to the gods that you were there to intervene and that she listened to you. I do not fully trust these new allies. I know you are wary of them as well.”
He instinctively begins helping me stow our many possessions into the military grade crates sitting around. We have moved many times, and although Kryos is not of my clade, we have become close over the years. He continues making polite conversation as we work.
“You have had an adventurous day, my friend. I’m pleased that our new allies are all locked in their hibernation chambers and will not be awakened until we reach Onello. They are now safe and it is one less worry to my mind,” I say.
Snapping the lid to a full crate closed, Kryos shoots me a knowing look. “Mine as well.” Reaching his hand down to open a pouch at his side, he pulls out something wrapped in a white cloth. “A gift for your new queen from the Clade of Kryos.”
Once he lays the gift in my hand, I know before I look what it is. Kryos and his scion discovered a petrified tree resin on their property. It has medicinal properties. Our healers use it to create the only medicine known to purge queens of the Vithacan parasites. Sliding it from the cloth, I hold the hand-sized piece up to the light. “Argonite. It’s the most precious substance in the known universe.” Lowering it, my chest hurts and I know not why. “Thank you, my friend. This is a kindness I will not forget.”
He smiles, clearly pleased that I understand the magnitude of the gift he offers. If we were to suffer a societal collapse or planetary catastrophe, this is the one item I would risk my life to take with us. Keeping it close ensures we can create the serum to keep our line free of contamination by the parasites. For one such as me, this means everything, for it virtually guarantees the continuation of our line.
“I’m pleased to be able to share our good fortune with you and yours. We live side by side. Our queens will surely become close and our children might even mingle bloodlines if we are fortunate. Therefore we must do all in our power to ensure the health and safety of our clades.”
I now know the pain in my chest is something born of caring and respect for this fellow warrior who has long been aligned with our clade. “Rest assured, I am of the same mind about such things.”
Kryos relaxes his wings just a bit. I realize we just agreed to mingle bloodlines. If that happens, this male will become actual kin to me and mine, rather than just a neighbor, friend and part of the same elite fighting team I belong to. This moment is history in the making for my clade, so I extend my arm like the warriors of old. We clasp arms and repeat words fit for the occasion.
“From this moment forward your clade has my protection from danger, hunger, disease and exile. You will find shelter in our keep during your time of need and friendship among my clade. If it is within my ability, you and yours will never be left wanting. This is my vow to you.”
Dipping his head, Kryos repeats the sacred vow of our people. Though my brain is primitive, I am clever in my own way. Therefore, I have a feeling that I am not the first alliance my friend has forged as of late. This sits well with me for we are of the old blood. The more alliances we make the greater the chance our clades will thrive. No sooner do our arms unclasp than my com sounds off.
“Borak, we need you on shuttle one. The Sonarian has been cleared by medical.”
“I’m on my way.”
Kryos gets the same message and responds in kind. As we head for the holding bay containing our prisoner, he speaks. My friend’s voice is peevish and annoyed. “Why do you think you were notified first?”
Casting my overly competitive friend a sideways glance, I respond cheerfully. “Because our king does not know that you wish to be first in all things, even low priority communications such as this one.”
His eyes jerk up to mine. “Don’t pretend you aren’t pleased to be first in the notification chain. You are more competitive than I ever dared to be.”
I can’t help but chuckle at his accusation, because we both are as bad as