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The bead curtains rattled sharply against the silence of the early morning. Ri’kara darted into a sitting position, only getting a glance at the sun struggling to break the horizon before she was set upon.
There was no time for her to do anything but let out as piercing of a psionic scream as she could make as they dragged her out of her bedroom, sharp edges of armoured gauntlets cutting into the skin of her upper arms as she fought against their vice-like grip.
“Get the fuck off me, what are you doing?!”
She managed, with a harsh yank, to break free, rushing into the living room to try and get to the open door. One got a hold of her leg from where they had fallen to the ground, pulling hard enough that she tripped, landing face-first against her table and exploding pain across her eyes as she hit the bump between them. Blood smeared across the glass surface from the quill she had left there stuck through the palm of her hand. She barely had time to yank it out before they grabbed her again.
Dazed from the blow to the head, the room and the threshold and the sky spun as they made their journey outside into the cold of the dawn. She tried to make herself dead weight, making them drag her across the dewy grass as her robes were soaked through.
“Let go!” Finally, she managed to pull herself enough out of the pain to say something, to start to protest again.
Her next scream was ended abruptly by a metal fist to the gut. That familiar intense ache spread across her middle and under her ribcage as she double over and groaned. Warmth began to bloom where she had been struck, the spikes on the glove puncturing her skin.
Then, she was thrown down hard on the metal path that led up to the gate and out into the district, collarbone cracking as she landed hard on her shoulder.
The three that stood over her wore helmets with the dark metal and red visors that betrayed the Tal’darim design. They didn’t give her time to get away, setting upon her like a pack of angry Zerg.
Each blow was merciless. A rib cracked under the force of a heavy boot, then another. Her head spun with the pain and the rate that her hearts were pumping, the three organs thundering so loudly she was positive that the whole street could hear it. She tried to shout for someone again, get away, anything, but another blow came down and her leg snapped, turning her call for help into a cry of agony.
Her mind kept drifting back to Slayn, back to him, Urach; she could even smell the dusty grit and the lingering sweetness of Terrazine. They were yelling at her, but it was in his voice, and she couldn’t catch the words. The tone shone through loud and clear, however; biting, hate-filled and cruel. All so familiar.
What have I done to deserve this?
That thought rattled in her head as she trembled. There seemed to be no end to it. She was able to curl up to try and protect herself for the most part, but the damage had already been dealt. By the time someone got the attacker’s attention, saw what was going on, she was all but a bloody pulp in her small garden, her body screaming with pain as she was racked with quiet, uncontrollable sobs.
The bed underneath her was soft, comfortable, a stark contrast to the harsh metallic medical equipment that surrounded her. Sunlight poured in from between the light, sheer curtains that were hung from the window high above, the shafts of light spilling gold onto her arms. It helped relieve her lightheadedness, most likely from the medication she had been given to dull her pain.
Her arms… Ri’kara looked at the usually white skin littered with ugly red and purple bruises, still weeping that deep coloured liquid onto the bandages. She couldn’t imagine what the rest of her body looked like. From the description the healer had given her, likely not good.
How had she got here? She wasn’t too sure. She remembered being lifted from her garden, but by who she hadn’t known; she had kept her eyes firmly shut, pulled herself into that safe little space deep in her mind where she was sure nothing could get to her. It was something she had often done after one of Urach’s beatings, and this time was no different.
The door to her left opened, and the twins all but tumbled into the room from the bustling corridor outside.
Their eyes fell on her, and Uljia immediately teared up at the sight. Even Ilira, usually so stoic, had a horrified expression in her one good eye.
“… Hey.”
“’Kara, what happened?!” Uljia rushed to her bedside, holding her face so gently in one hand. “They finally let us see you.”
“I’m ok, they numbed me for now. It’s… Uncomfortable to move, but I’m ok.”
“You look like when you used to come and find us on Slayn… I couldn’t even do anything when Inzar brought you to us, I was so useless.” She started to sob, gently putting both arms around her and resting her crest against her shoulder to cry.
