Part 27: Remembrance

Note: This item has been rewritten and edited. All text in rose is BRAND NEW MATERIAL for this chapter of the story. In addition there are many minor changes to the original text itself. Please enjoy this new, expanded version of Part 27 and be on the lookout for updates to the next parts!


THE KANA SERGEANT knelt in an odd, uncomfortable-looking position upon the bed, his behind in the air and his head slumped down into the pillows; his eyes were wide open, but his head was twisted at an unusual angle, and he stared at nothing. His once-beautiful wings were draped at his sides as if he wore some sort of cloak. They would never flap again.

Bakh'asu busied himself poking about the room for some more suitable clothing. He still wore his plain Moru outfit, and it would certainly not do well for his plans. He was fortunate in that this room, while having once been private quarters, had in the meantime been used for storage, and several boxes in the far corner yielded the typical set of Kana armor and kilt. Bakh'asu glanced occasionally at I'anen as he pulled out what he needed.

"Much good you are," he grumbled. "As if I could ever fit in the clothes of such a pathetic scrap! 'I will fly among the greatest'! Pfft." He pulled off his old kilt and replaced it with a fresh one, slipping the armor on over his head. He winced somewhat, as he had to fit his wings through the holes in the back, and that was something he had not had reason to do in a very long time. He stretched and flexed them a few times, and hated the tattered shadows they made upon the wall. He nearly knocked a box from its stand, just out of spite, before reminding himself that the household was still asleep, and some noises might not be so easily written off as overzealous nesakh'ai. The stupid whelp had even screamed when Bakh'asu had pushed into him; he was glad apparently nobody had taken that cry seriously enough. What sort of Kana screamed during nesakh'ai? Bakh'asu gave the youth another baleful look as he put on a pectoral necklace and armbands, just to complement his attire.

"I did not even scream when they slashed my wings, you stupid brat," he said, poking around in the box. "At least you can no longer bring shame to those who are real Kana. I am hardly surprised you took up with Lord Tas'hukh...stupid piss-brained sen'akhai that he is. Or rather, I am hardly surprised that he took up with you." He shoved the box away and turned back to the main part of the room, taking notice of a large mirror sitting near the bed and going to stand in front of it. He lifted his head and stood up straight to see himself better, then frowned when his plain drab lappets dangled over his shoulders. He glanced at I'anen and then stepped to the bed, bending over him.

He poked the still Kana in the arm. "Nudge nudge...you still asleep, pretty boy?" When no answer was forthcoming he smirked. "I suppose you will hardly miss these, then. I cannot see how you were even admitted into the army, much less made sergeant first class." He reached over and pulled the skullcap and lappets from I'anen's head, and replaced them with his own skullcap and its undyed lappets. "There you go. My second little gift to you today. You can hardly say I am not generous."

He returned to the mirror and placed I'anen's skullcap upon his head, brushing the black lappets over his shoulders and tilting his head this way and that. He grunted noncommittally; the lappets bore both I'anen's name and the name of his general and his tribe, the Shore Tribe, yet he supposed it hardly mattered. At this hour, it was unlikely anyone would even take notice of what they said. Who bothered reading a mere sergeant's lappets, anyway?

Bakh'asu smirked at his reflection, liking what he saw. He had to pause to scratch his side with a grimace. "It's been too long since I've worn this stuff," he muttered, squirming in his new armor. "I've grown too soft." He smiled, seeing I'anen's reflection behind him in the mirror. "But perhaps I can get used to it, since I've always made a better Kana than a Moru, and you...well, you certainly make a better corpse than a Kana!"

He let out a barking laugh and even flared his wings. His laughter died just as soon as he saw them in the mirror, their ragged tatters tinted copper in the polished surface. His eyes grew wide--then he snarled and struck the mirror, sending it flying toward the bed. Luckily it hit the drapes, and its fall was muffled when it tangled and fell in the bedclothes; but the noise would not have bothered him anyway. Bakh'asu wrinkled his muzzle and started pacing back and forth.

"The one thing neither he nor ANYONE else can fix for me! The one thing no piece of armor can cover up! The ONE THING I cannot replace!" He whirled toward the bed and bared his teeth. "STUPID BRAT! Would that I could rip your pretty wings off and put them to better use than you EVER did!"

I'anen just stared back at him, eyes wide and vacant. Bakh'asu stared at him in return, and as he took more notice of the position the young Kana had slumped in after his neck had snapped, his anger began to fade, and his curiosity grew. He slowly walked toward the youth and peered down at him. The sergeant's wings spread out to his sides, fanned out over the bed as if they were made of stiff cloth.

Bakh'asu just looked at him. Then his mouth twitched. It then twisted up into a smile, and he snorted, turning about and heading back for the clothes chests.

"Well...you are not so useless after all, pup! Thanks to you I will soon be out of here and on my way!"

He had to dig through several boxes, and his frustration rose a little bit, before he at last located one containing lesser items of clothing, and after several moments of poking through its muddled contents he pulled out a long cloak. He turned toward the main part of the room and draped it over his arms, letting the fabric shift. The Kana only rarely wore cloaks, as the items tended to interfere with their wings and get in the way; yet there was the occasional lord who was known to wear them, more for ostentation than for anything else. Bakh'asu made a face at the useless piece of clothing, then smiled and tossed it over his back, hunching his wings as it draped over them and settled into place. He tied it at his neck and went to pick up the mirror and look at himself once more. The fabric fell in a misshapen lump over his back, but it was long enough that his wings were shielded from scrutiny, so long as he remembered to keep them tightly folded and not flare them open. They hurt, when he did this, but he was quite used to the pain. He disliked the ugly shape of the cape hanging over them, but at least it served its purpose admirably enough.

He snorted with satisfaction and turned away once more. He grinned at I'anen, who just stared in return. "Well," Bakh'asu said, "it was most pleasant to meet you, little pup; and thank you for these, and this!" He flicked at a lappet and tugged on the cape. "I wish you and Lord Tas'hukh the very best," he added, and had to guffaw at the image it conjured up in his head. He headed for the door, and easily exited the room.

Leaving the Kana household was far simpler than entering it, as he did not even have to hide himself from the occasional guard who patrolled the halls; it was still before dawn, and dim enough that none of them even recognized him, with his lappets and cape. He doubted they would have questioned him even if he had been dressed normally--why would they have any reason to think he had escaped his cell? He even nodded at one of them as he neared the kitchens, and the guard nodded in return. Bakh'asu was chuckling by the time he made it out of the house, around the wall, and into the street.

