Part Seven-Battles Fought and Won

The stars sparkled brightly and the moons were high in the sky when the group made it to the tree line. The same scene that was before them was the same as the one last night. Randerians were walking about or sitting at campfires. They came to the end of the corridor, and Tuvok pushed the discolored brick. The door slid open and the wizard cautiously peeked into the hall. To his surprise it was empty. He stepped into the corridor then motioned for the others to follow.
Chakotay looked around curiously, "Where is everybody? I thought they would have posted guards here."
"Obviously they have better places to post guards," Torres said.
"Nyle's room is upstairs. Follow me."
The group cautiously followed the wizard down the corridor and up the stairs. When they came to the split hallway, they took the left corridor. A guard was walked down the hall as the group entered it. He spotted them and drew his weapon. He told them to halt, but Tuvok spoke several arcane words and the guard disappeared. A small white cat stood where the guard had been.
"Good work, Tuvok," Chakotay said, smiling, "Now where's Nyle's room?"
"His is the last room on the left. I suggest you three stay here while Janeway and I talk to Nyle."
Chakotay nodded, "We'll keep the guards at bay."
Tuvok and Janeway left the group, and headed down the corridor to Nyle's room. Janeway knocked on the foor, and called the guard's name quietly.
"Lady Janeway?" a startled voice came to their ears.
"Yes. Open the door. I have something of importance to tell you."
The door slowly opened revealing a guard wearing chain mail. He stared at her then when he saw Tuvok, he opened the door wider and let them in.
"I don't believe it," Nyle said, "You escaped!"
Janeway smiled, "I had some help. Right now, we need your help to stop Danion."
Nyle nodded, "What have you got in mind?"
"I know that some of the guards among you want to get rid of Danion. They just need persuasion."
"I have heard some of them whispering. For some reason, though they are afraid to put their plans into action."
"And so they should be," Tuvok put in, "Danion has people watching for signs of such things. He is paranoid which makes him dangerous."
"Which is why he must be stopped," Janeway concluded.
"I've been working on a plan of my own," Nyle mentioned, "I need some help from the other guards, and I know which guards to talk to."
Janeway smiled. Suddenly, the three heard shouting in the hall then the clanging of weapons. They stared at each other in fear.
"They might need help," Janeway said, heading for the door.
Tuvok nodded and Nyle drew his sword. They then headed out the door.
The guards had come from behind catching the three in the hall off guard. Chakotay warned the other two when it was almost too late. He was relieved when Paris quickly dove out of the way before a guard's sword came down on his head. They drew their weapons and blocked the coming attacks.
Torres ducked an attack then swung her sword into the guard's side. He fell to the ground as she prepared for the next attack.
Tuvok saw that they were outnumbered. He took it upon himself to even the odds a little. The wizard spoke a few words then pointed at a guard that was sneaking up behind Chakotay. He spoke the last word, and a bolt of lightening flew from his fingertip and hit the guard in the face. He fell forward almost knocking into the ranger.
Nyle had no problem evening the odds either. He knew his guards' weaknesses, and he was going to take advantage of that knowledge. He took out two guards before preparing for the next assault.
Paris blocked a blow that was quickly coming toward him. He shoved the sword forcably out of the guard's hand. The rogue then sliced his weapon into his foe's side. He turned to face another opponent as the previous one fell to the floor.
Chakotay appeared to be having problems with his enemy. They blocked each other's attacks too well. He was becoming frustrated with not being able to finish off the guard. He finally decided to try something. He blocked another attack then shoved the guard into the wall. The guard snarled and charged at the ranger. Chakotay stepped aside, and let the guard race by him.
Paris had disposed of his second foe when he heard Torres shout a warning. He spun around just in time to see a guard rushing toward him. A second later, the guard ran into him, knocking him to the floor. Paris heard his name being called before he sank into darkness.
The guard stood up, his bloody sword in hand. He held it threatenly in front of him as he looked around. He saw that he was the only one left.