Ri’kara lifted a hand, wincing slightly and patting her arm. “Its ok, Uljia, I promise. A few broken bones, internal damage… It’s treatable. I’ll just be here a while.” Then, she tilted her head. “… Inzar brought me here?”
She pulled back, wiping her eyes and blinking away the remaining vapour. “Yes, he found you. He would have chased the attackers, but he saw you and knew it would be better to get you somewhere safe. He brought you to me first, and when you were unresponsive, we brought you to a medical facility—”
“Then a Judicator told us the fucking Hierarch was having you moved to this place.” Ilira finally spoke, anger replacing her earlier horror as she stepped forward. “What the fuck did you get yourself into? Does this have something to do with that new job you won’t tell us anything about?”
“Ilira, now isn’t the time—”
“Now is exactly the time.” She shot a glare at her sister and then directed it back to Ri’kara.
Something clicked into place then, her shoulders sagging. “… I think you already know, don’t you?”
Uljia looked between them. “Know what?”
“You’re an aide to an ascendant.” Ilira spat out the word. “Helping the fucking Highlord? Helping Alarak?”
“It’s not what you think it is—”
“’Kara?” The other twin’s large eyes filled with disbelief.
“That’s why she was beaten, Jiji. Inzar heard what the fuckers were saying when he ran to save her. They called her a traitor, said that they would make sure the Highlord knew that he couldn’t take us without a fight.”
Ri’kara was frozen, unable to say anything at first. She hadn’t told a soul, and yet… Those rumours that got her in that position in the first place had clearly got worse. They had been just as scared as she was when she first found out about an ascendant on Aiur…
Finally, she found her voice, speaking softly to try and diffuse the tension. “That isn’t why the ambassador is here; nobody is going to be taking us away, and I would have never taken the job if that was what it was; you know me better than that.”
Ilira growled, irritated, and gestured to her sharply. “I know that, ‘Kara, but why the fuck else would they want to come here and ruin everything?!”
“They’re not here to ruin anything! They’re not here for us!”
“Then what are they here for?! What do they need you for?! Tell us!”
“I can’t! I swore to the Hierarch; I gave my word. I didn’t tell anyone that this was happening, I don’t know where it got out, but you have to trust me—"
“No. Look at you! Look at the state you’re in thanks to even being associated with one of that bastard’s subordinates! I am sure they’re both more than happy to have you take the fall as well; Alarak cares for nobody but himself and he’ll throw you away the moment he sees the mess that’s been made.”
Ri’kara shook her head. “Ilira, I’m- I’m doing something good here, ok? I know you trust me even if you’re mad at me right now; you always wanted to make the Tal’darim better. That’s what I’m doing, and they can beat me again for all I care. I am not afraid to die for that.”
Somehow, that statement dropped the temperature in the room despite the warm sunlight. For a moment, they were both stunned, and then Ilira’s face contorted into a deep, pained expression.
Uljia simply squeezed her hand, a similar pain in her eyes as she spoke softly. “You don’t mean that—"
“You know it’s pointless to reason with her once she’s set her mind to something suicidal.” Ilira cut in, her voice bitter and angry. “I’ve done my fucking best to keep the both of you safe. I hope you know what you’re doing.”
With that, she left, leaving that cold, uncomfortable silence in her wake. It made Ri’kara squirm a little, the seeds of doubt planting themselves in her chest as her eyes filled with tears.
“… She won’t be angry for long, ‘Kara. You know how she can be.” Uljia leant forward, pulling her into another light embrace. It was comforting, soft, setting her heart a little at ease.
“Uljia…” The little Tal’darim pulled away a little to look her in the eyes. “I’m not a fool. I know that maybe this will end badly, but… Listen. I promise it’s for the better that I keep at this. Besides, I don’t even really interact with the Highlord, it’s the ambassador for the majority of the time, so… I really don’t know how anyone found out I was involved.”
Her eyes narrowed. For just a moment, she looked exactly like her sister; cool, stoic, and calculating, and then she softened into her familiar, albeit worried, smile. Ri’kara felt a little bad for the lie.
