Chapter 30

Later that evening, Robin had removed the metallic parts of his armor, and was wearing just the black leather pants and shirt when he heard a knock at his door. "Who is it?"

"Mik'l, Shalocfa, may I have a word with you?"

"Enter."

"Ah, good, you are out of your armor. I have orders to take you somewhere, and I will ask that you get dressed in your Earthly costume."

Robin nodded, and went into the attached bathroom and quickly donned his uniform. "Where are we going?"

"I can not reveal that to you, Shalocfa, but I must insist that you give me your utility belt. You can not go armed where I am to take you."

Robin frowned. "I can sense the Princess's hand in this, Commander, as I can honestly say that there is no other Tamaranean, even in my Guard, that I would trust this to, excepting the Princess herself."

Mik'l took the belt and draped it over his shoulder. "I thank you for your trust, Shalocfa, now please follow me."

Instead of heading for the hanger deck like he was lead for his Confirmation, then went deeper into the ship. They came up to a door, and Mik'l stopped, and turned toward him.

"I must ask for your trust again, Robin, as I must blindfold you for the next part of our journey."

The fact that Mik'l just addressed him as Robin instead of Shalocfa, was not lost on him, but he was cautious. "Commander, I don't know where you're taking me, but as I stated before, there is no one of your people that I trust as much as you. Do I have need to doubt that trust?"

"I give you my word of honor that my loyalty to you is sound, and that you have no reason to doubt me."

"Very well then, warrior, I accept your word of honor."

"Have no fear, Robin, I remember well how you can defend yourself even without your sight. I am not foolhardy enough to try to lead you into a trap. Also in what is about to happen, you must distance yourself from the Princess. That is why she is blocking your bond with her."

Robin nodded, and took a steadying breath as the blindfold was put in place. Just because he could fight this way didn't mean that he liked it. He heard Mik'l knock on the door, and it was opened. They went down one corridor, then made a right turn to go down another. Several turns and corridors later Mik'l told him to stop. Mik'l knocked three times, paused then knocked a fourth time before the door was opened.

"I see he is prepared, bring him forward," a deep, unfamiliar voice said, and Robin was lead forward, and he heard the door close behind him.

Concentrating, Robin could sense that he was in a good sized room, and that there were several people present. What caught him off guard was that he could smell wood smoke. After a moment they stopped. Without warning the blindfold was removed, and Robin could see that he was in a fairly large room dimly lit by torches. Standing between himself and a dais was Starfire in her armor and crown.

"Who is that that has been brought before me?"

Confused, he answered, "I am Robin of Earth, leader of the Teen Titans."

"And who will speak on this ruthasha's behalf?"

"I am Kim'r, Commander of the Palace Guard, and Flight Leader of the Grand Ruler's Strike Wing."

"I am Mik'l, Lieutenant Commander of the Shalocfa's Guard."

Starfire nodded solemnly. "Who shall bear witness to these proceedings?"

"I am Raven, of Azarath, member of the Teen Titans."

"I am Shel'b, Warrior of Tamaran, Lieutenant of the Shalocfa's Guard."

"I am Sher'l, warrior in training, handmaiden of Princess Koriand'r."

"Do you know why you have been brought here, Ruthasha?"

"No, Princess Koriand'r, I do not."

Starfire pointed at Kim'r and Mik'l. "These warriors have petitioned the Grand Ruler, and have been granted permission to bestow upon you the honor of becoming a Warrior of Tamaran. What say you to this?"

"If I have been found worthy, I would be honored to accept."

"Commander, what say you about him?"

"Over the last three weeks, I have watched this ruthasha and I have found that despite not having the abilities that we do, he is most skilled in various methods of combat. I have learned this by watching videos of his training, and in personal combat with him. He has the mind and skills of a warrior."

"Lieutenant Commander, what say you?"

"When I first met him I learned that he is a warrior that will put his duty and loyalty to the Princess and the Grand Ruler above his personal honor. That is why I offered him my sword when he was confirmed as Shalocfa. Since that time I have fought beside him, and trained with him and found that he has the heart and soul of a warrior."

