Chapter Ten: Prejudice

Chapter Ten: Prejudice

Courtney sighed as she said goodbye to Gui'Yata again. This time she was hunting for her Taura. She was being sent to Toam for her hunt, she was hunting a creature the Soua called lnausto, a monster of a thing, built like a dragon of the medieval times. It had seven legs, and could become invisible at will. She was definitely apprehensive. She was to hunt as many as she could kill, and return alive.

She sat in the drop ship meditating trying to concentrate on her training. Hoping that she could pull this off. She was interrupted by the tone that told her of their two-minute approach warning. She retested her restraints and made ready for the sickening feeling that would signify detachment.

She must have blacked out again during drop, for she awoke when the autonav settled the shuttle to the ground. She unlatched her belts quickly, stretching, and began to double-check her equipment. She tried to make it a slow check, for there was a good six to seven days for her to hunt. But her nerves did other than her brain wanted, fumbling over latches, passing frantically over the seals of her mask. She grabbed the side of the chair trying to stop her hyperactive movements. She took several deep breaths trying to calm her pounding heart. She had done this a million times, she told herself, and this was only one more. Yes, another part of her said, but Gui' had always been there, before.

"Stop it" she said aloud in English.

"Restate query..." the computer belched in Sou, still not programmed for her native language.

"I was not talking to you..." she growled in Sou, "Open the hatch," she finished.

The mecca complied without another sound, and Courtney stepped out into the tempest of the planets winter. She gritted her teeth against the icy wind that immediately chilled her bones. They in the Eesan seemed to insist on putting her into cold weather situations. She growled involuntarily at the thought of the Eesan. They had been conspiring against her since her arrival, never was it so obvious as now. They had insisted on her only using advanced mechanical weapons. No plasma cannon, no smart missiles, no self-destruct. That left her the Raspa, the Disa, her sword and dagger. That would give her no advantage against creatures that roamed in family groups of four or more individuals. After use, with exception of the Disa, she would have to expose herself to danger to retrieve each weapon. She grasped the Raspa tighter, its bitingly cold surface bringing her numbed mind back to the present. She shook her hair back, a reactive response considering her hair was firmly tied at the nape of her neck. She was more trying to control her anxiousness, she then tried to settle into her hunt patterning.

She tried to see through the blowing sleet tinged rain, and even her infrared was fuzzy with the cold interference. Noises were distorted or completely drowned out but the constant patter. She was going to be hard put to identify any sounds at all unless the rain let up.

She tracked all day with no success, and decided to make camp for the night, exhausted and wet to the bone. She could not feel either her hands or her feet. She sat down against a semi-sheltering tree and set up her heating unit, trying to return some sensation to her numb digits. She was more than reluctant to remove her mask to eat, for it told her it was just thirty-five degrees, but her hunger won out and she risked chilled ears.

Sometime during the night she dozed off but she could not recall when. Stiffly she got to her feet, and put her pack back together. With a heavy sigh she trekked further from her landing site, hoping this day would produce something. It was still raining, though it was not half as heavy as the night before. But the chill and the monotony were beginning to take its toll on her, for her senses were not as sharp as they should have been. She had found tracks but they were old and most had been washed away by the rain. But just to do something reasonably constructive she followed them as best she could. After several hours and several dozen miles she had come up empty again, for the trail disappeared totally. She groaned loudly, and slumped to her knees. The sun had come out and it was a little comfort, but not a lot.

She ate another meal, watching a storm gather on the horizon, a dark green cloud. On Earth that would mean it was a moisture-laden thunderstorm, that was quick but drenching. She wondered offhand if that assumption still would apply on this alien soil. She cleaned up and prepared for the worst.

She found her assumption right as she was forced not to move. The downpour was such that she was unable to even see her own feet, and definitely could not feel them. Her computer was barely able to keep a lock on the drop ships position, much less, tell her where she was headed. So she sat miserable and wishing this fool hunt were over with. But if she went back empty handed she would have to remain in training for an indefinite period of time, until the Eesan felt she was again ready. She just knew that would be a very long period, if they had their way. Not only that but Gui'Yata would be ridiculed, and go through the ribbing his comrades were already ready to give him. As miserable as she was she knew she would have to bring at least one trophy home.

Courtney was not aware when the rain finally let up. Her body and her mind were numb. Part of her mind became alert as a noise different from the background reached her. Slowly she focused her eyes, and remained perfectly still, trying to pinpoint the sound. What reached her told her a lot of information, it was large, probably one and a half times her mass. It walked on seven feet sounding a little like a herd in itself, and was probably predatory, for the noises were made by something that made very little noise. But her hearing being enhanced by the mask had picked up the swishing of parting vegetation. And it was coming in her direction, she slowly released her modified raspa from storage and extended it, making ready for a throw. It broke through the bushes just the other side of the small clearing, and froze. The draconian thing sniffed the air as its faceted eyes reflected the sun just peeking through the clouds. It grunted and huffed, unsure what to make of her, Courtney dared not move. It had a short blocky snout, pitch black in color. Its purple needle-like teeth could be seen as it tested the air with a white fleshed tongue. The spines that adorned its cheek rose and fell as the creature decided whether its new acquaintance was friend or foe, the webbing expanding and contracting with their natural elasticity. Its short thick neck and broad withers spoke of great strength, but its rump and hind legs looked just as powerful, speaking perhaps of quick agility as well as power. It was definitely an Inausto. Its hide was scarred attesting to the many battles that it had fought for dominance, it would make a nice first trophy.

Courtney panicked suddenly as the creature disappeared from her sight. She stood tensely hoping it would reappear. Then she berated herself, he was only invisible in normal spectrums of light. "Quos" she whispered and watched her world change to colored shapes, infrared. But the creature was quick, for it was not anywhere in the close vicinity, which is when she picked up on the rustling behind her. She ducked just in time, as the Inausto leapt at her. It skidded to a stop again in the clearing, bellowing a roar that rattled her teeth. She wondered as she regarded the large creature where the rest of the pack was.

The creature rushed her again and she just dodged its claws, but she did manage to slice its hide with the sword that was her mentor's present to her. Unfortunately, it was not a weapon that was best used for that, for her arm was almost ripped out of the socket. The barb had acted as a hook and stuck as the creature went by, ripping its hilt from her hand. She swore at the burning pain that radiated down her arm.

The creature again screamed trying to reach the annoying barbed thing still in his spine. While it was occupied with her sword she took aim with the raspa, the only spot on the creature that would give her a quick kill was an armored spot near the upper portion of its shoulder. It began twisting in small circles still preoccupied with the sword causing it pains. The jarring movement was enough to dislodge the sword and it fell to the earth with a dull thud. With that annoyance gone the creature returned it attention to her, but that was fine. She hurled the raspa with a grunt, and watched satisfied as it hit its mark and carried the Inaustos body several feet into the surrounding bushes. Cautiously she approached the downed creature, leaning down to retrieve the sword.

Raising the sword for a possible Coup DE Gras, she parted the bushes between her and her kill. Its snout had dulled to gray, well then it was dead. She stepped over the bulky creature attempting to free the raspa from swollen flesh. The process of freeing the device was noisy and Courtney was unaware of the pack approaching, alerted to a kill by the subvocal call the dying loner had made. The pack saw Courtney as a challenger for the meat they assumed was theirs.