“I trust you. I may never trust who you’re associating with, but…”
“I don’t expect you to. I don’t expect that of anyone. The ambassador is still a Death Fleet Tal’darim, so…”
“… I do know that you are an excellent judge of character. If you see something different and truly believe that maybe things can be better, then I believe you, even if I don’t like it.”
Ri’kara blinked away some of her tears, red vapour twisting in the air. “Thank you, Uljia.”
“I’ll go after Ilira. I promise she won’t be angry for long, ‘Kara.”
“I know. Thank you.”
With a nod, Uljia stood, gathering up the fabric of her white healer’s robes a little and sweeping from the room as gracefully and elegantly as she always did. Though, just as she was leaving, she paused for a moment and bowed deeply to a figure in the hallway before disappearing out of sight.
She didn’t have to wonder for long who she might have seen. Alarak himself stepped into the room, dressed in the robes he wore when he was pretending to be the ambassador.
It surprised her, the shock that passed across his face, mixed with a concern that was gone as quickly as it had arrived with his usual resting frown. The Hierarch was with him, of course, though he did little to hide his own concern.
Once again the little Tal’darim was reminded of how bad she must have looked. She was glad that there was no mirror in the room…
“How are you feeling, Ri’kara?” The Hierarch asked gently.
“Uncomfortable, but they’ve made sure I’m not in any pain.” She made an embarrassed face. “Sorry I can’t greet you properly.”
He shook his head, frowning worriedly. “Don’t apologise for that; I would not expect that of you at all right now.”
“A foolish thing to waste time on.” Alarak snapped, though the edge that he usually put on his voice was softened, as though he didn’t have the heart to be so harsh for once. His eyes never once left her, and an odd pit formed in her chest.
The Hierarch waved a hand in a reassuring gesture, keeping his expression soft and understanding to offset Alarak’s frown. “We won’t be here long; you need your rest, but… Do you have any idea who could have done this?”
“Yes, who did this?” The Highlord chimed in, his eyes burning a little brighter. “Such cowardice ought to be dealt with—”
The soft look on his face fell into a slight frown, his head turning towards him. “Alarak, we have discussed this. I will not have such barbaric punishments carried out on Aiur; you hear me? They will be dealt with properly.”
That earned him an irritated scoff and a roll of the eyes, but he didn’t bother arguing, instead letting the uncomfortable air that followed their altercation hang there for a moment or two.
Ri’kara let out a soft, psionic sigh; she was more than used to their bickering by now, but at that moment it was beginning to put an ache in her temples.
“… I don’t know who did it. I only know that they were Tal’darim, and there were maybe three of them. My friend Inzar would be more helpful; he heard their voices.” She frowned a little, trying to think back, but it was all a blur of Slayn’s grit and Terrazine smell, Urach’s angry voice echoing in her head.
“Can you not at least try to remember?” Alarak almost sounded desperate rather than irritated, his scowl deepening. “Surely you can think of something useful.”
“I don’t know who did it.” She repeated with more force, looking up at him and glaring slightly just to punctuate her sentence. “You’ll have to be satisfied with what I’ve told you; I’m sorry.”
Once again, Artanis waved a hand, this time to cut the Highlord off from pressing the issue. “It is fine, Ri’kara. I will have someone ask your friends for more detail.”
She nodded slowly, lacing her hands together nervously. “Hierarch… I thought that we’d managed to keep this whole thing a secret. I swear I haven’t told anyone.”
He tilted his head, a brow raising. “What do you mean?”
“My friend told me that Inzar had heard them calling me a traitor. I think they believe that I am only helping Alarak enslave us all again…” She couldn’t help but let her shoulders sag, sadness washing over her. “… I can see why that would frighten them enough to do this to me. I was just as scared of that when I first heard about it all…”
His face twisted into an expression of regret, eyes gently moving back and forth as though searching for an answer in the specs of dust that danced in the sun. “I should have predicted this would happen... I was already dealing with the small rumours from the Judicators, but I had never expected it to spread—”
“Regardless, it has, whether predicted or not.” The Tal’darim beside him snapped. “I will not abide by you feeling sorry for yourself, Artanis. Have her moved closer to here, housed as you do with your other political liaisons. Perhaps then we can keep more of an eye on her, and she can go about her day without some coward taking matters into their own hands.”