Starfire nodded, "Robin of Earth has been spoken for by these two warriors and properly witnessed. Is there any present who would challenge this?" There was silence for a moment, then Starfire turned her gaze on him. "Robin of Earth, you have proven yourself in training, and combat, step forward and accept this blade as your own." she said, holding out a sword, and belt, gripping it, by the middle of the sheath, with the belt wrapped around it. Robin stepped forward, and took the sword and belt, then stepped back buckling it around his waist. "Do you know the Oath of Acceptance?"

Robin nodded, then knelt on his left knee as he drew the sword from it's scabbard, and presented the hilt to her. "With X'Hal as my witness, I pledge my heart and my soul to Tamaran."

"As the Crown Princess, and heir to the Throne of Tamaran I accept your oath." Starfire said as she took the sword, and made a small cut on his right shoulder. "Arise, Robin. You are now a Warrior of Tamaran. Receive back your sword so that you may use it in keeping with your oath."

Robin stood, and took the sword back and sheathed it. A while later, he began to think that his right arm was going to fall off between saluting, and shaking hands with the other warriors as they congratulated him and left, until the only ones left in the room was himself, Raven, Starfire, Mik'l, and Kim'r. "I thank you both for this, I am deeply honored. How long have you known about this, Raven?"

"About an hour before Mik'l came and got you. Starfire had some things she wanted me to teach her."

"Like how to block our bond."

"It is not what you think, Shalocfa. There are times when Koriand'r will have to make decisions that you must not know about or what her true feelings are in the matter."

"Thank you Kim'r, I could not have put that any better."

Kim'r nodded. "Mik'l I have some tactical ideas I want to run by you to see how well you think the Titans will work into our fighter squadrons."

"As you command, Commander."

"Kim'r I have a question first. Why haven't you identified the crest on the sword that was used to attack Starfire?"

Kim'r looked at Robin a confused look on her face, then she looked at Starfire. "My apologies Robin, I would have thought that Koriand'r would have identified the sword for you."

"I have not seen this video, as the events of my failure are not likely to be forgotten."

"This is what we speak of, Highness."

Starfire took the hard copy picture of the sword and crest. "X'Hal, it can not be," she whispered.

"Kori, what is it?"

"Kim'r is correct, I recognize not only the crest, but the sword as well. The crest belongs to my family, and the sword was my mothers, given to my sister when my parents were killed."

"Then that means that Blackfire is behind the attacks on you, and probably much more."

"I fear that you are correct, Raven."

"Once again, Highness I am sorry that I have been the bearer of sad news. Now Mik'l, lets get to work on those tactics."

There was silence for a few moments after Mik'l and Kim'r had left. "Come friends, this is a joyous occasion," Starfire said as she slid her arm around Robin's waist. "I have not only some xanefa but herbal tea in my room."

"Kori, I thought you were neater than this, especially with Sher'l to help," Robin commented as they entered the main room of her quarters. Unlike Robin's and the other's rooms which were only a single room with an attached bathroom, Starfires had a main room which had a couple of chairs, a couch, and tables. Her bed room was off to the right and Sher'l's was off to the left. Robin's comment was about several large boxes that were scattered around the floor.

"Actually these are here because of you, Gentha'fa. They are gifts of congratulations for you from Kim'r, Mik'l, Shel'b and Sher'l, and Galfore."

"Who's the fifth one from?"

"I do not know, Raven. I was aware of only the four."

"They're all sets of armor," Robin said after he looked into two of the boxes. "What are these?" he asked, indicating two insignias that appeared on the breast plates.

"The top one is a family crest, and the lower one indicates what unit you are assigned to."

"That looks just like the 'R' on his uniform."

"It is, Raven. Usually we have to get shalocfa to design their own insignia as they are considered the commanding officer of their guard. Robin already had one."

"I noticed that you didn't list yourself as being one of the ones giving Robin a gift."

Robin looked up from the box he was looking into. "Raven, her asking Kim'r and Mik'l to stand beside me for this was gift enough."

"But I did not go to them and ask them to do this, they came to me."

The three took seats and sipped at their drinks, Robin and Starfire chose the couch, and Raven one of the chairs. "I noticed that there was rank insignia on the armor as well," Raven commented. "What rank have you made him?"