The hiss was Courtney's only warning to imminent attack, she whirled still holding to the raspa with one hand. The pack was a large one, ten individuals, all on the scrawny side from a harsh winter of bad hunting. The pack leader was atop her before she could react or move out of the way. She felt the claw scrape her mask, as the other foreleg pinned her thigh with five inch claws. She screamed as the creature raked its claws through her quad muscle. Not thinking, in a sort of animal rage she lashed out with the sword she had somehow held onto. She caught the beast midway up the neck with a slashing motion. The sharp edge along with the barbed hooks ripped the esophagus loose. And she found herself covered in warm blue blood. The creature opened its mouth in a silent scream, and toppled over on its side, slowly suffocating. Courtney attempted to sit up, but she was hindered by a tangle of branches that were weaved through her hair. In desperation she yanked hard, knowing that the pack would give her little respite. The binding at the nape of her neck broke freeing her hair. She dragged herself a short distance away before getting painfully to her feet. She turned facing the rest of the pack, reaching slowly to the left side of her pack. She eased the Disa out of its storage. She sheathed her sword, unwilling to risk further injury by its use, and in turn pulled the sasa from its sheath at her waist. Leaning on her good leg, she regarded the creatures from between the corridor her hair made with her head at that angle. They were milling about unsure what their next move should be. Most of the creatures backed off, though as she attempted to cull her trophies she was forced into defending herself from several desperate young males. When the message was clear to the rest of the Inausto they backed away heads down in submission, and waited for her to take her fill.

She was as quick taking her trophies as she could in her pain. She packed them in a bag and retreated from the scene, feeling compassion for the starving pack, and watched as the descended on the four corpses she had left to them. She smiled tiredly, glad that she was helping them in return for several of their kins lives.

She tried to stop the shaking in her hands in her attempt to staunch the bleeding from the gouges in her thigh. She felt as if she had put indents in her Sasa as she sewed them shut and spread totant over it. She had found her ear bleeding as well its tip almost totally ripped from the body, from the claw that had scraped against her mask. It must have slipped right into the area and taken its toll on her ear instead of her face. She took it the rest of the way off, sealing the cut with totant also, not really wanting to bother with sewing through her ear to secure it. She raised a hand to the mask, feeling the three parallel gashes in the tough metal. Luckily the lenses were inset or else they might have been damaged also. Her shoulder throbbed with dull pain, and she was pretty sure it was dislocated.

She was barely coherent as she made her way back to the drop ship, following the beeps in her ear that kept her in the right direction. She was still weak from blood loss, and her stomach would not hold any food what so ever down. If she had not tied her trophy bag to her belt and let it drag she probably would have lost it long before she finally reached her entry point.

When she reached the shuttle she was on the point of collapse, and gladly slumped in the one seat.

"Moso," she whispered, "Somsu, tarn dusa... And set up an IV." She had drifted into English and centered her concentration to give the last command in Sou. She had requested time to pick up and something liquid to eat, still sure that she would lose it as soon as she got it down.

"Ten hours to liftoff, twelve to rendezvous, do you wish some other medical attention."

"No just keep an eye on me, if problems develop stabilize me and then send a message to Quarta, to prepare the soyan."

"Affirmative." She drifted to sleep shortly after swallowing several gulps of soup she had programmed the drop ship for, the only soup she found palatable.

She was waken from her exhausted slumber when the drop-ship chimed lift off. She felt slightly better, and managed to down the rest of the cold soup. The two hours that she was left to wait she cleaned her wounds again and cleaned her trophies. Toward the twelfth hour she became hungry for something a little more solid and ate some xaca that was still left.

The hours after the pick up were slow and Courtney drifted back to sleep. They arrived back at Donona landing field some twenty hours later, all of which Courtney had slept through. And she woke to the ping that signaled docking, stiff, tired and barely able to move.

She moved slowly down the ladder to the main vessel and out the hatch. The High Eesan was there waiting solemnly for the warriors to present themselves. For the first time she realized there were only two others that had returned from the hunt. She looked at the survivors hard Noma was missing. She said a silent prayer for the hunter, hoping that he had died painlessly.

She in her turn set her trophies at the Eesans feet and knelt awaiting judgement. She was not privy to the surprised looks that the Eesa's gave each other.

"Rise, Raha." The Speaker said in monotone, and she did as she was told, "You have honored your line again, Raha." He said in anything but the formal ritual usually accomplished. He turned her arm over and carved the Taura tattoo on the inside of her right arm, then he did speak the formal acceptance, "You are now one of the worthy, a Taura. With it comes the responsibility to pass on your cunning so those you teach shall honor you."

She nodded silently, and he dismissed her with a look. She gathered her trophies, and retreated from the intimidating presence of the High Eesan. She was not relishing the thought of having to saddle a yimhi for the trip home, but she made her way to the dome where the creatures were kept. She was concentrating on her own feet, trying to put one in front of the other. When she reached the door and it slid away she ran into someone. She stumbled backward, trying to recover her balance. She lifted her heavy head to apologize to the Soua who stood before her.

"I..." her apology stuck in her throat.

"Raha, time to go home..." Gui'Yata said in a whisper, as she smiled, slumping into his arms. Gently he lifted her limp form and mounted the Yimhi he had rode to the field on. He made sure to keep track of her trophy bag. He secured her in the saddle and headed back for the city.

Courtney woke several hours later in the familiar dwelling that belonged to her mentor and friend.

Courtney was restless, she pushed back the light covers of her sleeping pad and quietly got up. She and Gui'Yata shared the same quarters, a sparse but roomy growth close to the main bulk of the city. It was not decorative like Sora's, but he had his own share of collectibles. There were foreign plants, in terrarium bubbles here and there along the circular walls, bizarre things seeming twisted and misshapen, yet having their own beauty. One contained a tangle of gray and black thorns, devoid of leaves. Inside the cage of thorns, like a princess in a dungeon was a beautiful electric blue flower, reminding her of an orchid. It was his second speciality, botany, and in conjunction with that had come the study of planetary atmospheres. Each Soua was chosen in another specialty so that they could be of more use to a hunting party than just a hunter would. This did not always make the party even however, there were times when a party would be lopsided in one specialty and be devoid of another altogether. As a botanist he had been required to learn the flora of all of their regularly visited worlds, keeping track of what was dangerous, and what was benign.

He was also one of the best at atmosphere analyses, knowing what worlds on which they could and could not breath unassisted. He had transplanted these specimens to study both the plant and its native atmosphere. An odd combination to say the least, she had laughed uncontrollably when she had found out, it seemed silly for a warrior of his status to be collecting flowers, it was a sort of anti-climax. He had been quite offended, saying that it was a serious occupation.

She looked back to her soundly sleeping roommate, and sighed. Something nagged at the back of her mind, something that would not let her sleep. Lately she had not been comfortable, feeling as she did when she first arrived on this planet. She found that she had learned the language too well. Those around her were respectful enough to her face with their words, but their bodies told another story. The tension she had been feeling had been steadily increasing. Something was being planned and it centered on her, and possibly Gui'Yata as well.

