Zo'or paced the length of the Mothership's audience chamber. He hadn't slept well. Da'an had plagued him all night, disturbing his dreams. Not a moment passed that he didn't think of the North American Companion. With the images, there was a presence. It assaulted his mind—reaching, searching, trying to connect with the Commonality. It couldn't be Da'an. Da'an had been missing for a year. He'd been separated from the Commonality. There was no way he could still be alive.
"Zo'or?"
He turned as Liam entered the room. "Yes?" he sneered in the Major's direction. He didn't need anymore problems at the moment.
"A very strange course of events has taken place…."
***
"How are you doing?" Sandoval asked, sitting down beside Vanyel.
Vanyel opened his eyes at the voice. "Fine," he assured him. Truthfully, he felt like he'd taken on a pack of wyrsa by himself. His head pounded and his body ached. But there was little reason to worry Sandoval with that.
"Right," Sandoval replied sarcastically. "You look a little better than yesterday."
Nodding, Vanyel smiled at him. He should have known he couldn't fool Sandoval. "I feel better than yesterday. What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Sandoval said shortly.
Silently, Vanyel cursed himself. He shouldn't have asked. It was obvious something was wrong, Sandoval was pale and his eyes betrayed his pain. But he knew better than to push it. With his question, Sandoval had pulled back into himself, hiding the pain inside. Sandoval was too much like him, and he knew exactly what keeping his suffering to himself had cost him. He couldn't let Sandoval do the same. "Tell me." Vanyel reached out, taking Sandoval's hand in support.
Sandoval looked up, meeting his eyes. Vanyel forced himself not to look away. The pain in them was almost too much to bear; Sandoval's hurt was his own, and this overwhelmed his friend. A familiar presence surrounded his mind. Vanyel relaxed, dropping his shields. The presence washed over his mind—warm, gentle waves surrounding his consciousness. A current tugged at his being and Vanyel allowed himself to be engulfed by it, drawn steadily deeper into the turmoil.
He hadn't a clue how much time had passed when Sandoval finally released him. It truly didn't matter. Without a word, Vanyel forced himself to sit up, ignoring the protest of his bruised muscles, and pulled Sandoval to him. "It's okay, my raven," he whispered. He reached up, stroking Sandoval's hair. His fingers lingered over the feather braided into the soft, black locks. The plait was starting to come undone, stray pieces of hair working themselves out of place. He smoothed several of them back into order, then let his hand continue on, dropping and tracking the line of Sandoval's jaw. "Ke'chara…." he started, then stopped. He hadn't considered how this would affect Sandoval. Foolishly, he had thought the man would be pleased to return. He'd forgotten how much pain this world had caused. And being once again in the midst of what had hurt him was only making things worse. Every time he turned around he was reminded of what he had been…what he had done.
A tear streaked down Sandoval's cheek. Vanyel let his eyes follow it. Light glistened off the wet trail it left on Sandoval's face. He didn't bother to wipe it away. While he wasn't a kestra'chern, he knew from personal experience that Sandoval needed to cry. Stopping the tears would only encourage him to draw back within himself….
"I'm sorry," Sandoval apologized, choking back his tears. He turned his head, pulling away.
"Don't be," Vanyel assured him. Firmly, but gently, he placed his hands on Sandoval's shoulders, holding him where he was. "Don't ever be sorry for what they have done to you."
Sandoval smiled slightly—a forced, melancholy smile. "Thank you."
Vanyel flinched; Sandoval was brushing him off avoiding the subject. He resisted the urge to inquire further into the matter. That would most likely require Sunlark.
"You look better," Sandoval said, changing the subject.
"Wish I could say the same about you, my friend."
***
:Serous hungry!:
Sunlark yawned, stretching. Since Sandoval and Liam had left after their fight, he'd traded the chair he was sleeping in for the floor. It wasn't the most comfortable place he'd slept before, but it definitely wasn't the worst either.
:Hungry!: the falcon screamed again in Mindspeech.
Rolling over to face the bird, Sunlark sighed. Bondbirds could be such a nuisance. He was happy he had never taken to one. "I am not your bonded. Talk to Sandoval."
The falcon chirped agitatedly and bobbed its head. Sunlark propped himself up on the floor. Serous probably was hungry. He had no doubt Sandoval would have fed the bird before they left the Vale, but since then…. There wasn't much for Serous to hunt in this building. And after studying the surrounding area from the windows, he doubted there was much to stalk out there either. Perhaps Sandoval had thought to pack some dried meat. Serous wouldn't like it, but at least it would shut him up.
