Read Living With Syn for Free Online Page B

mot.”
    “Teleport?”
    * * * *
    Before the word completely left her mouth,
Syn stood before a massive stone, wood, and glass structure, built
into a cliff face. She saw terraces, gardens, huge windows and
arched doorways on every level. Green clay-like roof tiles covered
open lanais and flowers bloomed everywhere. She heard the gurgling
of several fountains including a vast metal art piece. Cascading
water decorated the main courtyard. Fish-like creatures swam in its
depths. She could almost hear Duchess smacking her lips.
    Syn stood wide-eyed before the sprawling
home. She lived in a “McMansion” as a child but this looked like a
combination of a modern home set in the woods disguised as an
English castle and next to a cottage garden blessed with a riot of
blooms. I can’t make up my mind as to which.
    “Are all Sarran homes this large?”
    Zaron took hold of her elbow and guided her
toward the door. A massive wooden structure hobnailed with
decorative silver metal studs stood before her. The top portion of
the door shone with stained glass and pictured the traditional
Sarran Tierest tree with clouds swirling around the branches. A
brief glance around the courtyard revealed a long winding lane
lined with the three-forked trees covered in silver leafed vines
that hung down from the branches. Further down from the vast lawn
stood massive conifers with teal blue needles sparkling in the
sunlight. Going through the door, Syn marveled at how realistically
the glass on the door emulated the Tierest trees on the drive. She
could see snowcapped mountains in the distance.
    “Our family has one of the larger estates
because of our council status. However, the planet is
under-populated and has slightly more landmass than yours, so space
is something we possess in abundance. We hunt our meat and game, so
the forests are preserved. Those who hunt provide provender to the
shopkeepers and trade for other goods. Fresh meat and game are a
luxury since we synthesize food through the nano-fabricators.
Because Bron is a brilliant engineer and I did well in PsyOps, we
live better than most. On Sarran, handcrafted goods and
non-synthesized foods are prized. It is for this reason that the
Senior Warriors always invite their Juniors to their home as they
have more to give. Hospitality is a revered custom.”
    “So, no one goes hungry?”
    “There is no poverty or hunger on Sarran. The
Codex guarantees every citizen food, shelter, medical care, and
education. We treasure artists and artisans, musicians and
performers, and scientists and engineers in our culture. Every
talent is respected because each one has worth. Without the
woodsman there would be no food. Without the scientist and
engineer, no fabricator. Each has equal value. The Elder Council
draws Warriors from all of those at the top of their professions,
not only Warriors, although all Sarrans are Warrior-trained.”
    “The flowers are lovely. Some resemble
Earthen flowers and I can see mountains in the distance.”
    ::Beyond the mountains is the sea, Mommie.
The river on the grounds runs to it,:: Naffie piped into the
conversation.
    Bron interrupted. “Dragon, must we stand in
the courtyard while you pontificate?
    I’m sure Syn would like to see her quarters
and freshen up and we must arrange for the kitchen goods.”
    “Yes, Poppie, the cookies!”
    “Only after Mommie has rested.”
    Garlance and Stoker miraculously materialized
inside the portico and opened the door for their party. Zaron and
Bron sent Nafer off to find the cooks who Bron arranged to hire
even before he found his family had expanded. His touch of
pre-cognition served him well. Bron felt the slight anxiety that
rolled of Zaron and the exhaustion that radiated from their fem.
They needed to get their fem settled in their bed, safely, before
they could deal with the ancillary issues of mind locks and their
long separation.
    “Pa Chette, I think it would be in all of our
interest for you to take a brief nap.