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 Eight

"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?"

-Chot's not the only one with gifts. I've always been able to send in a special way to make others do what I wanted. Tried it on Kahvi, but it didn't work on her because she only listens to her own voice, but Chot was easy to manipulate since I'd been pushing at him from early on when he was still a youth. I merely planted certain suggestions in Chot's mind to get him to cooperate. It was I that forced Chot's hand in pushing Khavi from the giant bird. Fool should have made sure he did his task well. It was I that made him believe that he needed to lead my tribe to the Sun Village. I was the mastermind in the whole situation and Chot merely a puppet. I figured if my plans failed, Chot could take the blame and punishment. Would have worked too if Yun hadn't have woken Kahvi from her sleep. It should have been Chot that died and not me.-

Windkin and Dart caught Door as he roared and threw himself at a spirit he'd never be able to touch. Yun had her hands full holding back a hissing Jethel. Dart struggled with the Glider as stone and crystal distorted around the room. The Wolfrider quickly sent for help.

"Wretch! Bastard!" Door howled struggling as Zey smirked, "Filth! You were no chief! Chiefs lead through their tribemates trusting them! You manipulated the Go-Backs and my soul brother! You had no real power!"

"Here, here," Yun snorted glaring up at Zey as his smirk faded and turned to anger, "Mucking, fish scum! I'm sorry I ever called you 'chief.' You used everyone around you. You caused harm where you might have done good instead. You should have gotten Chot help the minute you knew how difficult his life had been. No wonder it is hard for him to trust."

-I was a chief! A greater chief than Kahvi!-

-You wish, Infant. The suggestions you can plant in others, you're still doing that to Chot, aren't you? You have been reaching him through dreams and trying to get him to do something. I see your darkness working in Chot's mind. Skot said you were never sleeping, but very much awake when he found you. You've been chipping away at Chot for seasons, haven't you?-

-What of it?-

"It will stop."

Everyone looked up to see Cutter and Leetah. The two had answered Dart's sending. The son of Strongbow breathed a sigh of relief as Door stopped struggling and the stone and crystal returned to their normal forms. It had been the healer who had spoken and her healing powers flooded the room as Zey's sent curses filled the air.

"You deny my healing the evil in your heart, but I can stop your influence on others," Leetah stated as Zey's spirit fought her ministrations, "I end this gift of yours. I cut your ties to Chot. Great Sun! You've been trying to get him to end his life. Stop fighting me."

-I don't want your healing! Leave me be!-

-Put him back to sleep, Healer. The palace hasn't healed Zey enough for him to be awake. Let him rest while his spirit slowly works out the meanness in his heart.-

Zey yowled as he faded from view. Dart blinked in astonishment at all that had been unveiled.

"He was trying to harm Chot still? Even in death?" Door gasped as Leetah sank onto a bench with Cutter's assistance.

"Yes, but your bond was keeping Zey's influence from being strong enough to make Chot act, so the vile creature went another route. I think Chot's nightmares and headaches have been Zey's doing," the healer replied, "His connection to Chot is ended and he sleeps now. Thank you, Kahvi for the suggestion. I was unsure how to help Zey."

-Wasn't trying to help the stab-back. I was trying to help one of the bucks from my tribe. I thought I saw something dark mucking about in Chot's mind. It was Zey the whole time. My Go-Backs and I will guard over that one well. He will not be allowed to wake until his spirit is cleansed.-

"Thank you. You are truly the chief of legend that my fledgling has glowed about," Door offered placing a fist over his heart, "I will forever be in your debt and offer whatever I can to repay you in what you have done for Chot."

"Me too," Jethel called out, "Thank you for everything, Kahvi. Now Brother can heal from all that has happened to him."

Kahvi grinned down at Door and Jethel before giving both a cheeky nod.

-Repay me by caring for my tribemate. I failed to be there for Chot when he needed a strong chief. Door, teach him what he missed as a cub and let him know that I forgive him. Jethel, care for your brother well.-

"I swear it, Kahvi," Jethel vowed, "I'm sorry I called you an 'ice witch.'"

Kahvi again was consumed with laughter as Jethel blushed.

"I will do all that you asked," Door promised as Kahvi grinned at him and disappeared, "What? Oh! Chot is panicking. I must go to him!"

Dart blinked as Door took off into the air and disappeared around the corner. The others looked at one another and followed as quickly as they could on foot, with the exception of Windkin who flew gracefully. The group watched as Chot half ran, half staggered up the path to the palace as Door rushed to him.

"What in all the great ice caps have you been doing?!" Chot thundered as Door landed in front of him and reached to steady the elf, "You were enraged and what was that feeling of something breaking in my mind? Have you been doing poking magic stuff in there? Are you okay? Open your mouth and speak, Glider!"

"I'm fine," Door assured as Chot stumbled and the Glider had to pull the Go-Back closer, "You shouldn't have tried to run."

"I will run or do whatever is needed when I sense something like that surrounding you," Chot snapped, "What is going on here? Truth, Door!"

Truth would have to wait because Chot's eyes rolled up into the back of his head and he passed out cold as Door grabbed at him desperately.

