Chapter 32
"Well this is a surprise, Robin. I hardly expected to find you alone."
Robin's back stiffened as he recognized the voice. He touched a control on his belt, activating a recording device, as he slowly turned and grudgingly saluted, "Shavota, vidi'an"
"I see you know how to show proper respect and courtesy."
"You are still a Princess of Tamaran, Highness. That was guaranteed you at birth."
Robin watched her violet eyes widen in surprise at his ability to speak her native tongue. He saw the appraisal of his appearance there as well. "I still don't understand what it is in my sister that you find so attractive, but her attraction to you I find easy to see."
"Don't bother trying to flirt with me, like you did on your last visit to Earth, Komand'r. I wasn't interested then, and I'm even less interested now."
"Hummm. . . .pity."
Robin began to feel uncomfortable at the way she was looking at him, "Why are you here?"
"Still direct as always, Robin. Well since it's you I'm talking to, I'll take the opportunity to extend my condolences for that girl's death, and the attempt to kill Koriand'r. Believe me, I don't want her dead, just out of the way. Far, far away."
"When you work with an animal like Teranc'r, innocent people are going to get hurt."
"Now Robin, you know you shouldn't talk people behind their back. You might offend someone they know," Blackfire said, as a warrior stepped out from behind a fighter. Robin's eyes narrowed angrily as the woman held onto the back of a young boy's shirt.
Seeing the boy's face brought back the memory of when Sher'l had brought her brother, Nie'l, to the Tower to meet him and Starfire.
"You wear the armor and sword of a warrior!" the woman asked angrily. "You presume much, ruthasha!"
"Calm yourself, Commander. The Grand Ruler had deemed it appropriate to make Robin a warrior, as a reward for his accomplishments, and deeds in defense of the fleet and my sister. If half of what I've heard is true he deserved it." she paused as she looked Robin over again. "I see you found my Acceptance gift to you."
"From what Starfire told me, it would complete the set if Ryand'r was still alive," Robin replied, touching the hilt of his sword. "How did you find him?" he asked Blackfire, then looked over at the warrior holding Nie'l. "Do you normally hide behind children, Commander?"
"My, Robin, you are spoiling for a fight aren't you? Shan'a be still, we don't want to cause any unnecessary commotion. Finding him I left to Shan'a," she explained, her eyes glowing softly. "Getting him from the abbots you left him with was a simple matter of displaying the right amount of power."
As she finished her last sentence, she launched a star bolt at Robin, but didn't catch him by surprise. "Nie'l! Down!" he shouted as he deflected the bolt with his forearm guards, sending it toward Shan'a. The bolt caught the woman full in the chest, knocking her back a few steps. Unfortunately, she still had a hold of the back of Niel's shirt, so he couldn't get away. Blackfire watched Shan'a stumble in shock at Robin's ability.
Robin took the opening and his right hand slipped over Blackfire's right shoulder, cupping her chin and pulling back, his right hip set in her lower back, arching her backward, off balance as his left hand held his dagger at her throat. "Commander, I suggest you get up slowly, and not make any sudden moves. Your princess here will tell you that my reflexes are fast enough that no matter what you do, my blade will find it's mark, and sever the two major blood vessels in her neck. Two minutes later she will be dead. Isn't that right, Blackfire?"
"Commander, you will do as he says. X'Hal Robin, I had forgotten how quick you are, and I see that your dealings with the Brotherhood of Evil and Slade has made you more ruthless."
"Let's just say that life can be a cruel teacher."
"Why are we taking orders from this ruthasha?"
"Because, Commander, he has the upper hand. One, I might add, holding a blade at my throat."
"Let the boy go, Commander, and I give you my word that I will let you both walk out of here, otherwise we can stay here until someone comes looking for me. You might be able to sneak away, but your princess will find herself in the holding cells."
Muttering a curse, Shan'a shoved Nie'l away from her, and he fell to his knees a few feet in front of her. "Nie'l, I'm going to open my pod of the T-ship. I want you to get in there and press the big green button on the left armrest."
"I understand, Shalocfa."
"T-ship, Robin, Koriand'r, two seven eight one," Robin called out and the telltale hiss of his canopy opening was heard. He watched Nie'l lift off, and a moment later it hissed closed again. "Commander, I'm sure you know where the exit is. I give you my word that I will let Komand'r go."
"I will not leave her." Shan'a replied, drawing her sword.
"Commander, put that sword down, or I give you my word that I will use it to kill you myself!"
Shan'a stopped, uncertain. "Highness, he is ruthasha, I can not take his word."
