Fated to the Alien Chieftain (The Klendathian Cycle #3)

2. Roxanne

Chapter 2

Roxanne

Honored

M y heart pounds in my chest like a drum, with the eyes of so many Draxxus Clan members staring at me so intently. Not a single sound can be heard other than my rapidly quickening breaths. Why didn’t Krogoth warn me I’d be called on to speak? Public speaking terrifies me.

I wish I could put on my warvisor and escape all this pressure... until I notice Krogoth’s stunning purple eyes. He looks at me with expectation and something else... A touch of uncertainty creases his brow.

He’s not sure what my answer will be!

My heart sinks with the weight of understanding. I leap down from the enormous chair, desperate to put his mind at ease, giving him my biggest smile as I approach, wanting him to have no doubt about what I wish for. “The sooner the better, Krogoth. I went through the Proving because I love you, and I want us to be together,” I say, locking eyes with him, feeling every word. The noisy clamor of the onlookers fades away.

Krogoth’s face lights up, his confident demeanor returning. He closes the distance between us and scoops me up in his massive arms. I squeal as he spins me round, his voice ringing out in laughter along with mine. The crowd joins in with their own whooping and cheering. It’s a magical moment. I’ve never felt so much love and acceptance in my entire life. I wish I could hold on to this feeling forever.

“You’ve made me so proud, my sweet Pebbles. Know that I’ll always love and protect you,” Krogoth whispers into my ear before gently placing me back on my feet. I lean to one side as the room continues to spin from dizziness. Krogoth places a steadying hand around my waist as he turns to face the crowd once more. “I am all out of speeches, friends, but thankfully, I’m not out of drink and food! Stay and enjoy yourselves,” he says, merrily.

The crowd responds with laughing and chants of “Chieftain!” and “Rocks!” Looking at them, I’m grateful that so many joined in on the celebrations. I wave tentatively to the crowd before Krogoth turns, leading us both back towards the massive throne-like chair.

Krogoth ascends the throne with ease, his long legs easily a match for its height. For me, getting off it feels like hopping off a towering wall. As I consider how best to scale the massive thing, Krogoth lifts me up onto his lap as easily as a feather.

I should probably be annoyed by all his manhandling, but I feel incredibly loved and protected, knowing that he is always there looking after me. He seems so in tune with me. It’s like he knows what I need before I do. In appreciation, I scoot up so my bum rests atop his crotch, wiggling a lot more than necessary as I do so.

A satisfying groan escapes him in response. I turn my head towards Krogoth, attempting to look playful, which I hope doesn’t make me look like an insane weirdo. “You gave an awesome speech, Korgy. But when you mentioned the visions, you could cut the tension with a knife!” I recall the place on the verge of erupting into a huge brawl.

Krogoth runs his massive hand gently over my back. “There was no need for any cutting,” he replies slowly.

I stifle a snicker at this response. “No, Krogoth, it’s a figure of speech back on earth. It means the tensions were high. Like a fight could happen,” I explain to him, smiling.

“Interesting,” Krogoth rubs his chin in thought. “Such a violent expression from such a weak species,” he says absently.

My eyes narrow with annoyance, being a member of the ‘weak species.’ But from the perspective of the hulking Klendathians, it’s hard to deny.

Krogoth notices my face and quickly chimes in, “Not you, Pebbles. You’re an honorary Klendathian now.”

“Does that mean I’ll grow to be seven feet tall and gain super strength?” I ask dryly.

“If such a thing was possible, you’d have slain the Magaxus Prospects and all the venefexes simultaneously!” Krogoth laughs briefly before continuing. “You are perfect the way you are,” he finishes, his face suddenly serious.

“That’s sweet, Krogoth,” I reply. My annoyance melts away, leaning back fully against my love, letting him wrap his arms around me as I rest my head on his broad chest. I watch the crowd mingle and chat amongst themselves, enjoying the food, drink, and company. It seems surreal being honored for so-called great deeds. The whole time I felt like I was stumbling, afraid and alone in the dark. Each day was a desperate struggle for survival, not some grand epic adventure. I only did it to save Krogoth, who in typical Krogoth fashion had already saved himself!

Running my fingers across the three large coarse scars on my cheek, I suppress a shudder at the ‘gift’ left by the black-haired Prospect. I have other ones all over my body, too many to list. The harrowing experience has changed me both mentally and physically. My body now carries the repulsive reminders forever. They haven’t seemed to diminish Krogoth’s desire for me. But the cost was high and only by the skin of my teeth did I survive.

