My Oktoberfest Alien (Alliance Holiday #6)

Chapter 29

Fox

“Commander Fox of Alliance Force, I, Jai of House Kva, represent the High Priestess and am challenging you to a duel to the death.”

I turn my attention to the man. “You must be joking.”

Jai looks confused. Axl’s standing right next to him. I can tell by his expression he thinks this is a joke too.

Jai straightens his shoulders and says again, “Commander Fox of Alliance Force, I, Jai of House Kva, represent the High Priestess and am challenging you to a duel to the death.”

“I heard you the first time,” I reply. “But, I’m busy and don’t find any humor in this.”

Jai takes out his dagger and brings it to his hand. “This is no joke, Commander. I’ve been sent here by the High Priestess to challenge you to a duel to the death.”

My eyes dart to Axl’s. Did he know about this? Judging by the surprised look on his face, he didn’t.

“What crime does the High Priestess accuse me of that she wants to test my loyalty to the goddesses?” I ask.

“Conspiring with the unwanted of the galaxy. To give the stateless shelter in the Alliance Force.”

“You mean to hire men who are fit for a purpose? Who are both Alliance and human? How does this go against the goddesses?”

“The High Priestess believes your new wife has used witchcraft on you to hire these unwanted men.”

“Preposterous. For what purpose?”

“To take over the base and make it their own.”

“The Empire could easily take it back if they had a mind to,” I point out.

Everyone in the command center is looking at Jai now. He replies, “I have my orders. You can choose the day and time of the duel. I suggest you get your affairs in order and make your peace with the goddesses. I have never lost.”

Jai exits the command center, and Axl says, “I believe his boast that he’s never lost. He’s an excellent swordsman.”

I’m too stunned to speak for a minute, but then rage overtakes me. After all I have done for the Empire and the Alliance Force, to be treated this way, by my own Head of House no less! I storm out of the command center gruffly, giving Sem control.

Axl walks with me. He knows my mind. I call to Jai who isn’t far in front of me. “Now!” I say. “We will do it now!” I begin stripping off my clothing as we walk toward the small gymnasium which is the best place to do this.

Axl picks up my clothing as we walk and says, “I’ll get your sword.”

I don’t acknowledge him because I’m furious. I just follow Jai into the gymnasium. To the few men that are there I say, “There’s going to be a duel. The High Priestess wants to test my loyalty to the goddesses. You may stay or go, but once the duel begins that door will not open until Jai or myself is declared the victor.”

Jai begins taking off his clothing after he’s sent a VM to the High Priestess and the formalities on his end are settled. Once we’re both naked and waiting, Axl appears with my sword. I take it from him and try to think only of winning. I kneel and make a prayer to the god of war. I ask him to be with me now. Then I rise and face Jai.

“Commander Fox of Alliance Force, I, Jai of House Kva, represent the High Priestess and am challenging you to a duel to the death. As you are here, I assume you accept these conditions.”

“Who will take over Alliance Force if I die?” I ask. “You might as well tell me as you said you never lose and all the men in this room will know it after my death.”

“The High Priestess did not share her plans with me. She only hired me to represent her.”

“So you’re a man without any morals. It’s a wonder the goddesses allow you to win any duels at all,” I comment. I want to use my anger to give me strength. And I do not want to be killed by a sword for hire without any morals.

“I have morals,” Jai comments, swinging his sword in a warm-up. “Though they may not be as noble as yours, I’ll admit.”

“And yet you think it’s right to kill me on a woman’s word?”

“Not just any woman. The High Priestess and she’s paying me. This isn’t personal, Commander.”

It’s difficult for me to counter that. As Jai is a man still living in the Empire, the High Priestess and other powerful women have a lot of control over him. So without any more waiting, I take the first swing. I make it a powerful one to make an impression.

Jai seems surprised that I’d choose to use so much force to begin, and he takes two steps back after blocking me. “I see this is going to be over quickly,” he says. “You can’t keep that up.”

His words irritate me, and against my usual fighting tactics, I rush him again, backing him into a wall, but he swiftly defends himself and pushes me back slowly with his graceful movements. And now I’m the one stepping back. I think, if I’m going to be killed, at least it’ll be by a man with an impeccable technique.

“You’re not bad, Commander Fox,” he says while our blades hit each other. “It’s a pity this will be the last time we ever fight.”

I don’t answer him. I just focus on the duel. Honing every one of my senses to defend and when I can, wound Jai.

But I’m beginning to get tired. I can’t keep this up for much longer.

“I’m sorry it has to end this way, Commander,” Jai says. His voice seems so far away from me now. “Please give my regards to the goddesses.”

No , I think. I’m not ready to die .