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 Seven

Dart jogged to the place that might help him find the answers he sought only to see all of Ember's tribe gathered.

"Ah, Dart," Ember greeted, "We are returning to our holt. Father has said you will be remaining here to assist your friend's recovery."

"Aye, Chieftess," Dart agreed, "I will return to the tribe as quickly as I can."

"Good," Ember continued, "Take what time you need. Windkin is also staying here for a time to assist Door in being a little more social. I will see you two when we next meet and let all of your former tribemates from the forevergreen know that they are welcome to join our tribe anytime. I would welcome them gladly."

"Thank you, Ember," Dart grinned out, "I will extend that invitation as soon as Chot is well and safe again. Good journey."

"Please have Sunstream keep us aware of Chot's recovery," Tier begged, "It saddens me to know that one of my mother's people is dealing with so much."

"I will," Dart promised as he waved to his tribemates while Skywise led them to the pod to take them home.

The Wolfrider turned to see Jethel and Yun hurry into the palace. Yun rushed over with a deep scowl on her face.

"I like this idea, but do you think Zey will even tell us the truth?" Yun demanded without greeting Dart.

"You can't lie in sending without hearing the lie and that is the only way for elf spirits to communicate," Dart soothed as the Go-Back relaxed, "Zey might not even answer. Doesn't hurt to try. Anything we find out could help us with Chot."

"I think Yun should do the sending," Jethel spoke up as the elven woman gazed at him in question, "You are of Zey's tribe, Yun. Zey might not respond to Dart or I since he doesn't really even know who we are."

"Okay. I'll try. Anything to help Chot," Yun agreed, "What do I do? I just send my thoughts out to Zey to ask him to answer me?"

"Yes," Dart said as he pulled Yun and Jethel over to a private sitting area tucked in a hidden recess of the palace, "Just try your best, Yun. The worst that can happen is Zey won't respond because his spirit is still sleeping."

So Yun tried and tried and tried.

"Nothing," Yun spat angrily nearly two hours later, "I don't even feel a single touch of Zey's mind."

-Because the brat still sleeps, Yun. Why is your sending pulling at your fallen Go-Back comrades so much? We all hear your calls. What are you and your companions up to?-

Dart, Yun, and Jethel gasped to see Kahvi's, Tyldak's, and a few other Go-Back tribemates' spirit forms glowing before them. The true Go-Back chief had heard and come.

"Oh, Kahvi. My eyes see with joy," Yun gushed as her former chief smirked at her, "I need your help. A Go-Back is in need."

Kahvi straightened then and leveled an intense look upon Yun.

-How so?-

Yun explained what she knew of Chot and his reactions to the palace. Kahvi listened intently as her old tribe mates whispered behind her. It was Tyldak that sent next.

-Chot? That was the elf who made you fall, Beloved. Do you remember, Kahvi?-

-I do. The stab-backer who shoved me from the bird, hmm? You say that he feels guilt over what he did to me, does he? Good. He should.-

"Not the point, Kahvi," Dart interrupted a bit angrily as the chieftess looked to him, "Everyone makes mistakes in their lifetime. Chot is trying to make up for his mistakes, but he's being hindered. We were hoping to reach Zey's spirit. Something was done to Chot when he was a cub that has damaged his very soul and we all think it happened while you roamed with the Wolfriders when you awaited Rayek's return. He's in pain and will slowly destroy himself. We are doing everything in our power to keep that from happening."

Kahvi looked lost in thought for a moment before gazing back to Yun.

-It is true that fawns were valued more than bucks during my time with the Go-Backs. I take the blame for that way of thinking. One of the main reasons for that was that females birthed the next generation. Venka has established a much better way of respecting both sexes as the new Go-Back chief. I am proud of my fawn. However, shouldn't Chot have let his old pain go long ago? He is a warrior. Warriors don't hold onto childish feelings.-

"He's not holding onto anything childish!" Jethel growled stalking forward as Kahvi studied him with another smirk, "There is pain there! Real pain! Pain caused by the cruelty of the Go-Backs! Your tribe hurt my adopted, older brother!"

