Bird of a Wing - Chapter 9: Chapter 9

On reflection, Ryraso probably shouldn't have left Aw'endo alone with the twins for an hour. In his defence, he had a lot to do and organise now that he was going to be looking after a youngling.
At least Aw'endo wasn't a hatchling anymore, that would have been harder to handle but at 17 Aw'endo was a little more self-sufficient. He would be able to look after his own needs and Ryraso was certain Isst would watch over him when needed.
Taidra certainly would be. Though surprisingly, Taidra had been fine with him keeping the boy on board and near him. Ryraso suspected that was because Taidra knew Tai'ray wouldn't risk anything happening to k'nairi younglings, especially one which was his own charge. Taidra had even given Ryraso a new seal to put on Aw'endo which was more subtle than the prisoner one which was currently on his wrist. Taidra had reminded him of all the rules and to make sure Aw'endo didn't learn of any confidential information before wandering off to find his lover.
Taidra hadn't been the only authority on the ship, ignoring Inai, that he had to talk to about keeping Aw'endo. Not that it mattered either way because he would be doing so but he owed it to these people to listen to their concerns and try to dispell them.
By the time he finally made it out of the meetings and to the mess hall to pick up some food for Aw'endo, Eyeri was finally up and moving too. The young man sitting with one of his older brothers, Makio.
"Ry," Makio grinned up at him. "I hear you have a guest."
"You heard correctly," Ryraso said dryly, putting the tray down to ruffle Eyeri's blond hair gently. Makio worked as a scout and worked regularly with the spy guild, which basically meant he always knew what was going on. "I am glad your sources are on the ball as always."
"Ryraso?" Eyeri asked gently, looking up at him with big blue eyes practically sparkling with curiosity. Eyeri and his four older brothers all shared the same shade of blue eyes, light and clear. They all had blonde hair as well but the shades varied from brother to brother.
"You'll meet him tomorrow," Ryraso promised. "He's someone I took care of a long time ago and I don't trust who was supposed to be his guardian when I left Navat to actually take care of him after this," he added in a darker tone, leaning down to kiss Eyeri on the forehead before picking up the tray. "Remember you're waking me up tomorrow," he added, knowing Eyeri would be sleeping with his brothers that night.
It was a rarity that all five of them were on the ship at the same time. Each brother worked in a different field and while they managed to visit regularly, they weren't technically assigned to the warship. Ryraso knew at least Oira had been given an extra position in his field that allowed him to come to the ship regularly. Everyone knew how precious Eyeri was to his four older brothers.
As he walked away, Ryraso was aware of Makio giving him a strange look and Eyeri blushing slightly. He frowned confused before sighing as he realised what he had just done. Aw'endo had been back in his life five seconds and he was already acting like a k'nairi parent. He had always ruffled Eyeri's hair and hugged him when needed but kissing his forehead was new.
Ryraso didn't let it bother him, though. It wasn't like people didn't know he thought of Eyeri as a son. His brothers as well by extension.
The look Aw'endo gave him as he entered the clinic was one which could kill. The picture of an angry k'nairi child who was offended by something deeply. Lifting an eyebrow, Ryraso looked over the situation resisting the urge to sigh or throw something. Aw'endo was in the furthest corner of the room, Sayskel blocking his escape laughing maniacally.
"Sayskel... get out," Ryraso ordered, not bothering to ask what was happening. He didn't want to know. He knew Sayskel well enough that he was more likely trying to embarrass the child than force him to do anything dangerous.
"But..." Sayskel frowned looking disappointed. Kelenn clamped a hand over his twin's mouth before he could say another word and thankfully dragged his brother out of the room, nodding to Ryraso as he passed.
"If you need us, feel free to call," Kelenn commented as he left. "We'll look after the bird."
Ryraso blinked surprised at that statement. The twins had always come when he needed them but never offered to do something for him before, and certainly not Kelenn. Kelenn as loyal as he was had been growing steadily worse, growing more and more antisocial and more volatile despite enjoying being on the ship. It was something Ryraso watched out for carefully.
Once they were out of the room, Ryraso turned to Aw'endo who was almost shaking with rage at the suggestion Sayskel had made.
"He is a prick," he yelled angrily, "A worthless insect who should be begging on his knees for mercy at the mere idea of what he was joking about."
