Page 44 of Saving the Alien Chieftain

“Ah, Krogoth’s whore is here. I’m surprised. I thought you’d have abandoned the fool by now,” he sneers, snapping his fingers. “Warriors, inspect her.”

Two of the hulking armored warriors move towards me. I try not to flinch.

“Not going to inspect the other Prospects?” Xandor asks.

Zyraxis scoffs. “Hardly. They are all fine Magaxus Prospects. I can personally vouch for them, unlike this weak outsider, who disgraces the Proving with her very presence.”

I feel my anxiety turn to hatred at his words. How I’d like to punch him square in his smug face. But I resist, it’ll probably disqualify me from the Proving.

The two warriors loom before me. One moves my arms out to the sides and begins patting me down, seeking any concealed weapons. The other warrior rudely inspects my bow, spear, and knife. I panic, daring not to breathe, thinking about what will happen if they realize I’m wearing exoenhancer armor.

The weapon-inspecting warrior frowns, scrutinizing the bow before handing it to Zyraxis. “What’s this?” he demands, turning it over in his tattooed hands.

“An old Earth weapon. It’s within the rites,” Rylar interjects, providing an explanation.

“Is that so?” Zyraxis retorts, returning the bow to me. “Show me.”

With trembling hands, I grasp the bow and notch an arrow, aiming at a tree in the distance, making sure there is no one in my line of sight. My breath feels thunderous in my ears, threatening to spiral into a panic attack. I let the arrow loose and see it clang off the dirt ground a few feet in front of me. Mortification sweeps through me and I want the ground to swallow me up. Zyraxis erupts into cruel laughter. “The Gods are generous!”

Xandor gives me a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder, but I can’t make eye contact. I’m barely holding it together.

Zyraxis eventually wipes tears of amusement from his eyes. “Ah, I shouldn’t have expected much from a weapon crafted by such weaklings.” He scoffs, turning to the two warriors. “Anything else?”

“She’s not concealing anything,” the warrior who patted me down grumbles in confirmation.

“The knife and the spear adhere to the rites,” the second weapon inspector adds.

But Zyraxis isn’t finished yet. He steps closer, scrutinizing my coat, painstakingly inspecting every single detail. I struggle to control my breathing, dreading the moment he might uncover my armor.

Finally, his fingers brush against the golden plates, and I feel the weight of the world teetering on my shoulders.

“What armor is this? I’ve never seen its like before,” Zyraxis asks, looking towards the two warriors who shrug casually in response.

“It’s Earthling armor. That’s why you’ve never seen it before,” Xandor lies smoothly.

Zyraxis pauses, considering, while the fate of Krogoth and all Klendathor hangs in the balance.

My heart beats in my chest like a frantic drum, its rhythm echoing the urgency of the moment.

“Hmm, Earthling armor indeed.” He chuckles dryly. “Probably as useless as that string thing.” He gestures towards my bow. “Such a gaudy color too,” he tuts. “Fine, she honors the rites.”

A wave of relief washes over me, my shoulders visibly relaxing. But before Zyraxis moves away from me, he leans in closer to whisper his venomous words.

“I’ve put your beloved Krogoth in the darkest, deepest hole in Scarn, with no food. You should see him now, a shadow of his former self. Now go on and die like a good little whore. I look forward to telling him the good news.”

My lip quivers at the thought of my Krogoth suffering so much it nearly breaks my heart. I can only hope his words are lies, intended to provoke me. Clenching my hands into fists, I shake with my enhanced strength.I swear if I get the chance, I’ll kill this monster.

Zyraxis waves towards the other Elder, signaling him to come over. As the Elder approaches, I notice he is older than Zyraxis. With short gray hair and a neatly trimmed white beard, he carries a big staff. He eyes everyone slowly, taking his time as a man used to commanding respect.

“I am Vereth, Speaker of the Council of Elders. Zyraxis has concluded the inspections. You all honor the rite,” he declares, before indicating Rylar and Xandor. “Only Prospects from here on, please remove yourselves.”

Rylar taps me on the shoulder. “You’re a warrior now. Go out and prove it.” He nods before stepping away.

Xandor squeezes my shoulder. “Remember what I said.” He winks. “Now go save our Krogoth.” With a grin, he turns and heads back.

“Thank you for everything!” I shout back, waving at them, but they don’t look back. My heart feels heavy, not knowing if I’ll ever see them again.

“Now then,” Vereth begins, clearing his throat. “The eyes of the Gods are upon us!” His voice booms like thunder, his arms raised toward the heavens. “To bear witness to our noble sons and daughters who wish to prove themselves true Klendathians.”

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