"Officially he is now a Commander, seeing as the senior most officer in his Guard is a Lieutenant Commander."

"Isn't that a little unfair to the rest of the officers in his Guard? I mean, they had to work up through the ranks."

"As far as they are concerned, the only rank that matters is my being Star's shalocfa. I know better than to let this new rank go to my head, and I'll make it clear to them in the morning."

"Which is going to come all to soon. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to get some sleep."

"'G'night Rae."

"Have the pleasant dreams, Raven." After the door had closed behind Raven, Star shifted closer to Robin on the couch. "She was correct you know, I did not list myself among those leaving gifts for you." Robin nodded and she went on. "Have you taken the opportunity to look at your sword?"

Robin carefully drew the blade from it's scabbard, and examined it closely. The twenty eight inch blade was highly polished, and he could tell that it was razor sharp. The grip was long enough for double handed use, but it was light enough that he could hold it single handed. Where the grip met the cross hilt there was another rendition of Starfire's family crest. It was while he was looking at the crest that he noticed something else about the weapon. "Kori, is this some family heirloom? I don't know that much about Tamaranean steel, but I can tell that this is an old sword."

Starfire reached out and carefully brushed her fingertips over the blade, her eyes unfocused as she was lost in thought. "This is my gift to you, Gentha'fa. As you have guessed this is an old blade. To my personal knowledge it is at least fifty of your Earth years old."

"Your father's?"

"Given to him by his sister, Liand'r on the day of his acceptance, along with this."

Robin took the dagger that Starfire held out to him. Simply a smaller version of the sword, it's eight inch blade also bore the telltale signs of care. Realizing what sentimental value these two blades would have for Starfire, he had to swallow the lump in his throat before he could speak. "Kori, I am honored by your giving these to me. Just saying thank you doesn't even begin to express how I feel."

"I am confident that you will wear them and use them with honor, my love. By giving you those, I am giving you far more than just my memories of my father, I am making you part of my family." She reached up and gently brushed her fingers over his cheek, then peeled his mask off. "You were not there, the night you gave me the letter you enclosed in the get well card. I made sure I was alone when I read it closely, and completely, and I cried when I read at how your parents were taken from you, but my sadness was over taken by my shock at how you felt that we had the loss of our parents as a common ground. I have never looked at my leaving Tamaran, as a prize of war, as anything but a low point in my life. You have taught me that even though it was that, it also was the first of a chain of events that brought us together, and I wish to thank you for that."

Robin had slid his gloves off and he felt Starfire's shiver as he slid his fingers through her bangs, then feathered them across her forehead. "The night my parents were killed, a part of me died as well, my love, and I buried it deep inside. Bruce was like a father to me for many years, but I still kept that part of me locked away only showing glimpses of it to the only person I thought would understand."

"The Batgirl, Barbara Gordon?"

Robin gave a dry chuckle at that suggestion. "No, not Babs. She and I didn't have that kind of a relationship. In all honesty it was Alfred, Bruce's butler that I would relax enough to let see that part of me. He has been the only one, until recently, with you. The Titans mean as much to me as I believe any family could, but you're more special to me than any of them. As you said in your room, when we found the zorka berries had been tampered with and taken, that I am the only one that you will allow to see you crying, there's a part of me that I only allow you to see, because I know that you share those feelings. Especially the fear that those you love and care deeply for may be taken from you."

Robin saw the astonishment in her eyes as the widened slightly as she looked at him. "I. . .I did not think that you would be able to relate to my reasons for not telling you more plainly of my feelings for you. I feared that if I did I would push you away, and you would be lost to me, or that if I let myself care for you too much that I would somehow loose you."

"Kori , you will never lose my love, no matter what happens. I give you my word of honor on that."

Starfire saw the slight grin he had at that last line, and she tried to keep a straight face as she said, "Then I know it to be as if written in stone, as tightly as you hold to your honor."

The next morning, Raven Starfire, Sher'l and Robin met in the observation lounge to watch the sunrise. Robin was slightly surprised to see Mik'l and Shel'b there as well.

"Commander, I wish to thank you for showing me the appreciation you have for watching the start of a new day."

