© 2001-2009 Joules Taylor
Triskayen surfaced abruptly, a far cry from his usually gentle transition from sleep to wakefulness.
... far cry... Yes, that was what had woken him, a call from a great distance. An unfamiliar *voice* in the depths of his mind.
He tuned inwards, alert and curious, his irritation at having his rest disturbed forgotten.
**I am listening**
An image. Beautiful eyes the colour of sun-bleached bone, young eyes but filled with an old knowledge. Dark, dark golden skin. A young face framed by an ivory-coloured mane, straight and heavy and lustreless, absorbing light into it, the play of infinite shades of bone-white and cream oddly fascinating.
A new life, it would seem. Unborn as yet. Triskayen frowned.
**Young one?**
The impression of a nod - and a strange *tingling* against his mind. A sudden and unexpected wave of what he could only call doom inundated Triskayen. He tried to shrug it off, failing dismally. He'd *heard* of this, but never believed it could happen to him...
**Who are you?**
**I... will be... Darkness**
Triskayen quirked a silvery eyebrow, amused despite himself.
**A solemn name for an unborn**
Another sombre *nod*. Triskayen sighed silently, resigned, *feeling* the unborn's emergent attachment. It wasn't comfortable. It wasn't wanted. But he couldn't reject it - not without causing the unborn distress. And that was something no Fohmatraan could do...
**I am Glitter**
**I know. I saw you sparkling in the darkness**
Triskayen's eyes widened.
**And that is why you were drawn to me?**
**I don't know. I only know that you are beautiful and I must be with you**
**Bonded, then**
Anxiety in the young *voice*, anxiety and fear.
**You do not want this? Do not want me?**
**It is... a surprise, Darkness. Unexpected**
**... you don't want me...**
The young voice was forlorn, and Triskayen growled at himself angrily. This was not the unborn's' fault.
**I will come to you, young one. I will be there to see you born**
The unborn's dam was on the other side of the vast ocean world, and Triskayen had plenty of time to think, *privately*, on his leisurely journey there. He'd known of Vixandron and Shalanra's bond, and Jandruac and Falcastron's, of course. The former two were perfectly content, as closely attuned as any Fohmatraan could hope to be. The latter...
He shuddered. Well, their situation had been odd from the start, and had become more so over the years. Most kin were relieved that they had opted to go offworld. It was far easier than having those disruptive minds disquieting the onworld *flow*.
His own circumstances were quite different. He'd never, never wanted to bond, not in any shape or form. He liked his independence, relished it. He'd never wanted the responsibility attendant on such intimacy. And now an unborn - an unborn, no less! - had bonded to him.
There must be a reason. Had to be. He frowned as he swam through the shallow seas, considering what little he had learned. Darkness... there was a hint of that quality to the young mind, something a little unnerving. A depth there, an intimation of something unprecedented.
He reached out - startled when the unborn *grasped* at his mind, like one who'd had no *contact* for far too long. Forcing himself not to react, Triskayen tentatively tried *cradling* the young one, concerned and letting it *show*.
**Darkness - what is the matter?**
**I... I couldn't *hear* anyone...**
Frowning, Triskayen focussed, trying to *reach* the unborn's dam.
**Windtide?**
Vodassra's soft, sighing *voice* caressed his mind.
**Glitter... I look forward to your arriving**
**I, also... what is wrong?**
A brief moment of *startlement*.
**Nothing. There is nothing wrong**
**Darkness says he cannot *hear*...**
**Darkness? My child has named himself?**
Triskayen halted, almost choking on a mouthful of water in shock. Yes, it was unusual for a child to find their mentity before birth, but he'd asked the vital question - who are you? - without thinking, and hadn't been too surprised when it had called forth the engrained response. But surely everyone knew it now! Especially the child's mother!
**So he has told me**
An eerie *sense* of distress.
**He... is *private*, has been since his conception, has not *spoken* to me... I thought it was simply his temperament**
Triskayen didn't know enough about unborns to say whether this was within usual parameters, but the web hadn't stirred, so obviously it was unconcerned about the situation. Which meant that it couldn't be too worrying. Although no-one seemed to have heard of any such thing before...
But Vodassra was fretting, and that wouldn't do the unborn any good. Triskayen forced himself to *smile*.
