Consequences
"Every time you two go offworld he comes back injured! Is this some sort of deliberate ploy? Your way of keeping him to yourself?" The tone of voice was distinctly sarcastic.
"No, si - your Majesty. Of course not." On one knee before Vejiita, Radittsu kept his eyes lowered, wondering, distantly, why he could no longer bring himself to say the word 'sire'...
Zha'haabron had rallied sufficiently to order an assembly of the enclave, sitting on Gh'grigon's 'throne' with his bondmate at his side and the freed zn'hre before him. The rest of the inhabitants were mostly shr'en'an and ph'ti'pa, with a double handful of ko'ish'n and the usual quota of gn'ap'pa and gn'ick'lehe: Gh'grigon, the High King discovered, had had all va'ha'da killed as soon as they'd hatched, and his deep mistrust of tz'een had led to them being exiled. The chief, it soon became apparent, had not been liked by his people...
Radittsu studied the faces in the chamber with interest. Here and there he caught faint but definite expressions of relief. Even the shr'en'an who'd fought for the chief (and survived) seemed almost happy that he was no longer in power.
The problem was, of course, who to leave in his place. Gh'grigon, paranoid and power-hungry to the last, had not trained anyone to succede him, and none of the R'ren'nkh'ia-jin here seemed the least bit inclined to take over. Finally Ish'nadris stood, bowing to Zha'haabron.
"My Ssii'iin, if I may..?"
Radittsu's eyes widened as he realised he could understand what was being said - then he glanced at his bondmate, smiling. Zha'haabron was *translating* for him.
The High King nodded, and the zn'hre turned to face the crowd, Ish'ayi as ever at his side.
"Would you accept me as your chief?"
There was a stunned silence - then the ko'ish'n in the audience made their way to the front, kneeling before the surprised but gratified zn'hre. One by one, then in groups of fours and fives, the rest of the assembly also knelt, until only a few shr'en'an remained standing, uneasy but intransigent. Zha'haabron regarded them coolly.
"You find yourselves unable to accept?"
The largest nodded, obviously expecting instant death for such an affront while simultaneously gritting his teeth as he grudgingly accorded the High King the courtesy due to him.
"We cannot - Ssii'iin."
"Then you are free to leave as soon as this assembly is concluded. Make your way to other enclaves. Take your mates and your belongings: you will not be permitted to return. Be assured that any hostile action on your part will be punished ruthlessly. Understand that your own feelings towards the zn'hre notwithstanding, we are now the power on this world."
The shr'en'an lowered his eyes before the High King's clear golden gaze, his shock swiftly hidden.
"Our thanks, Ssii'iin."
Zha'haabron nodded once, then turned to Ish'nadris.
**Are you sure?**
Vivid golden eyes smiled.
**My Ssii'iin, I am sure. I was once a part of Ish'vahad's court, and his favourite - until Gh'grigon killed him and... took me. My sire was gentle, caring, loving, and groomed me in court protocol and the qualities required for leadership** For a moment the golden eyes were shadowed with grief. **I miss him**
Zha'haabron inclined his head, eyes closing briefly.
**Your sorrow is mine. I will be happy to appoint you chief** He raised his head and gazed out at the assembly.
"Be it known that Ish'nadris of the court of Ish'vahad is hereby appointed to the leadership of this enclave."
Watching the muted but clear expressions of satisfaction around him, Zha'haabron touched his bondmate's arm.
**It will be necessary for a substantial force to remain here to support him, at least for a while, and certainly until we can be sure the nearby enclaves pose no threat. Would you speak with our own shr'en'an, find out who would be prepared to remain - and also appoint some of your own guard as backup?**
Relieved beyond measure that his beloved seemed to be functioning again, Radittsu smiled and inconspicuously stroked his hand.
*Of course!*
Zha'haabron smiled up at him - but it was an empty smile, and Radittsu felt his heart sinking. The High King turned back to the assembly.
"What is to become of the va'ha'da Gh'grigon?"
Ish'nadris frowned.
"What of Zha'geekaan and Dhr'ovaanon, my Ssii'iin?"
Zha'haabron smiled coldly.
"They will return to my enclave to receive further punishment. But Gh'grigon is yours, to do with as you wish."
Ish'nadris glanced at his fellow zn'hre, communicating silently: moments later all five nodded agreement, and Ish'nadris turned back to the High King.
"It is our wish that his legs and one arm be removed, that he be given a sack of provisions and a keg of water, and that he be sealed, with no illumination, into the cave in which he kept us immured."
There was a murmur from the assembly - some startlement, thought Radittsu, but mostly satisfaction. The big lizard must have really upset his people for them to wish such a lingering death upon him. Zha'haabron nodded, grimly.
