Published by Lugh on 18 Mar 2007 at 12:54 am
RT6
Jodiah
Jodiah woke to the sounds of laughter. Micah and Liam were playing a game on Kryst’s equipment. A stack of books sat on the table in front of the couch and Jessica was sitting in the chair reading a tech manual. Male voices were talking behind him. He sat up slowly; the box of uniforms was gone.
Erin came out of his bedroom carrying the box. “I’m going to need that uniform, Jodiah. The others are hanging in your closet next to the saffron ones, which need to be turned in too, now. Kryst told me to take off the epaulettes, so I put them on the chest.”
“Kryst is it?”
Erin rolled her eyes. “Only when it’s just family and here in your quarters or at our quarters, not in an official capacity.”
Jodiah grinned. “That’s fine, Erin, you can call him anything you like. Let me go shower, and I’ll give you this uniform.”
“Make it quick, Jodiah, dinner is almost ready, you’ve slept through most of your family’s visit,” Kryst called from the kitchen.
“Why didn’t someone wake me?”
“You looked like you needed the sleep, son. Even the twins kept it down.”
“Miracles do happen,” Jodiah mumbled as he headed to the bathroom. A quick shower and a quick change later, and he sat at the table with his family and Kryst, having a meal. The only person missing was Ian. “Did you tell him he was invited?” Jodiah asked.
“Yes, he was informed.” Benedict said.
“He’s still angry with me.”
“I’d say his behavior is going beyond angry,” Jessica mumbled into her food.
“What do you mean?” Benedict asked.
“Well, the Provost posted that absurd demand the Second Classes sent. Ian was one of the signers on it. I read the whole thing, and if he were thinking right, he would see how stupid some of the comments were. I also read the responses. Most of them were rather rational, even when presented with the ridiculous. He is not going to come around on this. He has never liked competition, and that is what Jody is giving him; stiff competition at that. I think Mama was smart allowing Jody to pick a different discipline than Ian. That way they could compete but not against each other.”
“What about you? You’re in the same discipline as Ian.”
“I’m a lot further behind him, too. I won’t get to be competition until we are much older, and by then we will not be living any where near each other if I can help it.”
Kryst looked at Benedict then he looked at Jodiah. “What do you think we should do?”
“I think Ian needs a visit from his father,” Jodiah said, “This sounds like family business to me.”
Kryst laughed. “I will concede that this is family business.”
Micah looked at Liam who giggled. “Ian’s in trouble.”
Soon after, the Apprentices started arriving for their study session and the Dalton family made their exit, except for Jessica, who was staying to study. Jodiah went to his workroom, gathered his books and his data pad with all his notes, and found a comfortable spot to sit. Jessica, who was nervous, sat next to him. Several people were there from classes Jodiah had, and not from any one squad. Ral and Eydis both attended as students and Nostina, Taban, and Alod came to help with the tutoring. Soon everyone was broken up into groups representing the classes they were having the most difficulty with and a tutor assigned to each group.
Jodiah chose to spend his time on Circuits and Devices, a class that seemed hard for him. He pulled out the tech manuals that the Quartermaster had sent up and began looking up the list of items he did not know.
“Junior First?” one of the others studying in his group tried to get his attention.
“Please, call me Jodiah, Rande.”
“Um, where did you get those manuals?”
“They came with the rest of my books. Why?”
Rande looked at Taban who was helping them, and then at Jodiah, “They are part of the novice reference set. We got to use them last rotation, but not this rotation.”
“Well that explains it then,” Jodiah said. “I didn’t take the novice class, so by giving me the reference materials they are trying to even up the playing field a little.”
“We’re expected to know that information for the tests.”
“So am I,” Jodiah reassured them, “It’s just that sometimes in class there are things being discussed that I am completely lost on until I come back here and look them up.”
“So why did you choose to take the second part of the class with out taking the first part?”
“I didn’t decide. The Provost decided for me.”
The others looked at him and collectively shook their heads.
Then Jodiah laughed. “What’s worse is I think this was supposed to be one of the easier classes.”
Taban cleared his throat, “All right guys that’s enough getting into Jodiah’s personal business. We all know our Junior First is special.” He winked at Jodiah and pulled them into a discussion on the most resent lesson.
Jodiah fell into his bed when the Apprentices left. He barely had the energy to pull off his uniform and lay it across the end of his bed.
