Of Love and Culture
Serronas
Chapter 4
Mending
Sai wasn’t sure what to think. Ardoor’s presence provided him an escape from matters that he wanted to avoid. Though, he was not sure how much longer he could avoid them. He could no longer deny that Bane was suffering because of his indecision, and he was trained to seek peace and balance within all things.
It was with a heavy heart that he watched the obviously irritated night elf stand and take his silent exit…
The Draenei had taken note of Sai’s silence and waited until the other was gone before he tried for the smaller elf’s attention once more. “It haz been zo long, little Zai.” He exclaimed, one enormous blue hand resting on both of Sai’s shoulder blades.
He snapped his attention back up to Ardoor and smiled, letting his mind drop all of the heavy questions that had weighted it. “I was training…” he said, “My mentor sent me off and…told me not to come back until I felt I was finished.”
“Vury guut!” the man’s heavy accent filled the air with such excitement, Sai couldn’t help but smile. “Whu vas dat?”
Sai sputtered suddenly, floundering and unaware of the blush that touched his cheek, “J-Just a friend of my mentor!”
The man simply nodded, taking that answer. He was distracted by how adorable the elf looked with his cheeks tinted as they were, and this thought distracted him enough. “Perhaps ve can zpend de afternoon togetur and…catch up… Zai, I cannot exprez how happy I am to zee you, I vas so vorried.”
Sai blushed deeper, “Y-you were? I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to make everyone worry!” Sai had no idea that Altrun had not told anyone of his departure! “I’m so sorry!” He jumped up and hugged the large Draenei, and found himself being lifted off the ground. He giggled and wrapped his arms around Ardoor’s broad shoulders, just like he remembered. He felt so safe with the Draenei, so protected.
It was nothing like Bane’s presence. Feral, unpredictable, powerful, dominant… Something stirred within him at that thought, and with its sudden onslaught he shoved that thought down and away to be processed at a later time.
Ardoor only smiled, “Vell, you can make it up to me vith a date!”
Sai’s jaw dropped open. It was not unlike old times, seven years ago he and Ardoor had shared many dates that consisted of holding hands, hugging and lots of blushing. Never had they shared a kiss. He was still so uncertain about the idea of two men being so romantically involved!
But, if he entertained Ardoor’s thoughts of a date, how was that so radically different from Bane? Perhaps it was Bane’s presence, his dominance and his powerful maleness that led him to believe him different from the Draenei. Ardoor was so happy, gentle and loving.
“Iz zomezing wrong?” At the look of confusion in Sai’s eyes the man pressed further, “You zeem to be vury…distracted. Vas it from dat man?”
“N-no!” he lied quickly, “Uh, a date… That sounds nice I suppose. I’m surprised you haven’t found someone else in your absence, Ardoor. You’re so sweet.”
The Draenei laughed quietly. “Dere are not many who understand my…choice in lifestyle.”
“Come, come!” Ardoor turned and plodded out of the park with proud hoofsteps. He finally set Sai down and led him away, a hand on the boy’s back.
***
THE DRAENEI SHALL DIE BY MY CLAWS! Rage fills me. I tremble with it. I see only red. This rage is not my alpha, but is my own hatred of this Draenei beast who lays his hands on my mate. He was responding to me, I had seen it… I had seen it…
Instinctively I feel myself drop into a meditative state. Much more thinking like this and I may subject myself to doing something rash.
Mother’s light fills me and I feel her hand on my shoulder.
Ease yourself, Warrior. Mother’s hand then rests within me, upon my beaten and ravaged soul. Like a wave of relief the anger and the pain are swept away and I am left clear headed and calm. I am ashamed, though, that Mother can see the hatred within my heart for the Draenei, she can see that this rage is not from my Alpha. I wait to hear her stern words.
She is not happy with this darkness within me I am aware. In my shame I put down my hatred like a child puts down a toy they were not supposed to be playing with. I let go, not grudgingly but in submissiveness to her presence.
To my utter shock, her words never come. Instead I only feel her presence with me, comforting me. For the first time in many long years, Mother does not share ill words with me. Pride swells within me, and the calming sensation Mother brings me gives me hope and power. I actually feel her smile, and all the tenseness in my life eases away.
A step forward… I can only smile. Kind words. The sense of hopelessness and despair in my heart relinquishes some, even as I feel her presence fading.
“Bane?” I open my eyes at the sound of a distant, familiar voice.
Tahlia, Altrun’s son, stands before me. His younger brother Sorias stands just behind him, tiny little fingers clenched tightly to his sleeve.