"No!" Door gasped as Chot's weight sent both elves to the forest ground while Jethel sped over to try and help.

"Let me see," Leetah called racing over as she bent to examine Chot, "He is fine. Your soul brother used the last of his available strength to come find you. He pushed himself too hard since he still is weakened from his past illness. I've eased him into a deep sleep."

"Need help?" Dart asked as Door gathered his soul brother up into his arms.

"I can carry my fledgling," Door denied standing with Chot held close while nodding his thanks at Jethel, "I…I need some time alone with Chot. The shock of everything and knowing what Zey was trying to do is…I am not good company right now. Excuse me."

The group watched Door glide away quickly to the Father Tree. A hand on Dart's shoulder made him glance to Cutter.

"You did well," Cutter glowed, "Quick thinking to call for Leetah. That spirit was tainted by anger and vengeance. Zey might have done much harm before he was discovered and stopped."

"We might have lost Chot because of Zey," Jethel whimpered as Yun put her arm around his shoulders, "I don't understand. Chot didn't choose to be born or be male. How could anyone be cruel to a cub?"

"It happens sometimes and it seems that Chot kept his treatment a secret," Windkin sighed as Jethel looked to him, "Jethel, you heard Chot. He felt something breaking in his mind. I think Chot thought the breaking was from Door, but that feeling was the connection to Zey ending."

"That's right," Dart pushed as Jethel relaxed a bit, "We would never have been able to help Chot start healing with Zey working against us through Chot's dreams. The pain from the palace was quite possibly all Zey's doing. Chot has a real chance now to start fresh and he and all of us have you to thank for thinking of reaching out to Zey in the first place. You did well for your adopted brother, Jethel. I'm proud of you."

"Me too," Yun added as Jethel gave a small smile, "Let's go hunt. A good bit of blood pumping in our veins will clear out heads. Come."

Jethel breathed in deeply and nodded. Door and Chot didn't show up for final meal before it was time for the day sleep. Yun had already pulled Jethel, Dodia, and No-name into her den so that Door could be alone with Chot. Dart took some meat and nuts to give to Door when he heard soft voices and sniffles so he stayed his step and watched and listened.

"I don't understand. I don't, even after you explained it to me," Chot gasped as he shuddered in Door's arms while rare tears flowed down his cheeks, "What is this? What are these emotions within me? What is this feeling, Door? Why am I crying? I don't understand."

"Fledgling, this is your mind free of Zey," Door soothed holding the Go-Back close, "He was hurting you on purpose. Filling your mind with doubts and thoughts that weren't your own for who knows how long. You are free now and I'm sure your mind is overwhelmed which is why you are crying. Just let it all out."

"It hurts. It hurts to feel this…this…there is an emptiness," Chot whimpered, "It hurts, Door."

"I am here, Dear One," Door reminded, "The emptiness you feel must be where Zey took refuge and hid his presence from you. I will fill the emptiness. Do you feel it? I am there."

"I feel it," Chot choked, "I…I am so confused. You are there, but I feel so lost. Why do I feel this way?"

"The creature has been working against you for a long time. Being free of him has left you confused and disoriented," Door admitted tightening his hold on Chot, "I will never allow that again. You are safe now."

"I don't know what it means to feel safe," Chot cried as emotions seemed to overwhelm him.

Chot buried his face against Door's neck as he sobbed in heaving gasps. Dart's heart hurt to hear his friend's anguish. Chot had been ripped down to the bones emotionally and his usual tough exterior was gone leaving the Go-Back reeling. Dart felt bad that he was witnessing Chot in such a private moment, but didn't know how to leave without alerting the other two to his presence.

"I am here, Chot," Door soothed, "I will always keep you safe, just as you've done for me. I will allow none to harm you. None, Dear One. That is what it means to be safe."

"Why did Zey hate me so?" Chot demanded pulling back suddenly and scrubbing at his eyes, "Never had I wronged him. I supported him and I-I don't know why I did. He promised me so many things. He swore he would protect the cubs. He swore, but his words were always empty. I don't understand!"

Door sighed as he pulled his soul brother close and rested their foreheads together as he whispered soothingly to Chot.

"Zey had abilities to mess in others' thoughts like Winnowill," Door explained after his soul brother had calmed as Chot closed his eyes and simply stayed resting against Door, "His manipulations pulled at you and others to do his bidding. Nothing was your fault, Chot. You were manipulated to act and hate where you never would have. Kahvi wanted me to tell you that she forgives you."

"Forgives?" Chot whispered sitting up again, "She does? But…but I hurt and betrayed her."

"She holds no grudge against you so let that guilt go. Kahvi ordered me to take care of you since you were one of her tribemates," Door continued as Chot shuddered looking overwhelmed, "Let us talk of this more after you eat and get more rest. Your emotions are raw and showing more than you ever allow. Take a deep breath for me. That's it and another. Good. I will get us some food. That will make you feel better. It is time for final meal before the day sleep."

Chot blinked and hugged himself before nodding.

"Dart's spying on us. I can see his shadow," Chot breathed looking to the entrance as Dart sheepishly stepped into view while Door turned with a scowl to look at the Wolfrider, "Hello, you cursed spy."

