The fire flowed with fluidity that could rival its opposing element. The candlelight was to be respected, as was the altar where it and its kin set spirits at ease.
"Sere Krios," her vibrating voice stirred him from his meditations. When his gaze lifted to meet hers she said, "I have to go retrieve the linens from Neelah; would you please accompany me?"
Thane stood from where he had been kneeling and straightened his back as he replied, "Of course, Dacia. You mustn't even ask." With a fleeting look at the small altar he followed the woman out the door and into the musty outdoor air.
The shuttle he'd commandeered from the science facility had only enough fuel to get him to the nearest colony. To Thane's complete surprise, he had found himself on Zorya, a planet he had visited months earlier with Anya. They were there to help Zaeed settle a score with an old business partner, but like every mission with Anya, nothing ever went as planned.
"You just cost me twenty years of my life!" The old mercenary bellows, turning the gun on Shepard. If his finger hugs the trigger any tighter the weapon is going to unload into the Commander's chest. Thane watches Zaeed, his gun aimed at the human's eye as he waits for Anya to placate her squad-mate. Her gun is level with Zaeed's torso. Her posture is more relaxed than her furious counterpart. There is resignation in Anya's glare. If the human does not restrain himself she will kill him. A brilliant orange light bursts in the distance, an explosion pushing them all down as it sends chunks of the structure into the sky.
That mission was the one and only time that Thane had visited the planet. Zorya was a human colony in the Attican Traverse. It was governed and protected by the Blue Suns. The group ran an extortion racket on the planet. There hadn't been any jobs for him. And even if there had been, Zorya had a tropical climate. Its humidity and mildewed air would have caused his Kepreal's Syndrome to accelerate a doubled rate.
When he had stepped out of the shuttle it was to his astonishment that the atmosphere hadn't enticed a single cough from him. The humidity had no effect on him. He could breathe in the moist air and his only protest was toward the stink of the fungi that consumed the planet.
At last, he had found scant answers to a few of his questions. The war had been won. The Reapers had been destroyed. And the first human Specter had successfully united the galaxy. His Anya had done the impossible, as was her trade. The pride he felt in his Siha left him speechless.
Thane could remember, in perfect detail, the distress that had clouded her emerald eyes the day he should have died. She hadn't allowed her sorrow to dissuade her from her path. Anya had saved them all and she would be returned to his arms as penance.
The few credit chits he had scavenged from the ransacked science facility had been adequate for a few nights stay at an inn located on the outskirts of the capital. But the mass effect relays had been damaged in wake of the Reaper's destruction, and they wouldn't be repaired before he ran out of money.
The elderly turian woman running the inn had a gentle heart. When Thane explained to her that he hadn't the money to continue renting a room it had been her idea to employ him. That was how he met Dacia Artacus.
Days ago, Thane woke from a coma to find that the reality he lived in was nothing like the one he'd succumbed to. It did not surprise him that a planet run by mercenaries was unable to sustain a semblance of stability. His only surprise was that Thun, the capital of Zorya, was not reduced to rubble in the face of its scared citizens. He could assume it was the Blue Suns' iron grip keeping the population in line.
The day had just begun. Above them the star that gave life to the system commenced its assent. Thane felt as though he were wading through water as he followed the turian elder down the road and into the city, but Dacia enjoyed her early morning strolls down sparsely populated streets. When Thane offered to take her in his borrowed shuttle she fervently rejected the suggestion.
"You wouldn't deny an old woman what few pleasures she still has, would you?" She asked as argument, a mischievous glint to her amber colored eyes.
And to that Thane had but one answer. They would walk, and he would gladly watch over her as she enjoyed her stroll. They both knew that Thane would leave as soon as the mass relays were reopened, but for the time that they weren't, Thane would do whatever he could for Dacia and her family.
They traveled in silence for a while, Dacia humming a turian song as she steadily sauntered through the streets. When she stopped humming, she observed, "That altar has been there since I first opened the inn years ago." Her cataract clouded eyes grinned at him in a way her lipless expression couldn't. "You are the first person to use it."
A smile slightly lifted his expression as he thought of the altar she was referring to. It was hardly more than a low shelf, draped with a deep red colored cloth, and lined with rows of always lit candles. There were no religious markers, no statues or figures, nothing that distinguished it as an altar to begin with. What it did have was an aura, a radiating peace that made those caught in its warm light bend their knees and murmur a prayer to whichever forces ruled their beliefs.