**I will talk to him**
**Then please tell him he is safe, and loved, and eagerly awaited**
*Nodding*, Triskayen *turned* back to the unborn, *extending* warmth and caring, and little by little the panic subsided, until the young one dropped into an uneasy sleep.
At which point Triskayen turned his attention to the web... but much as he'd expected, his questions went unanswered. Growling to himself he speeded up, eager now to reach Vodassra and... he sighed. The unborn needed a vocal name. Since he'd been the one first spoken to, it was his privilege to provide it.
Darkness. Darkness. His Rusciin wasn't perhaps as polished as it could be, but... Jezindra. He nodded to himself, trying the sound of it in the still air. Yes, he liked it. An approving *ripple* assured him that so did the web. Jezindra then.
Unless the unborn disliked it, in which case they'd think again...
... what had he been thinking about...? Oh yes - this odd compulsion to be there, physically present, before the birth, as though his proximity might help Jezindra feel more at ease. It was inexplicable. Distance should mean nothing... He shrugged. Best to act on instinct, it had never failed him in the past...
Vodassra greeted him quietly, one webbed hand splayed protectively across the slight swell of her belly. He ran an extended claw gently down her gold-tan face, smiling reassuringly: she was very young, and not a little afraid.
**I am glad you are here**
He inclined his head.
**It is an honour, Windtide. How may I help?**
She regarded him for a moment, then cuddled close against him.
**Be with us. It is enough**
It was oddly relaxing. Triskayen hunted for Vodassra and himself, lay beside her as she rested on the water, one hand laid lightly, comfortingly, on her abdomen, and *talked* to Jezindra. Shared his life, spoke of the others with whom he would share his world, passed messages to him: it would seem that Triskayen was the only being to whom the unborn could speak. A truly terrifying thing for a Fohmatraan, to be isolated from all kin.
Triskayen had taken a metaphorical deep breath and *welcomed* the young one into his mind, allowing him to *see*, to *know*, to *speak* through himself. It was an uneasy rapport, for Triskayen, *keeping* his misgivings wholly to himself while allowing Jezindra to use him. But it helped, and both the unborn and his dam were comforted and soothed by the elder's presence, his touch, the sight of him...
Big, beautiful eyes, the colour of sun-bleached bone. Triskayen had never physically seen sun-bleached bone - but Jandruac had, so he *knew* how it looked, was *familiar* with the odd dullness of the faint gleams along its curves... Jezindra gazed up at him from the safety of his arms as Vodassra rested, breathing deeply, her body swiftly recovering from the birth.
Such a solemn little face the newborn had. Lovely, and exotic - but so grave. Triskayen held him close, smiling gently, and Jezindra smiled back uncertainly.
**I am with you, Darkness. You are not alone**
**Glitter...**
A small dark hand caught hold of a hank of sparkling mane, and Triskayen pulled Jezindra a little closer. The infant seemed desperate to touch, to be held, to feel secure. The elder Fohmatraan sighed, nuzzling the strange white mane.
**Come, let's find you something to eat**
Jezindra took a firmer grip of mane as Triskayen sank below the water, diving smoothly, startling a shoal of fish and catching one as they tried to flee. Moments later, on the surface, the baby sank small teeth into pale cold flesh, enjoying the first taste of solid food. Triskayen eyed Vodassra, who was watching her child with apprehension - not surprisingly, since he was a complete stranger to her. Triskayen smiled and touched her face gently.
**If you wish to leave, do so. He will be safe with me**
She nodded, then lifted Jezindra, holding him close.
**Be well, little one**
Triskayen *passed* the message on, and Jezindra nodded gravely, reaching one small hand to stroke his dam's face. With a mixture of regret and relief she handed him back to Triskayen.
**You'll *tell* me how he does?**
**If you wish**
**I do** She kissed Triskayen's cheek. **Thank you, Glitter**
And she was gone, blading through the water, returning to the partners she'd left when first called to reproduce, and Triskayen was left with a tiny, *blind/deaf/mute* newborn to care for...
But Jezindra was resourceful. He learned how to *link* to his mentor's mind, and so was able to share the *life* of his people - at second-hand, admittedly, and at a shallow level, but it was far better than nothing. Occasionally Triskayen wondered about the future and how they were to cope, but only in the vaguest way, as was usual for Fohmatraans, and his attention soon returned to the present's needs.
