FOUNDATIONS: Terrestrial Fellowship
**************************************************************************** **************
Chapter 9: The Enigma.
Trunks smirk was faint and greatly forced, he could only manage to keep his eyes looking into Piccolos direction briefly before his head once again fell forward, his body totally waisted of its strength.
Piccolos eyes widened furious, Trunks body looked like it had been through a meat grinder and back, the namekian watched the future son of Bulma and Vegeta as he struggles to breath, still hanging limply from the shackles clamped tightly around his wrists.
Toren watched Piccolo and heard as the strange alien uttered a the word Trunks, with his hands now behind his back Toren casually walked forward to stand in front of Piccolo.
"I take it you recognise this individual?" he inquired; there was a pause as he awaiting Piccolos response, the namekian slowly looked up at him with eyes full of spite.
"You merciless bastards. We have done nothing to you and you treat us in such a way" Piccolo shouted, struggle angrily toward Toren but held back by the three guards.
Toren nodded.
"True, you have not done anything to us... yet, that does not mean you did not intend to do something to us in the end" Toren acknowledges in his deep but flawless accent.
Walking left to right in front of Piccolo, Piccolo's frowned deeply with his eyes following Toren's movements like a hawk.
Toren stopped, he looked over, and down at Trunks whose body was on the verge of collapse, the young boys saliva mixed with his blood leaking out over his lips forming a murky puddle in the dirt.
He hung his head, being a reasonable man and despising when one is falsely accused, however perhaps a compromise could be reached.
The lives of his entire village were in his hands; a wrong decision based on a hunch could not afford to be made.
"However, if as you claim you are not a threat, tell me who you are and what you want from us, and if it is plausible we will consider other terms" Toren said before turning to face Piccolo.
Piccolo squinted his eyes at Toren for a moment, would these humanoids double cross them after an explanation, or would they stay true to their words.
Piccolo inhaled a deep breath making his chest bloat up.
"I oblige to give you such an explanation on one condition" Piccolo stood confidently looking into Toren's eyes, the man raised an eyebrow at Piccolos boldness to make demands.
Toren stepped up to Piccolo grasping a hold of the white cloth from the hem of his chest.
"You, are in no position to make demands namek, I could have you killed right on the spot." He said quietly and collectedly with his face inches from Piccolos.
Piccolos pride was in no way shattered by Toren's remarks or treatment, his face refused fault as he continued.
"Let him go, he has no means of attacking any of you now, and take me as your detainee " Piccolo uttered flatly, staring cold, and constant into Toren's eyes.
Toren's face was still inches form his hissing his breath onto his namekian skin, hearing the nameks please he was having second thought about the demand, this nobility driven request made by this alien wad admirable.
He backed away several steps as he considered the request, he looked toward Trunks who was hanging on to consciousness, he then reached a decision on the impulse that he had nothing more to loose.
"All right Namek- jinn, I will release the boy and in return you take his place serving as captive" He said.
Piccolo took one last glance at Trunks, he then concurred to the terms with a single nod.
Toren motioned for the guard beside Trunks to release the boys shackles an replace them on the namekian, the guard did as ordered, unlocking the once that hoisted Trunks off the ground letting the boy fall heavily into the dirt.
Piccolo snarled at the cunning move made by the guard.
"Guard, take that one to the medicine hut" Toren ordered glaring at the guard for the ill treatment of an already battered prisoner.
The guard frowned tossing the restraints to one of the three guards that were restraining Piccolo, leaning over he picked up Trunks by the waist slinging the limp body under his arm before heading for
Piccolo did not watch Trunks being dragged away, but rather he eyed Toren in half wonder about what they would now do with him, he felt as the purposely-tight shackles were fastened around the red skin bands of his wrists.
"Now." Toren uttered calmly walking up to Piccolo.
"We will talk in private, away from my people because I want to hear what you have to say, then based on your explanation I shall decide your fate" he said, Piccolo raised his head up proud and prepared for whatever was in store for his life.
Moments later he found himself beading dragged out and away from the village square.
