9-1-11

I awoke to the quiet of first light. For a moment, I was disorientated, struggling to remember where I was and who the sleeping forms around me were. My mind felt muffled and foggy but slowly, the memories of yester appeared, filtering in to my consciousness and settling into some sort of order. Ah, the terror laces Dew drops. That would explain the fogginess and the sleeping forms around me. It was common in this era for people to believe that exhaustion was a rare thing because we had healthy lives where struggle was minimal and we were not often pushed beyond our limits, though we were far from indolent. Many people pushed themselves but few did it relentlessly day after day until you are completely broken down and so exhaustion to them was slightly foreign to them or a watered down thing that was easily overcome, especially with MACC’s help.

The Humans and the Myath though, knew the truth. Real exhaustion was about the mind. You could push your body as far as it would go, even to collapse, yet a few rotations of sleep, fluids and food and you’d feel alright. Even long term healing for major injury could leave you quite cheerful as you mended in the Healers Hall. What really drained you was the mental toll of injury. Whether that came in the form of pain, fear, anxiety, hopelessness or terror. Mental damage did not heal quickly, in fact it inhibited healing, lingering long after the initial injury or cause, and it was cumulative. It built up the longer you were exposed to it and made it more difficult to heal. I doubted my team had been exposed to something like this before, so intense and inescapable and I worried for them. Even we Myath and the Humans, who’d had to deal with this since we were born and had developed coping mechanisms to survive and thrive, struggled with such an overwhelming experience.

I looked around at my still sleeping friends and colleagues, my heart aching for what we had experienced. I should have been more careful, spotted the nest sooner or chosen another path. I should have risked the Myath routes, they would have been better than running into an Itbit nest. What if it had been a lethal poison? I couldn’t leave them until I knew they were recovering. I had time before I needed to meet Kenji onii-san so I got up, packed away my things and went about preparing everything. First though, I had to check the security visuals. No alarms had gone off in the night, believe me we would have known about them if they had, but I still needed to make sure that nothing suspicious was on the visuals. I was looking for any sign that the camouflage had failed or that the area was being observed from a distance. Some wildlife had trotted through the area but apart from that, everything look normal. Good.

Now to provide everything I could think of to comfort and heal my team. I put some soothing leaves in a water container and heated it to the perfect temperature for drinking. Once it was just right, I got out my Fruity Flakery and set them to heat up just enough to be meaty and ooze a little. The smell made me hungry so I decided to do an extra one and nibble on it as I continued my comfort campaign. Next, I decided to make a cozy nest they could snuggle down in. Looking around, I picked out the perfect place, close to the fire but not too close, and lined it with my emergency fluffy rectangle cover and my emergency fluffy toys. You never knew when you’d need to comfort a child so I always had some on hand. The nest would feel like a hug and no doubt they would end up in a big cuddle pile there. Finally, I grew a singing flower tower, linked it to my personal library and transferred copies of the most beautiful, soothing songs I had to play on a loop. I doubt they’d get through even a fraction of them, let alone all, before I returned.

There, that was all I could do for now, though I’d make sure they all saw Healer Roake or Healer Amira when were returned home. Kine was right, I needed to return to the Capital before we went to the Gathering on Neutral Territory. I’d just finished setting everything up when the sleeping group stirred, as if a wave had washed over them, gently nudging them all to wakefulness. They began to sit up, sleepily rubbing their eyes like cubs and looking around, the same disorientation in their eyes that I had felt. I watched closely, noting a couple who were were worse than the others, and making a mental note to keep a close eye on them until I could get them to a Healer. The music quietly welcomed them to a new rotation and I saw some of the shadows leave their eyes as they looked around at the homey atmosphere I’d tried to make.

“Good morn!” I greeted them, quietly but cheerfully. “You all slept a good long while but I think we needed it. I’ve checked the visuals and we had a quiet night. Morn meal should be ready so help yourselves and get settled for a recovery session. Not much you can do until I get back anyway.” Eecee opened her mouth to protest but I cut her off. “I’m serious. I want you all to try and relax and rest. Those terror Dew drops were no joke and you were all trapped for a long time. As long as he feels up to it, Kaylor and I will take a quick skirmish over the border and be back just after the sun begins to fall. It won’t take long.” I paused, hoping my next words would be heard. “You each need to face whatever your minds conjured in the terror. Look at it straight on, face it and recognise you will overcome it. Maybe not straight away, but the sooner you confront this, the sooner you will begin to heal. I am here for you, I’ll stay as long as you need me to. We have each other, you’re not alone. Just take some time for this rotation. Come on, let’s eat.”

