Through The Darkness Falling 21/?
Sequel to: Journey of Love
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.
[…] Denotes thoughts
Marcus' Challenge
As I flew towards Salic's in the middle of the majestic mountains that were near the capital on Minbar, I began to think of the multitude of things that could go wrong with my plan. While I had been locating the Craedem and preparing I did not let myself doubt my actions, but as I spent more time alone flying towards my ultimate destination, pessimistic thoughts continued to barrage my resolve, nearly causing me to falter.
Just as I was realistically considering the merits of turning around, I saw the tower, which I sought. It was blinding white with two turrets, and as I got to ground level, I noticed the majestic gate and courtyard from which to enter. The whole building filled me with a deep feeling as if I was gazing upon Minbar's very history, giving meaning to what I was about to do here. Instead of finding a side entrance using stealth I decided upon the spot that I would enter from the front, as befitting a duel of this caliber. I just hoped Salic would see it in the same way, before I was cut down by his men, or for that matter before Neroon tore these walls apart to find me.
Since as far as I was concerned, either one was likely to happen, I landed the Starfighter over a hill away and quickly made my way to the front gate. There stood a young Minbari who was looking at me as if I was Satan's spawn made flesh. Before he could sound an alarm of some kind I began speaking quietly yet with a certain amount of authority.
"I have come to challenge Salic's right of leadership over the Craedem." I told the guard, while extending my burrowed denn'bok, ignoring the flinch this caused. I then proceeded to stick one end into the ground and backed two steps away from my weapon. If the guard believed I was being treacherous, my actions would prove otherwise, as I practically gave my pike to the enemy. "I suggest you alert him to my presence immediately."
The guard looked at me wearily for a tense moment before gesturing me to follow him, which I did after he picked um my denn'bok and collapsed it in his hand. He strode into the courtyard, gesturing me to stay put, as he told Salic of my arrival. Just as he was about to turn a corn on the far-end of the courtyard and enter the building I called after him.
"Oh and by the way," I called out humorously. "I would be much obliged if Salic could return my own denn'bok as well. I believe he still has it in his possession."
The guard merely paused with his back still turned as I spoke, only continuing onward once I was through. The only response I received was a slight inclining of his head before he strode indoors. I didn't have to wait long for a response from Salic and the rest of the Craedem. Before five minutes had passed I was beset upon by numerous black-clad warriors. They came from two directions on opposite sides of the courtyard, entering from two hidden doors and quickly closing rank around me. Row upon row of warriors surrounded my on all sides, leaving about thirty feet on all sides as I stood in the middle of the courtyard. I watched as many as I was able, waiting for them to attack since they all had their pikes extended, but as soon as Salic and Macarle entered the courtyard they stood at attention, with their denn'bok at rest vertical from the ground. I only relaxed slightly when it became evident that they had no intention of attacking me en masse. I just managed to stand still when all I wanted to do was take my PPG and blow Macarle's head clear off, but I managed to keep myself under control at the last moment.
"You escape us yesterday to come back of your own free will today." Salic commented softly. "Why?"
"Would you believe I missed you?" I asked sarcastically, keeping my gaze locked on Salic in order to keep my composure. When Salic merely continued staring at me somberly I growled in exasperation before answering truthfully, or as truthfully as I was wont. "I left because I could, and I returned in the hopes of preventing a war."
"Such arrogance." Salic commented, as a flash of amusement colored his voice for a moment before he became serious once again.
"It isn't arrogance and you know it." I answered, keeping my nonchalant facade, as I stood casually in front of an army full of warriors. "So what do you say, to first blood?"
"Very well, and what are the stakes?" Salic asked quietly, looking Marcus in the eye.
"If you win, I will step down as Alit. If I win, this will be the last of any discord we hear about our respective positions in the Minbari government."
"Not only will you step down as Alit, but as Neroon's mate as well." Salic added, watching my face for a reaction. He was disappointed as my face remained impassive, but inside I was in pain just thinking about such an outcome.
"Very well, but Neroon will remain Satai and you will support him." I waited for Salic to agree before adding a stipulation of my own. "You will publicly support our union, and give us the full backing of the Craedem and all it's resources."
"How do you expect me to promise such a thing?" Salic asked incredulously.
"Your people will follow where you lead." I told him somberly, looking around at the assembled army at his beck and call. He was an honorable warrior and the others would indeed follow him, just as Neroon inspired loyalty as well.
"Very well. It is agreed." Salic answered, after which he held out my collapsed pike in his hand, palm outward. Before I could grasp it though Macarle stepped forward snarling furiously.
"You can't do this Salic." He hissed, grabbing Salic's outstretched arm in a bruising grip. "Don't give this human the rope with which to destroy you. "
"You doubt me, Macarle?" Salic asked in an offended manner, while glaring in his guard's direction.
"Of course not, but this human doesn't deserve the honor of fighting you." Macarle continued doggedly on, ignoring the anger on his leader's face. "You should put him down like the dog he is."
"Enough!" Salic ordered sternly, pointing at the line of warriors behind me. "Now join the line."
When Macarle made no move to obey Salic extended his own denn'bok threateningly and took a step towards the insubordinate Minbari.
"That was an order, Guardsman! Join the line, and do not interfere." Salic ordered sharply, watching as Macarle slowly moved to obey. "Now then, your pike."
As I took my weapon from Salic and extended it in battle-ready fashion I could only hope my fighting skills would equate me well in the coming battle. My relationship with Neroon depended on it.
