Stirrings
It had been early the following morning when Zha'haabron had finally adjourned the meeting. They'd made some progress, most of it on the defensive side: the king had ordered all the zn'hre moved into a lower and more easily protected level of the enclave, one with only two entrances, and stationed the bulk of the Saiyan warriors - and his own shr'en'an warriors - at each. It was unlikely that either Dhr'ovaanon or Zha'geekaan would actually make an appearance, but Zha'haabron gave orders anyway that they were not to be approached: he himself was the only being powerful enough to tackle the rebel va'ha'da. Radittsu had offered to have more of the Saiyan military ordered to R'ren'nkh'ia, but his bondmate had shaken his head.
**At the moment we do not know where they are, where to concentrate our own forces - and even then I would prefer to deal with this problem using only R'ren'nkh'ia-jin if at all possible. Until we have more information, I must ensure the zn'hre are protected, since it is most likely they will be the primary targets for any kind of hostile activity. And the enclave cannot really support any more warriors without them getting in each other's way**
Radittsu had nodded reluctantly. *Very well. But I want us to move as well.*
Zha'haabron had stared for a moment, then shaken his head decisively. **No. I must be seen to be confident, unafraid**
The Saiyan waved a hand irritably. *We all know that you are. But I want you somewhere safer - this suite is too easy to access.*
Zha'haabron shook his head again. **I am staying here**
Radittsu glared. *Will you stop being so bloody stubborn!*
The king cupped his bondmate's face in his hands. **I appreciate your concern, but I am staying here** He gazed into the anxious, angry eyes. **I would prefer it if you were somewhere safer, though**
"Oh for fuck's sake!" Growling, Radittsu shoved the strong blue hands away and began to pace, tail lashing around him.
Zha'haabron frowned, watching him narrowly. "The only thing I have to worry about, personally, is if Dhr'ovaanon and Zha'geekaan show up together. Individually, I can easily defeat either of them. Together, they might pose more of a problem. Although I still believe myself to be more powerful than both. You, however, would not stand a chance against either."
"Then the safest place I could possibly be is by your side!" the Saiyan spat, rounding on the king. Zha'haabron shoved a hand through his unplaited hair, pushing it back from his face, staring at his bondmate.
**What is the matter? Why are you behaving like this?**
*Like what?*
**Like - like Vejiita in a bad mood. Not that he appears to have any other kind...**
Radittsu whirled, snarling, tossing a ki blast at his bondmate.
"Don't you dare compare me to that little shit!"
The king paused, blinking in shock, shrugging off the blast without thinking.
Just what was happening here?
**Beloved?...**
Radittsu stared at his bondmate for a long moment, teeth bared ferally, then growled something under his breath and stormed out of the suite, leaving a stunned Zha'haabron staring after him.
Before he'd taken more than twenty paces down the corridor Radittsu regretted what he'd done - but also knew he had to get away from the enclave, just for a little while, just to release some pent-up aggression. His overwhelming fury at the two va'ha'da's escape made him want to kill something...
Far out in the desert, far from any inhabited area, was a cluster of giant boulders: the Saiyan headed for them at blistering speed. The next hour he spent in ki-blasting them to gravel sized pieces - and then pounding the pieces into sand, not pausing until his hands were raw and bleeding. At which point he stopped, panting, and sat back on his heels, gazing at the blindingly bright sky. Suddenly very worried.
...what the fuck am I doing here?...
Anything could be happening back at the enclave - although he was pretty confident Zha'haabron would let him *know* if there was any trouble. Nevertheless...
He headed back, trying to work out exactly what had happened. He couldn't remember the last time he'd lost control like this - well, actually, he could: it was during the last moonyear, but that was completely different, and in any case, there was no moon here... He halted in midair, hands gripping his mane, eyes screwed shut, remembering what he'd said. How could he refer to his king like that? How could he treat Zha'haabron like that!? It was inexcusable!
He raced back to the enclave as fast as he could fly.
Zha'haabron looked up from the map image he'd been studying, regarding his bondmate dryly. Radittsu looked - ashamed of himself, shoulders hunched and eyes lowered.
