Bird of a Wing - Chapter 10: Chapter 10

"You're not like Tai'ray said..." Aw'endo commented quietly, moving off the bed and standing without fear in front of the man in a way that only a child could. Aw'endo looking up close at Inai's face.
"Aw'endo! Behave!" Ryraso barked, grabbing Aw'endo by the back of his tunic and pulling him back to a respectable distance.
Inai laughed at the response. Isst let out a grin too. It wasn't unusual for children to be entranced by the high priest. Something about him radiated safety and warmth to them being quite literally Loror's polar opposite. Still, Inai wasn't used to the children being Aw'endo's appearance in age, though.
"It's fine," Inai smiled at Ryraso before looking back at Aw'endo. "Your guardian is worried about you."
Inai's wording was careful. From the little knowledge he had of the k'nairi, it wasn't a good idea to call Tai'ray by name unless the person he was talking to knew he had been given permission to and calling Tai'ray 'father'at the moment was not a good idea either. It seemed Tai'ray had failed in his duties. Ryraso got away with calling Tai'ray by name, but that was because every k'nairi knew of the history they shared.
"He...I know. I can feel him trying to get through the shield over the ship," Aw'endo murmured, his wings low. "He is displeased with the situation." Aw'endo rubbed his arm.
Ryraso placed a hand on Aw'endo's back below his wings and rubbed gently. "Must be if the shield's not strong enough to block him completely," Ryraso murmured, not impressed by this. It was too little too late in his opinion. Though, he mused, he needed to put the new seal on Aw'endo soon.
"I'll talk to Taidra, see if he can boost the shield more," Inai commented, his eyes narrowing slightly. He didn't like the look of fear on the boy's face, but he couldn't be sure of it being genuine or not at the moment. Being scared of an angry parent was natural of any child but did Aw'endo have cause to be truly scared of Tai'ray? Inai didn't know. "What will he do when he gets you back?"
"Clip my wings and give me a lecture," Aw'endo shrugged, his posture was unafraid, but his wings were shivering, pressing against Ryraso looking for comfort. As much as the boy wanted to look strong, he wasn't quite old enough to hide his true feelings.
"That's..." Inai looked at Ryraso for help, wanting to know for sure what that meant as a punishment.
"In our terms, he's grounded without privileges for three months," Ryraso commented, ruffling Aw'endo hair gently with a small smile on his lips. Aw'endo leaning into the touch. "At Aw'endo's age the feathers grow back quick enough and the punishment is more solid than grounding because they can't fly until the feathers have regrown," he explained with a knowing look in his eyes. Aw'endo pouted and blushed.
"I see," Inai smiled lightly, understanding now the fear was simply a child's one of not wanting to be punished. Tai'ray, for all his flaws, wasn't bad to the child then, not given Aw'endo's current state. Inai knew Tai'ray slightly and he seemed like a good leader to his men, but a man could be a good leader and a bad parent. "So he won't be harmed for being behind enemy lines?" he asked to clarify.
"No," Ryraso reassured warmly, "He's going to get a scolding and likely a good smack or two but the k'nairi are big softies when it comes to the young," he chuckled fondly. Aw'endo blushed at the words and pressed closer to Ryraso, muttering at him to shut up.
"I'm glad. The Winglord is unhappy but I promised him that you would stay with Ryraso for as long as you behave and has agreed to allow it," Inai said addressing Aw'endo directly, his voice turning slightly sterner. Aw'endo went to complain but at a growl from Isst, he shut his mouth, pouting slightly. "At Ryraso's request, you will stay with him. He's responsible for you so behave yourself, child. If you try to escape or pick a fight too many I will put you in the brig instead. Is that clear?" Inai said clearly in a tone which was not about to be argued with.
"I understand," Aw'endo said, not meeting Inai's eyes. A sign of respect among the k'nairi. A sign that he accepted Inai was the more dominant, the one in charge.
Ryraso looked at Inai and gave him a thumbs up to let him know Aw'endo was being good. Inai winked at him to show he remembered the lessons Ryraso had given him on k'nairi etiquette. There were a few hundred k'nairi who served the Namya, having blocked themselves off from the link. Inai had needed help with them as well as help dealing with Tai'ray and his mates occasionally. It was one of the few times Ryraso had shared his knowledge about the k'nairi freely with anyone but Isst.