Kahvi's smirk faded as she scowled at the young elf. Yun and Dart exchanged uneasy glances and waited.

"You don't scare me," Jethel hissed as the other Go-Backs glared down at the young elf, "Chot has only ever spoken highly of you. He's told the glory of your tales since I met him. He speaks only in pride of the Go-Backs. His tribe failed him! Make it right by helping us get the information we need, you heartless, ice witch!"

It was clear that Kahvi was laughing joyfully as Jethel blinked in astonishment. What in the glow of the two moons was so blasted funny?

-Ah! Chot has had a hand in your raising. I feel the Go-Back spirit in you that he's instilled. So he does me honor by remembrance? Very well, Infant. I will help your 'older brother.' Hmm. Skot, go wake this Zey. I too wish to know a few things. I felt when Chot was brought into the palace. I saw his healing with the floating, magic user, but there is something deep within that Go-Back that leaves me unsettled. It will take time to find Zey. I will send for you three when the time is right.-

Kahvi and her crew disappeared into the palace like star dust as Jethel turned to look at Dart and Yun with a shocked face.

"Ayoo-yah! Little warrior," Yun howled as Jethel blushed, "That took real courage. Few have ever stood up against Kahvi like that."

"I didn't like the way she spoke of Chot," Jethel sighed looking down, "I'm sick of people talking about him like he doesn't deserve respect or even help. How can we convince Chot that he isn't someone to be forgotten if…if…."

"If no one takes the time to show him any different," Dart supplied as Jethel looked up again while the Wolfrider placed a hand to squeeze the younger elf's shoulder, "Chot's got us on his side. He's got Door, Dodia, No-name, Windkin, Kimo, Shenshen, Cutter, Leetah, Ember, Tier, and the list goes on, Jethel. Plus, he's got Kahvi now and it was you that convinced her to step up. We'll figure this all out."

"Okay," Jethel breathed as he relaxed, "I want to check on Chot now. I'm so worried about him. I hope Kahvi hurries."

"What do you think?" Dart asked Yun as the two trailed behind Jethel.

"I think it is mighty odd that Kahvi answered me instead of Zey," Yun began as she sighed, "It was like Kahvi was watching us all along."

"I thought the same," Dart voiced as he and Yun exited the palace, "I think your old chief sees something that we only feel. If she was so mad at Chot then why would she stay to witness his healing? Why would she question what she sees?"

"Why would she admit to being unsettled?" Yun added, "Kahvi rarely admitted to things bothering her. All we can do is wait and see now. It's all in Kahvi's hands because Chot is not strong enough to supply us with any answers any time soon."

Yun's words were true, but her comrade began to show signs of physical healing. Chot slowly strengthened and did seem to be doing better now that he was out of the palace. His new leathers looked too big on him because Moonshade had left room to allow for Chot to gain his weight back. The fever had broken and the Go-Back was able to make short trips out of his den for fresh air, but tired very quickly so Door stayed close without hovering too much. Dart enjoyed watching as Door and Chot sniped back and forth at one another. There was an ease around the two that showed their comfort with one another's company.

"What is this?" Chot demanded one day tugging at the strap that crossed Door's chest connected to a bag that was always on his hip these days, "What's in that?"

"Stuff," Door answered as his soul brother began pawing through the satchel while Dart and Shenshen watched from nearby.

"Food, food, and more food," Chot blurted as he sat on the ground with a fruit he liked to eat and began to nibble, "Worried you'd go hungry?"

"Something like that," Door chuckled as he gave Dart a wink, "You once said that there was nothing wrong with having too much food about."

"Mmhm," Chot hummed around his fruit as No-name bounced over with a comb and a look of pleading aimed at the Go-Back, "Ugh! Don't pull so hard this time, Cub."

