HOME, SWEET HOME — An invitation from the Council

Later, when she felt rested, Feliz and Aurora told her that the fellowship of the Great Intergalactic Council wished to hear from her. They had already shared their experiences, as had travelers from many other parts of the universe.

Skyblue felt a flicker of nerves.

She had so much to tell that she did not know where to begin. She thought of her mistakes, her fury in the Yellow Realm, the words she had spoken so carelessly. How did you explain a journey like hers to a council of beings who seemed to understand everything?

“You can start at the beginning,” Aurora said, as though she had heard her thoughts.

Before they left, her friend leaned toward her with a mischievous look.

“And there’s someone you’ll be happy to see.”

Skyblue tried to find out who it was. Aurora would not tell her.

With every step, Skyblue recognized more of the places they passed through. Before she left, she had taken the crystal buildings for granted. Now she kept stopping to watch the light change as it passed through them, to see how the space opened around those who walked there.