Jailed Read Free Page B

times.”
    Kori winced and nodded. “That sounds like something she would do.”
    Nikada had probably put more trackers in her bag, but Kori wasn’t worried. She was going where she said she was going; there was no problem with being caught in a lie.
    “How long were you on Wyencar?” Garden gestured and Kori followed her.
    “A week. It was an eventful week.”
    “Well, for off worlders, it isn’t precisely an easy vacation spot to get to.” Garden was fishing around for details.
    “Ah, well, I met Nikada in Janial and we became friends. I stayed at her family home.”
    “You mean her home. The Wyencar are matriarchal. The men don’t usually own more than a family business. They never own a home.”
    Kori blinked, wide-eyed. “I had no idea, and they never mentioned it.”
    Garden led the way to a galley and served Kori a cup of tea before pouring one for herself.
    “Now, tell me how you ended up in Janial.”
    “I stepped in a puddle on a world that worships water.”
    Garden paused with her cup nearly to her lips. “What?”
    “You heard me. Shiloss. I broke one of their water taboos, so they had me chucked in prison until they could decide whether they wanted to kill me nor not. Fortunately, they decided not. They destroyed all my stuff and set me loose, but then, I had to look for a new position. So, my friend got out around the same time as me and she offered me some time on Wyencar.”
    “I am still grappling with it. You stepped in a puddle and ended up in Janial? That is bizarre.”
    “Welcome to my world, so to speak.” She shrugged and sipped at the tea with a smile.
    “You are wearing Masuo as well.”
    Kori blinked. “It was another gift from Nikada.”
    Garden got a faraway look and nodded. “Oh dear. Nikada Ru. No wonder you were able to get clearance to Wyencar so quickly.”
    Kori tilted her head. “Is there something in her files?”
    “She is the head of the prime family of Wyencar. They are not big on etiquette or flash, but if she speaks, the council listens.”
    “What about her brother?”
    Garden’s vision shifted again. “Norod Ru is one of the few men who is authorized to own his own home and other properties. He runs a shipping empire for the Ru family and has many holdings off world, as does his sister.”
    “What made them a prime family?”
    “Their ancestor, Dorina Ru, was a first contact member who managed to put treaties and trade routes through their system into effect, for a small profit. She was sought out by a number of other families and had nine children with four different fathers. It was the beginning of an empire, but the Ru’s have never been fussy about insisting on their position. They look just like everyone else.”
    “Aside from Norod running the shipping interests.”
    “Well, aside from that. He seems to make quite the profit, so they are delighted to let him run things.” Garden grinned.
    Kori looked around and she waved her hands, “So, this is quite the ship.”
    “It really is. The Emerald Fairy is sentient and contains enough research materials to keep scientists busy for years. We are a flying greenhouse. It is why we have a link with Yalki and its host. They are experts at producing a variety of customized plant life and we are only too happy to transport it under guard.”
    Kori looked around. “And Mercury?”
    “Oh, he is my mate and he acts as security. My ship likes him, so I put up with him.” Garden chuckled.
    Kori smiled and enjoyed her tea. “You seem pretty full here, is there a place in the main hold where I can crash?”
    “You can. We normally keep our guests on ice, but it has been so long since I have been near another Terran, aside from the bride of Yalki, that I am eager for conversation.”
    Kori grinned. “Me too.”
    Her parting with Nikada had occurred an hour before Kori was allowed on the tarmac and waiting for the guardians. Her friend was eager to learn of her adventures but was willing to wait for a few