More Than What Meets the Eyes
This will be a slightly alternative universe story. This veers off of canon a little. You will see that I made Dodia's son a tiny bit younger than what was represented in Barry Blair's "Fire Eyes." Sorry for canon lovers.
Doesn't look like there are a ton of EQ lovers here, but I wanted to tell a story of one of my favorite background characters that I think needs more attention. I love Chot.
Please review and let me know what you think, but I don't expect this story to be seen by very many so I'm not begging for reviews.
I own nothing. Poop!
Chapter Four
"Thank you," Door whispered turning to stare back towards the palace, "I will not fail the bit of trust I've been given thus far. There is boar here?"
"Huh?" Dart grunted at this sudden change of topic, "Um, yes."
"Good. That is his favorite," Door said as he rose to dry himself as the other elves blinked, "Now that he is awake, Chot needs to eat solid food to strengthen and fresh meat would be better. I will go hunting. Excuse me."
Dart blinked as Door dressed and flew away quickly.
"Does he even know how to hunt?" Dart asked as Windkin dressed while Kimo stood with a shrug.
"No idea," Kimo answered, "Did he have a weapon with him at all? How do you hunt without something to hunt with?"
The three elves blinked and tore off after the Glider. Door was a little bemused when the three appeared in front of him with Dart still pulling on his leathers.
"A weapon?" Door chuckled, "You do realize that I can skewer my prey with rock spears directly from the ground, don't you? How do you think I survived so long on my own within the forevergreen after my…once Dodia made sure you and the humans were free of my insanity?"
"Didn't think of that," Dart admitted from his perch on Kimo's wolf–form back, "I guess it does make sense that you'd have learned to hunt for food while you were alone for so long. What about tracking?"
"Now that I was awful at, at first," Door sighed shaking his head, "I don't have the sense of smell of a Wolfrider or even a Go-Back. Gliders fly above things…"
"So it was hard to look below again," Windkin interrupted as Door tilted his head in an affirmative, "I was taught by my Wolfrider father. How'd you learn?"
"I watched from above and got an idea of different animals roaming patterns," Door explained, "Then I would wait and use stone shaping to catch my prey. Messy and took a long time, but effective in the end. Chot laughed at me something fierce our first hunting together. Taught me quite a bit since and I expect him to finish my lessons."
"Are you saying no to some help?" Dart forced himself to ask as Door gazed at him with a bit of surprise, "Chot needs fresh meat and he is a friend of us all. Let's hunt together. The trees are too thick to watch from above. What do you say?"
"I say that I thank all of you for any help you can give me," Door answered smiling softly, "Lead on, Wolfrider."
The hunt was much different than any Dart had been on before and he had hunted in both forests and deserts. It was Door that located and took down the boar looking very satisfied. Chot's lessons were working out well for the Glider.
"Chot will enjoy this," Door hummed eagerly withdrawing the rock from his prey, "You, dear boar, will help my soul mate grow strong again. I thank you for that."
Kimo and Dart exchanged looks in wonder at one another. Windkin and Door worked together to fly the boar carcass back to the holt as Dart and Kimo followed on foot-or rather Dart rode Kimo's wolf-form home.
-Door's not too bad at hunting, Dart.-
-Not bad, but he won't always have stone to rely on, Kimo.-
-Do you think he knows how to use sword, spear, or arrow?-
-My soul brother is teaching me the spear.-
-Door? You heard us?-
-Yes, Dart. I have always been sensitive to sendings around me. I often ignore ones that are not meant to be open to all and I certainly cannot hear lock-sendings, but I heard my name and listened in. Forgive me that transgression. I am getting more competent with a spear, but my attempts are still clumsy for now. Chot will finish my training once he is well again.-
Dart pondered that as he arrived at the holt to see Clearbrook and Treestump showing Door how to better butcher the boar. Not once had the Glider shown arrogance in expecting others to do any work for him. Obviously, Door was trying. It was time for Dart to try too.
-Dart? May I speak with you?-
The Wolfrider startled at the soft send. The voice was familiar, but the thought was weak. Chot? Dart excused himself from Kimo and hurried into the palace. Jethel met him at Chot's door looking none too pleased.
"I don't like that he wants to have this conversation so soon, but he won't be stifled. Don't talk too long with Brother," Jethel warned, "Leetah said that Chot will tire easily and don't upset him. Go on. He's waiting for you."
With a quick nod, Dart entered the softly lit room and saw Chot leaning against a few furs so he could sit up a bit. The Go-Back's eyes were closed so Dart was unsure if he had fallen back asleep.
-You smell, Wolfrider. Talking is too tiring. Lock-send with me so my snooping bird-brain doesn't listen in?-
Dart snorted as Chot's eyes blinked open to look up at him. It was unnerving to see the usually robust elf look too weak to sit up. Chot offered a half-smile as Dart nodded to him while he stooped to be at the ailing elf's level.
-Sorry, Friend. Just got back from hunting and Kimo purposefully threw me into some stink weed as a joke. How do you feel?-
-Horrible in body at the moment. Good in mind to know that Door is healed finally. You know of Door and I?-
Straight to the point. This was Chot.
