Free AHealingCaress by Viola Grace Page B

men glared at Bren, they gave him the respect due his station.
    A male stepped in front of him and the badges on his uniform denoted an emigration officer.
    “I am sorry, Guardsman, but you can’t take one of our citizens off world without documentation.” The emigration official was on the final approach to the ships and he looked less than impressed with Tracker.
    “I have authorization to arrest any person for any crime I see fit. It is within my purview. This young woman attempted to pick my pocket and in the process, she was privy to certain confidential details that will have to be dealt with by a minder.” He caught Bren with one hand on her arm and it was not a friendly hand.
    The emigration official looked at his posture and read something in his face that Bren could not see. “On your way then, sir. The less of this street trash left here the better.”
    Bren wanted to retort, but Tracker hauled her along past the official and he let them go.
    Tracker continued his determined stride until they were actually inside the shuttle and he sealed it before he released her. “I apologize, but he wasn’t going to let you pass. Therin was on his way.”
    She froze in surprise. “How do you know that?”
    “I am a Tracker. Once I attach to a target, I keep it on my sensory web.” He gestured to the navigator station. “Please have a seat. We will get under way as soon as we can get clearance.”
    Bren quickly strapped in and waited, facing the most technology she had ever seen. Everything was so shiny and bright. The ship was as new as the section of the Alliance that had spawned it.
    The Sector Guard had been in operation less than two years, but already, they had saved lives that numbered in the billions. Entire planets had benefited from their existence and a few species even had collector items based around their own Guardsman.
    Bren had seen the figures and holograms in the local markets as well as with younger travellers who were passing through. “Where is your partner?”
    Tracker’s voice was a little surprised. “I don’t have one. Why?”
    “I thought all of the Guardsmen were in teams.”
    “No. Not yet. We all find our partners when the time is right.” Tracker’s voice was amused. He slid into the pilot’s seat and arranged for clearance.
    “Oh.”
    “Don’t worry. It is a common question.”
    The magnetic lifts gripped the shuttle and moved them into the launch area. Bren couldn’t believe it. She was actually going to fly through space.
    Her entire life she had been grounded on Gwellen and now, she was going to join an organization respected throughout the Alliance. It was either that or Tracker was lying to her, but she wasn’t sure that he was. He seemed genuinely impressed with her talent with animals and she was eager to escape the future that loomed ahead of her. Anything was better than Therin and the brothels.
    Chapter Two
    Four years later…
    Healer Brenawyn worked with her patient, stroking the soft skin until the body’s harmonies took on an even pulse. She looked up at the worried face next to her and smiled. “She will be fine. A healthy girl.”
    “Thank you, Healer Bren. I wasn’t sure who to call at this time of night. The other healers don’t like to come out here before dawn.”
    “It is my pleasure, Heva. Every farmer deserves a little peace of mind.” Bren got to her feet and wiped her hands on a towel that the farmer held out. “She is a fine calf. Her mother did a wonderful job.”
    “She’s a good cow, but we may have lost them both if you hadn’t come when I called.”
    Bren grinned and then yawned. “I enjoy it. I really do.”
    Heva chuckled. “Let’s get you washed up, a cup of tea in you and then back to the Citadel with you.”
    Bren sleepily followed along after one last look at her patient and her newborn. The soft smile stayed on her lips through morning tea and the trip back to the Citadel. As she yawned again, she checked her chronometer.