Chapter 2

"Seth was a good man, Kevin. He didn’t deserve this," said Howie as he watched the soldiers bring the body out.

"General Richardson!" called a rider as he approached the scene.

Both Howie and Kevin turned as the soldier dismounted and gave his salute.

"The King requires your presence back at the palace immediately, sir."

"Thank you, soldier."

As Kevin made his way to his horse, he heard his name being called once again.

"General Richardson."

"Yes, Captain Carter?"

"I’d like to take a few of the men out to Seth’s home. Maybe we’ll be able to find out a bit more about what happened. At the very least, inform his family," answered Nick.

With a nod, Kevin answered "Take Allyne, Matthew and Wesley with you."

"We’ll come along too."

They both turned to see Howie and AJ approaching.

"Where did you come from?" Kevin asked AJ.

"Heard there was some excitement and decided to see for myself. Hey kid," he greeted Nick, much to the amusement of both Howie and Kevin as there was only two years difference between the two after all. Nick just smiled in response and mounted his horse. Just as he was leaving though, he felt Kevin approaching him.

Nick couldn’t exactly read minds. It was more like he could pick up on thoughts, emotions and feelings. His empathic abilities were just one of the many legacies his mother left him, but without her knowledge to guide him, instinct had been his only tool in controlling his abilities. There were so many things he didn’t understand about himself, one being why Kevin felt so much stronger to him than anyone else, even Brian, though he came close. It was like he was sensitized to the General.

No matter how far away they were from each other, Nick would always still be able to feel Kevin with him, although distance does dim the sensation. Amazingly enough, Kevin who had no empathic capabilities whatsoever, felt an almost similar connection to Nick. It was something they never discussed but once though, that first time they felt their connection. Just a secret they shared and took comfort from.

Being a half-breed, the taunts were common place. You never get used to it, but Nick learned to handle them. Violent attacks though were something else entirely. He taught himself early on to ‘feel’ around for minds that wished him harm. Living in the palace grounds, it was safer though the bullies still made it through. The real problems came from the children of visiting dignitaries and young men who were training as future King’s Guards. One such group of about seven boys got it into their heads to teach the ‘half-breed’ a lesson one night.

Nick was barely twelve, small, scared and running for his life. They had sneaked up on him as he was walking to his rooms and already he was suffering from a broken arm and bruised ribs, which wasn’t helping his running any. As he turned to see how near they were, Nick failed to notice another boy who had cut across the grounds and proceeded to trip him.

One moment he was running, the next he was flying through the air and landing painfully a few feet away. Then the kicking began again. Just as suddenly, the kicking stopped. Had Nick had enough energy to look, he would have seen a single dark-haired boy with blazing green eyes teach the young hooligans the lesson of their lives.

But all Nick knew was that the pain was gone, and not long after, strong arms were holding him close, the owner of which was telling him that it was going to be alright. And then he was being lifted, but as Kevin was concentrating on not hurting him any more than necessary, he didn’t see the one boy return with a large wooden plank, revenge in his eyes. But Nick did, and even as he screamed, he felt the surge of power that would forever alter his life.

"NO!!!!!"

The plank burst into flames as the boy was thrown back unconscious and unharmed. Nick was shaking so terribly that Kevin had to set him down again.

"Shhh. It’s alright."

"I-I didn’t mean it. I j-just didn’t want you to get hurt," Nick said pleadingly, blue eyes imploring Kevin to understand.

"I know," smiled Kevin, even as he moved to embrace the boy once again. Once the boy had calmed down, Kevin loosened his hold.

"I still have to get your wounds checked."

"There’s no need."

"What do you mean?"

But even as Kevin asked, he saw his answer as he looked closely at his young friend. The wounds were all healed, only smudges of dried blood remaining.

"I felt it happening after the explosion. I healed your hands too."

And sure enough, as Kevin checked his hands that just a few minutes ago were bruised and bloody from the fight, he found them healed.

"My mother’s people could heal. I didn’t know if I was going to be able to do stuff like them since I’m only half-drake."

With a fatalistic shrug he continued. "Guess I can."

After a moments silence, Kevin stood up and held out his hand.

"Either way, we still better get a move on. The sergeant’s going to kill me for breaking curfew."

Nick took hold of Kevin’s hand, and as the other man pulled him up, they both felt it, a new awareness of each other. Nick thought of something and then decided to try it. He sent all of his gratitude and happiness at finding his new friend through their bond, and when he felt Kevin gasp as the feelings rushed over him, he let a beautiful wide smile show on his face. He held out his hand.

"Nice to meet you. I’m Nick."

As Kevin took hold of his hand in return, Nick felt an answering surge of warmth and protectiveness, even as Kevin replied.

"Pleasure’s all mine, and I’m Kevin."

Ever since then, Kevin had been a constant source of support and friendship, his ever-faithful protector.

"Be careful, Captain."

Sounding so cold and gruff, just like he always did to anyone who heard, but to Nick who felt the surge of warmth and love that accompanied the words, it was all he needed.

"See you back at the palace, General."