Part 54: Healer

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 54 and be on the lookout for updates to the next parts!


IN THE PHYSICIAN'S quarters, Captain Fe'kheru now occupied the cot, his face pale and his breathing shallow, shadowy dark rings surrounding his eyes. Lieutenant Meteri would not let go of his hand, and so sat beside him as the old physician looked him over, General Mahakhi and Lieutenant She'hekha, and a few of their other men, standing nearby. The physician peeled back Fe'kheru's eyelid, felt his forehead, examined his tongue, and frowned the whole time.

She'hekha made a face as if he wished to take issue with something, yet refrained.

Mahakhi's own look grew darker the longer the old Kana kept at his examination, until he snorted loudly, startling the rest of them.

"Well?" he snapped. "Do you find anything wrong with him? What is it? And if you know what it is, you'd best know a way to treat it, and quick!"

The physician scowled. "I..." His voice faltered and he bit his lip, fiddling his fingers as if unwilling to answer.

Mahakhi's look grew dangerously angry. "Spit it out now, before I give you an even better reason not to speak."

The physician swallowed. He rubbed at his forehead and stood up straight and they could see that he was sweating.

"I...I have never seen nor treated something like this, Lord," he murmured meekly. "I'm afraid I...I do not know what it is."

Mahakhi stared at him in surprise for a moment before his angry look began to return. Meteri lifted his head.

"You mean to say you have no way to treat him?" he demanded, speaking as if he spoke to one of his own Kana, his voice cracking yet biting. Mahakhi glanced at him briefly but excused the rudeness of his remark, glowering at the physician.

"You have been practicing for a dozen years and more now, Physician," he growled. "Don't give me reason now to suspect you of fraud!"

"I don't know what else to say to you," the other Kana protested. "No one has ever come to me with these symptoms. I have looked at all of my scrolls but none of them describe this ailment. I cannot treat that which I do not know!"

She'hekha's hand grasped the pommel of his sword. "If we return any fewer in number than when we arrived," he said, "then there will most certainly be trouble for this tribe. This is not a threat but a solemn vow."

Mahakhi's face started to screw up. "Is it one of his wounds--?" Meteri asked, looking the captain over from head to foot. "He--he was not even hit too badly! Could he be bleeding inside, and we do not know it--?"

The physician threw up his hands. "I know the symptoms of this, pup! I have treated wounded soldiers before! He bears nothing more than a few bruises and scrapes! If your captain cannot handle a few bruises, then he should not have agreed to this duel in the first place!"

Meteri's eyes grew huge and the blood rushed to his face. "Who is to say it is not a wound?" She'hekha inquired, narrowing his eyes. "Wounds can kill not just from loss of blood. Perhaps a little something was rubbed onto the tip of your sword, General--? The better to speed him along to Amenti and out of your hair?"

Mahakhi snarled. "Hush! I have no time for our petty squabble now! If you wish to be belligerent, you may stand outside!" He glanced down at Fe'kheru and chewed on his lip; the captain did not look well, with those dark shadows ringing his eyes and the sweat upon his brow. He would have thought that the other Kana had been wounded in the breast, what with how he had been clutching at himself when he'd fallen; yet they had even checked under his armor and there wasn't the slightest scratch there, not even a bruise. He didn't know what was wrong with him, and from the looks of it, no one else in here did, either.

"Lord," Meteri whispered, clasping Fe'kheru's hand tighter. His eyes watered and he leaned forward to rest his head against the older Kana's breast. Mahakhi felt a pang as he thought suddenly of Nehekhi, and he turned to Nehef, who stood in the doorway.

"Nehef!" The lieutenant snapped to attention. "The female," Mahakhi said harshly. "Go get her and bring her here. Now."

Nehef blinked for a moment as if not understanding, before saluting. "Y-yes, Lord." He turned and vanished, leaving the others staring at the general as if he had gone mad.

"Female?" She'hekha echoed. His eyes narrowed. "If this is meant to be a joke--"

"This is not a joke," Mahakhi snapped. "Did you wish me to try everything at my disposal, or not?"

"You mean...you plan to let a female treat him?" This from Meteri, who stared up at Mahakhi, eyes still brimming, incredulous.

Mahakhi glowered. "If it were not the last resort that I have, I would not even have considered it. Yet you wish for your captain to be cured, and this is the best I can think of." He crossed his arms and scowled so darkly that none dared question him again. "We will wait until Nehef returns. Then we will decide if this is a waste of time or not!"

* * * * *

Resikh and Djuta had left the stands among a crowd, having to push and nudge their way back out into the city, ears flaring at all of the noise of the others chattering excitedly; as they were nearer the top of the stands, it was quite a while until they got out, although they didn't notice what had happened down in the square. Now that the fight was over and night was drawing on, they walked along the street filled with taverns, their pace slow. Resikh glanced at Djuta several times along the way but didn't ask him what was on his mind; he could tell that his friend was preoccupied with something. He was certain that it had something to do with Khetai, as when he had mentioned her name before, the other lieutenant had fallen strangely silent. Well, he did have plenty of reasons to be upset about her, considering what had happened with Captain Rik'hia. But Resikh didn't feel right to ask.

"Perhaps we should get a drink," he suggested, trying to think of a way to lighten his mood. "This is what Kana normally do after a fight." He paused, then, when that brought no response, added, "We could drink enough so that we both pass out."

Djuta continued staring vaguely at the street as they walked. "You know I do not like to drink, Res. Remember what happened the last time I drank?"

Resikh flushed a little. "That was an exception, and I was not keeping an eye on you," he said; when again he got no response he simply blurted out whatever he could, trying desperately to get him to forget that even more unpleasant memory. "Besides, it would be in a tavern--all sorts of other drunken Kana with you. I bet you could enjoy it. There is a first time for everything, Brother. The last time I took drink, I awoke in a strange house with a strange Kana..."

To his surprise, Djuta started to chuckle. Resikh gaped at him until he murmured, "You are a whore, Resikh," and then he blinked.

"I am a whore?" He waved at the street. "Take a look who is the one who sleeps with whom and what, and wherever...!"

"I know which 'strange Kana' you were speaking of, and I can safely say that if anyone is a bigger whore than you, it is he."

Resikh snorted. "Well, at least you have half of the truth right. Still, this is no reason to keep ourselves from partaking of drink. At the very least, should we both pass out, we will wake up together."

Djuta lifted his head and gave him an odd look. "What is so good about this?"

Resikh shrugged. "At least we know who each other is."

Djuta started laughing aloud now. Resikh smiled at knowing that he'd at least brightened his mood just a bit. He grasped Djuta's arm and tugged on it, pulling him toward the side of the street and raising his hand to point ahead of them.

"That one down there is cheapest--"

"That what?" Djuta wiped at his eyes. "Whore?"

Resikh let him go and struck him in the arm. "No, you maggot! That tavern! The drink there is the cheapest, as since you don't drink, I take it you wouldn't be able to tell quality beer from your own piss--"

His foot struck something and he tripped and fell with a yelp. Djuta halted and gawked down at him as he picked himself up, aiming a kick at the person he'd dripped over and missing. "Stupid!" he snapped. "If you must pass out, then pass out in the alley!" He nearly fell over as he hadn't regained his balance yet, and tried kicking again, only for Djuta to grab hold of his arm and pull him back.

"Hold, Res! He's a lieutenant too, do you want to get kicked from the army?"

"Huh--?" Resikh took hold of Djuta's arm to balance himself and turned around with a puzzled look. "Lieutenants know better than to get drunk and pass out in the street..."

He blinked in surprise now as he finally set eyes on the still form slumped on the ground before them, mostly in the alley, but with one arm extended out into the street; it was this that he had tripped over. It was indeed a Kana, his wings slumped over his back and his blue lappets wet with mud; he looked as if he'd fallen asleep right where he'd collapsed. Resikh's eyes widened when he realized that he knew who it was, and he took in a breath.

