Bird of a Wing - Chapter 19: Chapter 19

The purr sent shivers down his back and he stumbled in his steps. Sayskel caught him before grabbing his wrist again.
"Tai'ray if you've hurt Taidra I'll pluck your wings myself," Sayskel snarled angrily.
Tai'ray laughed, the sound echoing in the small metal space. "I'll punish you for that comment one day Sayskel," he said in that purr again, Ryraso's heart clenching at the thought. "Today I have no time. Nel'os will see you now Ryraso."
"Duck," Ryraso yelled, as he heard the familiar sound of Nel'os warping.
There was a strong pulse of the wind in the shaft which sent everyone flying, Eyeri yelling out in surprise, Aw'endo holding him tightly against the air current. Nel'os appearing in the centre of the group, a dark smile on his face. Sayskel took one look at the k'nairi before diving at him with a war cry.
"Sayskel!" cried his brother as he went to shoot at the k'nairi but soon discovered he couldn't get a good aim as the two men fought in the tiny space. He couldn't risk the bullet ricocheting. Ryraso was stuck behind them.
"Kelenn! Get Eyeri and Aw'endo to safety!" Ryraso ordered, unable to get across to them.
"Please," Tai'ray snorted unimpressed with the words. "I'll send Dyn'ad to pick Aw'endo up from twin 2. Who is the young one by the way? Eyeri, was it?" Tai'ray's voice mused over the comm, the words sending cold stabbing pains in his heart. Tai'ray was still listening to him.
"Leave him alone," Ryraso snarled. He pulled his own weapon out and leapt onto Nel'os's back, trying to help Sayskel defeat the k'nairi warrior. He pulled at the k'nairi's wings, using every weak spot he knew about the race. Nel'os yelled in pain, slamming him against the wall.
"Now now, Ryraso," the winglord scolded still with a chuckle of amusement in his voice. "You shouldn't do that. You'll hurt your family," he said like it was a regretful thing to do.
"You're not family!" Ryraso hissed violently, thinking of the people who made up of it. Many of them in danger at that very moment because of Tai'ray and Loror.
"That's a lie and you know it Ryraso," Tai'ray warned darkly, his voice taking on that edge which signalled Tai'ray's sanity was starting to run out. "But indeed, at the moment the people on this ship are your family, are they not?" the Winglord commented. "I didn't kill Taidra you know. He's still alive, unconscious at the moment, but alive. That can change."
Ryraso froze in horror, realising the implications of that sentence. Nel'os used the moment to pin Sayskel to the wall, pressing his forehead against the younger man's.
"Heard that Sak? Ray hasn't killed Taidra. Your cousin is safe," Nel'os murmured to the warrior. Sayskel's struggling faltered for a moment at the news. "Sorry Sak," Nel'os added sadly before headbutting the man. A loud ringing went through the shaft as Sayskel's head hit the metal and Sayskel fell to the ground.
Nel'os grabbed Ryraso round the waist as Ryraso reached for Sayskel, drawing him close. Nel'os felt hot against him, but the man's eyes solemn. "Time to face the music, Ry" Nel'os whispered into his ear, his voice strangely neutral, almost cold.
"Nel'os," Ryraso breathed not sure what to make of his tone. Ryraso felt an odd sensation pass through him.
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Kelenn froze mid-step as a loud bang echoed through the shaft. Turning backwards to look in the dim of where they had just come from. Eyeri and Aw'endo stopped, watching the warrior.
"Kelenn?" Aw'endo asked, an urgency in his voice. They had to get out of there now.
"I can't hear Sayskel anymore," Kelenn whispered darkly, clearly torn between going back to find his twin and following his orders.
There was a dark chuckle in the shaft. Similar to Tai'ray's but deeper, the sound of a predator who had found his prey. "Sayskel is the least of your worries Kelenn," Dyn'ad commented, coming out of the darkness, his wings folded behind him.
"What did your partner do to my brother?" Kelenn snarled, teeth bared, dropping the gun and drawing a dagger from his side. Eyeri and Aw'endo shifting behind him, Aw'endo hiding Eyeri in his wings. Eyeri didn't fight the treatment, holding on to the back of Aw'endo's jacket.