People fell silent as the two of them moved through the city, changing to heated whispers after they had passed. She had not heard any rumors, but that proved nothing. Still she was not sure whether it was just her strange presence or some thing more serious, so she had kept her fears from Gui'Yata.

She woke up the next morning against the wall, and groggily stood up. Gui'Yata was already up, probably exercising. She stood in the doorway watching him, as he stretched and pretended to engage in combat. She took in his details, watching as his muscles played under his skin. Women on Earth, if Gui' were human, would consider him stocky, even for someone seven foot tall. His short stature, (comparative to the rest of the Soua she had seen), had been counterbalanced by a heavier musculature. His strength was above average though it did not hinder his balance, which was exceptional. He demonstrated this with several tumbling leaps, not at all effected by his build. She considered him relatively handsome for his race, though they considered him overly short. Of course she was just slightly biased.

She smiled slyly as a wild hair took over, she ran full bore at him, then leapt over him, landing easily on her feet in front of him and kicked him in the stomach. The move unbalanced him and he landed with a grunt on his butt. He lay there momentarily bewildered.

"You're getting slow in your old age, Yaner." she smirked in English.

"I thought you were asleep, Courtney." He said, also in English, rolling up on one elbow. "Were you comfortable against the wall?" he said sarcastically.

"I was restless last night, guess I fell asleep there." She replied, stepping around next to him, "Are you getting up or are you just going to lie there, like a tired vanya?" it was a challenge and Gui'Yata took it. He wrapped a hand around her ankle and pulled it out from under her. He rolled onto his feet still holding the ankle, and she was forced to roll over onto her stomach. He picked her up and threw her over a shoulder. She was pleading him to put her down, laughing, at the same time she was beating and kicking. He was laughing with her Soua style, but stopped when her playful struggle ceased. He turned at the same time he let Courtney slide to her feet.

On the landing of his dwelling stood a Soua who was a stranger to both of them. His head was cocked to one side watching their antics silently, dispassionately. There was a diadem on his head and there was a strange scar on his upper arm, like a mark of rank. When they had stopped he approached them.

"I am here to escort you and the Yanahara to the Doana. The High Eesan wishes to speak with you." He reported in the most formal Sou she had ever heard, "You will come."

He mounted a well-decorated yimhi and then looked back at them expectantly. Gui'Yata pushed her ahead of him decidedly anxious, "Go, we can not keep the Huada waiting." He whispered.

An official messenger then, of the High Eesan, this must be important. They were given the authority to kill whoever took it to disobey a direct summons from the council. She walked next to Gui'Yata wondering what this could be about.

The Huada followed behind them up to the entrance, and stopped. They were to proceed the rest of the way on their own. They stepped up to the doors, which opened noiselessly, and they stepped through without pausing.

The hall was occupied by hundreds of Soua, to Courtney's surprise, and she again asked herself what this could be about. She wanted to ask Gui' if he might know, but the attention of the crowd kept her silent.

She had little time to admire the hall. It was the mother growth, the largest in the city and it had been paid accurate homage. It was extravagant compared to the rest of the city and the dwellings. It was decorated eloquently, all in dark crimson colors, almost the color of human blood, from the flows of cloth, captured tapestries, even what looked like Earthen velvet. Foreign plants and branches of the tree had been carefully tended to add to the atmosphere. The ceiling was completely lined with the skulls of various creatures, silent witness to all that took place in the hall and bone chimes rang dully from the overhangs. Lining the walls were full skeletons of more creatures, including a Taura. The treasured skeleton was positioned behind the High Eesan, the split fingers of the beast on both hands. The Soua who had hunted that one must be highly regarded, Courtney thought, it was a rarity for the Taura two have two split-fingered hands, and they were the fiercest of their kind.

The High Eesan were seated in thorn-like chairs, and those chairs were positioned several feet above the floor, so that the whole of the hall could be seen. Their ages ranged from 150-500 years old, and they sat straight, their eyes showing none of the dullness usually associated with age. Courtney fully believed that any of them could hunt with even the youngest Taura and hold their own.

In the center of the room had been positioned the strangest dais she had ever seen. The top was smooth and flat, oblong shaped with a narrow hole carved out of the center. From the top the dais tapered to a point that did not touch the floor. She wondered how in the world it was suspended. She wanted to know but was too scared to approach it. Her attentions' focus was changed when they were addressed.

"Sai, Raha, you have become very close since your meeting on Earth several years ago. Raha has become an accepted hunter, proving her worth, though she is not one of us. All due to your excellent instruction, Sai." Gui'Yata nodded a thank you, there was more to this he could tell, "You both have been changed by your experience with each other, and we could not think of separating such a formidable team. It is the wish of this council, that you seal your dedication to one another with the Bond." Gui'Yata started to speak, but the old grizzled Soua waved him to silence, "But...as it is our way to allow a Taura to choose his own mate for the Bonding. We leave the decision to you. Do you wish to accept the responsibilities and the honor of a Bondsman, and do you wish it to be Raha?"

Gui'Yata drew in a sharp breath, he enjoyed Courtney's friendship, and enjoyed hunting with her, but to be bonded? They were not compatible species, and it would place undue restriction on him at his young age. He first impulse was to refuse, knowing Courtney would understand, and he would have; but there was an underlying tone, that hinted at the consequences of refusal. He looked over at Courtney, who was clearly confused, for she had heard the underlying warning as well.

"It would be an honor, Speaker." He said, inclining his head.

"And you Raha? Do you accept this union?"

"I accept." she said hesitantly.

The Speaker nodded and motioned. Two shrouded Soua she had not seen before approached. Their ornamental masks glared wickedly at them, their high points making a good semblance of horns. From under their capes flashed pale arms, devoid of all markings, pinkish white of an albino. Their kind were rare, those that survived their childhood were specially chosen as the High Eesans royal guard. They were especially vicious, cold creatures, reacting quickly, thoughtlessly, to threats to the Eesa's seated in this hall, killing without mercy. She noticed, the exceptionally long and sharp looking nails as she and Gui'Yata were moved to either side of the strange altar. She watched as Gui'Yata's arm was positioned on the alter palm up, then her arm was lay over his, palm down. They were then bound together by a silk-like strip of material. She looked up to see Gui'Yata looking meaningfully at her, she began to get scared, seeing what was in his eyes.

"Be strong, Raha.." he whispered, "There will be pain." Her eyes went wide then, darting from him to the table to the ornate Soua that had just produced a dagger. It was wide and flat blade, extremely thin, looking as if it would break at the slightest impact.

She almost panicked as the Soua raised the blade over his head. She forgot Soua protocol, in her primal instinct to flee from the pain she knew was coming. She watched the knife arch down and her world went black with the pain. To her credit she did not scream or faint, though she desperately wanted to. She was unaware of the fact the she had dug five holes in Gui'Yatas tough skin, and even less aware when the knife was drawn free of her arm. The two attendants approached again, the one attending her roughly turning her arm over to expose the inside. They were tattooed simultaneously with the marks that would identify them as Bondsman until their dying days. Courtney was not aware of the pain, but watched distantly as the marks were wrapped in an absorbent material.