"Tef...Tefkha?" he stuttered, blinking.

Djuta frowned. "I know he is a whore, but does he normally get so tipsy?"

Resikh shook his head, dazed. "No...from what little I know, he's good at holding his drink!" They both dropped to their knees beside the unconscious lieutenant, pushing him onto his side. Resikh cupped his head and pulled him up; he shuddered when Tefkha's head merely rolled back, his body limp. He looked him over for wounds, but found none.

Djuta's muzzle wrinkled. "There is a first time for everything, I suppose."

"I do not think so." Resikh chewed his lip. He looked around before spotting a familiar house further up the street. "Come. I believe he lives over there."

Djuta frowned again. "What are you going to do?"

"Take him back home! What do you think? We can hardly leave him here!"

Djuta sighed but helped Resikh with the unconscious Kana, and they supported him between them as they made their way up the street; barely anyone paid them any attention. Resikh was relieved to find that the house in question did in fact appear to be Tefkha's; again there were no guards to challenge them, so they got in unscathed. Djuta gritted his teeth as they dumped the lieutenant on his couch, his arms and legs falling limp. Resikh started looking him over for injuries again, futilely.

"I do not understand," he murmured in frustration. "I know he would not get himself this drunk! He may be loose, but he's no drunkard."

Djuta gave an irritated sigh and pushed Tefkha's arm up onto the couch, as it had fallen to the floor. "I fail to see why you worry so greatly! It's not as if you two are close."

Resikh blushed again, remembering how close they had been, at least for a night. "I still feel as if I should try to figure out what happened to him, at least," he said defensively. "Why are you being so uncooperative?" He bit his lip. "Are you angry that I--?"

Djuta snorted and rolled his eyes. "If I were angry that the two of you fooled about with each other, do you think I would even be talking to you right now--? Believe me, I am merely surprised that it took you so long to hear about his habits--I'm surprised he never hit on me. Now I am probably the only one in this entire tribe who has not slept with him." Resikh's ears grew warm but he let out his breath, feeling a twinge of relief mixed with guilt--which was an odd feeling, indeed. "You wish to figure out what happened?" Djuta continued. "Fine then. But you're looking in the wrong places." So saying, he grasped Tefkha by the shoulder and turned him over onto his side so that he faced the back of the couch. He looked him over and then snorted.

"See? Some things do not change, after all."

Resikh leaned over to see what he'd meant. He bit his lip again. Tefkha's kilt was mussed and his loincloth was plain missing; his hips and legs were bleeding and bruised. Anxiety stabbed through him.

He lifted his head and met Djuta's eyes. "Djuta, you must believe me when I tell you this. I was with Tefkha before, and this was not the way he preferred it."

Djuta raised an eyebrow. "You are sure? It was only one night, from what I've heard. Preferences can change overnight."

"Trust me, he did not like violence. If anything--he was the one who nearly clawed me!" His brow furrowed uneasily. "Someone must have...I do not know. Perhaps put poppy in his drink? I know that he drinks too much, and whores about too much, but I know he would not consent to this."

Djuta looked back down at the unconscious lieutenant. "Perhaps someone merely got carried away and he's sleeping it off..." Resikh glared at him and he relented. "All right...all right. It hasn't been that long since the fight ended, so this could not have happened too long ago. I know that I saw Tefkha among the crowd somewhere at the fight. But I lost sight of him early on; I heard from Nehef that he went off someplace with Lord Tas'hukh."

Resikh lifted his eyes and his frown grew. "Tas'hukh...?"

Djuta stood and they both looked down at Tefkha. "If you are beginning to think what I believe you are," he murmured, "then I am just as certain that Lord Tas'hukh would not condone this sort of thing, as you are certain that Tefkha would not. Tefkha most likely spread his legs for him, and I doubt Tas'hukh would have refused the offer, but neither would he do this."

Resikh let out his breath and fiddled with his lappet. "Very well then...he was probably busy with Tas'hukh at the fight, but that leaves open what happened afterward. It has been about a half hour or so, since it ended--there was such a great crowd leaving, he could have had time to get a drink or two, and for this to happen, before we came along...but then who would have done it and why? He probably would not have turned down someone if they had asked--so why force him?"

"I do not believe nesakh'ai was exactly what they were looking for," Djuta replied, and they both fell silent for a moment or two. "I say we simply leave him here to sleep it off, until morning. The taverns are crowded and whoever did this is long gone--we can hardly do anything about it now."

Resikh sighed. He stared at Tefkha and furrowed his brow, but understood the wisdom of Djuta's words; Tefkha was liked by so many people, that it would have been easier to figure out who hadn't done it, than to figure out who had. When Djuta tugged on his arm and turned to leave he followed without protest, though he couldn't help but glance back at the unconscious lieutenant every few steps.

Djuta spoke, his voice quiet. "If it sets your mind at ease, Res, we will come back and check on him in the morning. All right?"

Resikh nodded. "All right," he murmured. He turned away at last and they left the house together, Tefkha sleeping as if he would never wake up again.

* * * * *

The Moru quarters were dim as always, their occupants having started to doze off or simply fall asleep long ago. Most of them slept in pairs or groups, yet there was one who remained huddled alone beside the wall, ignoring the rest of them. Khetai's wings hunched against her back as if to make her invisible, and the tears trickled slowly from her eyes the entire evening through. The sound of the alert being blared hadn't even interested her, although the rest of the Moru had started chattering excitedly. When no guard was forthcoming to fill them in on what was happening, they had settled down again, albeit in slight puzzlement, and the room eventually fell almost silent. Khetai didn't care. She barely even saw the floor she was staring at anymore.

Not long after most of the Moru had dozed off she heard a soft shuffling noise, and a shadow fell over her. She shrank back against the wall when she noticed the male peering at her, his nostrils flaring as if he attempted to catch her scent. She would have bared her teeth at him, or even clawed at him, if she were in any other mood. As it was all that she did was cringe and hunch her wings even tighter.

The Moru's look was sympathetic. "I was told your name is Khetai-Moru," he said softly, "and that you were...there was an incident, earlier." He paused and fiddled with his lappet as if nervous, then waved toward the main part of the room.

"My name is Thi'usa, and my mate is Tai'ihet--you saw her when you were brought in. She too had a little trouble with that captain. My other mate--Ki'amit-Moru--she has...had a loss of her own...some time past." He paused again, then let out a coughing noise. "If you feel you wish to speak with someone, please speak with them, or even with me. You can even come sit with us if you want; I will not do anything, and Tai' and Ki' will keep you good company. You need not sit over here all by yourself."

Khetai stared at him, then peered over her shoulder. She saw the two Moru he was speaking of, peering back at her; the younger one even waved. She bit her lip, tempted--she had always hated her self-imposed loneliness--yet she turned away again, lowering her head to stare at the floor and curling her tail toward herself. She could tell just from looking at them that they would know only Moru things, speak only Moru things, do only Moru things. She did not belong with them.

"I...I do not mean to offend, but I prefer to remain by myself," she whispered, not meeting Thi'usa's eyes.

She saw his shadow sink slightly, and heard him let out his breath. "Very well," he murmured, and turned away; "You are always welcome to come sit with us, or with anyone, whenever you wish," he said, before returning to his mates and sitting back down. Khetai listened to them whisper a bit, then heard them settle onto their pallets for the night, and the room fell still once more. She shut her eyes and felt the tears stream warm down her face. Even her brief time spent as a prisoner had not seemed nearly as lonely as this.

