Journey of Love
Chapter Thirteen
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Marcus and Neroon, or anyone else from
Babylon 5.
Authors notes: Rated PG-13 Contains slash: two males in a romantic/sexual (although not explicit) relationship. If this offends you please turn back now.
If the formatting is screwed up please forgive me. I still haven't gotten the hang of it yet.
As promised Shamar and Maiko were waiting for me outside of the Infirmary at 0730 when I exited fully dressed and in full Anla'shoc regalia. I stalked through the hallways of the Ingata and then proceeded to make my way through the courtyard toward the meeting hall where the delegates were about to sit down and eat breakfast, flanked by Shamar on my left and Maiko on my right. Although my ribs burned with each step and my vision swam I continued onward keeping a hand on my denn'bok at all times. The familiar weight of the Minbari fighting staff comforted me as I strode the temple grounds. As we made our way into the main gathering house where the meeting hall was located, Shamar couldn't stay silent any longer. He grabbed my arm and stopped my progress forcing me to face him.
"You can not do this Marcus. It is a grave insult to accuse Minbari warriors of trying to harm their fellow Minbari. You are still injured and even at full strength any one of them could easily kill you where you stand." Shamar lectured keeping a tight grip on my arm as he did so.
"Let them try."
Even though I felt like one big walking bruise I managed to look cocky and self-assured as I grinned impishly at Shamar. It was only as I turned around that I saw Maiko's lips quirked in a hint of a suppressed smile, although the rest of his face remained as impassive as ever. Before I could comment however, Maiko had turned around and headed to the entrance of the hall. Shamar and I caught up with him just a few feet away from the doors.
"Remember no one leaves until I say so." I told them, looking somberly at each in turn. "And don't interfere for any reason, I know what I am doing."
Having said all I needed to I straightened my shoulders, extended my denn'bok and made my way into the hall. The doors closed behind us with a bang as we strode through the doorway ironically looking strongly united. After a few feet Shamar and Maiko paused and each extended their denn'bok before following behind me at a leisurely pace, only to stop some distance from the door to stand guard. I continued walking up to the front of the hall with my head held high and my denn'bok at the ready. Our entrance caused quite a commotion and a few of the smarter Minbari moved out of my way to let me pass after taking a look at my expression. As I stood in front of the wary Minbari a delegate from the Wind Glider clan, Malinar, stood to meet me.
"What is the meaning of this disrespectful interruption, Ranger?"
"Quite simple." I answered raising my voice so that all the Minbari could hear. "Neroon has been kidnapped on the grounds of this temple."
After my announcement a ripple of alarm went through the room, closely followed by condemnation of various groups, among them the Anla'shok. I let the conversation run down before I attempted to gather their attention to me.
"Obviously a human should not have been elected to guard the Alit, if this incompetence is the outcome." Malinar snarled followed by agreement from those gathered.
"Perhaps if Neroon felt he could trust his own people, he wouldn't have had to turn to a human to protect him. And he was right to not trust you obviously, or he wouldn't be missing right now!"
"Who do you think you are speaking to Human? We don't have to sit here and be insulted and accused by the likes of you.." Malinar snapped irritated at my presumption. Before he could take more than two steps from me in an effort to leave the room, I blocked his path with my denn'bok.
"No one will leave this room until I find out who attacked Neroon and where he is being held." I snarled letting a bit of my anger leak into my response.
"Are you planning on stopping me?" Malinar questioned incredulously.
"If need be." I answered staring steadily into his eyes. He responded physically rather than verbally when he extended his own denn'bok and moved to attack.
In a move that would have easily knocked me unconscious had it connected, Malinar made it clear that he would not stand for such disrespect. He was however only trying to incapacitate rather than kill me, so I had a slight chance if I ended the fight as quickly as possible. This was easier said than done however, especially with my body protesting my every movement. Even if I was at a hundred percent Malinar would have given me a run for my money. I only struck a glancing blow that happened to knock him out by chance because he was distracted by Gustier's enthusiastic cheering. That second of distraction gave me the opening I needed however and the hall quieted down as Malinar fell unconscious at my feet. I stood tall in front of the shocked Minbari keeping my fighting stance, showing no outward sign of fatigue, waiting for another attack.
"Would anyone else like to leave?"
When no one made a move to get up I relaxed my stance fractionally and withdrew the dart from my pocket. "This dart was responsible for knocking out three Minbari warriors and myself at a distance, after which time Neroon was kidnapped once he fell unconscious from the poison."
After throwing the dart on the table I let the others examine it themselves to ascertain it's significance, while I carefully watched their reactions as they handled the dart. By the time that each of the Minbari had looked at it, I had a fairly good idea of who the culprit was.