I could see the reluctance in their eyes but soon, the camp bustled with quiet activity. I spoke with each of them, offering quiet words and hugs, directing a few to the snuggle nest, all while sipping the warm steeped leaves and nibbling my Fruity Flakey. Once I’d made the rounds, I settled to finish my food, enjoying the warmth of the sun seeping into my skin. Movement to my right had me looking over and Kaylor sat down next to me. I waited but we sat in silence. It wasn’t until I’d drunk my cup and swallowed my last sticky bite that he finally spoke.

“Thank you for organising all this. I think it helped, well it helped me anyway.”

I smiled and bumped his shoulder with mine.

“You’re welcome. I’ve encountered Itbit Dew drops before…” I trailed off. “How are you feeling?”

“… It was very unpleasant. I’ve never experienced anything like that before. I feel… raw.”

“… I know.”

***

Kaylor followed Sierra as she cautiously left the enclosure, affectionately dubbed the ‘Bowl’. He had awoken to sunshine, warmth and delicious smells that had done a great deal to blow away the cold fingers of terror that had done their best to wrap around his mind. He had trained hard to be able to cope with anything, to best the nest so that he could serve his friend and King as an imperial guard, but the Dew drops had nearly pushed him beyond his limits. What Sierra had done for each of them this morn was exactly what they needed. She had experienced the terror too, though not for as long, yet she’d still thought about how it would affect the others and done everything she could to help.

Kaylor had known Sierra for a good few moons now and each day he saw more and more that he liked. He remembered when he’d first seen her, a small, calm yet guarded figure just waiting there for them on the hill. He hadn’t known it then but she been brave and honest in the face of such danger to her. He’d watched Sierra bloom, or perhaps it was more that he had been allowed so see the real her than the front she had first presented them and he felt privileged that she had let them in. She had proved again and again her quality and Kaylor trusted her to lead them in any task they were given. What’s more, he trusted her with his twin sister.

Kaylor had kept a close eye on all his team since they’d awakened, but especially Eecee. Her usual incorrigible demeanour was a little dulled this morn, shadows veiled her eyes, smothering the bright spark that usually resided there. Until she’d discovered a few Fruity Flakeys that she stuffed in her mouth, a grin stretching it wide. Then he knew she’d be alright, eventually. But there were a few in his team that weren’t faring as well. When he looked at them, he saw the Myath children that had looked at him with fear when he walked passed, that he hadn’t understood at the time though it stung him. The fear had only gone away when they saw Sierra walking calmly with them, just like the fear had been dispelled for them this morn by Sierra’s ministrations. Kaylor hoped that, once they see a Healer, they would recover but he had to take into consideration that they may not operate outside of the Capital again. When they returned, Kaylor would make sure they got whatever they needed.

He followed Sierra closely watching their back as they made their way, stealthily yet quickly towards the Igidoe border. Kaylor had never left the borders of the Icanthie Kingdom before, though he had roamed over every part of it in training and for his duties. Now he’d been in the Heart of the Mountain and was about to see the secretive Igidoe lands… but all he could do was worry for his charge. She was in her Resting Form which she was most used to, though it was not a form he was very familiar with himself. He always felt more comfortable relaxing in his Feline Form when not on duty and he worried that in her Resting Form, Sierra would be too vulnerable should they encounter problems. If he were honest with himself, he acknowledged that he was more worried about his ability to protect her alone, without his team, than in her ability to protect herself. Besides, the aim was to not been seen by anyone except Sierra’s contact. He wanted to be prepared for any contingency, but he trusted her to know what she was doing.

Crossing the border was anti-climactic. They had paused regularly to be still and listen, scenting the air and waiting to make sure no patrols were nearby, then they creep forward a little more. Kaylor barely noticed that they were in Igidoe lands when Sierra communicated with him using the hand signs she had taught them.

>>We’re over the border but no patrol has come through here for too long. One will be due soon. Let’s pick up the pace a little. The meeting is scheduled soon.

