Page 12 of Heart's Keeper

Lana smiled. "You could if you liked. I value your opinion."

"I'm grateful. But in this choice, I will remain silent. It is a human matter and seeing as you are the only human with a force of vrisha at your command, I think you may determine how we make contact with your own race."

Lana knew he was right, and she hadn't fully realized how much power over such a decision she had. That she was the tie between two worlds and whether they could be connected or remain severed forever.

"I suppose they deserve another chance," Lana said. " Assuming we are successful and nothing goes wrong. We can at least try."

Xerus nuzzled and kissed the top of her head. "That is all we can do."

Lana smiled up at him again, though this time, it didn't reach her eyes. She wondered too, once they were back on mission, if Xerus would be himself again. That all the odd behavior was just a fluke—a finite reaction—and would pass in time. Maybe leaving for a moment and focusing on the task ahead would take his mind off whatever troubled him. She hoped so.

They lay together for a long while and eventually missed dinner, but Lana didn’t mind at all. What time they had alone now, she savored; for once they set off in the next few days, they might not have the luxury of privacy. Instead of getting up, they talked in the dark until Xerus fell asleep and Lana lay awake wishing she could join him. She thought for some time about what was to come. What it would be like to see another human face again. She wasn't sure how to feel. She'd become so ingrained in vrisha society she wondered if she'd even remember how to act around her own kind. It was a funny sort of thought that didn't ease her mind in any way.

When she finally did fall asleep, she dreamed she'd been raised by wolves. She had no human speech. No human feelings or thoughts. All she wanted to do was hunt and run through the jungle alone or alongside the pack. So she did just that, catching drednats and birds alike, with no knowledge of the blood on her hands.

Chapter Five

As expected, it didn't take long to gather warriors from the haven and assemble a team that included the very best fighters, one of which Xerus had trained with back when they had been fledglings. Three were males and two were females. They were of different ages and ranks but all were within the warrior class. They had hoped to have Xerus' brothers join them as well, but as they were still away on their missions, they could not return in time to aid them. As unfortunate as that was, Lana felt confident in those Xerus had chosen.

With the five warriors plus her, Xerus, and Xilya, it was a small team to be sure, but the vrisha fought better in small packs, and they certainly had enough deadly power between them to be formidable in a fight. One vrisha alone could take on several men at once and hardly gain a scratch. Though it would be assumed the hunters would have fire-power enough to hold their own, therefore they would still need to take extra precautions. The vrisha owned few weapons, usually electing to use their own claws, teeth, and tails to destroy their enemies. However, when it was most necessary, they equipped themselves with weapons calledscyths.They came in the form of curved double blades and were made from the spiked tails of fallen vrisha. The two female warriors—Dyrsa and Nix, who were twin sisters—kept a pair on them at all times. Just in case. They could throw them far and hit their target with great accuracy.

As for actual shooters, they had those too, though they rarely used them. The guns were slender and long, more like sniper guns than assault rifles, and shot off fiery bolts like arrows. One of the male warriors of their team named Aryus was especially good with them as he was one of few who trained with them specifically.

Once the team was gathered, they began moving supplies into her and Xerus' ship which had already been cleaned and refueled by the housekin since returning home only a few days before. It wasn't a huge ship by any means but large enough to carry the ten of them plus a few crewmen to pilot and navigate the ship as well as distribute the supplies which consisted mainly of food and water and tools for repair.

The team was also given new kelva-made clothes and scaled armor which they wore across their shoulders, stomachs, and arms. Though Lana was not fighting alongside them and merely there to give command, she too would wear her pieces of armor over a pair of kelva pants and undershirt.

Four days later, with the team together and the supplies packed into the ship, they were nearly ready for take-off, with just a few more final checks to make sure they had everything they needed and that the ship was working perfectly. Once they were sure all was good to go, they planned to leave the next morning. In that time, Xilya had transferred her tracking system into the controls of their ship as well as several coordinates and a log of all contacts she held from Xolis merged with their own database from Tryth so that they could stay in touch with their allies in case they learned of any important news within the empire. Lana found the vrisha woman to be very well-learned in Xolis culture and language as well as having a knack for mechanical engineering. At mealtime, they would sit and chat, and Xilya would talk her and Xerus' ears off about all she'd discovered and learned within the Xolis systems. Lana was, without a doubt, deeply fascinated by the advanced civilization.

