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Beastmaster

"Untitled"
by Nancy

The forest was thick and green, the height of summer foliage for all plants and the playground of the animals. Tao looked around with a smile, enjoying the antics of a family of squirrels as they ran from tree to tree. Before meeting Dar, he never would have even contemplated watching the small animals as he did now. And it hadn't even been in a mean way, either, he'd just never really taken the time to notice them before meeting Dar.

Tao had always been interested in the natural world, even as a boy. But it was the why and how of everything interconnecting that fascinated him. His mother had always teased him that "Why?" had been the only thing he'd said the first three years of his life. He'd wanted to know everything and could never learn enough. That hadn't changed even with the arrival of the blood Priests and the scattering of his people nor the subsequent deaths of his parents. He sometimes wondered how Dar had the patience to put up with his endless questions.

But then, Dar had more patience than anyone Tao had ever known. Maybe it came from being so linked with the animals. One couldn't be so intimately connected to the natural world without at least some of its boundless patience rubbing off on you. Or so Tao supposed. Strong hands gripped his shoulder and he jumped in fright, looking up into Dar's smiling face.

"Don't observe so hard that you forget to be aware of your surroundings," Dar warned softly. "All manner of things could sneak up on you."

"Well I wouldn't want to be anyone's snack," Tao joked easily.

"I was thinking more along the lines of the two-footed predators," Dar said, golden-brown eyes serious.

That summed Dar up, in Tao's opinion. Soft laughter then serious warning, all within the blink of an eye. He was so changeable and instinctive, just like the animals he protected. "I'll remember."

"Good," Dar said, sitting beside him, placing his bone carved staff near the fire.

"Did you find what you were looking for?" Tao asked curiously. It wasn't like Dar to keep secrets but this morning, his friend had gone into the trance that signified he was talking to an animal then told Tao to stay at the camp, that he would return later.

"Yes and no," Dar answered.

"Well that's informative," Tao complained.

That gentle, almost mocking smile returned and Dar ruffled Tao's hair. "I know the suspense has to be killing you so I'll tell you what happened."

"Thank you," Tao said primly, then grinned to show he wasn't really annoyed; not much at least. Though after traveling together for almost two seasons, he hoped that Dar knew him well enough to realize that without the smile.

"I felt a cry for help this morning. It was from a trapped mountain lion who had wandered too far from his home in search of food. I had to move fast, before the trappers found him, which is why I left so suddenly. I found him just as the hunters arrived and convinced them to find other prey," Dar explained.

It was his matter-of-fact explanation that cut Tao so deeply. He knew that he wasn't nearly as strong or fast as Dar but to be so efficiently left behind because he would be a hindrance hurt. Hiding the hurt his friend had so casually given him, Tao asked, "How is the lion?"

"I bound his foot, told him to tread lightly for the next few days. Fortunately I reached him before the trap had done any permanent damage," Dar said.

"Why was this lion so special? Hunting for food is a part of life, the cycle you honor. Why did you save him?" Tao questioned, honestly curious. The hurt was still there but it was easier to ignore if he thought about the situation and not how Dar felt he couldn't depend on Tao.

"I don't know," Dar answered softly, staring into the fire. "I felt compelled to help him, it wasn't an ordinary call."

"Sorcery?" Tao pondered immediately.

"I don't think so." After a silent moment, Dar shrugged and continued, "He's on his way home now so everything should be fine. Did you find your herbs?"

It was Tao's turn to shrug. "Shortly after you left. There wasn't much for me to do after so I started thinking about our supplies, what we needed."

"And what do we need?"

Tao looked at Dar as the innocent question hung in the air. The light reflected warmly off his bare, lightly muscled chest and golden hair though of course Dar never noticed the incredible effect. "I suppose we don't really need anything but my shoes are wearing thin and I could use some cloth to patch up the holes in my bag. Some of my herbs dropped out without my noticing them."

Dar nodded, still staring into the flames. "There's a village not far from here that we can visit. Maybe trade some of your herbs for the cloth and shoe repair."

"One of the reasons I gathered these specific herbs that grow so far out in the wild. I know that any village healer worth her salt will want them," Tao said smugly.

Dar grinned and then slung an arm around his shoulder. "Always thinking, Tao. What would I do without you?"

