Page 42 of Fated to the Alien Chieftain

Pebbles looks a little flustered at his words, as if unsure how to respond. “Come Harkus, let’s discuss matters at the GreatTable,” I offer, placing a gentle hand on the small of Pebbles’ back. “You are an equal among friends here.” Leading Pebbles off the raised wooden platform.

“You honor me, Chieftain,” Harkus says as he pulls out a stump-like seat from under the table. “There are three things I want to discuss.” He shifts his robes as he takes his seat, releasing a pleasant sigh. “Much better.” He smiles before continuing. “And why not meet in person? Gives me an excuse to check on my vegetables. You know you can’t grow anything on that ghastly mountain? I’ve tried!” he exclaims, chuckling.

“Wouldn’t doubt it.” I pull out a chair for Pebbles. “I recall sliding down its cragged barren rocks. Not a place for the fragile,” I laugh, helping Pebbles into her chair, and nearly yelp with surprise when she sneakily pinches my ass. She smirks up at me cheekily, as if daring me to say something, but I only feel joy as she’s back to her usual playful self.

“You know better than most what I’m working with.” Harkus waves his hand dismissively. “Anyway, let’s start with this nasty business with Zyraxis.” He activates his wrist console, showing the gruesome scene of the glider crash. “My assistants verified your report, from what remains that were uneaten.”

Pebbles and I share an anxious look before Harkus continues. “A disgrace to flaunt our sacred laws so brazenly.” He shakes his head. “Thank the Gods you both survived the encounter. However, this issue has sparked some... interesting debate amongst the Council.” He pauses for a breath. “Now, it says here you wish no further action to be taken against the Magaxus?” He inquires.

“Yes, Zyraxis lied to the others. The responsibility should stop with his death,” I answer as I finally take my seat beside Pebbles across from Harkus. I shuffle my foot against Pebbles’ ridiculously tiny feet in revenge for her early transgressions, enjoying the flash of surprise on her face.

Harkus leans back in his chair until he nearly falls off the back of it. “Stupid stools!” He grabs the table, stabilizing himself. “Never understood why they never put back supports on these things.” He pauses. “My poor heart,” he chortles, steadying his nerves. “Where was I?... Yes, some in the Council feel the Magaxus should face some punishment for their recent actions. Led by the nose or willingly, they have not been diligent, arrogant even, knowing the War Chieftain protects them. And there is also the matter of what to do with young Dracoth, who yet lives.” He rubs a hand over his bald head.

Perhaps theMagaxus Clanshould get a shoot across the bow? But is it worth angering the War Chieftain further?“I’ll leave that decision in the hands of the Council. However, my recommendation still stands,” I state. Looking intently into Harkus’ brown eyes. “Dracoth... Should face no punishment over this matter.” Pebbles kicks me in the ankle while she appears completely poised and serene.Little vipertail!

Harkus considers as he strokes his beard. “I hear things, Krogoth. He’s swearing revenge on you. Sometimes a thorn-weed must be plucked to allow the flowers to flourish?” He says as if in question.

I scoff. “He’s young and full of pride.”Not unlike myself at his age, when I challenged the War Chieftain full of passionate hatred, full of naivety.“I relish the opportunity to see what becomes of him.” My hands clench into fists. “And if I must face him again, I will.”If I live long enough.“Harkus, tell the Council it is my ardent wish that Dracoth remains unpunished for this.”

Harkus nods, making a note on this console. “Very well,” he says before he looks up smiling. “Now let’s move onto a much happier topic. Your Mortakin-Tok!” He exclaims, bringing his hands together excitedly. “We never speak of the vision to anyone not bonded by the Gods because we use it to gaugetruthfulness.” He nods towards me. “As you recall, Krogoth, I would not divulge a word of it despite your insistence.”

He was as stubborn as an old borack.“Yes,” I reply simply.

Harkus glances downward, his face tinged with sadness. “I’m one of the few remaining who can verify a Mortakin-Tok. When my love, Cassiana, and I completed ours, the wise women at the temple of Lanaisor were on hand to do it,” He sighs. “How times have changed, eh?”

“Now that we’ve done it, we can verify others now,” Pebbles chimes in eagerly.

“Indeed, Rocks. That is why this is so important.” Harkus smiles at her. “Please tell me what you saw?” Harkus crosses his fingers under his chin as he studies us closely.

Pebbles and I exchange a quick look before I shrug and she giggles. “We saw the battle against the Void Bringer, as they called it in the vision,” Pebbles recites from memory. “We destroyed the terrifying thing with our powers and then we ended up somewhere else, like floating in space,” Pebbles says, laughing.

Harkus holds up a hand, as he titters, “Say no more. I remember that part fondly,” he says as a little color rises in his cheeks. “Amazing! The Gods have blessed your bond. I congratulate you both on doing what many thought was impossible.” His face beams from end to end.

“Truth be told, even I was skeptical.” His fingers deftly work on his console. “Where is that menu again? You know I had to get an assistant to help me find the Mortakin-Tok records. No one remembers!” He frowns as he continues his search. “Ah, here it is!” He gasps “Gods, the last record was two hundred and fifty years ago. Where does the time go?”

I squeeze Pebbles’ hand under the table, official acknowledgement of our bond, our Mortakin-Tok. None now can doubt our word. Humans and Klendathians can be joined.Would it result in a new generation? A ... child?My heart flutters at the thought. Imagining being a father always seemed an impossibility until now. I glance over at Pebbles, who’s staring at me with intent, and I wonder if she’s thinking the same.

Harkus interrupts my cheerful thoughts. “Ah ha, that’s the happy couple added now. You are officially Mortakin-Kai and Mortakin-Kis. Congratulations once again!” He stands up from his chair to perform a deep bow.

I laugh. “Sit, old friend, no need for such formalities.”

Harkus seats himself. “It seemed appropriate,” he chuckles. “When Cassiana and I were verified, the wise woman sprayed holy water on our faces.”

Pebbles smiles. “I could have used a cooling down after our vision,” she quips, drawing laughter from us all.

After a brief pause, Harkus clears his throat. “And this leads me to my third reason for visiting. To answer, or perhaps it’s better to say, to attempt to address any questions you might have,” he says, motioning towards himself. “I certainly had my fair share,” he adds with a fond smile. “We bombarded our poor wise woman with them.”

I feel my pulse race as I try to recall the myriad of questions I had after the visions. “Were the Gods mortal like us?” I ask in a hurry.

“Was any of it real?” Pebbles asks simultaneously. I smile as she gives me a knowing look.

Harkus laughs. “You both have inquisitive minds!” He rubs his beard before continuing, “I’ll start with your question Rocks, because it may invalidate Krogoths in the answering.” He pauses in thought. “In a sense, the vision is not real, as I died during my ordeal, yet I stand before you, alive and mostly well. However, we believe it is real, that those events took place. However, none know for sure this is entirely theoretical.”

“You died during the vision?” I ask in surprise. “What killed you?”

“There were so many ways to die.” Harkus shakes his head. “I was part of Dagdorix’s group. We met up with Machsin and my Mortakin-Kis, but we both got shot by a large floating machine,” he sighs. “We both made it so far. One of the farthest I’ve heard of.”

He made it to the last room before the Machine God?Pebbles chimes in nonchalantly, “We defeated the Machine God.”

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