"Be it recorded that, as penalty for Gh'grigon's crimes against the zn'hre, I condone and respect the decision of Ish'nadris, chief of this sshli'thsen. Are there any who oppose the decision?"
Other than the shr'en'an who'd opted not to accept the zn'hre as chief - and their opinion no longer mattered - there was no opposition. Zha'haabron inclined his head.
"Have it done."
Just enough air made its way into the damp, cold cell under the lip of the shallow sewerage trough for the va'ha'da to last for a very long time. Alone, in the dark, in the cold, his provisions soon gone - either eaten or putrid and inedible with decay - his water lasting much longer, his death was slow and agonising.
Gh'heegonan *suffered* with him, silently, grimly. But even in his own misery Zha'haabron realised what his Regent must be going through, and did what he could to ease the big lizard's pain - thus earning himself Gh'heegonan's gratitude, and love, forever. Although it would be a long time before the zn'hre High King was to fully understand that fact...
They remained at Ish'nadris' sshli'thsen for nine days, until a small Saiyan force headed by Puramu arrived from the High King's enclave to provide support for the new chief. Radittsu spent some time briefing them, stressing the importance of security for the zn'hre and the potential dangers of the nearby enclaves. Seventeen of the High King's shr'en'an opted to stay - including Ish'ayi, of course: Radittsu smirked to himself as he watched the entirely smitten and fiercely protective warrior never move more than five paces from his chief's side. Mind you, Ish'nadris was something special, tall, slender, willowy, his recovery from his previous ill-treatment leaving him with a strange, ethereal beauty...
The big Saiyan growled at himself. His beloved was in pain and he was admiring another? What the fuck was he thinking! He dragged his attention back to the task at hand, organising duties, rotas and leaves and discussing contingency plans with the warriors. The last thing any of them wanted to was to have the nearby enclaves try to attack.
On the tenth day Radittsu, surrounded by smiling, well-wishing R'ren'nkh'ia-jin, carried his bondmate to the vehicle that would transport them back to their own enclave. As those who were to return with them - five freed zn'hre, twenty shr'en'an, and Ti'lais: Ti'strees opted to stay with Ish'nadris - filed into the vessel, the Saiyan settled his beloved in the small, separate chamber at the rear of the craft, and Zha'haabron slumped back on the sleeping platform there, curling around himself. Radittsu frowned, one hand resting lightly on the silky emerald hair.
*Beloved?*
There was no response. He bit his lip and risked a gentle touch to the smooth cheek, his eyes closing in frustration and distress when he felt the dampness of tears on his skin.
"Beloved - please - you must speak to me."
Very slowly Zha'haabron turned to face his bondmate, his expression bleak, unapproachable, his voice distant and expressionless.
"May I have some time to myself, please?"
Fighting back guilt and anger, Radittsu nodded and went through to the main body of the vehicle.
Radittsu spent most of the daylight hours of the trip back flying, shadowing the craft as it moved steadily across the desert. The nights he spent curled around his bondmate, snuggled against his back, tail wrapped around his waist, trying to offer wordless comfort as he cradled the cool, unresponsive body close. Not knowing what else to do.
Not knowing that if he hadn't been there, selflessly giving that support, it is quite likely that Zha'haabron would not have survived - and certainly not with his mind intact.
Back at the enclave a positive flood of messages were waiting for them. Ignoring them for the moment, Radittsu, now desperately worried about his bondmate, carried him to their suite, lay the passive, blank-eyed zn'hre on the bed and then went in search of Bri'seiyis, gripping the songsmith's wrists tightly as he tried to explain what had happened. Frightened as tears brimmed in the zn'hre's startlingly blue eyes. Bri'seiyis gave him a trembling smile, then pulled one hand free and cupped the Saiyan's face.
"My Ssii'iir, you have done all that you can, and for that we will always love you. Leave Zha'haabron to us, now, for a little while. Please will you speak to your family, back on Vejiitasei? The Ssii'iin's host-sib is frantic, *feeling* but not knowing what's happened, and Ti'aasaan doesn't know what to do..."
Radittsu stared wide-eyed at the zn'hre for a second, then raced for the nearest communication unit.
Ti'aasaan's eyes were huge and filled with fear. He swallowed hard, one hand pressed to the screen as Radittsu placed his palm on the monitor. From somewhere behind the little zn'hre came the distressed hissing of frightened, overly-tired zn'hre infants.
"My Ssii'iir - what's happened!? It felt... it felt like the world had ended. Zha'haarak can't eat, can't sleep... This... this won't do our hostlings any good..."