"It's just too bad many in Xolis still cling to such old-world beliefs and ethics," Xilya commented as they sat together at a midday meal. "The nillium especially. All this could have been avoided if they used their scientists to create special incubators for their young. Then they might not lose so many. Unfortunately, with their strict beliefs, they refuse to use any sort of machinery or robotics to help grow and save their newborns. Which is ironic considering they use their androids, called oracles, for medical assistance including childbirth. It's all silly nonsense if you ask me," Xilya said, taking a piece of meat from a plate and eating it in one bite. "And as of recently, the males of head households have been slaughtering one another, and females have fled their homes, taking refuge in outerworld cities. For all the power and advancement they hold, they have a barbaric way of going about their problems."

"It's sad," Lana replied, picking at her food. "They may lose everything if they can't come to a solution. Do they not have a council or a group of leaders that can reasonably negotiate?"

"They did at one time. But with the fight for power, corruption and betrayal have been allowed to fester and grow amongst their decision-makers and peacekeepers. Sides have been chosen and houses destroyed while others rise up to overthrow those still standing. It's been nothing but chaos and, still, nothing has been resolved in these many cycles since the fighting all began."

"You mentioned before that your nillium friend, this one named Ryziel, was their prince was he not?" Xerus asked.

Xilya glanced over at him and bowed her head. "Yes, but he was exiled. Most of his own kind don't consider him a true ruler. Or even an equal to them. He is different from them in many ways. A rare genetic breed of nillium they merely called dark nillium. Once more, it is superstitious nonsense that drives their fear of him. But if not for that, Ryziel would most certainly be on the throne." Xilya tapped at her knee thoughtfully. "Instead he is hiding away. Most of his kin, I presume, think him dead or far gone."

"Are there not those who would still consider him to be the true heir regardless of his genetic make-up?" Xerus asked. "If they are so ingrained in their beliefs, then surely some would see he is still the rightful ruler."

Xilya grunted. "Yes, I had thought the same for a long time as well. Back when he'd gone into hiding, we had discussed the possibility, but he said if there were those who thought that way, they were overshadowed by those who did not. Therefore, the chance of him retaking the throne was extremely low." Xilya's eyes brightened as her gaze fell to Lana. "However, in the past few cycles, there have been those seeking him out. When we'd gone to Nihl to save the human women, many in the palace caught sight of him. News of it spread in the more underground networks, and some have been trying to reach him. It wasn't until recently it was decided he would respond to their calls. Now, with help from those against the nillium and their empire, Ryziel has acquired several informants, spies, and followers. They seek his leadership and a way to flee the empire for good. Whether they will be successful in this is entirely up to Ryziel. For they still have nowhere yet to call a true home. Least not within Xolis."

"Well at least we know now there are those in Xolis who would attempt to save any humans if we were to fail and the hunters brought them back," Lana said.

"Yes, if they were taken, Ryziel would be our one chance of a rescue, but I would rather not rely on him as it would become increasingly more difficult once they were within Xolis," Xilya explained. "He may have new allies, but they are still far and few compared to the rest who still bow to the nillium and their empire."

"What about those he stays with now? These Yurzans? Will they not help?" Lana asked.

Xilya shook her head. "They are a peaceful race and do not wish to be involved in unnecessary conflict. Though they are willing to house and take care of those in need, they will not fight."

"Probably smart of them," Lana said.

As the sun was beginning its descent and the moons began to rise, Lana and Xerus parted from Xilya's company and went through the final stages of preparation before tomorrow's journey. They talked to their housekin and checked the ship themselves, making sure everything was in its expected place. Lana was relieved that, in the four days leading up to their preparation, Xerus had not gone out to the jungle to hunt and had remained by her side most of the time. Though he was keeping such an urge in check, Lana couldn't help noticing every so often, especially in the early mornings and late evenings, that he seemed more distracted than usual. And more irritable.

Even as she watched him from the corner of her eye while he talked with one of the crew, she could see his gaze always looking beyond, his head turned toward the outer walls of their home, tail swaying like a cat's when it's irritated or ready to pounce on something. He had been more restless than ever, unable to stay in one place for long or to sit for a meal for longer than necessary, barely eating much of his food in the process. Though Lana still believed him when he said he didn't know the cause, she still knew something was affecting him. She began to wonder if it was their mission, that being gone for so long and barely being back before going away again was affecting his mental state in some way. Though she wasn't sure how to combat the issue yet, she wanted to do something for him before they left.

Having a few ideas in mind, she spoke quickly to one of the housekin, who hurried off back into the house. Once they knew everything was in order for their departure tomorrow, as the sun set and the moons hovered brightly over them, Lana said goodnight and goodbye to those she would not see in the morning, then returned to Xerus' side. Anxious to be done with the day, she was ready to return to the den and have the night to themselves. As he finished speaking with the crew, Lana tugged on his arm and led him away.

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