Completely revised and reedited as of 12/01/2008, voice your opinions and criticisms at will.
-Cam
Elder Del'uan entered the Council Hall and paused at the human at his feet. She looked worn. The mob of angry onlookers tore her dress and messed her hair as they dragged her inside, chaining her to the room's centre. Her face was drawn and paler than its normal dark copper colour. Not that she seemed to care about her appearance or their taunting. Her black eyes were trained on the bodies the guards slid next to her. She felt him near but didn't look up for fear the tears that welled in her eyes would fall. Del'uan pet her head, combing his long curving black nails through her hair with a purr.
"Have you reconsidered my offer, Isis?" he asked. His purring deepened when she nodded.
She knew Del'uan wanted her. Not as a mate because that would imply she was his equal, but as his whore. A pleasure house for him and him alone. And at the moment, Isis thought being his whore looked better than her alternative, throwing herself on the mercy of the Council. Atop the dais, the row of silent yautja bore down on her with abhorrence and with reason. Two of its members lay slain before them, the former Lead Elder and his mate.
Hi'tesh was their clan's most honoured warrior and his mate, Su'hir, had the distinction of bearing the most children ever in the clan's illustrious history. They were perfection in every way and the pride of Shao're so it saddened everyone to hear of their senseless passing. Even more when it was rumoured the human was the one to have slit Su'hir's throat.
All of Council was not yet convinced Isis had done this thing but they did all agree on one thing, they wanted her gone. All except for Del'uan, who continued to stroke on her like child would a doll. He promised her protection and mind-blowing orgasms but then what? Every child outgrew their toys and when he finally tired of her, he would likely give her to another who would do the same.
"I have reconsidered it," she said finally.
"And?"
"My answer is still the same,"
Del'uan tossed her hair with a yank and took his place amongst his Council. It was not wise of her to cross the newly appointed Lead Elder. He would show her what a mistake she had made and when it was done, she would be begging him to take her.
"Why is she still alive?" One female snapped, her mandibles twitching.
A heavily whiskered male snorted, "O'al, do you honestly think this tiny creature could have done that to our Su'hir?"
O'al didn't believe she had but she wanted her dead anyway. She didn't like the sight of humans, especially the human females. They were becoming far more commonplace on yautja ships and with yautja males. But she could at least give the appearance that her own personal vices were not colouring her decision… even if they were.
"We should kill her on principle, Vaniv. She knew of A'rah's affair with the male and said nothing." O'al responded.
Vaniv shook his head, "A'rah kept her as sun'ye, a toy, an amusement. She didn't claim the female as lover or mate, so she couldn't rightly teach her the language. How would she tell us anything?"
O'al rolled her eyes, "It would figure that would be the only rule that slut would adhere to."
"It is my belief that Su'hir's was killed by A'rah. The female's blood was on her body," he said.
"But it was on the human as well," O'al countered.
"Simple transference could explain that," Vaniv explained. "Undoubtedly she went to be beside her dying provider and it merely rubbed off,"
O'al could not believe her ears, "Why are you making excuses for her? I thought you wanted to be rid of her just as much as the rest of us."
"Does not mean death should be her exit," Vaniv pointed at the human, "She is a warrior of her kind, look at he scars on her shoulders and legs. Even you can see they are from hard meat claws and blood, it's probably why the Arbitrator kept her."
O'al was unimpressed, "As I heard it, she got those surviving an attack on her ship."
Vaniv shrugged, "So what does it matter?"
"It matters because it was not a trial. It was an act of survival instinct, nothing more." O'al pressed.
"But what is a trial if not that?"
De'luan was growing tired of O'al and Vaniv's bickering but he let it continue. From the corner of his eye he could see Isis grow nervous as the debate grew more heated. This was the moment he waited so patiently for. Calmly he raised the issue that if she were allowed to live, where would she? They simply could not return her because it had been too long and she had seen too much.
"Perhaps someone in need of a caregiver or even as a helper, she looks strong enough," Vaniv suggested.
O'al shook her head, "Why would anyone take her in? She is a stranger who has killed one of our own,"
"We do not know she has done this," Another Elder grumbled.
Vaniv agreed with him, "Exactly, so there is still a chance someone will speak for her,"
"Oh really?" O'al turned in her seat, facing the assembled crowd, ready to test his half-brained theory. She shouted to them, "Is there anyone here who will speak for this human?"
The room was very silent, no one did anything but exchange glances and look around to see who was fool enough to raise their hand. O'al sat back in her seat, crossing her legs proudly. "Then it's agreed, we kill her."
"No it is not!" Vaniv and others said in unison.
De'luan raised his hand and silenced their bickering. Quietly he offered his solution. "If we are so seemingly split, I will house her until Council can come to a consensus. Does that please you all?"
Slowly and begrudgingly, the staunchest of opposition agreed. O'al nodded and the rest of the council followed, giving unanimous consent to his proposition. He turned in his seat to face his prize and Isis looked away, unsettled by his heated glare. It was a look of ownership. And he would show her what it meant to be owned, but not just yet. There was still the issue of what to do with the remains of the lovers and their effects but to his surprise and delight Council decided rather quickly on a plan of action.
