It rained that night in Inen, but the next morning dawned clear and cold. In the afternoon, I would travel in a Tiasennian space shuttle to Orian’s capital city, Nayin, where Leader Beren would greet me and take me to Orian’s few fertile areas. I had no doubt that Orashean would try to explore Selesta while I was gone, but I didn’t worry.
Any force he had would be ineffective to try and break in; Tiasennian science possessed nothing strong enough to penetrate the hull’s exterior, and no scanning probe could penetrate the strong fields that surrounded the ship.
The Tiasennians held a parade with full fanfare to honor me on my departure; the political and military hierarchy assembled at the commercial airstrip a few nariars outside the city, hoping it wouldn’t rain as a new arsenal of grey clouds rolled over the city. As I stood on the platform, the sounds of exultation all around me, I glanced at the Orian Ambassador and his son, clustered among Tiasenne’s political leaders.
Ai-derian shook my hand in a stiff farewell in the formal manner of all diplomats. But Terin refused to say good-bye. Bending down, I peered into his joyless eyes. Tears started rolling down his mournful face. He tried to blink them back. I smiled, dried his tears with my fingers, then embraced him once.
“This isn’t good-bye, Terin. I promise I’ll be back soon.”
But the boy refused to believe it and seized my hand, then squeezed it fervently.
“Let Alessia go, Terin. You’ll see her soon.” Ai-derian said gently, and Terin reluctantly did as he was told. But I’ll never forget his anguished expression as I boarded the transport.
A few minutes later, the transport ascended smoothly into the air, and I saw his tiny form waving outside the window from away on the platform. He disappeared quickly as the world faded and shrank, hidden behind white clouds.
I had no idea how long it was going to be.