-Yes, I know of you and Door. Must have been a shock and it seems it pulled parts of your mind open more than when we were last together. Your sending now.-
Chot shuddered as Dart leaned forward in alarm.
-His mind hurt, Dart. It hurt me to feel it. I don't know how I knew what to do to help Door. I just did it.-
-At the expense of your health, Chot.-
-At the need of the other half of my soul, Dart. You would do the same for Kimo or anyone else you care for. Don't deny.-
Dart groaned and sat back on his heels. Chot was correct and the blasted Go-Back knew it.
-Don't hurt him, Dart. I won't have it, Wolfrider. I won't!-
"No. Hush," Dart soothed seeing that Chot was upset, "I won't hurt Door. He's given me no reason to think I have to."
"Been through so much," Chot choked as he closed his eyes and turned his head away, "She hurt him so bad. We'll leave if we must. I won't allow him to hurt anymore. I'll take Door far away from you, if you wish. Just don't hurt him."
Door reached to try and soothe Chot and only had the warning of a small tremble from the floor he kneeled upon.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" Door roared as stone pinned Dart against the wall hard making him gasp in shock as the Glider burst into the room with Jethel following, "Chot?!"
Everything was a din as elves ran in and there was yelling and blaming and finger pointing. Dart blinked. No pain. The initial impact had been painful, but the stone was not squeezing the life out of him. It was rather embarrassing to feel he was dangling from several feet above the floor, held in place by the stone of the palace. His eyes cut to a kneeling Door cradling Chot close whispering softly to him even as Ember, Cutter, and Strongbow were shouting in the Glider's ears.
"Are you harmed?" Windkin demanded hovering near right as Kimo charged in looking panicked.
"Not at all. I'm fine. Back up so I don't blast your ears and go reassure Kimo before he reverts to wolf and eats Door. Everyone, stop!" Dart called over the noise as voices quieted, "I'm pinned, not hurt. Chot got upset and Door sensed his stress. Door was defending Chot from what he thought was me harming his bonded. Let me down, Door. Chot was warning me to show you respect. He was warning me not to hurt you. No one here will harm Chot. Stand down."
"You caused him pain!" Door spat looking up at Dart with livid eyes.
"Not on purpose," Dart pushed, "I'll not do so again. Calm yourself and let me down."
Door breathed hard before snapping his head in Jethel's direction
"You swore you would protect Chot for me, Brat. Why did you leave him?" Door hissed to Jethel before grunting as two hands fisted his hair on each side of his face and jerked his head down.
Cutter raised an eyebrow in surprise as he kneeled close to the two, soul brothers. There were none in the room that didn't hear the softly whispered tongue-lashing that Chot was giving Door. Slowly the stone receded as Dart was allowed his freedom and caught by Windkin to be settled back on firm ground. Kimo rushed to the two to assure himself that Dart was fine.
"I…I'm sorry," Door breathed, tightening his hold on Chot as he looked back up, "I felt…he looked so upset. Chot's not strong enough to be stressed like this. I reacted…I…oh, High Ones. I overreacted. I'm sorry."
"You reacted like a wolf defending his pack," Cutter declared placing a hand on Door's shoulder, "There is no elf alive that hasn't gotten their dander up thinking they needed to defend their loved ones. Just leave off the stone next time."
"I'm so sorry," Door apologized again looking down while Chot's hands reached to soothe him.
"No. I am," Dart declared making Door glance up, "I shouldn't have allowed this conversation to happen until Chot was stronger. I should have given you more trust. Chot and Jethel wouldn't have allowed someone dangerous near the palace or other elves. I shouldn't act like I have the right to judge you and determine your fate. That is what you were trying to tell me, weren't you, Chot?"
"Yes," Chot whispered looking up at everyone from Door's arms before closing his eyes as one fist tightened in Door's shirt leathers, "Mine."
"Here, Laddie. Burned meant just as you asked for," Treestump offered as he handed Door some smoking boar meat upon a wooden plate, "Chot's made his claim and judging by your actions, you have too. Everyone out. Let Door tend to his soul brother. Enough excitement for today. No harm has been done."
"No more conversations like this until much later when Chot is stronger," Ember ordered reaching and squeezing Dart's arm firmly, "Am I understood by all?"
"Aye, my chief," Dart agreed as other assents rang out even as he noted Cutter's look of pride for his daughter, "I apologize for being the catalyst of this disruption."
"No worries," Ember soothed, "I don't think you or Door meant true harm. Accidents happen, but Door's nerves are too raw over the health of his soul brother. Wait a bit before any major discussions."
Dart nodded once and watched as Cutter began shooing elves from the room as he, himself urged Kimo and Windkin to go.
-Are you hurt, Son?-
-No, Father. I need to apologize to Door and Chot. I'll be right out.-
Strongbow nodded once and patted his son's back as he left. Dart scooted over to Door in time to hear Jethel's forgiveness of Door's words. The Glider and Jethel looked warily at Dart as he stooped down.