"Aw'en," Dyn'ad scolded, looking unhappy at his behaviour. "No need to look so scared. I'm just here to take you home. No need for fights," he added looking at Kelenn. "You can take the person Aw'endo is hiding and find your brother. He should be fine, Nel'os just knocked him out." he took a step forward but Kelenn just growled, refusing to move.
"Eyeri," Kelenn murmured. "Take Aw'en, find Sayskel and get out will you?"
"Kelenn," Aw'endo whispered.
"Do you want to go with him?" Kelenn asked seriously, understanding that tone. "If you do, say so now," he ordered sharply. Kelenn wasn't going to risk fighting with the k'nairi royal if Aw'endo wanted to go with him.
Aw'endo found himself torn. Dyn'ad was home, but he had hurt him. The weight of Eyeri holding on to his back didn't make things any easier. Painfully aware of his promise. He couldn't abandon Eyeri in the middle of a battle. Aw'endo clenched his fists, letting out an almost scared sound.
"You don't really get a say in that Kel," Dyn'ad said disapprovingly. "Aw'en is our hatchling. We made mistakes but he is still ours and it is time he came home," he said firmly. Aw'endo knew that tone, it was a threat, a parental threat but a threat. If Aw'endo didn't behave, there would be consequences.
"I want to stay here," Aw'endo said firmly, tears audible in his voice. "I don't want to go back."
"Aw'en," Dyn'ad said softly, no shortage of pain in his voice at those words, his hand reaching towards him. "Come here, please. Tai'ray is in a dangerous mood as it is. Please don't risk him turning it on you too."
"Go," Kelenn shouted.
"Bye Dyn'ad," Aw'endo whispered before two sets of footsteps ran away from them. Dyn'ad tried to follow but Kelenn got in the way, his eyes turning darker.
"Kelenn, step out the way. This is none of your business," Dyn'ad tried to reason, not wanting to fight the twin, not having enough room to be able to judge who would be the victor of such a fight. "I know we hurt him by leaving him on his own for so long, but we can't leave him here. I'm not asking you to help me, just don't block the way," he asked softly, refusing to let his voice go into pleading. He was not stupid, Kelenn likely knew about the circumstances which had led to Aw'endo running away to Ryraso. It was the twins after all, it didn't seem to matter which side the information belonged to, they knew it.
"I can't let you take one of Ryraso's sons," Kelenn growled. "I don't know what your connection is to Ry, I realise it is considerably deeper than any of us suspected but as long as Ryraso has ordered me to protect his sons, I will."
Dyn'ad nodded slowly, understanding that tone of voice clearly. Kelenn would never budge from his given objective, something Dyn'ad could respect him for even if it caused him issues now. "I understand. I just hope you understand," he warned before attacking Kelenn. Not missing what the twin had said nor the meanings. Both young men who had fled from him were Ryraso's, not just Aw'endo.
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Like walking through ice naked, or being forced into freezing cold water. The sensation of being ripped apart and put back together again. His vision blurred and the next time he blinked, he was no longer in the maintenance shafts but rather in a room where there were lots of people fighting.
Nel'os grabbed him before he could fall and forced him to his feet. "I got you Ry," Nel'os whispered, meaning so much more than just supporting him. Ryraso found himself clinging to Nel'os' armour as the room spun. The Royal dragged him along, helping him when he stumbled gently. Ryraso was no longer used to warping but at least, it wasn't his first time. Usually, people threw up the first time it happened.
"Ah, Ryraso, so glad you could join us," a voice rang out over the fighting.
Ryraso paled as he heard those words, looking over at the door to see Tai'ray walking into the room, smiling broadly practically radiating smugness. The Winglord was half carrying, half dragging the unconscious Taidra behind him, one arm around the human's waist as he pulled the man along, Taidra's feet dragging while his arms hung limply in the air.