Oh gods! He hadn't thought about the repercussions - how could he, knowing only the bare minimum about zn'hre physiology, let alone how their minds worked...
He fought down his own panic and gazed sombrely at the little zn'hre.
"Little one, I have to be blunt. Is that all right?"
Ti'aasaan inclined his head, unsmiling.
"I am prepared."
"We found Zha'haabron and Zha'haarak's host-sib at Gh'grigon's enclave. He'd been tortured and mutilated. He asked Zha'haabron to kill him - and our zkai'da agreed. And is now..." he paused, trying to find appropriate words, "... not forgiving himself."
Ti'aasaan paled and faltered - for a moment the Saiyan thought he would faint. Then he pulled himself upright and stared at Radittsu.
"Bring him home. As soon as you can. Please..."
Radittsu nodded. "Of course. But is there anything I can do in the meantime?"
The big pale-golden eyes overflowed with tears.
"Hold him, my Ssii'iir. Don't let him go. Tell him how much we - you - need him."
Radittsu choked back a brief laugh.
"That's no more than the truth... Ti'aasaan, how bad is this?"
"I... I don't know. We know so little about ourselves. But the thought of killing one of our own is abhorrent to us, always has been, despite the lies told to us and about us. To kill a host-sib..." He shook his head, expression bewildered. "It would be like cutting out part of yourself." He gazed at Radittsu's face, eyes haunted. "Rhoi'i'dat'hzziu, he's done the unthinkable - for the noblest of reasons. He needs all the love we can give him. Please, bring him home..."
"No. I have too much to do here."
"Beloved..."
The king regarded his bondmate emotionlessly.
"I said no."
"You'll be able to perform much more effectively if you give yourself some time to recover!"
"I am fine."
"You aren't. You know you aren't! You aren't sleeping properly, and as for eating..."
"If you have nothing constructive to offer, please leave me."
"Please. Just for a little while. The family misses us."
"Feel free to return. I am needed here."
Radittsu wrapped his arms around Zha'haabron, trying to reach through that awful, self-imposed *barrier*, but the king didn't respond. Wouldn't respond, no matter what the Saiyan said or did. Not even in bed.
So Radittsu watched, distraught, guilt-ridden and feeling completely useless, as Zha'haabron went about his duties, only a little more slowly than normal, only a little less focussed, limping very slightly with the residual pain from the almost-healed wounds in his feet, his fingers very occasionally shaking as the nerves in his arms regenerated, the flesh healed. Refusing any comfort. Radittsu wanted to weep - or scream, or slap some sense into his beloved - but refused himself the luxury of tears until he could fully understand what was happening. Finally he'd visited Gh'heegonan.
The va'ha'da was tired. No, he was exhausted. He ushered the Saiyan into his suite with a weary gesture, then collapsed back on his couch, eyes closed.
"I'm sorry, Rhoi'i'dat'hzziu."
The Saiyan sighed. "I'm sorry I have to add to your own problems. You can feel him, can't you?"
The heavy head rolled to regard him, slitted reptilian eyes pained.
"We cannot choose our host-sibs - unless the Zva'ha'shna are correct. I wish he were not my sibling, but such is the case. The Ssii'iin has done what he can. The rest I must simply endure. It's finite. Gh'grigon..." The va'ha'da's face twisted momentarily, his expression vicious. "I hate him."
Radittsu smothered his surprise, and laid a hand on the big lizard's broad shoulder. Gh'heegonan sighed and offered a half-smile.
"And you want me to take over as Regent while you take the Ssii'iin home to heal. Of course I will."
The big Saiyan regarded him narrowly.
"You will?"
Gh'heegonan briefly touched the primate's warm face and smiled sadly.
"I can see it will take me a long time to convince you all of my loyalty. So be it. The zn'hre have suffered so much and for so long I sometimes find it difficult to really understand why Zha'haabron hasn't just wiped the rest of us out..."
He grinned tiredly, anticipating Radittsu's indignant objections. "I'm joking. You can have no idea of how deeply I respect the Ssii'iin."
Radittsu regarded him closely, a small, weary smile creeping across his face.
"I'm beginning to have some idea..."
Gh'heegonan convened the council late that night, without Zha'haabron's knowledge, trusting to Radittsu to keep him, if not occupied, then at least in his suite. The meeting lasted all of five minutes, and the end result was that all agreed that the High King must rest, get right away from R'ren'nkh'ia for a while, be with his family.
They told him so the following morning. He was not amused. But he didn't protest too strongly, either: ten minutes of gentle insistence on the part of the zn'hre council members persuaded him that he should leave for a spell, convinced him that his realm would be well-tended in his absence.
