United States or Singapore ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"It always seems that way, ruhar," Daria finally said, handing him bodily to Channath. That was how everyone welcomed him back, passing him from one to another. It wasn't at all dignified; it was totally unsuitable treatment for any Imperial officer, much less a Ranger; word of it would have caused scandalized talk; and Tarlac reveled unashamed in every glorious second of his family's greeting.
"You really made it," Hovan assured him. "Rest easy now. As soon as Channath and Dr. Jason stop the bleeding, they will give you something for your pain. And when you recover, what a party the clan will have!" "Clan party . . ." Tarlac managed a faint smile, his thoughts starting to drift. "Tha'd be nice . . ." "Later, Steve." Hovan smiled too, pushing sweat-damp hair away from the man's face.
Ch'kara's gathering hall was beginning to empty, his n'ruhar responding to his desire for normality. Finally only a small group remained at the base of the dais: the First Speaker and Supreme; the two physicians, Channath and Jason; and Daria, Hovan, and Yarra. Jason, the only human, was also the only one who couldn't quite seem to accept the human Ranger's new status.
If he made it that far, he'd be getting medical help within seconds, from the clan's chief physician herself and from a human doctor, one of the prisoners, whom Channath had asked to have present. The Ordeal poison was working. Tarlac tasted bitterness from the foam forming in his mouth, and the Supreme's claws seemed to gouge his skin, though he knew they were touching him as lightly as before.
"What time is it?" "Midday, twelve and a half hours by your timepiece." Tarlac groaned again, forcing his eyes open. "You do this to everybody you adopt?" "No, ruhar. You a bad reaction had, an allergy, Doctor Channath says. You should soon better feel." "Uhh. That'll teach me to drink Traiti liquor."
Ordeal poison did make blood flow more freely, yes, and let wounds bleed more than was normal, yet even now, when its effects should be starting to wear off Hovan felt a stab of dismay. Humans bled so much more easily than Traiti did to begin with, and Steve had needed medical help after the blood exchange had Channath allowed enough for human differences in calculating Steve's dosage?
He glanced at the two physicians, and wasn't reassured by their evident concern. Not surprisingly, the human doctor looked angry as well as worried but Channath was worried too, which wasn't normal for her. Hovan realized that she had allowed for human frailty . . . but not even she could allow for a possible over-reaction, as unpredictable as his earlier allergy to their liquor!
When the out-clan visitors had left the gathering hall and Channath had excused herself, Tarlac very deliberately went to Hovan and put his arms around his sponsor, his head on the massive chest. Hovan tensed at the touch, and Tarlac realized the Traiti couldn't help himself. Tarlac backed off, looking up. This time he had to relax Hovan. "Am I in-clan or not?" he demanded.
He returned the hug before introducing her to Steve as Channath, the clan's chief physician. "She for you last night cared, when you sick were, and this morning's medicine prescribed." Tarlac gave her a rueful grin, trying not to stare. "Tell her thanks, would you?" "That not necessary is, but I will her tell." Hovan did so, and translated the reply.
"She suggests, you little liquor drink from now on. And if you bad reactions to anything else find, her tell at once." "Don't worry," Tarlac said emphatically, "I will!" Then he was in the air as Channath hugged him. Back on his feet, surprised but too flattered to mind, he looked bemusedly after Channath's retreating back. "What was that all about?" "I told you, there much touching is, in-clan."
Word Of The Day