"Probably work better and quicker." The slightly bitter words were out before Tao could stop them. He felt Dar tense then the arm was withdrawn and he cursed the slip of his tongue. Dar rarely indulged in physical contact and Tao hated to admit to himself how much he looked forward to the brotherly and caring caresses. "I'm sorry, Dar, I didn't mean that."

"Then you wouldn't have said it," Dar commented. He stood gracefully, picking up his staff. "I'm going to check the area. Don't wait up for me."

"Dar," Tao called helplessly after the retreating warrior. Silence was his only answer and he muttered, "So much for always thinking. I wonder which village is missing their idiot so I can sign up."

Dar strode through the forest, staff slashing angrily through the foliage as he moved. He thought that Tao had accepted how much Dar valued him. That without Tao's strength of mind and spirit, Dar would be lost. According to the words that had slipped out though, this wasn't the case.

`Of course he wouldn't know that, you've never actually said the words to him. Tao lives through words, you know that,' he berated himself. Even though he showed Tao every day how much he needed his guidance and strength, he knew the philosopher-healer had doubts as to what he contributed to their pairing.

That he wasn't as strong or physically able as Dar plagued Tao as well, the BeastMaster knew. Which was wrong because Tao was hardly a runt, even as small boned as he was; more like a wolf, a lean and enduring strength than the brute strength of a tiger or lion. Dar had seen how Tao had grown over the last two seasons and no, he would never match Dar for strength but he was more than capable in his own right.

Leaning against a tree, Dar tossed his staff down then sat next to it. Ruh ambled out of his hiding spot to lie beside his morose human friend. Dar scratched under the massive tiger's chin and sighed. "What do I do, Ruh?"

Ruh growled softly as though to say he didn't know and that humans were incomprehensible anyhow.

"You're a lot of help, thank you," Dar said wryly. He leaned on the tiger's back, resting his chin on the thick neck, thinking about the strange situation in which he found himself. Tao was unlike anyone Dar had met. Not that Dar knew a lot of people with the odd way he'd grown up under the protection of Curupira in the other plane of the forest's existence.

Always questioning, always thinking, never taking anything for granted was Tao. Sometimes his incessant curiosity drove Dar crazy but it was so integral to Tao that Dar couldn't help but respect and appreciate it. And it had saved them more than once because without it, Tao wouldn't know as much as he did and that knowledge was more powerful than Dar's staff in many aspects.

Then too, Tao's dark hair, dusky skin and dual-colored eyes were fascinating to Dar in ways he would never mention to his friend. He found himself watching Tao more and more closely, covertly and only when he knew his friend wouldn't see. In the summer heat, Tao had taken to not wearing his shirt all the time and his slender frame also intrigued Dar. Sometimes he felt like a giant next to Tao even though in reality, he wasn't that much taller. The way the light caught the green-brown of Tao's eyes, sometimes mixing the colors and sometimes being one or the other made Dar want to just watch and figure out what caused one over the other.

Sighing once more he repeated, "What should I do, Ruh?"

This time the tiger turned over and pinned Dar to the ground, massive paws pressing heavy onto Dar's chest and gently enclosing Dar's throat with his tremendous jaw. The fangs grazed Dar's neck just enough for him to feel but not enough to scratch the skin. Looking into the backlit eyes glowing in the bright moonlight, Dar knew what the tiger was telling him to do. "I can't. He's my friend."

Another growl only this time Dar felt the tiger's irritation as the jaw-lock was released and the large animal padded silently away, back into the underbrush. Touching his throat, Dar thought seriously about what Ruh had suggested. It wasn't as simple as the tiger made out, of course. He couldn't just assert his dominance and take Tao as his mate, Tao did have a say in the matter after all.

Leaning against the tree now that Ruh was gone, Dar closed his eyes and let his thoughts drift as Tao had shown him, moving into a deeper reflection of what was bothering him. It wasn't just Tao's reaction to being left behind this morning, though that was there in great part. Ruh had known what was really bothering Dar, as the animals usually did. Being so direct had its good and bad parts.