I am back in the Cathedral, in the catacombs so that nobody can find me in my enraged state of mind. However somehow, it seems that my hiding places are a little less private than I have originally envisioned.
I retake my elven form and smile down at the boys. Tahlia, the dominant of the twins, relaxes when he sees this.
Tahlia is strong and independent. His hair is green like his fathers, his face shining with mischief. Only seven years of age, both of these boys are incredibly independent, able to wander Stormwind’s streets alone and without worry. Able to travel back and forth between here and the Clan’s home grounds without the need of their father.
Sorias was born a mute. His shy nature, we believe, has stemmed from this. Unlike his brother, his hair is silver (he got that from his Grandfather), and his flesh is tinted a few shades of a lighter violet than his father and brother.
I take both boys in a hug, smiling. Though I try to force myself not to think of it, these boys are Elune’s gift to me; the sons that Sai will never bare for me. This though, so sudden, takes me by surprise and once again I am forced to push it away. I have helped to raise these strong boys. They see me as their Father, just as they see Altrun.
I take what joy I can from their presence.
“Why are you down here Bane?” Tahlia asks as he and Sorias step back from our hug.
I try to think of something that the boys will believe, I do not wish them to worry for me. “I was resting, Meditating.” I claim, happy that I do not have to lie to them. My words are true.
Tahlia smiles, “I was worried. I did not mean to interrupt.”
I shake my head, “No, no interruption. However, I do have an idea. Boys, it has been some time since we did anything together.” Perhaps, I believe that escaping the city may put my mind at ease of the issues at hand. Their eyes light up, “How would you like to go to Redridge for some fishing and training?”
Sorias smiles and Tahlia grins. They like this idea.
“Come. The day is still young.” I stand and place a strong hand on their shoulders, leading them up and out of the darkness of the catacombs.
***
Ardoor smiled. A lot. Sai loved to see people smile, and being around the Draenei once more made him happy. He was taken down to the docks, where the air was open and spacious. Together, the two sat with their feet dangling over the water, watching the ships drift in and out of the harbor.
“Zo, vat iz on your mind, little Zai?” Ardoor asked him after a few minutes of quiet.
Sai didn’t want to talk about it. He was almost ashamed. But his confusion and his sense of drowning from the situation was wearing him down. “I would not want you to get mad, Ardoor…” he said with a soft voice.
“Vhy vould I get mad?”
There was a long pause as Sai sifted through everything, trying to think of where to start. “I do not know what is going on… A man named Bane has come to me, he says I am his mate. My mentor attests to his insanity! Bane is broken… I can’t explain it…” He shook his head slowly.
“Telling him no iz not enough?” Ardor asked, and Sai mentally attested that it was a respectable question.
“No… He is fixated on me. So many people allow this behavior and encourage it! I don’t understand…” He felt a sense of helplessness in his chest. He didn’t know what to think or how to react.
“Vell…how vould you feel about him vithout dis behavior?” the Draenei then asked, reaching out to draw the ailing Sai against his side, comforting him as much as he knew how. It worked to some degree, as Sai slowly relaxed in his hold.
He shrugged slowly, “I don’t…know. I haven’t seen him act any other way.”
“Zai? How do you feel about…me?” Ardoor asked tentatively.
Sai could only blush. “Ardoor…you are a man.” He said softly.
He chuckled, “Dat iz an accurate obzorvation.”
“No, I mean… I don’t…” Like men? He wasn’t sure that was a true statement. He floundered for an answer.
“Can you zee yourself zupporting and caring for a voman?”
Sai frowned, feeling offended, “I may be small but I am not that weak!”
The Draenei quickly backpedaled, “No! No, it vas an honest question! Zai…do you vish to care for a voman? I apologize iv I ovended you.”
Sai stared at the water, thinking about that. He had never tried to attract a woman. “I don’t…know.” He finally admitted, “But I do not wish to be treated as a woman! I am strong now, I can care for myself, I do not need a man to treat me as a woman.”
Ardoor began to laugh. Sai was prepared to take offense to this, having become defensive given his current state. “Zai… Iv I vished to bed a man and care for dem az I vould a voman, I would zimply zeek a voman.”
Sai remembered Altrun saying something similar…
“Why do you like men?” he finally asked.
Ardoor pondered this. “Dat iz a divvicult question… I never vound myzelv much attracted to vomen… De prezenze and rezpect ov men velt more right to me.”
Sai fell quiet. How did he feel about this?
