Forever One

by L. F. Hampton

  The lizards had tortured Vadyn for the past three revolutions before she lost count of the time. Three days of suffering pain so great that he could not shield her, Vadyn wouldn’t survive much more. Neither would she. Dear gods, she couldn’t lose control of her shield, not again. Her teeth clenched on Tyrei’s leather knife scabbard, the muscles rigid in her throat. She swallowed another scream, her body shaking while rivulets of sweat darkened her gown. Tyrei turned his head aside, not quite hiding his sympathetic eyes. Obviously, he knew from her reactions that the Xeetag still tortured Vadyn. She again worked fervently at blocking Vadyn’s connection. If she didn’t learn how to hide, she feared both she and their child would die along with Vadyn. Her heart skipped at the thought, and doggedly, she tried harder. Hours later, exhausted, Tyrei gently passed her to the next warrior dutifully waiting for his turn.

  Batla, the oldest Kasar guard, took over the babysitting, cradling her in his massive arms, but she heard him grind his teeth while giving the only comfort he could by cushioning her on his lap. She felt the warm, corded leg muscles beneath her and sighed, distressed to be held like a babe but glad that they hadn’t put her back directly on the dirty cot.

  The ‘bed’ was the only furnishing in the exposed, steel-ringed cell. The cell enclosed them on three sides with its bars while the stone wall guarded their backs. The jail was large enough to hold the four powerful Kasar and the one human only if the four warriors stood. No one wanted the hard stone surface. But three could have lain down, if they lost their minds, on the dirty, insect-infested ground. Hundreds of small, crawling beetles drove their hard black shells through the packed sand. Their crackling determination weaved through ground as hard as stone, intimidating even the hardened warriors. Perhaps the bugs, just like the Kasar, wanted to escape the confines of the cell before the place came down on their heads.

  The ground rolled.

  A thousand tons of rock shifted in a slight flinch.

  Ripples flowed to a gentle sway.

  Not yet.

  Popi and Lairdi, the twin Kasar warriors who blocked the Xeetag from the interior view of the tiny cell, exchanged a worried glance then sought Tyrei’s attention while avoiding Cayla’s. She didn’t mind. Perhaps the lieutenants would come up with an escape plan. If these two, the unflappable duo, felt the urgency, perhaps one of them would come up with a plausible escape attempt. Tyrei gave a light nod and tilted his head, motioning them away from Cayla. She snorted weakly but no one, not even Batla, noticed her. Covertly, she watched the trio from Batla’s embrace.

  The warriors’ wounds had healed enough for them to move without signs of pain. Sword slashes suffered during their capture were now hard brown scabs, crisscrossing their furred bodies. Stiff muscles flexed with only slight twinges. No signs of infection, and for that, she breathed a thankful sigh. She knew their dedication to Vadyn meant that her safety and the heir’s safety were foremost in everyone’s mind. Their own hurts came last. Her heart swelled. Vadyn was always so proud of them even when he roared at some transgression. Sudden agony erupted in her middle. Unprepared, she doubled over in Batla’s thick arms with a smothered cry. Was Vadyn’s pain so great again, or did their unborn child threaten? She put her hands over her mouth. If the Xeetag found out how closely linked she was to Vadyn, she would be next on their torture list. Her warriors gathered back around her while Batla held her close. She swallowed a scream—she had to protect her child! She must get stronger. She threw up thicker barriers. But the green and black Xeetag guard responded to her smothered moan. Its heavy reptile body turned. Its long snout swung back and forth, but it didn’t leave its post. Its unblinking, reptile-slit eyes regarded the twin Kasars’ shielding bodies with narrowed yellow disdain. One of the twins, she didn’t know which, grimaced a nasty smile at the lizard. The reptile turned back without reaction and faced the door again in rigid single-minded attention.

  Soon, another guard would replace this one, but, just as with the twin Kasars, she couldn’t tell one from another. The Xeetag who brought the hard, mealy bread and metallic-tasting water looked the same as any other lizard. Green. Black. Ugly.