Walking forward, Inai placed a hand on Aw'endo's shoulder, making the young k'nairi look up at him surprised. "You are a prisoner here, make no mistake but as long as you behave, you will be treated as a guest. For now, rest. No doubt it has been a long day," Inai's voice was calm and gentle.
"Yes sir," Aw'endo nodded, briefly looking into Inai's eyes. It wasn't for long, but Ryraso knew it was all Inai needed to form an opinion on the boy. For the High Priest to see him for who he really was, a skill granted to him by the Gods. A skill which had served him well over the years and unnerved more than a few people. Ryraso had lived more than a decade dealing with people in the link to be unnerved by this, however.
"I think that is a very good idea," Ryraso nodded.
Inai smiled, liking what he saw in Aw'endo, "Then good night, to you both," Inai said, giving Ryraso a look which clearly said, 'You need sleep as well.'
"Night Inai. And don't think you're getting away that easily. Tomorrow I want you in here for a checkup," Ryraso growled, not forgetting the fact Inai hadn't been looked over yet.
Inai froze before nodding stiffly, making Ryraso's eyes narrow. He knew a guilty conscience when he saw one. Aw'endo watched amused as the High Priest fled from the room taking advantage of Ryraso's little mercy. Isst chuckled before following after him.
"Night child," Isst smiled at Aw'endo. "We will be seeing more of each other. Ryraso told me a lot about you and I am very pleased to meet you." He nodded slightly.
"You too Isst!" Ryraso called after the man before he could disappear.
"Yeah yeah, night Ry," Isst saluted teasingly before leaving himself.
Shaking his head, Ryraso pushed Aw'endo forwards and out of the room, turning the lights off and locking the door behind him. No one else would be using it after all and he didn't want Eyeri to try to sneak in and do some more studying again.
Aw'endo clung to Ryraso's arm as they walked through the corridors. Luckily, by now, the corridors were mostly empty. The crew members either at their stations or in their own rooms asleep. It was late, Sayskel having called and woken Ryraso up mid afternoon. Still, though he had only been up a short time, Ryraso felt exhausted.
When they finally reached Ryraso's room, Aw'endo finally let go of his arm. Sitting gingerly on the double bed which took up the majority of the room. Ryraso pressed a button and part of the wall slid back to reveal a closet. Throwing his old clothes in a hamper in it, Ryraso changed into a large white top and left his boxers on to sleep in.
"Ryraso..." Aw'endo murmured, shuffling uncomfortably.
"I have something for you to sleep in, don't worry," Ryraso sighed as he pulled out some clothes for Aw'endo, who took them gratefully. Ryraso fell onto his bed as Aw'endo changed, getting into a comfortable spot to fall asleep, knowing Aw'endo would happily sleep on the other side of the bed. Few k'nairi liked sleeping alone. What he didn't expect was for Aw'endo to curl up next to him and keen for attention like he was much younger than he really was. Pulling on him lightly.
"Ryraso," Aw'endo moaned lightly. Ryraso knew what he wanted. Ever since Aw'endo was little, he had crawled into Ryraso's bed looking for someone to hug as he fell asleep. Ryraso would have hoped he had grown out of it by now, as most k'nairi did, but apparently not. Ryraso turned over and let the boy curl into his arms, nuzzling him slightly.
"You are such a child, how did you pass as an adult?" Ryraso teased, but Aw'endo only hugged tighter, his wings wrapping around Ryraso. "Honey?"
"Missed you," Aw'endo murmured.
Ryraso bit his lip, he didn't like the sound of Aw'endo's voice sounding so sad. The tone was one of a lost child. He had always assumed the royal triad had made arrangements to look after the boy but it seemed he had been mistaken and Aw'endo had paid the price, "I missed you too kid," he murmured truthfully, hugging him close.
"Don't leave me again," Aw'endo begged, looking up with big eyes at Ryraso, who smiled sadly at him.
"I can't promise that Aw'endo and you know it," Ryraso whispered. This was war, there were never any true guarantees that he would be able to stay with the boy, "But whatever happens, I do care for you hatchling."
"Ryraso..." Aw'endo let out a sob, burying his head in Ryraso's shirt. Ryraso could only lay there and hold the boy as he sobbed. Wishing that the war never existed and that he would be able to return to that tree top city more than ever. He felt Aw'endo's muscles relax as he fell asleep and let himself drift. Only wishing to sleep and find the energy to face another day.
Then there was pain. Spreading from his temple and into his heart, making him cry out and struggle to breathe. Something was wrong.