Page 28 of Saving the Alien Chieftain

Thanks to the golden armor, I effortlessly jump onto the oversized chair. Both Rylar and Xandor take seats at the opposite ends of the table from each other.

Rylar studies me intently while running a hand through his short red hair. “Rocks. Krogoth entrusted me to take care of youif anything happened to him.” He pauses, taking a deep breath. “Now that news of the Council of Elders’ judgment has reached Draxxi, it seems that time has come.”

Xandor interjects, “Rylar, she intends to do the Proving. That is her wish.”

Rylar glares at Xandor. “I’d rather hear those words from her.” He turns his attention back to me. “Is this what you want? To attempt the Proving?” His piercing green eye locks onto mine.

I meet his gaze, my resolve unwavering. “Absolutely.”

Rylar sighs. “You’re not a warrior. How about a tracker? Or a hunter, perhaps?” he asks, studying me carefully. “It’s hard to see with the armor, but you look soft. And softness doesn’t survive out in the wilderness.”

Soft! The cheek of this stranger!

“No, I’m not a hunter. I have some martial arts experience… Many years ago, I did some decathlon training…” I look at my hands as my voice trails off, the words feeling hollow even before they leave my lips.

Rylar shifts his chair closer to me, his gaze unwavering. “Look at me Rocks.” I raise my head to meet his eye. “Let me take you out of here. Away from all this nonsense.” He gestures towards his missing arm. “I know in the heat of the moment you’re angry, swearing bloody vengeance, willing to risk it all. But this is suicide.”

“She’s stronger than she looks, Rylar,” Xandor offers in my defense.

Ignoring Xandor’s comment, Rylar leans in, his voice a low whisper in my ear. “Xandor loves Krogoth like a blood brother. He wants you to try. Even if it costs you your life, he’d sacrifice us all if it meant saving him.” He leans back, speaking more openly. “No one doubts you love him, Rocks. You don’t have to prove anything to him or anybody else,” he reassures me.

My blood surges through my veins, and I stand up furiously. My fists are so tightly clenched I can feel them tremble under the armor’s enhanced pressure.

“I’ve already been over this, and I don’t care what you or anyone else has to say about my chances. If no one wants to help me, then I will go it alone. To hell with you all, because I’d rather die than live knowing Krogoth had died when I’d done nothing to prevent it, no matter how slim the chance. We’re wasting precious time with all this bullshit!”

As I finish, I slam my fist in rage into the table, a golden blur streaking through the air, cracking the table in multiple directions.Shit!

“I think you have your answer, Rylar,” Xandor remarks, a satisfied smile playing on his lips, his arms folded as he leans back in his chair.

Rylar stands up. “So be it.” Activating his console that is attached to the remnants of his missing arm, he projects a holographic map onto the table. “As you said, Rocks, time is of the essence.”

He points to a small area at the map’s center. “This is where we are.” He traces a path through a densely wooded area to an icon of a temple. “And this is the underground temple of Sunaisor. Your target.”

He looks at me. “Warriors usually take about five days for this journey. It might take you longer, but that’s perfectly fine. Better to be cautious than to get yourself killed.”

He shifts his finger a short distance away from our current location to an area encircled in black. “This is the hunter’s border. For the first day, you should be safe from predators. But beyond that point, you’re on your own.”

My mind is a whirl, trying to take in the new information while settling the churning feelings in my stomach. I take adeep breath, steadying myself.No matter what lays beyond that hunter’s border, I will face it if it means saving my Krogoth.

“You should take the Taru path,” Xandor suggests, tracing a line through the map, highlighting the densely forested route. “It provides the most cover, with plenty of hiding spots if you’re fast and can climb trees. Plus, the arrohawks will have a harder time spotting you.”

Rylar nods thoughtfully. “Yes, you’ll encounter more venefexes, though. Still, it’s a safer route, but slower. Probably take you seven days.”

I chime in quickly, liking the idea of avoiding the terrifying arrohawks. “It’s not a race. I just have to survive. So I’ll go with the safest option.”

“That’s settled then. You take the Taru path,” Rylar affirms, looking at me once more. “Are you proficient in any weapons?”

“Hmm, I’ve used the ships arc cannons before,” I offer, hoping I can take an arc blaster with me.

Rylar’s eyes widen in shock. “Really?” He chuckles when I nod. “Unfortunately, you can’t take advanced weaponry. Things like knives, spears, throwing axes and so on are permitted.”

I recall trying my hand at archery during a holiday in Spain some years ago. “What about a bow and arrows?” I inquire.

Rylar looks to Xandor. “You know of this bow and arrows?” he asks.

Xandor nods. “It’s an old Earth weapon, made of wood and string, that shoots a steel tipped projectile. It would be allowed. I can have the crafters make one for you.”

“Thanks, Xandor,” I say, smiling at him.

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