Gift of Flight

by S. W. Gunn

  The Prime Speaker nodded at her and replied, "Indeed, but it is against our laws for us to keep them all together for security reasons. If something was to happen and all six were together it would be most dire."

  Elyse replied, "That makes sense."

  He then said, "In fact we are very concerned about Jarron here. His kind is so valuable that we worry what will happen to him when you leave us. Even though he has bonded with you, he still is valuable. Especially since it seems your bond with him has brought about great strength in both of you."

  Confidently Jarron said, "We'll be fine. On the surface of any planet Elyse can match an army and in space no one can match my piloting."

  Elyse's father spoke up, "I can attest to his piloting, his skill is greater than any I have ever seen."

  The Prime Speaker nodded as he said, "Usually a focal point is highly gifted in some way. Now Jarron, if you could let us summon a scribe we shall begin because it is important that we record everything we can about you."

  Jarron nodded at him. He had wished that his father could hear all of this. His father had spent the last five years of Jarron's time living at home berating him. He would call Jarron useless and stupid many times. Jarron was convinced that his father did not love him or even want him around. He could only imagine how happy his father must have been after he kicked Jarron out of their home. These people, and even Tiberius, had treated Jarron as though he was important. He found it to be a nice change of pace. Only his friends Hain and Feligrin ever treated him kindly, at least until Elyse came into his life. Another Eal'tain man approached with a small computer terminal.

  He smiled as he said to Jarron, "Tell me everything about you, including your family and friends. We wish to know every tiny detail, including seemingly trivial things like your favorite foods."

  Jarron shrugged. At least someone will remember him long after he dies. He told the man everything about himself he could think of, from his favorite color to his honest feelings about how his own father. He noticed that Elyse was listening very intently. Jarron found the whole experience to be very relieving. For some reason telling someone his true feelings about how his father had treated him was a release. He no longer felt bitterness about it. Maybe it was just saying it all aloud that made him realize that he had grown into a true adult. He decided that he would give his whole family another chance, including his father. Jarron finished by talking about his feelings and opinions of Elyse, all of which were highly positive. She smiled widely at everything he said.

  After he finished talking the man turned to Elyse and said, "And now you, tell us everything. We record information about those with the Gift."

  Elyse looked slightly shocked to have to expose herself like he just did. Jarron did not mind because he was keenly interested to learn more about her.

  She shook her head nervously and said, "I really don't think I can."

  Jarron reached out his hand and placed in on her shoulder to pull her closely.

  He whispered to her, "You should, I feel wonderful after talking about everything."

  "I can't, I just can't" She replied.

  Jarron could see that she was very uncomfortable. He had felt that she was a very open person so he was very surprised that she did not want to talk about herself. Maybe it was the crowd.

  "Would it be better if we had less people here?" He asked.

  The Prime Speaker said, "It must be here as we all must know of her to share with others. Each focal point and each person with the Gift are treasured by our kind and all must know of them."

  Jarron glanced around and saw her father looked very nervous. Jarron remembered his mate saying how the fact Elyse had the Gift was significant to him.

  Jarron did not know what did the trick, but she finally relented, "As you know my name is Elyse Moynihan, my maiden name is Duramon. I was born on the Lunar colony. I barely remember my mother since she died when I was five years old. I was adopted by a man named Lucius Lapella; he is the leader of a church on the planet Cantua. He brought me to the orphanage there where I lived with other orphans until I was ten. When it was discovered that I had the Gift I was brought to the church itself. I stayed there until I was nineteen and then was kidnapped by a man named Tiberius. He held me prisoner for three years and I only escaped because of my now husband Jarron. He told you everything that happened to us since then. My favorite color is green because it looks good with my eyes when they are green. I love to read and now my whole life now revolves around my husband, who I love dearly."

  She stopped talking. Jarron was curious because she shared nothing of her emotions about anything outside of him.

  "What of your father? Do you feel anything about him?" The Prime Speaker asked.

  Elyse got a sour look on her face. She obviously did not share her emotions for a reason. Jarron reached out and softly rubbed her shoulder.

  "It's okay Elyse, just tell them." He said.

  In a display of emotion that Jarron had not seen from her she screamed out, "I hated him! I detested the fact he left my mother alone and she died. Where was he when I needed him? Nowhere near me. I was abandoned and unwanted, chattel to be ignored. I'd spent many nights praying for him only to end up crying alone and unloved. Hating him made me hate myself. Are you happy? I said it. I hated him then and I still hate him now!"

  She took a deep breath and then flung herself into Jarron's arms crying heavily. Jarron could think of nothing to say. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly. It seemed to Jarron that her emotional outburst was something that the Eal'tain was unused to since they appeared to be in shock. It was exactly how he had felt. After another half minute or so she slowly pulled herself away. Her face was streaked with tears, which she rubbed away quickly with her sleeves. She meekly smiled at Jarron, who returned her smile with a soft one of his own. Jarron could actually read the relief on her face since no doubt her emotions had burdened her from as long as she could possibly remember.

  After a long awkward pause the Prime Speaker finally spoke, "Is there anything else you wish to share Elyse?"