The Hierarch paused his musings, ignoring the irritated, disrespectful tone and answering sincerely. “Yes, you are right. I will make arrangements; have a guard assigned to her. Hopefully, in the meantime, we may find whoever did this to you, Ri’kara.”
“If you remember even the smallest detail—”
She lifted both hands to cut him off, nodding. “I will tell you, yes.”
“For now, we will leave you to rest.” Artanis shot his companion an odd, confused look. It was an expression she wanted to direct towards the Highlord as well; his behaviour seemed almost frantic, the anger and irritation only a mask.
Still, she didn’t want to pursue it further, her eyes becoming heavier by the moment. Talking was exhausting.
“Thank you.” She smiled softly and nodded, watching the both of them leave.
Once again, Alarak looked at her just before stepping into the hall, that same concerned expression passing over his features as the door closed behind him.
How strange…
The soft, careful sound of cautious footsteps echoed across the lofty corridor. Two soft pats followed by the sharp, clear ‘click’ of a cane.
It still hurt, and it still took effort, but Ri’kara carried on anyway, determination painting a frown on her face as she looked ahead at the door that led outside. I can get there by myself. That one thought rang in her mind as clearly as her clicking cane. She was tired of staying in that bed and tired of being stuck inside, forced to watch the sun make its journey across the sky from that tall window while everyone came and went around her.
Suddenly, the cane slipped, her body following and slamming against the hard floor as she let out a short, surprised sound. Pain exploded in her already bruised and battered arms, and she watched as her only support skittered a good few feet away from her.
After a moment of silence, after her heart had calmed its sudden increase in pace, she spoke, frowning softly. “By the void, you are hopeless, Ri’kara.” Another moment, and she was pulling herself onto her only good knee with a grunt, pushing herself with some difficulty to sit against the cold, smooth metal wall.
Somehow, she suddenly felt like crying, frustration gnawing at her. How can it be so difficult to just walk down a corridor? She was used to running everywhere, used to climbing and being good at getting to where she needed to be without aid. With her current injuries… She was no good to anyone…
A few moments later, a familiar figure rounded the corner, eyes blazing brightly with irritation and anger. Ri’kara felt her heart sink further into her abdomen, but at least the small sliver of guilt stopped the tears from welling in her eyes.
I am in trouble, aren’t I?
“Finally. I have been searching everywhere. What are you doing here?” Alarak’s voice was harsh, voice even slightly raised from its usual quiet tone. “Answer me.”
“I was taking a walk.” That was all she could say. Somehow, the way he was looking at her and the chastising undercurrent to his words caused shame to colour her crest with the warm lilac of a blush. It had been a long time since she had been spoken to in such a way; usually it was by Ilira.
That caused him to roll his eyes so hard his head moved with them, a short scoff of disbelief punctuating his next words. “Yes, of course, ‘taking a walk.’ Have you gone mad? Your leg is broken. You are walking on a cane. You are far too weak at present to ‘take a walk’ by yourself.” He caught sight of the aforementioned cane that had slipped out of her grasp, and he let out an irritated growl, retrieving it and holding it out to her. “Get up. I will escort you back into that room myself.”
“No.” She said simply, though she took the smooth metal in her hands regardless.
Alarak glared at her, one brow slightly raised at the sudden defiance that he clearly still wasn’t used to. “No? You disobey me? That wasn’t a request.”
It made her falter, but only for a moment. He wouldn’t do anything to her, and she knew it despite how angry he seemed to be. She couldn’t actually remember ever seeing him quite this aggressive. What exactly has gotten into him? “… I don’t want to go back in there, Val’ka.”