The matter of escape grew a bit more complex then, as he paced down an alleyway and reached the city wall. The wall was guarded much more diligently than the household, and it was unlikely they would open the doors to let him out, not without questioning him first. So he stopped and started to scour the bottom edge of the wall, keeping himself in shadows as he looked. Most Kana cities possessed at least one or two secret exits through or under the wall, and he had experienced enough in his time as a Kana to know how to find them. After almost a half hour of diligent searching, he stopped in surprise to locate not signs of a hidden underground passage...but an actual hole in the mudbrick. He gawked in astonishment, having to bend down and peer through it. Sure enough, it led straight to the rough earth outside, and he could even see the river in the distance. He had to suppress a guffaw.

"What sort of luck is this?" he whispered in glee. "A veritable exit just for me! I bet that dungheaded general even intended me to patch this up." He chuckled once more and poked at it a bit, pulling out a few bricks to make it larger before attempting to squeeze through. He had to push and strain somewhat, as it was a tight fit, yet he managed to pop out the other side and land on his elbows with a cough. He glanced up warily, but there were no guards upon this section of the wall. He sneered.

"Lazy dogs, every one of them. Farewell, 'Great Red Tribe'! I should hope to see you again...although under much different circumstances."

He stood up, dusted himself off, and started walking...his pace faltered a bit when the Kana Djuta passed through his mind, and he peered back with a dark frown, almost ready to head back inside. Then he once more thought over the vague plans he'd started to concoct since the whelp had pulled him out of the prison cells, and his smile slowly returned. His walking resumed.

"I can think of more than one tribe which would be grateful to know of your wealth, and your exact defenses and defects," he muttered, "and I can think of just the right tribe which would love more than anything to whip you all soundly right now." He lifted his head and dared to call back softly, as if in farewell.

"Rest easy, Great Red Tribe! This may be your last chance to do so!" And with that, he laughed as loudly as he wished, and sauntered away toward the great river, lappets swinging cheerily as he went.

Free at last.

* * * * *

"I belong to Lord Tas'hukh..."

A shadow. A courtyard. A pool. The moonlight reflecting off of its surface. He thought of nights spent within the waters, his master holding him close. Their hips joined as one, their seed making each other whole. Hands gently touching, soft smiles and kisses bestowed upon one another.

"I belong to Lord Tas'hukh..."

The same courtyard, the same pool, the same moonlight. Only now, different players. Someone, a shadow, grabbed by the arm, spun around violently. Pushed down. The gleam of white teeth, pale eyes. A harsh rapid motion. Pain and fury, and then...darkness...

"I belong to Lord Tas'hukh..."

Djuta stared at the ceiling, his eyes tracing random patterns in the growing light. He should have been out of bed by now, but he did not feel like it. The previous night, he had seen his former commander and master for the first time in years...and it had not gone well. The captain had been looking at him longingly even as his young companion, a sergeant, eyed Djuta as well, with open hostility. He could guess the relationship between the two of them; Tas'hukh had always enjoyed lovers younger than himself, as he well knew. Some things never changed.

I know that he still desires me...why has he not been able to move on? Why does he keep thinking of me?

And why do I keep thinking of him...?

He sighed and shut his eyes, trying to still the strange dream fragments that remained with him. Whatever it was...it was never pleasant. But he found that even more than the sick, anxious feeling the dream left with him, it was the not knowing which bothered him. Why did he keep having these visions? What was that he kept seeing? Why wouldn't it go away? And why did it leave him feeling so excited, of all things, this morning...?

He opened his eyes again with another sigh. The drapes shifted softly in the breeze coming from outside...the drapes across this opening had been drawn the night before, so he could not clearly see the courtyard. He had not even asked for this to be done, yet it had been done, without him having to say a word. He stared at the gauzy fabric for a long time before turning his head to look at the bed beside him.

A Kana slept here, upon his belly, wings folded and breath coming slowly. Djuta stared at him for a moment before reaching out to slowly stroke his back, remembering fondly the night spent before. He sat up and leaned over to lightly nuzzle at an exposed ear, heard a responding sigh, and saw a slight sleepy smile although his mate was not completely awake. His legs parted anyway, tail rising. Djuta accepted the invitation gratefully; it was what he needed right now.

He rolled onto his side, leg going over his mate's back. He sat up with his hands pressed to his shoulderblades and his hips straddling the other Kana's. His sigh now was shuddery with desire and longing. His penis bulged pulsing and hard from its sheath already. He leaned down to nuzzle at his mate's neck, cherished his small shiver, gently took hold of one buttock and spread it to reveal his tight opening. Brought himself down and eased himself in. Shut his eyes and let out his breath, his hips relaxing into his mate's; they lay locked together for a moment or two, relishing each other's feel. And when he could take it no more Djuta grasped his lover's arms and began to slowly and easily push.

He allowed himself to take his time for a change, rather than hurry the act. The first time they had been together...seemingly so long ago, when they had sealed their bond...had been very hurried indeed, but a matter of moments, hands and lips roughly grazing and fumbling with each other in direst need. Now, their movements were far more measured, yet just as pleasurable. Even more so. His lover had been untouched when Djuta had taken him. He remembered fondly the sealing of their bond as his shaft within his lover had locked their bodies tightly together, the other Kana gasping out in the dimness. He would have had it no other way. Likewise, he preferred to go more slowly today, as it simply felt right.

Eventually, though, he knew it must end.

He dropped his head and grunted softly, repeatedly. His lover clutched at the sheets and whimpered. Djuta stroked the lovely back, licked the slender neck. Sucked in the sweet smell of their musk. When his mate arched slightly with a soft moan, he made certain to empty himself, hips shuddering as he sighed with release. He sank down over his mate and their cheeks touched as they softly panted. Djuta stroked his lover's arm.

"You go to see Lord Tas'hukh now?" his mate asked quietly, after a moment.

"Perhaps," Djuta murmured. "He had wished to speak with me again, today, about the troublesome Moru."

"You can tell that he still loves you, Brother."

"I know...which is why I will tell him no." He leaned down and kissed his lover's cheek, welcoming his slight contented sigh; in times like these, he took comfort from the other Kana. "I honestly hope," he whispered in his ear, making his mate shiver, "that the time to our next coupling is not so very long as it was last time, Brother."

His mate smiled lazily. "This was your own fault...I've been giving you chances the entire week. It is not my fault if you decide to ignore them."

Djuta smiled in return and stroked his neck. "Then I hope that I can learn to stop neglecting you so much. Is that better?"

The other Kana snorted softly, and laid his head back against the pillow. "Good enough. I hope this as well." He shut his eyes and snuggled into the sheets. "Good luck today, Djuta."

Djuta nuzzled at him once more. He carefully pulled himself out and rose from the bed, stretching and locating his clothes, dressing himself in silence. He cast a last look at the bed before he headed out the door. By the time he left the quarters, Resikh had already drifted off into sleep.