A creak came from the door after a while, and light filtered into the room, but she didn't bother even lifting her head. A few of the Moru started murmuring as footsteps came across the floor and finally stopped. "The Moru Khetai--?" a voice called out; her ear twitched but other than that she did nothing. She heard another shifting noise, then the footsteps came her way. Another shadow fell over her, then somebody knelt down before her. She recognized Lieutenant Nehef, but still didn't bother moving. He had never had an unkind word to say to her in the entire time that she had known him, and even after she had been discovered, he had not treated her poorly; yet he was just a Kana, the same as the rest of them.

"Khetai-Moru?" he said quietly. "You are wanted in the physician's quarters."

She slightly turned her face away. "I said I did not wish to sleep in there," she murmured.

He frowned a little, then shook his head. "This is not it...it was requested that you come, to lend your assistance."

Khetai opened her eyes, which had begun to drift shut. They shifted toward him and she saw that the look on his face was sincere; the first lieutenant may have been a jokester, and far too careless and frivolous for his own good, but she had never known any of his jokes to be cruel. Her eyes shifted now to see Lieutenant Ahai'ikh standing in the doorway, and she had never known the second lieutenant to be much of a liar. Her ear twitched.

Nehef cocked his head. "Your presence was requested by Mahakhi-Kana. You will come...?"

Mahakhi-Kana...? Khetai's eyes opened wider now and fixed on his, but as before she saw no deceit there. "There has been an incident and a Kana has fallen gravely ill," he added, and those words were enough to snap her out of her daze, her ears pricking and her wings rising slightly. He had to hurry to get up and step back, as she got to her feet so quickly that her wings almost knocked against him. She clutched at her side, where she would have normally carried her emergency medicine pouch, only to find nothing there. She forced her fingers to go loose and took a breath and let it out.

Nehef looked at her, then turned and gestured for her to follow. "This way," he said, and she followed him out of the Moru quarters and into the hall.

* * * * *

Captain Tas'hukh wandered about Mahakhi's darkened household, keeping mainly to himself. Now that the great duel was over, he had little left to do; Lieutenant Tefkha had cheerily parted ways with him immediately afterward, and he had felt both a bit of relief and a sting of disappointment at the time. The barracks lieutenant had invited him to come along to the taverns, yet spending the night drinking had never been something Tas'hukh had much cared for--the only time that he had gotten seriously drunk had been right after his father had kicked him out of the house--and he had discovered then that the taste of beer hadn't done much to alleviate his emotions. And so he'd watched the lieutenant walk off into the street, lappets swinging gaily, waving at several Kana who already awaited him ahead. Tas'hukh had stared after him with an ache in his breast. There were times when Kana had once waited for him to arrive, but those days were long past.

So now he walked about the household alone, as always, his stare focused on the floor and his lappets dangling limply before his ears. He didn't even bother to feel ridiculous in his dress armor, although immediately after parting ways, he had scowled to himself over it; what had he been thinking, even bothering to dress in it? When it was so obvious that this was not his tribe, and never would be, and he would never be welcome here no matter what he did? Djuta had rejected him. Resikh had snapped at him, Tefkha had already forgotten about him, and Mahakhi had practically told him that he had not one say in any matters of the Great Red Tribe. And I'anen was dead. He had no one left now but himself.

I am just as I was all those years ago, after leaving that house. Yet at least then I had something to fight for, some reason to keep trying. That time is long past. I am a captain now, and have no use. I am not even welcome to instruct the trainees. I had thought that perhaps I could escape those ingrates, all those snickers and cold shoulders and sneering stares, back in the Shore Tribe...but all I have done is flee to a tribe which snickers and sneers just as much as the old one. Why did I think it would be any different here? I am after all the same Kana I was before...

He ran one lappet between his fingers and sighed to himself. If they were blue, perhaps he would have had some reason to exist. Back when he had been promoted to captain he had been proud. Now he scowled at the irony of it, that such an honorable rank had in fact earned him even more ridicule than before. At least, as a lieutenant, he would not have had to face the leers and laughter that came with being such a figurehead, a Kana in red lappets and nothing left to do with them. He felt almost as if he were trapped here now, with nowhere to go and no reason to try. The Shore Tribe would never take him back; perhaps they could have forgiven him for what had happened to I'anen, but not after how he had sent the youth's body back, without even bothering to accompany it. This had been a huge insult, and he knew it. Back then, it had not seemed so bad. That had been before the Great Red Tribe had become even more unwelcoming than the Shore Tribe, however.

He sighed again and rather wished that he had taken Tefkha up on his offer. At least he wouldn't have been stuck with his own thoughts for the rest of the night. Though now that he thought of it, even the barracks lieutenant had been unusually flippant with him...perhaps everyone respected him even less than he'd thought...

He found himself in the hallway leading past his rooms and reached up to start tugging on his pectoral. Splashing noises out in the courtyard made him slow his step, however, and he turned to peer outside, where the sun was setting and tossing long shadows across the tiles.

He felt his spirit rise a little bit, seeing what was out there.

Private Ri'hus was in the pool, mock-swimming from one end to the other. It wasn't quite deep enough that one could go very far without touching the bottom, so he pushed himself off with his feet and drifted to the near end, turned, and pushed himself back. He propelled himself with his arms and hummed absently as he did so. He seemed to enjoy the water, and Tas'hukh remembered how he had plunged straight into it to retrieve his sword during their training. Yet all he did now was float back and forth, dipping his head beneath the surface every so often and then resurfacing with his white fur gleaming and droplets trickling from his ears. Tas'hukh watched him for a few moments before turning and stepping into the courtyard to go stand near him. He put his hands on his hips as he stopped at the edge of the pool, looking down.

"Private," he said after a moment. "Why do you not simply swim across if you enjoy it so much?"

Ri'hus gasped, snapping out of his daze and diving unexpectedly into the water. Tas'hukh nearly jumped, flaring his ears and blinking in surprise. Ri'hus popped back out a little bit further away, sputtering, and Tas'hukh couldn't help but laugh. The private, to his relief, blinked a few times before offering a sheepish smile. Well, at least he hadn't embarrassed him too greatly.

"I...I apologize, Lord," Ri'hus said, blushing and rubbing at his ear. "I did not hear you coming! Are we to train now--?"

Tas'hukh shook his head. "No, there is no training for tonight. Why were you not at the duel? At least, I did not see you there."

Ri'hus rubbed at his ear again. "I did not attend the fight, Lord...I thought it would be best if I stayed behind and worked on my swordfighting. I have been sparring since before the trumpet sounded."

Tas'hukh stared at him mutely. Pass up a good fight, in order to train...? None of his other trainees would have ever done such a thing as that. He forced his muscles to relax and crossed his arms over his chest, snorting lightly.

"You mean you stayed out here all day--?"

Ri'hus nodded. "Yes, Lord...well..." He blushed. "I did go down to the kitchens, for just a little bite of bread and honey, but then I came right back...I am sorry I left, Lord, no matter what the reason..."

Tas'hukh had to keep himself from gaping. "This is very well, Private," he had to say, just to alleviate the guilt on the youth's face, and Ri'hus immediately let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank you, Lord!" he exclaimed, then frowned slightly. "Speaking of the duel, what was it that became of it--? Which of the tribes won?"

"Mahakhi-Kana was the victor."

"Truly--?" Ri'hus's face lit up. "Then this means the River Tribe is leaving, and Mahakhi will remain our general--?"

Tas'hukh had to fight the urge to laugh. "I assume he is to remain our general, otherwise we are in very great trouble."

Ri'hus sighed and sank back into the water so that only his face showed. "This is such a relief! I was so worried that that River Tribe would wipe us out...!"