  The twins signaled Tyrei with another faint head tip. She knew as plain as the Xeetag were ugly that if they wanted to escape, it better be now with a tired, nervous guard. Each time the ground shuddered, the Xeetag shifted back and forth on its webbed feet. Twitchy, but it didn’t leave. Tyrei motioned with another hand signal to the twins. They walked forward, away from Cayla, shoulder to shoulder, still shielding her from the Xeetag’s view. Unable to resist his curiosity, Batla, too, deserted her, leaving her sheltered on the cot, resting on his battle armor. The boar leather was a stiff replacement for his warmth, but he hastened away to hear what Tyrei planned. They all ignored her silent, weak hand motions for attention, and she wanted to scream in frustration this time, not from Vadyn’s pain. Damn them. She needed to know the plans, too. She watched them through narrowed vision, promising to punish them somehow for this insubordination. Was she or wasn’t she Kasara’s ly’teal? Another roil threatened her belly, and she curved weakly onto her side. If she got sick again, she’d choke lying on her back. Damn it, she hated being a weak human female, now more than ever. Too bad Batla didn’t suffer her problem.

  The old, grizzled warrior swaggered over to the group, his displeasure at Tyrei’s leadership marked by the deep scowl on his furred brow. She delighted in her ability to read the warriors so well. Surely this knowledge came from Vadyn’s memories and not hers, but that didn’t matter; at least, she knew their signs. The twins warned Tyrei with a twitch of identical golden eyebrows. Batla obviously was not their favorite companion either. But he had been needed to fill out the warlord’s customary four. The twins stepped lightly around the old warrior. All Kasar knew of Batla’s disposition. Even she knew of his uncontrolled battle anger. She strained to hear their whispers and growls. It wasn’t hard to overhear or see in these close quarters. They obviously sought to protect her from the worst.

  “The ly’teal can’t hold out much longer, Tyrei! We must do something soon!” Batla shook his massive fist, hissing around extended fangs at the tightly knit group. He pushed his thick chest up to Tyrei’s. The twins stopped breathing. She could have heard a pin drop.

  Tyrei glared back. He vented a low growl. His own teeth and claws extended. Much more pushing, and he would rend Batla where he stood. No! She pulled herself upright but swayed with vertigo. She rested for a moment on the stone bench but rose again, feeling the need to hurry. The warriors mustn’t come to blows. They couldn’t do that. They needed each other. The group was too small to be fighting among themselves. Vache, warrior rage, must be clouding their thinking. She took a deep calming breath. Thankfully, Tyrei, perhaps from his long association with Vadyn and his human companions, spoke calmly, reasoning with Batla. “What do you suggest we do? Knock down solid rock walls with our bare hands?” He lifted palms that still held extended claws. He wasn’t in complete control. His growl rumbled. “The warlord depends on us. He wanted us to—we need to get the ly’teal away from danger first. Then rescue the el’kota.”

  “Is that what you plan to do?” The sneer was obvious in Batla’s voice, in the tilt of his chin.

  “No, Batla. The twins have a plan. Just follow their lead.” Tyrei waited. Cayla held her breath. They needed to remain united. Would Tyrei have to fight the older, heavier Kasar? Their ageless grudge still flamed from time to time and always, at the wrong time.

  After a moment of intensified silence, Batla stepped back in acceptance. Now was not the time for settling grudges. In a rumbling purr that she strained to hear, Tyrei explained the twins’ plan. She sat back down. The warrior’s monotone went on for so long that her head nodded. She jerked back awake when her head fell forward. She couldn’t believe that she had dozed off at such a time! True, she was exhausted—and pregnant. And the only time she slept now was when Vadyn passed out from
the pain. No wonder, she drifted off. He must be asleep—yes, asleep not unconscious. She sat up straighter, stiffened her shoulders back, and held her ragged breathing. The warriors still spoke with low growls. Their hushed voices were so like the angry buzzing of bees. She couldn’t distinguish their words, but she gasped aloud then swallowed the slight sound. Again the red heat of Vadyn’s injuries had swept through her mind like a fire burning out of control. No matter how hard she fought, the pain sometimes surrounded her, jumping ahead of her to sear her in agony. Another abdominal cramp forced her knees to her chest. She wrapped her arms around her legs and held them tight against her body. She lost her breath. Was she losing her child? No! That couldn’t be! Perhaps, in the beginning, she hadn’t wanted this child, and that guilty thought plagued her, but now? Now, she’d do anything to keep it safe in her body.