* * * * *

All night Tas'hukh lay in his bed, fidgeting and turning one way and the next. No matter which way he tried to sleep, to make himself comfortable, sleep would not come. His wings ached terribly from the long flight there, but they were not the reason why he remained awake. Every time he shut his eyes, he saw Djuta there, and the visions were so real that he sniffed at the air more than once, hoping to catch his musk. Yet every time he came up wanting. And then tossed and turned some more.

He felt guilty over his treatment of poor I'anen, sending him off to the Kana barracks...he knew it had been cruel, as the youth was not used to such training, especially among strangers such as these. More than once he considered getting up and heading out to the barracks on his own, and bringing the sergeant back with him...yet every time, he thought of what sort of mood I'anen was likely to be in should he do so, and refrained. He sighed and rubbed at his sandy eyes. Perhaps in the morning he would ask the young Kana's forgiveness, but he could not deal with him now. He'd long grown weary of I'anen's petty moods; perhaps a night in the barracks would dampen his wrath a little.

His thoughts drifted again to Djuta, and he ground his teeth. Why could he not just go to sleep?

He spoke with me. To me. He was so reserved, so distant...so cold to me...

Perhaps it was because Resikh was there...I know how they feel for each other, and it's obvious that feeling has not changed...

Why then has what we had changed so much? Or was it never there in the first place?

I cannot believe that...he would never lead me on like that. And he did say that I was welcome here...

He lifted his arm and opened his eyes to stare at the canopy. A breeze shifted the drapes, and he turned his head. The side courtyard was barely visible through them, the pool glittering in the dying moonlight. Tas'hukh bit his lip, brow furrowing.

I saw how he was, at the dinner...could it really be Bakh'asu again?

What does he remember...?

He sighed and turned away from the courtyard to face the darkened part of his room. He winced a bit as he stretched one wing and relaxed it, burrowing his head into the pillow. Sleep tugged at his eyelids, yet visions of I'anen and Djuta always pushed it away. After a long time he groaned and at last pushed himself up, kicking the drapes open and stepping out of the shelter of the bed. He burned his fingers lighting an oil lamp, and put them to his mouth as he glanced around the room, tail flicking. Thoughts of I'anen--then Djuta--flitted through his head ever more quickly, and he felt an uncomfortable pressure between his legs.

I should have let I'anen have his fun on the way here. As if I am going to ever be satisfied, now!

He let out a frustrated sigh, before spotting a long-necked vase sitting upon a table in the corner. He grimaced, then sighed again, in resignation, and paced toward it. He picked it up off the table and looked at its opening, then cast a furtive glance around the room. Feeling absolutely foolish, he lifted his kilt and pulled at his loincloth.

Ahi'akhta had never been very good for him. He'd tried stroking himself in the past, before discovering that he preferred males to females, and it had rarely worked. Likewise with females; no matter how beautiful and attractive he might find them, he had never managed to become excited with one, and this fact had led to much behind-the-back laughter and mockery from his men. They thought he did not know, or did not care, but the truth was he did know, and he cared very much. Yet when the subject of their mockery was proven, there was hardly anything he could do. Tas'hukh was not one to keep trying at things that were pointless. He'd given up ahi'akhta for the most part, and mating with females, long ago.

I have not given up Djuta, though...why is he the one unattainable thing I cling to...?

He pulled off his loincloth and tossed it aside, looked around himself, then returned to his bed. He sat down upon it and pulled his kilt up his thighs. His tip was already beginning to emerge from his sheath, and a quick stroke brought it out completely; ahi'akhta might not be any good for completing the act, yet it was good for bringing it on. Panting softly, he brought the vase up and carefully started working his quivering length into it, having to turn the piece of pottery left and right as he did so. He shut his eyes tightly and gritted his teeth. Its size was just slightly too small for maximum comfort, yet he was too inflamed to bother looking for anything else. He managed to fit himself completely within it and let out his breath in a gasp. He sat panting on the edge of his bed for a moment or two, attempting to savor the feeling and imagine it was a Kana he was embedded within and not a vase. When he spread his legs a bit wider, tilted his head back, and started to shift the vase back and forth, pulling slightly out and pushing in again, he could almost imagine it was someone giving him hakh'tua...almost. He rather wished he had bothered to put some fluid or lotion within it first, to better simulate the feeling, yet there wasn't any time to bother with that now. Instead he gripped the vase and worked it somewhat faster, back, and forth, his hot sac pressing against it with each thrust. He bunched his buttocks and shifted his legs, caressing the cold pottery as if it were warm skin. He grunted at the canopy, face tight.

Djuta...my sweet Djuta...

A slight cough came from the direction of the doorway. Tas'hukh's eyes shot open and his head jerked forward. As soon as he saw who was staring at him his eyes grew wide and a horrible flush arose in his face.

"Dj...Djuta!"

He leapt up from his bed, nearly falling over when his foot tangled in the drapes. Only then did he realize just how ridiculous he must look, with a vase fitted over his penis, and he flushed even harder--how long had he been watched? Lieutenant Djuta stood near the door, eyes cautiously averted, but the mere fact that they were was enough to tell Tas'hukh he'd seen plenty. He hastened to try to remove the vase from himself, only to find it stuck, his member was so fat and engorged. His ears flared, teeth bared in mortification; he tugged at the vase, then when that yielded no result, struck it with his clenched fist and shattered it. As if to spite him, a thick white stream sprayed out of him and upon the floor. Tas'hukh cringed and dropped his kilt, thoroughly humiliated. He belatedly pressed his arm to his breast and noticed Djuta do the same, the other Kana finally lifting his eyes to face him.

"Apologies, Lord, for interrupting you," he said in a soft voice. "I tried to knock, yet received no response."

Tas'hukh fought to keep the embarrassment from his voice when he bobbed his head briefly. "I--this is all right, Lieutenant. I did not hear. You have--you have come for a reason, this early--?"

"Yes, Lord. To speak about the Moru."

"Oh." Tas'hukh ran a hand over his forehead, feeling somewhat relieved for the diversion, and let out his breath. He snatched up his loincloth, ears growing warm, and tied it on as Djuta again averted his eyes. He smoothed his kilt down and nodded to recapture his attention. "All right. Would you...would you mind walking with me for a while, as we talk?" He blushed again. "I believe I need to cool off."

"Of course, Lord."

They left his quarters together, starting off down the hall, in no particular direction. Tas'hukh silently thanked Djuta for his understanding. He should not have felt humiliated to be witnessed in such an absurd act by the lieutenant; they knew each other much better than that. Still, that had been back when he was Moru, and not Kana...Tas'hukh found himself wondering how he should even act in his presence. He'd never considered facing such a difficulty, on his way here.

Treat him as a lieutenant, he told himself. This is what he is, after all, and what he was before he was Moru. It should be no other way. He is still the same Djuta I knew.

