Reclamation

Dorias drew the wanderer into himself and waited while the message it carried dispersed into his working consciousness. The message said only that the U-Kenai was finally on its way to May 16, and that Eric was on his own. Bare facts, thrown together without much thought. Eric in a hurry, and more than likely, Eric worried.

About the Vitae, thought Dorias. The name brushed against old sores. The Vitae built walls that enclosed whole worlds and left him clawing at the entrances. They blockaded old pathways, dropping barriers between him and the wanderers, so he had to design searchers to retrieve them. The rescues could take years, or never happen at all.

Dorias didn't mind that the Vitae made life difficult for him. Challenges were stimulus, not obstacles. What he did not like was the nagging idea that they might manage to make life impossible for him, or anyone else like him.

He was also worried about the fact that Eric hadn't told him where the woman, Aria, was. It didn't take much work to guess that if she wasn't with him, Eric had probably taken her to Perivar as contraband. But the fact that Eric hadn't volunteered that information spoke volumes about how little he trusted Dorias's offer to help.

Dorias sent the wanderer back to storage. He could replace it aboard the U-Kenai when Eric arrived. Dorias activated the monitors surrounding his den. All communications would be checked, categorized, and stored for the duration. Projects in progress would be monitored and he would be alerted if any strayed too far from the herd.

He called for a talker and a dancer and attached leashes to them. Then he opened one of the dozens of lines that ran out of his den, shot the explorer down its length, settled himself at its mouth, and waited.

Seventy-six seconds later, the leash jerked into life, humming and tingling with the myriad signals that made up a human voice. Dorias drank them in.

"Ross, here."

"This is Dorias, Madame Chairman." Holding the end of the leash, Dorias felt the talker relay his signal while the dancer began to move, painting and repainting his portrait across Ross's video screen.

"What can I do for you, Dorias?"

"I have just gotten a message from Eric Born. He is on his way to May 16, but he is not bringing the woman."

"Damn." She followed the curse with a five-second pause. "Well, we knew that was a danger, didn't we? Has he said how much the Vitae found out?"

"This is what I have from him." Dorias shook the leash so a copy of Eric's message spilled itself along the line. The dancer took up the new pattern and repeated it on the screen and waited while Ross assimilated it for herself.

"Not a lot there."

"I believe he had other concerns at the time."

She chuckled. "Can't argue with that, can I? And before you have to ask, yes, I'll see he gets landed as soon as he gets in-system." Another pause. "And, of course, I'll extend our offer in person. What do you think he'll say?"

Dorias felt through the places where his memories of Eric Born lay stored, looking for the right answer. "It's difficult to say," he admitted at last. "I think he'll be more likely to agree, as long as he doesn't know his brother-in-law is helping our team in the Realm. He's never said what grudge he holds against Heart of the Seablade, but it is a strong one."

"Mmmmph. How does he feel about the war, then, do you suppose?"

"He's concerned. Eric works very hard to make it known that he does not care what happens in the Realm, but much of that is bravado. It is my guess that he did not wish to bring the woman, Aria Stone, to May 16 because he didn't know if it was safe for her here. Teachers, you see, are bound to protect the lives of the People."

"Mmmmph," Ross said again. "Important considerations, but at this point, he can't have any wish to see the Vitae in the Realm, can he?"

Dorias didn't answer.

"Is there anything else you think I should know?" Ross asked finally.

"Yes. Eric will almost certainly be in need of sanctuary…and I will be helping him, even if you decide not to."

"Even if he decides against the Unifiers?"

"Eric probably will not decide for or against the Unifiers. He will be deciding for or against what will allow him to live as free as he can for as long as he can. I owe him for past favors and I will help him do this."

"I am at least glad you let me know, aren't I?"

"I owe you for my own sanctuary, Ross."

"I can't stop you from helping your friend if that's what you need to do." Ross's signal became heavier and a bit slower. "All I ask is that you remember your cause is still our cause."

"I would not choose to forget something so important."

"Just wanted to hear you say it, didn't I?" Ross's signal lifted itself back to normal. "I'll meet Eric Born at the port if he's not likely to raise objections. Talk. Show him a few things. Hand over our offers. Try to find out what he really cares about and how much. Then…" She decided not to finish the sentence. "Thanks for the news, Dorias."