"So... do you feel better now?"
The Saiyan nodded his head, glancing at his bondmate.
"I'm sorry."
"Would you like to tell me what happened?"
Radittsu ran a hand through his mane.
*I don't really know. I've just been... It's...*
He gazed at the king, biting his lip, anxiety clear in his eyes, and Zha'haabron sighed and went to him, closing the door at his back and pulling him into a close embrace.
**It's all right. I'm not annoyed, although I would like to know what sparked it. Does it have something to do with moonyear?**
Radittsu shook his head. *No. There has to be a moon physically present in the sky for it to have any effect - and in any case I'm trained to control the effects. No, this is something different.*
The king frowned. **Let's think it through**
Radittsu nodded. *But later. I'm interrupting you. Is there anything I can do to help, right now?*
**Everything is under control. Well, as much as it can be, under the circumstances** He inclined his head. **Unless you've had any thoughts as to how we might be able to find the dissidents**
The Saiyan shook his head, grimacing. *Not really my forté. You want subterfuge, you'd be better off employing a Dreevn.* He chuckled grimly. * Saiya-jin aren't exactly subtle...*
Zha'haabron sighed. **I'd noticed. Very well** He gestured over his shoulder. **I'll be about an hour more here, then I think we should rest. We'll both feel a little less - fraught - after some sleep**
Radittsu grinned, his good humour returning. *As long as we can... uh, 'relax' a little first..?*
Zha'haabron half-closed his eyes and smiled up at his bondmate: Radittsu shivered, forcing down the sudden urge to rip off the brief bodysuit and ravage the king's strong blue body then and there, gritting his teeth and restraining himself with difficulty. He nodded tightly.
"I'll see you back at the suite later."
Zha'haabron watched, a faint frown shadowing his brow, as his bondmate left what had become the operations centre. He'd seen Radittsu in just about every conceivable emotional state possible, from purely Saiyan rage and lust to very un-Saiyan compassion and gentleness. But this was something different. The fact that something about it felt strangely familiar left him feeling distinctly uneasy.
Well, they'd *talk* about it later. That should resolve the problem...
The door chimed.
"Enter."
Gh'heegonan came in, bowing deeply before approaching the console.
"Ssii'iin."
Zha'haabron inclined his head.
"You have news?"
The big lizard nodded.
"Of a sort. Please understand I'm only reporting what I've... become aware of - I can't, yet, vouch for its significance or accuracy."
Zha'haabron raised an enquiring eyebrow at the unusual phrasing, then smiled and gestured to a seat. "Understood."
Gh'heegonan sat and keyed into the console's imager, calling up a three-dimensional image of R'ren'nkh'ia's far southern desert region. Small bright patches on the image indicated inhabited areas - mostly subterranean enclaves in that desolate, inhospitable region. The va'ha'da pointed at one of them, then traced lines to three others.
"I believe that the focus for the - shall we call them rebels? - is in these four sshli'thsen."
Zha'haabron frowned. "How so?"
"I have kin there." It was said shortly, and the king glanced at the big lizard enquiringly. Gh'heegonan gazed at his hands.
"You might not have fully realised it yet, Ssii'iin, but zn'hre-hosted va'ha'da are a lot more powerful than others of the type - and, more significantly, we're capable of a great deal more *sensitivity*. Zha'geekaan, Dhr'ovaanon and myself were zn'hre-hosted. My host-sib Gh'grigon is the chief of this sshli'thsen..." one short, powerful claw pointed to the enclave at the mid-point of the group "... and he is sympathetic to the dissidents' cause." He folded his hands on the console and gazed at Zha'haabron. "He hates zn'hre. He has seven, kept in the most appalling conditions. I believe Zha'geekaan and Dhr'ovaanon are being taken there."
The king frowned. "How do you know all this?"
"One of those narcotic compounds you gave me when you were trying to gauge my loyalty. It enhanced my own *sensitivity*. I am now aware of what he's feeling - often even what he's thinking." Gh'heegonan gave a twisted smile. "Ironic, isn't it?"
