by Laura Kaighn
“Open your eyes, Storyteller. It is morning. Time to greet the life-giving sun.” With a trembling arm, Vesarius rubbed his face of sleep. He winced at the swollen bruise along his left cheekbone. “You fell while attempting escape. Healer was here to attend to you. He assures us your endoskeleton is intact, if strained. Open your eyes.”
Complying with the simple order, Vesarius squinted into the brilliance of three overhead lights. They were unusually glaring and oddly shaped. The lamps did not seem Orthop-made but natural entities of the cave inside which he lay. Bioluminescent? Beside the supine Vesar hunkered a massive column of tools reminiscent of Sheradon’s surgery drones. Its arms were folded, inactive. “I am unharmed?”
“You are no more injured than you made yourself,” a towering Orthop stated. “Do you recall your escape last night?”
With a tense grimace, Vesarius pulled himself up to sit. He was on a crystalline slab twice as wide as he and a third longer – Orthop sized. “I dislodged a boulder to slow your pursuit. Another was blasted apart behind me. I … fell down the mountain. I remember nothing else.”
The attendant creature tilted his eyestalks. “Do you know why you are here in these mountains?”
Nodding slowly, Vesarius rubbed the back of his stiff neck. “I was abducted for the purpose of bargaining your terms of the peace treaty.”
“Very good, Storyteller. You are free to go now. We have gotten what we wanted.”
Vesarius’ narrowed gaze considered the Orthop’s sincerity. “Which is, Gluctg?”
“Our voices heard by the queen, of course. The high chancellor, himself, has agreed to be our spokesperson. He will tell the queen our terms, and she will consider them.”
Fingering his right side just below his twelfth rib, the Vesar inspected the bandaged wound he had sustained falling from behind the toppling boulder. “What happens if she does not agree to these terms?”
“We, of course, will urge a compromise. It is for the best of all Orthop that we put forth these demands,” Gluctg explained. “We, who are no longer of the hive, will have our voices heard. Many queenkeepers have lost touch with the hive drones. They, too, are no longer represented in government. We will stand for them as well.”
“You said I am free to go, Gluctg. Free to leave the cave, or the planet?”
“You may do as you wish. We promised your people you would be returned. There is one on its way here to take you back to Kcluchtt.”
With flinching realization, Vesarius straightened on his stone bed. “Dorinda! She has been allowed to come here ... unharmed?”
“Why would we want to harm her? Is she not your adviser, Storyteller? You need her.”
With a crooked smirk, Vesarius admitted, “Yes, I do.” The warrior slid from the bed. He jolted to the floor with a pain-wracked grunt. The drop was nearly a meter. “What happened to me? I feel like a rag toy that has been tossed about by a Drtogk.” Vesarius braced his tender side. His knees quavered under his own weight.
“In your attempt to escape, Storyteller, you disregarded your frail exoskeleton. These jagged mountain peaks are dangerous in the dark. If we had not stopped you, you would have perished.”
“Right,” Vesarius retorted. “You were holding me against my will with intentions of murder if your plans had failed. You would expect me not to attempt an escape?”
Gluctg simply bowed his eyestalks. “No matter. You are not permanently injured. You will of course tell the high chancellor that your injuries were self-inflicted. My promise was kept.”
“Not to worry, Gluctg. A Vesar does not lie. It is dishonorable.” With a stiffened step and a supporting hand to his injured side, Vesarius trudged from his captor. He headed toward the bright point which was the cave’s entrance and his freedom. No one followed him.
Vesarius frowned at his most recent events. Why had he run? Gluctg was right; a jaunt through these mountains at night was suicidal. What had come over him? Vesar claustrophobia? As he hobbled to the exit, Vesarius could see an assembly of podships stationed outside. Perhaps they were to escort him home to the Pompeii. Vesarius desired it so. He felt as if he needed a week’s worth of sleep ... and a hot shower. With a sigh he stepped out into the morning brightness.
“Sarius?”
Turning toward the east and the rising Orthop sun, he could see a small group of travelers ascending the ridge to the Orthop stronghold. The leading visitor was shorter than the rest, petite with just a trace of rounded hip and swinging braid. “Dorinda!” he called self-consciously raising his hand from his side to wave. Now she was running toward him. Tundra made it first. The malamute nearly toppled him, but with a grimace, Vesarius knelt to ruffle the dog’s mane. “I am all right, boy. I was impulsive last night and received some bruises to show for it.”
