Obligations
by Wiebke Fesch

Same disclaimers and notes as Part 1.

-----CHAPTER 8-----

Swift woke up at least an hour earlier than usual, struck by a feeling that there were matters he'd like to attend to early, before Seel woke up or anyone came to him and presented the day's official agenda. He slipped out of bed and made his way into the attached bathroom. Enjoying the warm water, it occurred to him that his new guests would surely appreciate being shown similar facilities. He would make a point of seeing to that later on in the day.

Silently he dressed himself in fine green silk and made up his hair in a manner that was refined but informal enough to avoid being overly dressy. He was supposed to make an inspection of local markets that day and would need to be amongst the people. While his service to Megalithica had already brought him more into contact with day-to-day life than during his more secluded youth, Swift was still careful about presenting the right image. Cobweb had taught him much, and the importance of image was certainly one of them. He did not wish to be thought of as either aloof or disdainful of his people, to good to walk amongst them.

He's made his preparations quickly, mostly so that Seel wouldn't wake up, and with a feeling of satisfaction -- still ahead of the game, he thought -- he cracked open the bedroom door and escaped into the hallway. Two doors over, he saw Tarra's bedroom door, still closed. Cautiously, he sent out a tendril of thought. _Tiahaar Tarra, are you awake?_

After a few moments, there was a fumbling noise and the door was pulled inward by a very different Tarra, hugging a robe around himself. His expression had greatly softened since the night prior and his eyes sparkled with renewed radiance. Clearly his essence had been restored to health.

"I'm awake," Tarra whispered. "But Ilga isn't." He smiled conspiratorially. "I'm afraid I wore him out."

Swift smiled and nodded. "Good, Tarra, good." He raised his hand. "Now don't feel you have to get up right away. Stay in there half the day if you like. I'll make sure you get a bath, clothes, lunch, whatever you need."

"Thank you, Swift, but Ranat--"

"Will be taken care of," Swift assured. "I thought of it in the bath this morning. I'm supposed to go out and do an inspection of local markets. I thought perhaps I could take Ranat with me. He could see the town and I could also find him some clothes. We'll be back by lunchtime."

Tarra thought over the proposal. "I'm a bit reticent about this -- I've never let anyone else protect him before -- but I think that sounds like a fine idea. I really would appreciate some more time," he glanced behind him, apparently towards the bed, "to myself."

"That's what I thought. Just don't worry, as I said, we'll be back by lunchtime."

Swift waited for Tarra to disappear back into the bedroom before approaching the next door over. To his surprise, just as he was about to knock, the door opened. Ranat was dressed, his hair brushed back, and looked very pleased at his timing.

"Well, Ranat, it looks like you're ready to go," Swift said, stepping back.

Ranat smiled. "Yeah, well, I was about ready when I heard you and my father talking." He looked down somewhat sheepishly. "And I know it was probably rude, but I listened in on as much as I could. When I heard you saying you wanted to take me into town, I brushed my hair and made ready."

"Very good, Ranat." Swift was impressed with the boy's self-possession as well as his hearing. "Come and have breakfast with me."

"Thanks, I will. But just a moment," he said, darting back inside the room. He came out with a backpack. "For shopping," he explained.

Together they headed down the hall and into the small breakfast room. Sunlight streamed in through the large windows and the table was warm and shining as they settled into their seats. Swift gestured to the assistant cook. Would he bring something for himself and the boy? The assistant nodded and disappeared.

"So, Ranat, did you sleep well?" Swift asked.

"Well, actually it took me a while to fall asleep," Ranat confessed.

"Had a lot to think about," Swift surmised. "A lot has happened."

The assistant appeared with a bowl of fresh cut fruit, a plate of rolls and butter, and two glasses of spring water. Swift thanked him and looked back to the boy, whose expression had shifted slightly.

"Yes, a lot," he said.

Now Swift saw it. Ranat was nervous. No doubt he was thinking about the inception and the choice he had voiced to his father, but apparently it wasn't something he wished to discuss. Swift understood that perfectly.

"A lot of things happened that my father and I have been waiting for. And so, yes, it was difficult to sleep."

Swift had a sneaking suspicion that something other than simple worry had kept Ranat from rest. Surely the boy was old enough, well acquainted enough with Wraeththu ways, and certainly equipped with good enough hearing, to have been aware of what had transpired in the room next door.

Swift decided to place trust in Ranat, to begin to treat him as an adult. "I can imagine, especially with all that noise on top of everything."

"I know!" Ranat burst out.

"So you heard," Swift teased.

"Yes, I did," the boy confessed. "I couldn't help it. I was hoping, praying he would be alright."

"You were worried? About your father?" Swift queried. "You knew what he would be doing, or at least you knew something of it. It frightened you?"

Ranat shook his head. "No, it didn't frighten me, but I was worried. You see, my father hadn't been well. He wouldn't talk to me about it, but I knew he was worried. He explained to me a few times that he was afraid his powers were waning, that he wouldn't be able to protect me, and I know it was because he was missing-- that." Ranat had ended his explanation abruptly. As unhar, he clearly felt no inclination for further discussion of the matter, especially _not_ with Swift. His face gave everything away.

Swift didn't want the boy to be uncomfortable and so he smoothly moved to another topic. Finishing up their breakfast, they headed into the administrative area, where Swift found Ashmael directing groups of hara towards their morning assignments.

"Ah, up so early!" he exclaimed. Then, eyeing Ranat, he added, "And you as well!" He looked back to Swift. "What are you two planning? I thought you had a market inspection coming up?"

"We do," Swift agreed. "Ranat is coming along with me. I thought we could both go into town -- with any escorts or guides you'd prefer, of course -- and while doing my work, I could help him pick out some clothes for himself and just show him, you know, _life_."

Ashmael was looking at Swift strangely. "Sometimes you really surprise me, Swift. But I suppose it will work out." He shrugged and turned, only to snap back a moment later. "But what about Tarra?"

"Tarra's occupied," Swift replied with a wink.

"Yes, he's really tired." Ranat copied Swift with a wink of his own.

Ashmael grinned. "Mmmmmm, I see. Alright, get going then. We'll talk later. Right now I have these hara to manage." Ashmael's eyes were smiling as he carried on making assignments.

Swift turned to the boy. "Come on, Ranat, let's go."

TBC...