Copyright 2024 – Daemon D. Hart
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The Human Bearer
Now that was freaking strange. Short of them having tea while chatting about kids and whatnot, this whole bunch looked like soccer moms on break, bent on praising their children until they became enemies. In other words, Riordan was bored out of his mind. He was only busy trying to ignore Jasno and his keen eyes that somehow found him, no matter where he looked. If they had been alone, Riordan would have asked the asshole what his business was and warn him not to make it about him.
He got up and began observing the kids. Dario and Junior had managed to figure out how to use the seesaw and now they were kings of the playground since the others wanted very much to have a go at it, too.
"Junior," he said, "show them how they can play too."
Several blond heads turned to look at him. They all appeared younger than Junior, when it had to be the other way around. Riordan could tell thoughts were exchanged, but he couldn't chide the tiny Xenolites for being rude. After all, they couldn't use speech, and they had the manners of small kids, no matter what Marn thought. They didn't know that what they were doing right now was called gossiping. But he could bet he was the topic.
"They want to know why your hair is black," Junior announced.
"I was born with it," Riordan explained and tucked his legs under him so that he could be on the same level with the kids. They were watching him avidly as if he would impart some amazing wisdom every moment now. "On Earth," he went on, "people come in different hair and eye colors. Even their skin is different."
Again, the blond heads moved to and fro, as ideas were traded between them.
"They want to know if it's because of that you are a great warrior."
"Who put that in their heads?" Riordan asked. "I'm just a mommy. A tea-spitting mommy," he added under his breath as he stole a glance at the other bearers wrapped in their own conversation.
Fortunately, the little ones glazed over his comment, eager as they seemed to learn about other things. Riordan relaxed as he watched them. They would be alright, in the end. If the adults on the ship took good care of them, they would grow up to be wise too, not only warriors and diplomats. And they would find a way to make peace rather than war once they landed on Tanez.
"Tell us about Earth," Junior said as the whole bunch of Xenolites gathered together in a semicircle around him. "We all want to know what it's like."
"It's called the blue planet," Riordan began. "Because it has a lot of water."
"Grandsire... grandpa says that Xeno is made of mostly water. But it's not called blue," Junior immediately said.
He'd grew up to be smart. Riordan felt his heart warming at his son's words.
"I guess we will have to ask your daddies about what other names the planet Xeno goes by." He didn't have the heart to tell them that the planet left behind might very well be impossible to inhabit, even by the water-loving snakemen. In all truth, he didn't have enough facts.
A small hand took his, and he looked into Junior's eyes. He couldn't allow himself to remember the destruction of Xeno. His intuitive kid would pick up on it right away. That wasn't the sort of stuff to show kids or even let them know about it by accident.
"We're heading towards our real home," he said, to shake off the sad memories. "How about we all close our eyes and think about Tanez? Picture it how you may like it to be."
The hum of Xenolites discussing between them or just saying things for themselves filled the air. Now, that things appeared to have calmed down some, as accurate as that could be when horny Xenos that started fights as if they were kids in the schoolyard were concerned, they could turn their attention to more pleasant things.
And he needed to reach out to Ferix and ask him about their little project on telepathic abilities. Also, he intended to ask the good doc about the ability of humans to get some of the perks Xenos appeared to have. Like daddy-in-law's breathing underwater. Or Xana's telepathic abilities being transferred to him. What took to learn them?
"There must be bunnies on Tanez," Junior declared, pulling him out of his reverie.
"I'm sure there are," Riordan confirmed. "What are the others saying?"
Junior pointed at the rocking seesaw. "More things like this."
"Toys?"
Junior nodded eagerly.
"I'm sure we can manage that," Riordan said and opened his arms. His Xenolite quickly wrapped himself around him and pressed his head against his mommy's chest.
The others were watching avidly. They moved closer, and they seemed to want more of the same affection. How could Marn intend to turn these bundles of love into an army of warriors and whatnot? Something was wrong with that design, although Riordan wanted, above all, for them to be safe. Weren't the grownups on the ship enough a force to ensure their superiority?
He caressed Dario on the head and the Xenolite stared at him, blinking from time to time. He really had Cario's eyes. It was true happiness to see yourself in a kid like that. Now he understood it, even though it had never crossed his mind what it could mean to him.
The sharp scream of terror coming from behind made his hair stand on end. Riordan jumped to his feet, pressing Junior against his chest with one arm and pushing the other Xenolites behind him as much as he could.
Jasno was on his feet, bent from the waist, holding his belly with both hands, his face contorted in pain, while a long wail had his mouth twisted in an expression of agony. The other bearers were around him, trying to get him to tell them what was wrong.
Cario seemed to know what to do first.
"Let's get you to lie down," he said gently and tried to take Jasno's arm.
"Don't touch me!" Jasno stepped back and then bent again from the waist, crying his anguish out. "It must be... what you gave me..."
A collective gasp came from the others, while Cario remained frozen in place.
