Daughter Of Ethos: 0.5 - 1 - 2

by L M Lacee

  He smiled as he stretched right there on his stomach and nothing pulled or felt like it was tearing. He stopped mid-stretch and answered huskily, shock making his voice hesitant. ‘I am not sure.’

  ‘Understandable, Hawk and Lukkas are here to help you. So, I will let them get to it, Willian your back is whole and unscathed.’ She turned around and said as she moved away. ‘Hawk, he is all yours.’

  Lukkas and Hawk walked over and Hawk stopped her asking. ‘Thank you Heather, are you ready to leave?’

  ‘Getting there, just clean up and reports to write.’

  He nodded, then turned his attention to the young Warrior. ‘Willian, we are going to help you into the shower. If you are wondering where everyone else is, they are securing the ship and moon, as we are to leave today.’ Hawk leaned down and whispered. ‘There is a full Holo display in the cleansing room, for you to look at what has been done.’

  With a jerky motion, Willian nodded and with his heart hammering in trepidation. He allowed them to help him up and hold him steady as he walked or shuffled to the cleansing room.

  After they had entered, Lukkas asked. ‘You ready?’

  Willian gave him another jerky nod. Words were beyond him at the moment. Hawk flicked on the display and a full length frontal Holo of a naked Willian appeared. Slowly it rotated, so he could see his back for the first time in yentas. Shocked, he stared at the screen which showed him his smooth, unscarred back.

  He shook his head in denial. ‘It is amazing, this...’

  Hawk interrupted him. ‘Heather said the redness will fade in a weken or two. You are still on light duties and in one lunera you may start basic training again.’

  His eyes did not move from the Holo as he asked. ‘I can train?’

  Hawk replied with a smile. ‘In a lunera or less, when Dinas gives you the all clear.’

  Willian asked, ‘Can you please…’ He swallowed as he tried again. ‘Commander, will you please just wipe your hand down my back, just…’

  Hawk nodded. ‘I understand Willian, I too would not trust my eyes after all this time.’

  In saying that, he pressed his hand lightly on the new skin and brushed it down and over Willian’s back. Both Warriors ignored the tears that fell from his eyes, as he felt the sensation of Hawk’s hand on his skin. It felt like every nerve was awake and alive for the first time since the incident. His mind shield away from saying what had actually happened.

  Protection, Healer Heather had told him when he voiced his thoughts or lack of thoughts on that time in his life. She had advised him. ‘Your mind is just protecting you, Willian. One day you will know you are ready and then you will deal with the memories of that incident.’

  So that is what he called it from then on the incident. Gently they placed him under a water shower. Heather was concerned that a sonic shower while in its own way was gentle, it would strip the skin of dirt and oils. So she ordered gentle water showers for the next lunera. He needed the natural oils that his body would secrete.

  Willian let the warm water wash the tears from his eyes as he soaped his body and cleaned his sweat dampened hair. With arms that did not have the sensation of skin pulling or tearing. Minutes later he turned the dryer on, then Lukkas handed him sleeping pants.

  As he dressed in them, he looked enquiring at Lukkas, who grinned and explained. ‘You will crash, we are told. Unbelievable as it seems, the regenerator makes you hungry and tired.’

  Hawk led them from the cleansing room as he told Willian. ‘We will see you to your cabin where I am told Esther and the ladies are ready to fuss over you, which I order you to allow. They have been worried. Madam is sorry she cannot be here, she had an emergency on the moon.’

  Willian was relieved, he had been disappointed she had not been there when he woke, although he was pleased she had not seen his tears.

  ‘Madam will be back as soon as she can, and definitely before we leave, or I will want to know why.’ Hawk muttered as he walked along the empty passageway. Followed by Lukkas, who smirked with Willian at their Commander’s tone.

  When they arrived at Willian’s cabin, sure enough, the ladies were there. Lukkas saluted him and left.

  Hawk told them. ‘He is all yours ladies.’ He looked seriously at Willian and ordered. ‘Willian, eat, sleep and recover. We leave orbit as soon as everyone is back on board. I will see you tomorrow morn.’