He acknowledged and they increased their speed. Sierra indicated that they should take to the trees, a familiar route now, and in this manner they made inroads directly away from the border. They were on Igidoe land now. Sierra slowed their progress, indicating where he should remain in the trees and proceeded without him. Kaylor’s claws itched to stay by her side but he dug them into the bark of the branch he was perched on and glued his eyes to Sierra. He would not let her out of his sight.

***

I left Kaylor in the branches of a tall tree and could feel his eyes boring into me. He’d done really well during travel, matching my movements and stealth unquestioningly. I hadn’t worked with him one-on-one before but I was happy with the partnership. The tree was perfect, the branches providing enough cover to prevent him being detected easily yet the vantage point meant it could provide him with plenty of warning if anything approached. Plus, he could easily see me in the small clearing, which I assumed he’d appreciate. I’d try not to wander out of view and worry him anymore than he already was. It was probably the last lingering effects of the terror Dew drops making him a little extra twitchy so I’d do my best to make it easy for him.

Kenji-nii wasn’t there yet so I leaned against a tree trunk, hidden from casual view in the clearing. It wasn’t long before he arrived, thankfully alone. He looked into the clearing in his Prime Form, tongue lolling out and he threw himself on to his back to roll. He must have run here using the pretence of exercise to hide his true motives. He only indulged himself for a short time before he shifted into his Warrior Form and started scenting the area. I knew when he caught my scent because he turned toward the tree I was hiding behind and put his hands on his hips.

“Nee-san, why are you hiding?” He asked, his voice a deep growl of affection and exasperation.

I giggled as I leaned my head out from behind the tree and answered. “But Onii-san you told me to hide until I knew it was you!”

“But you knew it was me right away! And you didn’t do a great job of hiding anyway. I could smell you as soon as-”

“As soon as you finished rolling around like a pup?” I asked cheekily, having cut him off.

He huffed, pretending to be irritated with me but soon grinned and opened his arms for a hug. I laughed quietly with him and moved out from my hiding place to accept his hug, feeling his arms wrap around me and squeeze gently.

“I missed you little sister.” He said, accented with another squeeze.

“I missed you too big brother.” I pulled away to look into his eyes, smiling, before we got serious. “I can’t stay long. Thank you for coming.” I pulled him back in for another hug and squeezed him, only now fully feeling how much I’d missed him. It had be at least an orbit since I’d last seen him.

“Come on nee-san, let’s sit in the sun while we talk. I know this isn’t a social call. What’s so urgent?”

We sat dow, side by side and I bit my lip, worried about how to go about this and how he’d take it. “Has your father mentioned the Gathering?” I asked, looking up into his eyes.

“… Yes” Kenji answered. “He’s suspicious, as usual, but more so because the races have never tried to cooperate before.” Kenji-nii considered me closely and I could hear the query in his tone. Before I could speak, he went ahead and outright asked me. “Do you know anything about it? What have you heard?” Kenji was used to me having good information, I’d helped him out before in the past and I always made sure my info was accurate.

I cleared my throat and looked away. “It, ah… It may be my fault.” Kenji just stared at me, eyes wide and questioning so I tried to explain. “Have you heard about the flooding or the debris falls? Any news of destroyed city walls, unscheduled rains or odd weather anomalies?” I asked.

“… Maybe. There have been rumours.” Kenji said, still watching me as I tried to figure out how to tell him.

“The rumours are true, at least some of them are. I’ve seen it… not the flooding but I’ve seen debris fall. I was there when it hit the Capital wall. I helped dig up the survivors… and the bodies.” I croaked, the emotions still raw when I thought about that rotation. “Something is happening Onii-san and it’s happening all over the globe. Something is wrong and we’re trying to figure out what it is.”

“Who’s we? How did you get involved?” Kenji asked. At least he was listening, even though I could see the questions in his eyes.

I sighed before answering. “Long story but basically, I found out that I’m somehow related to King Kine of the Icanthie through my dad. We bumped into each other and they would have had to take Seth so I went with them to the Capital. A lot happened but one of the things was the debris fall. I’d already heard about it from my other contacts so I was keeping an eye out and when one fell outside the wall, I took some guard to check it out. We brought back samples, tested them.” I looked at him. “They’re from the moon Kenji. All the records so far agree that it’s a match to moon rocks. I’ve been trying to figure it out, because this is crazy. It makes no sense. Then the debris hit the Capital wall… it became even more important that we get answers but we hit a dead end. There was just nothing else useful in the databases and archives. Even my contacts and resources couldn’t get anything more. That was when the Drake diplomatic delegation arrived at the Capital. They’ve been hit with bad floods on the north coast. Their grav-line malfunctioned.”