"What did you give him, Cario?" one of them asked.
Riordan set his jaw hard and took a step forward. "Get him to lie down," he ordered. "I'm going to get a doctor in here."
"He... he gave me..." Jasno went on in a plaintive voice.
"You shut the fuck up," Riordan said brusquely and leaned menacingly over Jasno's slumped body. "Not another word from you. Someone's going to see you."
He threw Cario a short look and made a discreet sign to let his friend know that the best thing to do now was keep his mouth. Once he was out in the hallway, he stopped for a moment. He needed to get in there someone he trusted.
"Junior, can you tell grandpa we need him here?"
His son seemed agitated by what was going on without understanding, swinging his head to and fro. Riordan held his head and kissed his temple as reassurance. "Please, baby, just tell him to come here."
Junior had a focused expression on his face and his lips pursed but then he looked up at his mommy. "Grandpa says he's coming."
Riordan turned to go back inside but just then two large Xenos slithered their way to the same door in a haste.
"Step aside, bearer," one of them ordered.
He hadn't seen them well that time, but Riordan could bet they were the same snakemen engaged in that big fight for Jasno's rotten womb. When he didn't move fast enough, they pushed him out of their way.
"Hey," he protested, "just wait for some of the big guys to get here."
He followed them inside as they ignored his words. Jasno had managed to lie down eventually, but Riordan read the room right away. Cario was outside the group, a few steps from them, which could only mean that that asshole Jasno had continued to yap his trap after Riordan had gone out to search for help.
He didn't care that the others were busy with fawning over that scumbag. He had to be faking it. There was no way whatever Cario had given him to soothe his fears about pregnancy had led to that, whatever that was.
The two Xenos were there, but whatever they were doing to Jasno was obscured from his view. Without giving a fuck about the others might think, he chose to stand by Cario's side. "What's going on?" he asked in a low voice.
Cario's face looked pasty and wan. "I don't know. I would never hurt another bearer."
"You don't have to tell me that. But what do you think it's happening to him?"
Cario's eyes were empty as the bearer turned his head to look at him. "I'm afraid his eggs are compromised."
The two Xenos seemed to have finished their examination and the group of bearer stepped away to let them come through. The looks on their faces announced nothing good. One of them grabbed Cario by the arm.
"You," the Xeno hissed through his teeth, "you are going to pay for this."
"And why is that?" Riordan put one arm to keep Cario back. "Get your hands off him. Don't you know who he is?"
"A murderer, that's what he is," the Xeno said and set his cold eyes on Riordan.
"That's not for you to say. Whatever happened to Jasno, it's not because of Cario," Riordan said stubbornly. "We need a real doctor to assess the situation."
"Kill him," the other Xeno ordered shortly.
The Xeno holding Cario aimed his sharp tail at the bearer's throat as the other bearers in the room gasped in terror.
"Wait," Riordan shouted as he felt his blood stop dead cold in his veins. "He's pregnant too."
The tail withdrew, but the Xeno didn't let go of Cario's arm. "He will be punished nonetheless."
"You are not taking him anywhere." Riordan warned and stepped forward. "What?" he added as the other Xeno's eyes thinned and he looked like he was about to do something about the unexpected obstacle in his way. "Are you going to strike me down? Cario is innocent."
He grunted as the Xeno suddenly grabbed him by the throat, lifting him off the ground. Riordan only felt because he could only stare ahead, as Junior uncoiled himself from his mommy's waist. The Xenolite jumped on the older Xeno's arm and Riordan watched in disbelief as Junior drove his little tail straight through his mommy's attacker right eye, making it burst into a crimson star.
The Xeno dropped Riordan, howling in pain and what seemed like disbelief. Riordan didn't waste a moment. "Junior, to dada, now," he said and the boy was on his arm, coiling tightly, while Riordan used his other hand to seize Cario. "Grab your kid," he shouted at his friend. There was no need for that, though, as Dario was already wrapped around his mommy's arm, his eyes wide open and full of fear.
In the midst of confusion and angry shouts, they made it to the door that opened in front of them. Riordan first let out a cry of surprise as he was hugged by a Xeno coming through. He realized right away what was happening. He lifted his eyes to look at Xana.
"Xana, please," he whispered. "They're trying--"
Lizard guards poured through the door, followed by a couple more Xenos. Riordan watched in terror as the guards secured Cario, pulling him away.
"Take care of my son," Cario cried out to him. The little Dario was biting the guards trying to pull him away at random, struggling to get away.
It was Xana who intervened and took Dario with one arm, gathering the panicked Xenolite close to his chest.
"Xana, wait," Riordan screamed, "this is wrong! Please, don't let them take Cario!"
He's guilty, my love.
Riordan struggled to get out of his husband's arms, but he was no match for the Xeno's superior force. He didn't think it was possible, but his cheeks were wet. Junior was trembling against his chest, while Dario still tried to bite and get away so that he could go to his mommy. Behind them, the bearers had a hard time controlling their Xenolites, as well, while Jasno was taken out by one of his Xeno master, the one still with both eyes.