Ryraso watched calmly as Aw'endo ranted about the two front-liners, amused. Sayskel had made Aw'endo feel right at home it seems and made him forget about any fear of being on his own in enemy hands. Ryraso let the boy blow off some steam and as his rant began to slow down, he wordlessly offered a bowl of the soup he was carrying.
The boy paused his rant and looked at it hungrily, before taking it. "Thank you," he murmured as he began to eat, his tone sulky. K'nairi pride was as large as their egos. Few k'nairi would lower themselves to become friends with humans but the k'nairi would tolerate humans who treated them with respect. Still as Ryraso looked at the sulking boy, Ryraso could not help but wonder how anyone had seen him as an adult. He was still the image of a misbehaving child to him.
Aw'endo swallowed the soup slowly, savouring every mouthful. He took a seat on the same bed as Ryraso, sitting close enough that the two were touching, Aw'endo's wings low, fluttering gently, pressing against Ryraso's back. Had Ryraso been k'nairi, Aw'endo's wings would have been pressing against his, a sign of fear and nervousness. The young k'nairi was instinctively asking for protection and safety from an older one. Aw'endo seemed to keep it together but as he finished the soup Aw'endo began keening slightly.
"Hush youngling," Ryraso murmured, speaking in k'nairi as he wrapped his arms around the young k'nairi, "You're safe with me," he promised gently.
He began rubbing circles on Aw'endo's back, painfully aware that it was a pale comparison to the comfort Aw'endo needed. Aw'endo was still young enough that he really needed someone with wings to wrap them around him and tuck him into a safe haven. Something Ryraso wished he could do, but without wings, it was impossible to duplicate that sense of comfort and safety. The closest he could do was give the youngling a hug.
"Am I?" Aw'endo whispered, his voice shaking with fear as the situation began to dawn on him. "You're only a doctor. If High Priest Inai decides to get rid of me..."
Ryraso hit Aw'endo over the head before he could finish that statement. One hand still petting the boy slightly. Aw'endo flinched but tucked in closer.
"Inai would not dare Aw'endo. He preaches peace. He won't take you from my protection unless you prove to be more trouble than you are worth, or if you ask to go home," Ryraso said firmly reverting back to human tongue, not quite used to speaking his mind about serious things in k'nairi anymore. "Just because I'm a doctor, does not mean I can't fight!" The last bit was said with a growl and Aw'endo ducked his head sheepishly. He should have known better than to suggest something like that.
"He isn't kidding kid," A gruff voice came from the door, Isst was there looking as menacing as always.
Much like Inai, Isst had gained more scars over the years. He had also lost the last of his hair while Ryraso still gleefully had all of his. He had sharp eyes now, a scar stretching across his face and over his nose from one particularly nasty assassination attempt. Ryraso rarely noticed until moments like this when he was seeing Isst through the eyes of someone who didn't know him.
Isst was too busy smiling warmly most of the time for Ryraso to see his scars, it was just normal now. For Aw'endo, however, it was a very frightening look. He squealed and moved so he was behind Ryraso. Much to their amusement, Isst bursting with laughter at the sight, Aw'endo glaring at him from behind Ryraso's shoulder.
"Teasing him Isst?" Inai scolded as he came in after Isst, smiling gently at the k'nairi'. It was unusual for an adult k'nairi to show any fear at all so it was refreshing for Inai to see that k'nairi children were just like any other. "That's a little mean of you."
Aw'endo inhaled sharply as he saw the face of the man who his people swore to fight against. The face of the High Priest, a man known for being strict in the old rules but also for being compassionate. The face of Inai.
"Isst, we need to work on your entrances," commented Ryraso dryly. "Aw'endo, the tasteless brute is Isst. This is High Priest Inai. Sir, meet Aw'endo," he introduced kindly, ignoring Isst as he complained at being called a tasteless brute.
Aw'endo looked over his shoulder, but stayed behind Ryraso, not missing how Ryraso was unconcerned with the man's apparent mock anger. Ryraso could hear a low keen of nervousness from the boy. Low enough only he could hear it.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, little one," Inai greeted, his stance open and welcoming, his smile radiating trust and warmth. Inai had a way about him which charmed even the most wary of child or small animal.
Aw'endo's keening stopped and the boy moved so he was beside Ryraso again. Looking down, Ryraso smiled as he watched Aw'endo look Inai up and down. The younglings expression open and clearly curious about who he was meeting. Ryraso felt a pain in his heart. How had anyone seen that look and not understood Aw'endo wasn't an adult yet?