Artanis, Karax, Rohana and Vorazun, once back aboard the Spear of Adun, were glad to return to Aiur and their people, however were uncertain if the entire extent of their adventures of the day should be shared. Artanis and Vorazun, knowing now of their relation, despite the drastic age differences, felt better keeping it to themselves, Rohana and Karax understood and seconded their thoughts, however Rohana added the stipulation that they should converse with Selendis and Talendar on the matter more later.
**Talendar is... Likely to wish to see Xerxes himself, they were known to each other before the Scion province incident. How he will react, I am not certain. Selendis may surprise us with her reaction, however.** Artanis nodded agreement with Vorazuns speculation, torn as several of their crew aboard the Spear had expressed curiosity and apprehension toward Xerxes' presence beforehand. Karax turned from his control console, feeling emboldened by his interactions with Xerxes throughout the day, and his acknowledgement of his station as a figurehead of the Daelaam.
**Perhaps a small council meeting? To address the knowledge that Amon is not truly gone, as all had thought and the fact that there is a massive faction travelling on the edges of allied and Daelaam space? I'm certain we are going to be asked about the collapse of the Overmind crater, and the presence of Alarak.** Karax watched Artanis calmly, Rohana and Vorazun both nodding agreement.
**I agree, I would like to speak with Talendar and Selendis beforehand of course.** Artanis nodded, thankful that his companions understood and had seen and experienced all he had throughout their day, so he would not be required to explain everything himself or be potentially disbeleived. Some he knew had been staunch supporters of and had previously fought to re-establish a Conclave, would likely rail against every talking point he would bring up and to have allies to support him on the entirety, those who were undeniably intertwined in his own experience, and a neice with more lifetime experience than he had who had no compunctions about supporting him. Vorazun eye-smiled at him, nodding happily as he slowly worked everything out for himself.
Xerxes would remain with his little brood under Samateus' jurisdiction for now, safe and fairly easily accessible to them, the Terrans and Zerg both appreciated the new allies that had come through from another realm, Alarak and his Tal'Darim would give all a wide berth, lest Alarak be caught in a snare so damaging his entire reality could collapse around him. For now, Talendar and Selendis would be the focus of his explanation, they, with the three already on the Spear with him, would be instrumental in making these changes seamless for their people, already so displaced and focused on restoring Aiur, to add another potential threat would upset many, it would be their responsibility to help keep the civilian populace calm and the warriors sufficiently distracted with other tasks.
Rohana and Vorazun briefly spoke with Karax as Artanis mulled over his course of action, Karax laughing lightly at their concern regarding Ashtareen and her involvement.
**Many Khalai have followed Ashtareen in their own way for centuries without the Conclave interfering. Making her involvement and existence of an Avatar as a known ally amongst those who have come from another universe entirely will intrigue and spark curiosity in many. Those who have supported the Conclave will be a problem in anything we attempt to explain.**
**Agreed. I am, admittedly, apprehensive on speaking regarding Xerxes directly. His being a willing Primal Hybrid will be challenging to explain to any.** Rohana mused.
**So, we omit that he is Hybrid at first. Explain only that he was a prisoner of Amon and, to protect Aiur and all Daelaam, he is dwelling elsewhere to ensure he doesn't have any potential to bring further harm to Aiur in being Amons primary target. When he is brought up with more scrutiny, then we explain his history and anything else. For now, perhaps we should add the redacted archives to civillian access, make mention of it as Xerxes' gift in the absence of the Khala?** Vorazun raised a brow, staff returned to the clasp on her back.
**Clever, I agree. For now, let us return and let Artanis explain his piece to Selendis and Talendar, while we gather our council?** Karax nodded, moving to step back to the control console from their little group chat. Rohana nodded, mirrored by Vorazun, both moving to stand alongside Artanis, who had been preoccupied about how he could potentially further the familial relationship he had never had before. Rohana wordlessly reassured him that Xerxes would more than likely be happy to work with him in any capacity, as his demeanor had given them no reason to doubt his intentions or truth.
