"Salt from our sea gets us many things. It is used in cooking, and it heals skin lesions. The flavor is quite different from Earth's sea salt. They also like mud and moss from our marshes. It is put in expensive face creams. I used to buy it for my mother. Now, I just walk outside and get all I want, but there's no Starbucks here, so it's a tradeoff."
They spent several hours making serums. The queen had not returned. Impatient for news, the ladies went to the communications room. Queen Destiney was not there, and the monitor was beeping loudly. Alexis brought up the message. It read: Guards locked up. Have all Milisarians and two Arkani. One knight very ill. FBI going in.
"That doesn't tell us much. I had hoped for more,” Alexis declared.
Valeri was happier. "At least they got Akeila, and they didn't say anyone got injured. That's all good. How old is the message?"
"According to the monitor, it came in an hour ago." Alexis stopped talking as a new message beeped and the queen walked in.
Queen Destiney explained her absence, "I was called away to diffuse a dispute between two merchants. It took a while. Did any messages come in?"
Alexis showed her the first message and then they all gathered around for the new one. It read: Leaving. Will drop off Arkani. Home in three days. Have beds ready for sick. One knight injured. Akeila says thanks to Valeri.
This message brought back their fears. If a warrior was injured, there must have been a fight. Which warrior was it? All three women held the heart of a warrior. How bad was the injury? Would they make it home safely? To take their minds off the questions that rushed through their heads, they went to the lab and began preparing beds for the sick and injured. Alexis raided the cabinets for bandages and medications. Valeri searched for needles and salves. The queen hurried out to the merchants for healing plants.
Warships were too large to land close to the capital. The knights and villagers joined in a project. A stone walkway was built over the wetland. It would reach from the landing zone into the capital. It was meant to ease the way for the sick and kept the worried throng occupied for the days leading up to the ship's return.
The entire city and most of the villages gathered to greet the warship. Many had been told their sons or husbands had died in battle. Each had hopes that among the returning knights they would find a miracle: their son or mate. They brought gifts of food and clothing for the captured knights. They were to be honored for their strength under duress. Queen Destiney provided a banquet for the rescuers. A party to celebrate the victory would continue until morning.
As the ship came into sight, Queen Destiney, Alexis, Valeri, and the children huddled together at the end of the new walkway. Behind them, knights stood ready to carry the sick and injured on their powerful shoulders. The large warship hovered overhead. The women decided that the king must be allowing the rescued knights to get a view of the planet they had been missing. They would also be able to see the mighty throngs waiting to welcome them home.
The ship eventually came to rest on the landing pad. The huge doors opened, and the throng got their first glimpse of the captured knights. A collective gasp went up from the crowd. Bandages covered seeping wounds. The smell of infection permeated the salty air. Those unable to walk were handed over to the waiting warriors. Families who recognized their kin ran alongside the men who carried the fallen.
Alexis took a moment to greet Nabvan, who was uninjured. She then hurried to catch up with the ill. Valeri was relieved to see Ohber. He appeared unharmed. The king disembarked last. He wore a bandage over his chest like a badge of honor. Queen Destiney rushed to him. He hugged her tightly and whispered, "Take me to Alexis. I need tending, but I will not appear weak in front of my people. It is not as bad as it seems. I will be fine in a short time." He walked proudly through the crowd, never allowing his pain to show. Ohber and Nabvan stayed at his back in case they were needed. The group left the crowds behind to begin their celebration.
