Guerani Hills Camp

Shortly after dawn, after finally arriving at the new campsite, Arora kept herself busy helping to raise the tents as Apolo directed the men to build traps around the camp. They now hid in the foothills of the sacred mountains, in a canyon that Trey and Apolo had found which would be easy to defend against those who would dare trespass in the ancient Guerani homeland. A pool created by an underground stream would be their source of fresh water, and Arora was delighted to find a hot spring while exploring the new site. Both she and Shamara enjoyed a warm bath before she returned to the camp where she helped prepare food, Shamara tucked inside a sling where she slept soundly. Arora wondered what Trey would think to see her performing female tasks. Despite her training as an imperial guard, after Trey had disappeared, Dax reminded her that she was a female and had ordered her schooled in the duties that would ultimately be hers when he handed her over to another man. At the time she had resented the training, considering it beneath her, but now she found some contentment in making the temporary home for Trey and their child.

After the first sun had set, a warning signal from a guard posted on an outcropping above the entrance to the canyon alerted them that an intruder was entering the canyon. Arora picked up her sword and went to stand by Apolo, both anticipating a battle, but they relaxed when they saw it was Lady Virineia and several of her men.

She dismounted and walked to them. "Our part of the mission is complete," she announced to Apolo.

"Where is Trey?" asked Arora anxiously. She didn't want to worry about his safety, but she couldn't help herself. She had been hurt that he left behind his personal imperial guards, but Arora knew she could trust his human friends to protect him if the need arose.

Virineia looked at her. "He signaled us when he had left the fortress, so we moved out as planned. I do not know why he is traveling at a slower pace. Perhaps one of his friends has been injured."

Apolo looked at Arora. "Do not worry, Arora. I am sure Trey is all right. You would feel his danger."

Apolo was right. Her Guerani senses would warn her of danger to her mate and she felt nothing.

Lady Virineia looked around the emerging camp. "This is an excellent location to defend. I heard your sentry but I did not see him." She glanced up at the mountains towering above them. "You should have a source of water from the snows on the peaks, and if I am not mistaken, that peak is a dormant volcano. I once asked Zeno to allow me to study it, but both he and Dax considered it unwise."

"Trey and I discovered this place when chasing Joran's people into the hills. For now it will serve us well for a base. If an enemy should get through the canyon passage, our followers will be able to flee into the mountains. Imperial troops will not follow." Apolo reached out to take Arora's hand. "They are superstitious."

Lady Virineia looked from Apolo to Arora. "Your people lived in these mountains."

"We believe our mother was the last," said Arora. She didn't add that Dax had effectively eliminated any others.

Although Arora was somewhat in awe of Trey's beautiful mother and found it difficult to believe that she had been the wife of Zeno, Apolo was comfortable with any female.

"Will you share a meal with us?" he asked.

"I do not think Trey would be pleased to find me here," said the older woman sadly.

Apolo chuckled and offered her his arm. "Trey will just have to grow up and accept you as you are now and not for what you have done in the past."

As Apolo escorted her into the tent Arora had set up for her and Trey, Arora filled two wooden platters with food and followed them inside. Throughout most of the meal, Apolo amused Lady Virineia with stories of Trey's childhood, and while she laughed, Arora saw that each incident seemed to make her a little more melancholy.

Arora desperately wanted to know why she had abandoned Trey, but she did not dare touch her. So during a moment of silence as Apolo chewed on his food, she asked, "Lady Virineia, I must ask you this because I love my husband and want to help him understand you. He would never ask you himself, so I will do it for him. Why did you leave Calabria?" She did not take her eyes off the other woman. If she lied, Arora would know.

Lady Virineia did not look away from her. " I had not intended to leave Trey behind. I had made arrangements to take him with me."

"You were going to take Trey from Calabria?" Apolo was aghast. Arora was also shocked. How could she have even entertained the notion of spiriting the crowned prince let alone make arrangements to actually do so?

"I couldn't live here anymore." She explained with a sigh. "I reluctantly accepted the place women had in this society because I understood that ignorance was at its root. I thought Zeno loved me, and I never lacked his respect. I had hoped to make Zeno realize that all life was precious, including females and that his people would follow the example he set in his own house. But I knew I had failed when…when our daughter was born."