"You killed my brother!" The guard heard a shout behind him. He spun around and then saw nothing.
Chakotay swung his sword in an arc, taking the guard's head off. The guard fell to the floor as the ranger turned his grief and anger filled eyes upon Torres, who knelt beside Paris.
"Get away from him!" He snarled, "Leave him alone!"
Torres stared at him, shocked. She then quickly stood up and backed away.
Chakotay dropped his sword and knelt beside Paris. He placed his right hand on the rogue's stomach to find it wet. He stared at the blood on his hand then shook Paris, hoping there was still a spark of life in him. The ranger let out a sigh of relief when Paris slowly opened his eyes.
"Thank gods," Chakotay said, relieved.
Paris moaned them cried out in pain. He clutched his stomach only to find a hand already there. He opened his eyes to see a worried Chakotay.
"There will be more guards on their way," Tuvok announced, "I suggest we leave."
Chakotay looked back down at Paris and whispered, "Can you walk?"
Paris coughed then nodded. The ranger then helped his brother to his feet. He heard a small gasp escape Paris, and a sense of dread came over him.
Torres and Chakotay helped Paris down the corridor as the sounds of footsteps alerted them to the arrival of more guards. Nyle watched them go then turned back to Janeway and Tuvok.
"I will send you a message when I have enough convinced to take the castle back. I have a feeling we are going to need your friends' help as well."
"If we don't end up one short," Janeway said.
"I will take care of Paris' wound," Tuvok assured, "He'll live."
The three then parted company as Janeway and Tuvok headed down the corridor barely missing the guards' arrival.
~~
The sun had just peeked above the horizon when the group entered the inn. Torres ran up the stairs as Chakotay half-carried Paris to his room. Torres unlocked the door, and watched in fear as the ranger brought Paris into the room. Torres followed as Chakotay helped his brother lie down on the bed. She stared fearfully at Tom.
"Get out," she heard an angry voice say. She jumped and stared at the ranger. He pointed behind her and repeated his command.
"I can help him," she said, confused and hurt.
"You've helped him enough. Get out or I'll kill you."
Shocked, B'Elanna left the room and went to hers. She slammed the door, and cursing could be heard coming from her room.
"I hope you're happy," Chakotay heard an angry voice float to his ears. He looked down, and saw furious blue eyes staring back at him.
Janeway and Tuvok entered the room before the ranger could speak. The wizard went to stand by him as Janeway stood on the other side of the bed.
Chakotay looked at the wizard, "What are you doing here?"
"I can heal him," Tuvok answered simply, "You must leave now."
The ranger looked at Janeway, who made her way toward the door. He looked at Paris, who was unconscious. The rogue was pale and sweating. He moaned softly and Chakotay became frightened.
"You can heal him?" He asked, not completely convinced.
"Yes, but you must leave. I will let you know when I'm done."
Chakotay nodded. He looked at Paris one final time before he left the room. When he shut the door, he faintly heard sobs coming from Torres' room. He felt a twinge of guilt from yelling at her. He went to her door and knocked on it.
"Go away!"
"B'Elanna, open the door," Chakotay said, pleadingly.
"Why should I?"
"I want to apologize. I was just frightened. I should have realized that you were just helping him. I'm sorry."
Torres opened the door and glared at him. Her eyes were red from crying. Fresh tears ran down her cheeks.
"And you don't think I was frightened?!" Her voice was venom, "Let me tell you something, Chakotay, I'm terrified! I don't want to lose him."
"I don't want him to die either, B'Elanna. Tuvok said that he can heal him. He's in Tom's room now doing just that."
Hope spread across Torres' face. She gave the ranger a small smile and nodded.
"Thanks, Chakotay," she said softly, "Tell me when he's awake. I want to be alone for awhile."
Chakotay nodded and headed for the stairs.
~~
Tom Paris faintly heard someone chanting. He opened his eyes to find himself sitting in a cell. A slight groan escaped from him as he stared at the familiar surroundings. He leaned back against the wall just as a guard came and opened the cell door.