"Then take mine. I trust that he will do as he says. You will leave, now."
Sheathing her sword, Shan'a saluted, then left.
Robin quickly sheathed his dagger, and shoved Blackfire away from him. She stumbled a few steps, and turned to face him. "I see some things about you haven't changed, Robin. You're still honorable."
"Would your sister have me as her shalocfa if I wasn't? I've got a couple of questions for you, if you don't mind my asking."
"Like why I hate my sister so much?"
"No, I'd say that between the way your parents ignored you, and the results of the Okarra Trials I've got a pretty good idea about that."
Blackfire's jaw dropped open in disbelief, "She told you about that?"
"No, I learned it from other sources. My question is this; why take it out on Starfire? It was your parents that ignored you, not her."
"They ignored me because of her. Always doing what was expected of her, and excelling at her diplomatic training. I was the better fighter, but they ignored that fact, and praised the feeble efforts Kori would make at combat training. I thought my trading her to the Gordanians would have gotten her out of my hair, but no, she had to go and escape to Earth, and find you and your three friends."
"You did what! Sister, you could not have done that!"
"Oh but I could, Starfire. I was the original one who was to go to the Citadel to ensure the peace for Tamaran, but I was able to convince them that you, with your weaker skill at fighting, and adherence to duty that would subdue you into being their slave, would be the better choice. It cut mother and father to the heart to do it, but that was what I wanted, and I knew they would have to go along with it."
Starfire drew her sword, her eyes glowing with the anger flowing through her. "I had always hoped that there might have been some way that I might have been able to regain the sister I lost at Okarra, but I see that I was gravely mistaken. Defend yourself, sister."
Blackfire stood her ground, a smug look on her face. "Nice try, sister dear, but your boyfriend here gave me his word that he'd let me walk out of here."
Her smile faded as Starfire stopped a few feet from her. "He may have promised that for himself, but he did not promise for me."
Blackfire barely had time to draw her own sword to block the cut that Starfire made, and she quickly backed up, covering her retreat with a flurry of one handed star bolts and eye beams. "I'm surprised, sister. Sneaking around, following your shalocfa when he has given his word that he would come alone."
"I gave no such word, Blackfire. Brend'r simply told me to meet her here, privately, then closed the connection before I could say anything."
"Well, you're both fools for coming alone. I'm sure we can deal with just the two of you," Blackfire said as five warriors stepped out through a door.
"Who says we did?" Robin asked, smiling. "Star."
Starfire lifted her wrist radio and spoke into it. "Now, Shalay'fa."
In the middle of the bay a large black raven phased up through the deck. When it's wings spread open, Beast Boy, Cyborg, Shel'b, Mik'l and Stev'n stepped from the darkness, weapons drawn, primed and ready to go.
"Surrender now, sister, and I promise to spare your life."
"Never! Fena shalocfa roka!" Blackfire shouted, and all the warriors fired their star bolts at the same time she did, and at the same target. Robin was lifted off his feet and flung ten feet through the air as he was slammed into the wall by the combined force of six fully powered star bolts. He managed to get to his feet after he landed on the deck, but toppled over as his right leg gave out.
Starfire shouted her battle cry and charged toward her sister, but found her way blocked by two of the warriors, one of which managed to hit her with a star bolt, throwing her back several feet.
"We will meet again, sister dear, I promise you."
Starfire watched in frustration as her sister slipped into the airlock and cycled it, leaving the ship. "Zota," she muttered, finding herself facing the two warriors that blocked her from getting to Blackfire. Giving them the same kind of look a cat gives a mouse it has captured, Starfire growled and swung her sword, her blade clashing with both of theirs at the same time. "Come now, surely you can do better than that."
The two exchanged a look at each other, their smiles at thinking that two to one odds would intimidate what they thought was a soft, poorly trained Royal fading as they came to realize that they just did the equivalent of kicking a nest of Sybarian fire beetles. Very quickly they learned how good Starfire was with a sword, as did one other who came over to help them. As she watched the third warrior fall unconscious beside the other two, the touch of a hand on her shoulder caused her to spin around her sword drawn back to strike.
"Shalay'fa, it's over!" Raven cried as she quickly raised a shield.
"No my friend it is not over," Starfire said, angrily thrusting her sword into it's scabbard. "Until my sister and this plan of hers is stopped it will not be the over."
As she was speaking, Starfire and Raven were walking over to where Robin still lay. "I do not know much about human injuries, but I have called for a healer."