After the namekian was taken away, Toren turned toward his villagers assuring them to commence with their daily existence.
"It is late, the night birds will soon be coming out of their trees and the evening insects will soon be feasting, go back to your homes may we see one another in the morning" he addressed them wit his hands raised above him where all could see.
When the villagers had dispersed, he noticed one person was still in the square, it was clear the individual needed to speak with Toren.
"Rahani, I believe you have something to tell me" Toren crossed his arms over his chest watching as his son approached, noticeably trying to show a brave face.
"Yes..." He uttered coldly, stopping in front of his father with his arms hanging by hi sides, in one hand was his faithful bow.
Toren waited, watching his eldest son swallow his pride, the one thing Rahani would always put first.
"It was foolish of me to, to.you were right" he finally admitted casting his eyes onto his father.
To give him chance to explain, Toren lowered his eyes to the ground.
"I have become over cautious and untrusting of everything outside the village," he admitted, his voice growing lower with each word.
Toren nodded understandably, it had been that way for many years with Rahani, he feared his son would grow into a cold and unsympathetic leader that he was one day destined to become. There was an awkward silence between them.
"You are going to question the prisoner now?" Rahani inquired, his normal strong voice returning.
Toren nodded again looking up into his son's eyes.
"You wish to accompany me I assume?" he supposed, Rahani was a proud young man and never was one to ask for favours.
"Yes" he answered after a moment, lifting his bow up he tucked it into the pouch around his neck with his arrows.
They both walked together side by side toward Toren's tent, Toren a tall and assured man he walked casually and with slow pace over the dirt ground, Rahani walked ahead his head slumped forward indicating his abrupt nature to get things done quickly.
*****
He wanted to rip their arms from their sockets, but it would have been pointless.
The two guard who dragged him into this tall and regal hut were attaching the chains of his rope chaces to a stone wall behind him, 'chained like an animal' these words circulated through his head.
The hut was much larger compared to the other that he had been in, its walls coated with exotically coloured furs and stones, some resembled rubies but the rest were foreign. Even some animal skulls placed around the walls in a totem fashion.
Piccolo showed no objection or emotion to his weakened body leaning against the stall; he could feel the cold smooth chains digging into the skin of his back.
The three guards walked toward the entrance like obedient robots, before reaching it they mysteriously stopped as though on command
That's when a figures pushed in the skin from the outside and stepped inside, holding the flap open for the guards to exit through, which they did quickly.
Piccolo lifted his eyes from the ground patiently to meet the eyes of his new company, unfazed by what they were, he had already met one of them rather it was its appearance that raised a question in his mind.
The new occupant turned after the last guard had left pushing the flap closed.
"You have enough brains in that primordial head if yours to not give me any trouble alien?" she inquired stepping away from the thickly built wall, her back to him revealing her long radiant. and ruddy brown hair
Piccolo's eyes slitted ever so slightly, his expression resembling one of fatigue, which was actually starting to circle his body second by second
"This, coming from a primitive herself" he answered flatly and without fault.
Her head twitched slightly to the side so that the corner of her eyes could see him.
"You are a perceptive one, my mistake. but you didn't answer my question," she uttered in a casual and unthreatening manner, turning her body slowly to face him, her eyes a piercing hazel with a pale appearance.
Piccolo watched her for a moment his eyes detailing her customary clothing, apart from her eyes and hair; she was certainly one of the villagers.
He purposely turned away ushering how insignificant she was to him.
"I believe you are only here to guard, not to make conversation" The namek said with irritation, he wanted to get to the point of his reason from swapping himself for Trunks, this warrior woman with a spear was only dragging things on.
".True "she acknowledged calmly, looking away she stepped toward an oddly shaped animal rug draped over the ground, propping her buttocks down she folded her legs Indian style watching Piccolo intently with her spear standing on end against the skin coated floor.
The moment was awkward and silent, neither occupant in the hut asked questions, the woman however was weary, she was only posted here for a short time and would need to leave as soon as Toren arrived.
