The Ties That Bind
by TheVulcanPrincess
Summary: The first in a series that explores the intertwining lives of the Deep Space Nine characters. Spans the time frame from 20 years before the end of the Cardassian occupation to after What You Leave Behind. (Potential spoilers for the entire series.)
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek: Deep Space Nine or any of its settings or characters. No copyright infringement is intended. All I lay claim to is the plot and the character of Tora Niva.
Format: The story is divided into three main parts, with each part divided into chapters as necessary. Part I covers from 2349 to 2351. Part II covers from 2359 to 2375 and is composed of various short vignettes. Part III covers 2376.
Rating: T for non-explicit sexual content and allusions to mature subject matter.
Additional Notes: Italics denote orb visions, flashbacks, log entries, telepathic communication, or the written word.
Acknowledgements: Many, many thanks to PeaGirl for being my beta reader. She has listened to my ramblings for weeks and has read multiple drafts. Thanks also go to Chrissie for her transcript website where I obtained some of the episode dialogue.
Part One
Setting: Bajor - 2349 (20 years prior to the end of the occupation)
A young Bajoran man, fifteen years of age, ran through the jungle. He looked back to see if he had escaped his Cardassian pursuers. He saw no sign of them and paused to catch his breath. When he stopped, he noticed that his escape had torn his shirt and that his back was scratched from the dense foliage. He put his hand on his back and saw smears of blood.
He was tired, hungry, and thirsty. He looked around and saw that there was no water nearby, and all of the fruits growing on the trees were poisonous. He heard snakes slithering by and decided that he needed to press on.
He walked for hours. Just past midday, he saw smoke in the distance. It was not wildfire season, so he headed toward the smoke in the hopes that it was a settlement. Just before sundown, he came to a clearing. In front of him was a stone wall that stood about three meters high. To his right was a metal gate. Gingerly, he opened it, and he cringed when he heard it creak.
He shut it behind him and walked down a path toward a creek. He knelt down and began to drink the cool, refreshing water. He saw various flowers, and above him was a stone bridge that crossed the creek. He thought with amazement that he had stumbled upon paradise. He had always wanted to be a gardener, and he imagined what it would be like to grow bromeliads here. He heard a twig snap behind him and he stood up in alarm. He turned around and was face to face with an elderly Bajoran man.
The old man spoke. "You're hurt. Do you need help?"
"Yes," the young man said simply.
The old man said, "What is your name?"
"Bareil Antos."
"Come, let's get you cleaned up and fed."
Bareil followed the old man. They walked in silence until they reached a building. The old man said, "This is the monastery. I'm the gardener here. The monks and I eat supper in about an hour."
A young woman, about twenty years old, dressed in monk's robes, walked by. The old man addressed her, "Prylar Winn, we have a dinner guest. Please set an extra place at the table."
She nodded, but Bareil could see in her eyes that she was annoyed. Whether it was at him, or at the gardener, he couldn't tell. The gardener showed him to a bath, handed him a towel and a change of clothes, and then left him. Bareil bathed, relishing in the feeling. There was little time for bathing and clean clothes at the refugee camp.
When he emerged, he came face to face with Prylar Winn. She scowled at him and said in her most condescending voice, "Take care not to drip on the floor, young man. The Prophets will not dwell in unclean places."
He mumbled an apology and dried the floor. The gardener came to escort him to dinner. They sat at a simple wooden table and spread before them was hasperat and springwine. Bareil was introduced to the other monks, Prylar Bek and Prylar Rhit. Both of them seemed to be kind and welcomed Bareil with open arms.
They heard a knock at the door. Prylar Bek went to answer it. Bareil turned to see who was at the door, and he was amazed. Everyone in the room stood as a short, stout, middle-aged woman walked in, followed by a tall man in orange robes.
Prylar Bek bowed his head and said, "Eminence, welcome to our humble monastery. You honor us with your presence."
The gardener said, "You must be hungry from your long journey. Please, join us for supper."
"We would be delighted."
The gardener said, "Kai Opaka, Vedek Teero, I would like to introduce you to Bareil Antos."
Bareil bowed his head and said, "I am honored."
Opaka grabbed Bareil's ear and said, "Your pagh is strong."
Bareil was in awe. After dinner, the monks and Vedek Teero retired for meditation. The gardener showed Bareil to his room and then returned to sit with Opaka.
He said, "I believe he is the one the Prophets sent."
"I agree. He will bring healing to Bajor. I would like to mentor him myself," Opaka said.
