elders and a few of the men who had returned from flight school and planetary defense after their terms.
    She got advice from everyone and three offers of marriage so she wouldn’t have to do anything so silly as going and putting her pretty self at risk. Sigh .
    There hadn’t been any major incursions on their planet since the defenders had been installed around the globe, so she didn’t think she was in any sort of danger.
    Finally, the evening before she was scheduled to leave, her father sat her down. “Rhoe, in case something happens, you need to know a few things.”
    She blinked, “If it is about sex, I learned that in school.”
    His cheeks darkened. “Not about sex precisely. You know that I contracted for your birth.”
    “Of course, Father.” It was one of the facts of her life. Her father had sought out a breeder with certain characteristics, and when she had replied, she had her own questions for him. They had agreed on a price, and Rhoe had been conceived to be delivered nine months later.
    “Well, your mother was not just a bored noble, she is a flight instructor for the planetary defense. This is her file.” He handed it to her.
    Her hands trembled as she took the data pad. The face she saw made her blink. “I have her face.”
    He sighed. “Yes, her face and my colouring. Keep reading.”
    Rhoe looked at the file of Yedana Whisk. She was a decorated officer, she had seen her share of battle and had two daughters on file. Wait…what?
    “Ah, I see you read that part.”
    “Who is the second child?”
    Rhand shook his head. “I don’t know. The birthdate is one year to the date after yours, and she is still here on Athuuna, so the father would be from one of the settlements.”
    Rhoe flipped through the pages looking for the information she sought, and all she found was a record of a second contract with the name of the father blurred out. That was all. Two daughters, both born on Athuuna. Rhoe had a sister out there somewhere.
    She blinked. “Why are you giving me this now?”
    “I believe your birth mother is still an instructor. I did not want you to be surprised or caught unawares. You are my daughter; I love you. She is your mother, and you will want to know her. I just wanted you