I take a deep breath, steadying my thoughts. Either way, I’m just glad it’s all over and I can relax safely with Krogoth at my side and enjoy the rest of the day. It’s then I notice Xandor and Rylar ascend the foot high step up, approaching us. I wave enthusiastically, greeting them.

“Hail, Chieftain Krogoth and Rocks,” Rylar says while doing the traditional military salute.

“Congratulations, Rocks. I knew you had it in you,” Xandor says, smiling as he hands me two giant horns brimming with alcohol.

“Ah, the insubordinate Xandor and Rylar!” Krogoth growls, as he gently slides me down to stand before the pair, looming over them with an aura thick with tension that fills me with unease.

“My apologies, Chieftain Krogoth, I didn’t notice you behind the titan that is Rocks,” Xandor quips with a smile on his lips, unphased by Krogoth’s demeanor

“Xandor, show some respect!” Rylar says, quickly reprimanding Xandor as he turns on him.

Krogoth raises a hand for silence. “I should banish you both from the Clan for doing the exact opposite of what I asked of you.” He stands before Xandor, his eyes burrowing into his. “Did you not understand a word of it? Because of your overly large head, perhaps?” Krogoth demands angrily.

Xandor feigns scratching his head. “If I remember correctly, you asked me to keep Rocks safe,” he says, before leaning sideways to look at me, as I stand awkwardly holding the two giant horns of drink, trying to keep my hands and nerves steady. “And as you see here, she is safe,” he says, gesturing towards me.

Krogoth’s hands clench into fists and his muscles tense, causing my chest to tighten with worry. “It’s not their fault, Krogoth!” I interrupt, eager to defuse the situation. “I begged them to help me prepare for the Proving. Without their help, I would’ve had no chance of surviving!” I plead.

Krogoth studies me for a long, considered moment, before his expression visibly relaxes. Finally, he nods before turning back to face the pair. “In that case, you have my thanks,” he grasps them both tightly around the head, using one arm for each. “You prepared her well! Did you know she slayed Xyronath the Shadowstalker?” Krogoth asks, his voice now full of joyous pride.

Rylar and Xandor squirm free, then exchange a brief glance, both letting out a sigh of relief. “Truly amazing. It was our honor to prepare her,” Rylar turns to face me directly. “Well done, Rocks, you never once gave up, and the Gods rewarded your hard work,” he nods with a rare smile on his lips.

Looking at their smiling faces fills me with happiness. I never thought I’d see them again after we parted on the day of the Proving. And it was because of the training and supplies they’d given me I had any chance of success. “Thank you both so much! I know why you pushed me so hard now,” I say, smiling.

Xandor chuckles, “I thank the Gods you succeeded Rocks,” he glances over at Krogoth. “I think Krogoth might have given us a different type of embrace if you had died,” he suggests.

Krogoth laughs. “I thought you enjoyed embraces?” he asks, looking at Xandor.

“Only from the fairest of maidens,” Xandor replies, his tone light as he playfully caresses an imaginary face with his hand.

Krogoth scoffs, “One warrior’s fair maiden might be a more sensible warrior’s idea of a heavyweight arena champion.” Krogoth says, amusing the three Klendathians. While I smile empathically, not fully appreciating the joke. I guess Xandor prefers bigger women? So what?

I shrug, taking a sip of the fruity tasting but potent drink from the horn. Klendathian drinks are strong! I hand the other one to Krogoth, who offers his thanks before he takes a generous swig from it. “Do you not enjoy the taste? Shall I get you a Stardust Sunrise?” Krogoth offers, after noticing I had drunk only a little from my horn.

I smile, thinking back to the previous time Krogoth got me drunk. “Oh no! It tastes fine. I just don’t want to end up like last time. Even the thought of it gives me a sore head,” I reply, while examining the green-colored contents.

“Relax, this is your big day, Pebbles, and there’s no Clan Magaxus chasing us this time,” Krogoth says, as he takes another large swig. His capacity for food and drink is truly shocking.

I take another small sip, enjoying the warmth from the alcohol spreading throughout my body. “The night is still young, Krogoth,” I warn, spying him over the rim of the horn.

Rylar quickly retrieves two drinks from the nearby table and hands one to Xandor. They both begin drinking deeply, trying to catch up to Krogoth. “Tell us Rocks, what was your proudest moment during the Proving?” Rylar asks.

“Hmmm, that’s a good question.” I reply before taking a moment to consider all the terrifying encounters. “I would say befriending Cupcake, but she flew away.” Even now, the memory of her departure still stings. I hope you’re eating your fill out there, Cupcake.