I paused, sadness weighing down my shoulders. Kenji wrapped an arm around me, just waiting until I was ready to continue.

“I started looking for anything that was odd, to see if there was a pattern or correlations. Little things like higher tides, cooler weather, rain showers outside of the schedule. There was the beginning of a pattern, but I just didn’t have enough data. So Kine and I brainstormed. We decided that the more data we had, the more likely we were to find an answer and a solution, so the Gathering would facilitate that. But as you said, the races haven’t cooperated in a very long time. We barely speak so we needed Neutral Territory to make sure every one would be safe. We approached the Drakes first because they had suffered from the floods, they might be invested in figuring out what had happened and they’d already approached the Icanthie for help but as soon as we delved into the logistics, we realised we’d need to inform everyone of the Gathering at once. That’s where we’re at now. The Fae are deliberating and the Drakes have agreed but the Avaness are difficult to contact and your dad turned us down point blank.”

“You want me to convince him to attend the Gathering on Neutral Territory and participate fully.” Kenji stated flatly.

We both knew what the Igidoe Prime was like. It wasn’t an easy thing I was asking, and I had to expect it would fail. But I had to try and as an Igidoe Royal and a King candidate, Kenji-nii had a strong following of his own. The Igidoe Prime had groomed Kenji since he was a child to follow in his footsteps and so was more likely to listen to him than anyone else.

“I don’t expect much, but I thought I’d ask you to try. People are dying and I’m afraid at what this means for all of us. If the Planet is in danger, we have no future…”

We both got lost in thought as we contemplated the lessons of the past and considered how bad this could get. Before I could get lost in morose thoughts, Kenji spoke up.

“I suppose… I could frame it like a competition. Urge him to use it as a showcase for how much we can contribute to the shared data. Dad would like to be able to crow about having been the race that provided the most information to help save the Planet. I think that might be the best approach.”

I stared at him, half hopeful, half desperate, before grinning and losing myself to chuckles. Tears streamed down my face and I couldn’t tell if they were from relief or fear. Kenji smiled at me and I managed to regain my composure, though I didn’t stop smiling.

“That’s the perfect approach.” I praised and stared into Kenji’s eyes, suddenly becoming serious. “Thank you Kenji-nii. Thank you for trying.”

He stared back at me, matching my serious moment before hugging me again.

“Hey, it’s okay. It’s going to be okay.” He crooned. “We’ve known each other since we were pups and I saw you trying to protect the other little pups from a scavenger. I helped you scare it off and you looked at me like I was the best person in the world. I decided in that moment that you were the sister of my heart, the one my dad never gave me. That’s whey you are my nee=san. You loved me without cause when everyone else saw me as my father’s son. You are my pack and you always will be. When I realised you were a Myath, all I cared about was that you were in more danger than I first knew. When I can’t see you for many moons at a time, you are still on my mind because you are pack and I will all ways support you. We’ll get through this Sierra-nee and we will make sure our friends and family, our pack, are safe. What’s yours is mine and what’s mine is yours.”

I sniffed and smiled. “I love you because you’re my Onii-san, my brother. I’m sorry I have to ask this of you. Thank you.”

Kenji was about to reply when we both heard the distinct crunch of footfalls not far off to the left. We stood gracefully and moved backwards away from the sounds, trying to get to the cover of the trees. I could feel Kaylor’s attention on us as he too watched for the disturbance and I signalled with a hand sign for him to stay where he was. I needed to hide my scent but it was probably all over Kenji-nii so we needed to hide both our scents. I swung my pack around and snatched a spray I always kept in an easily accessible outside pocket. Without a word of request or explanation, I sprayed it liberally over myself and Kenji until I was satisfied we were drenchedI then turned to spray our immediate area. That done, I pulled Kenji after me as I headed for the tree Kaylor was in, continuing to spray in front and behind us, then urged Kenji up the tree. I followed, moving to join Kaylor on his branch and spraying him liberally as well. Then we waited.