"Kay," the child giggled as Chot grumbled while No-name yanked the elder's head band down and started his form of grooming his playmate, "Make you pretty."

"Yay," Chot groaned rolling his eyes as Dart choked back a laugh at his friend's face, "Give me another one of those sweet pears, Door. Have to put up with this. Give me."

"Try to be nicer," Shenshen lectured as Chot looked at her with an evil grin through his bangs while Door handed him another pear, "What?"

"Cub, Shenshen is jealous that I'm going to be so pretty," Chot advised as No-name listened while the elven woman spluttered, "You should help Shenshen with her mane next."

"Kay!" No-name agreed smiling brightly up at Shenshen as Chot smirked, "Make you pretty too, Shenshen."

"Can't wait," Shenshen offered touched at the cub's excitement before glaring playfully at the smirking Go-Back, "Good one, Chot."

Chot gloated as he began eating his second pear. Door was able to convince his son just to comb out the Go-Back's mane since Chot was beginning to look tired again after a few moments. No-name immediately hugged Chot's waist and shot off to play in Shenshen's hair.

"Strange cub," Chot grumbled as Door assisted him into the Father Tree, "By Kahvi's braids, I'm fine, Door. I'll go rest, you go fly. I feel your itch for the sky. Off with you."

"Sounds like your soul brother is feeling better," Windkin chuckled as he landed next to Door while Chot climbed to his shared den.

"He gets stronger day by day, but Leetah is right that it will take much longer before he is as strengthened as he was prior to his illness," Door sighed, "I'm trying to get as much food in him as he can handle."

"So the bag?" Dart inquired as Door grinned, "Good thinking. Chot didn't even realize that he had been played."

"Whole idea," Door agreed before stepping back as Yun tore up to the Father Tree, "Whatever is wrong, Yun?"

"Nothing, Door," Yun panted out turning to Dart, "Kahvi is sending for us. Where is Jethel? Her send sounded urgent."

"Kahvi? The chief of the Go-Backs that Chot has told me about?" Door asked as Dart sent for Jethel to come immediately, "Why would she be sending?"

"I want to know that too," Windkin insisted having already been informed of Chot's situation, "What is this all about?"

"Door, check your emotions for Chot," Dart warned as the Glider nodded quickly, "Kahvi was going to wake Zey's spirit for us. Jethel, Yun, and I are hoping that Zey's spirit slumber has healed his bad attitude so we can get some better information on what Chot went through as a youth. She is calling for us to come to her in the palace."

Door blinked and breathed in deeply, seeming to be trying to keep himself calm as Jethel shot over to the group. Dart sent to Shenshen and got the confirmation that she would watch over No-name since Dodia was away hunting with Nightfall and Redlance.

"Lead on, Wolfrider," Door finally urged with a quick nod in Dart's direction, "I wish to hear the creature's words too."

Dart nodded and led his group to the palace. He wished that Kimo could be there too. His soul brother was still with Shuna. Kahvi waited within the same small sitting area from before. Zey's spirit form was there as well, looking glum.

"Zey," Yun whispered as the Go-Back's eyes cut to her.

"Zey?" Door bit out, "You are Zey?"

-That would be me, Floater. What of it?-

"What in the flying pits of wind blazes did you do to my soul brother?!" Door snarled as he glided up to challenge the spirit as face to face as possible, "Why does your name cause Chot anguish? Answer me, Zey!"

-Get out of my cursed face, Bird Elf!-

-Answer his question, Zey. Now.-

Zey seemed to huff as Windkin tugged Door back down to the ground while Kahvi glared at her former foe.

"Zey, Chot's sick," Yun tried as the Go-Back remained silent, "We are trying to find out why. Could you please tell us anything you know about Chot's early life before Kahvi came back? He was your friend. Your kin."

-No friend or kin of mine.-

"Why not?" Dart asked as Zey glanced his way, "You shared blood. He supported you."