"Thank you, Mik'l. Raven, how is he?"
"He'll live, but the knee in his right leg is badly wrenched, and he's got some broken ribs again."
Both girls looked down at him as he moaned as he tried to sit up. "Robin, lay still," Raven said.
"No, my love, do not move."
"Star, I'm proud of you."
"Of me? Why? I let my sister get away."
"But not for the reason she wanted. She had her warriors fire at me first, knowing it would knock me out, or worse."
"And in that thought she was correct. I still do not understand why this makes you proud of me."
"You stayed in the fight, focused, taking out three of them by yourself. You didn't rush over to see how I was doing. That's why I'm proud of you."
"Because of what I did not do, instead of what I did?" she asked, but saw that Robin had drifted back into unconsciousness.
"Friend Raven, there is another of your team that I have called for a healer," Stev'n said.
"Go, Shalay'fa, I will stay with Robin."
"Rae two of them ganged up on him," Cyborg said, as Raven came over.
Raven looked down at Beast Boy as he lay on the deck. His right arm was obviously broken, and some spots of the fur on his arms and legs had been singed by star bolts.
"Be calm, friend," Starfire said as she came up behind her and saw the trembling of her hand as she reached out to touch him. She felt the tension leave Raven as she extended her empathic powers, to see what other injuries Beast Boy had.
"Nothing serious. The arm's the worst, and he may have a concussion."
"Highness! Robin has regained consciousness again and wishes to speak with you and Raven."
"Yes Robin?" the two girls asked in unison as they knelt at his side. They looked at each other, and Starfire giggled softly.
Robin waved the healer that was tending to him away, "Rae, did you and Cy clear the use of the canyon?"
"Yeah, it's actually not owned by anybody, so all I had to do was file a permit at City Hall."
"Good. Star, I want. . ."
"Robin, why did you give Blackfire your word that you would let her go free?" she asked, interrupting him.
"Ow!" Robin cried as the healer jabbed a needle into his arm.
"He needs rest, Highness, and that will ensure that he gets it."
"Vern'a, I will. . ." Robin began then shook his head, trying to clear it. "Star, my pod. Negotiated with Blackfire, reason there."
"Why would you negotiate with my sister?" Starfire asked, but Robin had closed his eyes and was sleeping. "He said the reason was in his pod," she mussed, then lifted off the ground to land beside the canopy of Robin's pod. She gasped softly when she saw who was inside. "T-ship, Koriand'r, Robin, one eight seven two." with a soft hiss the canopy opened.
"Highness!" Nie'l cried, jumping up into Starfire's arms, giving her a tight hug.
"Nie'l, why are you not still on Earth?"
"I was helping the abbots tend their garden when a transport shuttle landed. The abbots tried to hide me, but when Princess Blackfire shot one of them with a star bolt I came out of hiding and surrendered myself to her to protect them. I did not see what ship I was brought to, but we flew here, and Commander Shan'a told me to be quiet while Blackfire and your shalocfa talked," he began then related the entire meeting between Blackfire and Robin.
"Well you are safe now, Nie'l. Now I want you to go with Lieutenant Shel'b. I have things I need to attend to."
"Yes, Highness."
"I will make certain that he stays out of trouble, Princess."
"Thank you," Starfire said as she followed the two stretchers down the corridor.
About half an hour later, Starfire was sitting in a chair beside Robin, and Raven was doing the same beside Beast Boy. "Raven, I thought you did not like doing the waiting?"
"I don't. But I remember the times I was in the med-lab at the Tower and woke up to find either you or Robin waiting for me. I know how nice it feels to have somebody that would do that, wait beside me to make sure I was alright. Well with Cyborg, down working with the Tamaraneans, and you sitting next to Robin, that leaves me to wait for Beast Boy."
"Uh huh," Star said softly, and Raven got the feeling that she didn't believe her. "Raven, can I ask you something?"
"What?"
"Would it be possible for you to form a bond with me like you did with Robin?"
The question caught Raven completely by surprise, "Yes, I guess I could, but no offense Star, I don't think I would want to."
"Is it because you do not trust me to stay out of your mind?"
"To be totally truthful, it's the way that you express your emotions. You remember how much you had to reign in your emotions when we had switched bodies, I don't know if I would be able to block your emotions from my mind. The results of that would be very dangerous not only to the two of us, but those around us."
"I see. So Robin does not have these emotions?"
"Starfire, you know better than that, especially now that your share a link to his mind through the Shinrah Crystal. He exercises more control over his emotions, sometimes even more than I do."
