Chapter 14: Flowers
Dudel picked out flowers from the market. Vorran and Ocker were near. He had seen Per'sus do this many times, and he wanted, as the hosts before him, to be involved. Someday, Per'sus and his future hosts would be doing this for him.
I think- Per'sus started before they heard a commotion. He saw his bodyguards approached him quickly, then-
~+~+~.
Per'sus noticed pain first. It took a second to realize it was in his body. Dudel?
"He's waking up," was Aldwin's voice.
Per'sus jerked, realizing that he was in a tank.
"Where host?!" He demanded as he felt himself being lifted.
"I'm sorry. Dudel was killed," Aldwin said gently.
Per'sus wilted. "How?"
Aldwin set him down and began running the healing device over him. "The city was attacked by another city from the same planet. Bows and arrows. Dudel was hit."
"Suffer?"
"No. He was hit in the head. These types of arrows are meant to pierce armor. His death was immediate."
Per'sus looked at him, opening his jaws slightly, as if gesturing him to continue.
"You were injured as well. The arrow, thankfully, only nicked your fin, but it hit close enough to give you a concussion. You are very lucky to be alive."
"See him."
Aldwin picked him up, then carried him into another room. Per'sus chirped in sadness when he saw Dudel's body in stasis. He was placed on the glass. Per'sus looked at him, then squirmed in the symbiote form of a wince.
Dudel had obviously been cleaned. He wore new clothes, but his head was bandage.
"When you are ready, we have a willing host."
Per'sus flicked a fin to acknowledge, but he didn't look away from Dudel. It was the first time a death had been so sudden. It didn't feel right. He felt like he should be able to crawl back into Dudel and heal him.
Per'sus stared.
~+~+~.
Someone came in. Someone not blended.
"Per'sus?"
Per'sus looked over.
"I mean, uh, Councilor Per'sus." He bowed slightly before walking over. "Is that Councilor Dudel?"
"Yes."
The man looked to Dudel, hoping that meant "yes." He couldn't understand squeal.
Per'sus curled slightly, feeling guilty.
"Your fin is torn," the stranger said as he approached.
Per'sus looked back to Dudel.
He looked to the man. "I'm sorry. It was on my planet."
Per'sus jerked suddenly to look at him.
"The violence is getting worse. That's why I left, willing to join you. I know. I know that being a Tok'ra isn't safe, but that city… It's getting worse. Attacks have become frequent. It's only a matter of time before the whole city is slaughtered."
Per'sus wiggled a fin.
"I'm a nobody there. I didn't used to be. I was the queen's son, not that I'd have ruled of course. That would have gone to my sister, but… When we were still kids…"
Per'sus gave a sad squeak.
"A new queen took over…killed most of us. I only escaped because I was a boy. People don't notice boys."
Per'sus slithered closer.
"Wow. You look beautiful when you move. I thought you would be clumsy on a dry surface."
Per'sus squealed amusement and pride.
"My name is Bandile." He offered his hand.
Per'sus rubbed into it.
Bandile pet him.
"It's nice to meet you."