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I'm able to control but not understand completely. We will do whatever you say."<br />
"You are a remarkable one. It's a relief you're also able to be compliant. Follow me."<br />
The journey to Erlan, the capital city of Suva, on the shore of the Sea of Renunciation, was more than<br />
hard in a physical sense. It was a challenge psychologically, too. Velu and her father had two companions familiar<br />
with the way but it was elusively circuitous—absolutely necessary because of Lord's Army Protectors who roamed<br />
the Disciples of Faith's territory all the way to the border with the Unholy Lands.<br />
Velu was the emotional sustainer of the party, always able to give support when the journey became<br />
fatiguing or dicey with chance.<br />
Their arrival in Erlan was without fanfare and Jalur and Velu marveled at the obvious self-respect and<br />
confidence shown by the inhabitants' manners and movements. They were quartered in a comfortable cottage to<br />
give them time to rest before their audience with the Disciples' leader, Xela.<br />
The meeting occurred two days after their arrival, apparently due to Xela's absence <strong>from</strong> the city. Velu<br />
and Jalur were accompanied by their traveling companions and a Disciple's guide to the residence of Xela. It's<br />
austerity was surprising in the otherwise cultivated city. Xela herself was of moderate height but showed the<br />
signs of great physical prowess. She wore her hair as Velu did, unadorned and flowing free.<br />
"Welcome, Velu. Welcome, Jalur. The rest of you may take advantage of the garden's luxuries while we<br />
converse."<br />
The others left the room and Xela indicated a couch while she seated herself in a straight-backed chair<br />
near it.<br />
"You've traveled far. From World to World and Land to Land and you bring a request that honestly stuns<br />
me. You wish to be reunited with your biological father, Velu?"<br />
"I do, Xela."<br />
"What do you have to say about this, Jalur, and are you only here to help your adopted child?"<br />
"I am here primarily because the Corporation wanted me here but I did detest my life on <strong>An</strong>ga. Our<br />
presence on this planet may have cost me my wife's death. I don't know what I'll eventually do here but, for now,<br />
I am Velu's servant."<br />
"Her servant... Velu, is this man your servant?"<br />
Velu's laugh shattered the formality of the meeting.<br />
"Jalur is the only father I know and he says he's my servant even though I have to constantly mother<br />
him."<br />
Xela's sudden broad smile turned the meeting into a gathering.<br />
"Velu, how old are you?"<br />
"Fifteen years in <strong>An</strong>gan time, a bit younger here on <strong>An</strong>la."<br />
"Purum."<br />
"Pardon?"<br />
"You call our planet <strong>An</strong>la, we call it Purum."<br />
"Ah..."<br />
"What do you know of Rednaxela?"<br />
"He's my biological father. He piloted ShipOne to this planet. He escaped with Akla to parts unknown."<br />
"To the Unholy Lands."<br />
"We thought so, since those who awaited his appearance are concentrated there."<br />
Jalur said: "Do you know where he is?"<br />
"I did know. He was here, with me. He was my husband."<br />
Velu: "Was?"<br />
"He arrived here <strong>from</strong> the Unholy Lands as Akla's representative. He said Akla had told him he would be<br />
wed to me though I didn't hear about that till after our wedding. He was also told that he should prepare me for<br />
your arrival, though not until after the birth of our son—"<br />
"I have a brother..."<br />
"You do, indeed, Velu. As extraordinary a person as you, though five of your years younger."<br />
"Can I meet him?"