Rylar scratches his head. “I’m not familiar with the term ‘Cuuuupcakk.’ Is this a human expression?” he asks.

His pronunciation of the word Cupcake sounds awkward but funny so I snicker at the question, the drink already influencing me “Cupcake is a Brutus. Or was it brontosaur? Crap, Krogoth, what was that name again?” I ask, looking to Krogoth, who stands with his chest puffed out proud as a peacock.

“A brutonous! She befriended a brutonous hatchling. I saw it with my own eyes,” Krogoth answers, looking between Xandor and Rylar for their reactions.

Both Xandor and Rylar look at me with shock painted on their faces. “I thought they were extinct,” Xandor says.

“You truly are blessed by the Gods!” Rylar exclaims, pausing in thought before he continues. “Some say the brutonous are the messengers of the Gods, but I believe all living creatures are,” he finishes.

“Well, this messenger was the hungriest animal I’d ever seen, and she saved my life when I was attacked by Xyronath,” I say, while looking down into my drink, recalling the terrible struggle in the earthen tunnel.

“Honor to Cupcake,” Krogoth says, raising his horn, mercifully breaking the tension.

“Honor to Cupcake,” I and the others say in unison before taking another drink.

“Rocks, Xyronath was he a massive giant white bastard with one big red eye?” Xandor asks after a moment of silence.

I nod in agreement, wondering what strange direction Xandor will go with this information.

“Thought so,” Xandor pauses, taking a deep breath. “I’ve never told this story to anyone... Oh wait, except for Razor Lilly. Now she was a fair maiden, I wouldn’t mind embracing again,” he sighs while his eyes glaze over.

Rylar scoffs, “Razor Lilly? Sounds like a class of Nebian battle ships,” he mocks.

Xandor smiles, “And twice as durable. Make no mistake about that,” he says, drawing laughter from Krogoth.

Can he not stay focused for five seconds? “So, what happened with Xyronath?” I remind Xandor.

“Xyronath? Oh, yeah.” Xandor pauses for dramatic effect. “I too was hunted by the legendary Shadowstalker! During my own Proving, I was little more than a half-trained youth, unlike the brave hero that stands before you today.” I stop myself from saying something cheeky, worrying it’ll send the conversation spiraling in another random direction.

“The veterans had warned me about the beast, that it liked to feast on the bones of fresh Prospects. I thought the story was total nonsense! I mean, how long can a venefex live for right? A couple hundred years? But this thing was supposed to be hunting the forests for generations?” Xandor asks, looking towards us for an answer. I look at Krogoth, who simply shrugs his huge shoulders.

“Anyway, so I’m prancing about the forest, doing my thing. Was rather enjoying the fresh air, truth be told. Until one night, lurking in a bush, I notice this huge red eye looking right at me!” Xandor stops to take a gulp from his horn, before continuing. “I swear the eye held such murderous hatred for me, I nearly soiled myself. I watched as it stalked towards me, the biggest venefex I’ve ever seen, with white fur, its massive head covered in scars.” Xandor says, looking down at his drink, lost in thought.

Sounds like the same monster. “What happened next?” I ask, interested to hear how they both survived.

Xandor smiles “Well, I didn’t hang around too long! I threw a chunk of aurodon meat I had at it and ran for the nearest tall tree I could find!” He finishes laughing.

“And it didn’t chase you afterwards? It hunted me for days!” I ask, eager to hear more.

“It did Rocks! The first time I ran I could hear it cracking the bones from the aurodon I threw. So every day afterwards I’d make a large kill and leave it for the hulking bastard to eat. Every night in the distance, I’d hear it devouring the remains. Fed that bastard for nearly a week!” Xandor finishes looking around the group.

Krogoth laughs. “The easiest week of its life!” he quips

His story brings a smile to my lips. “Wish you had killed it. Would have saved me a lot of trouble.” I laugh.

Rylar scoffs, “You never saw Xyronath, you were probably drunk, running from the shadows. Then fed half the wildlife,” he finishes, taking a swig from his horn.

Xandor simply shrugs casually in response.

“Rocks!” A female voice from amongst the noisy chatter catches my attention. Turning, I see Zelana jumping up onto the raised wooden platform, carefully holding onto a bag.

Excitedly, I approach her, wrapping my arms around her petite frame. “Zelana, it’s so good to see you. How have you been?” I ask, pulling back, getting a better look admiring her sleek dark green dress that highlights her lean frame excellently.