The youngster grew fast, and quickly became an accomplished hunter. Lacking his own *link* to the web, he found some solace from his aloneness in physical activity, swimming, climbing and diving further than Triskayen had ever dared to attempt. There was, the elder Fohmatraan thought, something heart-rending about watching the young one push himself, trying to forget his telepathic incapacity by exhausting his body...
His entry into adulthood came early, catching them both by surprise. It was a violent and heart-breaking affair, leaving them both hurt and in pain, and Jezindra in tears, shaking in his mentor's arms. Triskayen rocked him, *pouring* every last drop of affection and reassurance into the distressed young mind, worrying privately what he could do to ease things as Jezindra dropped into an exhausted, miserable sleep.
When Triskayen awoke, his arms were empty: Jezindra had gone. Panicking, Triskayen *called* for him, long and loud - to be answered by a sudden overwhelming wave of thrilled exhilaration, dizzying in its intensity.
**Darkness?**
A *burst* of happiness.
**Glitter - I can hear...**
Startled but overjoyed, Triskayen *searched* for his bonded. Jezindra *laughed* delightedly.
**I can *feel* you! I can... can... *hear* everyone...**
The excitement became tinged with fear as Jezindra's newly-awakened abilities struggled to cope with an intensity most Fohmatraans handled instinctively from before birth. Drowning in sensation, the youngster was *foundering*, and Triskayen, *fixing* his location - which luckily was not far away, close to a series of low islets enclosing a shallow lagoon - headed for him with all speed.
Jezindra was crouched on one of the islets when Triskayen reached him, curled over himself, long, slender arms wrapped around his head. The elder Fohmatraan knelt at his side, pulling him close, cradling his body and attempting to *soothe* his mind. Jezindra clung to him, breath coming in pained gasps.
**So much noise...**
Triskayen winced. The *volume*, after so long in a *silent* world, was deafening to Jezindra - and to himself. Yet it was nothing unusual for kin, no louder than was normal onworld...
It stopped. Suddenly. Jezindra raised his head, eyes wide and startled.
**... what...?**
But his mentor had *felt* it, a bewilderingly sharp *twist* deep in Jezindra's mind that had shut off all *contact*. It left him *deaf* as well - a truly dreadful feeling. Instinctively he gripped the youngster harder, as if to convince himself he still existed.
Jezindra stared at him. Then frowned, closed his eyes and concentrated.
Triskayen's world *returned*. He gazed at Jezindra, awe-struck: he'd heard of the ability, knew how uncommon it was, but never expected to experience it.
Chialint. The rarest, and most treasured of all Fohmatraan abilities - to non-Fohmatraans.
... The Collective mustn't hear of this.
Jezindra was watching him, eyes wide with anxiety.
**What... what did I do wrong, Glitter?**
Triskayen pulled the youngster into a close embrace.
**Nothing, Darkness. You have an unusual talent - if you concentrate, you can stop kin *speaking* - but that's all. Nothing to be concerned about** He stroked a smooth dark cheek. **But I think we'd better see about teaching you some control. I don't want you *deafened* every time you *open*...**
Jezindra slumped with relief, nuzzling against his mentor's chest. Triskayen took a deep breath and *slipped* into the youngster's mind, into their now-instinctive rapport as he examined Jezindra's new-woken 'pathic abilities.
Their pleasuring had kindled Jezindra's nascent abilities, as very often happened with their kind - not that there had been much pleasure in the youngster's first coupling, Triskayen thought bitterly to himself. They'd have to overlay that memory with something much more enjoyable - later, when Jezindra had control of his 'path.
Which probably wouldn't take very long. The youngster had been so terribly *isolated*, so lonely, that now that he knew he could *communicate* he was desperate to learn to do so, and Triskayen couldn't deny him.
They were both weary and hungry by the time Jezindra felt confident he had enough control to allow him to *join* his kin. Triskayen grinned in satisfaction - he had no idea how long it had taken, but didn't care. Leaving the overjoyed youngster practising *muting* the constant 'pathic murmur that filled the world to a level he found comfortable, the elder Fohmatraan forced his weary body into deeper water to hunt for them both.