The next morning, Bareil sat up in bed. It was the first time in his life that he had slept in a bed. He began to pack his belongings, which consisted of a knapsack, a picture of his sister, a family heirloom betrothal bracelet that had belonged to his mother, and his earring. He put on his tattered clothes, which he had washed last night and hung to dry. He carefully made the bed and folded the clothes he had been loaned. He walked out in search of the gardener to thank him for allowing him to stay the night.
He rounded the corner and crashed into Kai Opaka. He stood up and said, "Eminence, I beg your forgiveness."
"Think nothing of it, child. Where are you going?"
"I must be on my way. It was kind of the monks to allow me to stay the night, but I do not wish to burden them any further," Bareil said.
"You are welcome to stay as long as you like. I would like to tutor you in the ways of the Prophets," Opaka said.
Bareil was speechless. Opaka continued, "You don't need to choose right away. After breakfast, I would like to show you something that will help you decide."
All during breakfast, Bareil wondered what to do. After breakfast, Opaka led Bareil into a room in a deserted part of the monastery. The room was empty except for a pedestal. On the pedestal sat an ornate box.
Opaka walked to the box and opened it. Inside was a glowing green orb that seemed to pulsate with a life all its own. Bareil was in awe. He didn't know what to say, but sensing the gravity of the situation, he whispered. "It's beautiful."
"It is one of the Tears of the Prophets. The Cardassians have stolen the others, but I have safeguarded this one. It is the Orb of Prophecy and Change. The Prophets speak through the orbs," Opaka said.
"What do I do?" Bareil asked.
Opaka walked out of the room as she said, "Listen."
Bareil stood alone as a glowing mist swirled about him.
He stood in the garden of the monastery, dressed in Vedek robes. He saw his reflection in the water and noted that he was a grown man in his mid-30's. Beside him walked a Bajoran woman in her mid-20's, wearing a military uniform that he had never seen before. The air was peaceful, and he was happy. He looked up and saw Winn on the bridge above, also dressed in Vedek robes. She looked down on him and his companion disapprovingly.
The scene shifted.
He stood on Terok Nor, in front of an exploded school house, a crowd before him. Next to him was Winn, holding his hands. To the side stood the military woman, and an alien man from a species he did not recognize. The alien was in what appeared to be a military uniform, but it was different than the woman's. Suddenly, the alien leapt into the crowd, tackling a would-be assassin.
The scene shifted once again.
He was resting on a hospital bed. To one side stood Winn, dressed in the yellow robes of the Kai. She held his hand and looked down upon him with concern. Next to her stood an alien. He resembled a Bajoran, but his nose was smooth. His uniform was the same as the previous alien, but it was a different color. He turned and saw the military woman standing on his other side.
The scene shifted for a third time.
He was standing in the orb room of the monastery, a young man again. His sister, the gardener, Prylar Winn, the military woman from his previous scenes, and Kai Opaka stood around him. His sister said, "Do you understand?"
"No."
Opaka spoke, "You will, my child. We have a great work for you."
"Who are you?" Bareil paused as realization hit, "Are you the Prophets?"
"We are of Bajor," the gardener said.
"What do you want from me?"
Prylar Winn and the military woman said, "Walk with us."
The blue mist coalesced back into the orb. Bareil stood stunned for a moment before collapsing on the stone floor.
When he came to, he was in his bed. Prylar Winn was sitting in a chair next to him, watching him intently. He looked around and noticed that it was after dark. "How long?" he asked.
"You were unconscious for ten hours. Tell me, did the Prophets speak to you?" Winn asked urgently.
"Yes," Bareil said.
Winn frowned for a moment. "What did they say?"
"I'm not sure."
"Consider yourself fortunate. They are silent to me," Winn admitted.
Winn grabbed Bareil's ear, studied him for a moment, and let go. She seemed lost in thought for a moment before she said, "Excuse me. I must go. It is time for evening meditation."
The gardener walked in, carrying a tray with soup on it. He handed it to Bareil and said, "Here, eat. It will help you regain your strength."
After he ate his soup, Bareil went into the library. He saw Opaka sitting in a chair studying a scroll. She looked up and said, "Come, please sit."
Bareil sat in a chair near Opaka. She said, "I'm glad to see you're awake. Have you decided what you wish to do?"
"I don't know," he said. "I believe the Prophets were calling to me, but I feel unworthy. I don't understand why they spoke to me. Prylar Winn said that they have never spoken to her, and she is a monk."
Realizing that he had accidentally betrayed a trust, he felt ashamed and looked at the floor. Opaka chose to ignore this revelation and said, "Stay for a while and study. If you feel you must earn your keep, you may work in the garden. Perhaps you will discover the Prophets' path for you in time."
Bareil nodded and said, "Thank you."