Tas'hukh waved at the water. "It was a done duel, the moment it was agreed upon. As I said, why do you not simply swim across?" he asked. "Since you seem to enjoy doing it so much. Do not refrain on my or anyone else's account! If I were a few years younger I would likely still be doing it myself!"

Ri'hus peered toward him, then sank into the water up to his muzzle, so only his eyes and ears showed. He stayed this way for a moment or two before lifting his head just a bit, and his lappets dripped.

"I..." His cheeks flushed slightly. "I am afraid I do not know how to swim, Lord."

Tas'hukh blinked. "You don't?" he asked, surprised.

Ri'hus shook his head. The blush didn't leave his cheeks; only his head and shoulders showed above the waterline, sleek and dripping. Tas'hukh had to clear his mind before speaking.

"Well, have you simply never learned, then? If not, it would be most easy to teach you."

"Teach...teach me to swim?" Ri'hus seemed uncertain, as if the comment were an odd one. Tas'hukh nodded, and he pushed himself forward to the near side of the pool, reaching up to clasp onto the tiles.

"Lord! Could you truly?" His face lit up. "The others always laughed because I would not join them whenever they swam in the river, just because I did not know how...you could teach me this? Truly?"

Tas'hukh smiled. "Of course. You act as if it is the most difficult task in the world. It's easily done. We could even use this very pool for practice, until you can brave the river."

Ri'hus clasped his hands together. "Can you teach me then?" he cried. "Right now?"

Tas'hukh blinked again. He hadn't expected the private to ask this, although...part of him had been hoping that he would. He felt the heat rise in his own face as he struggled to think of the proper response.

"Well...I suppose I could try to teach you a few basic techniques," he at last said. "But the more difficult ones must wait for the river. I suppose you should simply learn how to keep yourself afloat first...very well, hold on a moment and I'll show you."

He stepped to the side of the pool and removed his sandals and girdle and pectoral, glancing at Ri'hus every so often. Even when he reached to take off his kilt, the look on the private's face didn't change. He ended up in only his skullcap and loincloth, as he knew Ri'hus must be dressed also, and stepped into the pool. He was grateful for the sudden chill of the water against him, as it helped clear his head, calm his thoughts. Ri'hus gave him his space, but swam forward again.

"How do I learn how to float, Lord? I've tried, but it never works..."

Tas'hukh obliged the youth by setting out to teach him the most basic swimming techniques that he knew. Ri'hus might have been slow at fighting, but he was better at swimming. At first Tas'hukh guided him across the pool, one hand beneath his arm and the other touching his leg, keeping him afloat; then the private learned how to paddle, and how to stroke his own way to the other side. A few times he sank and sputtered, at which they would both laugh; Tas'hukh forgot his worries from earlier and smiled as Ri'hus showed off his new talents, swimming in circles and cheering aloud. He was so like a little boy learning a new trick, that Tas'hukh found that his heart was aching, and it took him a moment to understand why. Ri'hus reminded him of Djuta, when he was young. Djuta had changed so much since he had been Moru. He had never been so jubilant as Ri'hus was, but there was a jadedness to him now that pained Tas'hukh. Ri'hus was still innocent, despite everything he'd been through, and the captain would have found this difficult to believe if he weren't seeing it with his own eyes. He watched the private for a time and smiled whenever Ri'hus glanced his way, waving and laughing.

"Look, Lord!" he exclaimed after about a half hour spent thus had passed. "Just like a fish!" And he dove beneath the surface with a splash. Tas'hukh's smile grew. When the private emerged again directly in front of him, he jumped, not having expected it. Ri'hus laughed, and the sound made the entire day seem worthwhile.

"I'm sorry, Lord." He smiled widely, and Tas'hukh's own smile faltered when he recognized the entreaty in his eyes, something I'anen had often used, although much more obviously. "Can you teach me one of the more difficult strokes? Please?"

Tas'hukh tilted his head and frowned a little. "This pool is small, you know. You should wait for the river."

"I know, but I already understand the rest." He took Tas'hukh's hand--the captain tensed, fully expecting him to start whining and wheedling as I'anen always had, yet the look that Ri'hus gave him was still as sincere as ever, and his voice was sweet, not cloying. "Please?"

Tas'hukh felt his reserve melt. He couldn't deny the youth anything, not with that voice. And that touch. "Very well," he said, mustering as stern a tone as he could manage, and failing miserably. "Though if you run into the poolside it will hardly be anyone's fault but your own!"

Ri'hus beamed. "I know, Lord. Come! Teach me something else!" So saying, he pulled Tas'hukh along in the water by one hand, laughing and splashing. Tas'hukh took hold of Ri'hus's arm and guided him in another swimming stroke, to the far end of the pool, and back again. The younger Kana fell silent as they floated across the pool, and for a moment or two they did nothing but concentrate. They performed a few laps back and forth, and by the time that they again reached the far end of the pool Ri'hus appeared to understand the move. He touched the pool edge, Tas'hukh guiding his arm, and smiled back at him.

"Look! I understand it already, Lord!"

Tas'hukh smiled back. "You see? You are not nearly as hopeless as you claimed you were. You need only to find that which you are naturally good at, and train yourself harder. Swimming requires strength of the arms, yet not quite the same strength as swordfighting; I am left to wonder if you should perhaps try something other than the use of the blade."

Ri'hus's brow furrowed and he frowned slightly as they moved back and forth. "Something else...? But there is little to try, Lord...you saw how I am with any weapon..."

"There is one weapon we have not tried out on you yet," Tas'hukh said, turning him about and heading back for the other end.

"There is--?"

Tas'hukh nodded, and ran his fingers down Ri'hus's arm. "Swordfighting requires sustained strength--dexterity is necessary, yet not the sort of precision that requires these sort of muscles. Swords are also great heavy clumsy things. You seem to hold your own well enough when you are working with your body rather than with a weapon." He cocked his head to the side. "Perhaps the bow? The bow is not nearly as heavy and unwieldy as the sword, and it requires short bursts of strength, and more precision. I have never known anyone to learn swimming techniques so quickly so you have already proven you are good with your arms, and your legs, and with balance...I believe you have been using the wrong weapon. I think you would have much better luck with archery."

"Archery?" Ri'hus didn't sound convinced by any means. He let his legs sink and stood upright again, biting his lip. "I had not thought of this...I have never once even held a bow, and there is no formal archery training here, that I know of..."

"This is true. Yet I may teach you this also." Tas'hukh ran his hand over Ri'hus's arm again. "You see? These are the sort of muscles required to fire a bow. It's completely different from using the sword, and you just might excel at it. Perhaps this is where your training went astray..."

He trailed off on this thought as he noticed that Ri'hus's face had flushed again, and for a moment he puzzled over why. That was when he noticed how they were standing in the pool. Ri'hus was almost pressed to the side of it, with Tas'hukh beside and slightly behind him, holding his arm; he himself felt his ears burn on realizing the potential awkwardness of the situation, but his other emotions quickly overrode this. He remembered Djuta and himself, in a pool much similar to this one...Ri'hus's build was even similar to Djuta's, though not as finely muscled, somewhat thinner and more effeminate; but the way that his muscles tensed against Tas'hukh when he noticed how they were standing set him on fire inside.

Without even thinking about it he leaned down to press his muzzle against Ri'hus's neck, taking in a deep breath. Ri'hus stiffened and gasped but aside from this said nothing. Tas'hukh's mind started railing against him--of course this was one thing he had had in mind for the young Kana, but not now, not so soon after taking him in! It wasn't right! He couldn't let him believe that he'd taken him in just to take him, literally. But even as he told himself this his hand ran up Ri'hus's arm, to his shoulder, and he sighed softly against his neck. The private's scent was soft yet good to him, and he ached inside, all of the feelings that he had ever had for any of his mates--the lieutenant, Djuta, I'anen, Hiath'ikh, Tefkha even--surging up inside him, begging to be expressed. Against his better judgement his other hand slipped gingerly across the other Kana's chest so they pressed lightly together. Ri'hus's skin was warm beneath its thin coating of wetness.