There was real pleasure in their joining, later, after eating - a profound, languid, sensual coupling, lacking the usual Fohmatraan roughness and vigour. It was startling to Triskayen, yet infinitely satisfying: Jezindra *purred* on cresting, a vibration that tingled along his mentor's nerves, enlivening and soothing at the same time.
When they eventually slept, it was deep and calming and revivifying.
Jezindra was a deeply sensuous creature, Triskayen found, once he'd discovered himself. Bemused, the elder gradually grew accustomed to being stroked and petted, even when it wasn't followed by coupling, and in turn learned to thoroughly enjoy pampering the youngster: it was, he decided, fun to reduce Jezindra to a quivering, purring mass of tingling nerve-endings and yearning flesh. Their time together was blissful.
Also, alas, all too short. In spite of his efforts to keep Jezindra's rare talent hidden, eventually the chialint came to the attention of the Collective - who with a stroke of genius sent Kafraxis to 'persuade' the youngster to join them.
**Glitter, greetings**
The deep warm *voice* woke Triskayen. He frowned, then sighed.
**Firefall**
**I will be with you shortly**
Resigned, Triskayen lowered his head.
**I will tell him**
Alerted by the sudden tension in his mentor's body, Jezindra had woken and was gazing uncertainly at Triskayen. The elder stroked his mane, forcing himself to smile.
**We are being visited**
**Why?**
Triskayen hesitated. While the thought of losing Jezindra to the Collective was painful, he did not wish to prejudice his young ward against them, against leaving Fohmatraa. Leaving could, after all, prove to be advantageous for the chialint... He nuzzled the youngster's neck, forcing down his own anguish, keeping it wholly to himself.
**To put a proposition to you**
A hesitant pause, then,
**You don't think it's a good idea**
**I... don't know. You will have to decide for yourself...**
Unable to land on the scattered islets, the shuttle hovered several body-heights above the surface of the still water. They watched, Jezindra wide-eyed, Triskayen with resignation, as Kafraxis leapt into space from the opened hatch, arcing out over the water and diving under without a ripple. Moments later he'd pulled himself up sit beside them as the shuttle rapidly and silently returned to the waiting 'skimmer far above.
Jezindra stared. Where Triskayen was slight and coolly sparkling, Kafraxis was muscular, his skin a deep, dark red-gold: his mane and eyes seemed to be on fire from within, sparking and glowing. He smiled gently.
**Greetings, young one**
Jezindra shivered almost imperceptibly as the deep, warm *voice* reverberated through him, and managed a tentative smile of his own. He glanced back at his mentor, unsure of his reaction: Triskayen laid a hand on his shoulder, nodding.
**All's well, Darkness. Firefall is to be trusted**
**I hadn't doubted it** But Triskayen had felt that tiny twinge of fear deep inside the youngster - not fear of Kafraxis, but of what he might represent...
The warrior was as open as could be wished, answering Jezindra's gradually more confident questions, explaining how the Collective operated, what those who worked for them could expect, the benefits - and disadvantages, not that Kafraxis knew of many - involved. He'd been surprised to find that Triskayen hadn't enlightened Jezindra as to the intricacies of his talent, and how valuable it was. Triskayen had growled, exasperation and trepidation flavouring his thoughts.
**Because I knew this would happen. I wanted him to have at least a little time as a normal youngster, before the Caelixiin stuck their hooves into our lives**
Kafraxis, who'd been prepared to remonstrate, paused and regarded Triskayen a little sadly.
**I understand**
**And... we're bonded.. he has bonded to me**
**Ah...** The warrior frowned. **I did not know**
**You wouldn't** The light, cool voice had an edge of bitterness. **It's of no concern to the Collective. And would it have made any difference?**
Kafraxis laid a strong hand on Triskayen's shoulder and eyed the breathlessly-listening Jezindra affectionately.
**They might have delayed this contact for a little longer. Then again, chialint are needed, so perhaps not... I am sorry, Glitter, Darkness**
Jezindra bit his lip, leaning against his mentor as if for reassurance.
**What if I say no?**
Kafraxis hesitated.
**You are, of course, at liberty to do so. But the Collective will keep trying to persuade you. And they won't leave you unprotected, now that they know you are here**
Triskayen growled silently.