“How are you feeling?” Kryst asked from the bathroom door.
“Exhausted, I don’t know how I’m going to make it through a whole day tomorrow.”
“You don’t have to, just go to Physics. I’m sure we can find someone to bring you notes from the other classes, and that way you don’t over exert yourself.”
“I have to go to my classes, Kryst. Otherwise it’s a weakness, I can’t be weak.”
“Jodiah, you just got out of the hospital, you are allowed to miss a few classes.”
“So they can do it again?” Jodiah asked. “I don’t think so. I will go to class. I will go to lunch, and I will sit with the First Classes. I will come home for dinner and sleep, but I will not show weakness.”
“And what will that prove? Take a few days and rest, no one will mind.”
“I will mind.”
Kryst entered the room and sat on the side of the bed. “What are you so afraid of, Jodiah?”
“I’m barely holding my own in Apprentice level classes. I have to use Novice level books to understand the material. If I get behind, I will never catch up. If someone else takes the notes, they may not take the right notes, leaving out something that is common knowledge which for me would be something I have to look up. I can’t fail, Kryst.”
“You are not barely holding your own. You are doing very well, especially for someone who has not had the background courses. You study harder than any of the others do and I have seen the way you attack programming. Soon they will not be able to catch you in that class. I suspect the instructor is already considering putting you up to Programming II just as soon as you learn a few more concepts.”
“There is no way.” Jodiah shook his head. “That is a second rotation class.”
“And you may be ready for it before the second rotation; many students are. You seem to have a knack for programming.”
“But I barely understand the other stuff.”
Kryst shrugged. “I’m good with hardware, you may be better with software. We all cannot be great at everything. Besides, I know why you want to go to class tomorrow.”
“Why is that?”
“You want to show off that brand new uniform,” Kryst teased.
“Oh yeah, it’s all about the uniform,” Jodiah said sarcastically.
“Sleep well, my friend, and know that I guard your slumber.”
“I will, and thank you.”
“No thanks is needed.” Kryst exited the room and left the bathroom doors opened between their rooms. He wanted to be able to hear Jodiah in case he was needed in the night.
Kryst
Kryst stripped to the skin and lay between his sheets. His back was itching again but he refused to give in yet and go to medical. They could not cure him, only postpone his development a little longer. The cycles were coming closer now with the last one being only a few months ago. He would survive the night, and then tomorrow, while Jodiah was in class, he would go. Medical would perform their miracle and he would be home by dinner. Laying belly down he clutched the sheets, his breathing labored, wishing sleep would come. Eventually it did claim him, but it was a restless sleep, with dreams that forced him to call out into the night.
Sometime in those restless hours, Jodiah woke up and entered Kryst’s room to see his roommate thrashing on his bed as if he were in pain. He croaked out words in a language that Jodiah did not know, but the meaning was not lost on the young man. Reaching out to sooth his friend in his sleep, Jodiah gasped when he felt the temperature of Kryst’s skin. He was surprised the sheets had not burst into flame. He did his best to recall everything he could about Kryst’s culture, but there was so little that the scholars actually taught about them — mostly how to tell a member of the royal houses, the proper greetings, how not to offend them. Nothing that was actually useful in this circumstance. Jodiah watched Kryst wrestle the sheets, then cry out as if he were in pain. He could not just stand here and watch his friend in agony. Careful of his injured arm, Jodiah maneuvered Kryst off the bed and into the bathroom, then into the shower. Turning the water on cool, he stood supporting Kryst’s still sleeping body as the water ran down Kryst’s back. The phoenix was glowing softly causing steam to rise. Holding him close, he felt when Kryst woke with a jerk.
“What?” Kryst struggled against Jodiah.
“Shush, you were hot, too hot.” Jodiah stroked Kryst gently, soothing him.
“This will not work.”
“It’s happened before?”
“Yes,” Kryst sighed against Jodiah’s neck, wrapping his arms around the other man’s waist, “and it will happen again.”
“How long does it last?”
“Until it’s over.”
“Kryst, that is no kind of answer. How long will it last? What should I be doing if this will not work?”
“Medical can stop it.”
“Then I’ll take you there.”
“Not tonight. I must make muster in the morning.”
“You are hurting Kryst, you can miss muster one day.”
