Page 46 of Fated to the Alien Chieftain

“The Clan would suffer grievously, losing either of you fine warriors,” Krogoth pronounces, gesturing towards the pair. “Therefore, I deny your request for Krak-Tok, Noroth.” His words elicit a sigh of relief from me.

Noroth snarls in defiance, “It is my right, Chieftain!”

Krogoth lifts a hand for silence. “That is why I’ll allow a contest for redress,” he announces, pausing dramatically as the crowd watches with hushed breaths. “No claws, first blood.”

Some in the audience boo loudly, still disappointed the spectacle of a death match has been denied to them. Krogoth sighs before resuming. “Fine. No claws, first to lose consciousness.”

The crowd’s bloodlust now satiated, cheer loudly. I watch in amazement as they are already parting, creating a circle for the two warriors to complete their ‘sentence.’

“One hundred credits on Vethios!” Xandor offers, laughing, with a raised hand.

Krogoth nods at Xandor. “I’ll take that bet!”

I massage my temples with my fingers, as my sense of morality and decency is almost overwhelmed.How did I get myself involved in this craziness?

Chapter 17

Roxanne

Arrival

The two warriors circleeach other as the crowd taunt and jeers mere inches away. Blue and yellow eyes mist, sending wisps of color into the dimly lit hall.

Yet another crack of the whip, followed by Ziroth’s muffled cries, serves as a perverse sort of bell as Noroth charges towards Vethios like a raging bull. Vethios nimbly steps aside, delivering lightning-fast jabs into the side of his opponent’s head.

Noroth is thrown off balance and collides into the crowd, knocking some down as others push him back into the makeshift ring of heckling spectators. Despite my initial protests, I’m captivated by the brutal contest, hoping for Noroth to prevail because Vethios did, in fact, insult him. But unfortunately, Vethios appears to be the better fighter.

Noroth spits green blood from his mouth, before swinging wildly at Vethios with blows, which look like they could punch through walls. Vethios belies his lanky, muscular frame, moving as neatly as a seasoned dancer. With every skillful dodge and duck, he punishes Noroth with quick, efficient strikes about his face and ribs, releasing grunts from him. The hits against Noroth’s flat face sound shocking, like someone slapping pudding.

“He does block with his face!” Xandor exclaims, drawing raucous laughter from the crowd.Does this mean Xandor and Noroth will have to fight now?I wonder if this clan meeting will ever end at this rate.

Rylar’s voice cuts through the laughter, “Gods have mercy, Noroth, don’t stand toe to toe! Use your strength!” He implores.

Noroth seems to heed Rylar’s advice, as he switches to charging at Vethios once more, this time almost catching his opponent off guard. Vethios barely escapes the attack, wrapping his arm around the bowed head of Noroth. I watch, fearing Vethios will strangle Noroth in a headlock, but it’s then I notice only Noroth’s face is covered as he tucks his chin to protect his bull-like neck.

The others must have also noticed as a hushed silence falls over the crowd. Vethios grunts, desperately trying to wedge his arm down and around Noroth’s neck, but he’s getting nowhere. Noroth roars defiantly, his eyes blazing bright blue and his thick muscles bulging, grasping Vethios around his waist, picking him up in a monstrous display of strength before slamming Vethios against the hardwood floor with a resounding thud.

“Yes!” I find myself cheering, my voice lost amidst the crowds as my blood rushes in excitement. Vethios, dazed, tries to scramble to his feet, but Noroth is on him in an instant, sitting atop him, delivering brutal headbutts and savage elbows into his opponent’s head. Not long ago, such a gruesome sight wouldhave turned my stomach, but now I watch on, captivated like the rest of the warriors.

“Noroth is the victor!” Krogoth declares, as the hall erupts into cheering and stamping feet. With calls of congratulations and commendations for Noroth. “Honor to the victor. Honor to Noroth!” Krogoth’s voice rings out, as others pick up the chant, me included.

Noroth stands triumphantly over his unconscious foe, panting heavily, his face bruised and bloodied, beaming with joy. He points towards Xandor, “Who cares what blocks what? As long as I’m the last warrior standing!” He spits out blood with his chin raised proudly.

Xandor to my surprise, nods his head respectfully and performs the Klendathian military salute towards Noroth. “You owe me one hundred credits, Xandor,” Krogoth interjects, his laughter echoing through the hall.

Xandor chuckles “Fine...I’ll be eating rations for a week,” before activating his wrist console.

Krogoth turns his attention to the area of the hall where Ziroth and Morios are. “Ah, I see you are done?” He asks inquisitively. I gasp, seeing poor Ziroth slumped against the wall, his leather coat and shirt rendered to ribbons revealing a bloody torn back underneath.

“He has learned his lesson, I reckon,” Morios replies loudly, his gaze fixed on the crumpled pathetic form of Ziroth.

“I counted three licks of the scourge. Very merciful,” Krogoth remarks, rubbing his chin before continuing. “Morios the merciful!” He declares, prompting the hall to echo in laughter and chants of “Morios the Merciful!”

I look on in amazement, wondering how someone can whip another person with a scourge and then be named ‘the merciful.’ Then, as if to confuse me even further, I see Noroth, helping Vethios to his feet, both men laughing and patting each otheron the back like long-lost friends reunited. Albeit friends with bloody faces and broken teeth.

Only moments ago, they were prepared to kill each other. Now look at them!Was the contest just for entertainment?What was the point of it? If Vethios had won, what would that have mattered?My mind is buzzing with questions, wondering if I’ll ever understand the Klendathian honor system, which could stand for Klendathians’ craziness system at this point.

Now Morios is giving Ziroth a slip from a horn and helping him to his feet! Is this the result of a society without women? No calming influence from minds not overcome with bluster and the need to prove themselves through violence? Although this hall existed long before the Klendathian females were stolen... They probably were just as crazy as the men. I sigh, determined to understand so I can help Krogoth and be a good Chieftainess for him.

---