Suddenly, the Restoration Wing was abuzz. Jax- whose recovery everyone had more or less given up on- had regained consciousness. Even Elara, who was still unable to walk, arrived in a wheelchair. The chair was a strange new invention; Lorian had roughly described the design to a palace carpenter, guiding his hands until the wood took the shape of his memory from another world. Kaelen was behind her, pushing her chair. though not yet fit for service, pushed her, his devotion to Elara's recovery keeping him tethered to the wing.
Everyone was delighted to see Jax back from the brink. Jax himself remained utterly puzzled, trying to grasp how long he had been bedridden and, above all, the identity of the lady beside him.
"Mother..." he whispered again, struggling to sit up. Both Shaira and Zara instantly pressed him back down.
Lorian, wanting to give them space, ordered the room vacated so the three could have their personal moment. However, Jax feebly shook his head against this proposal of Lorian, and Zara supported Jax in it. They requested that Lorian, Kaelen, and Elara stay there with them at such memorable moment. For, to Jax and Zara, these three were no less than family, and they wanted to be surrounded by everyone they loved. Lorian felt a surge of warmth and signaled for the others to remain honoring Jax and Zara's wish.
What followed was a reunion of raw emotion. No one had imagined that Jax, who was presumed to be a stoic, could be so expressive; or the fierce Beastman Zara to be so vulnerable. Lorian, Elara, and Kaelen stood back, observing the trio silently, and cherishing the moment and sharing the joy with the three.
Unbeknownst to Lorian, behind his back, Kaelen spontaneously gripped Elara's hand firmly, as he was deeply moved by the outburst of joy. Though his grip was tight enough to hurt, Elara did not flinch; for the emotional happiness he was giving her far outweighed the physical pain he was inflicting on her unintentionally. Rather, she too savored the moment. She simply rested her head gently against his arm. Emotion was truly contagious. Watching them, Lorian too was feeling a sudden, sharp pang of loneliness. Strangely, Bianca's face drifted into his mind. It seemed her otherworldly, angelic features had left a deeper mark on his psyche than he cared to admit.
As the turmoil subsided, Shaira turned her gaze toward Lorian. Her eyes were full of compassion.
"Master..." she spoke softly.
Lorian moved to protest; it felt profoundly uncomfortable for an aged woman to address him so subserviently. Afterall, she was his colleague come friend's mother. But Shaira was not one to be swayed.
"You have given this old lady a new life," she said, as her voice was trembling with emotion, "If I had lived to learn my little cub was...". She paused to swallow her tears. "You did not just rescue him and his mate from a life of torment; you gave them a purpose, protection, and respect. This old soul cannot repay such a debt in nine lifetimes. Do not deprive me of the opportunity to repay at least a fraction of your kindness."
Lorian realized further argument was fruitless. Even if he forcefully forbade the title, her heart would remain unchanged. Reluctantly, he gave in to the customs of this new world.
Sensing the air had become heavy, Elara chimed in to change the subject, "Ma'am... if you don't mind, may I ask you something?"
"Only if you promise to drop the 'Ma'am," Shaira responded jovially, "You are my children's friends. Use my name."
Elara gleefully nodded, "I always imagined Jax's family would look... well, just like Jax. But you seem a bit different."
An awkward silence fell over the three Beastmen. Zara suddenly found a mug of water extremely fascinating, drinking as if her life depended on it. Before Lorian could intervene, Kaelen joined in with his usual bluntness.
"Now that you mention it," the knight mused, "I wonder how Jax and Zara's children would look!"
Zara spat her water out like a jet, drenching Jax's bed. Jax looked completely overwhelmed, and Shaira was flabbergasted. Elara tried to elbow Kaelen but only succeeded in hurting herself. Kaelen remained clueless, the muscle-headed knight was wondering why everyone was reacting so strangely to a simple question.
Shaira finally smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes, "I think you are not well-acquainted with our ways. Usually, the children take after either the father or the mother- most often the mother. But there is a reason such unions are often avoided. There is a risk."
She paused, choosing her words carefully, "Sometimes, a child is born who is neither like the mother nor the father. They are a mix- a shattered reflection of two species. Just like me. I have the color of my mother, but the markings of my father. We are the shunned. The outcasts. We are called Strays."
"But why?" Lorian wondered aloud, "Just for resembling both parents? Isn't that a bit extreme?"
"It is not just about the fur, Alpha Cub," Shaira replied with a sorrowful smile, "Strays are often born with special powers. But more often than not, it is a curse rather than a gift. Most cubs go insane... they go feral. Very few keep their sanity. And even those who do become a burden to the pack."
"You mean..." Kaelen trailed off, realizing he was likely on the verge of saying something wrong again.
The wise Seer caught the lingering question in his eyes, "We are a martial race. Our worth is judged by battle prowess. Only the old and the wounded are allowed respite from the fight. Anyone who cannot hunt is 'baggage.' For those Strays who keep their minds, their power comes at the cost of physical frailty. We cannot fight. We are nothing but weight to the clan."
Lorian frowned, "But how did you all get separated? Why were you in those cages while they were here?"
"I was lost," Shaira replied with a forced, painful smile, "In a gamble."