Dar did want Tao as his mate. He admired his friend, respected his great mind and could confide in him as no one else before: not even Kyra, his first love. Dar knew that Tao would always be there for him, had risked his life on many occasions to save Dar. They balanced so well together. It had grown on him without his knowledge, this love for Tao, very unlike the intense passion he'd had for Kyra. He still thought of her with sadness and regret at not being able to save her.

Tao had been there for him through that, too. Through all the despair and anger and soul drowning sadness, it had been Tao's steady presence that had seen him through. He didn't want to count the number of times Tao had stopped him from doing something foolish that he wouldn't be around to regret. For all the incredible and non-stop energy Tao gave off, he was soothing and peaceful when it counted. Without Tao's healing presence, Dar didn't want to think of what he might have done.

As Tao became his own man and no longer truly depended on Dar, Dar found him all the more necessary to his well-being. Tao's thoughtful intelligence balanced Dar's instinctive physicality. The duality of nature itself, presented in the form of the two men. Looking up at the moon, he wondered if perhaps he should just tell all this to Tao. He wanted to but was almost positive that Tao didn't feel the same and Dar just wasn't sure how he would react to such a revelation.

"The least I can do is apologize," Dar realized out loud. Tao was probably lashing himself for what he'd said and it was unfair of Dar to punish Tao for being honest. Tao had just been telling him how he felt, even if it had been an unwitting confession.

Standing, Dar grabbed his staff and made his way back to the campsite. Tao was still there, waiting quietly for his return. Looking into the now dark eyes that swallowed the firelight, Dar wanted nothing more than to apologize by kneeling before his friend and kissing him until he couldn't breathe. Knowing that wasn't an option, he settled for sitting beside Tao and said softly, "I'm sorry."

Hesitantly, Tao rested his hand on Dar's leg. "So am I."

Dar gazed into Tao's eyes for a long silent moment then smiled faintly. "So we're both sorry."

Tao's eyes crinkled with humor. "So we are."

It would have been so natural for Dar to close the slight distance and touch their lips together. Restraining himself felt wrong, but he did so. Needing some kind of contact with Tao, Dar put his arm around his friend's shoulder again and leaned on him, his head resting on Tao's shoulder. "So tomorrow we will go to the village and get you some new shoes."

Tao nodded silently. After a moment, his arm went around Dar's waist hesitantly, as though afraid to scare Dar off with the touch. Dar wanted to laugh and cry at his friend's uncertainty but in the end he did neither. He simply stayed quiet, soaking in Tao's warmth for as long as possible.

Tao woke awkwardly the next morning, feeling pinned by something heavy and hot. Opening his eyes, he was startled to find Dar lying almost completely on top of him, sprawled on his stomach, he cheek pressed to Tao's chest. Tao's free arm went around Dar's side, reveling in the rare instance where he could hold his friend and it didn't involve an injury for one of them. Dar had been extra generous in their physical contact the night before, remaining at Tao's side until they were ready to sleep.

Then he had simply tucked into Tao's sleeping blankets so that they lay side by side. It had happened before, usually when the BeastMaster needed comfort and Tao always gave it freely. Somewhere during the night, Dar had obviously mistaken him for Ruh and curled up to him. Tao wasn't sure if he should object to subconsciously being equated with the tiger then shrugged mentally. What did it matter? He did think, however, that Dar might be uncomfortable at finding them in such an intimate embrace and wondered how he could extract himself without waking his friend. Dar shifted in his sleep, trying to burrow closer and his hand moved to cover Tao's groin.

Tao froze at the unexpected touch, Dar's strong hand resting on his shaft. He felt himself harden when Dar's hand rubbed against him and couldn't quite stifle a moan at the pleasurable caress. Of course Dar was completely asleep, continuing to lay limp and heavy on him, though Tao did wonder what he could be dreaming about to cause such a gentle caress.

Tao bit his lower lip as the caress because firmer, Dar's hand shifting to grasp the outline of Tao as he stiffened even further. `Now is not the time to give in to your instincts!' he told himself firmly, trying to quell the need to press up against the fingers that were massaging him through his pants. Gasping, Tao tried to remain as still as he could but couldn't help a slight jerk of his hips against Dar's hand.

`Gods that feels so good,' he moaned to himself, fast losing control of his body. `No! This is very wrong, he's asleep, probably dreaming about Kyra and I'm taking advantage of it.'

