Warrior Spirit

by Laura Kaighn

  One special order no doubt sat in a live cargo container – a rather eager, feathered Kinpanion awaiting a new Bondmate. Vesarius hoped for love at first sight. The warrior was pushing what no one had forced upon Coty before – successfully. The captain had repeatedly snapped at the mere suggestion and stormed off. But Dorinda was right. Bear needed a companion; and good medicine just made sense.

  Settling back in his seat, Vesarius ran a few diagnostics to his station controls. He checked for any glitches the Orthops or he might have caused in the system. Everything seemed free of damage, and Vesarius relaxed into his old routine of sensor monitoring and star charting.

  “So,” Coty asked after a while of bridge silence. “You two have any plans?” More silence. “Sarius?”

  Blinking, Vesarius spun in his chair to regard his captain. “Sir?”

  “I asked if you two had made any plans.”

  “Which two, Sir?”

  Coty smiled crookedly. “For Sule’s sake, man. You and Dorinda. Have you proposed to her yet?”

  Vesarius continued to blink his discomfort. Was Coty actually expecting an answer in front of the bridge crew? “Captain, these are ... private matters.” With a deep swallow, the Vesar tried to hide his embarrassment despite taut lips.

  “Then make them public, Sarius. We’re all eager to know.” A few muffled agreements sprinkled around the room.

  Anxious to avoid the expectant faces of the humans he had worked with for nearly a decade, Vesarius focused his hardened gaze on his commanding officer. “Captain,” he started slowly, “I … I do not desire to make them public.”

  “Gonna leave us in suspense, huh?” Coty’s teasing grin lingered. “Well, take Jonas’ advice, and don’t sneak off to Vesar. Your family here would be very disappointed.”

  Stiffly, Vesarius spun from his affable friend. “Brahmanii, protect me,” he whispered facing his console. He had family? Yolonda had said it. Dorinda had. Coty already was. Had even Roshana Zlenko hinted at it? Friendship? Companionship? Had the warrior felt isolated, for so long, that he had simply overlooked what was directly before him? Whirling back to his captain he had to ask. “I have family?”

  “Sule, yes,” Coty snorted.

  “I ... have always felt ... apart from this crew.” Vesarius tried to rationalize aloud. “My experiences told me I was welcome ... with reluctance, with respect for my abilities, with good-humored friendship, but never with ... love.”

  “Learn something new every day, don’t you?” Coty affirmed.

  Vesarius’ breath caught in his throat. A wedge the size of a boulder blocked his lungs. He could barely speak when he requested his leave. “May ... May I be excused, Sir?”

  “Yes, my friend,” Coty agreed with a simple nod.

  With a controlled shove, the Vesar stood from his chair. He stepped directly into the lift. When the doors shut him in, Vesarius released his ragged breath.

  How could this be true? Had he been living a walking dream these past few months? First Dorinda, then his honor restored, now acceptance, and perhaps ... bonding? Could Brahmanii Sule have really blessed him after such a struggle as his dishonor first proved? Had Vesarius finally paid for his sins? He braced a palm against the lift wall for stability and smiled at the ceiling.

  Brahmanii Sule had gazed upon this pariah ... and forgiven him. Tears cooled his burning cheeks. He had been a foolish drophtra´ree to not acknowledge the blessings of his existence.

  When the magnelift opened, Vesarius swiped his face dry and strode into the corridor. Then he paused. Where would she be? Tundra, he called mentally. Where is Dorinda?

  The answer was immediate. Vesarius saw the malamute’s image of outstretched trees before speckled stars. Quickly, Vesarius reentered the lift and exited onto level four. His long legs glided him effortlessly to the arboretum.

  He found Dorinda there, defiant against fire. Her silhouette was traced in brilliance before the transparent plastiglass portal. Silently, Vesarius approached. Tundra swiveled his lazy head and wagged a greeting. Noah lounged beside her, also enjoying the sparkling display. There were other crewmembers about the room: joggers, gardeners, those in meditation. Vesarius ignored them. Before him, her fiery hair crowned in diamonds, Dorinda stood stargazing. Her hand reached out to touch the barrier between warm air and cold space. A silvery gleam entwined her bandaged wrist.