The slow padding approach of footsteps coming toward them ushered her to her feet, utilising spear to push herself to her shoeless feet.
Piccolo noticing his guard arise to her feet hurriedly, it was obvious who was approaching, and he prepared himself.
The flap gently pushed from the outside and Toren appeared stepping inside, he briefly turned toward the guard nodding his head in a respectful greeting, she returned the gesture.
She was prepared to leave Toren to his duties of interrogation when a second figure stepped into the hut, pushing through and closing the flap behind him, her eyes widened from the unexpected event and she froze for but a second, his eyes also widened before relaxing.
"Sabine." Rahani said after looking up to suddenly find her standing before him.
Sabine relaxed her frozen body swiftly returning to her normal self, she looked at him as intently as he had to her, revealing to him her well known inner strength & will.
She slightly leaned forward parting her lips to speak.
"That will be all, Sabine" Toren huffed in a deep tone, his eyes intently focussed on Piccolo.
Sabine kept her eyes locked with Rahani for a moments longer, ten with her face emotionless she turned away and in the same instance walked out through the entrance, the flap closing shut behind her.
Rahani had watched as she left, his mind had no thought circling through it, it was clear and the only images that were seen were with his eyes, he then turned away from the entrance to his rear to face the matter he had come for.
Toren stood several feet from Piccolo, his feet parted, and his hands tied around his back.
Piccolo's fatigued eyes managed to stay open, he took this moment of silence to take a detailed anatomy of the one called Toren, he was a tall creature, his arms bulked but his skin was aged with several sun spots on his forehead.
His face was chiselled with a thick yellow and white streaked beard covering his entire chin and part of his throat, and with a startling pair of blue eyes, his hair of course blond.
Toren cocked his head at Piccolo, taking in the lanky lethargic alien standing a few feet away against the wall and shook his head.
Strolling to his left side he grasped a hold of a carved out stool that had three short legs, lifting it up from the ground he approached Piccolo confidently with it out in front of him.
Piccolo tensed up slightly, planting his feet as much as he could into the ground, several holes in the soles of his boots had allowed small injuries to occur, spines and several stones had imbedded themselves in his flesh.
Toren stopped before Piccolo and easily placed the stool down in from on the namekian, the he leaned over reaching out to grasp Piccolo by the upper arms.
Piccolo withdrew slightly, but not enough to indicate he was afraid, because he was not, only hateful and wanted to make a point of it.
Toren understood what the namek was implying, but he could not care less, he swiftly grasped Piccolo pulling him forward over the stool, pushing him down firmly into a sitting position, releasing the struggling namek quickly.
Rahani had stepped forward as soon as Piccolo struggled, but his father did not end up needed his assistance after all.
"Now" Toren uttered, waking back away from Piccolo he griped a hold of a second stool close by, pacing it down on the ground he sat himself upon it.
Rahani did the same, situating his stool beside his father and taking seat, removing his bow and arrows from his shoulder placing them behind his stool.
"Why are you here namek, I hope to receive a straight answer from you this time?" Toren question, his head situated on an angel, attempting to keep a deep focus with Piccolo's slightly slopping head and eyes.
Piccolo took in a deep breath through his nostrils, relaxing his upper back against the stonewall, as he dropped his hands by his side you could hear his chains rattle.
"I am. unable to answer that." Piccolo uttered, looking up at both his captors.
"I don't know where I am or how I came to be here amongst you, strange creatures, that also speaks for the others that disappeared from my planet along with me, one of 'them' is Trunks" He explained with some effort, he couldn't understand shy he was still so lethargic.
There was no reason to hide the truth from these creatures, they were only interested in protecting themselves, and they had every reason to suspect a stranger like Piccolo.
"Ill answer 'both' of those question for you" Rahani spoke up.
He leaned forward coming a few inches closer to Piccolo with his hands hanging between his parted knees, his expression uncaring and unamused
"You are on planet Vyloss, and you have landed in the midst of a village of the Kahn race." He finished off, leaning back away from Piccolo.
**************************************************************************** **************
THANKYOU SO VERY MUCH FO RREADING, PLEASE REVIEW.