She staggered as Gui'Yata drew her carefully away from the alter, she stood straight trying to hide her weakness, "Time to go." he said. She followed him closely, intent on his feet, not trusting to look at anything else lest she fall. By the time they had passed through the door she had recovered enough to be more confident in her step. Gui'Yata continued to walk next to her, watching her closely as she walked, she would be ok now, he thought.

He stopped as he heard his name, and watched as Eesa Oana made his way through the crowd toward them. Courtney had also stopped, she felt a chill as he looked at her disdainfully. The Eesa stopped in front of Gui'Yata looking at him meaningfully.

Gui'Yata turned to Courtney, "Go ahead, I will be there." he said in English.

She left without argument, knowing she was unwelcome by this new visitor. But her eyes stayed on him, in an attempt to aggravate him, and it succeeded. Gui'Yata turned back toward him.

"May I be of some service High Eesa Oana?" he offered, Oana was probably the ugliest Soua to walk Soona. Oana was short, even shorter than Gui'Yata, which was unusual and his bones were heavyset. It gave him the look of a Gorilla his large muscular arms were ill concealed under the robe he wore. His face was a kickback from their descendants, his snout was long and only his lower mandibles were independent the other two were still attached to his upper jaw. Gui'Yata had never been sure why or how Oana had lived to find position on the High Eesan. He had only been an average hunter...with an extremely good run of luck, he supposed. He could feel his features twist with disgust at the High Eesa, and quickly smoothed it out trying to be intent on what he said.

"Your bondsman looks ill, is she alright?" Oana did not even try to hide his contempt for the human, he was just making conversation.

"Yes she will be alright, she has not had to many shocks like that one. Considering she did not know what to expect, she reacted rather admirably. The High Eesan does us honor."

"Frail these humans are." he said, ignoring Gui'Yata's praise of the union, "It surprises me she has not killed herself."

"She is a good hunter, a quick learner. She surprises even me sometimes. She does well even in what we would consider cold weather." Gui'Yata replied to the insult, hiding his rising anger at the Eesa's provocation, "She has been an indispensable help on the hunt, and is a very humorous companion. She could raise even hooba's spirits." He was trying to get the Eesa to get to the real point of this conversation.

"You are blind to the truth, Gui'Yata." He used his familiar name as an insult, "She is a dangerous, but predictable clusu. She has learned a few tricks, mimicked a few of our words and you think her one of us," He obviously had not consulted any of the Soua who had come to know Courtney, for the things he thought to be fact, were anything but, "You and she were bonded as punishment. You have disgraced your line and us by bringing her here and teaching her our ways. You are laughing stock, though you do not seem to notice. A fact that makes you all the more pitiful. And you are Bonded to her Sai, so that your judgmental weakness does not have a chance to propagate.

"Your Quona was a fool to ever allow you to become Taura, all because of his foolish love for his favorite grandchild!" Gui'Yata stared at the High Eesa in confusion, the Soua did not even try to cover his statement. The Quona was his Grandfather? Had his Ascension come to him unfairly, is that why he was not killed when Courtney was brought on board? This was becoming too complicated. He put the thought out of his mind momentarily, trying to deal with the here and now.

"I earned my status, Eesa," Gui'Yata said evenly, seemingly unmoved by the Eesas insult, though the words sounded hollow to him, "And I am honored to be Raha's bondsman, no matter the circumstances, for I know more than you her worth." He finished calmly, almost coldly, conveying none of the anger he was feeling.

The same could not be said for the High Eesa, his rage clearly showed through his poise. He had hoped this conversation would anger Gui'Yata, injure him, but his calm response to the accusations and insults was more than Oana could bear. Gui'Yata wondered at the real purpose behind this verbal attack.

"I hope I live to see you rot in the grave before your seed is passed to the next generation, Sai." The High Eesa sputtered, spinning on his heels and heading back for the Doana. When he was out of sight, Gui'Yatas calm, brave mask crumbled, revealing his frustration, confusion and anger. He had been feeling badly about this arrangement already. The conversation he had just heard had brought his spirit lower than he thought he would ever feel.

By the time Gui'Yata had reached his dwelling he was weary, and his depression had sunken in. His life was going the wrong direction. And it was all because of one seemingly minor decision, to save the life of a Yanahara. A clusu he had only encountered twice his whole hunt, but had a decided impact on his life, and revealed a little known fact about the human race. Something that had either never been observed, which he doubted or had been carefully suppressed, which right now he felt was very possible. He felt he should be blaming this all on Courtney, found himself mad at her. Then the anger would be at himself for trying to blame her, for it was not her fault either. When he reached the door he was just angry, at everything.

He leaned on the doorframe, sighing, feeling only slightly better to be home. Courtney looked up from her study board, and smiled at him. That smile faded when she saw how he looked. She pushed herself up and walked over to him.

"Are you alright?"

"No" he replied hotly, pushing past her, and plopping angrily on his sleeping roll. Courtney slowly moved to his side and sat down. He turned away from her, snatching up a thong and bundling his hair together at the nape.

She got up quickly, flaring at his attitude, "Fine you sit there and sulk then. When you feel like talking I'll be at Sora's." She stormed out of the dwelling and retrieving her personal Yimhi, left for the outskirts.

Several hours later she returned, no longer angry but puzzled by Gui'Yatas behavior. She had cut Sora's session short, because her thoughts were on her bondsman. She jumped down from her mount, steadying herself against it's bulk as her world seemed to spin. She shook it off, and the vertigo passed quickly. She approached the dwelling and stepped inside. Gui'Yata was still seated on his sleeping roll, staring into empty space, he had not even finished tying up his hair. She crossed the space to her side of the dwelling and slowly sat down across from him. She studied his face, wondering what he was thinking about. He became slowly aware of her, he raised his head and looked directly at her.

"I began to think you had left for good." he whispered.

"I've never liked being treated that way, Gui'." she said emphasizing it with a shake of her head, "Are you going to tell me what happened? This has to do with the ceremony, our 'bonding', right?" he nodded, "'but you are to choose your own mate...' what a crock, there was something more to it than that. That is why that pug-ugly wanted to talk to you right?"

"Yes, Eesa Oana wanted to clarify why we had been bonded. It seems they are punishing me, for bringing you here. They do not like the idea of my 'pet' being treated as a Soua." he was sure to omit what Oana had said about Quona, which was something he did not want her to know. Something he was going to have to investigate on his own.

"But that is their opinion, Gui', it doesn't have to be you know..." she tried to make him see the other side.

"I want it not to be, Courtney," he reached over and touched her cheek, "I very much enjoy your friendship, if you were a Soua I would be extremely happy to have been bonded. But you are human, we are incompatible, therefore the bond is very much a punishment, a sentence. You see a Soua has not been forced to bond in nearly two hundred years, since the last plague. Since it was required to strengthen the bloodlines. That it how long it has been since matings was strictly arranged. Before we were allowed to mate freely when accepted by a female. We normally take several different ones over the course of our lives, and only bond if we feel the time is right," He turned his eyes down, knowing how much that must have stung her, "I have been told all my life that I am extremely talented, that I have the potential to be more than Taura. In another few years I could even be chosen by a female to mate, because my offspring would possibly have the same potential. That has just been taken away, all of it. I can not be known by any other now, this is a lifetime commitment. That is our law." He sighed heavily, running his hand along the still bandaged arm. With a growl he yanked it off and threw it across the dwelling. He looked back at her sighing, "This city and my people have soured for me. I am not really one of them any more, the traditions I have always respected I am now questioning. The council was right on that point, we have both changed for knowing each other." he looked her dead in the eyes now, "I wish to leave this place, even if it means going into the forest and dying."