"And your bondmates and their hostlings need you." Tal'orrin reminded him. "They too are suffering."
Zha'haabron sighed.
"Very well. But the situation with the rogue va'ha'da must be resolved before I leave."
"We've certainly no objection to that!" Firn'ir's expression was grim. "Can't you just kill them and have done with it?"
Sh'reaanon frowned. "I do not think they have suffered enough, yet."
"So what do you suggest?"
"We could stake them out in the desert and let the sun do the job for us." Ye'vena grinned. Firn'ir shook her head.
"Too quick. I'd suggest we give them to the warriors as playthings, except I can't imagine anyone, no matter how desperate, wanting to fuck them. How about letting a couple of gich'klis lay eggs in their stomachs? The larvae would eat them from the inside out, slowly - it would be quite a nasty way to go."
Radittsu stared, momentarily distracted from his anxiety by the little ph'ti'pa's blood-thirstiness. Remind me never to annoy you...
"Alternatively, my lab is always seeking experimental subjects." Gh'riz inclined his crested head. "At the moment we are trying to develop several species-specific viral strains at Vejiita's request, and we have no control subjects."
Zha'haabron nodded. "They would actually be useful, for once in their lives."
"Indeed. There are many other uses to which their bodies could be put, as well. We have never had the opportunity to properly research va'ha'da tolerance to pain, for example."
Firn'ir pouted. "I still like the gich'klis idea..."
Zha'haabron laid his hands flat on the table. "Gh'riz' team may have them to start with. Once their usefulness is over, you may employ the gich'klis. But have the Saiyan guard capture the beasts: I want none of you injured."
Bri'seiyis smiled. "Are we agreed?"
Radittsu frowned. "Why should Saiyans catch these... whatever they are?"
Ye'vena leaned forwards. "Nasty-tempered native creatures with a taste for R'ren'nkh'ia-jin. They won't hurt your people."
"You know that for a fact, do you?"
"Actually," Gh'riz interjected, "yes, we do. One of your guard was attacked, and not only could the gich'klis not gain any sort of hold, but it died soon after biting the Saiyan, who suffered a small and quickly-healed wound but was otherwise completely unharmed. Apparently you are poisonous to them."
Ye'vena chuckled at the look on Radittsu's face. The Saiyan grimaced and shrugged.
"Makes a change, I suppose. Very well, I'll sanction it."
Zha'haabron nodded to Gh'heegonan, who smiled.
"I'll ensure it's done, my Ssii'iin. Now, to other business..."
Two days later they were back on Vejiitasei, and Zha'haabron, still distant, still *closed*, was pulled into a close, loving *communion* with Zha'haarak and Ti'aasaan, while Zh'leet shook her head and scowled, hissing, at his wounds, the amount of weight he'd lost, and his overall depressed condition. The ko'ish'n had grabbed Radittsu's arm as he stood watching, desolate, feeling like a complete outsider, and dragged him into the corridor outside the suite.
"You were supposed to look after him!" She glared up at the Saiyan, hands on her hips, lips a thin line of fury, eyes narrowed. "What sort of state is that to bring him back in!?"
Radittsu stared back, unable even to summon up a spark of indignation. Because she was right. It was his fault, wasn't it. All of it...
He lowered his head, forcing back tears, and Zh'leet frowned, brushing his mane back from his face, her own anxious.
"Ssii'iir? What's happened?"
He gazed down at her, the bleakness in his eyes almost frightening. He glanced towards the door.
"You'd better go and tend to him." His voice was dull, hopeless, and she gripped his wrist.
"Come back in with me."
He shook his head slightly.
"You don't need me."
"That's not true. We all need you."
He closed his eyes.
"At the moment, the best thing would be for me to stay away. I've tried to help, but it wasn't enough, and... I think... the sight of me is... not welcomed..."
His voice broke very slightly on the last word and he shook himself, then offered the brood an empty smile.
"I need to report to Vejiita, and then to the guard, find out what's been happening in my absence. Please go to Zha'haabron. He needs you."
Ignoring her stammered protests, he turned and walked away.
"Well, I suppose I can wait a little longer. At least I have a couple of those lizard warriors to train with."
Radittsu nodded, rising to his feet at the king's gesture. Vejiita frowned.
"What's wrong?"
It's that obvious? "Nothing, your Majesty. A minor domestic matter."
Vejiita scowled. "Don't let it distract you from your duties. When are you planning on going back?"
"Zha'haabron needs to rest and recover, first. He was badly hurt. We may be here for some time: Gh'heegonan is proving himself a trustworthy and dedicated Regent and the council are very competent. Now that the threat of insurrection has been neutralised, we feel more at ease about leaving the planet in their care - at least for a while."