Kenji came to join me, briefly eyeing Kaylor but obviously deeming him safe enough, returned his attention to the ground below us. We had some time before an Igidoe patrol appeared in the clearing, some in Warrior Form and some in their Prime Form. They carefully scented the area, following the trail Kenji and I had taken to the edge of the clearing but wondering around confused when they lost it. The neutraliser spray had worked. Now we just had to wait for them to move on. They took their time before they finally gave up and split into smaller groups to check out the surrounding area, but we waited patiently, even when they were long gone, just in case, passing the time with the occasional telepathic comm.

“There shouldn’t have been a patrol here for another two rotations. I’m sorry Sierra.” Kenji signed, a small frown wrinkling his forehead.

“It’s okay. These things happen and we’re safe. Stop fretting.” I admonished, bumping our shoulders together.

Kenji muffled his huff, then looked to Kaylor. “Who’s that? I don’t recognise him and you usually come alone. I scented him earlier but figured you had a reason for him being here.”

“Oh, of course. Onii-san, this is Kaylor, one of my guards and a friend. Kaylor, this is my Onii-san, Kenji. I told you that I’m related to the Icanthie King, but Kine is my cousin and he gets a little protective and didn’t want me travelling alone all over the Planet so I have some guards with me where ever I go now. Kaylor’s the only one who came with me to Igidoe land. I’m sorry Kenji-nii but they wouldn’t let me come alone and I really needed to talk to you.”

Kenji sighed and considered me from behind a hand that covered his eyes. Eventually he put me out of my misery. “It’s alright. I know you didn’t mean any harm. So King Kine is your cousin is he? I always knew you were a Royal at heart!” He teased, laughter in his mental voice.

“Yeah.” I agreed. “I’m a Royal like you now.”

I smiled merrily at his surprised face, pleased at the reaction I’d gotten from him and trying desperately not to laugh.

We were eventually satisfied that it was safe to move, and proceeded to navigate out way back to the Igidoe border. Kenji accompanied us, giving me a stern look before I could even think to object. We made it to the border in good time, just after the sun reached its highest, and descended to the forest floor. Kenji hugged me gain, unafraid of any scent transfer with the neutraliser still in effect.

“I’ll see you at the Gathering nee-san. Look after yourself and try not to worry okay?” Kenji whispered as he hug me.

I nodded and reluctantly pulled away from him, hurrying over the border with Kaylor beside me. We hid in some bushes, waiting to see if it was safe to move, and I looked back at Kenji, my eyes lingering on him. I wished I could visit him without all this secrecy and fear, but that wasn’t the world we lived in. With one last smile and nod, I ducked back into the bushes.

Just in time. An Igidoe patrol appeared to Kenji’s right and hailed him, recognising him. They were near enough we could hear their chatter. Kaylor and I stayed frozen where we were, hidden by the cover of the bushes.

“Royal Kenji-sama. Greetings.” Kenji dipped his head in acknowledgment, staring out at something behind us. The guard continued, undeterred. “We did not expect you on the border this morn.”

Kenji just ignored them, continuing to stare over the border but away from where Kaylor and I hid. The silence grew and became awkward, but I forced myself to remain still. I was more afraid for Kenji than myself but I knew he could handle this. Finally, just when it felt like the guards would speak again, Kenji sighed and turned away from his target to face the patrol.

“Greetings. I was exercising in my Prime Form when I scented a Saber, but it has already left our territory. A shame. How has your patrol been?”

Kenji turned and began to walk away, listening as the patrol leader updated him on their morn patrolling the border. His manner was cool but attentive as he listened and continued to pull that patrol away from where we hid. Clever. The guards seemed eager for Kenji’s approval, happily following him and listening as their leader extolled their hard work and good performance. Not one looked back at where we were or even where Kenji had been staring at. Kaylor and I waited until we couldn’t hear voices anymore and continued to wait to be absolutely sure we were alone. Then, we broke cover and softly raced away from the border. It had been great to see Kenji, I’d missed him more than I realised, but more importantly, I’d done what I could to get the Igidoe to attend the Gathering. Now I needed to figure out what else I could do to get answers and solve this global problem. Time to get back to the team and contact Kine. Then we could take it from there.