  Tilting a smile, Vesarius approached her from behind. She did not flinch when he bent to kiss her neck. Dorinda only sighed and leaned into him. “I have family here,” he murmured into her hair as he withdrew enough to wrap his arms about her shoulders.

  “So do I,” Dorinda agreed. She encased his wrists to pat his hands. “I think Michael Tanner would be pleased.” Her eyes were still locked on the stars.

  Bracing her , Vesarius turned her toward him. “Dorinda,” he announced seriously. “I wish to ... to reinstate ... my pledge to you.”

  Dorinda smiled slightly and countered from under half closed eyes, “I never considered the pledge withdrawn.”

  Vesarius did not smile back, however. This was a matter of formality. Tradition. “I ... have been foolish and stubborn,” he started. “I wish to ask you something ... formally ... and in public this time.”

  Dorinda was searching his face for meaning, saw only seriousness there and dropped her grin. “All right. Where?”

  “At the party.”

  A hint of her smile returned to tickle her fine lips. “Michael’s birthday party?”

  “Yes. I ... would like to request bonding ... before our family.”

  Eyes dazzling emeralds, Dorinda raised her hands to caress his cheeks. “If you’re asking my permission, to ask for my permission to bond with you ...” She breathed a gentle sigh against his bare arm. “The answer is a definitive yes.”

  A slow grin bloomed upon his face until Vesarius felt his eyes crease to slits. He released his grasp of her shoulders to place a palm over his heart. “Brahmanii Sule has truly blessed me.”

  “She’s blessed all four of us,” Dorinda corrected patting Tundra’s panting muzzle. “Now I have a request.” With her admission, she raised her eyes back to him, serious once more. “I’d like to make the party ... more than a birthday celebration.” Swallowing, Dorinda reached forward to finger Vesarius’ raven braid. “On Earth, humans bond in a tradition known as ... a wedding. It makes the couple husband and wife.” Again those jewel-like eyes were upon him. Vesarius’ spine shivered. “Could we make the party ... a wedding?”

  “I have never attended a … wedding,” he admitted. The word sounded strange upon his lips. “I was left on duty when Coty directed such human bondings. What do I have to do?”

  Dorinda’s eyes now wrinkled in delight as a giggle trickled across her tongue. “You have to dress up in your finest clothes and look very dignified, very serious,” she chided smoothing out his tunicked shoulders. “You repeat a few words regarding sickness and health. Exchange a promise of continued companionship, then kiss me.”

  “Like this?” With a crooked smirk, Vesarius placed his open palm over her heart. “Or like this?” He leaned down to press warm lips against hers. Passion drummed at his shoulder as they embraced.

  “In our case,” Dorinda murmured breathlessly, once he had released her, “I’d say both.”

  “Then ... I accept.” Suddenly she launched herself at him. Vesarius was engulfed by her arms as Dorinda giggled her joy into his neck. Setting her down, Vesarius asked, “Do we talk to Coty now? He is the captain.”

  “Of course,” Dorinda agreed with an assured grin. “We’ll have to arrange the ceremony without alluding to his surprise party though.”

  “There is champagne on the supply ship’s manifest. And,” Vesarius added with an expectant brow, “a live cargo container.”

  “Oh, Sarius,” Dorinda chimed, leaning into him again. “This is wonderful.” Then her face sobered, gaze hardening. “The ambassador left a gift with me.” Her downturned mouth trembled. “It’s writ
ten in Gremsctok. You’ll have to read it.” She blinked and stepped back from their light embrace. “Funny. He gave it to me and told me to open it once he was gone. As if he knew ...”

  “Perhaps I should read it now,” Vesarius suggested dropping his arms, spine stiffening. “It may contain important information regarding the mission.”

  “No, Sarius,” she avowed with a quick, negating shake. “I think it’s more personal than that. The party’s in three days. We can read it then. I have a feeling you’ll be pleased.”

  “You know what it is?” he asked with skepticism.

  “No, but I have that tingly feeling, the same jittery anticipation I have whenever I see you appear out of a crowd.”

  Smirking at her, Vesarius nodded. “Then I look forward to reading this ... gift.” With a final quick kiss, Vesarius announced, “I must return to the bridge. I will talk to Coty ... and Moxland, about the party schedule.”