**************************************************************************** **************
Chapter 9: The Enigma.
Trunks smirk was faint and greatly forced, he could only manage to keep his eyes looking into Piccolos direction briefly before his head once again fell forward, his body totally waisted of its strength.
Piccolos eyes widened furious, Trunks body looked like it had been through a meat grinder and back, the namekian watched the future son of Bulma and Vegeta as he struggles to breath, still hanging limply from the shackles clamped tightly around his wrists.
Toren watched Piccolo and heard as the strange alien uttered a the word Trunks, with his hands now behind his back Toren casually walked forward to stand in front of Piccolo.
"I take it you recognise this individual?" he inquired; there was a pause as he awaiting Piccolos response, the namekian slowly looked up at him with eyes full of spite.
"You merciless bastards. We have done nothing to you and you treat us in such a way" Piccolo shouted, struggle angrily toward Toren but held back by the three guards.
Toren nodded.
"True, you have not done anything to us... yet, that does not mean you did not intend to do something to us in the end" Toren acknowledges in his deep but flawless accent.
Walking left to right in front of Piccolo, Piccolo's frowned deeply with his eyes following Toren's movements like a hawk.
Toren stopped, he looked over, and down at Trunks whose body was on the verge of collapse, the young boys saliva mixed with his blood leaking out over his lips forming a murky puddle in the dirt.
He hung his head, being a reasonable man and despising when one is falsely accused, however perhaps a compromise could be reached.
The lives of his entire village were in his hands; a wrong decision based on a hunch could not afford to be made.
"However, if as you claim you are not a threat, tell me who you are and what you want from us, and if it is plausible we will consider other terms" Toren said before turning to face Piccolo.
Piccolo squinted his eyes at Toren for a moment, would these humanoids double cross them after an explanation, or would they stay true to their words.
Piccolo inhaled a deep breath making his chest bloat up.
"I oblige to give you such an explanation on one condition" Piccolo stood confidently looking into Toren's eyes, the man raised an eyebrow at Piccolos boldness to make demands.
Toren stepped up to Piccolo grasping a hold of the white cloth from the hem of his chest.
"You, are in no position to make demands namek, I could have you killed right on the spot." He said quietly and collectedly with his face inches from Piccolos.
Piccolos pride was in no way shattered by Toren's remarks or treatment, his face refused fault as he continued.
"Let him go, he has no means of attacking any of you now, and take me as your detainee " Piccolo uttered flatly, staring cold, and constant into Toren's eyes.
Toren's face was still inches form his hissing his breath onto his namekian skin, hearing the nameks please he was having second thought about the demand, this nobility driven request made by this alien wad admirable.
He backed away several steps as he considered the request, he looked toward Trunks who was hanging on to consciousness, he then reached a decision on the impulse that he had nothing more to loose.
"All right Namek- jinn, I will release the boy and in return you take his place serving as captive" He said.
Piccolo took one last glance at Trunks, he then concurred to the terms with a single nod.
Toren motioned for the guard beside Trunks to release the boys shackles an replace them on the namekian, the guard did as ordered, unlocking the once that hoisted Trunks off the ground letting the boy fall heavily into the dirt.
Piccolo snarled at the cunning move made by the guard.
"Guard, take that one to the medicine hut" Toren ordered glaring at the guard for the ill treatment of an already battered prisoner.
The guard frowned tossing the restraints to one of the three guards that were restraining Piccolo, leaning over he picked up Trunks by the waist slinging the limp body under his arm before heading for
Piccolo did not watch Trunks being dragged away, but rather he eyed Toren in half wonder about what they would now do with him, he felt as the purposely-tight shackles were fastened around the red skin bands of his wrists.
"Now." Toren uttered calmly walking up to Piccolo.
"We will talk in private, away from my people because I want to hear what you have to say, then based on your explanation I shall decide your fate" he said, Piccolo raised his head up proud and prepared for whatever was in store for his life.
Moments later he found himself beading dragged out and away from the village square.