  Gradually, the pain receded enough for her to relax her legs. Her shield strengthened. She rubbed her stomach in apologetic reassurance. She knew that the early months were the most dangerous time for the child. She couldn’t lose it! Responsibilities pulled her in different directions, but she couldn’t think past the fact that Vadyn needed her. And she needed to block him out. She was weak, helpless. No! Sudden rage, raw with new pain, washed over her. Damn this! She was linked to a warrior. The greatest of the Kasar warriors. She wouldn’t just lie here and let the Xeetag hurt him anymore! She forced herself to her feet, trembling on shaky knees. She ignored the wave of numbing dizziness that swept over her, but new sweat broke out on her upper lip. Nausea threatened—again. This time, she fought it back with new inner resolve. New strength. And she blocked him; he needed his strength. She could handle this. Her stomach settled. Her vision cleared. She closed down heavy barriers in her mind, hating herself for shielding against him when he had given her so much. Forgive me, my love.

  From a distance, Vadyn’s pain still clawed at her, but the aching burn seemed less. Under her mind-link, she still felt his strong control. He was adding needed support to her shield. Her vision clouded with moisture. He was using up his strength protecting her! Her beautiful warrior, how he suffered! And she had denied him her love! Even in his torment, he protected her from the worst of his abuse. She clenched her teeth. She would get him back, make him forgive her. And, she would have revenge.

  She fisted her hands, using the cut of her nails against the soft pad of her palms to distance herself from the bite of his torture. She focused on the buzzing of her warriors’ voices. It grew louder. Her stumbles brought her nearer to them until finally she pushed inside the towering circle of golden muscle. Their familiar scent comforted her, and she closed her eyes, letting their reassuring odor of strength bathe her senses. Her warriors. Hers to command.

  Tyrei stared at her with rounded eyes as if he couldn’t believe his sight. She nodded to him but had to straighten her wavering legs. Ever attentive to her needs, he carefully, with his claws turned aside, drew her to his warm side. He used one arm to support her, lending his strength without intruding on her hard won courage. She silently blessed him then spoke only loud enough for them to hear and not draw the Xeetag’s attention. “I agree that we must get out of here now—today. We must rescue the el’kota.” Her voice sounded pathetically hoarse, from all her retching, no doubt. It hurt to speak. Thankfully, Batla interrupted, giving her time to swallow.

  “Ly’teal, we can’t even get ourselves out of here. How do you expect us to rescue the el’kota?” He waved a massive paw at the cell’s steel bars and stepped closer to her, whispering, actually growling near her ear, but the flat-headed lizard heard his deep, angry tone anyway. It stared with cold, blank eyes in their direction. Finally, when they remained silent, it turned back with no other movement than the shuffle of its wide, clawed-toed feet.

  Quickly, she shook her head in warning, and her warriors continued to wait in a silent group. Then, after several more moments, she jerked from Tyrei’s side and whirled on Batla. Unusual anger surged through her. She stalked forward a pace, invading his space. Her pulse thundered in her ears, and she had to curl her fingers to keep from cracking the old warrior’s jaw.

  Batla, obviously noting the look in her eye or the expression on her face, wisely backed away, nearly stumbling in haste. She glared at him, defiant but trembling with effort. When next she spoke, she was happy to hear her whisper stand firm. “We will get out of here. And we will rescue my mate even if we have to use our bare hands to claw our way out. Understand, warriors?” She held up her curled fists, and her resolve cut the tension. The lieutenants’ heads rose. Their eyes brightened and their shoulders straightened. They stood taller. She knew she had issued her orders with every bit of royal command that Vadyn would have uttered. The warriors didn’t miss her control. She was their ly’teal. She would lead. That thought still brought a hint of panic to her before she swallowed. A trickle of nervous sweat ran down her back. Could she really do this? She hardened her jaw and willed her strength to hold out. Her voice barely quivered. “We must escape somehow. Vadyn told me that the Xeetag plan to kill all of us eventually. Their whole existence hinges on the annihilation of Kasara.” She condensed all the facts Vadyn had told her through their link. “They need a new home. This one is becoming unstable.” As if to punctuate her statement, a low rumble belched forth under their feet. The ground twitched. Stone walls grated. Dust drifted down from the low ceiling.

  The Xeetag again shifted nervously, its flat head turning right then left. Then it moved its webbed feet in position a few inches closer to the door.

