Page 41 of Fated to the Alien Chieftain

Would the War Chieftain really leave the front lines of such a stubborn war, to come handle one missing chieftain and battlebarge? I cannot see it, Gorexius lives for war and battle... Even so, what is my plan should he return?

The question is a troubling one, forcing a loud sigh from me. “What’s on your mind, big guy?” Pebbles asks, standing before me. So occupied by my troublesome thoughts, I didn’t even notice her move.

“It’s nothing,” I reply automatically, not wishing to burden her with such concerns.

Pebbles rubs my leg. “Is the offer for your lap still available?” She asks sweetly.

I laugh. “For you always,” I reply, picking her up, once again drinking in her intoxicating yielding presence as she melts into me, my elegant Pebbles.

“Why don’t you tell me what’s really bothering you?” Pebbles ask shifting to look back at me, her face unusually stern.

A flash of annoyance sparks inside of me, not used to having to explain myself. “Nothing you need to concern yourself with. You have enough on your mind,” I reply more stiffly than I intended.

Pebbles frowns, “I don’t need Machsin powers to know you’re hiding something.” She sighs. “Do you know where I’ve seen that expression before?” She pauses, her eyes scanning my face. “Right before you disappeared, with only a message to say you were taken prisoner by the Council of Elders awaiting execution!” Her voice catches, her lips trembling. “Can you imagine how I felt? To have you torn away from me? Never again Krogoth. I swear I won’t do it.” Her words rush out, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

I avert my gaze, unable to withstand her intense emotional appeal.Why can’t she see I’m only trying to protect her the way a Mortakin-Kai should?

Pebbles places a gentle hand against my cheek, guiding my gaze back to hers. “You asked me to trust you. Now it’s your turn to trust me,” she says with a soft smile, her expression open and innocent.Gods, a warrior could sink into those beautiful eyes and never emerge.

My heart thunders in my chest. Every part of me screams to deny her request, to keep her safe from harm, even if it upsets her to do so.Is it a thing born of the divine bond we share? I do not know.Yet I cannot deny the truth of her words, for she is my Chieftainess and I must trust her, and together we’ll face any obstacle.

“You’re right,” I declare, staring intensely into her eyes as she visibly relaxes. “It’s wrong of me to keep things from you, but know it was only ever to shield you from harm.” I take a deep breath before continuing. “You asked me what was on my mind? It’s the worry of War Chieftain Gorexius returning to Klendathor. Although I think it’s unlikely, I cannot be certain what will happen if he does.”

“Okay,” Pebbles leans back against the armrest with her eyes cast down. “Zyraxis said he contacted him, right?” She asks, and I nod in confirmation. “And you’re a Chieftain who commands your clan in battle under him?” Her words betray the wheels turning in her mind. Again, I nod. “Then you abandoned the war, taking a ship and a small crew to Earth.” She plays with her necklace. “So, he’s lost you, his best general, and Xandor, your second in command... How was the war going, last you heard?”

“I’ve heard little recently, but despite initial success, the war has been a tense stalemate for months. The Nebians fight fiercely to protect their core worlds,” I answer, recalling the burning skies of Argon six. Half the world turned to a molten wasteland.

“A whole clan lost, or at least weakened,” Pebbles continues, her tone almost absent. “With a war already on a knife’s edge. They might even have lost ground now. The Scythians asking questions, and expecting results, putting pressure on him.” She looks up, her expression etched with worry.

She thinks he will return!“But that’s exactly why he can’t afford to return. He dares not leave if the situation is so tense.Besides, the War Chieftain loves battle. He craves it. He’ll not leave the battlefield,” I assert quickly, trying to ease her fear.

“What if there are no more battles, Krogoth? The Scythians cannot advance, so both sides regroup licking their wounds, looking for another angle? Like their greatest general, who may or may not be instigating a rebellion?” Pebbles’ eyes widen as her hands clutch mine. “He will return. He can’t afford not to.”

A sense of panic grips my chest at her words.Gods, she’s right! It’s only a matter of time before I’ll have to face him again.I ruthlessly suppress my fears, crushing and molding them into unshakable resolve.

“What are we going to do, Krogoth?” She asks, concern creasing her brow. If only there’s something I could say to put her mind at ease, yet there’s nothing, only a faint glimmer of hope, a deadly path through an unbreakable volcano of war.

“I will face him,” I declare sternly, my gaze hard as stone.

Pebbles’ eyes search mine. “No, Krogoth, you’re afraid,” she gasps in shock. “You don’t believe you can win.” She turns away, her eyes moistening.

Before I can answer, soft footsteps approach, grabbing my attention. I jolt upright, straightening, as I peer down the hall to see Harkus approaching.

“Ah, there you are!” Harkus exclaims, a broad smile on his kindly old face. “Thought I might find you here. Someone said they could hear loud noises from inside,” he says as he opens his arms wide. I nervously shift my eyes to Pebbles, who’s wiping her eyes dry.They couldn’t have heard us making love. Must have been us moving chairs.

I gently lower Pebbles back onto the floor, giving her shoulder a little squeeze, as I stand up with a smile on my face, happy to see the old scholar despite the awkward timing.

“Hail Harkus!” I declare, gesturing towards him as he stands before the raised platform. “Is it the Scholar or the Elder you go by now?” I ask.

Harkus chuckles “Oh, if I had my way I would be known as the Teacher or the Gardener.” His bushy eyebrows drop as he looks at Pebbles, a flash of concern on his face. “Are you well Rocks? You look upset,” he asks.

Does he think I would dare hurt my precious Mortakin-Kis?I suppress the annoyance that threatens to strip the smile from my face. “Hail Harkus the Teacher.” Pebbles gives a curt bow, as graceful as always. “I’m fine, thanks for asking.” She looks up at me with a sad, soft smile that twists my heart with sadness. “We were just arguing about the future.”

“Yes,” Harkus nods sagely, “I can only imagine the pressures you two are under.” He looks between us with concern. “I’m only a call away if I can assist with anything.” He looks at Pebbles before he gestures to his wrist console. I choose to ignore the implied implications, judging his motivations to protect Pebbles, a noble one.

“You’re very kind, thank you.” Pebbles takes a deep breath and straightens her cloak before continuing. “The white robes of an Elder suit you,” she says sweetly.

“These?” Harkus recoils, patting his fine, flowing pristine robes. “White stains so easily, especially amongst the muck and dirt,” he sighs a moment before his face brightens again. “And look at you Rocks, every inch the Chieftainess. That cloak is splendid on you, truly exquisite.” He strokes his long snowy beard. “It warms my tired old heart to see a Chieftainess in this hall again. And to think recently you stood a frightened yet fierce warrior about to face the Proving.” He glances upward with arms outstretched. “The Gods are kind.”

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