-He caused bad blood between my father and Chot's sire. Created strife and was a constant reminder of that for the both which caused me to be dragged into the mess.-

-Explain that, Zey.-

-Step ordering me about, Kahvi. You are no chief of mine!"

-Explain or I hunt you down for all eternity.-

Dart placed a calming hand on Door's shoulder as the Glider shook angrily. Everyone waited as Zey rolled his eyes finally.

-Chot's sire and my father vied for the same she-elf. She choose Chot's sire and that nearly destroyed my father. I was told that Chot's birth caused two problems. His mother didn't recover fully and she rejected the fact that he was male. Chot was born sickly and she wanted nothing to do with him. It was another she-elf that took it upon herself to find a doe to milk so Chot could survive his infanthood. His mother died shortly after his birth due to a troll ambush. Chot's sire blamed his son for her demise and so did my father, but Chot strengthened and survived despite the hatred aimed in his direction.-

-Why would those two idiots blame Chot for his mother's death?! Of all the frostbitten, bag of wind, double-cursed stupidity. A newborn buck is not to blame for a troll ambush!-

"Well spoken," Door bit out as Kahvi eyed him curiously, "Zey, you were born after Chot, correct? Do you know what happened to Chot before your birth?"

-I know enough to say that Chot was shown little attention or care due to what his birth led to in the demise of his mother. Chot's sire and my father took over the dull-blades care early on and shut others out so that Chot would know his place. Father used to brag that he made the toddling 'troll spawn' learn to stand properly by leaving him to stand in corners for hours. Older friends told me that Chot was rarely allowed out of the temporary den he occupied until being handed off once again between his sire or my father, but I don't think anyone knew what Chot was going through. Chot's sire get fed up one day. Jev threw his son out of his den and my father refused to take Chot back in because I was born by that point. The elf was old enough to survive on his own by then anyway.-

-Just barely, Infant. I'd have stabbed both of those dung-headed idiots if I had been there and known a child was left to fend for himself.-

"I remember Chot being happy then," Yun choked holding a hand to her mouth in despair, "He was alone at night, but he had friends and trained at the sword and spear so hard to prove himself. He liked to tease me and the other cubs, but he was never cruel and was there to offer help if it was needed. He was known to be a funny, wild youth. He never once let on how alone he was. Not once."

-Pfaugh! Who would want that one around anyway? I was raised to hate Chot, but he held no grudges. I couldn't stand him for that. It showed his weakness.-

"It showed that Chot was a better elf than you," Jethel growled before stilling as Door placed a restraining hand on the elf's shoulder.

"You were just as poisoned by your sire as I was by Winnowill. How do you know that your hatred was really even your own?" Door pointed out as Zey's eyes widened, "Chot wasn't angry with you because he was used to being treated coldly. It sounds like my fledgling knew no other life, but cold neglect and he made do with what he got. That is what a true Go-Back does, isn't it, Zey? Go-Backs dig in and survive. He rallied and survived despite what you and your kin tried to do to Chot."

-Whatever, Magic User. He destroyed the only sense of family I had by being born. All I ever heard out of my own father was all about his cousin and that she-elf and Chot needing to pay. My father didn't once stay focused on me, but focused only on belittling Chot. That Go-Back's birth ruined my life so I couldn't stand him. However, I began to notice that he had a gift. Chot could point out truths and persuade others easily. He spoke out of the blue for me, much to my surprise, when I tried to take power and I began to use his gifts for my own purposes.-

-You had Chot smooth the way for your benefit to become chief, but how did you convince him to do that?-

-Made him believe that I was taking power so others would not be raised as he had known, Kahvi. I tricked him into thinking he was working for the greater good of the tribe. Fool thought he was working to help other cubs that ever shared his type of upbringing. It was so easy to manipulate such a simpleton.-

"There is some untruth in your sending," Dart gritted out as Zey grinned while Yun and Windkin basically had to sit on Door to keep him calm, "What did you really do?"

To be continued…