Whyt’s Plea Read Free Page A

gave in a little. “I am sure that if there was something wrong, you would know it. What happened the night that she left?”
    Tevan blushed and rubbed the back of his neck. “I had just announced that she was betrothed and would be meeting her new husband this evening. Do you think that had anything to do with it?”
    Yelana tried not to laugh. “It could have. It certainly would have spurred her to action if that was not what she had in mind. Does she know her fiancé?”
    Tevan sighed and ran a hand through his snow-white hair. “Yes. They were introduced a few years ago. She thought him arrogant at the time, and so, we dropped it but neither of them is getting younger. We need to see her settled, and he is willing to take her as she is. He knows she can’t shift and that is our entire criteria for a mate for her.”
    Yelana shook her head. “Does he know she is gone?”
    “No. He was recalled to the base and is here somewhere. I don’t want to alarm him about her disappearance.” Tevan scratched his neck. “I hear that you and Rhand are together.”
    Yelana laughed. “Now and then. The timing is almost right, but our daughter is so very lovely. What does Whyt look like?”
    She smiled as he waxed poetic about the pale shimmer of her eyes, the bright white of her hair and the elegant sweep of both her cheekbones and the family markings that cruised over them.
    When he added, “She will make someone an excellent wife.”
    “Why?”
    “What?”
    “Why will she make someone an excellent wife? From what you have told me of her upbringing, she has been raised like a captive animal. How can she take charge of a household when she has never been given any responsibility?”
    He scowled. “She has great capacity for learning. Her mind is hungry for new experiences. She will thrive in any environment.”
    Colonel Whisk smiled and leaned back. “Then, be at ease. If I see our daughter, I will tell her to contact you. I cannot promise that she will return home, but she will make contact.”
    He got to his feet, bowed and paused at the door. “Thank you again, Yelana. We would never have known the joy of raising her if it wasn’t for you. I think that the desire for a child was what drove Hyaki into her protective mode. I was simply unable to jostle her out of that mode.”
    The colonel smiled. “She is a good mother. I have no doubt that Whyt is graceful and accomplished. She might even have table manners. You should be very proud.”
    “We are. Pride has always been foremost in our thoughts when Whyt was mentioned. She is so much more than we could have dreamed of.” He saluted sharply and left her quarters.
    Yelana muttered, “And it is the more that I am concerning myself with.”
    She opened her drawer and looked at the grim photo that had come across her desk from the test base. Private Whyt Beiencar was staring back at her, exhausted but determined. It was a matter of time before they met, but Yelana had confidence that her daughter was doing well under the watchful eye of Sarge. He was always a good judge of the skills of those under him. If he said she was good, she was excellent.
    Of course she was excellent, she came from superior stock if Yelana did say so herself.
     
    * * * *
     
    Mornings were spent in theory tutoring with Commander Arguat and afternoons were spent with Sarge, putting the finishing touches on the repairs of the fighter pod. Eventually, it was complete and it was time to test her work.
    She watched Sarge push the pod out and swallowed nervously. “Why do I have to be the one to try the systems?”
    Sarge grinned, “Because you are almost the exact size as the pilot. The ship will handle better for you. I would just weigh it down.”
    Whyt nodded, and when they were out on the repair launch pad, she looked at the machine. “Well, I suppose I have to stand by my work.”
    “Good way to look at it, Beiencar. Now, quit stalling.”
    She wrinkled her nose and stepped into the