They walked slowly toward the middle of the household, eventually coming upon the central courtyard; Djuta's step began to grow faster, but then he forced himself to slow and stop. Tas'hukh stared at him in silence. The younger Kana appeared to be gathering himself; he took a breath, and started hesitantly out into the courtyard. Tas'hukh followed him.

"You said you had never heard of him," Djuta said aloud, though his voice was quiet.

"I said I did not recall his name," Tas'hukh corrected. "I would not have bothered any of you, if I was certain I did not know him."

"Yet either way, you do not remember him. Which means that I would not be able to know him, as I remember every Kana I have ever met. Yet...there is something familiar about him, to me. I cannot place it."

"You worry over this, greatly?" Tas'hukh asked. He lightly touched Djuta's arm.

Djuta's eyes grew distant, his brow furrowing. "Yes...I do. I have..." He paused, then said, as if uncomfortable to admit the fact, "I have...begun having...dreams."

"Dreams?"

"Yes. I hear my voice. I proclaim that you are my master. And then there is a pain, and a darkness...I cannot understand it."

"Perhaps it is merely a dream with no meaning at all; many dreams are like this..." Tas'hukh's fingers trailed up Djuta's arm, and he even leaned down to very lightly nuzzle at his neck. Djuta stopped in his tracks, body stiffening. Tas'hukh noticed the abrupt change and pulled back. Djuta had shut his eyes.

"Lord," he murmured, and then turned to look him in the eyes. "We loved one another once. When I belonged to you. I belong to you no longer. We cannot be mates, Lord."

Tas'hukh's expression saddened as he felt his heart falling. "I had...I had hoped...you would wish to return with me, to my tribe," he said softly.

"This I cannot do, Lord. My tribe is here."

"We cannot be together, even once more?"

Djuta shook his head. "I am sorry, Lord...we cannot. Please understand."

The captain sighed, but offered a very slight, sad smile. "Well then...I suppose I had best not waste my time, making a fool out of myself." He let go of Djuta's arm and smoothed himself down again, taking a step back to put a small distance between them; Djuta's tense posture relaxed a little, and Tas'hukh managed to keep the disappointment from his voice. "You are worried about the Moru...and now you are having odd dreams?"

Djuta nodded. "Yes. I believe they are connected somehow...though I cannot be certain. I do not know what anything means anymore. This Bakh'asu...it is as if he has everyone under a spell. He speaks as if he knows me well, yet I know him not at all. Nothing makes sense."

Tas'hukh's brow furrowed. "You truly do not remember him," he murmured.

"No, of course not. How could I?" Djuta frowned and paused, falling silent. He stared at Tas'hukh for a long time, but the captain could no longer meet his eyes. Still, before he turned his head, he saw the expression on Djuta's face change, now tinged with disbelief.

Djuta turned to face him and stared at him hard. "You..." His voice faltered, then came again. "You do recognize this name...?"

Tas'hukh was silent for a moment, before nodding slowly. His wings lowered. "Yes...the name Bakh'asu is not unfamiliar to me. I remembered it from the moment the messenger first told me. I do not have to see his face to know who he is."

Djuta's brow furrowed in confusion. "But...why did you say you did not remember him? Even if you came all this way to see me--it's obvious you know him, yet I cannot even recall him. Why did you say nothing...?"

Tas'hukh fiddled slightly with his pectoral necklace, still not meeting the lieutenant's eyes. His stare had drifted toward one of the benches beside the pool, and a pained look entered his eyes.

"I had hoped I would spare you...as you did not remember him. Yet now, it seems as if you do..."

"What do you mean? 'Spare me'?" Djuta's voice rose a little and Tas'hukh winced. "Spare me from what? What are you talking about?"

Tas'hukh was silent. He stood still for so long that Djuta began to fidget with impatience; the captain at last turned to look over the pool. His voice came again, quiet and faraway.

"You were my Moru," he murmured. "We loved one another greatly. Often, I would bring you out to my pool...we would make love within the water, for hours. You would call me Master." He smiled vaguely. "I loved to stroke your wings. This was how we liked it."

Djuta tipped his head. "I remember."

"This was...before you told me you were Kana." Tas'hukh paused, silent, for a long moment. His voice was even quieter when next he spoke.

"One morning...one of my men...came to me, and told me of what he had seen, within my courtyard, the night before. He had seen a Kana. And he had seen a Moru. A Moru not the Kana's own. My Moru. And this other Kana. And...they were enjoying one another, taking one another, beside my pool. My pool. My Moru...you, Djuta."

Djuta blinked. His brow furrowed. "But...I was never unfaithful to you, Lord, never with any Kana. Hup'khit was the only one I was with, besides you."

Tas'hukh closed his eyes. "At first, I told myself this. Insisted that it could not be true. He was mistaken. But he told me he was certain he had seen you. Bending, and allowing yourself to be taken by this other Kana, who was not even a member of my own household. He said that this had happened more than...more than once. That you were unfaithful. That you were a bad Moru."

"Lord," Djuta whispered. He took Tas'hukh's hand, a desperate note entering his voice. "You must believe me. Never once did I betray you. This one must have told you lies. You know I could never hurt you like this."

Tas'hukh opened his eyes and turned his head to look at him. His own eyes had taken on a hard edge. Djuta let go of his hand, uncertainty upon his face.

"I did not believe him either," Tas'hukh replied. "And so I went out to watch. To see if it was true. If you were unfaithful to me, you would meet this Kana in the courtyard. My courtyard, beneath my roof. You would offer yourself to him, and I would watch. I would know." He paused. "Well...I stayed in hiding, yet watched, from nearby..." His voice trailed off for a moment, and he stared again at the pool. Djuta waited, breath held, for him to continue.

"Finally," Tas'hukh murmured, as if lost in reverie, "I saw the Kana...and I saw you. You were with him. You spoke to him. He touched you. You bent forward. He pushed himself within you...he took you, my Moru, beside my pool, within my house." He shut his eyes again and lowered his head with a look of pain, teeth bared.

Djuta's voice had a panicked edge to it. "Lord...you must believe me! This never happened, not once! You must have seen another beside the pool--I swear by Maat it could not have been me!"

"It was you." Tas'hukh looked at him again...yet the bitterness was gone from his eyes, replaced by a deep sadness, a sort of regret; the look made Djuta fall silent. "And he was taking you," he continued. "Yet...this was not all I saw. My other Kana...must have come upon you after you had started. I...I saw the entire thing unfold. I know the truth." He held out his hand in the direction of the pool, and waved.