The creaking echoed in his ears sending a chill down his spine. He looked up at the guard and froze. Standing above him was the robed figure; its faceless hood turned to look at him. He tried to back away, but the wall prevented him from going anywhere.
The figure entered the cell and glided over toward Paris. It stared down at him and laughed.
"Just like a thief," it said, "cowering. I suppose you're going to beg for your life as well?"
"I wouldn't give you the satisfaction, so you can just stick it up you're butt for all I care!"
"Good, cause I don't want to hear it."
Paris stood up and stared into the empty hood. He decided to take Torres' advice and face this horror that had plagued him for years. He took a swing at the figure, but his fist went right through the hood. Paris retracted his hand and stared at it. He heard laughter and he looked at the figure, shocked.
"You're finally going to join those bodies in the yard," the phantom's voice became an eerie whisper.
Paris sneered as he tried to look for a way out of this nightmare. He then saw a flash of light. He looked down and saw a dagger much like the one B'Elanna had shown him.
"In what you call reality you're dying from a wound. I will speed you along by killing you here."
Paris backed into the wall and tried to knock the weapon out of the figure's hand. His hand again went through the wraith. The shadow quickly jabbed the weapon into a shocked Tom Paris.
Paris screamed in pain and terror then was silent. Tuvok looked at the young rogue in mild surprise. His sudden scream brought the wizard out of his trance. He was used to hearing screams of pain from those he healed, but Paris' scream was also filled with terror. He took a deep breath, and was about to start again when the door burst open. He looked up to see Torres rushing into the room.
"Tom!" She cried as she ran to the bed. She knelt by the bed and took his left hand in hers. She ran the other hand through his sweat drenched hair as she whispered to him.
"Torres," Tuvok said, "I have just begun to heal him. His scream broke my concentration. If I am to continue, I must have silence. You need to leave."
Torres looked at the wizard. She was not about to leave Paris. She stared at Tuvok, challenging him to force her to leave.
"Very well, Torres. Just remain silent."
Torres nodded then looked at Paris. He was paler than when she last seen him. He was barely breathing, and a chill went up her spine. She heard the wizard begin his chanting, and she looked over to see Tuvok's hands on the wound.
To her amazement, she saw a faint golden glow start to surround the wizard's hands. Her eyes widened as the glow seemed to replace Tuvok's hands. The minutes slowly passed as the glow spread from his hands and entered the wound. A moan from her right brought her attention back to Paris. She looked at him and saw that his face reflected the pain and fear he was feeling.
"I'm here, Tom," she whispered, brushing his hair from his forehead, "don't be afraid."
Forty-five minutes had passed when Tuvok sank to his knees. The glow had disappeared, and the room seemed to dim afterwards. The wizard tiredly looked at the wound. It had started to close when he collapsed. The bleeding had slowed, but the wound still needed to be tended to.
Tuvok went into a pocket in his robe and brought out some cloth. He wiped the blood with one cloth then placed the other on the wound. He pressed the cloth to the wound to make it stick. He then pulled the blankets up to Paris' chest. He then looked at Torres, who appeared as tired as he felt.
"I've done all I can," Tuvok said, "I assume you want to stay with him?"
Torres nodded and the wizard agreed. He then left the room. Alone, she looked at Paris and felt her heart sink. He lied still on the bed; the expression on his face was no longer filled with pain and terror. She touched his wet brow and felt that he was trembling. They stopped when she soothingly whispered to him, and stroked his hair.
~~
Two days later, Lady Janeway was sitting with Chakotay and Tuvok. B'Elanna was still having her vigil over Tom Paris. Janeway could see the concern on Chakotay's face. She tried to comfort him, but all she recieved was a nod of understanding.
The three ate their breakfast in silence. Janeway looked up when she heard her name. Her eyes widened when she saw Drandon, her Royal Hunter, standing in the entrance to the dining area. She smiled and stood. The hunter saw her and went to her table. She embraced him in a heartfelt hug. The two then sat down.
