Bane

Warning: This story does contain same sex, non-graphic, marriage relations.

:This is mind speech. . . :

Tayledras terms and their meanings are at the bottom of this chapter.

Disclaimer: See chapter 1. Reviews are welcomed, flames are not.

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Chapter 2

Kestra'chern Silverfox k'Leshya tucked his new son into the middle of a large futon in the center of an open and airy room. The room was high in a large tree, with late summer shadows peeking through a thin membrane covering the floor to ceiling window that allowed light into the space, but kept out leaves and insects.

A collage of masks, in different colors and materials, hung among the summer shadows. They formed a pleasing three dimensional artwork and were the only decoration in the room.

Silverfox was still assessing and coming to terms with what had just happened. He straightened, looking out at the darkening sky. But what else could he have done? The Star-eyed was not One to be denied.

Earlier, he had been meditating quietly in his study, waiting for his life mate to return from a meeting with the Vale's elders. It was then he heard Her call.

'Firesong had mentioned its been too quiet lately. A sure sign something is brewing,' Silverfox mused. 'I know there's a Shin'a'in proverb about this, but I can't think what it would be. Oh well, they have a saying for everything. I'm sure it'll come to me.'

The last lights of the setting sun cast long shadows on the mountain sides that surround the Vale, darkening the room. Quietly he moved through the room lighting small mage globes to dispel the gloom. Then he set about placing snacks on the low table tucked away in a small nook. His life-mate would be returning soon, tired and hungry.

It had been years since they'd come to k'Valdemar, the farthest point from the heart of the country.

Although both of them were now retired, Firesong became bored easily and needed to be involved in something. Being at k'Valdemar had its moments of terror and adventure that kept his childish partner interested in life.

'Well, now that Harry has come into our life,' Silverfox mused, as he smoothed out some wrinkles in the blanket and lightly brushed a strand of hair from the face of the sleeping child. 'Maybe Firesong will settle a bit again now. We have, after all, been talking about adopting. Harry isn't quite a newborn, but at least we don't have to worry about potty training.'

Normally, when Silverfox walked the moon-paths during his meditations, to cleanse his heart and soul for the day's trials, he rarely saw anyone or anything. He just used the magical energies of the void to renew his spirit. However, to have one of the Star-eyed's avatars appear and beckon him to follow into the mists was of some concern. They only appeared when there was great need.

When the mists around cleared the Star-eyed Goddess had appeared before him, and in her arms was a sleeping child.

:Be at peace, Silverfox,: She informed him. :I have a task for you, but first look into the mist behind me. Behold the history of this child in my arms. He is the reason why I sent for you.:

In the swirling mist of the Void behind Her appeared a family scene of a man with messy black hair and a woman with fiery red hair and emerald eyes. Between them was a child, a toddler that was a perfect blend of the pair. They were a happy family, enjoying a quiet evening at home. Until . . .

Silverfox watched as horror upon horror was visited onto the toddler as he grew into a scrawny, abused teenager with the cold, dead eyes of someone who had nothing to live for.

The kestra'chern's heart shattered as the broken-souled teen pleaded with the Star-eyed for help even as his life's blood dripped into the sputtering fire.

:His name is Harry Potter,: the Star-eyed instructed quietly as the scenes ended. :He has been chosen by Fate to save his people. Due to one foolish old man's interference they turned their backs on him.

:This young warrior's deepest wish is for family. He was forced into a warrior's mold at the age of fifteen months.

:He needs more. Because you and your life-mate have served me well over the years I have decided to fulfill one of your wishes, and his as well. However, there is another reason you need to take in this child, but you will have to learn that later when the time is right. Will you accept this charge?:

Silverfox realized quickly it was his position as a kestra'chern being called upon. He, as a kestra'chern, was a mix of mind and spiritual healer. Their purpose was, with their empathic abilities, to counsel their clients using almost any means necessary to heal souls and minds.

After viewing the boy's life, and seeing the damage that had been inflicted, he could understand why She decided to call on his skills for the child in Her arms. Could he and Firesong deal with the challenge? Such a child would demand much of their attention.

"I accept, Lady," he'd said, as he held out his arms to receive the boy. His expert medical eye ran over the child's body, noting the small malnourished form and the few scars that peeked out of the over sized clothing. He sent a puzzled looked to the goddess. "I thought he was older?"

:He will need time. I have given it to him. You and Firesong will need that time to retrain his magic and this will give him his deepest desire. He was unloved and ill-treated. When he is ready I will call him to My service as a healing adept. He is now dedicated to Me. Until then, you may call him your son.:

"As you wish, Lady."

