3

The next morning, DG managed to talk her way out of her daily lessons, and go in search of Raw. Cain never once expressed any opinion about her actions or destinations, just followed along quietly. DG supposed that under normal circumstances, that's how a bodyguard was supposed to behave, and she ought to just ignore his presence. Of course, she couldn't ignore Cain if they were in a giant room with hundreds of other people, and he was on the far side of the room, and she never even saw him come in. She'd know where he was, she was sure she'd feel it.

They found out that Raw and the other Viewers were outside, enjoying the sunlight. Assuming the witch's magics hadn't harmed the Zone itself, the rainy season would soon start, and DG was warned that during the rainy season, there wasn't much activity outside that wasn't absolutely necessary. So sensibly, the Viewers were enjoying the suns while they could.

DG strode purposefully for the great doors and the ramp out of the Tower. She herself could use a little outside-time. Just as she reached the portal, Cain stuck out his hand, stopping. "Wait," he ordered simply.

DG froze, expecting him to grab her arm like he used to, her pulse spiking. But instead of touching her, Cain's hand hovered just a few inches from her, never so much as brushing her sleeve, making the skin of her arm tingle with misplaced anticipation.

Cain scanned the exterior, noting the guards at the doors, at the base of the ramp, and spotting a patrol skirting the edges of the valley.

"Alright," he said, dropping his arm, relaxing his grip on his pistol, and allowing her to precede him out of the tower.

DG glared at him as she walked by, frustrated by the moment, annoyed at her own eagerness for his touch.

"DG, Cain!" Raw greeted them happily. The few people who died in the battle of the Double Eclipse were buried by the tower, and the Viewers had taken it upon themselves to turn the area into a memorial garden. Raw and young Kalm were planting seedlings along a planned perimeter. Two other Viewers who'd been held prisoner, a nearly adult male called Fang, and a tall female, Tree, were seeding grass.

Cain smiled freely at the beastman. "How's it going, Raw?" he asked.

"Good, good," the Viewer replied. "We are all good. Much better. Happy to do work."

"It's going to be lovely, Raw. I can tell." DG gave him a quick hug, needing contact with a friend. "Raw, I'm hoping you can do me a big favor."

"What? Do you need help?"

"Actually, it's my sister I'm hoping you can help." The Viewer gave her a puzzled look, so DG sat down next to him, ignoring the mess the dirt made of her dress. She hated today's dress anyway – yellow was so not her color. "On the Other Side, there are people, smart people, who help those who's minds and hearts are hurt. I know Az looks healthy, but inside she's hurting a lot. I was wondering, are you able to help heal her mind?"

Raw frowned, thinking it over. "My people," he started slowly, "are each different." He waved a paw at the others. "Fang is a people healer. Tree can heal growing things. Kalm has strong sight." He sighed regretfully. "Lylo had strongest sight." The dead Viewer was buried in this garden. The others had performed a moaning wordless song of grief that even had former LongCoats unobtrusively wiping their eyes. Continuing, Raw said, "I am not strong healer, don't have strongest sight."

"But, maybe you can do it, because you can do both at once, Raw. Remember, when you healed Cain's leg? You healed him perfectly AND you saw into his heart." DG glanced up at the Tin Man, who looked a little uncomfortable at the memory. "I think maybe, for you, heart and mind are the same, and so if you can Heal and See, maybe you can See to Heal."

"I'm not sure." He rose abruptly, and went to speak with the other Viewers. Their native language fascinated DG. It sounded like grumblings and growls, deep in their chests, but in a way, it was comforting. Like what a tiger purring might sound like.

After a few minutes, Raw returned. "Possible," he announced.

"Really?" DG cried.

Raw nodded. "Can try."

"Great!" DG shouted, jumping to her feet and enthusiastically hugging the beastman.

When they parted, Raw cocked his head and looked at her closely. "DG," he whispered, "You are not happy?" His tone was confused.

Cain's head whipped around from where he was scanning the area to peer closely at the two. He listened intently.

"Oh, I'm ok," DG assured Raw. "I'm just worried about Azkadelia. But if you can help her, then I'll be really happy."

DG knew that Raw saw through that excuse like glass, because he was still holding her hand. But he tactfully let it go. "Come. See princess now," he suggested.

"Yes, lets." DG agreed, and led the way back into the tower.

Azkadelia was going over reports from her men when DG, Raw, and Cain found her. Tutor was nowhere to be seen, which was a relief to DG.

"Hey Az," she said casually, flopping into a chair. "You remember my friend Raw, right?"