She looked at him with open surprise, she had never heard him like this. This whole situation must have hurt him deeper than she would know.

"Do you know what you are saying?" he knew exactly what he was talking about, she saw from the look in his eyes, "But where would you go?" she asked then.

"There are many miles of forest that are isolated, that no Soua has ever set foot in. I have seen aerials of several sections that would be perfect for a small settlement. I could live there."

"We," Courtney corrected, "Don't you think your going to play martyr without me, Gui'. If you are serious about leaving I will go with you. For I speak the truth when I say that my status does not mean much to these people. Without you here I might just as well take my life, for it will be taken one way or the other." she paused a moment, and her tone changed to one of amusement, "Besides you wouldn't want to leave your favorite pet behind, now would you?"

He smiled warmly at her in spite of his mood, "You are crazy, to follow this Sai into the unknown." he said.

She shrugged mischievously, "I've followed you this far and lived, I think we can do it. Have some faith in us!" she pushed at him with a fist.

The next few weeks were spent gathering the things that they were going to need, and packing the few belongings that they had. There were a few goodbyes to be said, though they were kept to a minimum, for their leaving was to be done in secret. Courtney had left for Sora's, and that left Gui'Yata time to do what he felt was necessary.

He approached the Quonas dwelling silently, now unsure of his anger. He had come to confront Quona about what Eesa Oana had said. He was now apprehensive, not sure that he wanted to know. He stopped shy of the doorway, tempted to abort his quest and go home.

"Gui'Yata?" came the question, "Why are you here?" The elder Soua appeared in the doorway.

He straightened up quickly, his resolve had just been set by circumstance, "I seek confirmation on news that has disturbed me." he said formally, entering the Quona's dwelling.

"Confirmation about?"

Now he was unsure how to put the question so as not to offend the old Soua, "Forgive how this sounds Quona, but High Eesa Oana has accused you of playing favorites with me, and possibly with Koratan. He says..." he looked directly at the Elder, "that you are my Grandfather."

"Oana has a big mouth." Quona said turning away, Gui'Yata's heart sank, that was not what he wanted to hear, "Yes it is true, that I am a relative of yours." he raised a hand to stop the statement that about poured out of Gui'Yata's mouth, "I understand what you are thinking about the implications, you are afraid that has given you an, unknown advantage. But you have earned your status, Gui'Yata, make no mistake about that."

Gui'Yata started to protest again, he was silenced, "All decisions are up to the council, just because I am its voice does not mean I alone make the decisions."

The words made sense to Gui'Yata, but finding his anger misplaced Gui'Yata was confused, "Raha and I are leaving the city, Quona." he blurted, unsure why.

He turned to look at the youth, "Leaving? Have they treated you that badly?" So Quona had noticed, Gui'Yata gave an imperceptible nod.

"They punished me by bonding me with Raha."

"I know. But it seems a trivial reason... to just leave your life and status."

Gui'Yata shook his head, "This is only one of a list of things those in this city have done to make our lives harder. Nothing that can be proven, but existing just the same. They have overlooked Raha for three rotations in assigning students. She is as good as most Taura in Onona. For my part, half heard conversations, speculating on the intimacy of our relationship. I have heard them say we are active mates. I have tried to ignore them but the notion seems to be gaining its own life. Now that we are bonded that thought will flare into popular rumor. I thought I understood the implications of bringing Raha aboard Quarta so many rotations ago, I was wrong. The pressure has finally become too much. I must go."

"You plan not to honor the Bond then?"

"She and I cannot mate, she likes the arrangement as little as I do. She does not wish me to be bound to just one, when she and I have so many differences. That is the only part we cannot abide, the rest we are willing to honor. I have enjoyed her friendship, that has not changed, but to have my choice taken away for the Eesans prejudice..." He shook his head.

The Quona nodded slowly, his expression unreadable, "I wish you good hunting then Sai, perhaps we will hunt together someday."

He stood straighter as unexpected pride filled him, "I hope so Grandfather." He turned slowly from the Old Soua and walked back to his yimhi.

On the other side of the city Courtney had just reached Sora's dwelling and swung quickly down from her mount. She wanted to make this as quick as possible, she had grown to like Sora very much despite his fits. It hurt a little to have to leave him here without help.

"Sora," she said, just reaching the door. She entered without waiting for an invitation.

"You were not to come until tommorrow...but welcome." He said stepping up to her. He looked so much better than when she had first known him. He was no longer sullen and withdrawn. He had started to go into the city as if he belonged there, without the mask, without sulking in the shadows. He was much more confident now, finally coming to terms with his injury. There had been a few times that she had seen him conversing with other Soua. And it made her feel good, that she had been a part of his recovery.

She smiled nervously, "I've come to say goodbye, Sora."

His confusion was clear, "You are leaving? Why?"

"Because of treatment similar to those your illness sprang from, the High Eesan has marked us as Taysa Taru. We do not wish to live under the kind of restrictions they plan. We are leaving for the deep forest at Dorsa Chai tomorrow."

"The deep forest is dangerous, Raha. Even for fighters such as you and Sai, it could be deadly." he paused, "Let me come, Raha. There is nothing here for me, what better way to complete my recovery than starting over someplace else?" he tried to convince her.

She smiled warmly now, "I would be honored to have you in my party. But are you sure? It will be a hard journey."

"I am sure."

The two bondsmen left the city without looking back, Gui'Yata in the front, for he knew where they were headed. Courtney trailed in behind keeping a sharp lookout for native wildlife, most of which was deadly.

Gui'Yata stopped abruptly, and Courtney pulled up alongside, wondering why. Standing beyond the South gateway, a natural gate that had formed from two saplings growing together, was two yimhi. Sora was seated on one and the other was packed with his possessions. He was quite rich, for a social recluse, and had refused to leave his collection behind. Courtney could not blame him, most of it was irreplaceable.

"Gui', Sora has asked to accompany us on our journey." she said feeling a little guilty for not informing Gui'Yata ahead of time about the addition.

Gui'Yata nodded at him, "You are free to join us, I have no say to stop you." His words were bitter, condescending in Courtney's ears, "I am impressed by your progress, Sora. I am glad that you have finally found some balance." With that he moved past Sora. Courtney glared at the back of Gui'Yata's head, unhappy with his backhanded compliment. She searched Sora's face apologetically, and urged her yimhi faster until she was alongside Gui's.

"That was uncalled for, Gui'!" she whispered hotly in English, even though she knew that Sora did not know the language. She was really angry with him.