:Hungry! Feed now! Feed Serous! Now hungry! Feed now! Feed!:
"I don't have anything to feed you," Sunlark tried to explain.
Serous wasn't listening. This time he screeched, flapping his wings. :Feed! Feed! Feed! Hungry!:
Standing, Sunlark scoffed. This bird was worse than some spoiled child throwing a tantrum.
:Hungry, hungry! Feed! Fly! Feedfeedfeed!: Serous started hopping from foot to foot.
Sunlark started towards the falcon. There was one proven method for dealing with annoying children…. Something moved in the doorway to the room. Serous saw it as Sunlark did. The bird's eyes widened, taking on a wild quality. He took to the air, rushing in the direction of the movement.
Sunlark cursed to himself. No telling what that feather brained bird had in mind. No doubt he thought whatever coming into the room was something he could eat. :Serous,: he commanded via Mindspeech, extending his arm. :Here. Now.: The bird seemed to ignore him for a moment, then doubled back.
He landed roughly in full flight, his wings striking Sunlark's face in attempts to stop and keep his balance. Thick, sharp talons bit into Sunlark's arm, piercing his thin robe as if it were nothing. "Sheka!" He nearly dropped the bird. Quickly, he launched Serous towards one of the chairs in the room. He complied, perching on the back of it.
A very stricken Liam stepped into the room. Sunlark hardly glanced at him, more concerned with his arm. Blood was beginning to seep through the thin cloth, staining the light material a vivid scarlet. Now he remembered what made Bondbirds worse than children—their beaks and talons. He glared at Serous.
The falcon cocked its head to one side, studying the blood soaked sleeve. :Serous sorry.:
"You had best be sorry," Sunlark warned him. He turned to Liam. "Don't mind Serous, he's just hungry."
"Hungry?"
Sunlark nodded. "He'll behave himself for a bit." Serous chirped in agreement. Perhaps the bird wasn't as stupid as he thought, it seemed to realize it could get in serious trouble for this.
"Who will behave?"
Sunlark turned at Sandoval's voice. Sandoval was coming out of the office, Vanyel leaning on his shoulder. They stopped, Sandoval's eyes going immediately to Sunlark's bloody arm. He helped Vanyel to stand on his own, then rushed to Sunlark's side. "What happened?"
"It is nothing. Some scratches. I was clumsy in my handling of Serous; it is my fault," Sunlark explained. He let his eyes fall on Vanyel. The mage looked much better. Though still slightly pale, he'd started to regain some of his color. And that he could walk was a good sign, even if he still needed help. He'd recover…as usual. Seemed Vanyel had a knack for that, pulling through just about anything.
Sunlark started, broken from his thoughts, as a sharp pain shot up his arm. Sandoval was rolling up his sleeve, revealing the wounds. They were deeper than he had expected. Serous was small for a bondbird, especially a gyrfalcon, and he hadn't stayed perched on his arm for long. Still, he had done his fair share of damage. The punctures were ragged, nearly reaching the bone in places. Sandoval took a soft cloth from a leather pouch at his waist and began to clean the wounds.
"That is not necessary, my friend," Sunlark told him. "I can bind it myself."
"And so can I, just as easily." Sandoval motioned towards a nearby chair.
Relaxing, Sunlark let himself be guided towards it. In truth, he was happy to let Sandoval tend to the matter. Watching Sandoval wipe away the blood that welled from the cuts had begun to make him dizzy. There was a reason he was a kestra'chern and not a Healer. Satisfied with his cleaning, Sandoval placed his hands over the wounds. Sunlark closed his eyes, feeling energy flow from Sandoval's hands to his arm. Moments later, Sandoval was wrapping the area with another strip of cloth.
Sunlark smiled, opening his eyes. Sandoval had come a long way since the first time he had seen him. Then he had worried the man would never learn to deal with his Gifts—to accept them, to use them…. He was pleased he had been wrong. "Vanyel, Moondance, and Starwind have taught you well."
"Thank you. I still have much to learn."
"Less than you realize," Sunlark assured him. "With your unique combination of Gifts, I think you could master most duties of a kestra'chern. Think about it, please. I would be happy to instruct you."
"I will consider the offer," Sandoval commented, glancing around the room. His eyes found Serous' form and he headed over to the bird. The room fell silent.
"You're Vanyel?" Liam asked finally.
Vanyel nodded. "I assume they have filled you in on everything that has happened. Yet I have not had the pleasure of being introduced to you."