“Just like you can miss a day of classes; no, Jodiah, I cannot. I missed
two already while you were in the hospital. I must make tomorrow’s muster or…” Kryst turned his head and choked back the tears.
“Or what?”
“Or I forfeit being Senior First.”
“It means that much to you that you would put it before your health?”
Jodiah stroked Kryst’s sides gently, testing the heat in his back.
“Just bad timing, I wasn’t expecting it yet.” Kryst murmured against Jodiah’s neck, “It’s early.”
“Feels like some of the heat is going out, do you think you can make it until morning?”
Kryst nodded.
Jodiah reached over and turned the water off, then went with Kryst back to his room. Kryst lay down in his bed and moved over toward the wall. Jodiah looked at him, questioningly.
“It’s big enough for two.”
“Let me get my pillow.” Jodiah went to his room and grabbed his pillow, wondering what exactly he was agreeing to do. Then he realized he really did not care. Kryst seemed to need him nearby and he was willing to stay close. He was a friend, that was all. Kryst was laying on his side with his back to Jodiah who crawled into the bed and put his own back to Kryst. Sleep came quickly to both young men, but the phoenix did not sleep. Its heat radiated outward, seeking and finding. Jodiah woke screaming in pain, his back on fire where he and Kryst lay pressed together. Kryst woke to Jodiah’s scream and pulled away, panting. He had been having the most erotic dream. Jodiah lay curled in a ball, hugging his knees, weeping.
“It hurts.”
“What hurts?” Kryst asked, worry in his voice. “did I burn you?”
“My back, it feels like something tried to burn through me.”
Kryst turned on a light and looked at Jodiah’s back, what he saw there made him shudder. “Let me get some ice, lay on your belly.” Kryst practically ran to the kitchen and returned with a towel full of ice, which he sat over the burn on Jodiah’s back.
Jodiah sighed in relief. “What happened?”
“I don’t know,” Kryst lied. He had been told over and over this would one day happen: one day, not today; not when he was nineteen; especially not with Jodiah. However, how should he explain it to his friend who was now more than a friend could ever be? “I know the phoenix rising is part of my Puberty Rites, there is supposed to be someone coming here to help me through them, but I don’t know who it is. It’s not like I can advertise my whereabouts.”
“Kryst, you are well into puberty,” Jodiah scoffed.
“Puberty Rites and puberty are two different things. One is not necessarily dependant on the other, but if you must know, during the Rites, I will… change.”
“Change how?”
“Into an adult of my Clan.”
“So you are not human.”
“Yes and no.” Kryst sighed, “My species is closely enough related to the homo sapiens that we can interbreed, but far enough separated there are notable differences, puberty being one of them.”
“How will you change?”
“For each of us it is different. Some say we develop the physical ability we will need the most in life, others say we develop the one we desire most, yet others say abilities run in families like a genetic stamp. I do not know which to believe, as I have not been around my people since I was very young. I have not seen my siblings or cousins to know what abilities they have manifested. Honestly, I don’t even know if they live.”
vJodiah sighed with the relief the ice was bringing him.
“Does it feel better?”
“Yes. I think I will miss a few classes tomorrow.”
“You mean today.”
“Yes, today.”
“Then after muster I will miss them with you.”
“You need to go to get your back tended.”
“It no longer burns. What ever happened has caused it to stop.”
“What about the Rites?”
“They will make themselves known. They always have. Go back to sleep, it’s nearly time for me to get up.” Kryst stroked Jodiah’s hair, “I’ll be back as soon as I possibly can.”
After he dressed, Kryst left the room, taking the wet towel with him. He decided on a quick breakfast in the galley, then muster. He made it as far as the galley before being bombarded.
“Senior First Tavyl!” a female voice cried out behind Kryst.
Kryst spun around to face the caller, “Yes?”
“How is the Junior First, Sir?” a Third Class asked.
“The Junior First is feeling better. He is healing, but not quite ready to join his classes today. Will you spread the word?”
“Yes, Sir. I am glad he is well. We all are.”
Kryst smiled as she left. He was glad Jodiah had made a positive impression on at least one of his former rank mates. He sat down with his food and a Journeyman slid into the opposite seat from him.
“Hello, Senior First.”
“Hello.” Kryst looked at him hard, “Do I know you?”
“Journeyman Taryn Wyven, just transferred in. I’m supposed to be assisting the First and Second Classes in their studies.”