“Sarius, you’re all right!” Dorinda beamed a smile brighter than the dawn, slowing her trot to a stop before the two. “I was so worried. We both were.”
Tightening his lips, Vesarius pushed himself to stand. He felt his knees creak in protest. “I tried to escape last night and beat myself up in the process. Gluctg says it is only bruises and strained muscles.”
“Gluctg’s a healer?”
“No, he is the rebel leader here. A healer was by during the night. I must have hit my -”
“You did,” Dorinda said pushing the Vesar’s rising hand away from his swollen jaw. “That’s the same spot where I felt pain last night. Did you fall?”
“According to Gluctg,” he contended. “I cannot remember.”
“You need ice on that. Yolonda’ll want to do a cranial scan on you too, to make sure that thick skull of yours isn’t cracked. Does your head hurt?” Scrutinizing his wound, Dorinda gently pressed her hand against his temple.
“Only when I blink,” Vesarius answered taking her hand and lowering it. “I want to leave this place. Now. Do you have transportation?”
Dorinda’s concerned frown deepened. “As long as they’re really letting you go.” She gestured with her chin to the approaching trio of Orthops. “My companions here’ve been hopping most of the night, carrying us. I can’t ask them to do it again.” She paused for emphasis, smiled, and tugged a tiny transmitter from her belt. “But I could hail us a cab.”
Vesarius beamed as well. “You do come prepared to show a warrior a good time. Call Coty, and let us depart.”
“We best leave the rebel camp first,” suggested one of Dorinda’s companions lumbering closer. “It would not be prudent to risk recapture, Storyteller.”
“Who are these Orthops, Dori? Does he mean we should test my freedom?”
Waving an arm at her three escorts, Dorinda announced, “Dkettk, Regeg, and Ktok. Yes. You’re right, Regeg. We should get away from here first.” Spinning back to Vesarius, she shrugged off his heavy pack. “I believe you left this with me.”
“I am pleased you brought it. I felt a bit naked without my crossbow.” With a slow careful swing, Vesarius hefted the pack onto his spine and nodded his approval. “You have lightened it for me. Considering my weariness, I am grateful.”
With a crooked grin, Dorinda patted his muscular upper arm. “Don’t delude yourself, Iron Man. I wasn’t about to lug your every belonging out into the desert. What good would Whitman do out here?”
“Whitman and Thoreau would have been welcome companions last night,” Vesarius countered with a somnolent sigh. “Perhaps with them, I would not have attempted an escape. Boredom is a dangerous sensation.”
Dorinda smiled and hooked his arm. “Come on, Sarius. Let’s get you home and into a warm bed. I’ve an urge to watch you sleep. I’m not taking my eyes off you ever again.”
“I would be indebted,” Vesarius confessed quietly, then pivoted to leave.
“This way, Sarius,” Dorinda corrected.
Blinking, Vesarius checked his bearings. He had turned toward the cave. “Huhm. My internal compass must be on hiatus.” He shook his head clear and followed Dorinda away, toward the eastern ridge and
the desert beyond. As he trudged along, Vesarius felt the pull in his side. Curious to know what Orthop healing technique had sealed his wounds, the warrior promised himself a good look once he was back aboard the Pompeii.
Dorinda was shaking her head at him. “I’m worried about you, Sarius.” She splayed her arms in gesture as they continued downhill. “You keep putting yourself in danger. It’s like being married to a cop. I’m always wondering if you’re coming home at the end of the day. Or am I going to get a phone call to come to the hospital ... or worse.”
“What is a cop?”
Dorinda chuckled. “Constable-on-patrol. A police officer,” she clarified. “He’s out fighting the bad guys all day while his wife is home with three kids, wringing her hands in worry.”
“I cannot imagine you remaining at home and wringing your hands, Dorinda,” Vesarius countered stepping around a large rock. “You are a woman of action.”
