Page 43 of Fated to the Alien Chieftain

Harkus jolts alert, as if slapped. “Youbothfought the actual Machine God?” he asks in disbelief.

“Yes, Krogoth was Dagdorix, and I was Machsin and together we killed it,” she says sweetly, like recounting a casual walk through the woods.

Harkus’ mouth is slightly agape, a strange expression to see on the wise old scholar. “What?” He glances between the two of us. “Is this a jest? To mock your poor old teacher?” he asks, looking at me.

I chuckle. “She speaks the truth, Harkus. We had the powers of the Gods themselves, and together we banished the Machine God to another realm.” I scratch my head, trying to remember. I knew exactly what I was doing during the vision, now it feels like grasping at a memory of a memory of a dream, almost faded away.

Harkus has two hands covering his mouth as he listens. “Truly unbelievable,” he mumbles. “There is a record over one thousand years old where a couple claimed to be Arawnoth and Dranuxia, but they didn’t make it far and few even believed it to be true,” he says, moving to stroke his beard.

A tangled knot of doubt churns in my gut. Since the vision, my faith has been shaken, although I have not voiced my concerns to anyone. “What does it matter, Harkus? The Gods aren’t gods at all, just powerful warlocks,” I remark with more intensity thanI intended, feeling my temper flare. “Pah! Even my Prospects would tear them apart. Weak and clawless, full of arrogant pride. Some even ran from battle, Harkus,” I pause, shaking my head. “And we have been worshiping these cowards for millennia? The epitome of our noble blood? False idols and lies.”

Harkus nods sagely. “I had the very same questions Krogoth, many of us do,” he acknowledges. “It was a hotly debated topic when there were more of us.”

“You still believe, Harkus. Tell me why!” I press impatiently, as Pebbles squeezes my hand.

Harkus takes a deep breath, his eyes drifting off. “Four hundred years ago, Cassiana and I welcomed our first child... A baby girl. Aerith was her name. Green eyes that twinkled like the moons of Tuskar, just like her mother. You should have seen her, my perfect little puffrio,” he says absently, his old eyes moistening with each word.

“She grew very sick, her skin became pale, her fierce little hands that used to grip tightly onto my fingers became lifeless.” Harkus dabs his eyes with his robes. “The healers said there was nothing that could be done, some genetic abnormality. This was before the Scythians loaned us their healing pods, you understand.” He glances between us. “In our desperation we turned to the old ways. We left her cot near a window under the moonlight, and prayed to our Goddess Machsin, every night until sleep took us both.”

“I saw her. The Goddess. I swear it on all that is sacred. On the third night, a purple light surrounded Aerith’s cot. I could feel her presence, a serene sense that everything was going to be well filled me.” Harkus smiles warmly. “Over the next few days Aerith grew stronger until finally she was back to her normal bouncy self again.”

Harkus locks eyes with me. “That’s why I believe, Krogoth.”

“That’s a beautiful story Harkus,” Pebbles interjects, her own eyes moist with unshed tears. “What ever became of your Aerith?”

Harkus scoffs bitterly. “The Scythians took her.”

Chapter 16

Roxanne

Clan Meeting

Sitting in my newchair, I struggle to stop my hands from trembling. Clasping them together works until I absently move them again, so now I’ve resorted to squishing them under my legs.Crap, did anybody notice?The thought heightens my already strained nerves as I look out at the many faces gathered in the Chieftain’s Hall.

It doesn’t help that I can sense the curious gaze of several men in the crowd. This’s the first clan meeting in centuries with a Chieftainess. I know the symbolism is important to them, but I dread the thought they might expect me to perform some miracle or some crazy spectacle. Krogoth isn’t reassuring me either. Anytime I ask about the specifics, he just assures me everything is going to be fine and that I ‘think too much.’

Easy for him to say.He’s probably done these meetings hundreds of times.Shit, maybe sitting on my hands makes me look even more childish in their eyes?I hastily rest my hands on the armrest and straighten my back, noticing to my chagrin my hands are still shaking.No one will notice from the crowd, right?

I take a deep breath and close my eyes, hearing the murmurs and dim voices reverberating around the hall. There’re certainly fewer people here than during my Proving celebration, which is a relief. Krogoth’s right, I’ve spoken before in this very spot not too long ago. I even stripped naked in front of everyone! The memory of it still brings heat to my face.So why am I so nervous now? Is it waiting around? Maybe I do think too much.

Peeking open an eye, I see Krogoth pacing back and forth busying himself on his wrist console, looking very much the important Chieftain today, wearing his great black fur cloak with the fearsome claws draped over his shoulders, over immaculate brown leather shirt and trousers. So handsome, my man is. If not for the nauseous, causing butterflies tumbling in my stomach, I would leap up for a kiss.

He offers a warm smile as he catches me observing him, then playfully winks before redirecting his attention to the gathering crowd. Gesturing towards an older Klendathian, a man named Orenix? Orenix rises onto the platform, carrying a small stone altar. He places an offering of dried food and flowers atop the slab.

“Brothers,” he intones, his voice resonating through the room, before turning to me with a smile, “and sisters.” The entire room erupts into cheers at his words, stamping their feet on the ground, which vibrates the very hall, causing goosebumps to prick my skin.

“Let us give thanks to the Gods, Machsin and Dagdorix.” He uses a small burner to ignite the offering. “May Machsin blessus with plenty and keep us in good health. And may Dagdorix grant us strength and wisdom.” With a careful hand, he stokes the flames higher. “Together, may they guide our clan to an honorable and glorious future,” he concludes with a reverent bow of his head.

Everyone in the hall bows their heads in complete silence. My eyes dart, unsure what to do, before deciding to join them in their reverence, not wishing to cause offense. It’s not until the fire on the altar completely burns away and the last wisps of smoke drift into the air, does Krogoth rise abruptly from his throne.

“Kinfolk welcome. I’ll be brief, for there is much to do. Rocks and I have completed the Mortakin-Tok. Our union is blessed by the Gods.” Krogoth gestures back to me as I stand to give a curt bow to the audience, drawing a raucous cheer, despite the news being well known, since our return three days ago.

“All here today should carry this information to all our brothers, spread it to every clan, every planet. That union between humans and Klendathians can be achieved.”The women back on Earth are in for the surprise of their lives!

Krogoth continues, his voice loud and firm. “This is a new future, no longer hostage to the hated Scythians to continue our bloodline.”

A red-haired man with a robotic leg speaks up. “Does such a union bear any... fruits?” He says, lingering on the last word comically, drawing laughter from the crowd, including Krogoth. I feel heat bloom in my face, as many eyes look at me expectedly.

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