Azkadelia smiled shyly. "Hello, Raw."

"Hello," the Viewer answered warmly.

Cain glanced around, and lowly announced, "I'll just wait outside."

Azkadelia watched him leave with a confused expression. "DG? What's going on?"

"Az," DG began, taking her sister's hands. "I know you're hurting a lot. The witch did things to you, terrible things, I don't even think you begin to realize. On the Other Side, we have doctors who are specially trained to help victims get better from things like that. But there are no doctors like that here in the O.Z." She squeezed her sister's hands, willing her to agree to this. "My friend Raw is special. He can See and Heal at the same time. I think he might be able to help you heal some of the hurts you have inside. If you'll let him try?"

Azkadelia paled, but turned to face the Viewer. For a long moment, they simply looked at each other. Then Azkadelia said, "I remember you. You were captured not far from the Pappay fields, just west of Central City."

Raw just nodded.

Her expression chill, Azkadelia continued. "You were initialized in the labs in Central City, but then escaped while in transport here."

Raw smiled a little.

Her breath hitched, then Azkadelia asked, her voice plaintive, "And you're still willing to try to help me?"

Raw held out his hands. "I always help."

Fighting her tears, and her fear, Azkadelia nodded. "Alright. What do we do?"

"Just take his hands," DG said softly. "I'll be right here the whole time."

Rising, Azkadelia stood tall, facing Raw. After a moment of hesitation, she covered his palms with hers, letting him curl his fingers gently around her hand. After a moment, he shifted his grip to entwine her fingers with his.

"Breathe," he advised softly. Azkadelia let out a shuddering sigh.

No one made another sound. DG practically held her own breath, she was so tense, praying silently for this to work, for it to help Az, even a little. Time seemed to stop as the gentle Viewer worked his natural magic on the princess.

After some time, tears began to stream down Az's face. Her breathing turned ragged as she cried quietly, while Raw began to emit a low rumbling sound from deep in his chest. Slowly Az sunk to her knees, but Raw went with her, and soon gathered her into his arms, never once loosing physical contact. Az cried, her tears wetting the pelt against Raw's chest, as one of his hands gently cupped her cheek. He never stopped the rumbling purr, and the sound was warm and comforting.

A soft noise behind DG made her turn, to see the door swing open. Cain was there, holding the door, and the Queen and their father looking in.

"What..?" began the Queen, but DG shushed her, indicating they should come in quietly. The Royal couple moved to stand with their younger sister, watching the older cry in Raw's arms. They were curled together on the floor, the Viewer supporting the princess. DG took her mother's hand, felt her father's palm warm on her shoulder, as they waited for Raw to work his magic.

Eventually, Az's soft crying stilled. Both healer and patient had their eyes closed, and soon, identical small smiles graced their faces. Moments later, they both began laughing softly, and Az sat back, still holding Raw's hand, but her eyes open, shining with relief. Raw's face was warm with compassion, and pride.

"Az is brave," he said softly, complimenting her. "So brave."

"You too," Az said, laughing softly. "Thank you! Oh, thank you so much!" Implusively, she leaned forward and planted a chaste kiss on Raw's cheek.

Raw blushed as much as a beastman could, then glanced up at their audience. "Az little better now," he announced.

"Az much better now," Azkadelia amended, wiping the lingering tears from her face. She stood, Raw with her, and she hugged him again. "That was amazing. Thank you so much."

DG couldn't wait any longer, and bounded forward to give out hugs of her own. "Thank you Raw! You're the best! Oh, Az, you look better already!"

The elder princess did look much better. The hollow look that had haunted her eyes was gone, and color was returning to her cheeks.

"What happened here?" asked the Queen.

"Oh Mother!" Az cried, going to her and hugging her fiercely. She did the same to their father. "It was amazing! Raw was able to See and help Heal me at the same time! I – there were so many hurts inside of me, from the witch, even from myself, some I didn't even realize were there."

"Here, let's sit," DG said, leading Raw to join them all at the table. She squeezed his hand, full of pride and gratitude for him, and Raw turned a beaming smile on her, feeling her feelings for him.

Azkadelia spoke freely. "It was as if I were walking through all of my memories, everything that ever happened to me. And Raw was right there, walking with me, holding my hand. And every time a bad memory was about to overwhelm me, Raw would tell me how it wasn't my fault, or it was alright." She looked at DG, and reached across the table for her sister's hand. "Oh, Deeg. I didn't even realize it, but I felt such resentment toward you, way down deep inside, for letting go in that cave, and at the same time I felt so stupid for facing off against the witch, when we both should have ran, together!"