  She shook her head solemnly. Jarron wondered if she felt as relieved as he had been about speaking his mind. Her father reentered the circle next to them and knelt down facing Elyse.

  He took her hands softly and said, "My daughter I owe you a sincere apology. I see now that my own youthful foolishness has caused waves of harm in a manner that I had never intended. I do not know if you can forgive me, but I am sorry."

  With embarrassment written on her face Elyse said, "I'm sorry for my emotional outburst."

  Her father shook his head and said, "No daughter, you said what was on your heart and you spoke the truth. While I may have not known of you, I had my suspicions when I lost contact with your mother. It was my own failings that caused you heartache. You have every right to hate me."

  She shook her head at him as she said, "Not anymore father, being here with you and our kind has finally released me of that burden, and the hate is gone."

  She smiled softly at him and then pulled on his hands to help him stand up. He rose from his feet and embraced her, which she responded by hugging him tightly. Jarron could not help but smile. He thought to himself that at least one of them was finally going to get over their issues with their father.

  The scribe who had written everything that was said spoke up, "Prime Speaker, usually focal points are extremely talented in many ways."

  Jarron chuckled because he had never been good at anything except piloting. Elyse released her hug from her father and wrapped one of her arms around Jarron's waist.

  The Prime Speaker nodded at the scribe and said, "Indeed, Jarron what else are you talented at?"

  Jarron shrugged.

  He could not think of anything except piloting so he said, "I'm afraid that it's just piloting for me."

  Elyse interjected, "What about your guitar? Your fingers seemed to be on fire when you play it. We had a man in the town near the church that pla
yed a stringed instrument and he could never play like you do that guitar."

  Jarron laughed at her words. He picked up the guitar when he was a young teenager as a way to annoy his parents. One day he was walking by a pawn shop and saw one for sale and knew it was just the tool to really annoy them, especially his father. It only cost him a month's work on the side at the pawn shop to get it. He taught himself from old holo-vids of others playing it and ended up deeply enjoying it. Although now that he thought about it, he learned to play very quickly and could easily play anything he heard. Maybe it was something.

  "I suppose you're right Elyse." He said.

  The scribe then announced, "You must play it for us then."

  Jarron grinned because finally he had an eager audience. Elyse giggled when she saw his grin since she had known how his friends hated him playing it. Jarron opened his guitar case.

  Elyse's father said, "It looks very much like an Iuane."

  "Iuane?" Jarron asked curiously.

  Her father responded, "A musical instrument that we Eal'tain play at funerals."

  Jarron laughed at his response, the guitar was definitely not a funeral instrument. Jarron lifted his guitar and placed the strap over his shoulder. He glanced around at the Eal'tain that was there, they were all intently watching him as he slowly warmed up. Jarron actually felt slightly nervous, this would be his biggest audience to play for. Usually it was just two or three people. He looked over at Elyse, who gave him a reassuring nod. Jarron was convinced that she was getting to know him so well that she could read his emotions clearly. Jarron took one deep breath and then decided right then that he was going to give them the best he had. His initial research into the guitar found several lists of the hardest solo guitar songs to play and one of the ones commonly on the list was 'Master of Puppets'. It took Jarron more time to master it than usual when learning a song, but it was worth it in his mind as it was an excellent song, especially since he mastered down picking. With every bit of concentration he had Jarron began to play. He could sense the eyes of the entire audience on him as he played, but he still kept his focus on playing. After finishing the song he was surprised as he looked up from his guitar to see every Eal'tain there standing on their feet. They all stomped their feet in response to his completion of the song. Jarron was very confused by their reaction.

  Elyse's father said, "That was quite wonderful Jarron. We have never seen such movement with the hands on a musical instrument; usually our music tends to much slower and more elegant because the Eal'tain see music as a way to relax."

  "As do humans," Jarron replied, "We just have different ways to relax."

  He replied to Jarron, "Interesting, but you are almost magical with your hands."

  Grinning evilly Jarron said, "As your daughter can easily attest to."

  Jarron was surprised that his joke was understood by the Eal’tain, who all laughed at his words. Jarron was very relieved to finally see some emotion from them, for some time he wondered if the Eal'tain were almost emotionless. Elyse jabbed out a quick poke to his side in response.

  Jarron turned to her and said, "Wife don't make me tickle you."

  She backed away from him a little bit and pleaded, "I'm sorry! Please don't do it!"

  "Every poke brings you a tiny step closer to the moment you get it Elyse." He replied wickedly.

  The Prime Speaker spoke up, "There are some things we must warn you both about."

  Jarron turned to look at him before saying, "Such as."

  "Since we have had no focal point bonded to a person with the Gift in centuries, all of our information is quite old. From what we discovered the last pair was quite powerful, like you, however there are issues. The records showed that extended separation causes serious emotional issues for both halves, even to the point of possible insanity. They shared medical issues, and finally when one of them died, the other died soon afterward. It is why we never allow those with the Gift to utilize focal points for long. We constantly rotate them and work to block certain attractions. It seems that the initial reaction that the focal point has towards the person with the Gift is how that relationship goes forward."