"You...and he...came into the courtyard. You were speaking. You told him, 'I belong to Lord Tas'hukh.' Whenever he spoke to you, this was how you replied. I could not believe your stubbornness. He said something to you, and you shook your head. 'I belong to Lord Tas'hukh.' He then grabbed your arm, twisted it. I could see your face; you were in pain. Yet you refused. He grinned at you. You spoke back. 'I belong to Lord Tas'hukh.' He became angry. He struck you in the neck, pushed you down over the bench beside the pool." He lowered his head and his wings hunched close to his back, his eyes squinched shut tight. "And this was when...this was when I stood silent in the shadows and watched...watched as he pulled up his kilt...and your own...and thrust himself within you...and raped you, before my eyes. I stood, and I watched, and I did absolutely nothing."

Djuta stared at his former master, eyes wide with disbelief and uncertainty. Tas'hukh lifted his arm to press it across his own eyes, and a small choked noise escaped him, his wings quivering. Djuta's head very slowly lowered, one hand curled before his breast.

"He...raped me..."

"He took you, within my courtyard," Tas'hukh said softly. He lifted his head and his eyes were wet; he glanced toward the pool. "Over the bench where we once lay tangled together. I never took you there again once I found out. Even the pool...we were there again, but it was never the same. I could tell...could tell what my other Kana had not been able to...I saw your face as it happened. I know you did not offer yourself to him. You shut your eyes...and you seemed to pretend he was not there...even as he twisted your arm...and forced himself inside you..." He hitched a breath. "And only continued, for gods know how long...it seemed like hours to me...as I simply watched, and allowed him to do so. When he had finished, he chucked you under the chin...and stroked your back, as if in great fun. The filthy dog...I should have killed him with my own two hands, then and there..."

Djuta slowly shook his head. "But...I...I do not remember any of this. I do not remember anything..."

"I knew this, when I spoke with you the next day," Tas'hukh said. "I asked of you what had happened, and you denied knowing anything at all...at first I thought you lied to protect me, to spare my feelings...then I could tell the truth in the tone of your voice, in the sincerity in your eyes...you did not remember. You did not ever lie to me, then or now."

The lieutenant's brow furrowed. His voice remained vague, distracted. "But how would I not remember any of this? I've always remembered everything so clearly, from when I first came to the Shore Tribe...when I first met Resikh, when I became lieutenant, when my wing was wounded...I remember it all. How could I possibly forget such a thing?"

The captain shrugged slightly. "I can only guess...that as he assaulted you, you made yourself forget...so that we would not have to deal with it. You are a brave Kana, Djuta, but there is only so much one can face in life. For a long time I comforted myself believing you had forgotten just to spare me." He sighed. "When I heard of his name once more, and heard you speak of him in the manner you did...this only confirmed what I believed. You forgot about him, as if he had never been. You tried to spare yourself, and me. You...were always my good Moru, and a good Kana, all along."

He fell silent and they both stared at the pool together, lost in their own thoughts. The sunlight grew brighter, the water in the pool rippling in a soft breeze, making the lilies bob atop its waves.

Djuta's voice was soft. "The one...the Kana who raped me. He is..."

Tas'hukh tilted his head.

"He is Bakh'asu."

"Then...this is how I remember him. My dream. The courtyard, and the pain."

"Yes. You could not forget him forever, for this crime he committed upon you. This was greater than the crime he committed against me, taking my Moru, forcing you to obey. As if you were his," he spat, bitterly, toward the water.

"But he is Moru now." Djuta turned to him, face tense. "How did this happen? A Kana cannot be made Moru for raping another Moru. This crime is not severe enough to warrant such punishment."

"No...it is not." Tas'hukh's face grew hard. "Wonderful law, isn't it? He stole you from me, stole a beautiful part of you, and for this he would never have been sufficiently punished. That was why I took it upon myself. I vowed to murder him with my own hands. I wanted nothing more than to see him dead! I grabbed up my sword and my dagger and screamed it at my roof--I would cut off his cock and his wings, and gouge out his eyes, and slit his throat!" He stopped and took a shaky breath; his voice had risen almost to a yell, and Djuta was wincing at the noise. He calmed himself before speaking again. "My men...talked me out of it. It was probably for the best, considering...his rank was not equal to mine, but he was important enough that I would be punished even more greatly for avenging you. Death would not have been good enough for him anyway. And so...I thought of the next best thing."

"Moru," Djuta whispered.

"Yes," Tas'hukh said, his voice soft and black. His eyes narrowed and glittered like obsidian. "Moru. He would become that which he had treated so hideously." He paused, as if considering his next words carefully, and then spoke in a soft voice. "My men...they have never much respected me, yet they always respected you, even when you were Moru. This act infuriated them nearly as much as it did me. I have never been much of one for retribution, or shady activities...yet when they suggested this to me, I listened with open ears...I did not care whether it was legal or not...if it would at least accomplish my ends." He paused again, and then spoke in an even quieter voice, so Djuta had to strain to hear.

"There is a Kana," Tas'hukh said, "a seller of land and deeds by trade...he has another business...he is most skilled at it, if the pay is right." Another pause. "I had the right payment. I enlisted his aid...and he assured me that my issue would be promptly resolved. As Lord Bakh'asu returned from carousing the bars one night, several Kana set upon him...slashed open his wings...beat them with sticks...left them mangled and in tatters...and left him, lying in the street. They, they were never caught, the professionals that they are...yet the damage had been done. He could no longer fly...he was no longer Kana. He had received his just punishment. And he was disliked by more than just my own household, so there were none willing to bid on him, and relieve him of his misery. They took him away, brought him to the traders...sold him off from the tribe. I did not ever see him again." He lifted his head, eyes shifting to the side. "There were...suspicions...yet none enough to connect to me. And as I said, he was not liked, and so there were none willing to investigate any further. As far as they were concerned, he had merely met up with the wrong band of Kana, at the right time. And my household was never again disturbed. I had given you your revenge. He was no longer our problem. He was out of our hands, forever."

"Only now," Djuta countered quietly, "he is back."

"Yes..." Tas'hukh gave a soft sigh and rubbed his eyes, suddenly feeling weary. "I would never have known...he would end up in the hands of a trader who would sell him here, and that he would be bought by he whom I had tried to protect from him the most. A most strange set of coincidences, I gather...yet effective enough. He is back, and I am guessing he seeks his own revenge."

"He wishes me dead," Djuta said, as if not fully comprehending it. "He used Ameni-human to get to me. He had his chance, but let me go free. But now...I feel he would seek me still, if we had not locked him up when we had."

"Yes."

"And then he seeks your death, as well."

"Yes. Those Kana were careful, but seeing as he was slashed not long after last taking you, I am betting he was smart enough to place two and two together to determine who was responsible. Doubtless he will not stop until all of those he believes responsible are dealt with, as he once was." The captain sighed and rubbed his eyes. "See what troubles I have caused for you, sweet one, when all I intended was to save you from further humiliations? I have failed even at this...I do not know why you ever considered me a good enough master. I could not even protect you from him, when he was beneath my very nose."

