Months later…
[Mneaha hospital]
Lai t'Kethry stared through the glass window at the child sitting quietly at the table staring into nothingness. Next to her Jahae t'Kethry shook her head "how long has he been that way?"
"Since the incident." Lai said in near whisper "he refuses to eat or speak. They have to forcefully feed him." She squeezed the small toy hnoiyoka in her hands "he always kept this with him and now he does not even recognize it, or anyone, and screams constantly when he is not lethargic. He cannot live this way- there must something that can be done? He only sleeps when sedated. The doctors say he has fallen victim to his mother's insanity and that there is little hope of recovery. That Aehlen consciousness is long dead."
Jahae nodded her head thoughtfully "on matters of the mind our medicine is quite lacking." She studied the child for a long minute before speaking again "there is one way. With the war and the alliance it is perhaps possible but it will not be an easy choice and you must not tell anyone that I have recommended this Lai." She waited and when Lai nodded Jahae sighed "perhaps the Vulcans can help him."
"Vulcans!?" Lai shouted abruptly but quickly slammed her hand against her mouth. When the surprise of the comment wore she pulled her hand away and spoke "what do you mean the Vulcans… this suggestion is villainous. If anyone should know then they would-"
"No one should know." Jahae said, her voice carried warning "Aehlen is dead." She pointed at the child through the window "his mind has been severely wounded by what he witnessed. Perhaps through mind-touch-"
"Blasphemy!" Lai spat.
"With Lharan and S'Rel dead he is the last heir of your sub-house. If he is left this way Mneaha S'Kethry will be extinct the day you are finally called to Vorta Vor. We do not have the science for this type of medicine- such people have normally been euthanized mercifully." Jahae looked at Lai "if you do not wish to help him then do what is proper and end his suffering."
"Must this insanity claim my grandson?" Lai clutched the toy hnoiyoka tighter as the frustration reached its boiling point "can you organize this discreetly?"
"It can be done. I will speak with Den and someone at the Federation compound. This is your only hope Lai." Jahae bowed her head and stepped away from the window. She was sympathetic for her sister and grand-nephew but she couldn't allow her own honor to be soiled by this madness. She knew she had to proceed cautiously.
Hours later…
Several armed men entered the hospital's back entrance led by several mid-level security personnel. The lead officer was Re'jan tr'Hilhaerin, a member of Ael'Riov Jahae t'Kethry's personal staff, he gestured for the others to follow him in. Along with the group of security personnel was a single cloaked figure. When they reached the proper room the door was opened. Inside they found Aehlen t'Kethry sitting up. As Re'jan approached, the child screamed. One of the other's moved forward and muffled the child with gloved hands.
The cloaked figure approached the struggling boy and carefully pulled away his hood. "Calm" he said in a soft tone. The man's pointed ears were clearly visible from the hall-light but he was not Rihannsu by any measure. He was a Vulcan. Re'jan pointed at the child "Shahkin can you stop him or will we need to physically restrain him to get him out of here?"
"That will not be necessary." The Vulcan said with a calm, steady, and unwavering tone. He reached out his hand and pressed two fingers on the child's temple while his thumb nestled against the back cheek bone. He closed his eyes "my mind to your mind…" Aehlen struggled violently against Shahkin but with a simple whisper of "sleep" the child went limp. The Vulcan looked at the security personnel "you may now take us to the Embassy."
[I'Ramnau Ch'Rihan]
"They are taking him to Vulcan?!" Lai stammered when Jahae informed her. "This is madness! They will kill him!"
"Do not be so dramatic my sister." Jahae poured a glass of rhennish and dropped in down in front of Lai "they will help him. He will return in ten years- whether or not he has been cured of his illness. I have been assured by Shahkin that it will be done with the greatest discretion. He will take Aehlen as his adopted son. Now drink and calm your nerves."
"What if they cannot help him?"
"And what will that change?" Jahae looked out her office window at the multitude of passing flitters littering the I'Ramnau skyline "you will still be without an heir and Aehlen- pity for him is all." She sighed and poured a second glass of rhennish and clasped the elegant ceramic cup in her hands. Throwing her head back she drowned the entire cup "there is too much madness in this family."
Lai took a smaller sip of her drink "mother and Lharan were alike, perhaps one day we will-"
"Do not speak it- I have nightmares about such things." Jahae dropped the cup and let it shatter on the polished floor "the universe is too fragile."
[To be continued...]