Tao shifted so he could see Dar's face. The blond warrior had a faint smile on his face, his tongue peeking just a bit from his mouth. His eyes traveled lower and Tao could plainly see Dar's hard erection against his leather loincloth. "Gods, I can't," he whispered raggedly.

Tao succumbed to the need to gently press his lips to Dar's forehead, allowing himself the one reciprocal caress, then rolled out from under his friend as quickly and completely as he could, getting to his feet in one swift movement; something he had learned from Dar.

Dar rolled immediately the other way into a defensive crouch, catching up his staff as he went. "What's wrong? What happened?"

`You were making love to me in your sleep,' Tao wanted to say. "Nothing, nothing. I, uh, I just woke up suddenly is all, strange dream. I'm going to take a bath in the pond we saw yesterday, I'll be back soon."

Hopefully the cold water would take care of things and if not, he would just take matters into his own hands.

Dar watched Tao leave, practically running towards the water. `The sneak attack wasn't fair but it certainly answers one important question,' he thought to himself. Lying beside Tao the night before, Dar had been unable not to think about how to approach the question of if Tao might want him as a mate. He knew that Tao considered him his best friend and cared for him but caring for and loving were two very different things.

So he'd decided to do the most direct thing he could think of without putting their friendship at risk. Dar had loved the firm feel of Tao beneath him when he'd carefully rolled onto his sleeping friend. It had been all he could do not to take Ruh's advice and put his mark on Tao right then and there. Falling asleep on Tao had been the most comfortable experience in Dar's life.

Sleeping with Kyra had been different, though no less wonderful. A small part of him had always been secretly afraid of crushing her delicate body with his own no matter how much she denied it. Since he'd always been careful with her, the comfort level he had with Tao had been missing with Kyra. He had even pressed his full weight cautiously onto Tao and his friend had smiled in his sleep and thrown an arm around Dar's waist to hold him tight.

Dar believed in instinct, it was a big part of how he lived. Tao's sleeping reaction had told Dar that his friend was not averse to the physical contact between them. When he'd woken in Tao's arms, Dar hadn't been able to resist snuggling closer. Sliding his hand down to Tao's groin had been done easily enough. Feeling Tao grow hard under his touch had been an aphrodisiac. He'd wanted to act on it but restrained himself in case it had just been a morning erection, nothing to do with Dar at all.

When Tao had moaned, a soft noise barely rumbling in his chest, Dar had known. Tao felt pleasure at his touch. He'd become bolder, still feigning sleep but pressing harder against Tao. He should've opened his eyes then, he should have covered Tao completely and taken his mouth, devoured it without mercy. Tao's hips had moved against his hand, seeking a firmer grasp, confirming Dar's delighted guess. But then Tao had tensed unexpectedly, tensed in a different way as though suddenly realizing who was touching him and not liking it.

"Gods, I can't."

Did that mean he couldn't go through with this because he didn't feel the same or because he thought Dar was dreaming of someone else? Before Dar could make a decision, Tao had pressed a soft kiss to his forehead then rolled out from under him.

Dar groaned out loud in frustration and rolled onto his back, one arm going back to pillow his head, the other resting on his chest. He looked again in the direction that Tao had gone and knew it wouldn't be long before Tao regained his composure. It was at times like this that he envied Tao's simple pants. It would take too long to unravel and pull off his deceptively simple-looking loincloth and he didn't want to release into the leather, it was far too difficult to get clean again.

Growling his dissatisfaction with the situation, Dar rolled up and onto his feet to find Ruh staring at him. "Not one word," he warned.

Ruh huffed as though to say sarcastically, "I wouldn't dare."

"Right," Dar muttered. "Let's get this journey started, shall we?"

The village was fairly substantial and prosperous, boasting a forge, fields of crops and a large building to house their grain. There were at least twenty families living in a semi-circle around the forge and grain building. They were regarded curiously but without fear or hostility, which Tao took to be a good sign. Maybe here he could find something to take his mind off of the morning's events. Every time he looked at Dar he felt himself harden slightly which was not a good thing since Dar noticed just about everything.

Then again, there was no reason for Dar to be looking just there at Tao so maybe he'd be all right after all.