He tensed when he felt Djuta take his hand, clasping it tightly in his own; after a moment he let his fingers curl around the lieutenant's, and let out a shaky breath. "Lord," Djuta said softly, "none of this is your fault. You could not have known. Even...even I did not know. But...we do know now, so perhaps--"

The sound of hurrying feet came from within the building. Tas'hukh lifted his head and opened his eyes, Djuta letting go of his hand; they both glanced back to see Nehef and Ahai'ikh go running by, swords drawn. A moment later they were followed by several more of the household guards. The two in the courtyard frowned and looked at each other, then hurried inside to join them.

"What is it? What has happened?" Djuta called out when Resikh appeared, his own sword held out at his side.

"A death," Resikh panted, the other two falling into step beside him. "In the north side of the building. One of the guest rooms. No one was supposed to even be in there. Yet they found a body upon the bed!"

"A body?" Djuta paled. "Who is it?"

Resikh opened his mouth to speak, then glanced at Tas'hukh. Tas'hukh frowned at the odd look in his eyes, but the lieutenant merely shook his head. "The details...they are still unclear just yet. I have yet to see it for myself." He turned away, picking up his pace. "Hurry, Mahakhi will be angered if we are too late."

Djuta frowned as well now, but didn't hesitate following. Tas'hukh paused just briefly in confusion at their odd reaction, before jogging on after them, dread rising in his breast.

* * * * *

A great crowd had gathered in the north hall, surrounding an open doorway. They were talking loudly and glancing at each other and into the room, hands upon their pommels, ears and wings flaring. Resikh reached the crowd first and he and Djuta started to push their way forward, Nehef and Ahai'ikh and Hiath'ikh helping to nudge the others back and clear up space. General Mahakhi stood in the doorway itself, his great frame blocking almost the entire entrance; his arms were crossed, his face glowering darkly. He turned his head when Djuta came up behind him and his eyes narrowed. Then he saw Tas'hukh and snorted.

"Already this is a bad day, and the sun has only just arisen."

Djuta craned his neck and the big Kana took a step aside to allow him to look within. Inside stood the customary bed, its headboard against the wall and its drapes parted open; they floated gently in the breeze. Some boxes of supplies at the other side of the room had been opened and riffled through, and a large mirror stood askew atop a table. The sight which immediately drew his attention, however, was what the old physician was tending to upon the bed. Djuta's eyes grew wide and he took an abrupt step back.

Tas'hukh came up behind him. "What is it--? What has happened--?"

Djuta turned around and placed his hands to the captain's breast, earning a confused look. "Lord," he said in a tight voice, "I think it would be best if we waited until..."

"What?" Tas'hukh's voice rose, and he grasped Djuta's wrist, pushing his arms away. "What is it in there? Who has died--?" He nudged his way past Mahakhi and looked into the room for himself. His eyes grew wide and his voice choked in his throat before shooting out, like an arrow loosed from a bow.

"I...I'anen! My I'anen!"

He bolted into the room, Mahakhi getting out of his way. Djuta just barely managed to grasp hold of his arm, and Resikh caught hold of his other arm to pull him back. The captain struggled against them, grimacing and yelling, his voice breaking. "My--my I'anen! What happened? I'ANEN!"

Mahakhi stared at him dispassionately as the physician pulled at the dead Kana's eyelid, and pressed his fingers to his throat. The young sergeant lay slumped over on his chest, naked, his head twisted hideously to the side, hind end still in the air in an awkward kneeling position. His eyes were wide open, tongue dangling over his teeth. Purple bruises surrounded his throat and a strand of spittle seeped from his mouth. His wings were draped out to his sides, graceful and still. He looked surprised.

Tas'hukh whimpered and his claws gouged into Djuta's arm as he stared at the gruesome scene. "He...he was supposed to be in the barracks," he choked, eyes flooding with tears. "I left him there. I made him stay there. I...I thought he would be safe. I did not...I did not mean anything to happen to him...!"

"He was safe in the barracks when I left him, Lord, I swear!" Hiath'ikh cried when Mahakhi glanced at him.

"Which barracks?"

"It--it was Barracks Area Two. I know he was all right--he was in a foul mood, but just fine..."

"Lieutenant Tefkha is in charge of Barracks Area Two." Mahakhi's scowl darkened. "He is a smart Kana and most of his men behave themselves. I doubt any of them would find reason to do this to Sergeant I'anen, and then dump him here like this."

"He was not 'dumped' here, Lord." The Kana crowding around the doorway looked within again when the physician grunted and stood back, rubbing his hands. The general frowned.

"Well?" he gruffed. "What did happened to him, then?"

"Neck broken." The old Kana made a twisting motion with his hands. "Snapped, and quite easily, but only after he appeared to have been strangled first. Perhaps his assailant throttled him to subdue him before twisting his neck."

Tas'hukh whimpered and started to slump to the floor. Djuta took one elbow while Resikh took the other, easing him down. He dropped his head into his hands, his voice coming out muffled. "My poor little I'anen..."

Mahakhi's perplexed look grew. "Strangled, then broken? It must have been a powerful Kana indeed. He looks to be a mere wisp of a boy, yet he has attained the rank of sergeant somehow, and snapping a neck is not a simple thing even for skilled Kana."

The physician looked I'anen over again, then paused. He leaned forward and examined him more closely, then peered at the bed, poking through the sheets. He muttered to himself and wiped his hands on his kilt.

"Well...I believe my thought was correct, and this did not take place in the barracks or anywhere else. It looks like this explains why he's crouched so oddly, without a scrap of clothing, to boot."

"What?"

"There are stains upon the bed. Upon himself as well--fluids."

Mahakhi snorted and crossed his arms. "You tell me he was having nesakh'ai when this happened? That whoever was mating with him killed him while they were at it?"

"This is exactly what it looks like, Lord. Right when they...finished, I would say." The old Kana's face flushed slightly. He stood straight and waved. "He released, but did not return to his sheath. He was already dead the moment he came upon the bed."

Tas'hukh rocked back and forth with a moan; the rest of the Kana glanced down at him, frowning. "Oh I'anen...this would never have happened if I had just left you at home..."

The general scowled. "Unless all of you are seriously remiss in your duties," he growled, his lieutenants edging away from him, "then someone in my house is responsible for this! Nehef, Ahai'ikh, make certain that all the exits are guarded. I will not harbor a murderer under my roof for very long without ample punishment!"

"Yes, Lord." The two lieutenants saluted and left.

The physician clucked his tongue and shook his head. He picked up his box of instruments and turned to face the small crowd in the doorway, shrugging.

"Well, the sergeant had some very odd habits from the looks of it, Lord. So perhaps this was not entirely nonconsensual."