Turning his gaze up at the colors warming the heavens, he replied, "It reminds me of the temples on Kahje."
With a nod she gestured that she understood. Returning her stare to her well walked path, Dacia imparted, "Niall does not understand the importance of meditation."
Niall was her grandson. He was a slow-trusting youngling who had joined the Blue Suns to assist and protect what remained of his family. "The young rarely do," observed Thane as he watched the capital gradually wake in pursuit of the sunrise. "He will realize its importance in time."
"Before I'm dead, I hope."
Dacia regularly jested, often to Niall's horror, on the subject of her passing. The elderly turian woman did not eagerly anticipate death, but she did not pretend as though it would not soon take her. Thane detected that she made light of the topic for her grandson's sake. The years at her disposal were few. Soon, Niall would be alone. Dacia wanted her grandson to be prepared for that reality.
In all likelihood, it would only be after her departure that her grandson would realize the values his grandmother had tried to teach him. Kolyat had not revealed to Thane that he was familiar with the ways of the priests until Thane was lying in his death bed. Niall would not comprehend the importance of mediation until it was the only thing that kept him close to his loved ones.
He couldn't say so to his generous employer, though, so instead he jibed, "I was under the impression that turian elders became flies when they passed, as to always pester their loved ones even after death."
"A notion that is not too far from the truth, Sere Krios," she played along. Satisfied by their short interaction, the elder returned to her humming as they continued down their path.
Taking in a deep breath, Thane relished the forgotten feeling of Kepral's free lungs. He didn't know if he was free of the wasting disease or not. Either way he needed to find a way off of Zorya. The climate was too damp for him to risk his condition returning or advancing. If he was going to be trapped on the planet much longer he would have to find a doctor to know exactly where his condition had left him.
When consulted, Dacia nodded deeply. With a dismissive wave of her talons she informed him, "The Blue Suns employ a very talented doctor. I will ask Niall to schedule an appointment."
It was a very considerate gesture and Thane was in no position to reject it. Knowing the state of his Kepral's Syndrome was of the utmost importance. He would find a way to repay Dacia for her generosity. "If it isn't too much trouble."
"None at all," she smirked at him with her golden flecked eyes. After a few more paces a building caught her attention. "Here we are," she mumbled as she led them into the small storefront.
A bell chimed, announcing their arrival. Dacia cut through the small vacant lobby to the unoccupied register. Lightly tapping another bell, they waited for someone to come to their aid. Thane took up post in front of the wide, street facing window. Holding his hands behind his back, he watched as life began to fill the streets.
"Dacia," a female voice joined them and Thane turned in time to see a batarian woman appear behind the counter. His surprise in seeing a batarian female was eclipsed by the same woman tilting her head to the left in greeting, a gesture proclaiming her respect for the senior turian in her shop. "I knew that you'd arrive early for your linens. I just hadn't anticipated it being at the crack of dawn."
The turian chuckled at the young batarian's jest. "My age makes me sleep before it is dark and wake before it is light. Do yourself a favor, Neelah, don't grow old."
"But I'm growing older and older by the second." With a pretty flutter of a laugh the young batarian turned her attention toward the drell at her window. Smile widening she gasped, "Dacia," her tone was playfully scolding, "You didn't tell me that you'd found yourself a handsome young suitor."
"Oh, where are my manners?" Waving Thane over, she began the introductions. "Neelah, this is Sere Thane Krios. I have recently employed him to assist me with the inn." Placing her eyes on Thane she continued, "Thane, this is Neelah, the batarian beauty that refuses to court my grandson."
When Thane bowed as greeting Neelah tilted her head to the left to return the gesture. "Neelah Isimahr," she offered. All four eyes pointing at Dacia she corrected, "As if Niall would ever have the slightest desire to court me. He'd sooner date a human." Before the conversation could escalate into a discussion, the batarian excused herself to go retrieve Dacia's linens.
"Mark my words, Thane, I will make her my granddaughter-in-law if it is the last thing I do."
He couldn't suppress his amusement and allowed a smirk to lift his lips. "Noted, Dacia."
When Neelah returned it was with a mountainous heap of whites, neatly folded, and still warm from being dried. Thane removed the mountain from the counter top, holding it patiently as he allowed Dacia to finish her transaction.