"I have warned you before that he is crazy, Courtney." He replied in just as scalding a tone, "He has attempted to hurt you, more than once. It scares me that he can snap as easily as a twig." She was at once flattered by his concern for her, and angry at his lack of faith in Sora. At allowing him to use so readily his peoples bias, the same bias as that he was running from, as well as his own hatred.

"He is not crazy!" she said in his defense, "Your people, even you have treated him with less honor than a clusu! How the hell did you expect him to react? With 'stiff upper lip' silence? I do not even think you could manage that kind of burden." The comment was met with silence, and with a huff she let her yimhi slacken pace until she fell back next to Sora.

"I am sorry." she said, "I did not know he would be like this."

"I do not expect his attitude nor any one else's to change overnight, Raha. There is no need to apologize. Besides it is good to be away from the city, I had forgotten what it was like." He said louder, "I will have to thank your consort for his hospitality."

Gui'Yata whirled in his seat, and Sora flipped him a casual salute. Gui'Yata faced quickly the other way, and Courtney could not help laughing at sarcasm in Sora's comment.

They spent the next few hours in strained silence, not daring to say anything lest another contest of words start.

They stopped in mid afternoon for a meal, and a small nap, before heading on their way again. Courtney had a hard time getting up, feeling stiff and slightly sick to the stomach. She kept hoping that it was just her prolonged ride, or perhaps the humid heat of the surface. She quickly swallowed some vitamins before mounting her beast again.

Several times they broke out of the forest onto marshes, frightening the creatures that had come up from the depths to sunbathe, just visible from under the boiling surface. The terrain looked about as uncomfortable as she was beginning to feel. Deep sinks divided the marsh areas, the only shade provided was a few sickly looking trees that had taken root on knolls only slightly higher than the bog. They kept to the relative solidity of the knolls, but had slid into the water several times and ended up swimming. The only consolation about it was the fact that the water was cool and soothing in the midnight sun, though only because it was shaded. Now she knew why Soua stayed in the trees during the summer.

The next few days came and went with little incident. Courtney felt no better, in fact she was feeling worse with each passing day. Though she had begun to take some antibiotics they were doing little good. She had been trying to hide it from her two companions, wanting neither of them to worry for her, or become a reason for their arguments. Arguments that had become more intense, and were edging close to violence. It was just about midday, when they stopped again. They were in the middle of their meal when they heard in the distance splashing, and the bay of overheated yimhi. The three of them stood, facing the direction of the possible threat.

Out of the heat shimmer two blurry images emerged, slowly proving to be two mounted yimhi. The creatures came to a stop in front of the party, dripping steaming water as the yimhi moaned loudly.

Courtney recognized the one Soua, but her fogged mind did not quite tell her who it was.

"Nobaya." Gui'Yata said, in blunt greeting. Nobaya? Courtney had not seen him in over three rotations.

"Raha, Gui'Yata..." he said and then turned to the third Soua in their party, "Sora, it does not surprise me to see you among this group."

"Are you here to bring us back to the city then?" Gui'Yata asked, unconsciously slipping into a defensive position, similar to the ones the rest of the party were in already. None of them wished to return to the city, to go back meant death. Their society did not like runaway's, a group could strike out on their own, with permission from the high council only. Then they were bound to honor the cityh code, a law passed after centuries of warring between factions. Posse's had often been seen striking out into the forest to track down 'defectors', they rarely came back empty handed. Nobaya, he knew, was qualified for such a posse, being a tracker.

Nobaya laughed, "No, not to bring you in, to join your party." he pointed to the Soua who was silent beside him, "This is Fausi Endra." She nodded respect to the Taura on the ground, she was young, maybe ten. She was also shorter than Gui'Yata, and very thin, as if she had been a sickly youth. Her color was pale bordering on white, marked with scarlet spots, her head was rather different compared to most Soua, rounded more like a humans head, and her hair was smoke gray rather than black.

"She wishes to join in the adventure this journey proposes. She has been denied Taurana hunt, though her training is excellent. They have stated that her training has consumed too many rotations. She is one of my newest students."

"You are welcome to join us, if you are prepared to throw away your status, and join the Taysa Taru." Gui'Yata said as welcome and warning. Nobaya nodded his thanks.

"How did you know we had left?" Courtney asked huskily, fighting off another dizzy spell, drawing concerned attention from Gui'Yata.

"I watched you leave." Nobaya replied simply, "I was not going to come, but Endra's fervor is contagious. You were not hard to track. I am sure that others witnessed your leaving, they may send the posse you were expecting, Sai."

Courtney did not hear the last of his explanation, as she lost her battle with her illness and collapsed on the ground.

Nobaya and Endra had quickly dismounted, Gui'Yata was already by Courtney's side, trying to revive her. He touched her arm, and it came away sticky. The fluid smelled of infection, and a bad one. He growled fearfully.

Endra finally spoke, "She is more frail than I have been told. It is no wonder she was never given students." Her high voice was full of better-than-thou tones. Gui'Yata glared at her, but Nobaya had already acted, backhanding her hard. She hit the ground, rubbing her stinging cheek and glaring at her teacher.

"You will never speak of Raha in that manner again! She is Taura, and she is a better fighter than you will ever be!" He said aggressively. Gui'Yata silently thanked Nobaya for his verbal support, but only hoped that Endra was not right this time.

He broke out Courtney's kit, knowing from his years of living with her that he was not to use his medicine on her. Because they had hunted so much together, Courtney had insisted that he learn her kit in case she was unable to show him how. She had spent hours explaining the differences between kits, and why they were that way. He was no Soyasa but the knowledge of her kit might save her life now, at least he hoped it would. He noticed immediately that it was already low on her antibiotic, "She knew." he muttered, now even more fearful. Why had she not told him? His quickly cut the bandage off of her arm. It was the Bond arm, and the wound had not healed, though by now it should have. He could only assume that something had infected it during the ceremony. He had never thought of it before, but she could even be allergic to Soua blood. He treated it quickly, knowing her kit as well as his own, and wrapped it.

He then stood, and turned to Endra, "She will not be able to ride, we need a travois. You will get the kit I need, out of my yimhi's leg pack." She nodded being smart enough not to voice how she felt about keeping a dying member with the party.

A Soua travois is much different than one we know. It is made to fit over the saddle much like a pack frame, so that the weight is carried on the yimhi's side. It was constructed to allow monitoring of the patient, and protect from the elements, and was designed to float when the group would be required to swim. To counterweight the litter they moved the packs to the opposite side of the mount.

While Gui'Yata waited for Endra to return he stripped Courtney of her armor and weapons, setting them to one side. She moaned a little, as her untended fever raged. Gui'Yata had a feeling she was going to take a long time to heal, even with their extremely effective medicine. What was taking that Fausi so damned long, he stood abruptly, and moved angrily to where the young female was trying to get the pack out the saddlebag. He pushed her aside roughly, grabbing her chest plate as she fell away, wanting to say something instead and spinning her around to face him.

"I do not care how highly Nobaya thinks of your ability, Fausi. You will not ever make a comment such as the one you just made, because I will kill you. That human means more to me than anyone in this party. And you will learn to pull your weight, or we will leave you in the wilderness to fend for yourself." he shoved her as he let her go, pulled the travois kit and stormed back to Courtney's side.