Starfire nodded, as she looked down at Robin, the glow of his crystal barely visible through the sheet that covered him. "It is because of that bond that I ask." she looked over at Raven, and saw the curiosity on her face. "Now that I have been convinced that my sister is involved with current events, I am concerned of what she might do. If what Nie'l related to us is correct, Blackfire will feel obligated to do something to Robin to regain her honor from his being able to get the upper hand over her."
"And you want a mental bond with me because. . . ?"
Starfire slipped her crystal from under her neckpiece, and stared into the soft red glow for a moment. "If this was removed from me, or if it was broken, it would appear to Robin as if I had died once it was taken far enough from me so that it could no longer pick up my life force." she looked up at Raven, and took a shuddering breath. "I can not remember a time when I have been more scared, Raven, than when Nurse Ramsey removed Robin's crystal when he had been injured at the fire. I would prevent him from going through that if I can."
"By using me as a living crystal?"
"In a manner of speaking, yes. I do not mean to belittle your friendship to me, as I believe you would be upset if Robin's crystal were to go dark, and he would be certain that I was dead because he could no longer feel me in his mind."
Raven shifted uncomfortably in her chair. She hated to admit that Starfire evidently knew her better than she thought, but the truth couldn't be denied. "Yes, I would be upset about that, and I see your reasoning behind your asking. You do realize that I will have to go into your mind to do this, just as I had to go into Robin's?"
"Yes, Raven, I do, and as my shalay'fa I know that I have nothing to hide, or fear from you."
Starfire fell silent as she saw that Raven was considering her request. After a moment Raven sighed, and turned toward her. "Alright, I'll do it. Only Azar knows why, but until this thing with Blackfire is over your reasoning seems right."
Raven levitated into the lotus position and took a breath to say her mantra, when Starfire spoke. "This will not hurt, correct?"
Raven opened her eyes, and gave the redhead a rueful smile. "I thought you said that you had nothing to fear from me." Starfire gave a nervous giggle. "Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos."
Starfire gave a small, startled gasp as Raven's soul self floated over Robin's bed and entered her. 'This is a most peculiar sensation, Raven,' she thought.
Starfire was startled when images started flashing through her mind. Her disarming her sword master during training, and her father's beaming face as he watched. Herself and Blackfire racing out of the palace kitchen clutching a pastry that had stolen from a platter, the royal cook hot on their tail. The angry glare from Blackfire when it was announced that she had failed the Trials, and Starfire had passed them. A view of her parents, smiling as they held an infant boy. Many others as well, ending with the anger and sadness at learning that Blackfire was responsible for her being enslaved by the Gordanians.
Starfire became aware that she was silently crying as the effect faded and Raven's soul self left her and re-entered Raven. "Star, I'm so sorry. I didn't realize it would be so vivid," Raven said as she came over and hugged her. "Who was the young boy in those last memories? You seemed so close."
Starfire sniffed softly and wiped at her tears with the back of her hand. She nodded. "My shaloha, Ryand'r. He was barely eight when I left Tamaran, but I adored him. The Gordanian slave masters took great pleasure in informing me of his death, and the death of my parents." she was silent for a moment. "Please, Shalay'fa tell me that it worked, that we now have the bond."
Raven reached up and cupped Starfire's cheek, her amethyst eyes looking into Star's emerald ones, "Calm your mind, and think of me."
'It works!' Star thought happily as she felt Raven's presence in her mind, and could pick up the concern over what the forming of the bond had upset her from Raven's mind. 'It is alright, Raven. I am honored that you have shown me your trust by doing this.'
"Now," Raven said aloud, "I know you will show me the same discretion that you give Robin. At least I don't think that you are constantly poking into his mind. What's so funny?"
Star's giggle trailed off. "Mik'l and the others thought Robin, you and I made a tough fighting team before. . . " she began, but stopped when Raven gave a rare chuckle
"They'll never know what hit them now."
"I see I was mistaken before, when I talked with you when you were in the hospital."
"Starfire, I thought. . . "
"I am not looking into your mind, Shalay'fa, it is just because it is foremost on your mind right now. Do not try to tell me that it is just concern for a team member."
Raven sighed, knowing that she couldn't hide it from Starfire. "No you were right, at least at that time," she relented. "But you got me thinking. Ever since he led us against the Brotherhood of Evil, and Terra refusing to remember him, he's changed. Then you had to go and tell me what he did at the building fire." She was silent for a moment, and looked over at Beast Boy. "You're right you know. He does have deeper feelings for me, other than just friendship," she admitted and almost regretted it when she saw the look on Starfire's face. "Star, I know what you're going to say, but it's not 'glorious'. In case you haven't noticed, I'm not Terra. You saw how much she lit up his life. They had fun together, did things together. Much as I don't like her, she was good for him. They had things in common."