"I apologize," Dart offered watching Chot's eyes open again, "You have my word, Chot. I will never bring harm to Door if I can help it. I will only raise my hand against him if there is cause. I don't want either you or Door to leave because I'm acting like a cubling by holding onto the past. Be at ease, Friend, be at ease."
-Promise?-
-With all my heart, Chot. I apologize to both you and your soul brother. Am I forgiven?-
-Only if you bathe. You smell repulsive.-
Door, Dart, and Jethel laughed heartily before Door locked eyes with Dart.
-Dart, I'm sorry. I assumed.-
-My fault, Door. All of it. Chot knows me enough to realize that my stubborn side would make it tough to see you as you are now. As wild as he is, Chot's loyal to the end. He wanted me to know my place. I have no right to judge either of you.-
-About poking time you realized that!-
-Hush, Fledgling. Stop squawking at me. Thank you for your words, Dart. Allow me to care for my bonded now. Again, I do apologize for my outburst.-
-Don't tell me to hush and stop calling me stupid names!-
"Be still, Chot," Door voiced as the Go-Back glared up at him, "Look. I have some boar meat that Treestump was kind enough to spit over his forge fires. That is you favorite."
Jethel and Dart withdrew as Door's attentions turned to his soul brother. The upset had caused Chot to pale some, but both sensed the surprise and pleasure from the weakened dwarf as Door showed him the platter of food. It felt good to see the eager look in Chot's eyes as his face cleared of his scowl and it looked like Door was happier about that too.
"Door will get some meat in him," Jethel bragged pulling Dart from the room before whirling with a glare once the two was outside, "I told you not to upset my brother."
"I think he was upset before I came in," Dart pointed out as Jethel stepped back with a frown, "I think Chot was anticipating my displeasure and was ready to fight to protect Door. You were right. He and I shouldn't have talked on this so soon."
"I see," Jethel hummed, deflating, "I guess this had a good outcome since you were able to set his mind at ease."
"Don't take Chot lightly," Yun warned as she walked from some shadows, "His trust levels were pretty damaged by that stab-back Zey. I think Zey pretended to be Chot's friend to manipulate him which I didn't figure out until really getting to know Chot better in the forevergreen. That Go-Back will be watching all of us very carefully. Chot will defend what is his until the last breath in his body, but I do think, the same could be said about Door. Pinned you good, Dart."
"That he did, but not to hurt me," Dart agreed, "He acted to subdue me. The Door of the past would have killed me immediately. He is changed and I think…I think for the better. I am growing to like this new Door."
"Good. You see Door's progress. I'm so glad, Dart," Jethel hummed giving Yun a strange look, "Can you tell me more about this Zey, Yun? Chot's mentioned that name before, but only in passing. If I asked him about it he'd grow silent and say he was tired or hungry and disappear for a few hours. That name seems to also set off Door into an angry brood. Plus, Door told me never to mention that elf to Chot again."
"Why?" Yun scoffed, "Door never knew that back-biting troll. Why in the shadow of the great ice wall would a Glider know of Zey?"
"I don't know," Jethel murmured glancing over to the room that housed Chot and Door, "Zey's been brought up only two or three times since Door came into our lives again and he gets all intense when Chot says the name. I get a feeling that Door knows something about Zey. Would you tell me about him?"
Yun looked puzzled, but agreed. Dart was allowed to listen in. There wasn't much more than Zey had claimed leadership once Urda, the one left in charge of the Go-Backs by Kahvi, had been slain by trolls years and years before.
"There was a lot of grumblings that one so young was taking charge," Yun continued, "But Chot spoke up for Zey. Said why the poke should Zey not be given the same chances to prove his worth. The tribe all agreed and Zey…he kind of took Chot under his wing. The two had never been close before that. It was Chot that was able to kind of smooth Zey's way along and I think that cursed fish poker realized that our friend could be used as a tool to gain power."
"Then the whole thing happened over the little palace," Dart blurted as Jethel and Yun looked to him, "If Zey and Chot were friends then why does Chot withdraw when Zey is mentioned? That peaks my curiosity."
"Don't know," Yun admitted, "There is…there were times that I questioned what I saw between Chot and Zey later, once Zey was truly the chief. Chot became withdrawn and quieter than I remember. He is slightly older than I so we were not extremely close, but I remember him smiling more when I was a cub during the rare times he played with the young. His smile fled with Zey taking charge. I see the whole picture better now looking back, but I missed worrisome signs back then that something wasn't right. Chot only mentioned to me once that he never should have backed Zey. That he regrets a lot of his actions which is why I think Door's plight touched him so much once he got a clear look into that Glider's mind. Chot wants Door to have another chance like he got to have being taken in by the Sun Village."
"Maybe that is why Door reacts to Zey's name being mentioned," Jethel guessed, "Perhaps Door senses that Zey caused Chot pain and he grows angry at the thought. I don't know if either of you noticed that Door has no love for that which harms the ones he protects."
"I had no clue whatsoever," Dart drily stated as Jethel and Yun chuckled.
To be continued…