"They seem prosperous," Dar commented as they walked into the center of the village.

"I was just thinking that," Tao agreed. A young woman was approaching them, her eyes lit with interest as she took in Dar's form. She was Dar's height with long wheat colored hair and pale green eyes. The proprietary look in her eyes irritated Tao but he shoved the feeling away.

"Hello strangers. I am Kylinn," she greeted, focusing on Dar. "Can I be of help to you?"

"I have herbs to trade if you have cloth and shoes?" Tao said.

Kylinn glanced at him then smiled back at Dar. "We have many things here that I am sure you would find to your tastes."

`Is she in heat or something? Can she get any more obvious?' Tao thought, his irritation growing. Though whether from her dismissal of him or her continued look at Dar, he didn't know.

"I am sure you do," Dar agreed, a smile lighting his face.

Tao recognized Dar's amusement, subtle as it was, and relaxed. Dar was definitely not interested. Then he frowned thinking that perhaps that was not a good thing. It had been over a season since Kyra had died and Dar hadn't taken another woman since. Well, not entirely true, there was Anira but the mercenary wasn't exactly an ally and so didn't really count. But if this morning's events had made one thing clear, it was that Dar needed some release. "Dar, why don't you have Kylinn.ah, show you the area? I can manage on my own for the day."

"But Tao, I."

"No buts! Go and enjoy yourself. It's been a rough cycle," Tao said firmly, smiling to show his friend that he honestly wanted Dar to go with her.

Dar opened his mouth as though to protest again then closed it thoughtfully. "If you're sure?"

"I am. If Kylinn would just point me in the direction of the healer?" Tao asked.

"Third home on your right," Kylinn answered immediately, obviously thrilled with how events had turned out.

Tao grinned wryly, seeing that she couldn't wait to get rid of him and be alone with Dar. But that's as it should be, he thought with a sigh as they walked away. He turned resolutely towards the healer's home and walked the short distance to knock at the loosely hung door. To his surprise, a young man opened the door, tall and dark and broodingly handsome. "Uh, hi. I'm looking for the healer?" The young man smiled. "You've found him. I'm Jano. Can I help you with something?"

"Oh. Well actually I have some wild herbs that I was hoping to trade for cloth and new shoes?" Tao answered, distracted by the brilliant smile.

"Well, come in then! I would be happy to look at your herbs," Jano said, stepping back to allow Tao inside.

Dar had spent the worst afternoon with Kylinn. She was pretty and clever but not in a nice way. He'd spent most of the time thinking of ways to keep her hands to herself, cursing himself for allowing Tao to persuade him into accepting her company. He knew that Tao thought he was doing Dar a favor but after only an hour, Dar knew better. He would've had more fun watching Tao haggle for his new shoes and cloth, and that was saying a lot, he thought wryly. It had taken over an hour to finally get rid of her and disappear into the forest surrounding the village.

"She has more tentacles than any of my creatures," a feminine voice commented, interrupting Dar's rest.

He didn't even cracking an eyelid at Iara's appearance. "What do you want, Iara?"

She was beside him in an instant, her thin, cool body pressed to his side. "What do I always want, Dar? You."

Dar sighed and opened his eyes. Her delicate face was inches from him, the late afternoon sun reflecting off the hint of green scales going down the left side of her face to her throat and beneath her skin-tight green clothing. If it even was clothing. Dar wasn't sure because it could actually be a continuation of her skin. "I am not in the mood, Iara."

"Think about it, Dar. Your little friend sent you out here to find something that he thinks he can't give you," Iara pointed out. Her serpent-like tongue flickered out to lick his cheek then she nuzzled his chin. "I can give you what he wants you to have."

Dar closed his eyes with a groan as she continued to nibble his throat and move up to his ear. It had been so long and he was so tired of denying himself. She took his silence as acquiescence and straddled his lap, pressing boldly onto him. He gasped, hardening as she licked and kissed her way to his mouth. His arms wound around her tiny body to crush her to him as his mouth opened to suck in her tongue.

Unadulterated lust flooded him, pushing aside the thin layer of civilized behavior he adopted as he rolled them onto the forest floor, pinning her down. With Iara he didn't need to be civil, or even particularly human. He could be as brutal as he wanted and she responded with a savage joy. Her glittering eyes stared up at him, that savage joy shining fiercely from her as her legs wound tight around his hips.