Robin returned the salute Mik'l had given him. "As I told you, about always addressing me as Shalocfa, you don't have to call me Commander all the time. I fully realize that I didn't earn my rank in the same manner as the rest of you."

"I understand, Robin, but I ask that you also realize that to me, and many others, you have indeed earned your rank by your actions and accomplishments."

"If you insist Mik'l."

"I was told that this is where I would find you."

Robin and the others turned toward the source of the voice, Robin, Mik'l, Sher'l, and Shel'b dropping to one knee.

"Rise warriors," Galfore said with a chuckle. "It is good to see that even ruthasha can show proper respect."

"That has got to be the one word of your language that I dislike."

"And why would that be, Robin?"

Robin saw the mischievous glint in Starfire's eyes, and chuckled softly as he recalled how even hearing it from her, it got under his skin. "Well even I can recognize it's roots being rutha, your word for weak."

"That shouldn't surprise you, Robin. This is a warrior culture so it's only natural that they would look as any other races as being weak or inferior to their own."

"I know Rae, but it still doesn't change how I feel when I'm called that, although I do recognize that some don't mean it as a slight step up from troq."

"Rest easy, Robin. Our language is what it is, and you are correct that the speaker can color the meaning to his words with different meanings. I meant no disrespect."

"None was taken, my lord. As you said the way the word is spoken shows that."

Galfore nodded, then turned his gaze on Starfire. "You and your Shalocfa have been remiss in your duties, Princess."

"In what way?"

"You have not yet performed your inspection tour of the fleet as you should have. Robin has the excuse that he may not have been aware of the duty, but you do not."

"Just because I know of it, does not mean that I can not forget it."

Mik'l spoke up seeing the confusion on Robin's face. "It is a formality, but one that must be carried out. Even if you were not confirmed as the Princess's shalocfa, she would have to do the inspection on her own."

"So it's simply a visit to the ships in the fleet, kind of like showing the flag?"

Mik'l was silent for a moment as he thought over Robins words. "Yes I believe it is as you say. It serves no real purpose other than to let the warriors of the fleet see their Princess."

"And , of course a great many wish to see the offworlder who has proven himself a warrior." Shel'b added, and they all chuckled as Robin blushed.

"I have ordered your ships prepared, and your teammate Cyborg assures me that what you call the T-ship is ready as well. The SOMON'R will be your first stop, and they are expecting you within the hour.

The turn out on each ship caught Robin and Starfire by surprise. They both knew that word of Robin's deeds before and since his Confirmation as Starfire's Shalocfa had spread like wildfire throughout the fleet, but they hadn't imagined that so many Tamaraneans wanted to at least catch a glimpse of him. Robin was very surprised at Kim'r's suggestion that on each ship Robin accept a challenge from one of the crowd. Now that he was able to see again, Robin was almost eager to show off his abilities, especially when the onlookers were so enthusiastic, almost insistent at seeing them.

Starfire and Robin were almost finished with their tour of the fleet. So far they had been aboard the SOMON'R, NUMEN'R, and the BOROMI'R. Now they were aboard the ROSHON'R the last ship before returning to the VELANCE'R.

Robin had been quickly been corrected of his thought that the challenges were merely formalities. The first one he entered into he had that outlook, and the force and closeness of a sword cut showed him his mistake. Another thing that caught him by surprise was the good natured way that the warriors treated him afterward

"It is because you do not give up," Mik'l had told him. "Even when even one of us would have, such as the challenge on the NUMEN'R." Robin recalled that the warrior had been the best with a sword that he had ever faced, even better than Starfire, and he had been beaten to the point that he could barely raise his sword, but he managed to fight his way back, and the warrior had surrendered, when Robin had managed to find an opening, and swept his feet out from under him.

As Robin returned from the area in the hanger bay that had been set aside for the challenge, he glanced around and was satisfied that he Guard was well positioned and alert. He would feel much better once they were in their fighters on their way back to the flagship. It had not left his thoughts that this was Teranc'r's ship, and he had not been seen for almost two weeks. "Guard check in," Robin said into his wrist communicator. He listened as the warriors in his Guard checked in, reporting everything was normal.