Virineia put shaking hands to her face, and Arora wanted to reach out to comfort her, but Apolo shook his head. He was right to warn her. Their touch could be intrusive, and she sensed that Lady Virineia wanted to keep these feelings to herself.

"He pretended to be happy when he held her in his arms only moments after her birth, but some time later, while I was sleeping, my beautiful child was taken away from me." She looked at Arora. "Even before I knew what had become of my child, Dax had come to me to proudly show me his daughter. While my beliefs were beyond my husband's comprehension, Dax had listened and spared you, Arora."

Arora could not speak as she stared at Virineia. The other woman did not know the whole truth! Dax had purposely caused her further pain by bragging of his daughter's birth. Not only had he done what Zeno could not, but he had also used Zeno's inability to cause the death of his child to his advantage. Glancing at her brother she could see that he was as outraged as she was about the perfidy of their father.

"I remained with Zeno because I had no choice," continued the older woman, "But our marriage was dead. I ignored his pleas to return to him, and I didn't care that Xuxa was exerting her influence in his house. The day you came into Trey's suite, Arora, Zeno came to me begging me to forgive him, to return to him as his wife and try to love him again. But seeing you reminded me of what I could have had and what he destroyed. Even though he swore on his knees that he would do anything to redeem himself in my eyes, I could not forgive him. Your father had been with him and seen his pathetic plea to me, and I suppose he thought Zeno would become weaker if I remained in his house. So he offered to help me escape."

"I imagine there was something in it for him," commented Apolo sarcastically.

"He had always fought to keep me away from Trey, convincing Zeno that I would emasculate his heir. Seeing to what I had reduced the emperor, Dax most likely judged it prudent to remove me before Zeno publicly humiliated himself." Virineia smiled bitterly. "I imagine the ten thousand zenos from the pirate brute to whom he sold me was another good incentive to betray his friend. Dax arranged for me to escape into the Wastelands while Zeno was distracted leading a raid against marauders on the Edgeland. There I expected the pilot and craft that would take me to Bayman until I decided what I would do. Because I was not allowed to spend much time with Trey, Dax thought it would be less suspicious if he followed with my son. We met at the designated spot. Dax hadn't brought Trey, had even laughed that I could be so naïve to believe he would surrender the crown prince to me. I won't bother to tell you what that filthy bastard did to me before the pirate arrived to take me away. Despite all that I had to endure on the pirate satellite, nothing could compare to Dax. He is not natural."

Arora thought of Dax's chilling dark eyes and shuddered. Then she asked, "Why did you not return for Trey when you were able?" The woman she had become should have been able to come up with a plan to take her son.

Virineia sighed. "I had planned several times to come back, but each time there was an impediment. I had convinced my first protector that capturing Prince Trey would be well worth his while. He was killed by imperial troops when he landed in the Wastelands. My second protector refused to listen to me. My third protector was more interested in my knowledge of technology, but before I could convince him to rescue my son, he was killed in a raid. My fourth protector deemed the project too risky and a waste of time."

"And your fifth protector?" asked Apolo when she fell silent.

Virineia smiled faintly. "There was no fifth protector. After I killed the fourth, I earned the right to lead them. The men chose not to challenge me, and so I became a protector. But I had to prove myself to the pirates before they would risk their lives to save my son. Many wasted years passed before I finally felt I had their confidence. Then our satellite was attacked by the Calabrian fleet for supposedly killing Prince Trey."

There were tears in her eyes and Arora felt sorry for Virineia. The other woman must have been devastated to learn of her son's death when she had come so close to attempting a rescue of her own. "Did you never wish to return to your planet?"

Virineia wiped away a tear. "I couldn't go." Another tear ran down her cheek.

Apolo reached out to wipe it away, and when his fingers made contact with her skin, he stopped for just a moment to look into her eyes. When he finally took his hand away, she smiled at him.

"Your mother would be proud of you, both of you," said Virineia. "Valerya adored you, Apolo, and I know she would have loved you as well, Arora."

"I think she might approve of her marriage to Trey," said Apolo proudly. "Not to mention little Shamara."