“Ah, then you will need to determine your office hours and let me know when they are, and I will check the boards and send those who need help to you.”
“Do you need help in your studies, Senior First?”
“I wouldn’t be Senior First if I did,” Kryst replied with a laugh.
“How about your Junior, does he need help with his studies?”
“Yes, but he is already receiving assistance.”
Journeyman Wyven nodded. “Send to me who you will then, Senior First. I look forward to our future together.”
Kryst watched as he stood up and walked away, leaving a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach. Once he was well way, Kryst suddenly realized why — he had been wearing red epaulettes. Breakfast no longer seemed so appealing, so he left the galley to go to muster where other than quite a few questions; everything seemed normal. Half an hour later, he was crawling back in bed with Jodiah, considering what to tell him, how to tell him, and most importantly, wondering how he would react to the news their lives were now bound beyond return.
Jodiah
Jodiah woke slowly. He was not alone in bed; someone’s arm was draped around his middle and someone was breathing on his neck. Then the memory of the night before hit him: Kryst’s cry, the fever, the pain. He was in Kryst’s bed. In Kryst’s bed, with Kryst, Jodiah amended. He decided he liked being where he was and it did not matter that he had to piss so bad it hurt or that he was very hungry. He just did not want to move.
Then he heard footsteps in their living space. He quickly pulled the blankets straight around them, up to their chins, waking Kryst up in the process, finishing just before Alod opened the door.
“Kryst, there is a…” Alod stopped mid-sentence.
“I would prefer if you knocked before entering my bedroom, Alod,” Kryst rebuffed him.
“I wasn’t aware you would have,” he looked at Jodiah and blushed, “company.”
“You suggested it yourself, just yesterday, Alod,” Jodiah said softly, knowing that the Senior Second was thinking he and Kryst were now ‘more than friends’.
“Now, tell me what is so important that you burst into my bedroom in the middle of the day looking for me.”
“There is a problem. We looked everywhere else,” he looked at Jodiah, but addressed Kryst “and with the way you had been acting the past few days…”
“You thought to find me in my bedroom.”
“Yes.”
“Alone?”
“I had hoped.”
“Why?”
“Because, there is another demand you step down.”
“Another one?”
“This one says you are shirking your duties to bed your Junior,” Alod said unsure, “I can not support what I have seen, Kryst.”
“I didn’t bed him. I had one of my spells last night. He came to my aid and he fell asleep in my bed.” Kryst climbed out of bed, naked as the day he was born, “Look at my back, Alod, you know what it looks like after one of the spells.”
Alod looked and he nodded. “It is puffy and swollen. Did you go to medical for the treatment?”
“No, I fought through it,” Kryst told him, “Jodiah helped by dragging me into the shower.”
“I thought that didn’t help.”
“It doesn’t, but he didn’t know that,” Kryst smiled. “at least he tried to give assistance and not leave me to my pain like my last Junior.”
Alod turned to Jodiah. “Why would you have me believe you slept with Kryst?”
“I don’t care what people think any more. What happens behind closed doors is none of their business unless there is a rule against it. I just got out of the hospital, Alod, and I just woke up after dealing with a round of both Kryst’s nightmares and my own. Now if you will excuse me I need to piss.” Jodiah then climbed out of bed, wrapping the sheet around his body and walked with as much dignity as he could muster into the bathroom where he shut and locked the door.
Kryst
Kryst watched him go with a grin then he turned to Alod, who seemed perplexed.
“He would sacrifice his honor for you?”
“I’m not sure he sees it the same way, Alod. Let me dress and we will face this rumor. I should be able to wear my pants without pain by now.”
“Is that why you did not stay for classes?”
“Yes. My back hurt, even with the pants riding low.”
“It would have been better if you had gone to medical and had an excuse.”
“You know they keep my visits there quiet.”
“An upset stomach, Kryst? Anything would be better than nothing at this point.”
“I was tutoring Jodiah,” Kryst winked. “He really can not afford to miss classes, and I did not think I would be so missed.” He walked out to the living space to find Jodiah already there putting on his boots.
Jodiah looked up at Alod, “I’m hungry, for you to be here it must be lunch time.”
Alod nodded, “Near the start.”
“Then we shall go have lunch in the galley,” Jodiah said. “After reading this last demand, and seeing the signatures on it, I think I might want to speak to a few of the people on that list.”