"Nyle has talked to most of the guards," Drandon said, "They are willing to fight Danion. They want his tyranny to end before it begins."
Janeway nodded, "Good. When?"
"He's working on planning tonight. He doesn't want this to be a long drawn out war." "Neither do I," Janeway said, "Tell him we'll be there."
Drandon nodded and stood up. He turned on his heel and left.
"We will return to the castle tonight," Tuvok said, knowing Janeway wanted to be there as soon as possible.
"What about Tom?" Chakotay asked, concerned.
"He needs to rest, Chakotay," Janeway answered, "He'll stay here. I'll have someone watch over him. We'll need B'Elanna's fighting skills for this battle."
Chakotay nodded and took a sip of juice. He still feared for his brother. Tuvok had told him two days ago that he had healed the wound as much as he could. The wizard had bandaged it and left Torres to watch over Paris. He had not told the ranger about the rogue's terror filled scream, but he had heard it and he still couldn't get it out of his mind.
~~
Tom Paris opened his eyes to find himself sitting on the floor of his cell. He looked up to see the robed figure staring down at him. He swallowed and tasted blood. The rest of his senses came into focus, and he felt his tunic to find it wet. The strange thing was that he felt no pain. He stared at his hand to find it covered in blood. He heard laughter from above him and he looked up.
"It won't be long now," the shadow said, "you're fading away in both realms now. Soon, you'll be no more."
Paris tried to kick at the figure's robe, but his foot went right through. More laughter echoed in his ears. Angered, Paris jumped to his feet, ignoring the weakness he felt. He glared at the shadow, his blue eyes buring.
"You can't fight me, boy," the wraith hissed, "You don't know how. Even if you did, you're too weak to do so."
Paris glared at the figure, "Who said I was going to fight you?"
He cautiously moved down the side of the wall. The shadow stared at him, amused. He went to the middle of the cell and stopped. He began to fill dizzy and his legs became weak. He looked back at the figure and laughed.
"You dare laugh at me!?" The figure shouted and Paris laughed harder which caused him to cough.
Paris slowly walked to the cell door only to fall to the floor.
"Didn't make it, did you?" The figure said laughing.
Tom's eyes flew open, and he gasped in surprise and pain. His eyes darted around the room until they fell on B'Elanna.
"Thank gods," he whispered.
"I'm here, Tom," Torres said, stroking his hair, "You're going to be alright."
She then bent down and kissed him on the lips. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer to him.
"I faced it, B'Elanna," he whispered, "I don't think it was enough, though. It tried to kill me."
Torres stared at him, stunned. She stroked his hair not just to calm him, but herself as well.
"Last night, you almost died. I was so frightened. I called Tuvok back in to help you. He preformed another spell and you were breathing again. I never want to go through that again."
Paris tried to smile, but exhaustion took over. He closed his eyes and fell into a more peaceful sleep. Torres kissed his forehead then stood up. She would tell them that Tom was going to be fine then she would get some sleep herself. She had barely slept at all, fear and concern keeping her awake. Now the fear and concern was almost gone. She ran her hand through his hair and left the room.
Torres joined the others in the dining area. She told them about Tom's condition and she saw a wave of relief wash over Chakotay's face. She gave him a small smile and he returned it. Janeway updated her on their plans to return to Wyvern. She told the warrior that Paris would have to stay behind.
"Then I will stay with him," Torres said.
Janeway shook her head, "We need your fighting skills, B'Elanna. I have already arranged for someone to stay with him."
"When are going to tell him?" Torres asked.
"When he wakes up," Janeway answered, "Don't worry, B'Elanna, we're not leaving him behind. He needs rest if he's going to recover. He doesn't need to be fighting in his condition."
"He's going to protest," Chakotay mentioned, "but he'll understand."
Torres finally nodded and drank her juice.

On to Wyvern
Back to Paris, Voyager