Chapter 11

A/N: Sorry I have not updated this story for so long! See, the book was with my friend, classmate actually. And so happens, it is the school hols. But now I've gotten the book back, so no harm done! Oh, and remember to read my other new story, "The New", co-written by a friend and me. One more thing. Forget about the gs in front of the kelbrid speech. I am too lazy to type it in. Well, I will not bother you now; you can go read the story. (Points below)

Disclaimer: Do I still have to type it? Sigh… I will just do a short one. Characters made by KA are hers.

Claimer: Characters made by me are mine. Kelbrids are half mine.

Silence.

Not a single sound at all.

(Um.. this is creeping me out. Istram, do-) I said.

(Look,) he replied.

I looked.

A female kelbrid, a little small in size, had just arrived. Her left upper fang was broken at the tip, leaving a jagged edge to the tooth.

The strange thing was, everybody seemed to respect her. But why? She didn't look particulary fierce, or formidable. Maybe it was because of her commanding look.

(I cannot seem to place where I have heard or seen her before. She looks quite familiar) Istram said as the kelbrid landed on a slightly raised platform near us. On that platform were two other kelbrids, both males, already seated.

The female kelbrid raised her snake-like arms as she sat and the noise returned to the audience, though not as noisy as before.

(Whoa! That, is power,) Istram said.

He started to continue, but then the female kelbrid spoke.

"For the sake of these…" She seemed unsure of what to say. "These… creatures, I will speak in their language." She and the other two males on the platform glared at us in disgust.

The audience were starting to get too noisy, when the female kelbrid thundered, "Silence! The time for discussion is not now!"

Immediately, everyone fell silent. It was as if I had suddenly gone deaf.

The kelbrid looked around the tall circular room, her gaze falling on each kelbrid in turn.

Finally, she continued, "These creatures," she gestured toward us. "Or rather, the creatures in them have caused us g eat harm. There are not that many kelbrids on this small planet, and they have infested more than a third of them."

The way she pronounced "infested". It was with as much disgust as one could utter. She treated it like something extremely filthy.

"Considering the fact that all of you kelbrids were harmed in the process of their infestion, we will all decide what to do with them."

Almost immediately, a murmur ran through the crowd and voices could be heard, talking excitedly.

"And…," the noise level dropped. "And we," the kelbrid pointed to herself and the two other males beside her. "We will decide which punishment would do for them."

We shuddered, for the way she said 'punishment' promised an extremely painful and uncomfortable session with somebody or something.

The female kelbrid was now silent, and one of the males said, "Discuss now."

The slight muttering in the crowd increased to a roar. Slowly but surely, a single word, jumbled and mixed up at first, then getting clearer and clearer, came from the crowd.

"Kirish. Kirish! KIRISH!" they chanted.

We turned pale. I saw the other animorphs turn pale too. And I was very sure Mikit would also have paled if not for the fact her kelbrid skin did not allow her to.

So, all of us, standing in a huge room with faces as pale as earth's moon.

All except Jake.

He just stood there, motionless. And was it my imagination that I saw a very slight hint of a smile playing across his lips?

(I don't believe this. How can he stay so calm when the worst that can happen is about to happen to all of us?) Istram moaned as he shook his head mentally.

(Umm... worst that can happen to us? Don't tell me it has something to do with that word, right? What was it again? Ki… kiir... ki-whatever. What does it mean, Istram?) I asked.

(You have no idea...,) he said sadly.

(Of course I have no idea if you don't tell me.)

(It means only the worst that can happen...)

(Istram,) I said, trying to control my patience.

(Just tell me what it means, okay?!)

(Tell you what it means…) he echoed.

(ISTRAM!) I exploded. (Tell me right now what that word ki... ki-whatever means)

(That… is no easy… feat...,) Istram mumbled, and we trembled out of pure fear.

(Okay, I am being very patient, and I will repeat this one more time. What. Is. The. Meaning. Of that word!) I shouted.

We sighed heavily amidst the noisy kelbrid audience who seemed to be feasting on our fear.

(The word…is kirish. Remember that time when I told you kelbrids do not kill?)

(You mean they're going to torture us?) I could now see why Istram was so nervous.

(Worse than that. I would rather be tortured any day.) Istram sighed.

What could be worse than being tortured? I thought. Istram's mood was starting to affect me. What, I thought again, could be that bad?

A/N: Another cliffie! Aren't I evil? A question for you people. Whom do you think tipped the kelbrids off? Tell me in your review if you want the next chappie. Remember to read my other story! Now go review, then R N R "The New". Thanx people!