“You are bound by rules are you not, Jodiah?” Alod asked.
Jodiah looked at him, then smiled with a tightly controlled facial movement that neither of the other boys had seen before, “Bound, yes, but not controlled. It is up to me whether or not I keep my word. I’m no longer a Linguist, maybe that is a good thing.”
Kryst and Alod exchanged glances as Kryst pulled on his boots and laced them. Kryst was not sure what was going on, but he was certain it had to do with his own tightly reigned in anger and the newly forged bond he and Jodiah shared.
Jodiah
Their arrival in the galley did not go unnoticed. Nor did the slip of paper in Jodiah’s hand or the barely contained rage in the way he moved. They stood just inside the doors as the hush began to fall, then when Jodiah was sure he would be heard: “MUSTER UP!” His voice echoed off the walls, and then there was chaos. When the ranks stood in front of him and Kryst, he ordered a roll call, squad by squad, starting with the Plebes. Every missing person he took careful note of and when he finished with the First Classes, he turned to Kryst and announced in a very loud voice.
“Sir, I would like to report the following,” and he listed about thirty names, “for misconduct.”
“What misconduct would that be?”
“Well Sir, they are not having lunch in the galley so they must be off fucking.”
About half the ranks laughed.
Jodiah turned to them, “And that is about as ridiculous as this last complaint sounds. Who here has physical evidence that the Senior First and I are fucking?” He looked them over and waited. “Not a one of you.” He shook his head. “Well since there is no physical evidence, here my response to your last demand.” He ripped it up and let the shreds fall to the floor. Then he addressed them again.
“Who here had a problem with the Senior First before he chose me to be his Junior?” There was some fidgeting in the upper ranks. “Speak up now or never bring it up again,” Jodiah told them.
A First Class stepped forward. “I have a problem.”
“Speak.”
“Kryst acts like he is better than the rest of us. He has meals with the Provost and other officials, not even Journeymen and Specialist do that.”
“I’ve done that. Your Senior First is no better than the rest of you; he works hard for you all. When he is dining with the Provost it is usually to discuss conditions here or in the classes, how to make your lives better. It’s part of the position of being Senior, to look out for each and every person equal or below them in rank, while keeping their own percentages up.”
The First Class nodded and stepped back in his file. A Second Class stepped forward. “The incident with Pieter was never settled to my and several other’s satisfaction. He was our friend,” the young man shot a glance toward Kryst. “We do not believe the official reports.”
“I have been informed of the incident with Pieter. I am sorry you and the others were hurt by it, but you must believe the official report. The investigation team consisted of people from medical and the Paradine’s office. I do not believe either discipline could be convinced to lie for the sake of the Senior First, much less both at the same time. There are oaths at stake, honor.”
“Something happened that night.”
“What ever it was, you can be guaranteed it was not sex,” Jodiah said calmly.
“Pieter was scared, Junior First, what could have Senior First done to frighten him so?”
Jodiah looked at Kryst and shrugged. “Senior First has done nothing more frightening to me than attempt to cook, but maybe Pieter and I have different expectations of the Senior First.”
“What expectations do you have of him, Junior First?” someone called out.
“I look to him for guidance as I learn this discipline. I am his aide; doing the duties that he assigns me. I expect that he would not give me a duty I could not handle. I expect him to speak freely around me as I speak freely around him, and I expect him not to repeat my rash words to others, as I would not speak of his. I expect him to protect my privacy as I protect his. I expect him to stand with me, presenting a united front, even if we do not exactly agree, as I would do for him, keeping our arguments for the privacy of our quarters. Is that enough or shall I continue?”
“It seems you have high expectations of me, Junior First.”
“I do.”
“I am honored.”
Jodiah blushed softly.
“I think I’ve seen enough,” the Provost called down from his dining loft. “The charges are dismissed and no further complaints will be accepted against the Senior or Junior First with out concrete evidence.”
Jodiah grinned and then shouted, “DISMISSED!”
By that time, lunch was nearly over, but that did not stop the two of them from getting a tray and some food. They went and sat with the First Classes, chatting with several people at the table. Several of which noticed the new rank on Jodiah’s uniform. He explained about the testing he took before leaving his last discipline and how the results had just caught up with him.
