Astonish by Viola Grace Page B

into the woods smiled. “Do not worry. We can speak Alliance Common. It is just easier to speak the language of the trees.”
    “The language of trees? Is that the language of Hassoi?”
    The women laughed. “Hassoi is our world. The trees are his just as we are his, these words are also his.”
    The village of the Hassoi appeared in the woods with surprising suddenness. One moment, there was nothing but shadows and the next there were laughing children, hunters and women walking past with baskets of fruit and vegetables.
    Ceelie had to ask, “Madam, where are we going?”
    “Call me Gilla. Before we can declare you a guest, you must be washed of your previous worlds. Deep in the heart of our village, we have a spring that brings Hassoi to us. You will bathe in that spring and then you will be given all that our planet can offer.”
    “I am only here as the assistant to Ambassador Keeln. I don’t wish to take or trade anything from your world.”
    Gilla grinned, “We know. It is why you will be given all we can offer. Only someone who gives without expectation of receiving can be considered a true friend. So many folk have come here to trade, but they want to get more than they offer and so receive less than they asked for.”
    Ceelie’s head spun at the logic, but she couldn’t break free of the swarm of women that was growing with every step.  The women herded her toward a cavern opening in the base of a huge tree. The rock tunnel led her down below and the liquid laughter of the women around her had her smiling and let her concern fade for the moment.
    After all, nothing that brought such joy could possibly harm her, could it?

    Chapter Two
    One moment, she was surrounded and the next, she was alone with Gilla. “Bathe as long as you wish. There is a fresh gown for you waiting next to the towels. Thank you for taking part in our hospitality.”
    Before Ceelie could say anything or ask any questions, Gilla shoved her through a doorway and closed it behind her.
    Bemused, she looked around her and breathed deeply of the high humidity. The spring was indeed bubbling from the depths of the planet and it produced a gentle mist of warm heat.
    The towels were stacked neatly to one side and there was a pitcher with water and two glasses waiting for her.
    She trailed her fingers in the warm pool and smiled. Ceelie hadn’t had a bath in months. Even when she and the Ambassador were on a world that would allow her to use water, she was forced to reside on the shuttle. It was one of Keeln’s cruelties, but since he was bound by the employment agreement to not have sex with her he found other ways to punish her for being beyond his reach.
    Not wanting to disappoint her hosts, she peeled out of her loose ship suit and boots, shucked her underwear and let her hair down. With only a few steps, she was in the water and with a happy sigh, she dove under the surface.
    The water held her in a soft caress and she swam, floated and twirled in it and wrapped herself in a feeling of relaxation and care.
    When the tendrils of thought that were not her own came in, she tensed and sank for a moment before spluttering back to the surface.
    Hello?
    Greetings and welcome, lady.
    Do I have the honour of addressing Hassoi?
    I do not know if it is an honour, but you do indeed, lady.
    Call me Ceelie.
    Ceelie then. You have a lovely mind.
    Thank you.
    Do not thank me. It is the truth. You have a very rare mind and a lovely talent.
    Ceelie blushed and started to swim for the edge of the pool. Thank you for the compliment, but my talent has not done me any good.
    It got you into the Volunteers, did it not? You may be selling it short.
    Life shuttling the ambassador around lets me see many things, but I can’t enjoy them. It is far from the life I imagined.
    What would you consider to be a good life, Ceelie?
    She left the pool in a rush of water and pink skin. I don’t know. It isn’t up to me. The last decision I made was to leave my home,