Hearts keeper, p.16
Heart’s Keeper, page 16
"I know we are all ready to go home. Many of you are ready to move on to new missions and journeys. I command nothing more of you apart from this mission." She looked around at each of them. "So, I don't order this of you as your queen but merely ask you as a human seeking help. This world has a lot to offer, with good people looking for a better future. But despite our success, they are still vulnerable and need guidance. They need protection." She looked down at Xilya, who met her gaze. "I want those willing to stay to help keep them safe."
They each stared back at her, none saying a word. Xilya blinked once, then twice as she looked up at her, then steadily rose to her feet.
"I would be honored to help." She bowed.
Lana smiled. She looked back at the others and saw the sisters bow.
"We would help as well," Nix and Dyrsa said.
Aryus bowed. "As will I."
Gyrix scratched at his jaw, thinking. "We could stay until the people are on their feet and are able to obtain their own defense. But to stay permanently is asking too much. Once a vrisha's mission is successful, they do not tend to linger..."
"We could tell others to come," Krel said, standing. "From Tryth. They could have us spend a year or two, then rotate out. And, who knows, some vrisha might want to stay longer."
"No vrisha would call another world their home," Gyrix said.
"But some might."
He huffed. "Like who?"
"Me," Xilya said.
The others glanced at her curiously. Xilya turned to them and bent her head. "I would stay," she said. "I will learn all I must from the people and aid those who come. I could make a place in the city for those seeking myself and other vrisha for assistance."
"Like an embassy," Lana said, feeling her excitement growing.
"A what?" Krel asked.
"It's a place where those from another territory reside in a different territory outside their own home, " Elise chimed in. "To help those from their homeland—or world in this case—in the new territory."
"Still," Gyrix replied. "It will be difficult to convince others to come."
"Maybe at first," Lana said. "But I will talk to the council."
Gyrix tipped his head in a shrug, and Xilya turned back to Lana.
"This place could have more than just the vrisha," she said. "I've thought about it for some time now, since the fight ended. This world could also help my friends stuck hiding in Xolis."
Lana's eyes widened. "You mean have them come here?"
Xilya bowed. "I think it could be the right home they need. It is far enough from Xolis and is large enough to accommodate. Those of the city claim they wish to build a place with no more boundaries between races. If they are true in their word, I see no reason that they would object to my friends settling here."
"As long as no one followed them," Nezka said from across the fire. "You wouldn't want those in Xolis to catch their trail."
"They are well hidden," Xilya stated. "And those who join them can be thoroughly checked. I trust my friends are able to sneak those wanting to get out of the empire away safely. And besides, I have a feeling no one is going to be looking for them. As of yesterday, I received word from my friends that Nihl has fallen entirely. And many cities which the nillium ruled are revolting." She looked over to Nezka, her eyes reflecting the fire. "Including, I hear, the city your old master, Vesra, once dominated. With his and the nillium's hunters now defeated, I think it's safe to say no one is in a position to command or to track those fleeing Xolis."
Nezka's eyes narrowed as he considered her news. "He won't lose his city easily. He'd burn it to the ground before he'd allow someone to claim it."
"If that is true, then I will have to warn my friends," Xilya said. "Hopefully, some lives can be spared in the rebellion."
With that said, Lana looked over at Elise, who met her gaze. Elise placed a hand on Nezka's shoulder. "We would love to help, more than anything," Elise said. "But we have one mission we want to finish first. After that, we'd be glad to return."
"Where will you go?" Xerus asked.
"We look for my own kind," Nezka answered. "If there are any left."
"That sounds like a long mission," Lana said.
"Depends on how far and wide we look," Nezka said, taking hold of Elise's hand and knitting her fingers with his. "But yes, it may very well be."
"How long ago did you lose sight of your kind?" Gyrix inquired, studying the hunter.
"When I was very young," said Nezka. "I don't remember any of them. I was alone when I was found."
Gyrix seemed to think on that but said nothing more.
"I'm sorry to see you go but understand that you must," Lana said. "To the rest, I am grateful for your help. I think it's time for me and Xerus to return home. Come tomorrow, we will prepare the ship. Those who come with us should be ready. Those who stay should gather their things. We will talk to Bo tomorrow about having you remain here to guard them as well as speak with the council to bring aid."
"Just focus on getting home," Xilya said. "And fix your predomis. We don't want another incident like before."
Lana glanced at Xerus, giving him a sad smile. He was looking at Xilya with an expression of sly amusement mixed with annoyance. "It is good that you are staying here. My queen might be able to forgive your actions, but I won't forget your attempt to keep me detained while not informing her, despite the circumstances. I would challenge you if it were not below me to throttle one of low rank such as yourself."
"It is good that you go so that I won't experience such an embarrassment to my person," Xilya said honestly, though her eyes were also bright with amusement.
"We will do all that we can here, Risa," Aryus said. "While you're away."
"It's a pity it's such a small settlement," Krel mentioned as he observed the city from afar. Blue and yellow lights glowed out in the distance from the few buildings within. "Not even half the size of a small haven on Tryth. They'll have a lot of work ahead of them if they want to achieve a real city of impressive size, made to accommodate all."