She glared after the husky Soua, plopping down on the ground, grumbling to herself.

Gui'Yata had the travois together quickly and gave Courtney an antibiotic before setting her into it. With graceful strength he placed the travois onto the saddle of the yimhi she had, only moments before, been riding. He gathered up the yimhi's lead and mounted quickly, tying the lead to his own saddle. He left without looking back, not caring whether the rest followed him or turned back.

His thoughts were in turmoil, this journey had not gone as easily as he expected. They had not even gotten one quarter of the way to the intended destination. He felt alone, isolated, surrounded by caring but ignorant faces. None of whom he cared to be with. It crossed his mind to turn back, to make himself into a hoyo, and beg the High Eesan mercy for the sake of his bonded companion. But even in his current state he understood that to turn back would mean their deaths. He closed his eyes fighting off the Soua equivalent of a headache, glad that he was far enough ahead that the rest of the party could not see his confusion. He was unsure how he had come to be so close to Courtney, he told himself that it did not matter. He had lived with her, eaten with her, hunted with her, they knew each other better than any other Soua could know either one. To see her helpless knotted his gut with worry.

He pushed the group hard that day trying to burn off his depression. When he finally stopped Soua and Yimhi alike were exhausted. As the rest of the group settled for a much needed rest, Gui'Yata moved a little away from the rest. Dismounting he signaled the smaller yimhi to settle and then checked his patient.

She was feverish, thrashing in the litter, acting out her dream delirium. Her skin was clammy, and he put a blanket over her even though the temperature was a steady one hundred twenty degrees. He slid into the shade the kneeling yimhi provided, a protective hand across the litter.

Sora sat across from the place Gui'Yata had chosen staring at him, watching him fight to keep awake. He stood and crossed to where Gui'Yata sat. Gui'Yata growled at him the way a helpless animal would, as a last resort.

"Sai, please let me watch her for a while, you need to rest."

"I do not want your help." He growled.

"Sai, she is nuya to me too," a friend, "You need to rest, or you will collapse before the day is out."

He started to protest again, but acquiesced, and moved to break his sleeping pad out of his pack. It was not long before the exhausted Soua was sleeping soundly.

When Sora was sure that Gui'Yata slept he gently lifted the netting that kept the insects away, to look at her. He touched her forehead lightly, pulling it back when he found it hotter than was comfortable. She would probably be sick for the next few days. He looked at her a long time.

She was beautiful, he thought, her features were neatly chiseled, like a piece of art. He traced the scar on her left cheek with a gentle fingertip. She had told him the events that had given her those and the scar that ran down the back of her arm. The scars, he thought added to and not detracted from her stern good looks. He sometimes wondered whether her skill as a Soyasa, or her beauty had brought him back from the brink of madness. He had originally sought her out because she was a human Soyasa, and therefore might see his problem from a different view than his own people. But he was soon taken in, as someone who collects art, by her overwhelming beauty. He had thanked her many times for her gift to him of his sanity, though never in words. Every time he had tried she had stopped him, seeming to understand without the words being said.

Her face was a balance of delicacy and power, something he did not see very often. Most of his people were harsh, crude, but he suspected that was because his view of his people was tainted. He had never had the pleasure of hunting humans, and he wondered if they were all endowed with this kind of undying strength of character.

The next day Gui'Yata broke camp early, and headed out into another patch of thickly intertwined forest. He was in mental anguish for those next few days, intensely worried about his alien friend. His naps were always short, and never restful, he always felt as if he had cheated for resting when she was sick. Courtney's condition had not improved any since the day of her collapse, but gratefully got no worse.

He had come to appreciate Sora's willingness to help watch over her. He had never realized how much stress he put himself through until he was given a chance to rest. He still did not trust Sora, to Gui'Yata he was still psychotic. But he had begun to respect him, and what he had been put through.

Nobaya had also taken his turn at watching over their charge. Gui'Yata had realized that those gathered in this group were all the close friends that Courtney had ever had on Soona...with one exception. Endra refused to have any part of caring for the human, which did not bother Gui'Yata in the slightest. She must have been insufferable in the creche, and he often wondered how Nobaya could stand to try and train her. She was whiny, lazy, and conceited, only concerned with herself. Never her companions or her pack.

Gui'Yata returned his attention to the swaying travois, at the smaller yimhi's side. He again debated about stopping, and checking her health again. He had heard unhappy grumbling from the other members of the party. They were unsatisfied with stopping, and even less so with traveling through the cloying heat and blinding rain. But it was considerably cooler than between storms when the heat rose to upwards of 240 degrees.

He finally set his mind on stopping and called the halt. The cloud overhead had begun to break up, and he moved his mount to the deep shade of the forest. He dismounted, looking up as the others gathered around him.

"We are stopping again? Will you not just let it die?" Endra said incredulously. Sora looked hard at her as he dismounted his yimhi. Nobaya looked to the sky, watching the clouds dissipate, understanding part of the reason for the break. That froze his own protest in his throat.

"You were warned about speaking that way, Fausi." Sora said, "Besides, have you ever been caught in the sun at this time of year?"

She shook her head negatively, and he continued, as he threw a piece of trail meat into the rays of the twin suns. "190 degrees, enough to cook a habade." he commented, nodding toward the piece of meat. The meat writhed as if it had gained life, cooking quickly, turning brown and then black. "There will be no more questions from you." It was a statement not a request.

"Remember, you volunteered to come, there was no coercion," Gui'Yata said in a tone that was both quiet and powerful, "If you dislike how I lead this party, you may always return to the city," he cocked his head, "And take your chances."

There was no mistaking the tone in his voice, there was no threat but a promise. Endra jumped from her mount and moved into the shade. Feeling angry and defiant she signaled sharply for her mount to settle. The creature did not respond, as if agreeing with the dominant opinion, and the laughter that followed broke the tension.

The others moved off, and the laughter slowly died, Endra in her infamous pout mode, remained rooted next to the tree, refusing to budge.

A distance away the three Taura settled against the bole of a larger tree, still enjoying the amusement of the moment before.

"Why is she like that Nobaya?" Sora asked, sitting with a grunt, as Gui'Yata looked over Courtney.

"From what I gather," he started, "She was sickly as a child, a bad infection I think. Not many thought she would even make it through the first weeks in the creche. She survived, barely, but it set her back severely in her training." He shrugged, "She became the focal point of the other Saru's jokes and the 'punching bag' for their practice fights. She was almost five before they would even allow her to go on a pack ship. For her protection, more than to spite her, but she does not see it that way.

"She has come to think that because of the hardship in her early years that she is owed something, instead of appreciating what she has accomplished.

"She has shown considerable talent," He said in her favor, "But she lacks the usual motivation to advance. She was refused the Taurana, because the Eesan does not feel she is mentally mature enough to become a teacher," He looked at his toes, "I have done all in my power to change her attitude, Now I can only hope she realizes this behavior is self destructive."

"Very," Gui'Yata added as he joined the two of them.

"How is she?" Nobaya asked interrupting the conversation.

"No change," He replied, he motioned at Nobaya, "Do you not ever feel like impaling her, to end both of your misery? I thought only humans were so childish." His own words shocked him, how easily prejudices came back. He knew that there were some very mature humans.