"Taidra!" Ryraso yelled worried, his hand pressing against Nel'os chest as he tried to move towards them. The world was still spinning however and he ended up on one knee on the ground, Nel'os next to him, holding his arm.
The Winglord grimaced inwardly at the possessiveness behind his human's words but kept a smirk on his face. Ryraso was not happy with him for hurting the security director and Tai'ray could tell he was going to struggle to get what he wanted from Ryraso. The human healer cared too much for the people around him. Not that Tai'ray thought it was a bad thing for Ryraso to care, it was a good thing, very much a needed quality in a good medic but it was irritating at this precise moment.
"Winglord Tai'ray! What have you done to Taidra?" boomed a loud, powerful voice. Inai spotting the new arrivals and how Tai'ray was carrying his subordinate. Loror continued to attack the high priest furiously, but Inai was in full form and not letting the Warlord land any hits.
"I knocked him out, he's fine," shrugged Tai'ray, gently putting the man on the floor to the side of the battle. Stroking a hand over the man's hair, showing a level of a care most men would not have though the Winglord had. Tai'ray had no real hate for Taidra and hurting the man on purpose would anger every Namya in the room. "It's his own fault for attacking me without a weapon", Tai'ray sneered, his more arrogant persona falling into place.
Ryraso growled darkly, instinctively moving with intent to check over the still out cold man. Nel'os's talons on his forearms stopped him from moving, the royal pulling him back so he was pressed against Nel'os chest with the Royals arms wrapped tight around his waist.
"You're not going anywhere," Nel'os promised darkly, his wings stretched out threateningly behind him. Ryraso snarled back, trying to break the hold.
"Tai'ray, we're pulling out, we've done enough damage here," Loror ordered, sounding a retreat though the D'mar comm links.
"Right behind you sir," Tai'ray grinned, his eyes firmly on Ryraso, "Time to go home my darling Ryraso," he declared.
"Fuck you," Ryraso growled, struggling against Nel'os's grip.
"Don't fight us, Ry," Nel'os murmured sounding like he was desperately begging Ryraso to follow his words. "We'd hate to harm you."
"I'm not yours," Ryraso argued back, twisting out of the grip, only to then be pinned to another hard chest. He looked up to see the Winglord beaming evilly at him. "Tai'ray, let me go," pleaded Ryraso, his heart hammering at the look the Winglord was giving him.
This was more than a friendship betrayed, this was more than just Ryraso being caw. Something Ryraso had never let himself admit and was still refusing to. The Winglord grabbed him by the waist and pulled him close. A taloned hand running through his hair, Ryraso yelled as he was kissed. The kiss was rough and hot, the Winglord taking the chance to push his tongue into Ryraso's mouth and deepen the kiss.
"Mine," A voice growled into Ryraso's head firmly, making the healer shudder. He knew that tone. Tears ran down his face as his chest hurt.
The thing Ryraso had never let himself consider or believe. Tai'ray wanted him, wanted him in his nest. Winglord had always flirted with him, as had Nel'os and Dyn'ad but Ryraso had always assumed it had just been them being k'nairi. Three was a small family for the k'nairi and there were always people offering themselves or their young to the Winglord, but he had rejected them all. Ryraso had thought that the signs the Winglord wanted him were part of his imagination and then the war had happened.
Ryraso pulled away from the kiss as he was struck by that bolt of reality. "No! I reject," he yelled, trying to pull away from the Winglord who only kept him close.
Tai'ray only laughed, the sound piercing in Ryraso's ears. Ryraso knowing the law of the k'nairi as well as any other in the link. A Winglord had the freedom to choose a mate he wanted, it didn't matter if they were willing or not. A law which went back as long as the k'nairi race had existed. The best deserved the best. If Tai'ray wanted him, there was nothing Ryraso could do to stop him.
"Tai'ray you horny birdbrain, leave the healer and get moving!" Loror yelled as he threw Inai into a wall, making the awareness of the battle return to Ryraso.
"He's one of mine, oh great leader. He's coming with us." Tai'ray declared.