Meanwhile on the Ahr'Aht worldship tailored for the Taalrulthians, Samateus helped Xerxes and his small family settle into their temporary home. At first, she had encouraged them to stay within a large communal structure where Taalrulthians clustered in large numbers and would often share stories or experiences in person, despite being communally linked much akin to the now corrupted Protoss Khala. Samateus introduced them first to Sairyllia, head of medical and applicable sciences, a water-element Taalrulthian, with blue-silver fur like Samateus' with darker green and gold markings and she stood easily another meter taller than Samateus at the shoulder. Upon seeing how emaciated some of Xerxes' family appeared, Sai turned and almost railed on Sam, who held her ground and made the larger Taalrulthian bow in apology. Xerxes felt better being outside the compound, not wishing to impose on the generosity of the Taalrulthians, Samateus instead offering a small secluded cavern system, used more for training initially for Earth-element aligned Taalrulthians and now mostly empty as most of her kin had returned to surface dwelling.
Xerxes, while still in a great deal of pain and discomfort, remained curiously open to the information being shared, awed by the natural affinity of different types of elemental ability and psionic speech as well as the sheer variety amongst the feathered draconians.
Samateus led Xerxes, Arska, Taluth and Lia'Ashra into the large caverns, Larethon unfortunately just a bit too large to enter the underground area, happy to stay on the banks of the nearby river to wait for his family. Xerxes gladly lay on the cool earth and sand in the largest underground cavern, where tunnels spidered off into different areas less frequented by those on the surface, Lia'ashra noted that a large tunnel that led up and out just off from the main cavern could easily be enlarged to accommodate Larethon, though while she moved to inspect it closer she found it led up and into the Taalrulthian common area. She quickly skittered back a few paces as Sairyllia chirruped lightly at her and dropped the carcass of a large bovine down for them, Samateus trilling a thanks in a deep rumble that swiftly increased in pitch before cutting off. Xerxes eyed the carcass, Samateus moving to pick it up in her maw and gently lay it next to him. The four legged creature, a cow as Samateus mentioned, had been taken from one of their herds and culled so he could gorge as he needed, Xerxes blinking and almost confused.
**Oh come now, I know you're vampiric. Leon could smell it same as I.** Samateus chuckled, Xerxes appearing to pale and duck his head lightly. **Nothing to be ashamed of. If you feel you need more, just ask. I'll stay nearby with Larethon, to keep him company until we can open up the tunnels more for you.**
**Thank you Sam, though I need to ask, it smells of blood and placenta down here, was this a den?** Lia'Ashra asked, moving to carefully settle into the sand as well. Samateus chuckled, nodding as Xerxes cautiously moved to bite down on the throat of the cow, draining the blood from the body before he began tearing off pieces.
**Yes, we often make a massive fuss when a female gives birth. I prefer my solitude though in such.** Samateus explained, instead moving to settle herself down, much as a feline would, curling her paws in under her chest fur in the soft sand as her armour melted away completely. Kemet materialised on one of her horns, lying on her horn as a leopard would on a branch, two legs on one side hanging down and tail curled around to keep him stable when she moved.
**You've had children, other than the one stolen from you?** Xerxes asked, pausing between mouthfuls to ensure he swallowed properly. **Ashtareen must have done much more to heal you than I thought.**
**Yes, Ashtareen has gifted me much, though there is more reason behind why I was a target, and why my child being stolen and sacrificed is more... Infuriating than emotionally painful.** Samateus explained, ears flat, Kemet crooning sympathetically at her. Arska and Taluth watched Xerxes closely, both sniffing at their father's meal curiously as he continued to gorge. Samateus chuckled, playfully swatting at Arska's tail when she got close to get her attention and motioned to where the chute from above sat, two more cattle dropped down gently for the pair and Lia'Ashra, as needed. Xerxes watched as the twins moved to pull one cow closer to him before they began doing the same, Arska opting instead to use a talon to cut open the throat and drink its blood, likely how she had before with the Feral Zerglings she had dispatched and left for the Daelaam to find and attempt to get them to chase her. Arska did acknowledge wordlessly she had been doing such before, to keep a lower profile, though had only just changed her style to take the heart and liver also, as she had gone through her genetic memory to learn what would be most hearty to help her grow. Taluth huffed a bark, stepping back as he did not wish to take anything from his sister, waiting for her to finish first.
**Taluth, go ahead and take the other if you wish, I'll finish whatever you don't.** Xerxes explained, Lia'Ashra opting to remain feeding off light energy for the time being, Samateus chuckling as Taluth hesitantly went to the remaining cow and dragged it closer to his father and sister, simply snapping his jaws down on the throat and tearing it out, swallowing the mawful of flesh before careully lapping up the blood slowly seeping from it.