DG's jaw dropped, but Azkadelia clutched her hand and continued quickly. "I should never have resented you Deeg, you were only five! How could I have expected that of you? And Raw helped me see that I shouldn't blame you, and I should stop castigating myself for being so foolish as to stand there and try to defy the witch ourselves. We should have both run, DG, we should have both run."

"It's OK, Az! It's long past now," DG reassured her sister.

Az nodded and went on. "And, things I did when the witch had control over me, Raw helped me see that it wasn't I that did all those terrible things. He also helped me see that the things the witch did to twist my heart and my feelings, she did to have power over me, to make me complicit when normally, I'd never ever do such things. And he helped me see…. see how some other feelings were wrong, just as I thought they were, but others could be right, and I don't have to be afraid of them." She gave DG a significant glance, and inside DG felt a major knot of worry for her sister ease. She'd been really worried over what the witch had done to Az that could really only be described in the Other Side as sexual abuse.

Azkadelia smiled fondly at Raw. "You've helped me so much."

Raw shook his head. "Not all healed yet."

"No, I know that. But you've given me the tools and the strength to do it, now."

"Thank you so much," said the Queen to Raw. "You've done so much for us. We're truly grateful."

"We are," echoed Ahamo. "You have my friendship forever for all you've done for my daughters." He enthusiastically shook the Viewer's hand.

Raw ducked his head, bashful from all the praise. "I will go now, let you talk. Finish garden work." He rose, pausing to touch DG lightly before leaving the room.

Cain watched as the Royal family pulled together in Raw's wake. The Viewer passed him, smiling complacently.

"Wait," Cain said, following Raw into the hall. Behind them, the happy voices of the Royal family floated in the air. In a low urgent voice, Cain asked Raw, "Earlier, outside, you said DG's not happy. What's wrong with her?"

Raw looked at him steadily. "DG's not happy. DG is sad, hurting."

"Well, can you help her the way you helped Princess Azkadelia?"

Raw shook his head. "DG is hurting. Not know why."

"You don't know, or DG doesn't know?"

"DG does not know why she hurts."

"Well, help her."

"Can't."

"What do you mean, can't?" Cain's voice was sharp, almost accusatory.

"I have guesses, but…. not my place."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Cain said, frustrated.

Raw cocked his head, gazing steadily at the lawman. "Cain is hurting too. And Cain knows why."

Cain scowled at the beastman. "Yeah, well, like you said, it's not my place."

Raw just gave Cain an innocently questioning look, before turning and without further comment, walking away.

Cain stared after him, wondering if the Viewer knew, if he guessed. And if he did, did Raw mean that what was hurting Cain was hurting DG? Was it Cain that was hurting her? Maybe he should give up this detail, let someone else guard her. Maybe she'd feel better if he was far away. He could do it. Go and ask for a different assignment, maybe in the realm of the unwanted. Lock away his heart again, so no one, not him, not DG, could be hurt. Maybe that was for the best.

Raw found Glitch sitting on the ramp, watching the activity outside in the late afternoon sun. Raw simply sat next to him, not touching. They both watched the patrols pass by, the other Viewers still gardening. Over the ridge, a van appeared, and the patrol smoothly changed course to intercept it.

Glitch glanced at Raw. "You look happy."

Raw nodded, his smile of satisfaction firmly in place. "I helped heal. Did good."

"Glad to hear it. DG?"

"Sister."

"Azkadelia." Glitch frowned then, started to speak, hesitated, but shook his head. "Nope. Whatever that was, it's gone." He gave Raw an impish smile.

"Would you want to talk to self?" Raw offered, motioning to the tower, indirectly indicating Glitch's brain.

"No, I'm fine," Glitch demurred.

They lapsed into silence again. Glitch seemed to be struggling, trying to hold on to a thought, a process, a series of connected concepts.

"DG's alright?" he asked finally.

Raw shrugged.

"And Cain?"

Raw sighed sadly.

Glitch shook his head. "This won't end well. Or at least, not soon."

Raw nodded in agreement, but Glitch's synapses had already misfired. "Look, birds!" he cried, pointing.

TBC

Two chapters in one day! You lucky people, ha ha ha. Actually I'm kidding: I'm well ahead on the writing of this, in fact, I'm one and a half chapters from being done. I thought about stringing the posting of this along, maybe a chapter every other day, but I think I'll do one a day until it's complete. That way, I can go back to reading everyone else's awesome Tin Man fics!