“Zai…try zomezing vith me. Klose your eyes…”
Sai looked up at him, confused. He flushed suddenly, very aware of what the Draenei wanted. “Um… Ardoor, I’m not sure…”
“Zai…iv you don’t like it, I vill leave our relationship az iz…”
He settled on trying this, and nodded to the man.
Sai felt something stir in his chest. Nervousness. He forced his eyes to close and felt Ardoor shift. A large hand cupped his cheek and pulled his head up. His heart pounded, like a shattering sound in his ears. He could feel the man lean closer. Painful fire erupted in his chest. He felt Ardoor’s breath against his lips…
“NO!”
Sai’s eyes snapped open and he forcefully shoved the man with all of his strength, forcing the Draenei to topple over. His sudden outburst forced the fire that had settled in his chest to spread to every vein of his body. He panicked, form taking on that of a feline before he fled from the Draenei at breakneck speed.
He had never felt more frightened. He had no control of his actions in that moment as the need to put as much space between himself and Ardoor kicked in. He ducked into a corner and cowered there, trying desperately to figure out what had just happened.
He liked Ardoor. His presence, his smile. He never wanted to hurt the man. He had been willing, almost wanting, to see where a kiss led them.
He finally collapsed down and remained there, waiting for the fire to dissipate.
***
I repress a growl. Tahlia’s paw strikes my face, his claws biting down into my flesh. Surprisingly the pain that I feel in waves makes me laugh, and my own paw comes up to wipe at the blood. Tahlia is strong, like me. His skills with the beasts of nature is quite astounding.
“Very good.” I commend him.
Those of the Clan have been taught never to hold back, for we cannot expect such of our enemies. However, to prevent serious injury I must hold back on the boys unless Altrun is nearby to intervene if I get too excited. My strikes could easily kill one of the boys if I am not mindful.
Before I can comment further, Sorias has leapt upon my back, growling and biting at the back of my neck. He gets a mouthful of my mane. Quickly my form shifts. Such a natural feeling this has become. My power shifts from that of feline reflexes to ursine strength. I stand on my hind paws and roar, shaking the smaller cat from my back. I drop down and turn, swinging my paw out.
Sorias tumbles and rolls across the fallen leaves of Redridge. He does not break form, telling me that I have not injured him severely.
A sudden roar breaks my focus on the fallen feline and Tahlia quickly leaps, a flurry of claws and teeth assaulting my face and neck as he defends his fallen brother.
The boys have an astounding bond. When one falls, the other grows in strength and ferocity until the other rises once more. They feed off of each other.
Tahlia’s teeth bite at my ear. I roar at the pain and brush him aside with an easy sweep of my paw. Sorias darts to his brother and together the boys stand against me. I can’t help but smile.
“That is good, Tahlia. You know to go for sensitive parts of the body.”
The violet cat nods, “Ears to inhibit sound and throw off balance. Eyes to impede vision and reflexes.”
I laugh, “I have taught you well! I am proud of you both.”
I retake my elven form to let the boys know that the sparring is over. They do the same and bow to me, and I to them. I then kneel and tend to their injuries. Tahlia sports several cuts on his face and neck. Sorias presents me with a bruised rib. Perhaps I struck him harder than intended.
Once the boys were healthy and smiling I mended the marks on my face and ear with my minimal magic. For the boys it was enough, though it would take many days before my injuries healed fully.
We smile as I take them down to the lake’s edge. Tahlia pulls off his shirt and jumps into the water. I wish to warn him against doing so, but in such shallow waters, the Threshers are not a threat. Sorias smiles and follows his brother, removing his own shirt. My eyes flash over the birthmark on his chest, the flesh there almost snow white in the shape of a wide arcing V. The Clan feels that this means something, but none are sure of what.
I sit down with my back against a warm rock, letting myself bask and relax as the boys play. My eyes stay to the water, making sure nothing undesirable surfaces. All appears quiet, and I let my mind wander.
Naturally it slips to Sai. Having him back in Stormwind, knowing he is safe… Perhaps I should be only grateful for this. My mind drifts to his scent. Only yesterday I had taken a full breath, such a powerful aphrodisiac… Distantly, I can smell it. My memory returns it to me and every muscle relaxes. Perhaps…
Perhaps one day.
***
By the time Tahlia, Sorias and I return to Stormwind the boys are tired, exhausted, but happy. Both of them are smiling, leaning on one another as we make our way in. The sun is setting in the far distance, and I am happy for the day. I have not had one so pleasant in many years.
Sorias stops and looks up at me. I raise a brow and smile as he reaches his arms up, his big blue eyes shining as he begs to be picked up. I oblige the request and cradle him in my arms. Tahlia wants the same affection, I can see, but there is pride in his eyes. He refuses to relent to his exhaustion, and of this I am proud. My free hand rests on his shoulder and together we seek out Altrun.