After the namekian was taken away, Toren turned toward his villagers assuring them to commence with their daily existence.
"It is late, the night birds will soon be coming out of their trees and the evening insects will soon be feasting, go back to your homes may we see one another in the morning" he addressed them wit his hands raised above him where all could see.
When the villagers had dispersed, he noticed one person was still in the square, it was clear the individual needed to speak with Toren.
"Rahani, I believe you have something to tell me" Toren crossed his arms over his chest watching as his son approached, noticeably trying to show a brave face.
"Yes..." He uttered coldly, stopping in front of his father with his arms hanging by hi sides, in one hand was his faithful bow.
Toren waited, watching his eldest son swallow his pride, the one thing Rahani would always put first.
"It was foolish of me to, to.you were right" he finally admitted casting his eyes onto his father.
To give him chance to explain, Toren lowered his eyes to the ground.
"I have become over cautious and untrusting of everything outside the village," he admitted, his voice growing lower with each word.
Toren nodded understandably, it had been that way for many years with Rahani, he feared his son would grow into a cold and unsympathetic leader that he was one day destined to become. There was an awkward silence between them.
"You are going to question the prisoner now?" Rahani inquired, his normal strong voice returning.
Toren nodded again looking up into his son's eyes.
"You wish to accompany me I assume?" he supposed, Rahani was a proud young man and never was one to ask for favours.
"Yes" he answered after a moment, lifting his bow up he tucked it into the pouch around his neck with his arrows.
They both walked together side by side toward Toren's tent, Toren a tall and assured man he walked casually and with slow pace over the dirt ground, Rahani walked ahead his head slumped forward indicating his abrupt nature to get things done quickly.
*****
He wanted to rip their arms from their sockets, but it would have been pointless.
The two guard who dragged him into this tall and regal hut were attaching the chains of his rope chaces to a stone wall behind him, 'chained like an animal' these words circulated through his head.
The hut was much larger compared to the other that he had been in, its walls coated with exotically coloured furs and stones, some resembled rubies but the rest were foreign. Even some animal skulls placed around the walls in a totem fashion.
Piccolo showed no objection or emotion to his weakened body leaning against the stall; he could feel the cold smooth chains digging into the skin of his back.
The three guards walked toward the entrance like obedient robots, before reaching it they mysteriously stopped as though on command
That's when a figures pushed in the skin from the outside and stepped inside, holding the flap open for the guards to exit through, which they did quickly.
Piccolo lifted his eyes from the ground patiently to meet the eyes of his new company, unfazed by what they were, he had already met one of them rather it was its appearance that raised a question in his mind.
The new occupant turned after the last guard had left pushing the flap closed.
"You have enough brains in that primordial head if yours to not give me any trouble alien?" she inquired stepping away from the thickly built wall, her back to him revealing her long radiant. and ruddy brown hair
Piccolo's eyes slitted ever so slightly, his expression resembling one of fatigue, which was actually starting to circle his body second by second
"This, coming from a primitive herself" he answered flatly and without fault.
Her head twitched slightly to the side so that the corner of her eyes could see him.
"You are a perceptive one, my mistake. but you didn't answer my question," she uttered in a casual and unthreatening manner, turning her body slowly to face him, her eyes a piercing hazel with a pale appearance.
Piccolo watched her for a moment his eyes detailing her customary clothing, apart from her eyes and hair; she was certainly one of the villagers.
He purposely turned away ushering how insignificant she was to him.
"I believe you are only here to guard, not to make conversation" The namek said with irritation, he wanted to get to the point of his reason from swapping himself for Trunks, this warrior woman with a spear was only dragging things on.
".True "she acknowledged calmly, looking away she stepped toward an oddly shaped animal rug draped over the ground, propping her buttocks down she folded her legs Indian style watching Piccolo intently with her spear standing on end against the skin coated floor.
The moment was awkward and silent, neither occupant in the hut asked questions, the woman however was weary, she was only posted here for a short time and would need to leave as soon as Toren arrived.
The slow padding approach of footsteps coming toward them ushered her to her feet, utilising spear to push herself to her shoeless feet.
