TCO: Chapter Twenty-Eight

Morning light cast a green and orange glow over the horizon as the Jalena lowered the Xita-7 near the edge of the Celestine Temple chinálei. Both Jabari and Syam were standing at the edge of the grounds awaiting the warriors' arrival.

Has Elder Master Syam told the others that Tarak is Vaznaun? Gyan asked Jalena as he and the others stepped from the ship.

The masters know, she replied. The others will know soon enough.

"All back in one piece, I see." Syam addressed the group as he and Jabari bowed to the warriors.

"Well, almost," he added, taking in their exhausted and dirty appearance. "Nonetheless, you are all back safely with our guest in tow. Welcome, Tarak. I am Elder Master Syam, and this is Master Jabari."

Jabari bowed to Tarak as his name was spoken, and Tarak inclined his head in return.

"Master Jalena, I will return the ship to the bunker," Jabari told her. "Clean up and rest, then join us in the Thesarei for the briefing."

The warriors bowed to each other, and Jalena caught Gyan's eye before she turned to the east wing of the temple. Gyan fought the urge to follow her.

"San Gyan, will you escort our new guest to the west wing so he may find a room to rest?" asked Elder Master Syam. "Tarak, your injuries should heal completely after you have rested. If not, we will have Sir Malik see to your health."

Tarak nodded.

Aderes was not in their room by the time Gyan had finished showering. Gyan only briefly thought about what he would and would not tell Aderes concerning Tarak's rescue before drifting into a deep sleep.

After what only felt like minutes later, Gyan was being shaken awake. "Gyan," he said. "You're being called to brief the Council in one hour. We are to eat and then join the others in the Thesarei."

"Aderes." Gyan sleepily pushed himself up onto his elbows. "Aderes, wait. There's something I need to tell you."

Aderes was already halfway out the door.

"Aderes!"

Aderes paused at the doorway, his back to Gyan. "I already know you did not see Lesiana, Gyan."

"We barely made it out of there, but that's not what I wanted to tell you."

Aderes glanced back at Gyan. "There is nothing else you have discovered that is more important to me than that." He shut the door behind him.

Irritated with Aderes's bluntness, Gyan sighed and hurriedly got out of bed. He stretched, pleased that the soreness in his muscles had completely disappeared. Making a mental note to grab his green robes for the briefing after eating, he hurried to the dining hall.

Gyan found Aderes seated with the other warriors at one of the long dining tables. Gyan grabbed some food and sat down across from him. "Listen Aderes, what I needed—"

"Gyan, is it true that the warrior they found is half Vaznaun?" Brogan interrupted.

Aderes stopped chewing his food and stared at Gyan.

"Yes," said Gyan. "He looks just like one…same build…same hair and skin. His features are more like ours—not as angular as the Vaznaun—and his eyes are green and red rather than orange."

"Fascinating," murmured Danika.

"How is that even possible?" asked Aderes in disbelief after finally swallowing.

"Elder Master Syam says that there is no knowing where a light warrior will be born," said Hoshi.

"Yes, but there has always been a trace…" answered Aderes, "…unless this is the first." He dropped his voice and leaned in toward the others. "What light warrior would ever…you know, with a Vaznaun?"

"He raped her if that is what you are wondering," a quiet, deeply accented voice said from the end of the table.

The warriors at the table turned quickly. Tarak had just arrived in the dining hall, looking quite large and impressive in new clean trousers and a plain white shirt. His black hair was braided away from his face.

Aderes stared at Tarak, his expression changing from surprise to distaste.

"And yes, she was a warrior. That is the trace you are speaking of…it is how I came to be one of you. Trust me, I didn't ask for it."

Without another word, Tarak walked to the head of the dining hall to get some food. No other students in the hall seemed surprised to see him, so news of his arrival must have spread throughout the temple already.

Brogan caught Gyan's eye and raised his eyebrows. Damn, he's big.

Gyan nodded and smiled. Brogan rarely met another person who was as large as he was, and Tarak was similar in both height and stature. Apparently, Danika was quite impressed with Tarak's appearance as well as she didn't take her eyes off him as he got his food.

Warrior or not, he's still Vaznaun, Aderes said telepathically to Gyan. There's no reason to trust him.

There is, argued Gyan. The Vaznaun have tortured him and labeled him a traitor. They raided his village, remember?

Gyan glanced down at the table where Tarak had just sat, several feet away from the others.

Aderes looked down at his unfinished meal and stood abruptly to leave. He stared at Gyan for a moment before glancing briefly once more at Tarak. That is still no reason. He could turn anytime.

Gyan shrugged. Depends on the level of light surfaced within.