“It's me, Zami, it's me.” Red knew it was him. There was no mistake – the man standing before her, dressed in a dirtied uniform, was her brother. She'd know him anywhere. “Zami, I'm okay...”

Red did not flinch away as his hand – rough from fighting – touched her face. “You are? But...” she looked at him, disbelieving. It was him, but she had seen him be defeated by the Oblivionite. By the tricky and powerful Oblivionite that had just beaten her.

“It was a training fight, nothing more.” he said soothingly, “I'm okay.” His hands never left her, as if he had to touch her face, her hair, her horns to believe that she was there. Red understood the feeling, and would have done the same, but the magical bindings held her tight. “Gods, is this...” he looked at the hood, smiling, his eyes beginning to glitter with tears. “I gave you this.”

“Yeah.” she said, looking up at him and feeling... complicated. This was the moment she had been waiting for for years, the moment when everyone was proven wrong about his death and she saw him with her own eyes. It was imperfect, sure, but what wasn't? “They all thought you was dead, Vetty.” she said, feeling tears burning her own eyes. She didn't mind them; for once, she wanted to cry. She wanted to let it all out. She'd missed him so much. “They all thought it, but I didn't. I never did, not even for a minute...”

“Private Vetertov.” Raemos said, watching the reunion with great curiousity. The confusion surrounding the barbarian girl's sudden attack was being cleared up with every word they said – clearly this was a reunion between two close people separated for a long time, and clearly the barbarian girl had misunderstood their fight. Raemos wanted to make sure all the confusion was cleared away as soon as possible. “Who is this young lady?”

Vetertov smiled broadly and stood up to face the Oblivionite. “Sargent, meet my baby sister, Zamanavyi.”

Red would have, at any other time, writhed with anger and embarrassment and challenged Vetertov to a fight over her full name and the word 'baby', but she was just happy to hear his voice, acknowledging her. Her journey was over, she realized. She had been right. She had been right all along. It was a strange, slightly uncomfortable feeling.

Raemos frowned, but nodded. He could see the resemblance. Vetertov had never talked about his family, but Raemos was very aware how complicated such things could be. He was careful about talking about his family himself, after all. His rank did not give him excuse to pry where it wasn't his business. However, this was now Guardian business. After all, she had assaulted him, for whatever reason. “I take it...” he said, carefully, “She hasn't heard from you in a very long time.”

“I... disappeared... during the Mara wars.” he explained, a little haltingly, “And I guess... my family thought I was dead.”

“And you let them think it.” Raemos said bluntly. Red turned her head towards him, teeth bared in rage. How dare he imply that her brother would deceive her family... would deceive her... like that?! It had hurt so much to think, even for a moment, that he was dead. It had hurt so much to doubt herself, to wonder if her searching was for nothing. How dare this Oblivionite b*****d say that her Vetty had done it on purpose?!

“Yes.” Red stared at her brother, stunned into silence, as he spoke, “I... don't want to talk about it.”

“Private.” Raemos said firmly, “I believe this is the time for explanation, if ever there was one.”

“Sir, I don't want to.” he said, “Zami, I'm glad you're all right.” he said, crouching in front of her, “I... I missed you.”

So why didn't you come home? Why didn't you let me know you were alive? Why didn't you come back for me? she wanted to scream, but something clogged her throat, a pain she had never felt before, as much physical as mental.

“I will have to put her under arrest.” Raemos said, his voice cool and professional “Whether you explain this or not, I will have to arrest her. She, after all, attempted to assault me...”

“Wait.” Vetertov said, a little frantically, “It was a misunderstanding... can't you just release her?”

“The law is the law.”

“Maybe into my custody? Or something? Please? She's family...”

Raemos was very aware of the other Guardians now. He was also aware that there was protocol, but... if it had somehow been Vona involved... “Will you take full responsibility for your actions while she is in your custody?”

“Yes sir.”

“And you will not release her without charges while my back is turned?” Before Vetertov could answer, Raemos continued, “Know that doing so would be adequate grounds for expulsion from the guild, and even arrest.”

“I understand, sir.”

Raemos could tell that he was reluctant, but he decided to let whatever happened, happen. He undid his spell and stood back, letting the barbarian girl fall to the ground. “Very well then.” Vetertov understood his responsibilities and the potential consequences, “I leave her in your hands.”

Red finally found her voice. “Vetty, why didn't you come home?” she asked plaintively.

Vetertov put an arm around her shoulder, “It's complicated.”

Red didn't like that answer. “Why are you wearing a uniform? Why was that guy bossing you around? Tell me what's going on... Vetty?” She had spent so long not knowing. She had a feeling – a bad feeling – about how much she would like his answers, but she needed them.

“I'm a Guardian now, Zami.” he said, “I joined them, just after the Mara war.”

“What?” Her brother, a wild tribesman to the core, had joined the people who were the exact opposite of the wild tribe? “But, Vetty...”

“We'll talk about this later...” he said. Red shoved him, anger blossoming hot and miserable in her chest.

“No! We're talking about this now! You went away, and you didn't come back, and now I find you here with these people! Why, Vetty? Why did you do that? Why did you leave me behind?” she shoved him again, and was soon grabbed by another Guardian. “Let go of me!” she snarled, “Let go!”

“I don't know if you'd understand, Zami.” Vetertov said, sadly.

“Tell me!” She flailed at him to no avail, “Why did you leave? Why did you leave me behind?”

“No.” he said, “I'm not going to tell you now.” he sighed, “Lets put her away for now...” He, with the help of the other Guardian, started towards the brig.

Red struggled against them, her eyes suddenly falling on the prone body of the Darvithri. Her friend. “Yirho!” she shouted, remembering. Her struggles intensified and she managed to break free, running to the furred body. “Yirho...” She turned to her brother, angry tears staining her face a blotchy red. “If he's dead... It's on you!” she said, snarling, “It's on you! He came to help me find you, and if he's dead, it's your fault!”

“He's a darvithri...” said Vetertov, surprised.

“He's my friend!” she screeched, moving too quickly for the Guardian to catch her. She shoved him. “And if he dies, I'll never forgive you, never!” she punched his armor, her intent more frustration than aggression.

“Uh...”

Raemos walked over to the downed monster, looking it over expertly. “I would say.” he said idly, “That the beast is just unconscious. He will survive.”

Oh... Red was relieved.

“I advise interring them together – it may calm her down.” Raemos advised. He did not order – this was now in Vetertov's hands, and how he would resolve it would determine the tone of the report Raemos would be making to their superiors.

Vetertov took the advice.