Dorinda harrumphed at him. “I’m here, aren’t I? My inner constitution is to help people ... help you. Make a difference.” She touched his arm again. “But I really wish you’d stop keeping me so busy. I never joined the Marines. I’m a teacher, remember?” Dorinda exhaled then offered a grin that glistened against her emerald gaze. “I suppose it’s my lot in life to keep pulling you from tight squeezes.”
“I would have enjoyed seeing you rescue me ... though the situation would have been far too deadly,” Vesarius admitted with a frown. “I am happier that you arrived with the sunrise and my freedom. It was a long night.”
Her cool hand was on his bare arm once more; her eyes were round with compassion and worry. “Are you sure you’re all right?” As they started down a steep slope, Dorinda’s foot suddenly slid out from under her.
With a swift steel grasp, Vesarius snatched her torso and lifted her to him. Their eyes level, lips just centimeters apart, Vesarius rumbled his answer, “I am brightened by your smile, Green Eyes. The dawn in your hair.” Dorinda’s still breath begged for more. He pressed his wide lips against her smaller mouth. He could taste her yearning even as she wrapped her arms about his neck. Then a tug in his side and an ache in his skull halted the Vesar’s ardor. With a grunt, Vesarius set Dorinda down roughly. He groaned through clenched teeth. “Forgive me. Perhaps I do require medical treatment.”
Eyes jade suns of concern, Dorinda steadied him with her body. “It’s all right. Come on. It looks like they really are letting you go. See?” She pointed back up the slope to the rebel camp where a line of Orthops stood with crossed foreclaws. “They’re wishing you good health, no doubt.”
With a grimace, Vesarius countered, “As long as I can leave this mountain.” He regarded her eyes, round with uncertainty. “They still frighten you, do they not?”
Blinking away her distress, Dorinda shook her head clear. “It’s just a feeling. This is not over yet.” She considered him with a velvet gaze then smiled. “As long as I have you back,” she added locking her arm in his, “they can all go to Huaj´im.”
Nodding in agreement, Vesarius took another step downhill toward the waiting trio of Orthops and their two expectant Kin. Once they arrived on more level ground, Dorinda took out her transmitter and activated its homing beacon. The palm-sized device began to beep.
“Coty should be here within the quarter hour,” Vesarius asserted.
“Coty’s got his hands full, I’m afraid.” Dorinda pouted at the sad reality. “Tolianksalya refused to bargain for your life. Michael spent the night speaking with the high chancellor and your rebel thug back there,” she explained with a backward jerk of her auburn head. “They’ve obviously agreed to terms.”
“Yes. Gluctg said the queen would listen to their demands. They only desire a voice.” Squinting into the ascending Orthop sun, Vesarius had to agree. “It is reasonable. The rebels must share their side of the argument for peace. Gluctg was concerned Orthop’s queen would sign over her world without first considering everyone’s views.”
“You’ll forgive me if I don’t approve of their methods to open the queen’s ears,” Dorinda countered. Her gaze too scoured the morning sky. “If she even has ears.” She clutched his arm to her cheek. “Orthop’s reputation does nightmarish things to one’s imagination.”
Vesarius patted her hand in the crook of his arm. Dorinda must have envisioned a horror story overnight. He had cultivated that fear through his previous distrust. “I did not intend to frighten you, Green Eyes. Forgive me,” Vesarius murmured. “It is my fault you worried so. Orthop will soon be at peace with us, and all the ghastly tales shall be past and forgotten.”
“Just like with your people,” she answered with a hint of sarcasm. “Look!” Pointing beside the rising sun, Dorinda announced, “Here she comes.”
A dark silhouette was humming closer, descending onto the flats below. “Our cab,” Vesarius said copying Dorinda’s previous term though he was unfamiliar with the reference. He picked up his pace. As they trotted down the last pebbly slope, Vesarius watched the silver transport’s hatch slide open. Out stepped a dark-haired woman in a gray uniform with maroon security insignia.
“Rosh!” Dorinda called waving her arms and rushing forward. “Am I glad to see you.”
“Coty’s been pacing the deck all night,” Roshana Zlenko hollered. The corporal eyed Dorinda’s party with its trio of towering Orthops. “Are we taking these three back to the ship?”
Stopping beside the Pom-1, Dorinda panted, “We’ll be returning them to Kcluchtt. With many thanks.” She patted Dkettk on the foreclaw. “I’m grateful for your help. I’m just glad we never had to test out those hooks of yours.”