Our search takes us to the Mage District, crossing the bridge I stop as I see who stares up at me from the other side. Something is different about Sai’s presence. His eyes are worried and cautious, but he does not flee. Something in his stance, his aura. He is different.
“Those are…?” Sai’s voice is soft. He speaks to me, and the thought nearly floors me.
“Altrun’s sons. Tahlia and Sorias.” I pat each boy’s back as I reference them. From my shoulder, Sorias stirs. I can feel that he is mostly asleep still. “We spent the day in Redridge.”
Sai’s eyes show sudden worry. For what I do not know, but I feel pain in my heart.
His eyes turn down to Tahlia and he smiles. My heart aches to have that smile directed at me. “You look just like your Father.” He whispers, stepping closer to us. He kneels down before Tahlia, “Hi. I’m Sai. I’m one of your Father’s students.”
Tahlia smiles at him, “Father told me a lot about you.”
This makes Sai smile, his eyes shine with pride and respect for his mentor.
I rub Sorias’ back, watching Sai carefully. His scent fills the air and I feel my Alpha stirring. “I should return the boys to their home.” I finally say, feeling the beast rage at my excuse for an exit. Tahlia looks up at me, then back at Sai. He yawns, having been reminded of his weariness.
One hand moves to Tahlia’s back and I guide him away.
“Bane?” I pause at Sai’s call. My heart leaps at this, my Alpha growls within me. Slowly I turn to meet his eyes and the beast’s sudden thrashing takes me by surprise. “Can we…um…talk, a little later?” His eyes show sincerity, and perhaps a little worry.
I nod. “Let me put them to bed.”
Sai nods, then moves to sit at the edge of the bridge. I tremble in my need to go to his side. He wanted me there. He needed me there. Such little encouragement is needed to draw out this obsessive side of myself.
I take the boys hastily away, feeling myself tremble lightly. “Your mate is beautiful.” Tahlia says once we are out of earshot. I blink down at him, confused of his sudden words. He smiles up at me with eyes vastly more intelligent than I had realized, “Father told me long ago. He said that you had a mate, and he was beautiful. That he was lost to the world, and you lost with him.”
I could not find words.
When we reached the domicile that Altrun took residence in I led the boys inside and up to his room. I pause when I see Altrun waiting for me, and smile at him.
“Brother.” He begins, then looks down at his boys. I move across the small room to lay Sorias in his bed, and Tahlia quickly scrambles up beside him. I take a blanket and cover them both, and Tahlia joins his brother in restful slumber.
I then return my attention to Altrun, trying to gauge the look on his face.
“Something has happened.” He begins with a soft tone.
I wish for nothing more than to stop him and say that my presence was requested elsewhere. However, knowing my brother he would not do this if it were not important. “What is it?”
Altrun takes a deep breath. I see he is choosing his words carefully and I prepare myself for something unexpected. “Ardoor took Sai to the docks today,” my muscles tense and seeing my anger the man quickly continues his tale, “I followed them as I knew you would want. Ardoor tried to…woo Sai, in such a way that I was prepared to get involved. But something happened. I was just about to approach as Ardoor was making his move when…”
“…When?”
Bane smiles. “I did not have to stop them, Bane. His Alpha rejected Ardoor quite violently.”
My heart races. Sai had rejected Ardoor? I turn and run out of Altrun’s room, fleeing back to the bridge where Sai awaited me. My heart is filled with hope, my mind races.
He is still sitting where I had left him…back at the bridge. I take my elven shape as I rush up to him, and he looks up at my panting frame. I see it now. I recognize the look in his eyes, I understand my Alpha’s sudden excitement from earlier. His Alpha is free. The only question that plagues my mind now is: Does he know?
(( AN: So, not even gonna comment on the…7 month wait between chapters. Just not gonna do it. I actually have to thank a reader though, who e-mailed me and talked to me. She asked if I was going to continue, and though I assured her I would, I admit I had honestly lost focus on this story. I love the characters, the story and everything, but it happens. But, last night I was reading through old e-mails and came across that one. Today, I sat down and I wrote out this whole chapter (and half of the next one). There’s a lot of development in this chapter with Sai. And a lot more to come. I felt the need to bring in Tahlia and Sorias, and I also felt it was a great opportunity to show a far more personable side to Bane. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I hope you’ll forgive my extended absence. More to come. Thank you to everyone who reads this! Also, I apologize for my HORRIBLE Draenei accent...))