Zha'haabron stared, and the big lizard chuckled dryly. "I suppose it's a just reward for my behaviour towards your people in the past. It's not a pleasant experience..."
The king touched his arm, lightly. "I regret that it causes you discomfort."
The va'ha'da shook his head. "Don't. In a way, I'm pleased. Regardless of your own... reserve in the matter, I am loyal to you, and the fact that I may be of even more use than was originally thought pleases me."
The zn'hre sighed. "You know, of course, that we will need independent confirmation of this?"
"Of course."
"Is he aware of you? Can he *read* you too?"
"I've had no indication that he is or that he can. Although, of course, this is all quite new to me. It is possible he is as aware of me as I am of him. But I've felt no surprise, or anxiety, or any attempt to *veil* his thoughts, so it is likely that the - *communication* is only one way."
The king nodded. "Very well. We will need someone to travel there - someone inconspicuous, preferably with a good reason for visiting - who can confirm this. Obviously it can't be a zn'hre: do you have any suggestions?"
Gh'heegonan thought for a moment. "It cannot be anyone from either of our enclaves. And I'd be reluctant to trust anyone from Fha'rq's court." He frowned, then looked up at the king. "Perhaps...Ti'strees?"
Zha'haabron inclined his head. "Advise me."
"One of Ti'aasaan's host-sibs. A brood ph'ti'pa. She and Ti'aasaan were quite close: she used to care for him when he was hosting."
"'Used to'? Where is she now?"
"When Ti'aasaan left R'ren'nkh'ia, she asked to be sent to Kk'arag's enclave to care for the zn'hre there. Of course, he's now here, but she remained with Kk'arag."
Zha'haabron nodded: this was fairly common ph'ti'pa behaviour, and broods of the type had been known to pine if they didn't have someone to look after.
"At present she's attending to a brood of hatchlings, but they're almost ready to leave the nursery. She'll be free, then. And she's well known as a successful brood-rearer. She'd be welcome anywhere."
"And her relationship with you?"
Gh'heegonan grimaced. "Well, she wasn't at all happy that I didn't allow her to accompany Ti'aasaan. But I've kept her advised of his progress, and she's pleased that he's content. I believe that she'd agree to assist you, since you are such a large part of his happiness."
The king leaned back for a moment, considering, then nodded. "Do we know Kk'arag's position? And do we have any of Ti'strees' kin with us?"
"Kk'arag remains neutral, for now. She prefers a quiet life. As for kin, I don't know. We'll need to check the enclave records."
"I'll have Tal'orrin search. In the meantime, have Ti'strees brought here - preferably by an indirect route. I would prefer no-one to know that this is her final destination."
Gh'heegonan smiled, bowing his head.
"Very well, Ssii'iin."
"I'll convene the council..."
Gh'heegonan interrupted gently.
"Ssii'iin, might I suggest you get some rest? Tal'orrin and I can handle the initial stages of the operation - and we have had some sleep, whereas you have not."
Zha'haabron stared at the va'ha'da for a moment, then smiled.
"Very well. You will wake me if required. Otherwise the council will meet again at sunrise tomorrow. I assume that will give you enough time?"
"It should be ample, Ssii'iin."
The king nodded - and stifled a yawn. Rising, he inclined his head to his regent. Gh'heegonan stood, then bowed, smiling slyly.
"I trust you will - sleep well, Ssii'iin."
Zha'haabron regarded him gravely, his eyes sparkling.
"I thank you for your - concern, Ssii'iir Gh'heegonan..."
He used the walk to the suite to consider Gh'heegonan's actions. He'd successfully hidden his surprise at the lizard's consideration for Ti'strees, wishing distantly that it had been directed at zn'hre in the past, and wondering, perhaps somewhat belatedly, why the chief had accepted him as high king so readily. But then, Gh'heegonan was, it would appear, quite exceptional. Conversations with Ti'aasaan had revealed that his previous master had actually behaved rather well towards him, compared to the way most zn'hre were treated. Much of his unhappiness stemmed from the cruelty of other members of the court, malicious, painful, hurtful, but never truly damaging. And he'd always been well cared for when hosting.
Some of the tales the rescued zn'hre had to tell, however...