"Like hell I am," Ryraso snarled, punching the Winglord in the face before kneeing him in the crotch, but before he could get away as Tai'ray yelled in pain, Nel'os caught him, "Let me go," he yelled angrily, struggling like mad. "You can't let him do this Nel'os! You can't," he begged Nel'os, the k'nairi unable to look at him.
"You are really going to regret that Ryraso," Tai'ray growled at the human. "You're already in deep trouble because you betrayed us. I had hoped you were going to be one of the sensible ones who didn't fight the return. Shame."
"You seem to be forgetting one thing Winglord," yelled an angry voice before someone ploughed into Tai'ray, "Ryraso's our doctor now!"
"Isst!" exclaimed Ryraso in fear. Isst wouldn't be able to take the Winglord on his own. "Nel'os why are you doing this?" he asked the royal, struggling against him
"If this is what it takes to get you back, so be it," Nel'os whispered into Ryraso's hair, sounding regretful. Nel'os understood more than any other what was occurring.
Suddenly he was in the air, Nel'os having jumped off the elevated platform they were on and flying towards the exit, Ryraso trapped in his arms. Inai reacted on instinct firing at the k'nairi's wings.
Inai was a good priest and a fine tactician. However, he was no weakling. He was very good at hand to hand fighting and he excelled at shooting. Nel'os squawked in pain, dropped Ryraso.
Ryraso landed hard on the metal ground but quickly rolled back up onto his feet again. He dived for cover as the room exploded in bullet fire, having no armour to protect himself if a bullet shot towards him. A gust of wind stopped the bullet, however, Nel'os landing behind Ryraso, acting as a shield. Ryraso bit his lip at the action and crawled to where Taidra had been dropped on the side, checking to see if the man was alright. Nel'os didn't want to take him like this, but he wasn't going to let Ryraso get hurt either.
"Ryraso," Taidra mumbled dazed, having come to at some point during Tai'ray's ranting, "You are still considered k'nairi?" he said gripping Ryraso's arm.
Ryraso looked away from Taidra's eyes as he checked him over. Taidra shaking his arm, silently demanding an explanation. "I wear a seal Taidra. Why do you think I do? Of course, I'm still considered k'nairi," he murmured, a tear running down his face. "They never let go of you."
He looked away from Taidra to see Nel'os grappling with Inai and losing badly. Nel'os warped behind the high priest to try to get the advantage, only to be head-butted. As Nel'os stumbled back from the sheer force of the action. The high priest threw the k'nairi male he was wrestling with over his shoulder and jammed the hilt of his gun in the centre of Nel'os' back making him howl in pain.
Inai rushed to Isst's side. The human man fighting with all his might against the Winglord who was declaring ownership over Ryraso but not near Tai'ray's league of fighting.
"He decided to reclaim those who left?" Taidra mumbled, his mind trying to understand what he had seen and overheard between Ryraso and Tai'ray. "So that's why he had declared he was looking for you."
"No," Ryraso whispered in horror, not at Taidra's statement but as he watched Tai'ray strike Isst in the stomach with his claws, blood gushing from the wound. Loror reappeared grabbing Inai from behind and throwing the man aside.
"We're leaving now," commanded the Warlord, deeply pissed with the Winglord for making him come back to get him.
Tai'ray hissed, looking at Ryraso before looking down at his prey who was still struggling against him. "Know this grunt, I let you live today because of the kinship you share with my chosen. Next time you interfere with my plans, you won't be so lucky," he spat out before letting Isst fall to the ground with a heavy thump before growling at Nel'os to follow him. Tai'ray let out a loud cry of anger as he left the room, an evil glare fixed on Ryraso and Taidra.
"Till next time healer," Tai'ray yelled, the sound echoing down the metal corridor. "Then you will suffer for your crimes!"
Then there was a pain. Ryraso screamed in agony as his mind filled with the pain of every k'nairi harmed in the battle. Harmed because he hadn't given in. His last sight was of Taidra trying to calm him and also of Inai, looking at him with dark eyes. He knew now. He knew Ryraso hadn't told him the full truth about his connection to Tai'ray.