"All seems quiet, Shalocfa," Mik'l, reported last, as his position as the Commander of the Shalocfa Guard dictated. "Che athan lotana che atempi." he muttered so softly that mic almost didn't pick it up.

"The calm before the storm, Mik'l?" Robin asked, switching to Mik'l's channel. "Don't keep your suspicions to yourself, Commander. What's bothering you?"

Robin smiled softly at the half growl, half sigh that came over the channel. Much as he knew that Mik'l hated being put on the spot like this, Robin had come to trust his instincts. Almost as much as his own. "It has been too quiet, Shalocfa. Not even the rumor of an attempt on either you or Koriand'r," he finally said. "Not that I wish either of you ill, but it is odd. During this tour you are both very exposed, almost easy targets."

"I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one getting antsy, or nervous," Robin said, and almost heard Mik'l's relief. "Just make sure everyone's got their eyes open, and staying alert."

"Agreed, Shalocfa."

Robin switched his wrist link to standby, and opened his communicator, "Titans, check in," he ordered, and one by one they checked in reporting all clear. With a nervous sigh he put the device away. 'Rest easy, my love,' Starfire's thoughts said to him, 'Do not wish for the worst, as you may receive it.'

He smiled as he looked at her from about ten feet away. Even from that distance, he could see the look of pride she was giving him. Suddenly, something caught his eye. A red glow behind Starfire and to his left, and several things happened at once.

"KORI, GET DOWN!" Robin bellowed, as he jammed his finger on his distress beacon, as he saw a motion, nearer to Starfire, but further to his left.

"Azarath. . . . .Metrion. . . ." Raven started her chant in preparation of shielding Starfire, as Robin started to run.

"Highness! Look out!" Sher'l shouted just as the red glow flashed, she leapt into the air, intending to push her Princess to safety. It half worked.

Robin winced as he heard the painful scream as Sher'l was slammed into Starfire by the star bolt. Unable to brace himself on the run, Starfire's sudden arrival threw them both to the floor.

"Seize him!" Robin heard Mik'l's voice shout, as he got to his knees and checked on Starfire.

"Raven! Over here!" he shouted seeing the blood on Star's back and legs. "Kori where are you hurt?"

"I am not the one injured, my love," she replied as she quickly crawled over to where a small form lay on the floor. "Sherana, can you hear me?" she asked as she knelt beside her and gently pulled her into her lap. She had seen the horrible wound on the youngsters back, and knew that even if a healer were here now, it wouldn't help.

"Highness, you are safe?" Sher'l asked softly.

"Thanks to you kinacha, now rest, a healer is on the way."

Starfire was surprised to see Sher'l smile softly, "A wasted effort Highness," she said softly. "My training in star bolt injuries was last year; I will not survive this."

Starfire tried to speak, but found she had to swallow a lump in her throat first, "Sherana, I am so sorry," she said, blinking away her tears, her hand gently brushing a few strands of brown hair from the youngsters face.

"Shalocfa, you will take care of her, yes?"

"Yes little warrior, to best of my ability."

"Then she will be safe," she said smiling, then her body shook with a chuckle.

"Wa. . .what do you find amusing?" Robin choked out.

"Little I may yet be, but I have not earned the title of warrior."

Robin's hand went to his mask, lifting up the bottom edge letting the build up of tears slide down his cheeks. "I am sure that the Princess can find a special circumstance and make an exception in your case. Remember I have her favor."

"I remember Robin; my brother and I thank you deeply for that." she said, then grimaced in pain. "Highness, I never had the opportunity to redeem my honor. Please do not let my indiscretions blemish Nie'l."

"Redeem you honor?" Star half sobbed. "X'Hal Sherana, you have proven yourself more honorable than many warriors with your sacrifice on my behalf. Your name will be remembered with the full honor of a warrior of my personal Guard. This I give you as my word of honor."

There was silence for a moment. "Highness, why does it not hurt anymore? I fear what it means, please bring the pain back."

"Hush little one, it is you body's way of trying to heal itself."

Sher'l's body shuddered again as she coughed, and Robin saw a small tendril of blood seep from the corner of her mouth. "The taste of my own blood in my mouth brands you a liar, Highness. But I forgive you as you mean to ease my fears. Despite the actions of my past, I have always looked up to you, and wished I could be like you."