Gh'heegonan had adapted to his rôle effortlessly. The big lizard really did seem to care, about the beings he served as regent, and about his king. And while he wasn't exactly popular, the council - and the rest of the enclave - had no complaints as to any aspect of his behaviour.
It was - unprecedented. And encouraging. Although Zha'haabron would wait a while longer before he was truly convinced the va'ha'da was in earnest in his apparent desire to serve.
Radittsu grabbed him as soon as he'd closed the door, sweeping Zha'haabron into his arms and almost throwing him onto the sleeping platform, falling on top of him and burying his face in cold, silky hair. Zha'haabron sank his hands into the heavy black mane, chuckling.
**I assume that means you've missed me...**
The answer was an inarticulate growl as the Saiyan ripped the brief bodysuit from his bondmate and thrust into him. Zha'haabron winced as Radittsu bit at his neck, hard.
**Beloved...?**
But the Saiyan was shifting, forcefully, drowning out all other thought, and the zn'hre was lost to overwhelming sensation...
As Zha'haabron slowly came back to himself, he found Radittsu still deep within him, watching him, a strange, wary expression on his face. The zn'hre laid a hand against his bondmate's cheek: the Saiyan grinned - and began to pound, growling under his breath, his hands gripping Zha'haabron's wrists, holding his hands above his head. The king wrapped long legs around his bondmate's waist, surprised but not displeased by the unusual wildness of his beloved's mood - until it suddenly became savage, Radittsu's nails digging deeply into the skin of his hands, the Saiyan clamping powerful jaws over his neck, breaking the skin and chewing at the wound, and ramming hard and fast and painfully into him. Too startled to react, it was several moments before Zha'haabron shoved the Saiyan back and away from him and stared, eyes wide with disbelief.
Radittsu crouched on the bed on hands and knees, erection throbbing, tail lashing the air, dark blue blood staining his lips, eyes narrowed and still growling. He looked - like a wild animal...
And he flung himself heavily back onto his bondmate, plunging back into the cool body before Zha'haabron had a chance to stop him. The king yelped with pain as powerful teeth clenched down on his shoulder - then pulled himself forcefully away from the Saiyan and off the platform.
Radittsu followed, reaching for him - and Zha'haabron gently punched him in the face. The impact knocked the Saiyan into the wall opposite: he slid down into a heap and sprawled, his own blood trickling from his mouth, blinking dazedly. After a few seconds he shook his head to try and clear it, and stared up at the zn'hre.
"...wh... what...?"
"I could ask you the same question."
Radittsu ran his gaze over his bondmate, eyes widening in horror. Blood seeped from the bitemarks on his neck and shoulder, and there was more blood on his thighs, indicative of just how brutal the Saiyan had been. Radittsu swallowed hard. He knew how much it took to hurt the king...
He pulled himself carefully upright, instinctively keeping his movements slow and non-threatening, hands palm-up before him.
*Beloved... I'm so sorry...*
Zha'haabron's eyes were hard.
"Do you have yourself under control now?"
Radittsu nodded. Whatever it was that had come over him had now vanished.
Grimacing, Zha'haabron sat gingerly on the bed, then beckoned to his bondmate.
"Come here."
Obediently, miserably, Radittsu seated himself on the platform, keeping a little distance from the king. Not that he expected anything to happen: he simply felt unworthy to sit closer...
Zha'haabron took his hand.
**What happened?**
Radittsu swallowed and shook his head.
*I don't know. It was as if - something took control. I can remember what I did, but I don't know why I did it.* He glanced into Zha'haabron's face, his own paling. *What's worse is I enjoyed what I was doing...* He pulled his hand from his bondmate's grasp and covered his face. *What's wrong with me?*
Frowning to himself, Zha'haabron shifted closer, moving cautiously, and stroked his mane.
**How do you feel now?**
*Ashamed.*
**I meant...**
*I know what you meant.* Radittsu looked into his bondmate's eyes, his own shimmering with tears. *I feel... Oh beloved, how could I do that to you?!*
Zha'haabron pulled the Saiyan into his arms, holding the tense body close.
