Reprise 2

Life was... eventful over the next two years...

The rebuilding of Vejiitamachi was completed at the end of the first year, the city quickly recognised as the centre of the Empire. It was beautiful, and many aliens wished to live there: the city administration - a recently created body, suggested by Zyelenyi to ease the work of the diplomatic corps - were forced to institute stricter immigration controls. But this worked in the city's favour, as those who were permitted entry were proud of the honour, and did everything in their power to add to the city's renown.

The Academy's reputation grew, attracting the best in all artistic fields, and Bri'seiyis had a number of small domiciles built in the grounds to house the tutors and their families - small, discreet houses concealed from general view by stands of elegant trees. Mahrayne and Kelapa - and assorted visiting children - were allocated one, while 'tiisaan and his 'court' occupied a long, low, beautifully appointed domicile with variable temperature controls. A number of residential buildings had to be given over to the Academy, as well, when the intake grew beyond bounds. A long-term schedule of interplanetary tours was organised, to take the Empire's art to the member worlds, and Bri'seiyis was considering instituting a teaching programme, to allow aliens to learn at the Academy and take their skills back to the homeworld to teach others...

Zha'haarak and Hijau's twins - Hi'kaaran and Hi'raiya - were born soon after High Summer the year of the Karilun campaign. Healthy and strong, both were adventurous hostlings, and Zha'haarak suspected that they'd both join the Empire's exploratory teams when they were older...
The teams were long-term projects. Vejiita had authorised three massive starships to be crewed and equipped and sent out into the galaxy, to search for sentient worlds (and invite them to join the Empire, of course...) It was considered an honour to be appointed to the teams, and competition was fierce.
Serendah had been chosen, to his own surprise. The erstwhile Lord of Rumput had discovered a hitherto unknown and completely unexpected talent for linguistic analysis, which had guaranteed him a place in one of the teams. That it also had the added advantage of making it necessary for Merica - and therefore Jagung - to relocate to the islands to replace him was a cause for much rejoicing...

Jeice split his time between Rakkan - rapidly becoming one of the most beautiful natural places onplanet - and the family, with the occasional trip to Home.

Ti'nesia - the first Hassinan/zn'hre hybrid - was born just before High Summer of the first year, a beautiful, contented child, hermaphrodite with the palest green skin and silver hair and eyes. Mahrayne was overjoyed, and even Kel was impressed by the brat's peaceful nature...

On R'ren'nkh'ia, 'haabron, supported by Kobis and the Council, took on more and more of the king's duties, slipping into the role comfortably and easily. Ti'ani joined the Council, and he and Ta'haarel welcomed a Saiyan elite warrior, Peece, into their happy family group.

On a less positive note, Cold Season of the first year saw the final disintegration of Hassina - and the death of the Hassinan first speaker. The Hassinan, on Vejiitasei, on other member worlds, mourned the final passing of their culture and original way of life. And Leteetza made peace with Mahrayne, helping to support her through the time of grieving.

And then it was the tenth year of the Saiyan Empire, MoonYear again, and Zha'haabron decided it was time for he and his bondmate to try for another hostling...