Translations:
Paya: Goddess
Ooman: human
Sei-i: yes
Ki'sei: I understand
*Please note that High Council or High Order are the same things.*
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In the quieter evening, Scar led Lex to the marketplace at her request.
"What is that?"
"Silks from the nearby planet of A'k-rashiar. Want to try some on?" Moving through the light crowd, they stopped at the merchant's stand to look at the different styles and colors. Lex picked out a golden-tan color schemed cloth with a leaf-like pattern across it.
"Wow, these are gorgeous," Scar inspected the cloth agreeing with Lex.
"Do you have these kinds of robes at home? I've seen things that you call cotton, silk, and denim but I've never seen things like this when visiting."
"I don't think you've visited places like India. They have all kinds of patterns that like these. Miana had once brought me back a few. I think they're still hung up in my closet."
Scar hummed in thought, "perhaps one day we'll return for them. Here let's get this."
Snatching the fabric from her, he walked up to the pleased looking merchant and made a sold bargain for the cloth. Wrapping it up in a bag, Scar grabbed Lex's hand and continued over to several other stands to gaze at.
Some had sculptures of ancient warriors from stories and others had more natural looking stone for gardens and such. They had a tapestry that told the story of their goddess, Paya, and other warriors but most just held exquisite designs and colors alike.
"How about that one for the living room?" Scar pointed to a very ancient-looking tapestry that had an old but mystical appearance about it.
With its frayed edges and the worn on looking leather that let the blues, reds, and oranges shine in their making, it made a wonderful piece. It seemed very undervalued to Lex as she peeked at the tag. Something like this back on Earth would have caught the eye of a collector of sorts.
"It seems undervalued though," Lex worried over the tapestry as they walked from the stand.
"Yes, probably because of the maker or region." Scar wanted to return to get it, but that could be done later.
"What else is there in this bazaar of yours?" Grinning down at her, he led the way to a section filled with lots of cages. There they saw many exotic animals and bidding going on.
"We do have a variety of pets to choose from. Want one?" Leading the way, Scar showed her many animals that looked much like insects and critters in a larger form as well as many colorful birds and small mammals.
When looking at a particularly small creature that had bright, blue feathers lining its spine and soft, brown fur, Lex and Scar were confronted by messengers from the Citadel.
After a moment of talking between Scar and them, he turned to translate their conversation to Lex, "the Elder Va'rak wishes to see you."
"Let's come back later for this one then." Lex stepped away, allowing the messenger to escort them to the Citadel.
Their society didn't see any need for land transportation other than the trains one could take from city to city but even then those were in the air, not to disturb the ground below. Outside of the cities were the farms and the forests maintained for hunting reserves, mining, and the occasional lumbering, but other than that they were undisturbed as well.
Once they had reached it, they were handed off to another male sent to see them in. As the Elder's door came into view, the guards opened them to welcome the two in. Scar and Lex stepped inside and the doors closed behind them, leaving them with the elder unaccompanied.
"Ah, the ooman Lex and the Young Blooded Scar. Welcome." He waved them further in. "I am Elder Va'rak and represent this clan in the High Order. I'm happy to welcome you to our clan and understand that you faced many challenges to get here."
Quietly, Scar helped to translate a few of the elder's sentences, especially since he spoke so fast.
"Thank you for your welcome. May I ask why I am here?"
"Of course, please sit," Lex sat in the only chair, slightly concerned about Scar having to stand but Scar shrugged it off not really caring whether he stood or sat. "I've called you here about a young ooman female named Miana. You are friends with her, correct?"
"Sei-i."
"She accompanied you to Antarctica?"
"Sei-i."
"She was given a gauntlet by another surviving Yuatja?"
"Why am I here and what has this got to with Miana?" Lex never raised her voice once but the sudden defensiveness in her tone surprised the elder.
Clearing his throat, he shouted out a command and the doors opened to reveal Celtic in chains. Scar roared in outrage but Lex's calm hand on his arm kept him from charging in defense of his older brother.
"You see he shouldn't have given away such technology to her. The harm that could occur would be most tragic if anyone was to ever use it improperly. While giving something like a ki'pa-chi would be okay, this is unacceptable. I've asked for your presence because I need Miana to be brought back here for questioning and to ensure our technology was misused. Do you understand now?"
"We do. I assure you, as I've seen it myself, Miana would never willingly hand over that gauntlet. The last I saw of it, she hid it before anyone could reach it."
"Oomans are after our technology?" Elder Va'rak almost stood in alarm.
"Sei-i. I hid my ki'pa-chi from them, but Miana… her family is not the best in terms of support. She hid the device quickly and if it came to the worst, she would be hiding right now." Lex's hands tightened on the arms of the chair and the elder noted how her eyes darkened.
"I see…" Elder Va'rak didn't know whether to believe Lex. She could be covering for both of them or her information could be outdated. However, he did believe the guilt that filled her eyes at the mention of her friend.
She had left her behind and if the situation was dire, then both Miana and the gauntlet were lost to them.
"Bring Miana here, Lex. With the gauntlet." Elder Va'rak stood, Lex following suit. "If all is well, no one will be sent to trial. However, if something is amiss, I cannot promise anything. I've heard great things from K'ash and he speaks of you as if one of his own."
With a wave, Celtic's chains dropped to the floor.
"Take my personal vessel. It has been prepared for you. Take anyone you need with you, but you three are required to go. Understood?"
"Sei-i." All three bowed.
"One more thing," turning she looked at Scar one last time and he nodded, encouraging her. "There is something I'd like to discuss before we leave."
Elder Va'rak cocked his head in curiosity and waved her to continue. Lex looked back, then looked back at the elder. Understanding, he dismissed the others from the room. Scar, however, stepped forward to stand next to her and the elder's eyes widened.
"We want to be lifemates." Scar reached over and grabbed Lex's hand in his own.
"Ki'sei. The papers will be waiting on your return." Nodding, Lex grabbed her stuff and walked out with Scar.
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Okay, I will begin uploading once a week from now on for Miana stories. The first couple of chapters will be older ones with editing and possible complete rewriting.