  “Good. I’ll ask Moxland about wedding supplies. I know Julian can whip us up a mouthwatering cake. I’ve never met a better chef.”

  With a nod, Vesarius strode back toward the arboretum door. An extra surge of energy propelled his boots. It was the most unusual, delightful sensation.

  Chapter 17: Ceremony and Circumstance

  Within the Pompeii’s observation lounge, Coty stood alone at the starry portal. He was surrounded by a trellised archway of variegated ivy and white, trailing roses. Frowning, the captain glared out at those stars and poked a finger into his stiff dress collar. Why was he nervous? He eyed the wooden podium and Bible. He had done this nearly a dozen times. Why did this occasion lack his usual enthusiasm? Michael Coty had always enjoyed a celebration. But this, he realized – his jasper gaze upon the vastness of velvet space – this wedding would be different. This was a closeness he would never feel ... never attain himself. Not with Dorinda. She had chosen Vesarius. The woman was now truly lost to the Pompeii’s captain.

  Coty should feel gratified that his Vesar friend had finally established his peace, his place. Cmdr. Tankawankanyi now realized how much he was valued in this universe. And not just because of the Orthops. Recently, Vesarius had rediscovered the family he had lost, attained the freedom he had strived for, and redeemed the honor that had been snatched away. Now, the warrior had even been granted the love he had never foreseen.

  Coty knew his two friends cared for him. Vesarius was his star brother. Dorinda adored the captain as dearly as he loved her, but still ... Barrenness dwelled in Coty’s heart. The rift was as wide as the canyon he had dug at Achilles’ death ... a senseless hover accident at the captain’s own hands.

  Coty lowered his eyes from the universe and swallowed hard against the tightness in his throat. He should be happy. Two less lonely souls existed among that speckled vastness. Dorinda and Vesarius were destined to be together. Alone each was resilient and courageous; together they were invincible. If Vesarius were granted Vwafar´ee, Coty had no doubt that his Vesar friend and Dorinda would surely succeed.

  A warm, steel hand settled upon his shoulder. “You are reluctant,” Vesarius surmised softly. Coty turned his head to consider the chiseled visage of the mahogany warrior.

  The commander was attired in traditional Vesar formalwear. A pale, brain-tanned sandsuit fit his frame as if melted onto it. The silver and cobalt embroidered sash across his one shoulder was pinned in place by his family medallion. Vesarius’ raven hair was free flowing for once. Only a thin braid – woven with totem beads – dangled before his heart’s side ear.

  “I’m just feeling sorry for myself,” Coty admitted. He pivoted to squeeze the Vesar’s bare forearm in a brotherly clasp. “It’s my own damned fault for setting you two up together instead of snatching Dorinda for myself.”

  “She is her own spirit,” Vesarius contended. Then one side of the Vesar’s mouth twitched upward. “Perhaps your loneliness, too, will end soon, my brother.”

  “Nah,” Coty negated shrugging non-committal. Then he smirked. “You’ve already grabbed the best catch in the universe.”

  With an honest nod Vesarius agreed. “I have. Just do not tell Dorinda. In truth, she caught me ... Found me more accurately.”

  Coty chuckled. “Who would have expected it to turn out this way?”

  The captain noticed as three formally dressed women approached through the main doors of the observation lounge. Their long gowns ‘shushed’ along the aisle, stroking the chairs set up for the soon-to-arrive guests.

  “There are yet surprises to come, Bear,” Vesarius assured then followed his captain’s gaze.

  At Coty’s questioning glance, a nearly recovered Yolonda Sheradon smirked from beside Zaneta and Moxland. She jerked at chin at the Vesar. “We’re just making sure he didn’t jump ship on her.”

  “I would not,” Vesarius defended seriously.

  Grinning at him, her ice-blue eyes sparkling against the darker cobalt of her velvet gown, Yolonda admitted, “Actually, I’m here to ask Coty something. Privately.”

  Stepping forward and slightly aside of his Vesar companion, Coty ducked an ear to the doctor’s lips. “Dori wants to know if you have her gift nearby,” she whispered. Instinctively, Sheradon braced her still tender and bandaged side. “She plans to give it to him before the final vows.”

  Coty’s chin dipped. “It’s standing inside the podium cubby,” he assured just as softly.