The meeting was adjourned and not a moment too soon for the Lead Elder. He stood and approached the kneeling female. Isis narrowed her eyes as he stalked toward her knowing what he had planned. The thought of had obviously made him hard, she could see the bulge in his cloth as he took a wide legged stance in front of her. He readied to take her chains from the guard at her side when a voice called from the hall's end.
"I will speak for her,"
Isis turned sharply, she knew this voice. Raising her head, looking to where the crowd parted a cold dread knotted her stomach. A Spartan mask came into view, a large hulking body of indigo skin and silver ringless locks. This was the male A'rah saved her from, the one that tried to kill her at this story's start. Feeling Del'uan watch her, she half hoped the stranger would try again.
Del'uan spared the male a dismissive glance. He knew this male too and hated the sight of him. "Council has been adjourned, asegian."
"I am no asegian," he said firmly. "You asked who would speak for her and I am telling you I will."
The Elder grit his teeth. His first instinct was to tear him apart and then tell him no, but he could not afford to show his desire for the female. If it became known lust was his motivation his decision would be overturned and O'al would become the acting Lead Elder. She would take his place in Council and decide what to do with the human. Isis would certainly be lost to him then.
De'luan struggled to look dispassionate as he asked him did he know what he was doing, taking the time to spell out the gravity of the situation to dissuade him. "You understand that means you will assume all the duties of her former owner, anything A'rah committed to before dying."
The stranger's response spoke without hesitation, "I will speak for her."
The stranger neared Isis and she fought in the chains to move away, straining against them with feet planted to break away. The links didn't even bend. She only succeeded in hurting herself, bruising and cutting her wrists slightly. Del'uan watched as she flopped against the floor in pain. Her spirited reaction inspired a thought,
"If she will leave with you willingly, you may have her."
Del'uan motioned to the guards and they undid the chain threaded through the fixed loop in the floor's centre letting Isis bound to her feet. She was free to move about on her legs but still remained very much in their control, the ends of her restraints wrapped around the guards' waiting fists.
Del'uan moved behind her. He took her by her shoulders and whispered in her native language that she had a choice to make. "Who will you entrust your life to, me or this poor creature before you?"
The decision was easy, "Neither." She said quickly.
Del'uan tightened his grip on her shoulders, making her wince. "That is not an option," he said lowly. "Make your choice and do it wisely."
Isis pulled away from him and looked at the two males. Del'uan stood with his hands behind his back, rocking contentedly on his heels and the stranger with his arms folded. They both gave her a pervasive and unsettling stare but none more so than that of the stranger. The black dispassionate eyes of his mask made it impossible to read his thoughts or intentions, even his movements were cryptic as he moved closer toward her with a confident but wary ease.
The last time he thought to near her it was with a spear in hand, aimed for her head. The more she ducked and moved, the more enraged he got until he was swiping haphazardly at her without care. She sent him tripping over himself one time too many and when he finally pinned her, she knew he would have torn her limb from limb if it hadn't been for A'rah.
He terrified her then. It was a time before she knew the word yatuja and what it meant. Then, he was just a strange and vicious creature that perused her with untold rage but now she saw something completely different. Calmer and more reserved. He stood with legs apart, his hand pitifully empty and floating in the space in front of her for her to take.
"Make your choice already," De'lun hissed impatiently. "I do not have time to waste."
The Lead Elder reached for her and Isis moved away, bumping against the stranger. She turned quickly, expecting him to snatch at her to but he stayed motionless, still simply offering his hand. Del'uan growled in his throat as she took it with trembling.
An uncertain life with the stranger was better than the one she knew waited for her with Del'uan. Sleeping with him had been a mistake, one she did while drunk on some concoction he fed her. He wanted more ever since then but Isis wasn't willing and A'rah had been the one to protect her from his advances. Now that she was gone, the task moved to the male who held her hand. Gingerly he set her hand in the crook of his arm and turned to face Del'uan.
"It seems she has made a choice, Elder."
"Indeed," the Lead Elder said with forced politeness. "Now get off my ship."
"Gladly," he nodded.
Still attached to his arm, Isis followed the stranger through the halls of Shao're. When they neared the former Lead Elder's suite she tried to break his grip. She didn't want to go there again. She had trouble not seeing it when she closed her eyes and now he was bringing her back to the setting of her nightmares?
The stranger looked at his side as she struggled, flexing his arm harder, trapping her hand tighter. Even when she bit at his hand he would not let go. This was the reason he came for her. As the door opened he gripped her by the scruff of her neck and moved her roughly inside. The stranger forced the door shut behind them and slammed her against the wall, telling her with brute strength alone she could not hope to stop him so she might as well not try. She fell still and closed her eyes tightly.
Isis heard her top rip away and then felt warm hands fumbled over her chest, delving between her breasts. She pushed against his arms, trying to make distance between them but he was too heavy. He leaned in and pressed her flush against the wall, his hand still stroking the in-between of her breasts. Feeling his hand still over her heart Isis gave up fighting. He had touched her like this once before and she allowed it then too, knowing exactly what he was looking for.
