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as they climbed the stairs to the main building, and when Suri led her to the flat of the elevated garden, she smiled. “It is wonderful.”
    “We grow what we need and store what we don’t. The abbey is completely contained.”
    Zel walked to the edge of the upper garden, and she looked down at the lower six that delved into the ground. From her current vantage point, she could see that the work went under the walls and deep into the soil.
    “Rad mentioned that there was mining.”
    Suri smiled. “Crystals that are used to power the healing scanners. Each scanner produced using Master Ahku’s patents use crystals grown here. The abbey mines them as they grow, but we do not delve into the caverns themselves. We take only what is offered by the world under our feet.”
    “Why did you come out here?” Zel blurted it.
    Suri laughed. “I was offered by my city, but all I truly wanted was peace and quiet. My body reacts to electrical fields, so I concentrate my efforts on the gardens. There is a place here for anyone who wants to devote themselves to simply living for the now.”
    “What do you worship?”
    “The land under our feet, the wheels of the universe around us. When you still your mind, you can see it all. That is why I chose to come here when it was offered. My mind and body needed to get away from the hum of technology. This world has been good for me and for all others who have sought it out.”
    Rad and the others wandered into the gardens below; Suri eased her past the upper garden and onto stairs winding further upward. They walked until Zel could see around her in every direction.
    “This world is ours because your Drai lets us live here. Without his agreement, we would go mad or fade in our own lives on our own worlds.”
    Zel watched Suri’s solemn face.
    Suri looked at her. “He gives us purpose, because he accepts that he cannot have life and a family in a vacuum. He needs you and you need us, and so, we are here to serve you, mistress.”
    “I am not your mistress.”
    Suri rocked her hand from side to side. “You are and you aren’t. On Earth, our people believe in progress without worrying about consequence. This control is tight, but it has a definite purpose. The abbey was founded with the belief in the status quo. When one of its member dies, either a new brother or sister is chosen from those put for as candidates or a child is authorized.”
    “Doesn’t that seem odd?”
    Suri laughed, “There used to be jokes online about folks needing licenses to breed, here it is true. It is a relief. At home, I dreaded being emotionally blackmailed into having a child. Here, it is only in the line of duty that it would be asked of me, and the entire abbey would help raise it.”
    Zelia looked around and wrapped her arms around her midsection as the wind tugged at her clothing. “That is funny. It is the direct opposite to my own feelings. I wanted a child without any complications or any other opinion. That doesn’t seem to be what I have landed in, but I am adapting.”
    Suri smiled. “As Rad’s mate, your children will inherit this world. I hope that they will have the same care for this place as he does.”
    “Child. I have only thought about having the one. My mind has not gone beyond that point.”
    “I am sure he will attempt to convince you to have more.”
    Zelia turned slowly to see the wilderness that her home at the coast had only hinted at. Mountains to one side, thick forest to the other and open plains rippling with grain. The bright gleam of a lake glistened in the distance. Zel closed her eyes and exhaled, opening them as she inhaled.
    It was a breathing technique that Rad had taught her during their lessons, but here, it showed her the world in all its bright possibilities and pulled that brightness into her body.
    Like the flickers of fish under the sea, she could see the flares of life in the forest in a rainbow of energies. Her knees wobbled and Suri caught her.
    Suri