“It is a topical ointment that will mend your flesh and allow the rune to properly set in. Normally we would just use a healing pod and be done with it in a few minutes, but as your species is novel to us, we dare not use it until we understand your genetics fully. We wouldn’t want you accidentally growing an additional arm, now, would we?” she said with an amused grin.
“I feel stoned.”
“Stoned?” the woman asked, her gaze sharpening as she turned her attention to the two men standing at attention.
“We did not harm her, Excellence,” Arkness said.
“No stones were thrown, I swear,” Rykker added.
Olivia’s head felt like it was full of cotton candy. She let out a laugh. “No, not like that. It’s slang. Like, for when you feel drugged.”
The woman’s expression softened, and the tension in the men’s shoulders seemed to lessen slightly.
“Ah, I see. Even with the runes, some things simply do not translate well. But do not worry, this is no more than a compound that eases discomfort while it stimulates the natural healing factors. It can, however, affect each race differently, and some can find it a bit much. Do not worry. A good night’s sleep and you will feel much better. Now, you need rest. You will be given quarters and food for now. We will continue this discussion tomorrow. Given your state, as well as the fact that you come to us via Raxxian imprisonment, we will delay the application of the remainder of the runes a few days to allow you to get your bearings and properly rest to aid the process.”
Olivia, dazed as she felt, was not terribly keen on that idea. “I don’t need any new ink.”
“Oh, make no mistake, youwillhave the runes. To lack them, well, it is simply not allowed. Not within the Dotharian Conglomerate. But all will be made clear tomorrow after you have rested. Now, what is your name?”
“Olivia.”
“Olivia, I am Overseer Zoldana. Welcome to my city.” She turned to the taller man. “Arkness, show our guest to the quarters in the dignitary array. I believe she will be most comfortable there. And have food delivered. I am sure she must be hungry.”
“It will be done, Excellence.”
“Good. I will see you tomorrow, Olivia. We have much to discuss.”
With that, the woman strode out, tall and confident, leaving a very confused and rather high human in her wake.
“Come with me,” Arkness said, stepping close, taking her by the arm to help her to her feet.
Rykker hurried to her other side, grasping her other arm to assist.
She may have been stoned, but there was no way Olivia could miss the tension between the two men crackling like a violent electrical storm brewing. They were both big, and they were both strong, with bulging muscles and thick veins visible on their meaty forearms. She chuckled to herself, wondering what else might be veiny on them.
Arkness flashed a little sneer. “You heard the Overseer.Iam to take her to her quarters.
“And nothing more,” Rykker noted. “You know the rules.”
“Perfectly well, as do you.”
“Are you steady?” Rykker asked, shifting his attention to Olivia.
“Yeah, I’m good.”
He released his grip, staring at her with a strange look in his eyes. “Rest and heal.”
Arkness ushered Olivia toward the door. “I’ll be seeing her to her quarters now, Rykker. You may go.”
His rival scowled but said no more.
Olivia followed her guide as he ushered her through the walkways that, under a non-drugged circumstance, she would have found enthralling. As it stood, she was just happy to arrive at her lodgings still on her feet.
“No one ever said where we were,” she noted as they stepped into the lobby of a marvelously decorated lobby space.
“Dignitary suite access,” Arkness said to the air. “Overseer Zoldana’s command.”
The system running the building apparently processed that information in a nanosecond, the floor illuminating a line leading them to their destination.
