Chapter 17
Jim
Jim cringed away from the healers touch as she adjusted the dressing on his side. The wound on his side felt like it was on fire. T'Palla had done her best to dress his wound, but it still oozed sluggishly attracting attention causing Jim to be brought to the healer for treatment. Stop fighting or I will have you restrained. She warned. She had just finished redressing the wound after cleaning it and smearing something on it that smelled medicinal. Now, if you hold still, I may be able to reduce your pain. Jim frowned wondering what she meant. Before he could contemplate further, she brought her fingers to psi points and uttered the now familiar phrase, my mind to your mind, my thoughts to your thoughts. Jim thrashed in panic once the realization hit him that she was attempting a meld, but it too late. Jim's world spun and then went dark.
T'Prin gasped as she glimpsed into the slaves mind. Impossible. The slave was psi-null, yet though she could not explain it, it was undeniable. There was a bond. It was not yet fully formed, but it was strong despite that fact. She cut the meld short, only offering the barest effort at pain relief in order to avoid further manipulation. Disturbing a bond, even one that was not yet fully formed, was taboo and was punishable by death. How was a psi-null slave able to form a bond? Where was his bonded? Before T'Prin could decide what action to take, the slave started to come around with a groan.
"Spock?" He murmured clearly still disoriented from the meld.
Is that the name of your bonded? She asked unable to mask the surprise in her voice. Before the slave could respond, the sounds of yelling distracted them both.
"Christ, what now?" Jim asked himself in hoarse voice as he clutched his aching head. The pain in his side was now a dull memory, but in its place was a terrible headache. Jim closed his eyes in effort to dull it. But they snapped opened and his breath caught when he heard a familiar voice, one that he never thought he would hear again.
"Where is James T. Kirk? I demand that you release him!" Spock, the voice was Spock's, but there was something off about it. It was angry and unsteady. Jim then heard a deep threatening growl that chilled him to the bone. What in God's name was that?
"T'Prin! Bring him!" Jim recognized the voice the regal female warrior who had warned that his freedom must be earned. Jim was then pulled roughly to his feet out of the healer's quarters and into the open.
"Jim!" Spock shouted once he spotted him. Jim's mouth dropped in shock. Spock looked savage. He was covered in sweat and his clothing was in tatters and stained green with blood. In his hands he held a lipra and Bones, who now appeared to be fully grown, stood at his side ready to come to his defense.
"Spock!" Jim replied and tried to move towards him, but was stopped by the regal looking female.
His freedom must be earned, she insisted as the tribe members gathered round to watch the spectacle. T'Palla's words came back to him and before he could consider the consequences, he shouted the phrase "marriage or challenge" aloud praying that Spock would fight for him.
Spock tilted his head with a glance between Jim and the female in askance. Koon-ut-kal-if-fe, will you honor the rite? Spock asked in a hoarse voice as his grip tightened on the weapon.
The female nodded and help up a hand. The tribe began to chant "Koon-ut-kal-if-fe!" The female drew a large circle in the sand and Jim was then bound at the ankles and wrists and tied to tree facing the circle.
Call off your beast and enter the circle if you dare. The female challenged as she beckoned one of her warrior's forward. Savik was the one who found the slave during battle, and therefore he will be the one to fight for him. She explained.
"Call him, Jim." Spock ground out in a voice that was far from steady. Jim took a deep breath and called out.
"Bones, come." The sehlat responded immediately moving to Jim's side with a soft whine. "Good boy." Jim whispered hoping that he had not just made a grave mistake. If Spock lost, then they were now all doomed.