Ri'hus began to tremble, and Tas'hukh opened his eyes, feeling a flare of fire in his loins but ready to let him go once he should demand it--it would probably be the last that he would ever see of him, and he quailed on thinking of the private again setting off from the tribe on his own, with nowhere and no one left to turn to. He hated the thought that he himself might contribute to this, even as he felt the younger Kana's body against him, the water trickling down through his fur.

Instead of being shoved away or cursed at, however, he opened his eyes and caught sight of the look on the young Kana's face--his eyes nearly closed, his mouth slightly open. He let out a soft shuddery breath and his body vibrated against Tas'hukh's.

"Lord..." he whispered, his voice faint.

Tas'hukh's ears pricked. He tried to figure out what the word meant, if it were an entreaty to stop, or to continue. He had no idea, frankly, and it was starting to drive him mad. It would probably be best if he simply let the youth go, and went back and found another jar to couple with; the only thing that he was wounding was his pride, after all.

That idea fled him instantly as soon as Ri'hus leaned back against him, going limp. His breath was coming fast, and he still didn't open his eyes. Still, the submissive gesture was familiar to Tas'hukh. Djuta had always reacted in the same manner, when Tas'hukh had bitten at his nape while they made love. Only he hadn't bitten Ri'hus's nape. Confused, he slipped his hand down the private's body, just barely brushing against him, ready to pull away at the first sign of any poor reaction. His fingers trailed over the edge of Ri'hus's loincloth, and down a bit further, lightly skirting over his sheath. Immediately, Ri'hus stiffened, spine arching and head going back. He let out a soft whine and judging by the hard warmth straining against his loincloth, Tas'hukh could tell that he was aroused.

"Lord!" Ri'hus whispered again, in a begging tone.

Tas'hukh's body filled with flames. "Ri'hus," he said in a guttural voice, and the private whimpered and again went limp against him. It was all the sign that he needed; he quickly and deftly pulled the private's loincloth loose, letting it drift to the top of the pool. He likewise removed his own, sliding both of his hands down Ri'hus's belly and to his groin, cupping his velvety sac and squeezing it. The young Kana whimpered more loudly and trembled harder; Tas'hukh prodded gently at his sheath, until he felt the warm head of his member emerge, and coaxed it out with slow strokes. By now the private was panting hard, and Tas'hukh pressed to him closely, sucking in the smell of his musk.

"Private," he whispered hoarsely, massaging Ri'hus's side and nuzzling at his neck. "I've tried to teach you many things but there are some which only come naturally. The choosing of a mate is one of them. I want you to be my mate for the night."

He said it abruptly, hoping to learn if the answer was yes or no, before he went too far. The younger Kana merely trembled against him for a moment before he could even find his voice, and his reply sent a surge of heat through the captain, as it was just as he'd hoped it would be.

"Y...yes, Lord..."

Tas'hukh grunted his approval. He wrapped his arms around Ri'hus in a tight embrace, relishing the shiver that the younger Kana let out, the way that his head tilted back, mouth slack. Ri'hus was shorter than he was and they easily kissed, even from this position; then, still holding the private to him with one arm across his chest, he slid one hand back down to fondle his buttock, feeling it tighten in anticipation. He squeezed and clutched it, before sliding down his other hand and pressing himself to Ri'hus again. With his knee he nudged the private's legs apart, bumping him close to the pool's edge with his hips, his breath deep and husky. Ri'hus didn't object. He leaned over the edge, his wings tensing and his back bent, and Tas'hukh ran his hand up his backside, feeling his tail quiver upwards beneath the water's surface. He parted Ri'hus's buttocks with his fingers before leaning down to nuzzle his shoulder.

"Prepare, Ri'hus; I could mate you all night, if I wished."

Ri'hus panted, his voice faint. "Yes, Lord. Please...Lord."

Tas'hukh snorted, lust filling him at the submissiveness of the words. He positioned his hips and slowly pressed his way inside. The private tightened, but just for a moment; then once more his body sank back limply, Tas'hukh bearing his weight, the young Kana trembling and panting weakly. He held Ri'hus to him with his arms beneath the other Kana's, leaning him over the pool edge, and when they were sufficiently positioned he began to thrust. He let out a guttural groan of relief, running one hand up and down Ri'hus's quivering penis, sighing and pushing slowly. Ri'hus gave a soft whine, but said no more, at least for now; and so in near-perfect silence, but for the rippling of the water and their faint panting, the two of them made love.

Tas'hukh kept his muzzle pressed close to Ri'hus's neck, occasionally nibbling at his nape and greatly enjoying the private's resulting shivers of desire. His feel was everything that he'd hoped it would be, everything that his fervid dreams had conjured up at night. He didn't bother questioning himself on why Ri'hus had given in so easily; it didn't matter. Just as much he enjoyed fondling him in front, and after a while he snorted to feel Ri'hus's hand slide slowly back to touch his own side, running tremblingly up his ribs. Tas'hukh shut his eyes and sighed. It felt so good, to at last mate with the object of his desires, to at last stop thinking about it and agonizing over it, and be able to finally do it. What was more, Ri'hus responded to him far better than I'anen or even Djuta had, and for the first time in a long time, he was excited to bring his partner pleasure, as well.

He cupped Ri'hus's testicles, felt him tense just briefly, then loosen again. He nibbled at the private's ear and Ri'hus obliged by tilting his head to the side, the older Kana licking his neck, adoring the taste of his fur. He rubbed Ri'hus's belly. "Do you enjoy yourself, young Kana?" he whispered huskily. Ri'hus trembled and managed to nod, at which Tas'hukh fondled him again. "Then I enjoy you too, most greatly, my little mate."

"L...Lord..." Ri'hus's buttocks tensed against him, and Tas'hukh felt him tighten. "Pl-please...please..."

Tas'hukh opened his eyes now and blinked. He hadn't considered what he would do if they were caught out here; they would most likely not get in trouble, though it would be seen as improper. He had no idea if Ri'hus was a screamer or not, and that uncertainty made him a little anxious. The private was beginning to squirm and whimper a bit more, and he had to think of something to do, just in case--and quickly.

He slid both hands up Ri'hus's chest and looped his arms under his own, drawing him tight and close. Ri'hus dropped his head back and whined loudly. Tas'hukh's hips pumped quicker, the water swirling around them. He lifted the private up onto his toes with the force of his thrusts, and Ri'hus's cries just grew. He clutched back at Tas'hukh's buttocks, and the captain let out a blasting snort. He gritted his teeth as he felt his climax coming, and leaned close to Ri'hus's ear, whispering hoarsely.

"Young one! Take your deepest breath!"

Ri'hus did as he was commanded, sucking in a great breath. At that moment Tas'hukh ground upward into him hard, his seed bursting from him in a flood of relief. Ri'hus's mouth opened in a potential scream--and that was as far as it got. At the moment of orgasm Tas'hukh fell backward, taking the private with him, so they plunged down into the water with a great splash. A plume of bubbles rose from Ri'hus's mouth as they sank, and Tas'hukh quickly covered it with his hand lest he lose the rest of his breath. He waited a brief moment until the surge of spasmed trembling had completely passed through Ri'hus's body; then, removing himself and turning the younger Kana about and clasping him to himself tightly, he plunged back toward the surface, pushing his way up with strong strokes. Their heads emerged and they sputtered, shaking the water from their ears and panting harshly. Waves surrounded them, growing fainter as they rippled away.