Lana squeezed Xerus’ hand as she gazed out toward the small city with its half-broken wall and few dozen buildings, several with burnt sides, to its simple lights and small park with a handful of trees.
She smiled. "It's a start."
Chapter Sixteen
They took off from XL-08 to travel back to Tryth two days later, this time with just her and Xerus and their crew.
Xilya, along with the sisters, Nix and Dyrsa, and Krel and Aryus, stayed behind on the planet to serve as the city’s new guards. Before she and Xerus left, the team gathered what supplies could be of use in the new world, leaving enough resources for her, Xerus, and their crew on the return home. With careful precision, they took apart one of the call system communicators connected to the ship and rebuilt it to work along with the city’s more advanced computers, allowing for contact to Tryth and beyond without the need of a ship. The council had been informed of the team’s new mission and was willing to send out more ships when the time called for it. Until then, they were on their own.
Bo and the other city officials had accepted their stay with great excitement. Though some of the people looked on the vrisha with nervous glances and an air of deep caution, they remembered how they had fought for the city and so were quietly grateful. As much as they prided on their ideals of a society brought together by and tied together with different races and their cultures, even they knew the vrisha would be a challenge, and the fear of them would take time to settle completely.
As they had moved everything the team needed out of the ship and she and Xerus were preparing to leave, Lana said her goodbyes to Bo and the gyda and to her team but didn't think it would be the last time.
"You'll be back," Bo said as she hugged her. "I know it. Just to see how far we've come."
"You can count on it," Lana said as Bo released her. "Xilya says there are refugees from Xolis looking for a new home. I said I'd meet with them when they finally make it here."
"We will be waiting. And we will be ready," Bo said. "They won't be the only ones."
"I should think not, knowing how many might be living out there now." Lana glanced up at the sky and saw the dull light of a few close stars.
"We will remain wary of any unfamiliar ships as well as familiar ones that we aren't expecting," Bo assured her.
Lana knew she meant any military or government who might come looking as well as unplanned Xolis ships. "Are you planning to stay in contact with Earth, or will you cut ties for good?" Lana asked curiously.
"It's funny you should mention that." Bo wrung her hands nervously. "Though we weren't planning to, we decided to give one last company a chance. Well, they're more of an organization really, but their sponsorship and resources could double the city's expansion in several years."
Lana crossed her arms, trying not to look too critical. "Are you sure that's a good idea? After Sythtec?"
"We didn't think so either at first, but it was your friend, Elise, who recommended them."
Lana's brow rose. "That so?"
"Yes, Grayhart is the name. They are dedicated to sending out ships to explore advanced worlds. You might have heard of them. In return for the land to build a ship port, they are giving us a generous amount of aid and supplies."
Lana nodded. "Ah. Yes, I know of them. In that case...you should be all right."
"We will keep a close eye though, don't worry." Bo smiled her brilliant smile and offered her hand. Lana smiled and took it.
"It's been an honor, Dr. Hart. Safe travels." Bo shook her hand and started back toward the research lab. "Until next time!" She waved.
Back at the ships, before they were to take off, Lana found Elise there waiting along with Nezka, their ship ready to leave with Lana's own. Gyrix was with them, his things already transferred onto the hunter's ship. Instead of staying on the new world or returning to Tryth, he elected to go with the pair, to help in their search for more of Nezka's kind.
"It's been many years since I was a young warrior," Gyrix said to Lana the day they started to prepare to leave. "But on one of my first missions, I encountered a tribe that looked very much like this hunter. I think I could aid in their search if we return to the planetary system in which I found them last," he explained.
"It's good of you to help," Lana said. Gyrix bowed and said his goodbye before entering the ship. Lana turned to Elise, who waited by the ramp as Nezka started up the engines. She was dressed in a set of shiny black armor plates just like her hunter, with her gun clipped to her belt. Lana thought she looked every bit a warrior.
"Good luck to you both," Lana said. "Don't get into too much trouble."
Elise laughed. "With Nezka, I can't promise." She placed a hand on Lana's shoulder. "I'm glad you found us when you did. Sure, it wasn't the best circumstances, but I'm glad we could be here to help."
Lana nodded. She lifted her hand, grasping Elise's outstretched arm. "I am too."
Elise released Lana’s shoulder and started up the ramp of the ship where Nezka was now waiting for her at the door.
"Will you really come back after?" Lana called over the hum of the ship.
Elise turned back. "You can count on it." She waved, then turned to her mate whose brilliant orange eyes gazed down on her with a look of adoration before he whispered something Lana couldn't hear. They embraced and kissed deeply before Elise entered the ship. Nezka noticed Lana and gave her a quick bow before he followed, and the door closed behind him.
When Lana returned to her own ship, she found Xerus waiting. He watched her as she walked toward him, and she fixed him with a smile. "Ready to go home?"
"I've never been more ready," Xerus said. He reached up to touch her, and Lana closed her eyes as his fingers grazed lightly over her face and around her ear as he brushed back a stray hair. She focused on the feel of his hand against her—a rough, warm touch she could never stop loving. She placed her hand on top of his, pressing her face to his palm, grazing her lips along his wrist.