Samateus yawned lightly, content to simply watch the family as they recovered from being imprisoned for longer than she could have survived. Once sated, the twin hybrids settled close to Lia'Ashra and groomed themselves, though as their father chuckled they did not need to, as anything non-harmful and organic could easily be absorbed by their hides, even Arska shrugging and continuing to do so anyway. Xerxes finished his carcass and the thirds of the other two the twins left behind, his abdomen sagging lightly as his body digested and reallocated the biomass as needed, he settled down cautiously, gently shifting to move the sand to support him from underneath, checking on Larethon through their psionic connection, the Ultralisk could be heard letting out a sad croon from down the tunnels they had entered from.
**None of my earth-element kin are planetside, otherwise I would easily be able to have this tunnel system expanded...** Samateus commented solemnly, she could tell Larethon felt alone, simply by his vocalisation, Xerxes and his children more directly attuned to him and able to sense his emotion even at a distance.
**I'll go and remain with him then, I assume the artificial star here provides the same amount of light as would be expected of a normal star?** Lia'Ashra offered, carefully rising. Samateus nodded, smiling lightly at her.
**Yes, if he is also hungry please let us know.** Samateus purred as Lia'Ashra bowed lightly to her before making her way out the tunnel they had entered, Arska and Taluth happily curling up together against Xerxes' side, the larger Primal Hybrid stretching a wing out to cover them, chuckling lightly as they fell asleep quickly and appeared to slowly grow in size as they slept.
**I suspect she also was being overly cautious about her movements, for her to have only recovered, not grown.** Xerxes mused to Samateus, holding his deep rumbling purr as he also appeared to grow slightly, more so his crest and nervecords as well as his carapace filled out from having desiccated slightly as he had reallocated a great deal of his own biomass when aiding the Tal'Darim earlier. Samateus purred herself, smiling as she watched him and his smaller children.
**Your teaching, likely she wanted to make you proud of her. Though I can tell you are regardless.** She purred, flicking her right ear briefly and turning her head, looking at the sand near her as though not focusing on her surroundings. Xerxes understood that motion, she conversed with another at a distance, likely his alternate. When she turned back, she seemed a bit haunted, but had solemnly nodded affirmation at what had been said. Her silence dragged on, Xerxes eventually arching his neck to lightly nudge her with his nose and mandibles, Samateus fluffing her fur lightly and shaking herself.
**Apologies, Surriel asked how you are faring, he mentioned that Leon is interested in helping you get your family back when you are able.**
**I haven't told you about that, how?** Xerxes curled his neck back and lowered his crest, eyes narrowed as some skepticism and concern started to bubble up in his thoughts.
**Ashtareen has seen all, and knows your plight. She shared so much with me, I often forget how much any one person I meet is aware of or has experienced themselves, as it changes commonly for me...** Samateus responded quietly, grinning sheepishly at him. Xerxes nodded, relaxing again as he understood it was an Avatar's duty to be informed of all those she interacts with on a regular basis, for Ashtareen to have shared all his experiences with her, he must be important to the Goddess as well. He blushed when she nodded at his train of thinking, scale-like carapace shuddering lightly as he felt a chill pass over him. **Ashtareen loves her Illithichtiel children, wishes she could have done so much more for them, and is infuriated by what Amon did to your mother. I intend to help you change things. Myself, if Leon is otherwise unable.** Xerxes appeared unreadable for a moment, purr catching briefly at his relief and mild embarrassment for how much Samateus knew, that he had yet to tell his brother and newly found daughter. Samateus rose cautiously and moved to gently press her soft nose against his forehead before backing up a pace with a smile.
**Rest, I'll come and check on you in a little while, I'm wanting to get something more permanent put together for you. This underground chamber might appear fine now, but once you have your mate back, I'm certain you'd wish for more private areas.** She grinned, Xerxes chuckling lightly, blush colouring his cheeks slightly. Samateus then turned to pad back out one of the tunnels, pausing when Xerxes made one last comment.
**Sam... Thank you. I only hope to one day repay your kindness.**
Author's Note: Still plugging away. I write this for myself mainly, though I ask if you notice any discrepancies that you let me know via PM or Review.
I also reserve the right to remove unhelpful or nonsensical reviews.