Virineia seemed overwhelmed with emotion when Apolo lifted the sleeping baby from her comfortable cradle of pillows and laid her in her arms. Arora was touched by the love she saw in Virineia's eyes. "Valerya would have been happy to hold this child. The Guerani place high value on their women." She stroked the dark hairs on Shamara's head. "She has Guerani power, too, doesn't she? When Trey came to the satellite, all he could say for days was Shamara's name. At the time I thought he was in some type of battle in his delirium. Now I understand. Valerya told me that the most powerful of your people have the ability to transcend space and time, to draw someone into a sort of trance. She must have done so with him."

"Shamara is bonded to her father," Arora told her.

"As you are bonded to Dax," remarked Virineia.

Before Arora could deny it, the tent opened and one of the men announced, "Lord Apolo, the prince is returning."

Virineia put Shamara in Arora's arms. "I should be going. Trey won't be happy to see me here."

"I will speak to him," said Arora quickly before placing the sleeping baby back in her bed and following her and Apolo out of the tent.

Despite Virineia's haste to leave before Trey arrived, there was no point because there was only one way in and out of their new camp. So Virineia stood by her horse, her men already mounted behind her, as the small party rode into the camp. Trey arrived last, dragging something behind his horse. Arora hurried to him and he took her into his arms as soon as he dismounted.

"You weren't worried about me, were you?" he asked with a smile.

She shook her head. "I think you lead a charmed life, Trey."

"I brought you a gift." Trey jerked the rope and Arora saw that he had been dragging a man. He stood now, his black clothing covered with dust and mud, but while he was clearly exhausted, there was something so sinister in his eyes that Arora shrank against Trey.

"Dax!" exclaimed Apolo as he came forward. He was trembling with rage as he turned to Trey. "Why did you bring that bastard here?"

"He is our prisoner," stated Trey.

"Just how did you capture him?" asked Virineia from behind them.

Trey turned to look at her. Arora could feel through her Guerani sense that he had ambivalent feelings about his mother, but his resentment came to the fore when he spoke. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to assure your wife that you had accomplished your mission safely." She nodded to Dax who was catching his breath as he watched them through eyes narrowed to slits. "You were unwise to bring him here."

Before Trey could speak, Dax did. "How quaint! Virineia has returned to Calabria with the pretender." He looked at Trey. "Very clever! With her at your side, you can stake a legitimate claim to the crown."

"I do not need her!" Trey glared at Dax. "I am Trey, son of Zeno, and you know it."

Dax smirked. "There is enough of a resemblance, but you really have no proof."

"I say that he is my son," stated Virineia as she took a step towards Dax. Arora saw that one of her hands was gripping the handle of the dagger in her belt.

Dax saw it too. "Are you going to kill me, Virineia?"

"If anyone is going to kill you, it will be me!" Apolo drew his sword.

"You cannot stain your hands with my blood." Dax stared at him, and Apolo lowered his sword and stepped away, visibly shaken by that look. Dax looked at Arora and a shiver ran down her spine. "So the female yet lives? I vow you are impossible to be rid of."

"I saved her," Apolo informed him smugly. "This is my camp."

Dax raised a brow. "You are the Warlord who has been causing the trouble in the Wastelands? Then the rumors of your death were untrue. I knew Dilan wouldn't be able to kill you, despite his bragging to the contrary. The worthless spawn is a female in a male body. When he was born I should have put him in the Wastelands."

Knowing that only the father could expose a child, Arora gasped. "Dilan is…is your son?" She was shocked by the revelation. "You…you were going to allow him to take me as his concubine!"

He snorted derisively. "What of it? I knew Trey would step in to prevent the mating. His weak human heart couldn't let you go. And if he hadn't," Dax shrugged his shoulders. "My blood would have been strong in the next emperor."

"Perhaps we should strip him bare and leave in the Wastelands for the birds to devour," snarled Apolo.

"I think they would find him bitter and refuse to eat," said Virineia. "Cut his throat, Trey, and let him bleed to death here and now. You have the right to avenge your father's house."