  Willian bowed his head. ‘I thank you Commander.’ Hawk saluted him and the ladies then left.

  Willian turned and could not help his smile as he asked. ‘Ladies, what has happened since I have been asleep?’

  As they eagerly swept him into his cabin where he was greeted by the aroma of wholesome food. He sat on the edge of his bed as they pulled a table into place, then they passed him plate after plate of food. And proceeded to fill him in on the happenings of the ship and what was taking place on the moon. He even allowed Lady Brenda to smooth the scented oil, she assured him Heather had said he needed for a weken or two, on his new skin. He reveled in the smooth skin she touched and the warmth of their care and love that seeped into places of his heart and needar. He never knew he had, continuing the melting of the core of ice he lived with daily.

  FORTY-SEVEN:

  Just before Willian woke from the regenerator, Peyton danced around her cabin as she slowly dressed, interspaced with sips of her first cup of coffee for the day. The best one as far as she was concerned, although honesty prodded her to admit she thought each cup she had was the best.

  This was the morning Willian’s treatment was completed and she could not wait to see his face when he saw his back for the first time. She expected shock and awe as she had felt when she looked at his smooth skin last night. She was so happy it worked and pleased he could now be the male he was always meant to be. And maybe… just maybe he could start to put it all behind him.

  Dinas told her he already had a list of people waiting to use the regenerator at home. He assured her he had made them aware that it would not fix everything, but they were happy to have their scars removed. Apparently Kerol and Jorge were at the top of his list.

  Peyton thought it would be strange to see both males without their scars. But she was happy they wished to leave the reminders of their pasts behind them, at least their outward scars.

  Heather told Peyton that the regenerator would regrow limbs and other parts of a body, unfortunately not everything. There had to be some limb or organ for it to regrow, but essentially it would become an invaluable tool and save lives. It was an exciting piece of equipment, and Heather told her she felt it would change the whole scope of medicine. But it would never take the place of surgery or good old-fashioned doctoring. Her words, not Heathers that’s for sure.

  She sipped her coffee and sighed inwardly, as wonderful as today was going to be. The day would have its hard bits as well, they were leaving orbit. The Solverea family were in their part of space and would be at the rendezvous in two days. So it was time for her to start fortifying her shields around her heart. Heather was leaving, she would be gone, and there was nothing to stop that from happening. Darby had shut herself in the communications alley ever since the message from the Solverea family came through. Melody was busy helping Kate with the Turqualls on the moon, truthfully she was hiding. Trina was vacillating between sadness for Peyton, Darby and Melody and happiness for Heather.

  Hawk and the other Warriors were stoically avoiding the subject. Esther, Brenda, and Helen were philosophical about what was to happen. To them this was a time of joy, not loss. Peyton knew they were right, it was a better way of looking at it and she was truly happy for Heather. But she could not shake the fear that they would never see her again. That was the hardest part of saying goodbye, it restimulated the loss they had all felt at one time or another. She knew as long as they stayed in contact, it would mitigate those feelings. Not that Darby believed her. She just grunted and left the room when she tried to talk to her about it.

  Peyton could not see
that getting any better over the next day or so. She stared blindly out her window, sipping her coffee, trying to think of something other than Heather’s departure. Thankfully, she was rescued from the attempt when she heard a tap on her door. ‘Come in.’

  The door opened, but no one entered, turning she looked at Trina who stood in the doorway. Her face pale and set, her eyes were dull and sad as she looked back at Peyton who with fear clutching her heart asked. ‘What has happened, is it Willian?’

  ‘No, Willian is okay. The Pride Leaders ask that the Star Daughter come to the moon.’

  ‘Why?’ Peyton asked carefully, her heart clenching in pain.

  Trina took in a breath and braced herself to say the words her heart cried over. ‘Citri has decided to stay.’

  ‘Oh, I see.’ Peyton looked out her window then softly said. ‘Give me a min, please Trina, second to Fanharr.’

