Page 12 of Fated to the Alien Chieftain

Maybe I should’ve made a wedding dress? Do Klendathians dress up for these occasions?

And what will happen if the Gods don’t give their blessing?

Krogoth has so many hopes attached to the outcome. Both of us undertaking this sacred rite has so many implications for his people. It would prove Klendathians and humans can bond andmate, and all the hope attached to that. I don’t know how the big guy will react if our ritual doesn’t work. He seems totally confident it will, although no one else does. Even when the others wished us well and said their goodbyes, I could see the doubt in their eyes.

I think I would be a little disappointed if nothing happened, but I don’t need some ‘blessing’ to prove our love. We have both fought and nearly died for one another. This would just be a nice cherry on top.A wedding back on Earth!Yes, that would be a nice consolation, assuming we can find an official to ignore the fact he’s a nearly nine-foot mountain of alien muscle.A problem for another day.

I stifle a yawn, raising a hand to my mouth. Yesterday proved to be an exhausting day. Even after the Council of Elders left, the party only grew livelier. Clan Draxxus members continued to pour in, extending their congratulations well into the early morning hours. I found myself engaged in conversations with what felt like the entire population of Draxru amidst the flowing drinks. It’d been difficult to meet their eyes, knowing that they’d just bore witness to my disgusting scarred body. The memory of it shakes my hands. How I summoned the courage to do it is still a mystery to me. But the others had only smiled and congratulated me on my bravery and quick thinking, which soon put me back at ease.

The huge leaves, as big as blankets, crunch underfoot. I tread cautiously, casting my eyes around for any sign of danger. My experience during the Proving is hard to leave behind, despite Krogoth’s assurances this journey would be much safer. Of course, in the very next sentence, he insisted we wear our armor. “Better to be prepared,” he said. I don’t think my eyes could have rolled further back in my head!

All was forgiven when he handed me back my repaired golden armor. It made me giddy with joy and filled me with relief asI held it. With all the slashes and dents it gained during the Proving, it was in a terrible state. I was worried it couldn’t be salvaged, but thankfully the core mechanism was undamaged, so only the armor plating needed to be repaired. When I equipped it again, I flexed my fingers, enjoying the enhanced strength and speed again. It felt invigorating, like I could take on any challenge.

Well, until Krogoth set off at a blistering speed. His incredibly quick and long strides were a struggle to match despite my legs moving faster than humanly possible! When I asked why we had sprinted, he said he wasn’t going that fast! But he wanted to reach Lanaisor tomorrow, in time for the eclipse. Krogoth didn’t say it directly, but I can tell he believes deeply in the religious significance of the event, that it might guarantee the blessing somehow.

Finally, Krogoth slows down as he examines the area. There’s a stream of water leading off into the side of a rocky cliff, which he follows leisurely, but alert. He carries a large brown leather satchel full of supplies over his shoulder that bounces with his every step.

“You look like Santa Claus, carrying that sack,” I quip between ragged breaths.

Krogoth turns to flex his arms, even though he’s encased in his armor. “Is this Santa Claus also a powerful Chieftain?” he asks with a smile.

I chuckle at the rare moment of Krogoth boasting about himself. “Not as powerful as you, of course. But he’s the Chieftain of the North Pole. Who gives gifts to small children.”

Krogoth raises an eyebrow. “Such a generous Chieftain, although he’d be as idle as a tomb on Klendathor.”

His sobering comments surprises me. Things you take for granted back on earth are totally alien here.

Thankfully, unlike the Proving, there is no limit to what supplies we could bring, other than what’s normally forbidden on Klendathor, such as advanced weaponry or transport. From what I’d learned during my time among the Draxxus, it seems subjective most of the time, but whatever is deemed to trivialize effort, especially outside of their homes, is mostly frowned upon.

Krogoth resumes his steps, following the stream as it leads us towards a pool of water beneath a waterfall. I’m relieved when I see it’s not as large or as loud as the one I tumbled down during the Proving. After last night’s festivities, I don’t think my sore head could take the noise of that waterfall. As we look for a place to camp, I notice this is a beautiful, quiet spot with lush vegetation. I’m dying to jump into the clear sparkling pool, and even the sound of water gently cascading from above is relaxing.

“Perfect,” Krogoth says as he lays down the bag. “I’ll get some firewood,” He darts around the area like a giant hyper squirrel gathering nuts.

He never asks for my help, even though I would like to.“I’ll help!” I exclaim, as I too become a not-so-big wood gathering squirrel.

I approach each branch or twig as if it secretly hides a vipertail.You can never be too sure out here in these massive forests.Carefully, I kick each item over, inspecting it for a moment before finally adding it to my collection. My footing wavers as I struggle to balance my bulging collection of wood,

When I eventually return to the pool of water, I find a giant ten-foot pile of wood stacked tightly together.What the hell!I laugh as I add my own feeble offering to the impressive totem, which I decide is dedicated towards Krogoth’s typical overachievement.

“You planning to stay awhile?” I look at Krogoth, who is setting stones and rocks, forming a circle. “Like a fewyears, maybe?” I gesture toward the Krogoth’s totem of overachievement.

He looks up at the pile. “I may have gathered too much, but it will be useful for our return,” he smiles as he takes some branches, breaking them into smaller pieces and adds them to the circle.

That’ll last a hundred visits!“Won’t the fire attract beasts? I was told never to build one out here.”

“Relax, we are still within my hunters' borders. Plus, I won’t let anything harm you,” he looks up confidently, before he returns to clacking two white stones together above some dried leaves.

His unflinching purple eyes and massive size and strength fill me with a sense of security. I know he can handle anything the Draxxi forest could throw at us. But still, I can’t help but wonder how he would handle a stampeding herd of aurodons chased by a pack of bloodthirsty hydraliths.

“Voiding thing!” Krogoth exclaims in frustration, as he continues to clack the stones together, bringing tiny, barely visible sparks.

“Want me to try?” I offer.

“I’ve nearly got it... Yes!” He shouts, as he cradles a burning leaf towards his circle of sticks like it’s the most precious object in the universe.

“Good job, Korgy!” I clap as the burning leaf soon ignites the rest of the sticks.

I sit on the lush red grass with my back to a heavy moss-covered rock. It’s surprisingly cozy, here with the pleasant heat from the fire and soft running sound of water, the wildlife chirping and barking in the distance.

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