  He paused for a moment and then continued speaking, "So when our young focal point Junai reaches maturity we will not allow him to work with young Eal'tain women, for obvious reasons."

  Elyse asked, "Do you allow the focal points to live normal lives?"

  The Prime Speaker nodded and replied, "Yes, they each have mates and live productive lives. They are just not allowed to mate with anyone who has the Gift. We cannot make you stay here with us, but we will ask formally if you both would consider it. It would be our greatest honor to have you with us."

  Elyse shook her head and replied, "We have our lives to lead and we wish to do so back on Terra once we have resolved our issues with our kidnapper."

  Jarron interrupted, "Speaking of which, the man mentioned he got his information about focal points from the Eal'tain. Do you know of a man named Tiberius?"

  "No," He replied and then turned to look at his fellow Eal'tain, "Does anyone here know of such a man?"

  There was no response. Jarron was disappointed because he had hoped to track the real identity of the man. He sighed heavily. It was going to be much harder than he had hoped to find out more about the man.

  The Prime Speaker said with a nod, "Very well. None here know of him and since you wish to leave us, you are released."

  Elyse's father spoke next, "Prime Speaker, may I take them back to Sethinalor to spend more time with my family? I do not know when my daughter will return again and would like to spend more time with her and her mate before they leave us."

  The Prime Speaker replied, "Yes Speaker Iaeth, also you must return to us after they have left. You now have business with the Green Council that must be discussed."

  Elyse's father inclined his head towards the Prime Speaker. He gestured for Elyse and Jarron to follow him. Jarron took her hand they followed behind him.

  After they got some distance away from the clearing and towards the landing pad her father turned towards her as they walked and said, "Daughter that is most wonderful news."

  Elyse responded, "How so?"

  "It seems as though I will finally become a member of the Green Council." He replied.

  Jarron said curiously, "Is that a good thing?"

  He nodded and said, "Indeed it is. The Green Council is the ruling body of all of the Eal'tain. To sit on the Green Council is the highest honor any Eal'tain could dream to attain. It would seem that having a daughter with the Gift who is mated to a focal point was enough to ensure my promotion. Daughter I only hope I can prove worthy."

  Elyse smiled softly at him and said, "I'm sure you will father."

  He nodded firmly at her words as they continued walking down the pathway. They reentered the vehicle and quickly boarded the ship to fly back to Sethinalor.

  Elyse announced as they entered, "This time father I've got a request."

  "Yes?" He replied.

  "Don't let my husband fly us back."

  Jarron could not help but laugh at her words.

  Chapter 3

  Jarron was sad that he did not get a chance to swim in the waters around the lovely island, but he was glad to be leaving. The threat of being trapped by the Eal'tain was one he felt was real, even if it turned out that it was not. Elyse's father was a more than capable pilot as he handled the ship easily and got them to the fold smoothly. Once they moved into the fold he turned to look at them. His facial expression immediately shifted to a frown.

  He said, "I did not want to say something in front of the Green Council but I do have a very small piece of information about your situation that you might find useful. I had forgotten about it until we were at the council."

  Jarron was mildly surprised but happy since he was desperate for any information that he could get.

  Her father continued speaking, "My agents at the space station were approached by a man several years
ago. He was a human man who asked about our knowledge of the Gift. As you know, our kind is a very private people. We would never share information about the Gift to just anyone, certainly never outsiders. One of my men there tracked him back to the Lucascorp headquarters located on the station. We were unable to find anything else about it, but perhaps you could look more into this Lucascorp?"

  Jarron nodded thoughtfully. It was indeed unusual for anyone from a defense manufacturing company to be interested in anything to do with the Gift. Unless they were involved in wanting to use people like himself and Elyse as weapons.

  "Thank you father, we'll definitely investigate it once we return there." Elyse said.

  He could only imagine what she meant by investigate. With him nearby she was most likely the most powerful person in the galaxy. Thinking back on their whole meeting with the Green Council Jarron had to admit that much of what they said of his bonding with Elyse was true. His desire to be around her was something that could drive him insane if not fulfilled over a long period of time. The idea of her dying was crushing to him. He had many times caught himself simply admiring her without even realizing it. He also distinctly remembering his initial thoughts when seeing her and was left to believe that his attraction then had turned them both into passionate lovers, which he was more than happy about, even if their bonding only strengthened it. He was lost in his thoughts when he turned to look at her, she was looking at him and when he looked at her, she blushed and turned away. Jarron could see that their bond was very mutual.

  The ship rocked out of the fold and Sethinalor came into view. It was a very heavy green color with splashes of blue for the oceans. Jarron had no doubt that it was almost entirely free of any real civilization, he was certain that the Eal'tain lived a very nature focused lifestyle. Elyse's father guided them back to the tree where the landing pad was located. Jarron had to admit that he was impressed by the ways they incorporated their technology with nature. It seemed as though they went out of their way to avoid the damage that Jarron remembered reading about in those many boring history classes about Terra's past. Once her father shut down the ship he raised from his chair.