"I brought a skin of water, some fresh deer meat, and some nuts No-name gathered for you two," Dart offered as Door relaxed, "I didn't want to disturb your conversation."

"No. Just listen in," Chot sighed looking down as Door glared at Dart angrily, "You were there with Zey too?"

"I was," Dart agreed while Chot moved to lean against Door as the Wolfrider had noticed the Go-Back doing if he felt unsure since his arrival, "I'm sorry that you were put through what Zey did. I've seen hurt from tainting like that too much. I could never imagine being strong enough to live through that."

Chot kept his head down and his silence for long moments as he toyed with a frayed edge of the fur that covered his legs.

"Door said Zey was pushing me in my dreams. I…I've been having dreams of feeling free for a long time," Chot whispered, "There was always a voice telling me that is what I wanted, to be free. Free of pain. Free of guilt. Free of the world. To let go. At first, I wanted to, but I always fought the suggestion of giving up. Go-Backs don't do that. Then the voice got more and more angry. Told me that I needed to be free so that I wouldn't cause others pain and the idea became more and more appealing the more the voice pushed at me…but there was Jethel and later No-name who truly needed me. Then…then…"

"Me?" Door offered after Chot had trailed off as the Go-Back looked up and nodded, "That was Zey's voice, Dear One. Do you…Fledgling, do you still feel like letting go?"

"No!" Chot bit out as his head snapped up angrily, "I'm no coward. I'm a Go-Back. We don't give up!"

Dart breathed easier as Door pulled Chot into a strong hug in obvious relief.

"Thank the High Ones," Door gasped as Chot's eyes widened, "What would I do without you? What would Jethel or my son? We need you."

"Need?" Chot repeated leaning back to look up at Door, "You're an idiot. Don't even know how to hunt correctly."

"That's right," Door chuckled as Chot blinked while Dart bit his tongue to keep from snickering, "You need to teach me how to hunt and many other things. I'm not real good on my own."

"You need me and Jethel needs me and No-name needs me," Chot breathed looking around, "Where? Where are they? Where is Dodia? Why aren't they here? They are supposed to be here! Where are they?"

"I'll get them," Dart soothed, "Eat something while I go get them. Be at peace, Chot. Your family was just giving you and Door some space."

"My family?" Chot echoed looking to Door, "I want my family here and safe."

"Okay," Door assured, "They will come and we will all be safe. All of us. You too. Let's see how that deer tastes. Come, Fledgling."

"It tastes like deer," Chot grumbled snatching a bit from the bowl, "Eat some too. Give me the bowl of nuts. The cub found my favorite."

Dart grinned as he turned to gather the others for Chot. It felt good to hear the Go-Back's attitude again. He hopped quickly up several branches to Yun's den.

"You asleep in there?" Dart called as he peeked into the curtain over Yun's den entrance.

"Not yet," Yun yawned out as Dart smiled, "What's got you so happy?"

"Chot wants his family," Dart answered as Jethel sat up quickly and Dodia blinked in surprise, "He's upset that his family is not in their den."

"No, not like," No-name whined hopping up quickly, "Want to go to Chot-pa!"

"It's what he calls Chot," Dodia chuckled at Dart's confused look, "He's put Chot's name and the word 'papa' together and dubbed Chot 'Chot-pa.' Refuses to call Chot anything else. I don't mind. That Go-Back's been more of a father to my lad than Door was able to be prior to his healing. Door and I have agreed that Chot is our son's second father. Come, cub, Chot-pa needs us. Off we go."

Dart chuckled as No-name took off as soon as he leapt from Yun's den. He had noticed that the boy adored Chot, but didn't realize how dear the Go-Back was to the child.

"We have room for one more," Jethel encouraged pulling on Yun's hand, "Come. Chot will feel better with you there too, Yun."

Dart found a sleepy No-name snuggled close in a calmer-looking Chot's arms as Jethel, Dodia, and Yun stepped into the den. There were no words. No sendings. Just a family arranging their sleep furs for a good day's sleep. Chot looked about and sighed with a contented nod as he settled down with No-name wrapped around him. Door glanced at Dart with a relieved grin on his face before he curled against Chot's back and seemed to get ready for sleep.

-I feel it, Wolfrider. Chot understands a little better. He can see the acceptance and love that is offered to him. I did not let him know that we know of his upbringing. That is his story to tell us in his own time. I will need to work with him slowly until Fledgling can unburden himself on his abandonment so he can heal and move on. You've given me the chance to help the other half of my soul. You ever have to ask, I'll always be at your service. Always.-

Dart sent only a feeling of happiness to Door as he made his way to his family's den. Now there was a chance. A real chance that Chot could be free of old guilt and pain to live a good life. It kind of felt like a part of his life was finally finished. His old tribemates from the forevergreen were all safe, accounted for, and starting lives that they choose to live. Even Door was safe and where he needed to be. He glanced up to see Strongbow looking at him from the den entrance.

-Son?-

-I followed the Way, Father. I listened, learned, and acted when necessary. My heart is full.-

-As a good Wolfrider's heart should be. Come, Cub. It is time for sleeping.-

To be continued…