Many were very pleased with the promotion, most seemed indifferent about it. Not quite the reception Kryst had expected. Quite a few people came up to them and wished them well, glad that the matter of their positions was settled. Then the ranks had to leave to go to class. Kryst and Jodiah made it very clear that neither of them would be attending classes today.
When the galley had cleared, a messenger arrived to where they were sitting. “The Provost invites you to his table.”
Kryst looked at Jodiah, then he stood to go.
“The invitation was for both of you,” the messenger said to Jodiah. “I’ll tend to your trays, the fare is… warmer above.”
Kryst laughed and walked with Jodiah to the upper deck. Finding the Provost’s table was easy enough, however Kryst stopped cold when he saw the other person at it. Journeyman Taryn Wyven sat to the Provost’s right.
Jodiah felt Kryst’s apprehension almost as if it was his own and he looked at the table confused. “Come on Kryst, we should not keep him waiting.”
Kryst moved forward, instinctively keeping himself between Jodiah and Taryn. He did not like the man, and it was rare for him to take an immediate disliking to any person.
“Ah, I’m pleased to see you feel well enough to come out of your rooms, Junior First Dalton, please be seated.”
“Barely just, Sir, Senior First and I had discussed this morning how the ranks would take a display of weakness. It seems one of us lost that argument.”
“Yes, but which?” the Journeyman prompted.
“That, Sir, is for the dishes to know,” Kryst replied with a slight grin.
The Provost laughed. “I would like to introduce you to Journeyman Taryn Wyven. Taryn, this is Senior First Kryst Tavyl and Junior First Jodiah Dalton.”
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you Junior First.” Taryn smiled. “The Senior First and I had the pleasure to speak over breakfast.”
“It’s my pleasure as well,” Jodiah replied, then made his order with the waitress before turning back to Taryn. “So, where did you fight? It’s an odd honor for a techno-geek.”
“I earned them when I was about your age, helping the children flee from my home as it was being invaded.”
Jodiah looked at Kryst then at Taryn, “So that would make you… twenty-two? I doubt even Kryst would make Journeyman that young.”
“It seems that you may be on track to make Journeyman at that age, if you are only sixteen.”
“I was, but not any more. What brings you here?”
“I came seeking someone from my home. I was hoping the two of you could help me.”
“Why should we?” Kryst asked.
“Because he needs my help.”
“Tell me about him, maybe I can help you.”
“He will be between eighteen and twenty years old. His percentages should have him in the top twenty of his rank. He is more likely to be a First than a Second although he knows he is in hiding so he may be playing it safe. Those who helped him hide could have changed anything about him, but there is one thing they could not change, and that is a tattoo on his back. I would like to visit those who were missing today at lunch that fit the general profile, if you do not mind taking me to their quarters.”
“Why is that?” Kryst asked nonplused.
Taryn grinned, “I am to be his protector. I cannot protect him if I do not know who he is. The first binding must be made soon. By now he will be willing to bind anyone to make the pain stop.”
Jodiah looked at him, confused, “What did you do?”
“I triggered his next cycle.”
“Why? How?”
“Why? To bind him quickly. How? That is a secret taught only to those who have gone through it.”
Jodiah looked at the Provost, “Is he allowed to do that?”
“It is not an academic affair, Jodiah, but one internal to his country. From what I understand, the young man in question can die if he is not bound to a protector soon.”
“Does he not have the right to choose his own?” Jodiah asked both the Provost and Taryn.
Taryn looked surprised by the question. “Yes, he does. But there are… requirements he must be able to meet.”
“Tell me.”
“The first thing that must be taken into consideration is the proposed protector must be intelligent with a proven record of accomplishment in his chosen Discipline, as well as able to learn our language and customs in a very short period of time. He should be combat trained, blooded in battle would be best. He should not be younger than you are, or older than me. Nor should he fear the one he will protect. Once those conditions are met, then there is a soul search that takes place during a cycle where two other conditions are sought: he must be willing to give his life for the one he protects; and he must be willing to give up everything he knows, as well as everyone he knows to follow the one he protects. If these two conditions are not met in truth, the binding will never pass the first phase. The second phase can begin within as little as few hours or as late as few days of the first binding. During this phase, the newly bound pair will need to be near each other for several hours a day, usually skin to skin. So, he must be comfortable with his own sexuality. During this phase, both the protector and the protected will undergo physical, mental, and emotional changes. How well they adjust to the changes will determine how long it will last. Then the third and final phase begins.”