With eyestalks twirling, Dkettk agreed. “It is indeed fortunate that Orthop blood was not spilled. We must learn to calm our violent natures ... for peace sake.”
“As we are still trying after fifty years,” Vesarius countered. “It takes much effort to change our natural tendencies, Dkettk. I am pleased to see there are so many who wish to take that first step.”
Crossing his foreclaws, Dkettk bowed his eyestalks. “Wisdom words, Storyteller. The high chancellor was right in wanting to protect you. It has been our pleasure to help.”
“Well, let’s not stand around reverently, people,” Roshana blurted. “I’m for getting the hell out of here.”
“You and me both,” Dorinda agreed waving Noah in ahead of her. Tundra was right behind. Then Dorinda turned to her Vesar companion. She must have seen the hesitation in his step. “What’s wrong?”
“Part of me does not want to leave. It is a strange urge. I cannot explain it.”
“You’re doing a good job here, Sarius. They adore you. Who in his right mind would walk away from his very own fan club?”
“Fan club?”
With a smirk, Dorinda only patted his arm. “Never mind. Now get in before I toss you in. You’re not leaving my sight.”
“You have gained that much strength?”
“What?”
Vesarius frowned. He had not intended to express his awareness of her training. “Tai chi builds muscle as it calms the mind,” he recovered quickly. She had admitted that much.
“I’ll never be strong enough to lift you, Iron Man,” Dorinda quipped side glancing Roshana. But the corporal was too busy watching the Orthops maneuver their large bulk in through the transport’s hatchway. Once they were inside, Dorinda insisted, “You’re next. I didn’t come all this way to leave you behind.”
With a small nod, Vesarius hauled himself up into the Pom-1 aware of Dorinda’s scrutinizing stare. Then he was among stooping giants huddled in the transport’s aisle. “I am sorry for the inconvenience, my brothers. Alliance transports were never meant for Orthop occupation.”
“It is no inconvenience, Storyteller,” Regeg affirmed. “Our podships are even more confining.”
“That is true,” Vesarius agreed remembering the previous night’s wild ride. Wearily, Vesarius sank into a seat plopping his pack down beside him. He closed his eyes and was barely aware
of Dorinda squeezing his shoulder.
“We’re almost home,” she said.
Why did he not feel reassured? Why did he open his eyes, fight his urge to drift asleep, just so he could watch the mountains pivot and disappear behind him? What had really happened last night? Then his head bumped the seat back, and Vesarius was drifting in a blackness, dreaming of a winding tunnel, a damp coolness, and a humming sound, like the suckling of Fvanhnyer cubs.
“Sarius?”
Vesarius disregarded the voice. Somehow this deep recess with its gentle humming was too comforting to leave. He was crawling toward the source of that nurturing drone. He was almost there.
“Sarius, wake up!” The urgency in that voice snapped him from his dream. Dorinda’s voice had been fearfully shrill.
“What?” he mumbled flinging his raven eyes open.
“You scared me,” Dorinda explained squeezing his shoulder. “We docked five minutes ago. I couldn’t wake you.”
“I ... I must be more tired than I imagined.”
“I agree, but you were trembling. Your eyes were darting about under your lids.” Dorinda stood bent over him. She clutched his wrist. “Come on. We’ll get you up to the med center. Then you can sleep all you want. I doubt the Orthops’ll need a storyteller for a few days. They’ll be too busy talking to each other.”
Leaning forward in his seat, Vesarius rubbed the back of his aching neck. Then he glanced around the empty transport. “Your friends are gone.”
“Yeah. We dropped them off at Kcluchtt. You looked so beat, I insisted the high chancellor not make any speeches. He was glad to see you resting peacefully. Ducked his eyestalks in, though, to make sure you were breathing.” Tugging at his wrist, Dorinda added, “We’re on the Pompeii. Come on. Michael’s waiting for you.”
“I’m here,” Coty said hopping up into the Pom-1. The captain’s face was bronzed with concern. “I heard the commotion, Dori. What happened?”
“Oh, he’s exhausted, Michael. He fell asleep as soon as we took off. I had a hard time waking him.”