  Trina bowed her head at the title and the respect she had addressed her with and stated before she took a step back and closed the door. ‘I will wait for you, Star Daughter.’

  Peyton finished her coffee and changed her clothes. She dressed in her dark black pants suit with a long sleeveless dark blue and silver floor length vest. Her Star Crystal dressed her hair in a coronet of sobriety and with pain etched on her face and her eyes dimmed in sadness. She took her small statue of the kits and placed it in a pocket by her heart.

  Why she did so, she could not say it just seemed right. Then she spied her small six inch rose tear drop crystal, which her grandfather had given her on her sixth birthday. It was the first birthday present she had ever received. And it was the first thing she had wished to take when they had left Earth. She placed it securely in a pocket and left the cabin.

  Trina fell into step next to her, speaking quietly. ‘Hawk and Lukkas will see to Willian. Heather is waiting for the regenerator to finish with a patient; then she will set the medical unit ready to travel. Darby is securing her comps and the security of the ships. Melody is with Kate. We are only awaiting the Turquall to vacate the moon and return to the ship, to leave orbit.’

  ‘Thank you Trina.’

  They used the lift to the shuttle bay where Nikolas was waiting. Her voice was quiet as she said. ‘When you are ready, Nikolas.’

  ‘As you wish, Madam.’

  She and Trina did not speak, the time for words was not now. She clutched the small crystal and thought of a future where the Turqualls wanted to remain with them and became a powerful presence in the Universe.

  Ten minutes later they touched down and Nikolas opened the door saying. ‘I will wait for you here, Madam.’

  ‘Thank you, Nikolas.’

  They stepped from the shuttle and were met by Rave and Fanharr, who bowed to the Star Daughter. They did not speak as they walked to the middle of the grassland where a small pond of sparkling green water lay.

  Peyton looked around and let her senses flow over the moon. She found the Warriors had almost returned it to its pristine state. They had left blankets and buckets to scoop water, that Rage assured them Turqualls could use. As well as other items in a cave for any Turqualls who may seek shelter there. Apart from the trees that had been stripped of berries and the few that had been taken. The surface was barely disturbed. It was almost as though they had never been here. As though the Turqualls had not rested, healed and played on the moon’s surface among its trees and bushes or sniffed out treats and hunted game. Reducing the population of Roments. An animal that was a pig like creature, with eight legs.

  Peyton did not want to do this, did not want to say goodbye to someone, who in a short amount of time had become dearle to her. Someone who had shown her so much of what it was to be Turquall. She closed her eyes and asked for strength to get through this.

  Standing beside Melody was Kate Evans, the Artar. Every time Peyton saw her she was hard pressed to believe she was around thirty-five yentas old, she honestly looked twenty. She told Peyton when she had commented on her youthful appearance. That aging slowly was a gift from her Jamaican ancestors, as was her long black hair with red highlights. Which according to her were natural, her eyes were normally a sparkling blue, but today they were flat and filled with sadness. She was one of the most beautiful and spiritual people Peyton had ever met who occasionally possessed a temper. Everyone enjoyed her immensely and like Peyton, they appreciated and adored her wicked sense of humor.

  She was neither happy nor smiling now as she stood in front of a long, shallow indentation carved into the moon’s crust. Kate and Melody moved aside as Peyton arrived to where a contented Citri lay. Her head resting on her paws, her body surrounded by flowers and long yellow grass which waved gently in the crisp air.

  Ringed around the large pond sat all the Turquall, even young kits were there, all to pay their respects to gentle, loving Citri.

  Fanharr told her. She waited for you Star Daughter.

  Peyton replied formerly. ‘I am honored.’

  Fanharr and Rave with Trina stood either side of Rage, who was at the head of the shallow grave. He bowed his head to Peyton before saying formerly. Star Daughter, I greet thee.

  ‘As I greet thee, Pride Leader.’

  Peyton sat next to Citri, who moved a little and placed her head on her lap. She automatically stroked the old Turqualls head, and Citri purred or what passed for a purr from a Turquall.