“What happens during the last phase?”
“I can’t tell you.”
“Why not?”
“Because, you are not the one I seek.”
Jodiah looked at his half eaten food and pushed it around his plate, “I was just curious is all.”
“Jodiah just entered the Technical Discipline at the beginning of this rotation,” the Provost explained, “before this he studied as a Linguist.”
“Oh? Re-training?”
“Cross-training, thank you,” Jodiah said stiffly. “My father accepted a transfer that would allow him better advancement. He did not think to see if they had a program for me.”
“So, the Second Class is as a Linguist?”
“Yes.”
“And you are a Plebe as well? That should make your life interesting.”
“Jodiah is taking Apprentice rotation classes, Journeyman Wyven,” Kryst said.
Taryn looked at the Provost, “How can that be?”
“He asked for them, and with his percentages I saw no reason for him not to start at that level. He is doing well enough for having to learn several rotations worth of material at one time.”
“Surely his instructors make it easier for him,” Taryn scoffed.
Jodiah blinked and smiled slowly, “I will soon be taking the final for Programming I to begin Programming II at the midterm. I do not think they try to make it easier; however, they are patient when I ask similar questions as a Novice might. Besides, my sister is ready for me to get out of her classes, so I need to grasp it quickly and thoroughly so that I might move on, and leave her be to grow into the woman she might become.”
“So you meet three of the first five of the requirements,” Taryn said his voice flat.
“If you say so,” Jodiah shrugged and filled his mouth with the last of his food.
“He was promised to me,” Taryn nearly growled, “as they put him among the other children, they said protect him.”
“How have you protected him?” Kryst asked.
“By staying away until he is old enough to bear the binding; by not drawing attention to him or myself. What I have told you is the most I have told anyone, and I have only told you because the Provost has told me I can trust you both.”
Kryst nodded. “Come then, let us go see who is not in class and who is not in their rooms.” He grinned from ear to ear as he stood up ready to begin the afternoon of goose chasing.
Jodiah collapsed on the couch in a fit of giggles. “It was priceless I tell you, Kryst. You had your back to him, but I saw his face when we caught the last two together. He was not at all amused. I think he wants to have you for himself, when he finds you are the one he’s looking for.”
“That’s what we need to talk about, Jodiah,” Kryst said very seriously.
Noticing his tone, Jodiah sobered up and looked Kryst in the eye, “What Kryst?”
“I want you.”
“Me?” Jodiah looked at him intently, “Are you sure?”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything more in my life,” Kryst stroked Jodiah’s cheek.
“Are you certain I can protect you better than Taryn?”
Kryst looked at him oddly, then he nodded, “Absolutely.”
“How do we do this? The cycle broke this morning.”
“Ah, sweet, innocent Jodiah, we are in phase two. I ‘want’ you.”
Jodiah’s eyes widened as he realized the importance of the words Kryst spoke. “I need to study, Kryst,” he said nervously, sucking in his bottom lip as he stood up. “And I need to think, I’ll be in my workroom.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
Jodiah headed to his workroom and pulled out his books, but he could barely concentrate on the pages in front of him. He felt conflicting emotions within himself. A strong desire to go to Kryst and be held that was contrasted by an equally strong need to be alone and figure out his emotions. Kryst wanted him. What did he want? He sighed. He knew what he wanted, why should he deny it?
A soft knock on the door tore him out of his thoughts. “Enter.”
Kryst poked his head in, “The Paradine’s office just called. They wanted to remind you of your appointment with the Range Master this evening.”
“Oh! I forgot.”
“Do they make you wear the body armor on the range?”
Jodiah nodded.
“Wear an undershirt, and be careful no one sees your back.”
“Why? What is on my back?”
“Proof that we are bound. I don’t want anyone to see it to speak of it to Taryn.”
“When were you going to tell me of this part?”
“I tried to this morning when I saw it, but you were so sleepy. Then I thought to again when you woke up, but Alod was there. There really hasn’t been much of a chance.”
“I’ll get an undershirt. When I return, be prepared to talk.”
“I will.”
Jodiah found his undershirts and put one on. The mark on his back was not as bad as he feared. It appeared to be a brand of Kryst’s tattoo and made him feel all that much more connected to Kryst.
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