Page 8 of Fated to the Alien Chieftain

“Where was I?” Vereth says almost joyfully. His ability to shift between anger and calm is impressive, as it is unsettling. “Oh, yes... Krogoth, we have heard of the success of your female in the Proving,” he nods towards Pebbles with a smile. “Congratulations, by the way,” he says before looking at me once again. “But it matters not. You were bid to remain with us under our hospitality. Yet here you are,” he sighs.

“Hospitality?” I scoff. “By banishing me to the deepest, darkest pit in Scarn? With Zyraxis promising to kill Rocks during the Proving. Honor demanded I escape!”

Vereth’s eyes narrow as he looks towards Zyraxis.

“More lies,” Zyraxis states, gesturing towards me. “The desperate ramblings of a condemned traitor.”

Vereth’s gaze lingers on Zyraxis. His mouth twists into a sneer for the briefest moment before he turns his attention back at me. “Regardless, you have still disobeyed the sacred will of the Council,” he says, casting his gaze over the other twelve elders, some of which look more concerned about the hostile crowd’s actions.

“What say you, Chieftain Krogoth? You must know, any harm to us will cause your clan’s exile. The other clans will be duty bound to hunt and kill you all,” Vereth says, his voice laced with concern as he beckons me with a hand. “No one wants that. Come now, stop this foolishness.”

Maybe he’s right. My life is a small price to pay to keep Pebbles and my clan safe. Victory here will only delay eventual destruction from the other clans.I glance down at Pebbles and pull her closer. My mind is full of doubts, my resolve wavering. Her hazel eyes glisten with unshed tears as she shakes her head, a silent plea.

Despite the hall being packed, a tense silence hangs in the air. All eyes are on me, our lives, no the entire future of my people hangs on my next words. “I—”

“The Council’s judgment is void in this matter!” an elderly male’s voice calls out amidst the crowd. The unexpected interruption causes a murmur to ripple through the hall.

The Council of Elders shift, seeking the source of the interruption. “Who speaks?” Vereth demands, “Explain.”

Relief washes over me to see old Harkus step forward through the crowd. He makes his way to the wooden platform until he comes to stand alongside me. “Harkus the Scholar,” he states, his chest and chin raised proudly, no trace of the humble ‘teacher’ now.

The ancient elder known as Nyxius speaks “Harkus... I’ve read your works, fascinating theories on the nature of the Gods and their technology.” He says, with a respective nod.

“My thanks,” Harkus says as he returns the nod.

“Truly fascinating, no doubt. But let’s hurry this up. We’ve wasted enough time already,” Zyraxis says, tapping his foot on the floor.

“As you wish...” Harkus states, with a barely suppressed smile playing on the edge of his lips “The ancient laws clearlystate, that for the Council of Elders to pass judgment on an individual, that individual’s clan must have at least one elder for representation,” he says, turning to me with a smile. His confident words are like a blessing from the Gods.

The thirteen elders exchange confused looks with each other. The shock and dismay on Zyraxis’ face is especially satisfying. “And in the Council’s infinite wisdom, they have denied Clan Draxxus representation for two hundred years,” Harkus continues, his voice laden with false surprise. “A wondrous addition, wouldn’t you agree?” He asks, looking to Zyraxis. “Prevents many kinds of possible abuses...”

The crowd erupts into cheering and laughter at the revelation. I also laugh with relief as I clap Harkus on the back in appreciation. “Well spoken.”

“More Draxxus lies! Warriors arrest Krogoth. Arrest them all!” Zyraxis demands, his voice full of angry desperation.

“Do no such thing!” Vereth calls out immediately, banging his staff on the floor. “Silence!” He repeats until the hall quiets down once more.

“Nyxius, is what he claims, correct?” Vereth asks, looking at the ancient elder who is busy reading something from his activated wrist console projection.

Time seems to stretch on forever with all eyes on Nyxius, who mumbles, reading each line of runes. “Yes, Harkus is correct,” he says finally. “See for yourself,” he moves his wrist console closer for Vereth to read.

“Gods give me strength,” Vereth mutters quietly after reading. “How in the void did we miss this?” He asks looking to the other elders expectedly, none meet his gaze. Until his eyes fall on Zyraxis. “You!” Vereth’s face darkens. “You’ve made a mockery of this Council.”

“Me? You are all privy to the same information as I!” Zyraxis exclaims, gesturing to others in surprise.

An opening? Can I turn the tables on Zyraxis?

“Yet only moments ago, you claimed Harkus was lying. But he was correct. Either you are a liar or you claim to have knowledge on a topic which you clearly don’t know void all about!” Vereth’s blue eyes mist lightly as he points his staff towards Zyraxis.

Zyraxis recoils as if Vereth is holding a vipertail in front of him. “I... I merely infer on account of their past behaviors,” he says, regaining composure with each word. “Like poison, Krogoth and his lackeys must not be allowed to spread falsehoods lest they bring ruin upon us all!” He shouts, his anger resurfacing.

Like a slippery wyrm, he is slithering away. Now’s the time to increase the pressure.

“Is that why you defiled the sanctity of the Proving?” I demand, while projecting my wrist console, finding the footage of the border hunters recovering the remains of the fallen Magaxus Prospects. “These are the fallen Magaxus Prospects, each one slain by Rocks as they dared to attack her,” I say, enlarging the display for everyone to view.

The elders strain to look at the recording, their faces uncertain. Vereth rubs his short white beard. “Yes, I recognize these Prospects from the opening ceremony.”

“This is a discretion! Do we now disturb the valiant dead like hemovyrns?” Zyraxis protests as he turns his face from the display with disgust.

---