"Oh, I have felt that way, several times." he glanced at the two of them sideways, he smiled slyly, "I figure it is a test of my teaching ability..." He went silent a moment, "Not that it does me any good now."

They would not meet each other's eyes. That was a tender area, for even the best reputation meant nothing as an outcast. Nobaya had voiced their only regret in coming on this trek.

After a moment, Gui'Yata reached over and thumped him on the shoulder, in understanding, "I," he said with emphasis, "Am glad that you have come." he looked at Sora uncomfortably a moment, "And you as well, huntsman. I apologize for my shortsightedness at the start of this journey." His discomfort became more than he could bear, and he rose to leave. Before he left, Sora nodded an unspoken acceptance.

Sora looked after Gui'Yata's retreating form with an incredulous look on his face.

"Why do you look so shocked, Sora?" Nobaya commented.

"That was hard for him to say," he said quietly, "You missed our 'discussions' at the beginning of the journey. I am a rival to him for Raha's attentions, whether he will admit it or not. I was sure that we would end up fighting one another before this journey was completed."

"Ah...but the journey is not yet over!"

"Do not remind me!" he replied laughingly.

Unaware of the conversation about him, Gui'Yata knelt beside the covered travois. He lifted the veil, and looked at her, her fever had finally broke, she was now sleeping restfully. He sighed his relief, stroking her sweat soaked hair. He crooned to her quietly, as a soyasa would a sick child.

They left late in the hours of the day, wanting to be fully rested. They were coming to one of the open spots that did not remain underwater year round, and were forced to wait until the next storm came over, for in the open there was no other protection. To go around would take them weeks, for it was the largest 'plain' on the planet. Luck was with them that day for the storm lasted for most of their trek across the expanse. They hurried as they noticed the clouds starting to break. All in the party breathed a sigh of relief as they entered the protective canopy of a small grove of trees.

They slowed down now that they were relatively safe, dismounting to cool out their mounts. They had not gotten five hundred-yard when the ground below their feet rose and fell. A small eight-point quake, a pre-shock for a planet influenced by two suns. They paused in their travel, as their claws automatically found holds to stabilize them.

Gui'Yatas eyes darted to the smallest Yimhi, where the Travois swung violently against the creatures side, dangerously unbalanced. He dared not move however lest the sink he had heard the echo for collapsed prematurely under his feet. He could only hope that the travois did not fall from the pack.

It was long minutes as they sounded the size and shape of the sink, it gave them a measure of warning. And they had acute enough hearing to pinpoint where the collapse would begin, and could get out of the danger-zone before the hole engulfed them. The yimhi were even trained in this protocol, for they did not move until the all-clear signal was given them. Evidently no one had informed Endra of earthquake protocol, for she shuffled restlessly in place, wanting to move away from the edge of the sweltering sun only a few hundred feet behind them.

"Stay still, Endra" Nobaya snapped, coming momentarily out of sounding. But his warning came too late, for the rift opened beneath Endras feet. She cried out startled and flailed to find a solid hold. The rest of the group scattered as the earth collapsed quickly into the crack below. The yimhi bolted frightened at the change in their usual procedures. Gui'Yata cried out anguished as the already unstable litter was dumped on the ground as the beast ran from the scene. But she was relatively safe and against his wishes he was left to retrieve Endra who was crying desperately for help. The others had run after the frightened mounts in an attempt to round them back up.

Gui'Yata hoped in the back of his mind that the spill had done no more damage to his bondsman, as he leapt across the space between him and the edge of the drop. He landed with his chest on the ledge and managed to get a strained grip on the young Fausi. Overbalancing his legs, and every muscle taught, he strained to pull her back from oblivion.

Courtney rode along the dark corridor of trees. Sounds around her were muted, even the splashing of her yimhi through the hip deep water could barely be heard. The warmer than comfortable water splashed up onto her already scalded legs. But she did not feel the pain. It was deathly silent and the party was nowhere to be found. Where were they?

A rumble suddenly drowned all sound out ten times louder than thunder. Beneath her the ground rolled and shifted, and she suddenly felt weightless as the ground opened up beneath her, the adrenalin rush followed it as she realized she was falling. She was just able to catch the limb that had suddenly appeared across the expanse of the hole. She watched as her yimhi disappeared silently into the abyss below. The same which threatened her. Her grip on the limb was tenuous, for it was slippery with moss.

Looking up she found the hole, which had somehow become smaller ringed by Soua. Though the sun shone above them their faces were clear to her. Most were recognizable as acquaintances, Sora, Nobaya, Endra, Basa, Yalsa, Yaha, she called to them each in turn asking for help getting out. But none of them moved, regarding her with disgust, as if she was some lowly animal. Her pleas became frantic screams as she felt her grip begin to slacken from the strain.

The crowd parted and another figure came into view, Courtney smiled in relief. Calling to her bondsman to help her, reaching for him with her free hand. He had not been looking at her but across the expanse, and his gaze slowly drifted down to her. He stood there several drawn out moments, not seeming to recognize her. His gaze gained clarity and his face twisted into the same foul mask as those around him wore.

"Clusu!" he screamed, producing a large war-axe, and raising it over his head.

"NO!" she screamed as he brought the axe down on the branch, the only thing between her and oblivion. She looked up as she fell to her doom, and saw them laughing.

"NO!" she screamed again as she landed hard on the forest floor. She blinked several times trying to reorient her self. All hell had broken loose around her, only two feet from her was an open rift, and she backed quickly away still shaken from her all too real nightmare, tangling herself in the remains of the litter. The yimhi, Nobaya and Sora were nowhere in sight and Gui'Yata was struggling several yards away with something in the rift.

Gui'Yata was still on his own, the others had not returned, he was either going to have to pull Endra out or fall in with her because she had sunk her claws into his arm in her frantic attempt to save herself. His muscles began to burn with the strain of her weight. She was in shock and consequently was doing nothing to make this rescue faster or easier.

"Help me you Vanya!" he screamed at her, in frustration and fear, "you are going to kill us both!"

She looked at him with a blank gaze, then suddenly shook her head, and remembered what was happening. She began scrambling at the crumbling sides of the hole, and came toward him faster than he could compensate for. Before he knew what happened she was over the lip and he fell over backwards. Endra landed heavily on his chest, clinging like a dying man to his shoulders. He lay there panting, looking at the underside of the canopy, that had been way too close. He looked sharply at her, and suddenly was very uncomfortable. He jumped to his feet, pushing her roughly off the top of him, as if he was dumping a cat from his lap. She sat there trying to recover her breath and her wits, as Gui'Yata stared down at her. After a few moments he offered her a hand up, and she took it reluctantly. He pulled her to her feet but did not let her go and her features twisted, turning hard, realizing there was probably another tongue lashing coming.

But he just released her and turned to the wrecked travois, where his bondsman was struggling to disentangle herself. Courtney was still confused and more than a little groggy, for she backed quickly away from her bondsman as he attempted to help her. She was still held by the last vision of Gui'Yata severing her one tie to life. She shook the nightmare visions out of her head, denying their reality.