It was looking into her eyes that he realized what he was doing. This was against everything he held dear. Taking her would diminish what he wanted to have with Tao in ways he couldn't even comprehend, he knew instinctively. Being with Kylinn had been with Tao's blessing. Being with Iara would hurt Tao and create a wall between them faster than any other action.

Gentling his touch, he kissed her sweetly then pulled back to sit on his knees, though that was difficult with her legs still wrapped around him. "I'm sorry, Iara. I can't give you what you want. My heart belongs to Tao."

"You think so?" she hissed angrily. "That runt doesn't know how to handle you like I do, Dar! He doesn't know you as I do."

"You're right," Dar said calmly. "He knows me better."

A strangely satisfied smile lit her face and she said, "Maybe not so well as you think. After seeing us like this, what do you suppose he's thinking right now?"

Shocked, Dar immediately searched the area. He found Tao standing between two trees several paces away. Close enough to see but not close enough to hear. The heartbroken look on his friend's face cut into Dar more piercing than any knife. "Tao!"

Tao turned and ran.

"Damn you!" Dar growled getting to his feet and picking up his staff before chasing after Tao, Iara's mocking laughter following him.

`Dar and Iara? How could it be Dar and Iara?' Tao thought in misery. Somehow he'd managed to elude Dar in the forest and now hid in Jano's home, sitting on the floor and staring into the hearth, letting the flickers of light and darkness mesmerize him. His new friend had let him in immediately, concern plain on his face. Tao had just looked at him, feeling lost and broken and unable to form a single word, or even a single thought or even catch his breath, which had suddenly seemed uncontrollable.

Jano had taken one look at him and led him into the back room, sitting him on the bed. He'd given Tao something to drink and Tao had choked back the bitter liquid. It had helped calm him, soothe his breathing, but didn't still the bitter and despairing thoughts overwhelming him. Jano had brought him into the other room and told him to rest but he couldn't.

All he could see was Dar and Iara together in the forest. It hadn't been his Dar, it had been a hard and savage man about to take a woman whether she wanted it or not. But she had wanted it there had been no doubt of that. He had clearly seen the intense joy radiating from her. Then the man had changed almost back into his friend, kissing her sweetly and gently before sitting back to speak to her, a gentle smile on his face.

How Dar had realized his presence, Tao didn't know because he'd been frozen in shock and hadn't moved a muscle since stumbling upon the couple. Dar's amber eyes had been wide in horror at finding him standing there. Dar had called out to him but Tao simply had to get away as quickly as possible.

"Would you tell me what happened?" Jano asked softly, sitting beside Tao.

"I can't," Tao whispered.

"Your friend has returned and is desperate to find you. He believes that you have come to harm," Jano reported. "Should I tell him you are fine?"

Tao hesitated then nodded. He didn't want to see Dar but he didn't want to worry him, either.

Jano stared at him for a moment then a sad smile crossed his face. "He's the one who hurt you, isn't he?"

Tao closed his eyes against the pain inside. "He betrayed us, betrayed.everything. And it's my fault."

Jano's hand cupped Tao's face. "I doubt that very much."

"It's true," Tao insisted. Something he had done had pushed Dar into the demon's arms, if only he could think what! Not that it truly mattered now.

"Rest Tao, I will see what is happening with your.with Dar," Jano said quietly.

Tao nodded then returned to watching the flames wondering if perhaps life was like that: one minute brilliant and the next dying into nothingness without warning.

"He doesn't want to see you right now, BeastMaster," Jano said.

"But he's all right," Dar asked.

"No, BeastMaster, Tao is far from all right," Jano informed him. "He was so traumatized that I had to give him herbs to stop his panic- breathing. I don't know what you did but he believes himself to be the cause of it, though I find that difficult to believe."

"He isn't," Dar whispered painfully. "May I see him?"

"I don't think that's wise," Jano replied, eyeing him cautiously, wondering if he would somehow have to fight the warrior to keep him from Tao. It was not a pleasant idea and he sighed in silent relief when the BeastMaster dropped the sharp, bladed portion of his staff to the ground.

