Kailas: Personality and Plot, pt 3 Background, cont: Shortly after Arlo returned to Tevrra, Kailas made some amazing gains in the search for his sibling. He found the child’s record, hidden away and encrypted within the depths of Huisto’s record system. It took time, but he broke the encryption. Varada was the child’s name, a boy of only 14, and a ward of the state. Records indicated that the child had been troubled--he had very little control of his abilities and couldn’t be integrated into the military.
Kailas drafted a plan. Knowing the men in charge of Varada’s care, he approached them and revealed what he knew. He offered them a deal: give him care of Varada, and he would return to them a functional weapon by his 18th birthday. Knowing Kailas’ history of producing military greats, they allowed it under certain conditions. There would be frequent check-ins, but he was given leeway.
Using money he’d saved over the years, Kailas purchased a decent-sized home away from the main city. It was in one of the more temperate areas of Huisto, close to the border, but not so close that he’d draw suspicion. Kailas chose it for the wooded surroundings--knowing the boy’s clear issues with people, he thought seclusion would suit him best.
Varada was transferred into Kailas’ care later that month. Kailas was immediately struck by Varada’s appearance--he looked remarkably like their mother, and even somewhat similar to himself. Varada was a quiet boy, and they barely spoke that first drive home. But when they entered their new home, he saw it: a look of wonder, of curiosity and hope. There was still something in Varada, something he could foster. It wasn’t a lost cause. The next three years went breezing by. Varada blossomed in the confines of their home. He became more talkative, more expressive and more alive. Kailas found that he was a very intelligent boy who needed little help with his studies. Indeed, his biggest issue was realized very quickly: he needed glasses. Once these were provided, Varada was quick to catch up and even excel academically. And with regards to Huisto’s desires, Varada made great gains in controlling his abilities. Kailas’ and Varada’s manifested in similar ways; through meditative practice, the boy was taught to control the inner-workings of his energy.
During this time, Kailas continued his long-distance relationship with Arlo Tuoni. The two corresponded through letters, phone calls and other methods. They met as often as possible, initially just during the conferences between Tevrra and Huisto, and later whenever Arlo could take time away from his duties. Although he was hesitant at first, Kailas eventually introduced Arlo to Varada. He was pleased to see the two get along so well. In a way… it was as if he’d finally found his family.
In more recent history, Kailas has begun to realize a crushing deadline is approaching. Varada’s 18th birthday is drawing nearer with each passing day. Now knowing what the boy’s endured, and fearing what might happen to him if he enlists in the military, he’s desperate to keep Huisto from taking him.
As he struggles to find an answer, things will grow more complicated, with Varada discovering a strange boy in the woods nearby….