Ri'hus's eyes goggled, then shut. Tas'hukh tensed when the private moaned and slumped against him. Had he overexerted the youth--? He touched Ri'hus's face with some anxiety, but the young Kana responded only with an even softer moan, shivering slightly.

"My Lord," he whispered, and it was as if the words told Tas'hukh everything. He squeezed Ri'hus to him in a strong embrace, nuzzling his ear, before lifting him up, one arm under his knees and one supporting his back, and carrying him from the pool as if he were his Moru. Ri'hus didn't object, instead snuggling against him and panting in exhaustion; Tas'hukh's heart swelled at the feeling of his breath fanning across his chest. He looked into the pool, but their loincloths were nowhere to be found; he glanced about to make certain that nobody was around, before heading for one of the lesser-used halls out of the courtyard. He didn't much mind being seen nude himself...but Ri'hus, that was a different story.

Fortunately they managed to reach his quarters without being spotted, but he did hesitate outside in the hallway, glancing from Ri'hus's door to his own. He bit his lip and tried to decide which room the private should go in, yet couldn't make up his mind. Just because they had spent time in the pool...did not mean that he would wish to spend the night with him...did it...?

He lowered his head to look at the younger Kana, who looked to be asleep. "Ri'hus...?" he asked softly, brow furrowing. Ri'hus sighed a little, but said nothing. Tas'hukh bit his lip again and shifted from foot to foot.

"I can return you to your own quarters, Private," he murmured in the youth's ear, "or you are welcome to come to my own...which do you wish? Please let me know..."

Ri'hus still said nothing...yet the grip of his arms about Tas'hukh's neck grew unmistakably tighter. Tas'hukh tensed and his tail whipped back and forth. He turned to his own door and pushed upon it, and the private didn't object. With a snort, he made his way inside, taking Ri'hus with him, and even when he lowered the young Kana down onto the bed, there was no complaint forthcoming. Tas'hukh settled himself down beside the private, leaning on his elbow and staring into his face, and he would have been mad if he had said that he couldn't see the faintest trace of a smile upon Ri'hus's face as he drifted into sleep.

* * * * *

Mahakhi was pacing, a dangerous look upon his face, by the time that Nehef returned, opening and peering in the door. He gave a slight cough, and everyone within looked back at him. He flushed a bit at being so suddenly the center of attention, then saluted.

"Lord, I...brought the party requested."

"Well?" Mahakhi snapped, waving. "Bring her in, then!"

Nehef nodded and vanished. A second later he stepped in, ushering Khetai inside. She'hekha and Meteri eyed her with curiosity; the former even frowned a little once he saw her, though he said nothing. She kept her head low, and walked slowly, her wings tight against her back; it looked as if she would have sunken through the floor, had Nehef not kept a loose hold on her arm. The two of them stopped before Mahakhi, and he flared his nostrils.

"Khetai-Moru."

She lifted her head. Her eyes were red, as if from long crying; they also bore shadows beneath them, as if she had long been without rest. Meteri frowned now and She'hekha tilted his head. There was something about the way that she carried herself that hinted at a proud nature, yet for some other reason, all pride seemed to have fled her.

"Yes, Lord," she murmured, her voice barely audible.

Mahakhi gestured at Fe'kheru. "He is ill. The physician does not know what his malady may be." He glared at the other Kana, who sputtered a bit before scowling. "Look him over, and see if you can determine what the problem may be. I vowed he would return home alive."

Khetai's features flinched, just barely; yet she stepped forward to Fe'kheru's bedside, leaning over to look him in the face. Meteri stared at her as she frowned and bit her lip, feeling the pulse at his neck, touching his forehead, examining his eyes and tongue and the pulse in his wrist. The physician snorted.

"All of this I have already done, Moru..." he muttered.

"Be silent," Mahakhi growled. "And let her do her work."

Khetai ignored them both, still looking Fe'kheru over. She moved around the cot and her wing bumped against Meteri, who had to move aside to avoid being pushed; he blinked and flared his ears as if ready to start yelling, yet bit his lip instead when he saw how intently she was looking at the captain. She placed her ear against his breast and listened to his breathing and his heartbeat for a moment or two, before she slowly stood back up, still biting her lip. Her fingers tapped against her chest, as if fiddling with a pectoral that was no longer there. Before Mahakhi could prompt her, she turned around to look at him, meeting his eyes.

"It is his heart. It's grown weak."

"What?" Meteri stood abruptly, clenching one fist, and flared his wings. "He is in excellent health!" he snapped. "He always has been! Just recently we returned from a long perilous voyage, and he was perfectly healthy!"

"This is a condition which takes time to develop," Khetai retorted, glaring at him so that he blinked in surprise. "It comes with poor health, as in weighing too greatly, or it comes with age. He is not as young as anyone here." She paused and attempted to calm herself before continuing. "He will probably have shown signs before now. Have you noticed any? Weakness, or tiredness, or small pains when worried or when exerting himself. Especially pains in his left wing, or his left arm. Has he shown any of these?"

Meteri looked ready to snap a reply, only to sink in on himself slightly. His fist unclenched.

"Yes," he whispered, his stare drifting into space. "He has...more frequently, lately...his arm was bothering him, not that long ago, but he said it was just an injury..."

Khetai paused, then glanced back at the ailing captain. "This is as I thought. He may not have even known he was ill. First the heart grows weak, and then it may stop altogether. It sometimes starts again, but it leaves the sufferer weak and in pain. And it can grow worse, if it is not treated in time."

"And so? You suggest?" She'hekha said in a hot tone.

Khetai frowned at the tone of his voice, but replied anyway. "There is a plant...when gathered, and prepared properly, and ingested, it may help alleviate the pain, and strengthen the heart, so that it does not stop prematurely again."

"A plant?" The physician spoke up now, sounding flabbergasted. "I know of no medicine like this!"

"Where is this plant to be found?" Mahakhi interrupted.

Khetai glanced at him uneasily. "It...it is not common, Lord...and it is sometimes difficult to identify. Yet I could recognize it if I saw it, even in the wild. It grows not far from the river, but it is not easy to detect unless one has learned how and where to find it. I should do best to administer it also, as when prepared and given incorrectly, it is a deadly poison."

"POISON!" the old physician sputtered, and whirled to Mahakhi, waving his hands. "Do you see what she has in mind, Lord--? Firstly she wishes to be set loose to find this plant, and then, even if we do manage to get her back, she wants to poison the captain!"

"Do you think I am a fool--?" Khetai hissed. Mahakhi reared up with a venomous look and let out a great snort that silenced them all.

"Physician! You will be silent! The moment you stated that you knew no cure for this, is the moment you excused yourself from this conversation!" He glared at Khetai and she ducked her head again, flushing. "And you! You think I have any reason--ANY reason whatsoever--to simply set you loose, and expect you to return? After all the lies you have told? I know you well have reason to set foot outside these walls and never come back! And then I should place his death on YOUR head!"

"I may be her chaperone, if you would like."

Mahakhi blinked. So did everyone else, and all heads turned. She'hekha stared back at the general coolly, one hand resting upon his pommel. Meteri and Nehef made very odd faces. Mahakhi started to scowl.

"You?" he huffed. "You think I would let YOU wander off with one of our Moru...?"

"If you will think on it a moment, you will realize I have even less of a reason to flee than anyone else here may," She'hekha replied. "You know full well I intend to take part in our fight against your tribe, and despite Captain Fe'kheru's change of plans I have yet to leave. Although I do not agree with his decision, he is an honorable Kana, and promised not to interfere in our affairs. He is the only reason why your tribe has not been decimated already. He is likely also the reason why the River and the Yellow Sands have not yet attacked each other. All of my men are here, and it would hardly do for me to go running off without them. So now you see why I have every reason to stay put until this is settled."