"Only the Minbari in this room have both the skill and influence to use this particular ancient challenge. Now I want to know where Neroon is and I want to know now!" I snarled looking at each warrior in turn until I got to Eedeer. I continued to stare at him until he nervously looked away, glancing at the others for support. When it became obvious that he would gain no quarter from any of them he stood up hastily, knocking his chair over in the process.
"Why are you looking at me? I did nothing." Eedeer exclaimed. "If I had wanted Neroon dead I could have easily killed him when he was alone with me yesterday afternoon." While a few seemed to believe him, Malinar, who unbeknownst to the rest of us had woken up while we were examining the dart, seemed to find that explanation amusing.
"You would not have had a chance in a fight against Neroon. He is the best pike fighter in all of the Warrior Caste. A cowardly attack from behind however would give you just the edge you would need. Besides it is well known that flying projectiles are your specialty."
All of the clan leaders were looking at Malinar with respect as he staggered to his feet, obviously agreeing with his interpretation. Glancing in Malinar's direction to make sure he had no desire to finish what he had started, I stalked toward Eedeer until I had him backed up to where Maiko and Shamar were standing. Without warning, Eedeer spun around and attacked both Star Riders in a desperate bid to escape. Maiko had him crawling backwards on his ass before Eedeer could put up even a token offense. The intimidating Minbari herded Eedeer into the center of the room until he was surrounded by his fellow Alit's on all sides.
Before any of them could attack the cowardly Minbari I stepped forward crouching on my knees in front of him, knocking the pike from his shaking hand as I did so.
"I will ask this once and if you do not answer me truthfully I will kill you." I said keeping my voice flat and emotionless, which I have been told is even scarier than when I yell. "Now, where is Neroon being held?"
"Please don not kill me. I will tell you everything you want. Please. It was all Shakiri's idea, he made me do it."
"Shakiri!" I growled under my breath. "Tell me where Shakiri is keeping Neroon." I ordered staring down Eedeer until he looked at the floor in shame.
"They took him up Ilak Mountain until after the ceremony was cancelled in two days time. Shakiri has over twenty men from various clans keeping watch, while he stays with Neroon in seclusion, further in the mountain."
"Very well, thank you for the information." I acknowledged before punching him in the face with all of my might. As I stood up a wave of dizziness nearly overpowered me, but I got my bearings back and straightened to my full height. Two of the guards from the Ingata who were stationed outside the door, dragged Eedeer's unconscious body from the room as I made my way to where Shamar and Maiko were waiting. "Let's go get Neroon back."
Chapter Thirteen
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Marcus and Neroon, or anyone else from
Babylon 5.
Authors notes: Rated PG-13 Contains slash: two males in a romantic/sexual (although not explicit) relationship. If this offends you please turn back now.
If the formatting is screwed up please forgive me. I still haven't gotten the hang of it yet.
As promised Shamar and Maiko were waiting for me outside of the Infirmary at 0730 when I exited fully dressed and in full Anla'shoc regalia. I stalked through the hallways of the Ingata and then proceeded to make my way through the courtyard toward the meeting hall where the delegates were about to sit down and eat breakfast, flanked by Shamar on my left and Maiko on my right. Although my ribs burned with each step and my vision swam I continued onward keeping a hand on my denn'bok at all times. The familiar weight of the Minbari fighting staff comforted me as I strode the temple grounds. As we made our way into the main gathering house where the meeting hall was located, Shamar couldn't stay silent any longer. He grabbed my arm and stopped my progress forcing me to face him.
"You can not do this Marcus. It is a grave insult to accuse Minbari warriors of trying to harm their fellow Minbari. You are still injured and even at full strength any one of them could easily kill you where you stand." Shamar lectured keeping a tight grip on my arm as he did so.
"Let them try."
Even though I felt like one big walking bruise I managed to look cocky and self-assured as I grinned impishly at Shamar. It was only as I turned around that I saw Maiko's lips quirked in a hint of a suppressed smile, although the rest of his face remained as impassive as ever. Before I could comment however, Maiko had turned around and headed to the entrance of the hall. Shamar and I caught up with him just a few feet away from the doors.
"Remember no one leaves until I say so." I told them, looking somberly at each in turn. "And don't interfere for any reason, I know what I am doing."
Having said all I needed to I straightened my shoulders, extended my denn'bok and made my way into the hall. The doors closed behind us with a bang as we strode through the doorway ironically looking strongly united. After a few feet Shamar and Maiko paused and each extended their denn'bok before following behind me at a leisurely pace, only to stop some distance from the door to stand guard. I continued walking up to the front of the hall with my head held high and my denn'bok at the ready. Our entrance caused quite a commotion and a few of the smarter Minbari moved out of my way to let me pass after taking a look at my expression. As I stood in front of the wary Minbari a delegate from the Wind Glider clan, Malinar, stood to meet me.
"What is the meaning of this disrespectful interruption, Ranger?"