"Any news of Palavan?" asked Neelah as she scanned the elder's omni tool.
"Only the bits and pieces that leak through the ANN." Dacia shook her head, mandibles clasping tightly as she glanced out the window at the life outside.
Neelah also shook her head, frustration in her movements. Crossing her arms, she commented, "I don't understand how we can still get the news, but we can't get a single comm. signal to function."
"Niall tells me that the Blue Suns had hired someone to fix the comm.'s when they had first gone down."
Head tilting to the right Neelah scoffed, "Probably a human, no doubt."
"Whatever they are, they'd better find a way to fix our comm. signal before we have an uprising." With a sigh Dacia gave Thane a once over before wishing the young woman farewell. The bell chimed again as they left the shop. "Batarians and their prejudices, that girl is far too young to harbor any sort of hate towards any being."
Thane felt no inclination to voice an opinion. He had met very many batarians in his lifetime, had killed most of them. It was that very four eyed species that had murdered Irikah those many years ago, but a race could not be held responsible for the misdeeds of an individual. Thane wouldn't condemn Neelah to the same fate as Irikah's murderers just for the fact that she was batarian.
They walked in silence as they returned to the inn. Thun was in full bustle now that the star that dominated the sky had roused everyone from their homes. Sky cars and shuttles sped through the heavens and Blue Sun mercenaries patrolled the streets in case of Dacia's foreboding of riot occurred.
"Put those away," Dacia instructed as she hobbled her way towards the inn. "And then meet me in the kitchen."
"Yes, ma'am," Thane responded and did as he was told.
In the few days that he had gotten to know the charitable turian that sheltered him, Thane learned that she was a curious woman with a sense of humor that reminded him a bit of Anya. She didn't tiptoe around a subject she deemed worth discussing. In her age she had discarded social graces for bluntness and practicality. A part of him was concerned over what this meeting in the kitchen meant for him.
"Sit," the woman instructed as he entered the kitchen. Her back was to him as she rummaged around for two mugs, the teapot howling in the background. Finding all that she needed, Dacia silenced the screeching and turned to join Thane at the table.
"Tea?" she offered as she set the mug down before him and started pouring the scalding hot water.
"Please," he answered, though it would have been far too late to say otherwise.
With a humph the elder sat down across from him and began to prepare her own tea. "Now, Sere Krios, I hope that I'm not overstepping my boundaries, but I would like to get to know the man that has so recently come into my employment."
That was fair. The Artacus elder had been very benevolent to him. The least he could do to repay her was answer a few questions. Thane blew the steam off of the lip of his mug before taking a cautious sip. The welcomed warmth filled his mouth. It was a familiarity that he shut his eyes to savor.
Opening his eyes, Thane retorted, "If that is your wish, I will answer your questions to the best of my abilities."
There wasn't even a pause before her first question was thrown out before him. "Do you have a family, Thane?"
"A son," he answered truthfully, feeling no need to lie to the older turian. "He is about the same age as Niall."
"And his mother?"
He sipped his tea. "Dead."
She bowed her head, "I'm sorry for your loss."
"It was many years ago." He returned her gesture in gratitude.
"Have you found a replacement?"
Thane's tea almost sprayed out from his nose. If he hadn't learned the Artacus elder's ways in his short employment he would have taken insult to her poorly worded question. With a cough he set down his mug and leaned back into his seat. He allowed a smirk to twist his lips as he regarded the turian so many years his senior.
"Dacia, your loveliness could rival that of any asari matriarch. Surely you can find a better man than I to meet your needs."
With a chuckle her mandibles flapped in mirth. "Keep up the charm, drell. This old bag of bones could teach you a thing or two in the art of love."
"Of that I have little doubt," was his rebuke. In answer to her query he said, "There is a woman."
"A human?" He nodded. "Do you love her?"
"With every beat of my heart."
"Oh, a romantic," she clasped her talons together in a very female display of pleasure. "I never would have guessed." Lifting her mug to her lipless mouth she asked, "Where is she?" before taking a drink.
The ANN kept daily reports on Anya's condition. Thane listened almost religiously, anticipating any mention of his Siha. If she fought only a while longer they would be together again. He now had the rest of his life to offer her and his son. The only obstacles standing between them, now, were the relays.
Smiling to himself Thane responded, "The Citadel."