She took his hand and led him into their ship. Once secured, they took off with ease and watched as the blue planet that resembled Earth grew smaller in size.
As the ship traveled in space, they remained together in their room for most of the trip, only leaving to check on the deck every so often. Xerus slept a lot, but Lana didn't mind as long as he was no longer in pain. She lay beside him and fed him when he woke, and when she did sleep, she dreamed of home. Not of her father's beach house, but of the garden on Tryth, and of their bedroom, and of the brilliant red and orange sky on the terrace.
* * *
It took a few days once back on Tryth to find the surgeons needed for Xerus' operation. The vrisha were not known for their medical skills like the gyda. They were such a versatile race that the need for a doctor was very uncommon and usually unnecessary. But a few of the dirra had talent in not just technology but in vrishan medicine. And the very best resided in a haven east of their own, ruled by Queen Mavika.
The surgeons looked over the tests and diagnosis the gyda had made as she and Xerus waited on what could be done. Xerus continued to take the medicine given to him, but it was running out quickly, and they needed to make a decision soon. On the fourth day of waiting, they took Xerus through their own set of examinations to determine what sort of procedure would work best.
The morning Xerus went through more testing, Lana sat in an open waiting room connected to a small balcony that looked out into a circular garden below. She stared down at the spiky plants and the druumils fluttering around them, trying to keep herself from pacing. It had been a couple of hours since he had gone into the secretive rooms of the vrisha hospital, or “the healing grounds” as they called them, and the longer he was inside the more she started to worry.
What if they can't help him after all? she thought. What if he won't be able to be himself without the medicine?
The thoughts were poison on her brain that she couldn't drown out. Her eyes turned for the door, and she rose, starting for them. She was determined to get answers without waiting a moment longer when the door to the other end of the room opened, and a small vrisha with pinkish-red skin walked out.
"Queen Lana." He bowed. From the slow sway of his tail and the bend of his head, she could see his expression was solemn.
Lana stopped before him. "Can you heal him?" she asked.
The vrisha surgeon looked up at her sharply. "It is possible." Lana had begun to relax when he continued, "However, there may be complications."
Lana frowned. "What kind of complications?"
"The growth creating his sickness is close to the nerves and vessels of his brain that are connected to memory, impulse and sight. There is also a chance of damage to the brain causing his body to fail."
"He could die?" Lana choked out.
The vrisha bowed his head. "It is a small chance. It is more likely he may have one of the other complications. He may lose some of his memory, be prone to more angry fits, or perhaps even lose some of his sight. It is uncertain which, or whether any might happen, but you should know it is possible."
Lana almost went to sit down, but she realized she was no longer near her seat by the balcony. "Oh," she said in a hiss of breath.
"He knows of these risks and is willing to still go through with the surgery, but he wants your decision first."
Lana looked beyond him to the door, imagining she saw Xerus standing there waiting. She thought it over once, twice, then glanced back at the surgeon.
"If he is willing...then I am with him," Lana said.
The vrisha bowed. "We can operate on him now. It may take some time but, if successful, shouldn't take more than a few hours."
Lana was hesitant. "Can I see him first?"
"If you wish."
Lana followed the vrisha surgeon back through the door and down a narrow hallway. They passed by several rooms until they came to one at the end. Inside, Xerus lay on his side atop a low table, surrounded by various vrisha-made tools and machines. Lana went over to him, crouching down to face him. She took his hand in hers.
"They said they can operate on you today but..." Lana could barely say the words.
"I know." He squeezed her hand. "I wish it could be easier." Slowly, he sat up to face her, and Lana buried herself against him. He stroked her hair gently. "But I will come out all the better in the end."
Lana nearly bit her tongue to keep herself from saying "what if." She released herself from him to fix her gaze with his. She took his face in her hands and kissed his brow.
"I will be right here. Just a room away. I'll be waiting," she said.
He took her hands and drew them to his mouth before placing them against his heart. "And I will come back to you. I swear it."
Lana smiled though she was afraid. She kissed him on the corner of his mouth, then looked to the surgeons who watched patiently close by. They bowed, and the small pinkish one led her back to the waiting room.
Lana remained there by the balcony, looking out over the garden as they went to work. The air smelled sweet from the blooming of the oorinda flowers down below. The day was hot, as were all on Tryth, but Lana hardly noticed. She let her mind wander as the hours ticked by. She thought of station eleven and those they left behind. Then she thought about her father and her time on Earth. She thought of Lazris, even, and everything she and Xerus had gone through and wondered if he would remember any of it after the surgery. And, as awful as it made her feel, she wondered if it would be a good thing for him to forget if it meant forgetting all the pain and terror, only to sacrifice everything they shared.
She knew no matter how much he might forget, he would always be hers. She laughed a little at the idea of him waking up to find her as his queen and the confusion it would bring, but she knew in her heart, even then he would stay.
Tears came with the laughter, and she let them fall. She didn't know how long she sat there staring off in the distance, crying or laughing all to herself, but she saw the light fading and the sun disappearing over the wall of the haven and knew the day was almost gone.