Piccolo noticing his guard arise to her feet hurriedly, it was obvious who was approaching, and he prepared himself.
The flap gently pushed from the outside and Toren appeared stepping inside, he briefly turned toward the guard nodding his head in a respectful greeting, she returned the gesture.
She was prepared to leave Toren to his duties of interrogation when a second figure stepped into the hut, pushing through and closing the flap behind him, her eyes widened from the unexpected event and she froze for but a second, his eyes also widened before relaxing.
"Sabine." Rahani said after looking up to suddenly find her standing before him.
Sabine relaxed her frozen body swiftly returning to her normal self, she looked at him as intently as he had to her, revealing to him her well known inner strength & will.
She slightly leaned forward parting her lips to speak.
"That will be all, Sabine" Toren huffed in a deep tone, his eyes intently focussed on Piccolo.
Sabine kept her eyes locked with Rahani for a moments longer, ten with her face emotionless she turned away and in the same instance walked out through the entrance, the flap closing shut behind her.
Rahani had watched as she left, his mind had no thought circling through it, it was clear and the only images that were seen were with his eyes, he then turned away from the entrance to his rear to face the matter he had come for.
Toren stood several feet from Piccolo, his feet parted, and his hands tied around his back.
Piccolo's fatigued eyes managed to stay open, he took this moment of silence to take a detailed anatomy of the one called Toren, he was a tall creature, his arms bulked but his skin was aged with several sun spots on his forehead.
His face was chiselled with a thick yellow and white streaked beard covering his entire chin and part of his throat, and with a startling pair of blue eyes, his hair of course blond.
Toren cocked his head at Piccolo, taking in the lanky lethargic alien standing a few feet away against the wall and shook his head.
Strolling to his left side he grasped a hold of a carved out stool that had three short legs, lifting it up from the ground he approached Piccolo confidently with it out in front of him.
Piccolo tensed up slightly, planting his feet as much as he could into the ground, several holes in the soles of his boots had allowed small injuries to occur, spines and several stones had imbedded themselves in his flesh.
Toren stopped before Piccolo and easily placed the stool down in from on the namekian, the he leaned over reaching out to grasp Piccolo by the upper arms.
Piccolo withdrew slightly, but not enough to indicate he was afraid, because he was not, only hateful and wanted to make a point of it.
Toren understood what the namek was implying, but he could not care less, he swiftly grasped Piccolo pulling him forward over the stool, pushing him down firmly into a sitting position, releasing the struggling namek quickly.
Rahani had stepped forward as soon as Piccolo struggled, but his father did not end up needed his assistance after all.
"Now" Toren uttered, waking back away from Piccolo he griped a hold of a second stool close by, pacing it down on the ground he sat himself upon it.
Rahani did the same, situating his stool beside his father and taking seat, removing his bow and arrows from his shoulder placing them behind his stool.
"Why are you here namek, I hope to receive a straight answer from you this time?" Toren question, his head situated on an angel, attempting to keep a deep focus with Piccolo's slightly slopping head and eyes.
Piccolo took in a deep breath through his nostrils, relaxing his upper back against the stonewall, as he dropped his hands by his side you could hear his chains rattle.
"I am. unable to answer that." Piccolo uttered, looking up at both his captors.
"I don't know where I am or how I came to be here amongst you, strange creatures, that also speaks for the others that disappeared from my planet along with me, one of 'them' is Trunks" He explained with some effort, he couldn't understand shy he was still so lethargic.
There was no reason to hide the truth from these creatures, they were only interested in protecting themselves, and they had every reason to suspect a stranger like Piccolo.
"Ill answer 'both' of those question for you" Rahani spoke up.
He leaned forward coming a few inches closer to Piccolo with his hands hanging between his parted knees, his expression uncaring and unamused
"You are on planet Vyloss, and you have landed in the midst of a village of the Kahn race." He finished off, leaning back away from Piccolo.
**************************************************************************** **************
THANKYOU SO VERY MUCH FO RREADING, PLEASE REVIEW.