"What brought you to Zorya?" Dacia tilted her head as she observed, "You don't seem the gun for hire type."
Thane's smile almost deepened. That was exactly the type he was.
"Fate," it was the only answer he could give her because it was the only answer he had.
"And what did you do before fate brought to my doorstep?"
Thane knew that if he told her the truth she would have been unfazed by it. The elderly woman had an unshakable mien about her. But it was a truth that could potentially endanger her or Niall. So he chose another truth. "I was trying to be a good father to my son."
"That is no easy task," she said as though in admiration of a valiant effort.
He didn't feel as though his efforts had been valiant. Ducking away from her admiration he admitted, "I have made more mistakes than can be accounted for."
"Parenthood has never been, and will never be, a duty performed to perfection. Your mistakes, and your ability to own them, are what make you a perfect father."
Raising his mug to the woman across from him he took another sip. "Beauty and wisdom," he allowed a smile to take his lips. "How am I to resist a temptress of such caliber?"
"Alright," she stood from the table with a laugh. Scooping up his empty mug, her mandibles clicked in a turian grin before she shuffled towards the sink. "I've taken up enough of your time. Thank you for humoring an old crone."
Thane stood from his seat. "It was my pleasure," he said to her back before slinking away to begin his duties.
His recent employment had taught him how poorly versed he was in the ways of the mundane. He hadn't the slightest idea how to fold linens prior to working for the Artacus family, but Dacia was patient, and taught him what he needed to know. She may have lacked a certain social grace, but that didn't negate her charms.
The day pressed on as Thane worked. It was not snapping necks or hunting targets, but the work was fulfilling, and allowed him to be satisfied in the knowledge that he was marginally repaying the elder Artacus' kindness.
As night fell, Thane retreated to the small garden behind the inn. There he started with a quick meditation before finding the center of the greenery and commencing his training.
It felt good to stretch and pull his muscles again, to be reminded of the strength stored within his body. He had lost too much muscle mass while unconscious, but now that he was alive and eating properly he would be back to his fighting shape in no time.
"Where did you come from?" Niall's shuddering voice announced his arrival. He stepped out onto the grass, crossed his arms, and glared at Thane with those amber eyes he and Dacia shared.
Thane heard the young turian's approach as soon as he had exited the inn. Without stopping his workout he replied, "The drell home world is Rakhana, though I was born and raised on Kahje." He was well aware that Niall did not trust him as Dacia did, and didn't take the boy's hostility personally. The boy didn't share his grandmother's quick assessment of character.
"No," the impatient turian hissed. "Before my grandmother took you in."
Thane threw several well orchestrated punches into the air before doing a spin kick and landing gracefully on his feet. "The last memories I have are of the Citadel."
Niall shook his head incredulously. "You don't remember how you got here?"
"The drell have perfect memory recall," he stated before answering, "And I have no memories of how I arrived on this planet."
The young Artacus reminded Thane of Kolyat. The insecurities of a boy becoming a man were mirrored across both young males. Bitterness and anger were two more unfortunate similarities that he found between them.
"How convenient." Mandibles flicking with dissatisfaction, he announced, "I don't trust you, drell. You come out of nowhere, work for then befriend my grandmother, and you fight like you know nothing else; which I happen to know as fact. You're a shitty houseman."
Finally halting his exercises, Thane turned to face the turian adorned in heavy Blue Suns armor. "I understand and accept your distrust of me, Niall, but I can assure you that I don't mean you or your grandmother harm. I was in an unfortunate place and your grandmother took pity on me. For that I will always be grateful, as well as in your family's debt."
The boy sighed with displeasure but did not press the subject. Uncrossing his arms he jabbed a finger in Thane's direction as he growled, "I'll be keeping a close eye on you, Krios."
Thane bowed, "I would expect no less." Straightening his back, he started for the inn. As he passed Niall he said, "Goodnight, I'll see you in the morning."
Without turning to watch Thane's departure, Niall wondered, "Aren't you coming to supper?" He glanced over his shoulder to meet the assassin's questioning gaze. "Grandmother enjoys your company."
Bowing his head again Thane agreed to supper. "I should bathe first."
A smirk wrestled his mouth. The turian may not like him, but he respected his grandmother too much to disagree with her judgment. Their differences were many and far between, but Niall would not be the first turian that Thane had formed an unlikely friendship with.