  Tyrei reached for Cayla, drawing her back against his warm side again. The others crowded closer. She felt great pride in their concern. She had to save these brave lieutenants. “The Xeetag have decided their new home is to be Kasara. Either we win or they do. They will accept nothing less. And neither will I.” She raised her chin. “We—will—win.” They followed her glance up to the low ceiling. The twins growled low in their throats. Cracks radiated through the hard stone like a spiderweb. The multiple lines crisscrossed, crawling down the walls. Dirt still drifted down from the last aftershock.

  “You understand the need to hurry, don’t you, warriors?” Her voice took on new steel. “If we don’t get out of here and mount a defense, Kasara will fall. Then they will move their people in after they conquer ours. They have done this before—annihilated a world’s inhabitants and taken possession. They did it here on Dalhum. This desert world is nearly the same as ours with its hot sand perfect for hatching their offsprings’ eggs. They—” Her voice faltered, and Tyrei tightened his grip around her. She fought new pain and slammed her shield tighter against it. After drawing a steadying breath, she continued. “They torture the el’kota for the new landing shield codes—the location of our weapons field.” Batla interrupted her.

  “If they have cloaking devices, why don’t they just use them and attack us?” he questioned. Solid muscles jumped and flexed in his stubborn jaw. Battle fangs protruded. The old warrior still fought useless anger. She hoped he could contain it and that he would listen to her.

  “They don’t have nearly enough cloaking for all their ships, and they dare not lose the few in a fact-finding mission. They are launching an all-out extinction on us, with everything they’ve got.” She hurried on, afraid of an interruption. “They used my parents’ deaths just to lure Vadyn to the Alliance Council so they could grab him, knowing that he would have changed the codes. And they’ve muddied the waters for the Alliance. We can expect no help from them.” She finally took a much needed breath. “The Xeetag paid for the Slytreen’s help in hopes of concealing their attack on Kasara. The lizards can’t afford for the Alliance to know about their involvement, or they won’t be able to settle on Kasara. Our deaths can’t be linked to them. No one remembered or knew about Dalhum’s ancient people until the Xeetag told Vadyn.” Chills shook her, and she clenched her chattering teeth. Her strength was nearing the limit. Tyrei patted her shoulder with o
ne large, clumsy paw in what she knew he took for reassurance but nearly knocked her down. He growled low in his throat, a sound of a hunting cat.

  “We will pay them back for his every hurt, ly’teal. I promise.” Sudden pain shot through her as if in denial. Surprised at the strength of it, she pressed both hands against her mouth, smothering another cry. Her world went black.

  Chapter 13

  CAYLA AWOKE TO the pressure of fingertips against her throat. She jerked, heart pounding, until she recognized the distorted face leaning over her. Tyrei shook her urgently with his other arm under her back, holding her up in the midst of her lieutenants. He hissed a whisper, “He isn’t dead! Tell me, honored ly’teal. Tell me that the el’kota lives.” He removed his fingers from her neck where he had been feeling her pulse. His liquid gold eyes swam dark with such concern that she hurried to reassure him.

  “No. No, he isn’t dead—yet. But—” Her own vision clouded with moisture then she hardened her voice and blinked. She straightened as he helped her stand, but she was so unsteady that she still needed to lean on him. Her strength and her voice grew stronger. “He will be soon if we don’t get out of here. He’s using energy to protect me. We must do something.”

  “We will. Right now if you wish.” Tyrei looked at the twins who nodded ready.

  Time to escape.

  A sharp jolt came from the belly of the world, racing a vast distance in a second.

  Fissures erupted, spraying sand.

  A series of sharp reminders rippled to quiet.

  Not yet.

  When the shaking finally stopped, Cayla watched her warriors and waited with bated breath while giving the appearance of bored disinterest to the Xeetag. Inside, her pulse raced and her heart rocketed in her chest at their plans. She gave a slight nod.

  Fierce, angry roars echoed through the small cell. Tyrei and Batla began fighting toe to toe while the others watched. But, she wasn’t sure that all the fighting was a pretend battle. The two locked arms and butted heads, neither giving an inch although their feet scuffed more dirt than a normal fight would. The sounds of their scraping boots added to the disturbance. Roaring growls of encouragement from the twins brought more dust down from the rafters. They yelled, each cheering a different warrior while laughing and slapping each other’s shoulders, their cheering exuberance rising above the fight noise. Finally, the Xeetag shuffled over to investigate. Its ugly head turned to and fro. Its cold eyes blinked, but, finally, it walked closer, pushing its long snout up to the bars.