"What do you mean?" Tas'hukh said sharply, rising to his feet and balling his fists. Djuta clasped his elbow but he didn't step forward. "You mean to tell me he asked for this to happen? I knew I'anen. He was foolish sometimes--but he was not like that!"

The Kana bowed deeply. "I meant no offense, Lord. I meant merely to say that perhaps he had a few odd preferences you were not aware of. Most of us do. There was no way for you to know everything about him."

Tas'hukh opened his mouth as if to protest, then a squeeze from Djuta's hand stopped him. He closed his mouth and flushed a little, regathering himself before speaking. "What are you talking about, then?"

The old Kana pointed at I'anen's head. "Take a look for yourself. See. His lappets. You said he is a sergeant? One could hardly tell."

The others glanced at him, then all stepped forward, peering more closely. They hadn't noticed before, due to the strangeness of the entire situation. But I'anen's lappets were not black. They were a dull undyed color.

"Moru lappets," Djuta murmured, brow furrowing. Tas'hukh's own look of confusion was even greater than his own.

The old doctor nodded and tucked his box under his arm. "Unless I am mistaken, the only reason he should be wearing those lappets and not his own is if he is a Moru. You say he was a sergeant, so there's no way he was a slave."

"But...this makes no sense," Tas'hukh whispered. "I mean--look, just look at his wings! He is Kana! He always has been!"

"Perhaps he...perhaps he played the part of a Moru?" Hiath'ikh suggested, fiddling his fingers nervously.

Tas'hukh bared his teeth and shook his head. "No...he NEVER did this! He was proud of what he was. He was always showing his lappets off to everyone who would look. He never once removed them, but for when they had been soiled, and then he would fret until they were clean again. He would never put himself in the lappets of a Moru. Especially not for nesakh'ai He never feigned being a slave in that manner!"

Mahakhi eyed him critically. "This you would know for certain, Captain?"

Tas'hukh glanced at him and saw his look, then flushed. He felt Djuta's fingers still on his elbow and took a breath, drawing himself up. "I...yes, General," he said in a steady voice. "I would know for certain."

"Then perhaps whoever did this did it to humiliate him," Resikh said. The rest of them looked at him as if not having noticed he was there. He reddened a bit before speaking up again, gesturing vaguely toward the bed and averting his eyes from the gruesome sight.

"Please look at it, Lords...Kana slash an Apsiu's wings to humiliate him, to make him Moru. They slash his lappets as well, then replace them with the lappets of a Moru. You say that Sergeant I'anen never removed his lappets, so someone else did. Perhaps...perhaps whoever did this dressed him in these lappets to disgrace him. They consider him Moru."

"Then why did they not slash his wings while they were at it?" Djuta asked. He frowned and pressed his knuckles to his forehead. "No, this does not make sense. Surely they meant something else...?"

"Are you all simply forgetting something?" the physician murmured.

They all looked at him now. "What, fool?" Mahakhi snapped. "Out with it. I haven't all day!"

The old Kana sighed but complied. "Take a look, Lords. He wears a Moru's lappets, yet there is no Moru to be found. He should be wearing the lappets of a sergeant...yet those are nowhere to be found. Neither is his overzealous companion anywhere within sight. Do you see the pattern now?"

They were silent for a moment as they thought. True to the doctor's word, the pattern began to emerge before their eyes, and they grew tense with unease.

"Moru lappets," Djuta whispered. "The one who coupled with him was a Moru."

"He took the sergeant's lappets," Resikh said. "Not to humiliate him. But to take his place. To become a Kana."

"To escape," Hiath'ikh finished. His head jerked up, eyes wide. "To leave the building unnoticed!"

A snarl came to Mahakhi's face. "I should have seen it--the brute leaving as a Kana, unchallenged by my guards!" He whirled to the door, yelling so loudly that the remaining lieutenants cringed. "HIATH'IKH! I want you to check the Moru quarters. See who is missing! Take Resikh with you. The rest of you! See to your duties and start checking this household from top to bottom, like you SHOULD have been doing!"

"Yes, Lord!" The remaining guards turned and jogged away down the hall.

Mahakhi glanced at Tas'hukh and Djuta with a scowl. "YOU two--I will speak with you myself." He glared at Tas'hukh. "All this trouble started the moment YOU decided to stop here unannounced, when a note would have sufficed! If you had not brought that stupid pup along, none of this would have--"

Tas'hukh's teeth were beginning to hurt, from how hard he was grinding them. He was ready to start shouting in I'anen's defense--the boy had hardly stopped living, and already he was being ridiculed--when Djuta abruptly stepped in between the two of them, as if to separate them from fighting. They looked down at him with a blink. But the look on Djuta's face didn't seem to have anything to do with calming them down. He glanced at Mahakhi, then at Tas'hukh, meeting his eyes. His own were wide and pale.

"The reason why you came," he blurted out. "To see about Bakh'asu! This is the reason why you came!"

The other Kana's brow furrowed. "I have told you this, but I..."

"Do you not see it, Lord?" Djuta waved at the doorway. "A Moru killed him. He was proud of those lappets--he bragged about them to anyone who would hear, didn't he?" When Tas'hukh gave a confused nod he went on. "I do not think he would mind bragging to a Moru about them, would he? You left him in the barracks, but apparently he left on his own. He picked out a Moru, but he didn't get the Moru from the Moru quarters, else he would have been noticed--that place is more closely guarded than most."

"What is this all about?" Mahakhi demanded.

Djuta glanced at him once more. "Which Moru was not in the Moru quarters, yet close to the household--? Behind the household, perhaps--?" Understanding started to dawn on Mahakhi's face, and he turned back to Tas'hukh. "And which Moru would have had a reason to kill I'anen and take his lappets to escape here--?"

Tas'hukh's face went pale. "B...Bakh'asu...?" he whispered in disbelief. "You...you say it is he who did this...?"

"Bakh'asu? THAT dog--?" Mahakhi snarled. He gripped his pommel, eyes burning. "I KNEW I should have lopped his head off when I had the chance! You say that whelp released him from his cell--?"

Djuta looked to Tas'hukh. The captain's face screwed up, and he put his hand to his eyes.

"Normally...normally he would do no such thing," he moaned. "Yet I treated him so...I would not put it past him, to do such a foolish thing. He has done stupider things, when he was upset with me..." He let out another choked sound. "This is all my fault! I'anen!"

Djuta saluted Mahakhi quickly. "I will check the prison cells," he said, "though like the Moru quarters, I doubt he will be there."

Mahakhi scowled, then jerked his head in a nod. Djuta looked briefly at the captain before dashing off in the opposite direction.

Tas'hukh stared after him for a moment, clutching at his pectoral without even noticing. He heard the general let out a coughing noise and shook his head abruptly, though he couldn't help glancing into the private quarters; he cringed and turned away. He hated the thought of never seeing I'anen again, but even more, he hated the thought of continuing to see him that way. He glanced at Mahakhi instead, and the big Kana's dark look made him straighten himself up again.