Slumping down the wall to land on the floor with a jarring thump, Dar said, "Would you tell him that I am more sorry than he can imagine?"

"I will," Jano agreed. Hesitantly, he asked, "Perhaps if you told me what happened, I might be able to help?"

Dar shook his head. "It's too long of a story. You should return to Tao, look after him."

Jano looked at him another long moment then left Dar and went back inside his home.

"And this is the other side of human love, that emotion which so fascinates you," The Ancient One commented. His grizzled face was half hidden by long gray-brown hair, his eyes bright with anticipation as he looked at his protégé. She was bent over the scrying pool, blond topknot falling down her back as long, tapered fingers gripped the side of the container. She was lean and tall, greatly different than her predecessor and he had much higher hopes for her as well. "Insecurity and doubt, the dark side to the brilliance of love and trust."

The Sorceress stared into the pool of water that showed the BeastMaster on one side of the hut and Tao on the other. Both looked to be perfectly miserable and ready to die of their pain. "This is just from Dar almost being with Iara?" she asked curiously, glancing up at her teacher. "Even though he had decided not to do so?"

The Ancient One nodded, a strangely twisted smile on his face. "Perception is everything with humans, my dear. Tao perceives that Dar has betrayed their friendship by renouncing his humanity to be with Iara. Dar perceives that Tao will never forgive him even if he explains that he wasn't really going to go through with it. That succumbing to his.baser instincts.has precluded any understanding or forgiveness from Tao."

"But surely if Dar explains what really happened, Tao wouldn't be so." her voice drifted off, uncertain of the word she was looking for.

"Human?"

"Unforgiving. Yes, surely the explanation would allow Tao to see that Dar didn't mean to go so far. And why is it a betrayal of their friendship? He told Dar to go off with that other woman only a short while before."

Smiling patronizingly, The Ancient One replied, "The reasons are twofold, my dear. Firstly, Tao told Dar to be with that other woman who is, after all, human and therefore much more acceptable than Iara. Secondly, Iara represents the part of Dar to which Tao has no true connection. He feels threatened by her animal nature, by the fact that her very essence is that to which Dar is linked, forever and unalterably."

"That is just.silly I think the word is? Dar can no more change what he is and to who his powers connect him than Tao can stop asking questions," The Sorceress said flatly.

"You and I know that, my dear, but it remains up in the air to see if they can come to that realization."

"He's leaving tomorrow," Jano said.

Startled by the statement, Tao looked up from the parchment he'd been studying. "What? He told you?"

Jano nodded. "We talked a short while ago. He wants to know if you will allow him to say goodbye?"

It had been three days and Tao hadn't yet left Jano's home, not ready to see Dar. He still wasn't ready but he supposed that he should at least say good-bye. Thank the Gods that this had happened somewhere Tao could remain and perhaps have a good life. He knew that wandering alone was not something he could even pretend to enjoy. All his happiness in seeing the world had come from being with Dar. "Yes." Jano appeared surprised but pleased. "I will tell him now and give you some privacy. If you need me, simply call out and I'll return."

Tao nodded, swallowing nervously as Jano left. He wondered if he should be standing or sitting when Dar arrived but suddenly, Dar was there, standing just inside the door. His heart stopped momentarily at how bad Dar looked. His eyes were bloodshot and sunken, his face pale. Tao couldn't think of anything to say, wanting to go to Dar and hold him tight.after shaking him senseless for doing such a stupid thing and then not even taking care of himself in the aftermath.

"Jano said I could come in," Dar said, standing hesitantly only two paces inside the door, ready to leave the second Tao objected.

"I know. I said it was all right," Tao said.

"Tao, I am so sorry. I don't know what to say to make this right between us," Dar said helplessly. "Maybe there is nothing I can say but I have to try. Iara.she appeared and I couldn't control myself. I needed.something but I didn't think, I just acted."

"It's all right, Dar, you don't have to explain," Tao said, looking away from Dar's earnest face. Dar had just confirmed everything and the pain was even more staggering than Tao had anticipated.