The other, pressing a hand against his injured eye, stopped by their side.
"Counselor Xana Lei, I expect retribution for this."
"Expect shit, you motherfucker," Riordan growled at him. "You touch my son, you're fucking dead, you hear me?"
"An eye for an eye... don't you say such words on Earth?" the Xeno hissed at him, leaning menacingly over him.
"Get over it," Riordan hissed back. "You know you'll grow a new one back."
The Xeno let out an ugly laugh and then looked at Xana again, saying something to him that Riordan didn't hear.
He pushed Xana away, but the Xeno bent enough to reach his ear. "Let's talk at home, Riordan."
Xeus was there, and Riordan would have never thought he'd like the sight of his daddy-in-law more than that of his husband. He rushed to him and placed Junior and Dario both in his big arms. He kissed and caressed Junior's head. "Baby, you did nothing wrong, you understand, yes?"
"Yes, dada," Junior replied, although his little body was still shaking.
"Can you please wash him?" Riordan asked Xeus, discreetly pointing at Junior's tail, still red with that Xeno's blood. "And keep him busy... both of them, while I deal with my husband." He caressed and kissed Dario who appeared to be in sort of a shock. Could Xenolites cry? Riordan had no idea. Being stiff and unresponsive like that couldn't be a good thing, though. He counted on daddy-in-law to know what to do.
Xeus only nodded shortly and disappeared from the room with the little boys in his arms.
"What the hell, Xana?" Riordan whispered angrily the moment they were alone.
"My love," Xana said gently, "I couldn't speak there without the suspicion that someone might be hearing what we talked, mind to mind. Isn't it ironic? It's safer for us to speak your Earthian way, since the walls around us have no ears."
Riordan sighed, feeling a bit better about that confession. "You wouldn't want to hear the Earthian saying about walls and ears. What's going on? And you're out now? Without letting me know first?"
"We'll talk about everything." Xana took his hands into his and caressed them. "Now, please let me know what happened in that room before I arrived."
"I was busy talking to the kids when Jasno suddenly began screaming in pain. That fucker, I'm sure he's faking it."
Xana shook his head. "No. The eggs he was carrying are lost now."
"Okay, that may be true but it's surely not because of what Cario gave him. That guy only makes harmless stuff. Well, not entirely, but--" Riordan suddenly stopped, wishing he would have better swallowed his tongue.
Xana wrapped his hands around Riordan's shoulders and pressed their foreheads together. "Cario should know that it is forbidden for bearers to ingest anything besides what is established by the Xeno law."
"He just gave the guy some feel-good tea. Come on, it's like he just gave the guy a glass of water!"
"If your friend is innocent, His Royal Chancellor will make sure he is released."
Riordan rubbed his forehead hard. "I'll talk to Marn. This is insane. Cario's a good guy, while Jasno... that fucking asshole. He must have staged everything."
"So that he could lose the eggs? That would be high treason," Xana said. "He can't be that unaware of the danger he would expose himself to."
"Well, Cario isn't stupid to give bearers stuff that could make them lose their eggs, either," Riordan countered. "This is fishy as hell. I'm going to get to the bottom of it."
"I can't allow you to get involved in an investigation that could put you at risk."
Riordan opened his mouth to protest. "Now listen here--"
Xana stopped him with a kiss and a hug. "Without me by your side. See? Sometimes, it doesn't hurt to listen."
"Oh, Xana." Riordan melted into his husband's embrace. "I'm glad you're back. What did that asshole tell you? About Junior?"
"He said that our boy's eye will also grow back after receiving his punishment."
"That fucking asshole. And what did you tell him?"
"I told him that blind Xenos have never been heard of, but that I can arrange for him to be the first. With the right knowledge, some wounds caused by Xenos never heal."
"For real? And do you have that sort of knowledge? How? You're a bookworm."
Xana laughed, making it him feel good right away. "My father is a great warrior. He passes on the knowledge he deems worthy. To the one he deems worthy."
"Like he helped me learn how to breathe underwater?"
"Yes, like that."
Riordan stopped for a moment, trying to get his thoughts in order. It wasn't easy. "Xana, what about our boy? He reacted because he thought I was in danger, and now... Does he need therapy? Do you even do that, as Xenos?"
"No," Xana replied.
"But he was shaking, the poor thing," Riordan exclaimed.
"Because he had to hold back," Xana explained. "He told me before he left this room with my father that he wanted to rip Mikar Perana's head off for hurting his dada. But he worried that you might get mad at him if he did that and call him a bully."
"Damn," Riordan whispered, "I'm raising a mean killing machine."
tbc
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Check out some naughty pics of Riordan on my blog:
https://daemondhart.blogspot.com/2024/06/a-naughty-set-of-rio-pics-superfan.html