The king inclined his head. "I understand, also, that it's now possible for you two to have offspring."
Radittsu's head jerked up, his eyes startled, and Vejiita smirked.
"Leteetza told me. You'll let me know in advance if you plan any such thing."
"Of course, your Majesty." Although the way things look at the moment I can't see it ever happening...
"Very well. Don't let me keep you from your other duties."
It was a dismissal, and Radittsu bowed and exited the office, pausing outside for a moment, wondering whether he should visit Leteetza - currently with Vinas, undergoing a thorough check-up - or go straight to the guard headquarters.
Headquarters won.
"You look bloody awful. Sir."
Always one for plain-spokenness, Hijau. Radittsu regarded his second in command, crossed his arms over his chest and forced a pale imitation of a smirk.
"Well that's good to know."
Hijau grinned embarrassedly.
"Uh, sorry sir. It's true though. What happened?"
"Reports first."
"Of course, sir..."
It took several hours to plough through the reports - although things had been relatively quiet on Vejiitasei itself, the action offworld had been a lot more intense. Radittsu read of Nappa's exploits with a mixture of admiration and annoyance - brilliant tactician he may be, but was it really necessary to destroy entire cities to kill just a couple of people?
Still, the Saiyan Empire was becoming a reality. The conquest of Kinzoku had been followed almost immediately by the peaceful annexation of Yumei, and Vejiita had set his sights on the gas giant Kemuri and the ice world of Shimosei next. The triple-mooned Budoushu, whose inhabitants were generally regarded as psychotic cannibals by their neighbours, was on the list afterwards: Nappa was using a special force of Saiyan warriors for that...
It was all very interesting and a cause for celebration, although Radittsu wondered if perhaps the Saiya-jin-no-Ou was trying to do too much too soon.
But at the moment it wasn't his problem.
He rubbed a hand over his eyes and gazed at Hijau, who was frowning at him with some concern.
"Are you all right?"
The captain sighed and shook his head.
"No."
"Want to talk about it?"
Radittsu considered it, seriously, for a second or two. Then shook his head.
"No. I want a drink."
Hijau's eyes widened, then he grinned and slapped the captain on the shoulder.
"I know just the place..."
The lighting was muted, the noise not quite loud enough to drown out speech, the strong, bitter ale clawed at the throat, and the benches were unvarnished wood rubbed smooth by decades of use. It took Radittsu right back to his first introduction to the city, when Baadakku had brought him to places like this after a hard day's training. Hijau was in the middle of a long story about the exploits of a couple of the newest recruits, raising a chuckle here and there. The captain took a long pull from his beaker and leaned back, visibly relaxing, letting the atmosphere wash over him.
Several beakers later Hijau propped his chin on his fist and smirked at his captain.
"You sure y'don't want to talk? Can tell me all about it, y'know." As Radittsu hesitated, the younger Saiyan nudged him. "C'mon. What's he done?"
"He?"
"The lizard king."
"Why d'you think he's done something?"
Hijau sighed, theatrically.
"Rad-san, nothin' ever upsets you. Makes you mad, yes, makes you happy, yes, but before you met him you were never upset. Now you are. Stands to reason he's the cause. So what's he done?"
Radittsu shook his head miserably.
"Don't want t' talk about it."
"C'n I help?"
The captain stared blearily at the younger officer, at the slanted bright dark eyes beneath the unruly fringe of rich red-gold hair, remembering. They'd been so close - until that ama had come between them...
"No one can help." ... have to sort it out ourselves - if it can be sorted out...
Hijau shrugged nonchalantly, though his scent said otherwise. "Offer's there, if you want it. Let's have another drink."
And hours later, staggering, his head spinning, Radittsu let Hijau support him as they made their way back to the barracks, not resisting when his subordinate dragged his captain to his own quarters, clumsily pulled off his body-armour and pushed him backwards onto the bed. Distantly aware of Hijau's fingers buried in the fur of his tail, the other hand fumbling at his groin as a hot, ale-flavoured mouth descended on his - and suddenly longing to be held, to find a moment's relief from loneliness, a brief release, in another's body.
Tasting his own tears even as he pounded into Hijau, the young officer gasping and moaning under him, writhing as Radittsu's skilful, practised hands stroked and kneaded his erection, tails twined tightly together, rubbing, stimulating.
Waking at midnight, a sour taste in his mouth, the body in his arms too small, the skin too rough and far too hot... And realising where he was he wept, silently, while Hijau stirred and sighed and nestled closer, hands buried deeply in his captain's heavy mane.
© 2001 November 25th Joules Taylor