Trey put up his hand. "Enough! I didn't bring him here for this. I will use him to get to Zeno. If Zeno wants his personal imperial guard back, he will have to meet with me."

"If Zeno knew what we do," said Apolo, "he would want the bastard back just to punish him as he deserves for his treachery."

"When Zeno learns of your betrayal," added Virineia, "the palace will run red with blood: yours and that of your whore and her bastard."

"Does Dilan know that you are his father?" demanded Trey.

The corners of his lip curled. "He has always known."

"Yet he still demanded his own sister!" Apolo buried his sword in the ground. "I am going to kill him."

"You cannot kill your own brother."

"I will kill him," stated Trey. "He is not my brother."

Trey turned his back on Dax, dismissing him as he faced Arora. She was revolted by her father's revelations and felt very ashamed to be part of his house. Trey must surely be regretting his marriage to her already.

But he smiled warmly at her and she knew that he did not hold Dax's vile actions against her. "I am tired and hungry, and I have missed you."

She put her hand in his. "I can take care of those needs."

"I am sure you take care of all this pretender's needs," remarked Dax snidely. "Do you think that you can prove you are Trey by taking his whore for your own?"

Trey spun to glare at him, but Arora stepped in front of him to face her father. "This man is Trey!"

"He is the Trey you have created." Dax looked at Trey. "You do not even believe that you are the prince. You should not. My ungrateful children would do anything to resurrect their prince, but he is dead." His eyes were like black ice as he stared at Trey.

Trey stared back at him. "You are so sure?"

"You cannot remember anything they have not allowed with their Guerani powers. But they cannot give you memories that they did not personally experience with you."

Trey smiled faintly. "You are right, Dax, they cannot." He closed the distance between them and jerked him to him with a handful of Dax's tunic until they were nose to nose. "I know you were there, Dax. I am beginning to remember what happened that night when I went to my father to demand Arora as my wife. Did you and Dilan follow me? You were both there."

There was a flicker of surprise in Dax's eyes before it disappeared and he regained his sinister calm. "You are guessing, pretender."

Trey shoved him away so that he fell to the dusty ground. "I may not remember everything now, but I know that I will, and then you will be unable to keep me from taking back what is rightfully mine."

His long strides away from Dax forced Arora to almost run to keep up with him, and he didn't stop until he realized he did not know which of the tents was theirs. Arora bumped into him and he looked at her with surprise. "I am sorry, Arora, but he angers me. If I did not need him, I would kill him now."

Out of breath, she smiled then nodded toward the warm pool just out of sight behind the rocks. "If you go that way, you will find a hot spring where you can relax as you bathe. I will bring you clean clothing."

As he left her, Arora returned to her tent and picked up clothing, but when she would have left, Apolo came inside. They looked at each other for a moment, then he said, "Do not go near Dax."

"I wouldn't dream of it." Arora wanted nothing to do with Dax the Demon.

"You are not bonded to him, and he doesn't have any feelings for you; he never has."

"I am bonded to Zeno," she said with a sigh. "And because of that, he has saved me. I did not dare correct Lady Virineia. I don't know how she would take that information."

"She would be devastated. Had she known, Dax would be dead now."

"What did you feel when you touched her?"

Apolo smiled sadly. "She can't leave Calabria because she is still in love with Zeno. There is hope in her heart that she can redeem him."

"Our father has destroyed their lives." Arora was sickened that Dax's blood ran through her. "But I understand how she feels."

"His words may make Trey doubt himself again."

"We can't do anything to make him believe." Arora sighed. "I do not understand why Trey cannot remember what happened."

Trey was expecting her, so she left Apolo after assuring him again that she would not have any contact with their father. When she arrived at the hot spring pool, Trey was soaking in the water, his eyes closed, but they opened when he heard her approach. "I have your clothing. Come out and I will prepare you food."

He grinned at her. "I'm not hungry for food just yet, Arora. Come into the water with me."

Arora felt her cheeks flaming. "No, my lord! What if we are seen together like…like that?"

Trey laughed. "Then these barbaric men might learn a thing or two about how to treat a woman. Join me."