The stranger growled. The contact, skin to skin, quickened her heart and confirmed what he already knew. Two distinct hearts beat a rhythm against his wide palm. The antiquated translator round his neck sparked to life,
"You are still infected," he said quietly.
"Does this mean you're going to try and kill me again?"
Slowly he raised his head and met her darkly searching eyes. Time had not changed them. They still looked on him without fear or apology. And they still shook him somewhere deep. He shook his head no to her question and was surprised when she took his hand and softly commanded,
"Let me go then,"
She pulled his hand away and he stepped back, letting her ease down his front to the ground. When she looked up at him again, he turned away, giving her privacy to mend her tattered top. She watched him as he carefully manoeuvred round the room,
"So if you're not going to kill me, why did you want me?"
"Information," he said bluntly.
The destruction around him told him exactly how the murder happened. He could see Hi'tesh on top of A'rah, their senses dulled by their love making, unable to see Su'hir creep upon them. She skewered them together, piercing her mate's back first and forcing it down until it went through A'rah's chest and the bed. Satisfied with the how, he know struggled to understand they why and that is where Isis was needed.
"Tell me what you know, human. Why did A'rah die like this?"
Isis folded her arms, "Why does it concern you?"
She wasn't so certain of his motivations or connection to her provider. Whatever their relationship was, it was highly strained, she remembered as much when they came to save her from the badblood's ship. Working in tandem proved difficult with the hostility they obviously shared for one another but to his credit, it was immediately shelved when the situation became life threatening and A'rah was attacked. He didn't want to see A'rah hurt but it seemed that was only because he wasn't the one doing the hurting.
The stranger abandoned studying the room and came to stand beside her, "You will answer my questions or I will tell the Council you were the one to kill the female Elder."
"You can tell that by looking at this mess?" she gulped. He nodded and Isis took a long breath, praying A'rah wouldn't see her words as a betrayal of her confidence but she had no choice.
"She fell in love,"
"Love?" he repeated sceptically.
The stranger gripped the seat back in front of him with threatening. It still carried the scent of the arbitrator and her lover. It agitated his senses and overwhelmed his mind until he could not think about nothing but the two of them and their forbidden tryst. They threw away everything for something as fleeting and frivolous as love? Love ruined his life; she should have known it would ruin hers too.
"You are mistaken. Tell me what happened in the days leading up to this. Who was she hunting?"
The stranger saw her blank expression and groaned at the futility of it, she didn't know such things, she was a pet. He wouldn't have bothered asking the human if he could find A'rah's tablet. That and everything else she owned had been dissolved into the Clan. The dishonourable were treated as if they never existed, completely erased from their records and speech and A'rah was deemed as such by Council. Everything that could have told him where she had been in the days before was gone, except the human.
He attempted to get his answers another way, "Had she travelled lately?"
Isis shook her head. "We haven't moved in a long time,"
That made no sense to him. A'rah was an Arbitrator, they journeyed often to fight in the name of honour and justice. "Then what is it that kept her here?"
"Him!" Isis said loudly. How many times and in how many ways did she have to repeat it? A'rah was fixed on, attached to and owned by Hi'tesh. "I know its not what you want to hear but it's the truth. They were passionately in love-"
"Be silent," he hissed indignantly.
Love was the very reason they grew apart, he was always the passionate one, not her. The law of her clan ordered her steps and she followed without hesitation. She was the embodiment of calm and cool. Rationale drove A'rah, not her heart.
"There was not a passionate bone in her body." He grit angrily.
"He discovered it, or grew it in her." She said, "Whatever happened, she loved him and he loved her."
"I said do not speak!" he roared.
Isis clapped a hand over her mouth and fell against the wall as he ripped the seat under his hands in half, hurling the pieces to dent the walls and shatter Hi'tesh's trophy case. He moved towards the bed, his arm jerking as his wrist blades extended, violently bounding from his cuffs. He began with the bed, shredded it to bits before he laid waste to the entire room. The walls were dented, the tables upturned and sliced in half, every piece of fragile object shattered. The violence ended with a deafening roar. Panting and sweating torrents, he climbed from atop an overturned bookcase and exited the suite with eerie calm.
Isis watched him pass her in silence, careful not to even breathe too deeply for fear of drawing his attention and being next on his 'to-be-destroyed' list. When the door shut behind him, she fell to the floor and let out a defeated whimper.
Isis was light years and decades from home, forcibly ripped from her life when hard meats overwrought her ship, the HMS Whistler. Her brother, her lover and every other member of her crew was killed that day. Isis seemed doomed to follow them, infected with a spawn which amounted to little more than a ticking time bomb in her chest when she was found by a yautja warrior, but even that would prove temporary.
A'rah and the stranger came for him and she found herself changing hands, like some burdensome object but A'rah never treated her as such. The female was kind and patient with her, surprisingly understanding and accommodating. She was more than a protector to Isis, she was a friend, her closest confidant but she was gone now… and that thing, that insanely violent and mercurial creature was her protector now and the only person she could call ally. Isis looked around the devastated room and wondered if she was better off finding an airlock.