"Quite simple." I answered raising my voice so that all the Minbari could hear. "Neroon has been kidnapped on the grounds of this temple."
After my announcement a ripple of alarm went through the room, closely followed by condemnation of various groups, among them the Anla'shok. I let the conversation run down before I attempted to gather their attention to me.
"Obviously a human should not have been elected to guard the Alit, if this incompetence is the outcome." Malinar snarled followed by agreement from those gathered.
"Perhaps if Neroon felt he could trust his own people, he wouldn't have had to turn to a human to protect him. And he was right to not trust you obviously, or he wouldn't be missing right now!"
"Who do you think you are speaking to Human? We don't have to sit here and be insulted and accused by the likes of you.." Malinar snapped irritated at my presumption. Before he could take more than two steps from me in an effort to leave the room, I blocked his path with my denn'bok.
"No one will leave this room until I find out who attacked Neroon and where he is being held." I snarled letting a bit of my anger leak into my response.
"Are you planning on stopping me?" Malinar questioned incredulously.
"If need be." I answered staring steadily into his eyes. He responded physically rather than verbally when he extended his own denn'bok and moved to attack.
In a move that would have easily knocked me unconscious had it connected, Malinar made it clear that he would not stand for such disrespect. He was however only trying to incapacitate rather than kill me, so I had a slight chance if I ended the fight as quickly as possible. This was easier said than done however, especially with my body protesting my every movement. Even if I was at a hundred percent Malinar would have given me a run for my money. I only struck a glancing blow that happened to knock him out by chance because he was distracted by Gustier's enthusiastic cheering. That second of distraction gave me the opening I needed however and the hall quieted down as Malinar fell unconscious at my feet. I stood tall in front of the shocked Minbari keeping my fighting stance, showing no outward sign of fatigue, waiting for another attack.
"Would anyone else like to leave?"
When no one made a move to get up I relaxed my stance fractionally and withdrew the dart from my pocket. "This dart was responsible for knocking out three Minbari warriors and myself at a distance, after which time Neroon was kidnapped once he fell unconscious from the poison."
After throwing the dart on the table I let the others examine it themselves to ascertain it's significance, while I carefully watched their reactions as they handled the dart. By the time that each of the Minbari had looked at it, I had a fairly good idea of who the culprit was.
"Only the Minbari in this room have both the skill and influence to use this particular ancient challenge. Now I want to know where Neroon is and I want to know now!" I snarled looking at each warrior in turn until I got to Eedeer. I continued to stare at him until he nervously looked away, glancing at the others for support. When it became obvious that he would gain no quarter from any of them he stood up hastily, knocking his chair over in the process.
"Why are you looking at me? I did nothing." Eedeer exclaimed. "If I had wanted Neroon dead I could have easily killed him when he was alone with me yesterday afternoon." While a few seemed to believe him, Malinar, who unbeknownst to the rest of us had woken up while we were examining the dart, seemed to find that explanation amusing.
"You would not have had a chance in a fight against Neroon. He is the best pike fighter in all of the Warrior Caste. A cowardly attack from behind however would give you just the edge you would need. Besides it is well known that flying projectiles are your specialty."
All of the clan leaders were looking at Malinar with respect as he staggered to his feet, obviously agreeing with his interpretation. Glancing in Malinar's direction to make sure he had no desire to finish what he had started, I stalked toward Eedeer until I had him backed up to where Maiko and Shamar were standing. Without warning, Eedeer spun around and attacked both Star Riders in a desperate bid to escape. Maiko had him crawling backwards on his ass before Eedeer could put up even a token offense. The intimidating Minbari herded Eedeer into the center of the room until he was surrounded by his fellow Alit's on all sides.
Before any of them could attack the cowardly Minbari I stepped forward crouching on my knees in front of him, knocking the pike from his shaking hand as I did so.
"I will ask this once and if you do not answer me truthfully I will kill you." I said keeping my voice flat and emotionless, which I have been told is even scarier than when I yell. "Now, where is Neroon being held?"
"Please don not kill me. I will tell you everything you want. Please. It was all Shakiri's idea, he made me do it."
"Shakiri!" I growled under my breath. "Tell me where Shakiri is keeping Neroon." I ordered staring down Eedeer until he looked at the floor in shame.
"They took him up Ilak Mountain until after the ceremony was cancelled in two days time. Shakiri has over twenty men from various clans keeping watch, while he stays with Neroon in seclusion, further in the mountain."
"Very well, thank you for the information." I acknowledged before punching him in the face with all of my might. As I stood up a wave of dizziness nearly overpowered me, but I got my bearings back and straightened to my full height. Two of the guards from the Ingata who were stationed outside the door, dragged Eedeer's unconscious body from the room as I made my way to where Shamar and Maiko were waiting. "Let's go get Neroon back."