She looked around to be sure they weren't watched, then pushed off her robes and quickly slipped into the water. Trey pulled her against him, and she soon forgot her embarrassment. By the time they returned to the camp, it was dark but for the campfires. Outside their tent, Trynity sat before a fire, occasionally stirring a pot as she gently rocked the whimpering baby Arora had neglected.

"There you are!" She waved as she called out to them. Arora felt guilty about Trynity's beatings because her father had done it. "Shamara is starving."

"So am I!" Duo came out of the dark shadows carrying more sticks for the fire. "Is that stew about ready, babe? Even if it ain't, I think I'll eat it."

"I hope she can cook better than I," commented Arora as she took Shamara from Trynity and sat beside the other woman. The baby was very hungry.

Both Trey and Duo laughed. "Miss Stryfe is about the worst cook in the galaxy. Unless it is meant to explode, she can't make it."

"Actually, I am merely stirring the pot," said Trynity with a laugh. "Quatre put in all the ingredients."

"Where is Quatre?" asked Trey as Trynity took a wooden bowl and poured stew into it.

"He and Wufei are taking their meal with Relena and Heero. There is a celebration underway over there."

Arora looked at Trey. "What is the occasion?"

"A Calabrian marriage," he told her with a chuckle. "Why aren't you two over there."

"I heard the baby," said Trynity, "so I came to comfort her."

Duo sat beside Trynity and put his arm around her waist. "So where were you all this time?" he asked Trey.

Trey nodded in the direction of the pool. "There is a hot spring that way just big enough for two."

Duo's brows raised. "Now that sounds inviting. What do you say, Miss Stryfe? How about a nice hot bath under the stars? I'd like the chance to take care of your aches and pains."

"It's been awhile since we've been under the stars," she remarked, and Duo wasted no time scooping Trynity up in his arms.

Trey laughed. "I thought you were starving, Duo."

Duo chuckled. "Some things are just more important than food."

"I'll remember you said that, Mr. Maxwell," said Trynity with a giggle.

When they had gone and Trynity's laughter died away, Arora looked at Trey. "I think you humans are worse than Calabrian men."

Trey swallowed his food. "I do not know how you can consider us worse. Calabrian men use women to prove their domination and power. I hope I am showing you how much I love you when we are together, not how easily I can overpower you."

"You do," she replied, already regretting her words. "I merely meant…"

"I know what you meant." Trey chuckled. "In that respect, perhaps we humans are worse than Calabrian men. I often think of laying next to you, Arora, of touching you, breathing your scent. You fill my life."

"We are mates. I think often of you, too, Trey."

"I am glad to hear that. I'm thinking about you right now."

Arora blushed and looked down at the baby who was sucking contentedly, her wide eyes on her mother's face. "Trey, we just…" she couldn't even finish her sentence, she was so embarrassed.

"I can't think of a better way to make another little princess."

She looked at his face. "You wish to have another female child?"

He shrugged. "Why not? I want to have many children with you, Arora."

"I want that too, my lord." Trey took for granted that their life would be easy. "But what if we can never leave these hills?"

Trey smiled. "I don't care where we are as long as we are together. Your people lived in these hills. If necessary, we will raise our children here."

"But you are used to…"

"That was another lifetime, Arora. After what Dax revealed today, I do not know if I want to return to that palace. Everything I have ever believed was a lie. I have always considered my father a cruel man, but I never thought he lacked sense."

"My father is a monster," stated Arora.

"He is a traitor - to you, to Apolo, but especially to the emperor to whom he is tied with a blood oath. We cannot deal him justice, Arora. He has wronged Zeno."

Arora looked back at Shamara. "He has wronged your mother and you also, Trey." She turned to her eyes back to him. "My father sold your mother to the pirates. He let her believe he was going to help her escape Calabria with you, but he betrayed her."

"Did you hear this from my mother?" Trey was becoming angry.

"She has no reason to lie. I believe her, Trey." She told Trey about his sister who had never been given a chance to live because of Dax and how Zeno had saved her. "My father must have felt threatened by the influence your mother had on the emperor. He does not want Calabria to change."

Trey fell silent and stared into the flames as he continued to eat. Finally, he said, "I will speak to my mother. Perhaps I have judged her harshly."