"Yes I do," Dar said firmly. He crossed the room and stood close to Tao at the table. "You don't know what happened just before you ran off. You could see us but you couldn't hear us. I.I came back to myself because of you. I was going to do it, I was going to take her and just find release but then I thought of you and how it would affect our friendship. I knew it would be a betrayal and I pulled back. You pulled me back from doing something I would have regretted my entire life, Tao. Just as you always do, you saved me."

Tao looked up into those incredibly sincere eyes and face and knew it was the truth. Relief and happiness thrilled through him at the explanation but it didn't really change anything. He knew it was only be a matter of time before Dar found a woman he did want to take as a mate and Tao couldn't stand to be hurt like this again. Worse, he would have to pretend to be happy for his friend and that would kill him. He did manage a smile, though, to show Dar that he believed him and saw Dar relax immediately. "I believe you."

Dar sighed and smiled for the first time in three days. "I wasn't sure that you would. I know how much this hurt you."

Which gave Tao the opening he needed. "It did, Dar, it hurt so much. I want to tell you how much I loved our time together, you've been my best friend, better than I ever could have thought to find. But I.I need to stay here when you leave tomorrow."

"What? Why?" Dar asked, shocked.

"Because I like it here. Jano is very kind to me, he's become a good friend through all of this. And he has many books and parchments that I need to study if I am going to really become a healer instead of someone who just knows a little herb lore. The people here are friendly and accepting and I can finally be someone others can count on, someone others look to for help instead of helping."

Dar stared at Tao then blurted out, "But I need you!"

Tao smiled faintly. "No you don't, Dar, I slow you down. You rescue me every other day from things any child could avoid. I've released demons into the world and brought hunters down upon you and birdmen and vengeful priests and seem to be a magnet for any sort of situation that can get you killed."

"Tao, that's not true!" Dar exclaimed, pacing the room.

"Yes, Dar, it is," Tao said firmly. He froze when Dar spun, pinning him with a fierce glare. He was suddenly reminded of Ruh about to attack. Dar's body was tense and poised but definitely not for flight. Tao swallowed uneasily and stayed perfectly still. He was no match for Dar and if Dar lost control as he had in the forest, Tao didn't know what he would do.

Dar's nostrils flared as he caught the scent of Tao's caution, tinged with fear. Fear of him losing control. But instead of calming him, the thought incensed him. Iara's words came back to him suddenly, "Your little friend sent you out here to find something that he thinks he can't give you."

If Tao really thought that, then he thought about Dar as more than just a friend. Or was it something Iara had said just to torment him? But Ruh had been so certain that Dar should take Tao as mate. Ruh was the wisest creature Dar had ever met, including Tao. He wouldn't tell Dar to take Tao if Tao didn't want to be taken, would he?

All these thoughts flashed through Dar's mind in an instant. He suddenly knew that it had come to all or nothing and grabbed Tao, pushing him against the wall and seizing his mouth in a desperate, hard kiss. After a stunned moment, Tao responded with an intensity that went beyond Dar's most fevered imaginings. Dar practically tore off Tao's shirt, throwing it heedlessly across the room to rub his hands over Tao's firm, smooth chest as he'd been dying to do for months.

One of Tao's legs reached up, hooking around Dar's hip to pull him even closer, as if that were possible. Their erections ground together while their mouths continued to ravage each other. Tao's hands grasped at Dar, clawing down Dar's back with fire, causing Dar to gasp and moan into their kiss. His own hands were busy, moving down and behind to clutch and release Tao's ass, jerking Tao against him.

It was while breathing for each other that they found explosive release, grinding together to become as close to one being as possible. When the last tremors finally stopped, Dar gentled the kiss, nibbling on Tao's lower lip before pulling back altogether. Tao's eyes were shining the brilliant green that showed his happiest emotions. Dar felt his heart stop at the love radiating out at him. He stole another, quick kiss then said, "I love you. Please don't make me leave without you. I wouldn't be able to find my way, Tao. You are my way."

Tao pulled Dar's head down so that their foreheads touched and he whispered, "I love you, Dar. I will never leave you. Your path is my path."

After a long, silent and content moment, Tao stirred and said, "We should probably tell Jano that we'll both be leaving in the morning."

Dar caught Tao's swollen lips in another soul-wrenching kiss then whispered, "Jano can wait. This night is ours."

*** end ***

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