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Chapter Seven: G'Quarn
Ilan sat miserably in his family's hut, shaking from head to toe. His mother had screeched a blood-curdling cry to the Universe and had then collapsed, sobbing inconsolably for her mate. Ni'Lon had come over to comfort her as soon as she knew what had happened. Master Arkonn had told her that if she did not quiet Na'Laq immediately that the Narn woman was going to end up like her mate.
Na'Laq finally collapsed into a deep sleep after Ni'Lon gave her a special potion to calm her shattered nerves. Little Ar'ro simply clung to Lor'Oko, squeaking softly.
"This is because you were speaking with that blasted rodent named Ni'Bar," Lor'Oko whispered to Ilan.
Ilan did not respond to his brother, but sat staring ahead of himself, frozen with pain and horror. Lor'Oko thought better of his remark and apologized to Ilan, but he again received no response. The older brother put his arm around Ilan in an attempt to comfort him, and they sat like that well into the night. Ilan could not even think of sleeping, and neither could his two brothers.
As the morning dawned, they received a visit from Lukkon's Aunt Loala. The expression on her face was grim, and it was obvious that she had not slept either. She sat down beside Ni'Lon, holding her hand. Na'Laq was still asleep, and no one wanted to wake her. The boys gathered around the two women, their eyes glazed with terror.
"Boys," Loala murmured softly, "and Ni'Lon. I have some very bad news for you. I think Na'Laq will need to hear this from her own family members, and not from a Centauri. You have all been loyal servants to us over the years, and I felt that I owed it to you to come out here and talk to you directly. I know you must be very angry at my family, but I beseech you to remain calm. I don't want anyone else hurt by my insane brother..."
"Tell us, Loala," Ilan said to her in a surprisingly authoritative manner, "We need to know."
Loala took a deep breath before beginning.
"My dear Narns, it is very, very hard to tell you this, because I love you all so dearly. Arkonn ordered his security men to beat G'Quarn, and to keep beating him until he was dead. G'Quarn was very courageous throughout the ordeal, and he did not fight back at any time. He maintained his dignity throughout, until finally the men stopped. They were then ordered to hang G'Quarn up by his hands to your family prayer tree, the one which sits just outside the servants' settlement. He will be gone very soon, and I needed for you to know. I am so sorry, my friends...I feel ashamed to be Centauri today."
Loala clutched Ni'Lon's hand and departed respectfully from the hut, giving the family time and space to grieve together.