"Do not tell her about Zeno," warned Arora. "She is already confused about her feelings."

"What difference would it make? I am going to kill him."

When the baby finished, they went into the tent, and as Trey played with his infant daughter, Arora spread out the blankets and furs that would be their bed. She laid down to wait for him, and he joined her when Shamara grew sleepy and was content to lie in her own bed.

Trey lay on his back beside Arora, staring at the shadows on the tent ceiling. The moons were bright, so she could still see him after he put out the light. Arora didn't need to touch him to know he was thinking about her father's words. Apolo had been right. He doubted himself again, and Trey didn't need that now.

She moved against him invitingly although she felt very nervous still about initiating any touch of her imperial prince. "Forgive my boldness, my lord prince," she murmured as she pressed her lips to the pulse at his neck. "But I've been thinking of you and what you said earlier. Is it wrong for a female to have such thoughts."

He put his hands on her waist and ran them upwards. "My lovely imperial guard, you can have those thoughts all you want. We are of the same mind."

"Except that we shall have a son."

As she lay sleeping hours later, Arora heard her name whispered, and thinking it was Trey, she opened her eyes to the dim light in the tent. The first sun hadn't risen yet, and the light cast in the tent was eerie. Trey was sleeping soundly, just as was Shamara.

Although she was still very tired, she could not return to her sleep. She lay on her back staring at the tent ceiling thinking about Apolo's warning that Trey may be doubting his identity again. They could not continue worrying about Trey's lack of confidence in himself. The more he heard he was a fraud, the more he believed it. No matter how much proof was placed before him, he might never truly believe in his right unless he could remember what had happened the night he had gone to his father and challenged him.

There was only one person in the camp who knew for certain.

Careful not to disturb Trey, Arora found her discarded robes, and after dressing and seeing that Shamara was content, she left the tent. The second was slipping toward the horizon although the first sun would not rise for another hour. She asked one of the men where Dax had been put and he indicated a tent nearby. Arora was trembling as she approached it, and when she ducked in, she expected him to be asleep. But in the half-light from the one risen moon, she could see his open eyes glistening in the dark.

"I expected you sooner, Arora."

His voice had an eerie quality she had never noticed before. "What made you think I would come to you?" She could not sound more frightened.

"Because I called you."

Arora shuddered. "I did not hear you call. I came here because I want to help Trey. You know that he is Trey!"

He shrugged. "There is the possibility that I did not succeed in ridding myself of him."

"You sent him away!" accused Arora angrily. "How could you do such a thing?"

"I dared not outright kill him; Zeno may have changed his mind. Sending his craft into that space rift was the best I could do. I was sure I would never see him again."

"I will tell the emperor what you have just told me!"

"How do you know he does not already know?" His lips curled in scorn. "I know why you are here. Untie my hands and take them in your own. Only with your Guerani powers will you find the answers you seek."

She hesitated, but the challenge in his eyes made her move forward. Jerking a dagger from her belt, she untied his hands, but before he could make any move to escape, she seized his hands with her own, confident that her abilities would paralyze him.

When she forced their fingers to lace, her only thought was that neither she nor Apolo had ever touched her father's flesh, especially not his hands.

Then the tent seemed to spin around them, and although Arora tried to fight the vortex, realizing immediately that something was wrong, she had lost control. Blackness enveloped her for a moment, and when it faded away, she found herself not in the tent, but standing under the hot suns of the Wastelands. Birds circled overhead, just as they had that day when they waited for her to die so that they could feast on her corpse. Why was she here? How had she gotten here? She was supposed to be seeing Dax's memory of that night.

Suddenly she felt another presence.

Arora turned.

He stood a few feet away from her, his lip still curled in scorn as she had seen him last, but he stood with his arms crossed.

Her heart began to hammer erratically in her chest. "What…How…?"

Dax's laugh was low and menacing. "You surely know how I come to be here with you."

She remembered Virineia's words, " Valerya told me that the most powerful of your people have the ability to transcend space and time, to draw someone into a sort of trance."

Arora took a step back. "It cannot be true!"

Dax raised his head and she read the unthinkable in his glowing eyes.

Dax was Guerani!