His eyes narrowed, head tilting slightly at the continued arguing. “Are you a youngling, Ri’kara? I will carry you there if I must, and I will not be gentle.”
“I just… wanted to go outside; I have been stuck in that room for so long. Nobody was around to ask, and I thought I could go myself.”
“So you waited for the guard to change and snuck yourself out here? Instead of waiting for aid?” Another eye roll, and an irritated, dismissive wave of the hand. “You are truly a fool.”
“Don’t insult me.” Ri’kara snapped, finally deciding to try and pull herself to her feet, if only so that she could meet his eyes a little better. “Perhaps I didn’t wish to be a bother.”
“Do not be ridiculous. You are injured; a mild inconvenience of course, but you have enough Protoss around you that are willing to help regardless, and you do not take it?.” He watched carefully as she attempted to lift herself, hands unclenched from their irritated fists all of a sudden. What for, she didn’t know, and frankly didn’t care. “A fool and a hypocrite.”
She ignored that; brow furrowed in concentration with the effort of heaving herself back to her feet. Suddenly she made another surprised sound as the cane once again slipped from under her, and she braced herself for the impact of the hard floor.
This time, however, it didn’t arrive.
Instead, his warm, calloused hands held her steady, caught her from her little tumble. Somehow it only made her heart thump all the louder despite the slight pain his too-tight grip caused. I hope he can’t hear that.
“Careful. You do not wish to become more bruised, do you?” That sentence caught her more off-guard. The tone was soft, softer than usual…
Pride bubbled up in her chest somehow, and for a moment she took that softness for him being patronising, snapping at him. “Will you let go of me, or are you are going to carry me back to my room against my will?”
“No.” His voice was back to normal in that next, short word; for a moment she wondered if she’d even heard correctly. “I am not trying to patronise you, if that is what that little outburst is about.”
The little Protoss frowned softly, saying nothing in response, but letting her shoulders slump in defeat. She wasn’t ready to apologise just at that moment, not yet.
It didn’t faze him, though; he simply shrugged. “Hmph. Hold onto that cane, I will not be retrieving it for you again.”
Confused, she did as she was told, gripping the cane more tightly and letting out a psionic squeak of shock as he put one arm under her legs, resting his hand on her back and lifting her easily in one swift motion.
“What exactly are you—"
Her protest dwindled out as he gave her a stern look. “Quiet.”
He said nothing more after that, a strangely gruff, almost embarrassed expression under a hard, unmoving scowl as he made his way down the corridor in the direction she had been originally going. That only confused her more.
His long strides made short work of the distance between them and the door that lead out into an enclosed garden. The sun was high in the sky, making its way towards the west and casting a warm, golden glow on everything. A light breeze rustled the leaves of the nearby trees and lifted the hem of her robes slightly, filling her with that fresh, soft afternoon smell and lifting all confusion and worry from her head in an instant.
How I missed this…
Carefully, he placed her down on a bench in the sun, letting go quickly and moving back almost as though he had been holding something dangerous, like an explosive. His voice was as gruff as his expression, and he crossed his arms over his chest.
“Better?”
Ri’kara watched him carefully, eyes narrowed for a moment before another light breeze washed over her, relaxing her somewhat. “I didn’t expect you to actually bring me out here.”
He scoffed, rolling his eyes, and waving a hand dismissively towards her. “I did not expect you to be so ungrateful.”
With an inward sigh, Ri’kara passed a hand over her crest, addressing him with a much softer tone and holding his gaze as it immediately caught his attention.
“Alarak.”
“What?”
She wondered for a brief moment exactly what was going through his head as an unfamiliar expression passed over his eyes and that equally soft tone he had used before came out again. It felt odd. It was odd. Still, she tried not to dwell on it, even though it did make her hearts do that little squeeze they sometimes did.
“… Thank you.”
The expression that had confused her so much left him, replaced with that arrogant look he got whenever he received a compliment he thought he deserved. The soft tone was gone too, replaced with a slight smugness that she knew all too well. “That is more like it.”