Sequel to: Journey of Love
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.
[…] Denotes thoughts
Marcus' Challenge
As I flew towards Salic's in the middle of the majestic mountains that were near the capital on Minbar, I began to think of the multitude of things that could go wrong with my plan. While I had been locating the Craedem and preparing I did not let myself doubt my actions, but as I spent more time alone flying towards my ultimate destination, pessimistic thoughts continued to barrage my resolve, nearly causing me to falter.
Just as I was realistically considering the merits of turning around, I saw the tower, which I sought. It was blinding white with two turrets, and as I got to ground level, I noticed the majestic gate and courtyard from which to enter. The whole building filled me with a deep feeling as if I was gazing upon Minbar's very history, giving meaning to what I was about to do here. Instead of finding a side entrance using stealth I decided upon the spot that I would enter from the front, as befitting a duel of this caliber. I just hoped Salic would see it in the same way, before I was cut down by his men, or for that matter before Neroon tore these walls apart to find me.
Since as far as I was concerned, either one was likely to happen, I landed the Starfighter over a hill away and quickly made my way to the front gate. There stood a young Minbari who was looking at me as if I was Satan's spawn made flesh. Before he could sound an alarm of some kind I began speaking quietly yet with a certain amount of authority.
"I have come to challenge Salic's right of leadership over the Craedem." I told the guard, while extending my burrowed denn'bok, ignoring the flinch this caused. I then proceeded to stick one end into the ground and backed two steps away from my weapon. If the guard believed I was being treacherous, my actions would prove otherwise, as I practically gave my pike to the enemy. "I suggest you alert him to my presence immediately."
The guard looked at me wearily for a tense moment before gesturing me to follow him, which I did after he picked um my denn'bok and collapsed it in his hand. He strode into the courtyard, gesturing me to stay put, as he told Salic of my arrival. Just as he was about to turn a corn on the far-end of the courtyard and enter the building I called after him.
"Oh and by the way," I called out humorously. "I would be much obliged if Salic could return my own denn'bok as well. I believe he still has it in his possession."
The guard merely paused with his back still turned as I spoke, only continuing onward once I was through. The only response I received was a slight inclining of his head before he strode indoors. I didn't have to wait long for a response from Salic and the rest of the Craedem. Before five minutes had passed I was beset upon by numerous black-clad warriors. They came from two directions on opposite sides of the courtyard, entering from two hidden doors and quickly closing rank around me. Row upon row of warriors surrounded my on all sides, leaving about thirty feet on all sides as I stood in the middle of the courtyard. I watched as many as I was able, waiting for them to attack since they all had their pikes extended, but as soon as Salic and Macarle entered the courtyard they stood at attention, with their denn'bok at rest vertical from the ground. I only relaxed slightly when it became evident that they had no intention of attacking me en masse. I just managed to stand still when all I wanted to do was take my PPG and blow Macarle's head clear off, but I managed to keep myself under control at the last moment.
"You escape us yesterday to come back of your own free will today." Salic commented softly. "Why?"
"Would you believe I missed you?" I asked sarcastically, keeping my gaze locked on Salic in order to keep my composure. When Salic merely continued staring at me somberly I growled in exasperation before answering truthfully, or as truthfully as I was wont. "I left because I could, and I returned in the hopes of preventing a war."
"Such arrogance." Salic commented, as a flash of amusement colored his voice for a moment before he became serious once again.
"It isn't arrogance and you know it." I answered, keeping my nonchalant facade, as I stood casually in front of an army full of warriors. "So what do you say, to first blood?"
"Very well, and what are the stakes?" Salic asked quietly, looking Marcus in the eye.
"If you win, I will step down as Alit. If I win, this will be the last of any discord we hear about our respective positions in the Minbari government."
"Not only will you step down as Alit, but as Neroon's mate as well." Salic added, watching my face for a reaction. He was disappointed as my face remained impassive, but inside I was in pain just thinking about such an outcome.
"Very well, but Neroon will remain Satai and you will support him." I waited for Salic to agree before adding a stipulation of my own. "You will publicly support our union, and give us the full backing of the Craedem and all it's resources."
"How do you expect me to promise such a thing?" Salic asked incredulously.
"Your people will follow where you lead." I told him somberly, looking around at the assembled army at his beck and call. He was an honorable warrior and the others would indeed follow him, just as Neroon inspired loyalty as well.
"Very well. It is agreed." Salic answered, after which he held out my collapsed pike in his hand, palm outward. Before I could grasp it though Macarle stepped forward snarling furiously.
"You can't do this Salic." He hissed, grabbing Salic's outstretched arm in a bruising grip. "Don't give this human the rope with which to destroy you. "
"You doubt me, Macarle?" Salic asked in an offended manner, while glaring in his guard's direction.
"Of course not, but this human doesn't deserve the honor of fighting you." Macarle continued doggedly on, ignoring the anger on his leader's face. "You should put him down like the dog he is."
"Enough!" Salic ordered sternly, pointing at the line of warriors behind me. "Now join the line."
When Macarle made no move to obey Salic extended his own denn'bok threateningly and took a step towards the insubordinate Minbari.
"That was an order, Guardsman! Join the line, and do not interfere." Salic ordered sharply, watching as Macarle slowly moved to obey. "Now then, your pike."
As I took my weapon from Salic and extended it in battle-ready fashion I could only hope my fighting skills would equate me well in the coming battle. My relationship with Neroon depended on it.