**Be calm. It may be that you're simply overtired and stressed**
Radittsu laughed briefly, bitterly, against his bondmate's shoulder. *That's no excuse for raping you.*
The king pulled back fractionally and raised the Saiyan's face to his own.
**Don't be ridiculous. You are not strong enough to do so unless I allow it. In which case it can hardly be called rape, can it?**
Radittsu considered this for a moment, then frowned.
*But I hurt you.*
Zha'haabron shrugged.
**It's nothing. I was - taken by surprise, and too slow** He sighed. **We will assume this was... a temporary aberration and assign it to the situation here**
He smiled, stroking the woebegone face gently, noting the faint shadows around the big, dark eyes. He'd forgotten that his bondmate had had no rest, either. **Now, let's get some sleep. You're exhausted**
Radittsu hesitated. *You still want me to share the bed?*
Zha'haabron bit back the exasperated reply hovering on his lips, and hugged the Saiyan closer, realising he was perfectly serious.
**Yes, of course I do**
Radittsu sighed and relaxed a little, sliding under the thin cover and carefully pulling his bondmate's head to rest on his shoulder, wrapping his tail around one blue thigh as Zha'haabron snaked an arm across his chest. Within minutes the Saiyan was asleep.
Zha'haabron stayed wakeful a little while longer, frowning to himself. It was quite possible that Dhr'ovaanon's escape had precipitated Radittsu's strange behaviour: his suffering at the va'ha'da's hands had affected him deeply. Not to mention the big lizard's treatment of Zha'haabron himself - after all, he'd come very close to dying, and he knew what effect that would have had on his bondmate...
He sighed silently and nestled closer. If that was the reason, everything should be resolved once the va'ha'da had been destroyed - and destroy them he must, if his reign was to have any kind of peace and prosperity.
I should have killed them while I had them in my hands...
But there was no use in regretting the past. He had enough to do worrying about the present and planning the future.
But right now, he needed to rest...
"All is in progress, Ssii'iin."
Gh'heegonan looked and sounded satisfied, and the rest of the council obviously approved. Tal'orrin had discovered that Ti'lais, a brood ko'ish'n Zha'geekaan had brought to the enclave after Zh'leet had left R'ren'nkh'ia, was sire-kin to Ti'strees and would be delighted to do anything in her power to assist in Dhr'ovaanon's downfall: the zn'hre suspected she'd been on the receiving end of his 'attentions' in the past...
She was already on her way to Kk'arag's enclave, travelling with the shr'en'an Dhr'is (a refugee from Dhr'ovaanon's enclave, although that fact was not known outside Zha'haabron's court) by a circuitous route, with a request that Ti'strees be permitted to travel to Fha'rq's court to help deal with a troublesome brood. (As it happened, one of Ti'lais's host-kin at Fha'rq's enclave did need some assistance with a brood - a by-no-means uncommon event, and one reason why broods were in demand onworld - so the story would stand up under scrutiny.)
Bri'seiyis gazed at Radittsu, in his usual place at Zha'haabron's side.
"Ssii'iir, would it be possible for some of your warriors to meet the two broods in the desert and fly them back here? It would save us much time, and we would like Ti'strees to be briefed and on her way to Gh'grigon's enclave as soon as possible."
Zha'haabron glanced at his bondmate: the Saiyan was still very tense. But he nodded agreement.
"Of course. We'll take them south, as well, once everything's been prepared."
But Bri'seiyis shook his head.
"That would not be safe, Ssii'iir Rhoi'i'dat'hzziu. The far south is less - hospitable than the rest of the planet. If Gh'grigon is the organiser of the dissidents, it's quite likely that he will have surveillance in operation."
Radittsu nodded tiredly. "Very well. Is there anything that we can do?"
Ye'vena grinned.
"It is, perhaps, time you Saiya-jin learned a little desert combat..."
© 2001 October 25th Joules Taylor
Mini-comp!!! The first person who can work out, correctly, what's happening to Radittsu gets the next chapter dedicated to them (be sure to let me know the name you'd like me to use!), and if you'd care to suggest an illustration for the story, I'll try and draw it for you!