Liam smiled good-naturedly. "Major Liam Kincaid, Companion Protector."
Sunlark did his best not to laugh out loud. Companion protector. Hell if any Companion he knew needed protection. And that included Da'an. He'd seen Da'an and Yfandes out on the practice field. Separately, they could be a major problem, together…their strength was deadly. A single mage bolt could change one's world drastically.
Vanyel seemed to share his thoughts. "I'm afraid I don't know of many Companions that need protection, either of the two or four-legged variety."
"Every Taelon here on Earth has a Protector—to run their Embassy and to coordinate security." Liam switched terms to avoid 'Companion.'
"That's what Sandoval did, is it not?" Vanyel asked. Sunlark couldn't miss the look of repulsion that crossed the mage's face at the idea.
"What Sandoval does," Liam corrected him. "He serves Zo'or."
Sunlark flinched. This was not good.
"Not any longer," Sandoval interjected before Vanyel had a chance to answer. He rejoined them, Serous on his arm tearing at a strip of dried meat.
"And who are you to dictate when you will and will not serve the Taelons?"
The feel of the room changed in an instant, Sunlark noted. One second it had been relaxed and informal, now it was tense and vicious. A fire smoldered in Liam's eyes, a passion that hadn't been there previously. And the object of that fervor was clear—Sandoval. Sandoval had to know, with his strong empathy he had to know. Sunlark searched his face for any sign of retaliation. There was none. It was as if Sandoval didn't notice.
"It is my choice," Sandoval said assuredly.
"You made your choice when you accepted the Taelon's offer."
"Liam, you don't understand…." Sandoval started.
"Don't understand?!" Liam yelled, moving a step closer to Sandoval. "No, you don't understand. You don't understand what I've done this past year. I lost my Companion! Do you have any clue what that would be like? I searched for a year to find Da'an, until Zo'or required I come serve him instead. I took your place on the Mothership. I was forced to do their dirty work!" Liam paused. The silence was heavy, still weighted with Liam's anger. "I am not going to let you escape this. You will not be free, Sandoval, not while I am chained here in your place." Liam turned to walk away, but Sandoval stepped up to block his path.
"The hell I don't understand. I worked for them for four years. I know what they're capable of. They destroyed my life, destroyed who I was. I've escaped from their grasp and I won't go back to that. I won't. I'll die before I serve Zo'or again."
"Sandoval…." Sunlark warned. Sandoval's demeanor hadn't changed. Each word was carefully thought out, delivered calmly, rationally. His face showed nothing but a distant indifference. But under the surface…Sunlark could feel his anger building. He wondered if Sandoval had any clue how destructive his anger could be now that he was an Empath.
Vanyel glanced to him and he knew they shared the same concern. Sunlark built a light mental shield and extended it to include Liam. Just in case.
"Don't, my raven," Vanyel struggled to rise and went to Sandoval, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"You don't have a choice," Liam snapped. "I spoke to Zo'or today. He's pleased that you've returned. As for your CVI and skrill, they're replaceable. It's a one way ticket, Sandoval, and it has your name on it."
Sunlark flinched as he felt something push against his shields. Sandoval, no doubt. He drew them tighter about Liam.
"Ke'chara, no," Vanyel whispered.
From where Sunlark was sitting, he saw Vanyel start to go down before anyone else could register it. "Vanyel?" he asked, concerned. No answer. "Vanyel?!"
Sandoval jumped as if waking from a daze. He knelt immediately at Vanyel's side.
"Come." Sunlark stood and motioned to Liam. He went to the far end of the room and waited for the man. When Liam stopped before him, he scoffed. "You are lucky Vanyel is good at playing a wounded bird. Sandoval would have killed you otherwise."
"He doesn't scare me."
"He should." Sunlark nodded politely, then turned and walked away.
***
"You're certain you're alright?" Sandoval glanced to Vanyel once more. His sudden relapse worried him. He hadn't expected Vanyel to collapse like that. He should have been paying more attention.
"I'm fine," Vanyel assured him once again. "But you are not."
"I don't know what you mean," Sandoval protested.
Vanyel frowned, attempting to sit up. "Being here is hard on you. They hurt you, ke'chara, there is no denying that. They destroyed your life. And now they seek to force you back into that existence."
"I won't…."
"I know."
Sandoval shook his head, barely listening. "I can't go back; I've hurt too many people. I'd rather die than go through that again."
"You don't have to." Vanyel nodded towards Liam. "But he is in the same position you are. They have hurt him too. Is it fair to hold that against him?"
***