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floor until it was at the foot of the bed.
    Mora looked to Tranoth. “Are you seeing this?”
    He had his hand over his mouth to stop his laughter as Plink shoved a smaller chest against the first.
    With easy hops, Plink went from the floor to the bed in seconds. Once on the bed, Plink rolled around, flapping stubby wings, wiggling chubby claws and chuckling happily.
    Mora walked up to Plink and tickled her belly. “I am guessing that I have a new bed mate.”
    Plink squealed and nipped at Mora’s fingers. She felt the pleasure coming from her new friend, and they played like that for a few minutes until Plink wheezed and rolled away from her.
    No meant no, even with tickling. Mora smiled and said, “Did you want to stay here, Plink, or are you coming to see a class?”
    Plink waddled over and jumped into her arms.
    “I will take that as you are coming with me.” She tucked Plink against her but got an image of Plink on her shoulder. She lifted her and set her there, making a netting that she could hold onto out of the Masuo. Plink was pleased and rubbed against her head.
    Tranoth was in the main room, and he smiled as she came back. “That might work. I want to show you how to check on what courses are running and where they are. We will be auditing today, so all courses are open to you. What would you like to see?”
    She blinked and stared. “I can’t read that.”
    He winced. “Right. Alliance Common is different for you.”
    His hands skimmed over the keyboard and the words reformed into Resicor standard. “Better?”
    “Why could I understand Zenina and Veera?”
    “They both translate for you. They don’t mean to do it, but it is within their aura. There was no intended mental contact.”
    She inhaled sharply and exhaled. “I am beginning to understand that. So, since only you, a telepath or an Avatar can understand me. What is the fastest way to learn Alliance Common?”
    “You won’t like it.”
    “Telepath again?”
    “We have specialists called Minders. They are healers of thought and that is all that they will do. They will only implant the language.”
    She wrinkled her nose. “How long does it take?”
    “Minutes. I would be there with you during the procedure if that will make it easier. You will have a headache afterward, but perhaps, Plink could help with that.”
    Plink chirped and rubbed against her again. There was soothing calm radiating from the little beast, and she took the hint. “How long until I can make the appointment?”
    He smiled and opened a com line. He spoke in a language she wasn’t able to grasp but she merely turned her attention to the classes that evening. Hands-free defence looked like a good choice.
    Tranoth finished the conversation and he nodded. He said something to her but the words were wrong.
    “Resicor please.”
    “Sorry. He can see you right away. There is a student, so he would like permission to have it watched on the psychic plane.”
    “Sure. If you are watching my body, I am sure that Plink will keep an eye on my mind.”
    He bowed low. “Keeping an eye on your body will be both a solemn duty and a pleasure.”
    “Then, please lead me to the Minder, and after that, I want to go to the hands-free defence class.” She took his arm, and they walked back out into the hall and down the spiral staircase. She couldn’t believe it, but she was about to open her mind to a stranger.
     

Chapter Six
     
     
    S’Sla was a bit of a shock. Expecting a Minder that reminded her of the Resicor telepaths, she was surprised to find a gentle and smiling creature with scaled skin in a marvellous blue.
    The touch of his hand wasn’t repulsive, and his student was sitting nearby, his lavender feathers fluffed up.
    S’Sla beckoned him over. “Come here and touch her hand. You will be able to see the connection as well as the transfer of language.”
    The student brought his chair closer and nervously touched her hand.
    She felt his presence as a warm, restless