  “Good,” she answered aloud. “We’ll be back in again in a few minutes.” Waving her farewell to the statuesque Vesar, Yolonda then gripped her skirt in both hands to prevent an ungraceful exit and shuffled out of the observation lounge. Moxland and Zaneta took up their positions beside the doors awaiting the physician’s return.

  Coty clapped of his palms as he rejoined his first officer by the flowered arbor. “So, are you nervous?”

  “Nervous?” Vesarius considered his bronze-skinned captain. “Do you believe I am acting unwisely?”

  “Unwise to marry Dorinda? Of course not. But ... marriage. Well, it’s a big responsibility.”

  “No more than running a ship. Or serving on one,” Vesarius countered with a tilt of his ebony crown. “In this universe, Bear, responsibilities and obligations abound.”

  “What about …?” How could Coty put this mildly? He leaned in confidentially as the guests began to file in and take up seats to either side of the makeshift center aisle. “What about fatherhood, Sarius?”

  The warrior shrugged. “Dr. Sheradon has not yet completed her studies on genetic compatibility. I ... may never be a father,” he admitted quietly enough so that only Coty could hear.

  Coty frowned. “Does that upset you?”

  “I believe it would upset Dorinda.” Vesarius smirked. “She ... wants a little Vesar warrior to chase after.”

  Coty harrumphed in good humor. “Like she doesn’t already expend enough energy chasing after you.” Then Coty’s grin faded. Perhaps there would be found a way for Dorinda to get her wish. Medical science had helped deliver many miracle babies in the century since her time. Genes, after all, were just biological scaffolding, and there were many ways to design a building.

  Within another twenty minutes, the remainder of the guests had filed in and sat. Coty noticed how the thirty-odd guests and Kin Companions had evenly distributed their placement. It seemed Dorinda had gathered as many friends in her short months aboard the Pompeii as Vesarius had in his nearly nine years of service. Perhaps many were simply being polite, choosing to share their support.

  Those personnel still on duty could watch the ceremony via intra-ship monitors. Some crew had chosen to forgo the unprecedented celebration altogether. Coty hoped no one would protest when he asked whether anyone disagreed with the proceedings. He was sure not every crewmember saw this event as a blessing or a fitful joining of kindred spirits.

  With a nod of finality to the waiting bridesmaids, Coty took his place behind the podium and expelled an apprehensive sigh. From speakers positioned about the ceiling, a trilling of flutes lilt
ed down to the guests. This wedding was to be the most untraditional traditional yet, Coty realized as the haunting notes were joined with violins and oboes to begin the prelude to the wedding march. This was Alliance history in the making...

  From his position, Coty watched his Vesar first officer pivot toward the lounge doors. Regal and square-shouldered, Vesarius almost seemed an ancient Lakota chief awaiting his princess. Only a spirited appaloosa pony was missing to prance the lovers off to their brightly painted, honeymoon tepee.

  Instead, their tepee would be a ship’s cabin, their honeymoon the trip to Tlonnis. Perhaps Vesarius could someday renew his application for Vesar citizenship. He and Dorinda might even be allowed bonding without Vwafar´ee, now that the ambassador was gone. Coty would request a duty run that would keep the Pompeii near the Vesar homeworld. It would be the human captain’s only chance to witness a Vesar bonding ceremony.

  Amid the marching notes, Moxland and Zaneta glided forward in their cobalt and silver-trimmed bridesmaid gowns. While the music built to a tense crescendo, Yolonda Sheradon followed up the center aisle. As matron of honor, her vibrant dress was offset with lacy turquoise embellishments. Appreciative eyes followed the women to the flowered arbor. Then the music hesitated, indicative of a grand entry. The symphony trilled in a regal idle while everyone stood from their seats and turned toward the doors, waiting...

  Where was she? After another moment, a silken arm swept a reluctant slinky of chocolate fur in from the corridor. Noah twittered nervously then jostled along the center aisle. Basket in whiskered mouth, the otter spilled rose petals as he bounced. A low, unanimous chuckling followed but faded when Tundra next stepped into the room. A meter long, leather and beaded scabbard was perched between the dog’s canines. Marching forward, the Alaskan malamute halted beside his Vesar Bondmate. Tundra sat and offered the sheathed sword with its shoulder strap and jeweled hilt.