  ‘Hello sweet lady, so this is the time and place?’

  It is. She said in her sweet voice, although Peyton could hear how tired she was. I am happy to have seen the sun once more and to have hunted and played with my family. I am thankful my Pride has found a new home with worthy Pride Leaders. She sighed and smiled, saying. I am especially happy that I had time to meet and converse with our Beloved.

  ‘The honor was all mine sweet lady.’ Peyton told her as she stroked her fur.

  Citri sighed contently. You will allow them reach for the stars as you and your people have?

  ‘If they choose to stay. I will welcome them to live on my worlds and follow their destinies.’

  They will stay and they will grow and become extraordinary.

  ‘Yes they will, Citri are you saying goodbye now?’

  Yes dearle one. I have said goodbye to my family and to our Leader and his mate and their seconds. And to the talented Artar Kate and the honorable Melody, I see great futures for them both. Now I will say my goodbye to you, Beloved. So say your words, sing your song and let me go. I hunger to release my burden and join in the song of the Stars.

  Peyton sadly whispered. ‘So be it.’

  She ran her hand down the length of Citri’s soft furred back and lifted her face filled with sadness to the sky. And called out the words of honor and release. Last spoken by the Star Son, millions of yentas ago for the last Tuarillian.

  ‘We are here to say goodbye to Citri, who is ready to release her honor and love back to our Universe.

  We will miss her wisdom and grace on our journey through life.

  For those of us she leaves behind, listen for her voice on star-filled nights.

  I ask the Stars, please shine your light on this most precious one, so she may find her way home.

  Goodbye sweet Citri, join with the stars and may your light shine for eternity.’

  Peyton then closed her eyes and tipped her head back and glowed as the most beautiful song ever heard, sung by the Star Child spilled from her lips. The soft golden voices were joined by the voices from all the Turqualls. They sang until tears ran from eyes that thought they had cried their last, until hearts were filled with love and needars were filled with starlight. When Peyton opened her eyes, they were black and filled with the stars of the Universe.

  The Star Child smoothed Citri’s head and softly murmured. Come our dearle Citri, we await you.

  Instantly her body became a shower of stars which rose into the sky, as a sound filled with millions upon millions of voices chorused in beauty.

  Once the sound of their song faded, Peyton rose to her feet
and moved to where Trina, Kate and Melody waited.

  ‘She is happy, I promise.’

  They turned to watch the Turqualls walk pass the shallow grave and drop flowers in, before they headed to the waiting shuttles. When the last flower filled the grave, a crystal cover appeared. On it was an etching of Citri standing beneath a moon and the following words.

  For all who may visit Citri’s moon.

  Do not stand here and weep.

  Know that Citri’s journey has just begun.

  Her memory is now ours to keep.

  Raise your needar toward the stars and rejoice.

  FORTY-EIGHT:

  Together with Melody, Trina and Kate, she went to the shuttle where the ever patient Nikolas waited. Before they entered the shuttle, Rage stopped her with a bow.

  Thank you Beloved, for the gift of the Star Daughter’s blessing.

  Peyton swallowed her tears and whispered. ‘I thank you and Citri for the honor you granted me today.’

  Once in the air, they looked down and viewed what would be forever known as Citri’s moon. Peyton pulled the rose crystal tear drop from her pocket, when she felt it warm and vibrate. She held it flat on her hands as the four of them watched it split into four and the pieces transform into statues of a sitting Turquall. Each statue was eight inches tall and looked just like Citri. No one thought to ask how such a small piece of crystal could make so many statues. This was no time to wonder at what could not be possible.

  She handed one to each of her friends, saying. ‘A gift from the Star Child and Citri. To remember what they wish for the Universe, and what we gave her.’

  ‘What did we give her?’ Trina asked as she studied the statue.

  Melody softly said. ‘Freedom, we gave her freedom to die where she wanted to and happiness that she could make that decision for herself.’ She wiped a tear from her cheek as she whispered. ‘It was worth every min to give her that.’