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would be the supervisor of Arima House.  Talinka, who had long experience in running Bride House, would teach her what she needed to know and assist her.  Hope would assist Berta when Talinka could not be there.
    The women had already approved the plans for Arima House, and ground had been broken the morning before.  It would be a sprawling u-shaped structure on one level with eight bedroom/bathroom suites for Arimas, a private suite for Berta, and a separate wing for additional staff. 
    “By the way, I meant to tell you Berta, we got a message yesterday from the Gryphons,” Hope said when they took a break from the plans and turned to the refreshment tray her housekeeper had brought in. 
    “How is Aisling?  And Karma?” Berta asked. 
    “They’re fine,” Hope replied.  “What’s interesting is that Aisling is the Gryphons’ Arima.”
    “What?  I thought the whole problem with them was that she wasn’t their Arima.”
    “Apparently the Controller she had caused some hidden brain damage,” Hope said while she prepared herself a cup of tea.  “After two weeks in a healing tank, the damage was healed.  She’s definitely their Arima.”
    “Well, I’m happy for Aisling, of course,” Berta said.  “But what does that mean for all of the other women who’ve been freed in recent months?”
    “They’re all going to be notified, with a recommendation to spend some time in a healing tank, just to be safe.”
    “That’s good,” Berta said.  “The idea of walking around with brain damage and not even knowing it gives me the creeps.”
    “Yes, me too,” Hope agreed.  “Jackson said that a message has already been sent out to the Katres, and they’re working on a message now to send to the Director.  They want him to handle informing the women who’ve already returned to Earth.  All of those women have been given new, secret identities just in case there are still Brethren on Earth.”
    “Speaking of healing tanks,” Talinka said as she poured herself some coffee, “I have some news that I hope will be welcome.”
    “What’s that?” Hope asked.
    “I know that neither of you knew Riata, but she was an Alverian Empath Healer who lived here, on Jasan, for many years,” Talinka said.
    “Yes, we’ve heard of her,” Hope said.  “I understand that she did much for the Jasani, and is still greatly missed.”
    “Yes, she was an exceptional person, as well as an exceptional healer,” Talinka said.  “There are very few Alverian Empaths who are true Healers though, so when High Prince Garen requested that a new Healer be sent to Jasan, there wasn’t one available.”
    “Is there one now?” Hope asked.
    “Yes, there is,” Talinka replied, smiling.  “He’s a cousin of mine, and a very talented Healer.  He had volunteered his services on another world but the political situation there has become difficult and he was forced to leave.  A few weeks ago I sent a message asking him if he’d found a new appointment.  When his reply indicated that he hadn’t, I asked him to come here.  I learned this morning that he has agreed, and will be here in a couple of weeks.”
    “That’s wonderful news,” Hope said.  “Have you told the Dracons yet?”
    “No, but I will before I leave this day,” Talinka said.  She tilted her head at Berta, sensing confusion from the older woman.
    “Please, ask me your question, Berta,” she said.
    Berta shrugged.  “I don’t mean to be rude, or sound stupid, but with the doctors we have here, headed by Doc, and healing tanks, why is a Healer needed?”
    “A Healer can do many things that a healing tank cannot,” Talinka replied. 
    “Such as?”
    “There are still many Clan Jasani who are mated to human females,” Talinka said.  “Those women who are able to become pregnant will always give birth to triplets, which can be dangerous for human women.  A healing tank cannot help them should something go wrong.  Nor can a healing tank cure