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Adept Firesong k'Treva was tired. He had spent the last two hours attending a meeting with the elders and working on the heart-stone's ley-lines afterward.

The rugged outcropping of stone that served as the focal point of the intersecting ley-lines of magic, known as the heart-stone, was very stable. Its sole purpose was to draw magic that ran through the ley-lines, and pool it under the Vale. It also slowly pulled in the wild magic that layered the land like a wet blanket and cleansed it.

This wild magic, if left unchecked, did strange and unpredictable things to the natural order. It was the duty of the Tayledras to cleanse this taint from the land.

It had been too quiet in the forest around the northern borders. All the signs were there for trouble brewing. But what? Only the Star-eyed would know, but She was also quiet.

The flamboyantly dressed Adept Mage turned down the pathway to his ekele and was looking forward to a long soak with his life-mate, Silverfox, and then a long night of 'cuddling.'

As one of the elders of k'Valdemar, the tall, snow-white haired man was responsible for the well being of the Vale and all its denizens. Goddess Forbid. He had turned out as bad as his father, Starfall. And Firesong hated politics!

The ley-lines in the area were almost back to full strength after the Mage Storms that almost destroyed their world, and ruined his perfect face.

Firesong reached up and ran a finger under the leather mask that he tended to use in public and during his work on the heart-stone. He traced the faded scars that marred half of his face. Life was never easy, but what could an adept mage do when the Goddess called?

He walked up the pathway to his shared ekele, only to be met inside the ground level common room.

"Shh..." Silverfox shushed with a finger to his lips. "Welcome home, ashke. Come, I'll draw you a bath, and I'll explain what happened to me while you were busy. I had the hertasi to deliver supper to us. I knew you would be tired and hungry."

The bathing chamber was tucked neatly behind the tree that served as support for their ekele for easy access. The steam room and bathing areas were connected to several ground level rooms that Silverfox used as his study and where he saw clients.

Once freed of his clothing and mask, Firesong sank into the hot water up to his chin next to his lifemate while resting his head on the back of the tub as Silverfox told him of his meeting with the Star-eyed.

"So we are now the proud parents of an abused child of ten summers, by the request of the Goddess. I thought we were done saving the world? Now we have to help save another one?"

"So it would seem, ashke," Silverfox agreed as he ministered to his life-mate. "I know we were talking about adopting a child a few times but. . ."

"You were talking. I was only listening." The flamboyant adept closed his eyes, allowing the steam to relax tired muscles.

"She showed me that Harry was taught wrong and in fact, although he isn't your ancestor's incarnation, he might as well be with the way he was raised. And even worse, he has the same power levels and talents as Vanyel Demon's Bane.

"That boy is a walking time bomb that has been severely mismanaged. You well know an untrained mage is a danger to us all.

"We were chosen because we are the only ones who can undo that damage and teach him to master his powers."

"You mean-you-were chosen, if he is so badly damaged," Firesong corrected. "You know I retired from teaching after training Darian."

Silverfox sighed. He knew there would be a battle over this issue. However . . . "Did you not say you were bored and needed a new challenge?"

"You are putting words into my mouth." Firesong huffed, then sighed. "So how badly was he damaged?" The white-haired mage couldn't help asking.

"Worse than Darian before he was adopted into the clans," the tall kestra'chern replied as he stretched out beside his life-mate in the warm water, running a soapy hand along his bare chest. "All the adults have failed him and yet, ashke. He hungers for family and a normal life."

Firesong snorted. "There is no such thing as a normal life."

"I know, ashke."

Silence descended as Silverfox used his talents as a kestra'chern to minster to his life-mate.

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Thank you for the wonderful comments. For those of you that are not familiar with this crossover, all we can say is "Dude! Read the series, you're missing out!" Seriously, Mercedes Lackey is an easy to read writer with great story plots.

Until next time. _ GF and the Frau

Ashke – a Tayledras' (Hawkbrother's) word that means "beloved."

hertasi – Hertasi resemble lizards, with pointed snouts and sharp teeth, tails and scales, and are also cold-blooded. They have a driving urge to feel useful, and many live and work in the Vales. They exchange their services which may include food preparation and cleaning to making clothing or acting as scribes for food, protection and safety. They also can shy and elusive around humans.

ekele – a large treehouse in which the Tayledras live. It is ". . . a single windowed room, varying in size, made of polished wood so light in color that it was almost white, and furnished at most with a few chairs bolted to the floor, a table likewise bolted, and rolled pads stored in one corner for sleeping." (Magic's Pawn)