Scoffing, she rolled her own eyes, becoming a little harsh. “If you continue with that attitude, you won’t be getting my apology, let alone anymore of my thanks.”
Alarak paused, narrowing his eyes at her tone before he let out a sigh of his own and cautiously sat down next to her, tapping his claws against the metal bench. His way of admitting fault without saying it aloud.
“I do not know what you would possibly have to apologise for.”
“Snapping at you. You were right, I thought perhaps you were patronising me.”
“Well, I wasn’t. It may come as a surprise to you, Ri’kara, but not everything I say is meant to be demeaning.” He waved a hand again and tried his best to soften his face. “I accept your apology.”
Ri’kara almost wanted to laugh a little at his expression, but the fact that he was trying to be at least somewhat amiable warmed her heart. She reached out cautiously, patting his forearm gently and giving him a big, friendly smile once she’d got his attention.
“You’re making progress, you know.”
There was another pause, only the rustling leaves to fill the silence as his eyes widened just slightly. She could have sworn she saw a hint of lilac in his crest and face before he scowled and looked away quickly, shrugging off her hand.
“Tch. If you say so.”
They stayed there in silence for a little while, letting the little Protoss wrap herself up in her thoughts. Her companion was acting strangely, strangely enough that it confused her. Was he worried?
Psh, unlikely. She scoffed to herself. Still, with how angry he had been when he first found her… Maybe…
The sun began to dip further west, its light moving from their spot on the bench, casting a deep, cold shadow instead that made her shiver slightly in her thin robes. It pulled her from her train of thought as she scrunched up smaller, trying to get some warmth back.
He seemed to take notice of this immediately, pulling himself to his feet and gesturing to her. “Back inside. We have been out here long enough.”
“You’re not going to carry me again, are you? You hold me as though I might explode.” She joked softly, getting up carefully and clinging to her cane.
“No, not unless you let yourself fall again.” He shot back, waiting for her, and watching carefully. “You may be spared from that fate for now.” Once again, his hands were nervously opened at his sides, as though waiting for her to do exactly that.
“You should be careful, Val’ka, someone might think you were worried about me.”
“I do not worry; I am merely concerned. Must you and Artanis continue to mock me?”
The way he spoke made a smirk pass over her face, just a slight one. For once she knew very clearly that he was lying, and it amused her a little. “Of course. ‘Concerned’.”
“Ugh, watch your tone.” Still, as she properly stood and began to walk, he offered his arm automatically, allowing her to hold onto it for extra support.
Once again, silence fell over them as they made their way slowly and carefully back to the room she had been staying in. It was clear by the number of guards walking around that they had discovered she was missing too, and it made her feel slightly guilty all over again, especially seeing the worry on Artanis’ face.
However, as soon as his blue eyes fell on the two of them, his shoulders slumped with clear relief.
“Ah, Val’ka, you found her, then?”
“Yes, I indeed ran into our little wanderer, fool that she is thinking she could get far in her current condition.”
The Templar’s eyes fell briefly on his arm, narrowing a little with an expression that Ri’kara didn’t recognise once he’d realised she was holding onto it. Alarak certainly seemed to recognise it, however, as he tensed with a hard scowl and caught his attention with a brief, silent exchange.
It didn’t faze Artanis in the slightest; he just smiled at them both and sighed a little, dropping whatever had passed through his mind. “At least I know that I will not need to organise a search party. Thank you.”
“Hmph, as if you need a search party to look for one slow-moving phase-smith.” With a dismissive wave of the hand, Alarak gently nudged Ri’kara with his arm, leading her back into the room and stepping towards the door as she let go of him and pulled herself back up onto her bed.
“Thank you again.” She said softly, giving him another smile.
He seemed to ignore it, though he had that gruff tone in his voice all over again. “Do not think about doing that again, you hear me? If you are so desperate to go outside, ask. I may consider offering my aid.”
“Alright, fine, fine, as you wish.”
A satisfied nod and a soft slump of his shoulders, almost like relief. “Good. You look exhausted; rest so that you might be of use later.”
With that, he left, the door closing softly behind him.