Mahakhi's muzzle wrinkled and he didn't look very convinced. "Why you, and why not one of the others?" he growled. He waved at Meteri. "Why not him, while we are at it--?"

"I am staying here," Meteri said, his voice grating; they glanced at him and saw the way that he held Fe'kheru's hand clasped in his own, his eyes dark and flinty. Mahakhi frowned a little, then turned back. She'hekha shrugged.

"I also have this." He held up the seal that he still wore around his neck. "However, if you are willing to waste the time to go out and dig up another volunteer..."

"Very well!" Mahakhi snapped, and jerked his hand savagely at the air. "Take her and get it over with! If either one of you tries to flee..." his eyes glowered redly "...then I will hunt you both down myself...and one of you will have your wings flayed!" He jerked his hand again. "GO! And when you bring this weed back, make certain that you take a good look at it--" he glared at the physician "--so that you may identify it in the future! So should the time come, you will no longer be so IGNORANT!" And with this he granted the physician a withering stare that caused him to shrivel in on himself and swallow audibly. "Until they should return, I want everyone else OUT of this room! That holds for physicians, captains, lieutenants, Moru, EVERYONE, but the pup and myself. Go on and do not come back until I should say you can!"

Everyone still in the room turned and filed out, She'hekha and Khetai going first of all. Mahakhi watched them go, nostrils flaring, and nodded at Nehef to shut the door behind them. The room was plunged into sudden silence, and he found that this unnerved him for some reason; he turned back to look at the captain, and only now bit his lip, seeing how deathly pale his face was. He had not seemed nearly so ill, either before or during the fight...after the duel he had been quiet, but he had not seemed so sick...how could he have not been able to tell...?

He snorted and wrinkled his muzzle. "Foolish old man," he muttered aloud. "Making me fight you like that, when you likely well knew you were ill? So much for my great victory over the River Tribe! I beat an old man into the ground and nearly into his grave! This is hardly something to crow about!" He scowled and crossed his arms. "You should have just stayed at home," he said in a lower voice, "and none of us would have been the wiser, and none of this foolishness would have ever come about. Your brother was the one who started this, and I could have lived with it ending with him. You hardly had to come and prove yourself to me. The mere fact that you would not have marched with him is proof enough of what kind of Kana you are."

Meteri's shoulders hitched. Mahakhi looked at him, and his own heart was pained to see the lieutenant clasping the captain's hand as if he would never let go, leaning over him with tears in his eyes. He stared at him for a moment, then with a heavy sigh he went to sit down opposite him, on Fe'kheru's other side, and they stayed that way in silence for a time, the shadows growing longer.

"You are close to him...yes?" he asked after a while, keeping his voice quiet.

Meteri shut his eyes and squeezed Fe'kheru's hand tighter. "After my...my father was killed..." he said softly, "...he adopted me as his own. He trained me when I was young. My br-brother also. I lost them both in the battle. But Lord Fe'kheru has always been there for me. If he...if he should go...then I have no one left."

Mahakhi frowned. "How old are you, boy?"

Meteri lifted a hand to wipe at his streaming eyes. "My years are fifteen," he murmured.

Mahakhi's ears pricked and he blinked in surprise. "You are only fifteen--?" he exclaimed, the loudness of his voice making Meteri's ears flick. The general sat back and rubbed at his neck. "This is most young, for a lieutenant elite...I do not believe I have ever heard of one so young attaining the rank that you have. Most Kana your age are still training to become lieutenant third class!"

"I was trained well," Meteri replied, staring down at the unconscious captain. His eyes never left the older Kana's, though Mahakhi could now see that they had taken on that flinty look again. "He saw me along every step of the way. He is even the one who recommended me." He finally lifted his head and met Mahakhi's eyes, and the glare there was such that Mahakhi almost backed away. "I fully earned every honor bestowed upon me," he said in a voice as hard as his eyes. "Yet I would be nowhere if it were not for him."

Mahakhi continued staring at him until he lowered his head to look at Fe'kheru again, then let out his breath. "This I doubt, boy," he murmured, looking at Fe'kheru himself. "Surely he saw the talent that was already within you, and merely brought it out. For I can tell he is an intelligent Kana, and would not recommend anyone lightly."

He had meant the comment to be reassuring, yet Meteri only squeezed Fe'kheru's hand even tighter, his chest hitching slightly. The tears filled his eyes again and instead of whimpering, or blinking them away, he simply leaned forward and rested his head upon Fe'kheru's breast. Mahakhi blinked a few times, suddenly uncomfortable; he was only intruding on the youth's privacy, now. Still...he remembered how he had felt when Nehekhi had died...how the Kana had held Ameni and Thi'usa close, how he himself had had to keep his distance from his friend...and the pain inside him grew. He knew Meteri's feelings exactly.

He allowed himself to reach out and very lightly touch Fe'kheru's other hand, before drawing away. The two of them sat in silence, in the growing darkness, waiting.

* * * * *

Khetai's step was quick but trudging, as she was not used to walking about in the weeds and undergrowth by now. She bit her lip in frustration at realizing how out of shape she was already, not having needed to go into the wild to collect medicine in quite some time. She hadn't even been aware that she had been so spoiled, until now that it was all taken away. The enemy lieutenant kept pace slightly off to her side the entire time that she walked, and she was tempted to go running and leave everyone and everything behind, but that would mean getting him--and likely Djuta--in trouble, and she found that she did not have that desire in her anymore. Besides, she doubted that she could live long in the desert, with nothing but the dress that she now wore. She chewed on her lip as she trudged and blinked away the sting in her eyes, wishing that she had never set foot in this household in the first place.

Her foot suddenly sank into the ground, a bit of the soft earth giving way into a bog, and she let out a gasp as she toppled forward. Something grasped hold of her arm and pulled her up and back before she could fall, however, and she pulled her foot free with a sucking noise, shaking it off with a grimace and staring shakingly at the hole that it left behind.

"Are you all right, Moru?" She'hekha asked mildly.

Khetai blinked, suddenly remembering that he was there, and suppressed a scowl. "I am fine," she muttered, not adding an appropriate title, and started walking again, glancing from side to side. She heard him pause before snorting and following, and the two of them walked in relative silence for a moment or two, with nothing but the noises of the river keeping them company.

"So you are the female Kana I have heard so much about," he said, and she felt like grimacing again. "Somehow, you are not quite what I expected."

"Perhaps you expect too much," she muttered under her breath, then, realizing that he'd heard her, she added, "Lord." She hated the taste of the word in her mouth but made herself say it anyway, since she would have to get used to it. She kept her stare on the ground, looking about for the plant; she knew it tended to grow in this area, but it had been a long time since she had gathered any, and it might have died off by now. She chewed her lip anxiously as thoughts of the captain dying ran through her head. She didn't really care about the Kana himself; but she was so used to using her skills to help others, no matter who they were, that she didn't even think about it. She ducked and clambered down under a bowing stand of papyrus and started trying to push her way through, peering around and swatting at insects.

I know it must be around here somewhere...

She reached a particularly thick stand of the reeds and tugged on them as if to rip them all out of the water. Her foot started to sink in the muck and she shuffled awkwardly, leaning back and pulling as hard as she could with little result. She swept one hand across her stinging eyes--He will be DEAD by the time I get back!--and attempted to get a better grip, only to feel something grasp her arm and pull it away. She took a splashing step back as She'hekha took her place in front of the papyrus and drew his sword. He started hacking the reeds away, cutting a swath through the vegetation and revealing the little pool of water on the other side. Khetai craned her neck and spotted some flowering plants nodding on the opposite side of the pool and her face lit up.

"There!" she exclaimed, and She'hekha lowered his sword, glancing back at her, then ahead at the plants. He frowned a little and gestured at them.