"You have become something even more special Sher'l, you are yourself, and I will sorely miss you."

"What they say is true Highness, near the end it grows cold and dark. Do not grieve overmuch Highness, I am simply your handmaiden, my life for yours is and exchange I gladly make. May X'Hal watch over. . . ."

Starfire felt the breath leave Sher'l's battered body and watched the life fade from her eyes. "May X'Hal guide your spirit to a better place," she said softly as she passed her hand over the youngsters face, closing her eyes for the last time. With the exception of the occasional sniffle the hanger was completely silent.

"Che Vana du Shepa vat rovana, san shovaka va que X'Hal roka." Star said only loudly enough to be heard by everyone in the bay.

"The Watch of Death is over, this warrior is with X'Hal now." Raven's translator whispered into her ear, and she fought hard to maintain her control, but couldn't as she silently cried. She looked to her right as she felt someone take her hand.

"It's alright Rae, our tears show that we care, they are nothing to be ashamed of," Beast Boy said, the fur on his face wet with his own tears.

"You call this a Princess and Warrior?" a voice shouted. "Weeping and grieving for a fallen servant child."

"You will be silent!" Starfire shouted. "Have we grown so complacent in accepting death that we are no longer moved by the selfless act of one child giving her life to protect her Princess from harm? If that is true then I do not wish to be known as one of you." She gently lay Sher'l on the floor and stood., looking around the room. "I am relieved to see that we are not so callus," she said, seeing that she and the Titans were not alone in their grief.

"Shu vata rutha rotuna chana chen san ke troq!"

Several warriors that were nearest to Starfire fell back when they saw the look on her face, the rest that saw it were shocked, they had never seen her like this. But the Titans had when they first saw her. "Release him. He is mine." She hissed her eyes glowing brightly as were her hands. "I will show you how weak I am. One who acts this way for one who was like a little sister to me, far more than a troq."

Stev'n and Pet'r released their hold on their prisoner. He stood for a moment, shaking the kinks from his arms, then faced Starfire. "Your words do not matter to me, Koriand'r, for as I said before you are naught but troq suvasha."

"If not words, Teranc'r, then actions!" Starfire shouted, and flew full speed at him, planting both her fists into his chest and knocking him back against the wing of a fighter.

He rebounded off the craft, and Star met him with a right hook followed by a rapid combination of punches until a star bolt struck her and sent her back several feet before she caught herself.

Teranc'r wiped the blood from his nose and mouth as he drew his sword. "Come little Princess," he sneered, "Let us see how well you dance." He laughed when he saw her reach for her sword, but remembered too late that she had been told not to wear it as a sign of her trust in her subjects.

"Highness, catch!" Robin called as he threw a collapsed bo staff to her.

Starfire caught the weapon and extended it, just in time to block Teranc'r's strike. Sweeping the blade aside she twisted to her left, slamming the staff into the left side of his ribs.

Quite quickly, the warriors present formed a circle around the two combatants, and it became obvious that Teranc'r had underestimated Starfire's abilities. No matter what combination of sword strokes he tried he found that she would block it, and countered with a blow that struck home every time. They were about ten feet in the air when Teranc'r tried one desperate attack. He quickly flew up, the descended as he charged at Starfire, his blade held out, meaning to cut her in two from head to toe.

"Rrraaahhh!" she cried, swinging the staff to block the blow, and Teranc'r's blade snapped off at the hilt. "Hah! Rah! Hah!" Starfire quickly twisted left and right and back slamming her staff against his head and ribs, and he fell unconscious to the deck. "Get this. . .thing out of my sight."

She collapsed the staff, and handed it back to Robin, and she turned when she saw him tense. A warrior had stepped forward from the crowd and approached her slowly, warily. When he got about three feet from her, he knelt on one knee, and extended his right hand toward her, his head bowed. "All hail, Princess Starfire, true heir to the Throne of Tamaran!"

"Hail, Princess Starfire!" was the deafening response from the assembled crowd.

"Robin, get me out of here."

"As you wish, Highness."