Zelana squeals in excitement. “Never mind me, Rocks! How does it feel being a hero?” She asks, her large obsidian eyes sparkling.

I rub the top of my arm. “A little embarrassing, to be honest.” I say, casting my eye around the crowd, still surprised so many people had come. “I was so nervous speaking in front of so many people, I was sure I would say something stupid.”

Zelana smiles “You probably didn’t see me in the crowd, being surrounded by so many brawny giants,” she giggles. “But I heard you speak. I think you are very graceful.” She holds out a paper-like bag, the style of it vaguely familiar. “A gift!”

Curious, opening the bag I’m met with the delicious aroma of fried zelatos dumplings. A few more drinks and I’ll devour this entire bag! “You’re so sweet Zelana. Thank you so much!” I exclaim, offering her one while I quickly eat one myself. The savory chunky morsel tastes as decadent and tasty as I remember.

Zelana takes an almost comically small bite from her dumpling. “I remember you liked them a lot,” she takes another tiny nibble. “It took me a while to find them again.”

I take Zelana’s hand and together move back towards Krogoth, Xandor and Rylar, who are busy chatting. “Let’s see if Rylar would like a taste of your dumplings.” I wiggle my eyebrows at Zelana suggestively, my face full of mischief.

Zelana’s almost ethereal white face blushes a shade of blue as she covers her cheek with her free hand. “Wait, Rocks,” she protests weakly.

“Would you like some zelatos dumplings, Rylar?” I ask, offering the bag for his inspection.

Rylar, listening intently to Krogoth speaking, seems almost oblivious. “Ah, no thank you Rocks,” he waves the bag away.

“But Zelana got them and will be disappointed.” I say, sighing for dramatic effect before feeling a sharp pinch at my back. Turning in shock, I see the almost blue face of Zelana staring at me darkly. “It’ll be fine, trust me.” I whisper to Zelana. Ouch! She actually pinched me!

Rylar snaps to attention as if he is the one just pinched. “Oh, Zelana, my apologies. I was engrossed and did not notice you.” He says, stiffing slightly. “Not to suggest you are beneath my notice.”

What have I done? I resist the urge to rub my forehead.

I notice from the corner of my eye Xandor smirking at Krogoth, while Krogoth returns a raised eyebrow. Both look at the point of breaking their barely contained composure.

Zelana pauses a moment. “Well, I am very small, especially around here.” She smiles, looking up at the three towering Klendathians for emphasis. Nicely handled Zelana.

Rylar smiles, his single green eye gleaming. “Yes, I’ve noticed. I notice you a lot, actually,” he replies.

A bit creepy, but we’re moving in the right direction at least.

Rylar drains the rest of his horn. “Zelana, let me get you a drink. What would you like?” he offers.

“Oh, you’re very kind!” Zelana exclaims. “Would you choose for me, Rylar?” she says, brushing Rylar’s arm with her three fingers. “Nothing too strong. I can’t handle too much,” she says, sweetly, looking up at Rylar.

“Of course. Let me handle it.” Rylar says, before turning sharply, heading towards the crowded table like he’s performing a military duty.

“Zelana, if you can’t handle strong, I’m afraid Rylar may be too much for you,” Xandor says while he stares at Rylar’s back.

My eyes snap towards Xandor as I feel my anger rising, causing my face to heat. “Xandor!” I exclaim. He’s ruining Rylar and Zelana’s moment.

“I... I only meant the drinks,” Zelana offers weakly, as she looks down at the floor.

“Rylar fought with me through a hundred battles. He’s a war hero. If it’s a good companion you seek, you can find none better.” Krogoth says, looking down sympathetically at Zelana.

Zelana straightens, meeting Krogoth’s gaze. “I know the good ones when I see them,” she smiles.

Before anyone can say another word, loud shouting comes from the other end of the hall at the entrance. I strain my eyes trying to make out what’s going on exactly. But despite being on a raised platform, I still cannot see over the heads of the tall Klendathians.

Shouts of “Make way!” spoken by gruff voices can now be heard.

My heart pounds in my chest. I instinctually move towards Krogoth, seeking his protective embrace. He wraps his enormous arm over my shoulder, giving it a tight squeeze.

“Out of the voiding way!” Rings out from an unfamiliar voice as more jostling and shouting gets closer with each passing moment.

Looking up at Krogoth, his gaze is fixated on the newcomers. “What’s happening, Krogoth? Who is it?”

Krogoth looks down, his eyes misting lightly. “It’s the Council of Elders.”

I’ll not let them take him away again!