**So he'll be under constant surveillance?**
**Yes. For his own protection**
**Oh, of course...** The bitterness was even more pronounced. **Because of course the Collective wouldn't want anyone else taking advantage of him**
Jezindra looked bewildered.
**But no-one else knows - do they?** He gazed helplessly between the two elder Fohmatraans. Triskayen pulled him close, trying to offer reassurance.
**They do now, chesa**
**I don't understand...**
Triskayen hesitated, unsure as to how bluntly to respond - then deciding it would probably be for the best if he were completely honest.
**It is possible** he grimaced, eyes flicking to Kafraxis then back to Jezindra **that the Collective has already let it be known they are recruiting the services of a new chialint. And since the talent is rare, and of use to all sentients on all worlds, that knowledge compromises your safety**
**They would not do that**
Triskayen glowered at Kafraxis.
**But the threat is there, isn't it?**
**It has never been employed**
The steadily-rising tension was proving difficult for Jezindra to deal with; unconsciously he sank unsheathed claws into his mentor's thigh.
**Please, stop it** He eyed the warrior nervously. *I need time to decide...**
**Of course**
Not that there was really anything to decide, Triskayen thought sourly. If Jezindra didn't go willingly, the Collective would keep trying - subtly, ruthlessly - to persuade him, until he eventually gave in. It had happened to Zanestra... although Zanestra, while initially deeply resentful of the way he'd effectively been forced into the Collective's employ, was now very happy, very satisfied with his position. The Collective did, after all, look after their chialint extremely well, denying them nothing - except their freedom...
Maybe it was for the best.
He felt empty at the thought. Kafraxis was watching him, sympathy in his deep warm eyes, and Triskayen tried to smile.
**Will you stay with us until the decision has been reached?**
Kafraxis lowered his head.
**I would be honoured**
They hunted, and fed, all the while aware of a certain *murmur* of dismay from the web, and to a lesser extent from the minds around them. Jezindra was so young...
**Will he join with us?**
Jezindra had privated, unsure as to the propriety of the situation. Triskayen inclined his head.
**It's usual. Though if you don't wish it, no-one will mind**
Jezindra glanced at the warrior, then back at his mentor.
**I'm curious**
Which was hardly surprising. They'd had no visitors since the youngster was born - he'd had no physical intimacy with anyone but Triskayen. The elder Fohmatraan chuckled.
**Then we will welcome him**
Jezindra gasped as he crested for the fifth time, held effectively helpless against Kafraxis' powerful form with Triskayen at his back. It was a novel and somewhat disturbing experience, the warrior's strong hands holding him still and almost unable to move as his body was pleasured. Kafraxis was strangely gentle for all his strength, yet there was an oddly dark edge to his coupling, a disturbing sense of barely leashed power. It was both thrilling and frightening to the chialint, such a contrast to his mentor's familiar light, teasing, comforting touch...
Behind him Triskayen nipped lightly at his neck, licking his jaw, fibrils wrapping his shaft and twining with the warrior's, the tiniest hint of urgency to his movements. Between the bursts of pleasure Jezindra realised that his mentor was afraid for him, afraid he'd be hurt, afraid he'd not like working for the Collective... somewhere along the way, the chialint realised, he'd come to his decision. He'd leave with Kafraxis, not fight the Collective. It would be easier just to give in.
He relaxed against Triskayen, twisting to lick his mentor's face. The elder Fohmatraan closed his eyes.
**You're going to leave**
Jezindra nuzzled his throat.
**I want to know...** It was almost a whisper. **But I don't want to be without you**
Triskayen's eyes flashed open, staring into the youngster's bone-white gaze, surprised that Jezindra thought he'd stay behind. Joining the Collective wasn't something Triskayen could ever have wanted, but he couldn't sever the bond. And he couldn't leave Jezindra to make his own way, on a strange world, amongst strangers. Of course he'd accompany his bondmate. He smiled sourly to himself: he'd be welcomed, naturally. The Collective could never have enough Fohmatraans. And he'd never actually expected a quiet life...
He sighed, then smiled.
**You won't. I'm coming with you**
© 2005 September 10th Joules
© 2001-2009 Joules Taylor