"I realize I am not welcome in your household," he said, "but this is a tragedy which affects both of our tribes. I will have to tell his father of this, and will be lucky if I am allowed command of my unit again! As if I feel I am fit enough as it is. I could not keep an eye on even one Kana!"

Mahakhi's eyes narrowed. "You think this is why I do not want you here? You are more transparent than you think. Lord Djuta told me of you already, before you came. He told me you would be coming, rather than sending a note, even before you did." Tas'hukh's brow began to furrow. "He knows you better than most, and he was not too ashamed to fill me in on what passed between the two of you." He started to turn away, still glaring at Tas'hukh over his shoulder. "This is why I am angry, that you have caused such an upset in this tribe, even before you came! I could not care less what went on with you and any of your men! But when these affairs get dragged into my household, then I will damned well be upset!" He turned away and stalked down the hall, flicking his hand at Junior Physician Khetai as he appeared ahead, jogging toward them; the younger Kana halted and flinched as Mahakhi passed. "The body is in there! See to it that it is properly tended to!"

Khetai stared after him, then looked to Tas'hukh. Tas'hukh rubbed his eyes, biting back the pain of a headache and trying to hide the tears which crowded up into them at the same time. "Embalm his body," he murmured. "Like the Kemeti do, only quicker. For shipment to the Shore Tribe."

"Yes, Lord." The physician brushed past him and into the room; when he looked up once more, the other Kana noticed him, and shut the door. It was as if a spell was broken then, and Tas'hukh at last had to drag his feet away from the place, a heavy weight settling in his heart.

* * * * *

Djuta arrived at the jail cells behind the household, panting; he paused just long enough to catch his breath before pushing the door open and stepping inside the short hallway. It was dim, and he had to squint to see his way around; he pulled out his sword and crept forward uneasily. He sniffed at the air, but nothing seemed terribly amiss.

He halted in front of the cells and stared into the one which had lately housed the big Moru, and felt his heart doing somersaults in his breast. The lock on the door had been cut, and it stood open; the cot within was empty. There was not even a sign of violence; even the main door had been properly closed. This was not an escape. Not the typical kind.

He gasped and jumped when he heard the door swing open behind him, and whirled around to see Mahakhi approaching. The big Kana stopped beside him, glowering at the empty cell; he then glanced at the one beside it in which the thief Kana still slept, his back to them. Before Djuta could say a word, Mahakhi pulled his sword and rattled it against the bars. The skinny Kana leapt from his cot as if pricked with a dagger, landing in the middle of the cell and glancing back and forth with wide eyes.

"Wake up, stupid lout!" Mahakhi snarled; the prisoner gawked at him, blinking in confusion, before gasping and dropping to the ground, pressing his head to the earth. "You have been in here this past week! You recall that big brute who was housed next to you? Speak up!"

The skinny Kana trembled like a leaf. "I--y-yes, Lord! I remember him! The one with the w-wings!"

Djuta's face lit up and he stepped forward; he hadn't even thought of questioning the only witness available, and felt like reprimanding himself. Mahakhi glared at him but took a step back. "You saw what happened here?" he demanded. "What happened this night?"

The thief lifted his head, big wet eyes glimmering. He nodded hastily.

"Y-yes, Lord. All of it!"

The lieutenant fought to suppress a twinge of impatience. "Well? What happened?"

The skinny Kana bowed again. "Th-the big Moru--the one next door to me--some strange Kana came in and spoke to him. I do not know who he was, Lord, only that he was very young, and arrogant, and said he was looking for the Moru quarters, and had taken a wrong turn, and he was supposed to be in the barracks; and the big Moru with the bad wings, he talked back to him at first, but then flattered him--it was so obvious he was insincere, yet the boy did not even care--he was practically ready to jump out of his clothes right then and there--"

Djuta's lip curled back. "Enough of the commentary! Just speak!"

"Y-yes, Lord--th-the big one, he wheedled at him, and the boy cut the lock and let him out--they said they would get in through the kitchens, and find a room--the why was pretty obvious--and that is when they left together. I listened, Lords, but I did not wish to get involved! I have only two days left in here, I do not wish to stay any longer than that--!"

Mahakhi grunted before Djuta could speak. "You will be released tomorrow, as soon as we clear this immense mess up!" He turned away as the prisoner started bowing and thanking him profusely, Djuta at the general's heels. They walked briskly back out of the jail and toward the household proper.

"He is likely gone from the city already," Djuta said, trying to keep up; Mahakhi's strides seemed twice as long as his own. "I do not think he would take the main gate--and who knows how long he had before the alarm was sounded."

Mahakhi bared his teeth. "Just when I believe I have finally rid this tribe of all its damned problems!" he growled. "First those filthy robber dogs, then T'uris, now this! It is one after another after another!" He tossed his head. "I will send out scouts. The dog is maimed; he cannot get far on foot! If he is seeking his freedom, then he will be sore pressed to find it once I sniff him out!"

"I do not think he seeks his freedom," Djuta said, his voice distressed.

Mahakhi gave him a critical look. "And so he goes to all the trouble of buttering up this fool and then stealing his lappets for nothing--? What other aim do you think he would have in mind, Lieutenant?"

Djuta could not speak for a moment, as they entered the household and strode through the kitchens. He wrung his hands. "He is after Lord Tas'hukh and myself," he finally said. "We are the ones he holds responsible for his fate."

"Revenge? He seeks revenge, then?" The big Kana snorted. "Let him try! One stupid Moru brute against the Great Red Tribe. He has even fled already! We will track him down, and drag him back if need be, or simply kill him where he stands. Then will this stupid 'revenge' be over with. One piddling Moru mutt can hardly bring down an entire tribe--and that is what he will have to face, should he have the balls to face it!"

Djuta's pace began to slow as Mahakhi continued on through the household, lappets swinging. The lieutenant finally came to a stop and stood there, fiddling his fingers anxiously. All sorts of unpleasant thoughts whirled around in his head.

If it is revenge he seeks...then why did he run...? He has proven himself strong enough to take on me--and I have always been a more skilled fighter than Lord Tas'hukh. He could kill both of us easily! And he was so stealthy in his escape--he could have easily come for us and finished us off, with none being the wiser as to who had done it! So why did he choose to flee...?

Djuta's brow furrowed and his hands fell still and cold.

Unless...he is not fleeing...not running away...but rather, running toward something...

Or somewhere...

Djuta started to tremble. He clasped his arms to try to still himself; then, attempting to shove down his chaotic thoughts once and for all, he dashed after his retreating general, the feeling of dread rising within him too powerful to push away.

Continue:

"Part 28: Savages" 


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