"Those are the weeds you speak of so highly?" he asked skeptically.

Khetai nodded. "Their leaves and petals contain a powerful medicine--but if prepared incorrectly it becomes poison--" She took a step toward them, only to let out a cry as the mucky ground disappeared and she toppled into the water. She squinched her eyes shut and waited for her head to submerge, but she jerked to a halt instead, her breath whooshing out of her as something struck her chest. She blinked a few droplets of water from her eyes to see that the Kana had jumped down in front of her and caught her at the last minute, his arm across her chest. Her eyes grew when she realized that their faces were a mere breath from each other, and he gave her a critical look.

"Perhaps you'd best let me see to it," he said, in that same mild voice, and Khetai blushed and scrabbled back toward the bank of reeds. She stood trying to squeeze the water from her dress as the lieutenant splashed down into the water, making a face as it rose up to his chest; he waded to the opposite side and pulled out his dagger to cut the plants free.

Khetai gasped and he glanced back at her, good ear flicking. "The--the roots are useful, too," she said meekly, at which he rolled his eyes, but he put his dagger away and started pulling on the plants, eventually freeing them from the soil, stems and roots intact. Unfortunately, they came loose so abruptly that he fell back this time, gawking before he disappeared beneath the water with a terrific splash. Khetai's mouth fell open and she started splashing her hands in the water, trying to grab hold of anything.

"Lord--?" she exclaimed, her voice cracking in panic. "Lord--!" She shrieked and jerked away when his head popped up out of the pool, and he sputtered, spitting out fetid water and making another awful face as he waded toward the reeds. He pulled himself up onto the mucky land and grimaced, holding up his arms to inspect his clothing. A dead plant dangled from his ear and he yanked it away in disgust.

Khetai cowered back in the reeds a bit, feeling utterly foolish. "Here," She'hekha snapped, and she jumped a little, blushing as he held the plants out toward her, a foul look on his face. She moved aside as he stepped up into the reeds, wringing his lappets and shaking the water from his wings and tail; his sandals let out a squelching sound when he walked, and this just made his expression even more unpleasant. "That is all you need?" he asked peevishly, and she nodded. He turned and jerked his hand at the air. "Let us go, then, before I get even more acquainted with the river."

Khetai followed him back toward the riverbank in silence, the lieutenant pulling his sword to slash away the reeds again as they tramped through the muck. When he stepped up onto dry land she reached up her hand to take his without even noticing; it was only once he had pulled her up that she finally realized what she'd done, and her face went red again. They walked back up the slope leading toward the Great Red Tribe and he continued brushing water from his kilt. He reached up and untied the bandage around his torn ear, shaking the damp cloth out and looking it over. Khetai couldn't help but peer up as he did so, and saw the way that he wrinkled his muzzle when he wrapped it back on.

"You should rub some oil of the kanana nut upon that," she said softly; his good ear flicked and he turned his head to look at her. "To numb the pain," she said.

He gave her an odd look, and she wasn't certain if he was puzzled by her advice or annoyed. They continued walking toward the city gate, the sky falling into darkness around them.

"You make a better physician than a Moru," he said, and her face truly went red this time, so that even her ears grew hot. She didn't know if he had meant it as a compliment or as an insult but it didn't matter. She lowered her stare to the ground and picked up her pace, as the air was growing chilly, and the others in the city were waiting. She bit her lip and watched She'hekha's sandals move across the sand, her thoughts flitting over all that had happened recently. Her wings huddled in toward her back.

"Lord...I..."

He glanced back at her again with the same almost bored look. "In the hallway," she managed to murmur, her voice barely audible. "With Lord Djuta...I never..."

His ear cocked. "You are attempting to say thank you, Moru?"

Khetai blushed and ducked her head, nodding meekly.

"Save it." He turned away again, tail flicking. "It was about time I scared the piss out of such a Kana anyway."

This comment made her furrow her brow, perplexed, yet he offered no more explanation. The great double doors came into view, and she picked up her pace once more, clutching the plant tightly as they made their way back into the darkening city.

* * * * *

It was not that long after that Khetai sat beside Fe'kheru's cot, pounding leaves with a small mortar and pestle. Every so often, as she'd instructed him, Meteri would reach out and feel the pulse at the captain's neck, to see how steady it was. None of them liked the way that it fluttered, slowed, and sped up again. Khetai didn't bother looking up at him, only concentrated on the task at hand, biting her lip intently as she worked.

Mahakhi and She'hekha stood a little further off, arms crossed, watching; every so often the other lieutenant would brush at a bit of reed or mud still clinging to his uniform, yet neither of them spoke. Khetai finished pounding the leaves into powder and took a cup of wine, pouring them in. She stirred it for a moment or two, until the wine turned murky brown; then she sniffed at it, and glanced at Fe'kheru. She looked up at the other two standing near the foot of the cot.

"I will give it to him now," she said, her voice hesitant. "I measured the amount to the best of my ability...but I cannot guarantee that it is correct."

She'hekha's nostrils flared but he said nothing. "It can help him?" another voice asked, and she turned to look at Meteri, who was staring at her with pleading eyes. She flushed a little and lowered her own.

"I have...I have seen and read of this medicine being used before, and if prepared properly, it can greatly help." She paused. "But I have never used it myself."

The young Kana continued staring at her for a moment or two, then he lifted his head and flared his wings. "Use it," he said, and she stood up, picking up the cup and stirring it once more.

"At least that damned physician isn't here to grouse about it," Mahakhi muttered.

Khetai swallowed and held out the cup. Meteri tilted Fe'kheru's head forward and she carefully tipped the cup to his mouth, letting the fluid dribble in. At first Fe'kheru reacted not at all; then he swallowed convulsively, and coughed. Meteri settled his head back against the pillows as Khetai took the cup away, and they stood watching him for a few moments, before noticing his shallow breathing grow slower. Meteri frowned, then placed his fingers to his neck again. For another moment everyone stared at the captain in silence.

Meteri looked up at Khetai with hope in his eyes. "His heart," he said, his voice soft and cracking. "It beats regularly now."

Khetai felt at Fe'kheru's neck herself, then let out her breath. She sat back in her seat, holding the cup in shaking hands.

"It will still take a while to be effective," she murmured. "He will be weak, and he should not try to exert himself. But he should begin to recover now."

Mahakhi and She'hekha appeared to relax. "Thank you," Meteri said, and Khetai had to look up at him; he sounded relieved beyond words, as well as grateful. She bobbed her head with a flush to her cheeks and rose to her feet, bowing to Mahakhi.

"They may show me back to the Moru quarters now, Lord."

Mahakhi nodded curtly, not saying a word to her. Khetai went to the door and the guards stationed outside ushered her away. She'hekha gave a light snort and stretched his arms behind his back.

"Well, General; it appears your tribe's luck holds out so far. Perhaps some god watches over you." He rubbed at his neck. "I will be stepping out to the court for a breath of air, and then returning to my quarters, if you don't terribly mind. There is a Moru there who is likely to ruin your good house if I keep her waiting for long."

"Go ahead," Mahakhi grunted. "I trust you will not have the space to convene your entire army in there anyway."

She'hekha turned and departed, leaving Mahakhi and Meteri alone with the ailing captain. Mahakhi glanced down at the youth for a moment before also turning away.

"I will leave you with him and will order the guards to let you be," he said. "I believe you will not cause trouble for this household."

Meteri shook his head. He held Fe'kheru's hand between his own, and stared down into the captain's face. "I do not plan to go anywhere," he said quietly.

Mahakhi nodded. "Very well. I will send the physician to check on him again soon." He paused at the door, and fiddled with one lappet. "He is a good Kana," he added, and left the room, and the two Kana within were left in silence once more.

Continue:

"Part 55: Awakening" 


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