"As do you," Starfire said simply. "You are both Titans, and you have both had your hearts broken."
"Star, you can't build a relationship on that little, or something negative like that."
Star looked down at Robin, her fingers tracing across his forehead. Much as she hated to admit it, this was the one thing she liked about his getting hurt. It was the one time she was able to see him at peace. Stirring herself from those thoughts, she looked up at Raven. "I happen to know that you can."
Before Raven had a chance to ask Starfire for an explanation, Beast Boy groaned softly, and Raven quickly took her seat at his side. "It's alright Beast Boy, you're safe now.
"Mmm, oohhh. . . . .Raven?" Beast Boy groaned, then asked when he opened his eyes.
"Yes Beast Boy it's me. Starfire is right over there with Robin."
"Cyborg's okay then? Those two didn't get him?"
"No, you got them first friend. It was the two that came in from the airlock that got you."
"Why does my arm itch?"
Starfire walked over and made an adjustment to a device that was projecting a beam onto where beast Boy's arm had been broken. "Is that better? Vern'a has been talking with Doctor Linda Benson, and she is still uncertain what setting to use on the healing lamps which speed healing of injuries."
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About an hour later, Raven stood looking over the canyon and let the memories that the place triggered wash over her. This was the box canyon where the Titans had come to in response to a blonde girl who was being chased by a giant scorpion. They quickly learned that she wasn't in need of saving, and that her name was Terra. Taking a cleansing breath, she settled her cloak around her, and looked to her left. She knew what memories were stirred in her by seeing this place again, but she wondered what was going through Beast Boy's mind. The white material of the sling supporting his arm contrasted with the green of his skin and the purple and black of his uniform. The 'healing lamps' as Starfire had called them had knitted the bones back together, but only exercise would strengthen the damaged muscles.
The dark Titan breathed a small sigh of relief. It had been almost a month since the Tamaranean fleet had arrived and with tensions being what they were, Robin's wrenched knee and Beast Boy's broken arm were the worst of their injuries, 'Except for the one we're here to honor,' she thought to herself as she looked at the raised platform with it's pile of wood.
A movement off to her right interrupted her rambling thoughts. By the hand gestures he was making, Raven could tell that Mik'l was discussing security with Starfire as she walked along, conducting a final check that all was ready for the funeral ceremony. 'They do make a striking couple,' she thought, then shook her head as she blinked, trying to figure out where that idea had come from. It took her only an instant to realize that it had come from Starfire herself and she looked up just as the redhead looked over at her, and Raven could tell that she was blushing.
'Something troubles you, Shalay'fa?'
'It's nothing, Starfire, just getting used to this bond you had me enter into with you.'
'And keep in mind, Kori, your shalocfa would be very angry if you ran off with the Commander of his Guard,' Robin's thoughts said. 'Not to mention the breach of honor that would be.'
'What would be so dishonorable about his being attracted to me? Am I not attractive enough?'
'Oh I didn't say that he couldn't be attracted to you, or even fall in love with you, but if he wishes to replace me as your shalocfa, he need only challenge me.'
'Down, lover boy, she's only kidding.'
'Why do you say that Raven? And Robin, who is to say that I can not have more than one shalocfa?'
What ever Robin's reply was going to be was cut off by Raven's angry thoughts. 'If this is the way it is between you all the time, I know a spell that will break the bond I have with both of you!'
There was silence for a moment, then Raven 'heard' the trill of Starfire's giggle then Robin's chuckle.
'I believe that is enough, my love.'
"Yeah, she's starting to get more angry than annoyed now. We better stop.'
Raven closed her eyes, realizing that she was being teased by the other two. "Azar give me strength."
"Do not worry, Shalay'fa, we do not carry on in that manner often."
'We were kinda borrowing a page from Beast Boy's book, to lighten the mood a little. I promise you that we'll both be more respectful during the ceremony. Well, Star will be anyway. I'm stuck up here.'
Raven felt Robin's presence in her mind fade, as he relaxed his concentration.
"You have memorized what Robin wishes you to say?"
"Yes, Starfire, even to his satisfaction."
"So there's a place on Tamaran that looks like this?"
"Yes, Beast Boy, it is quite a distance from the palace."
Raven looked around again. Aside from the growing number of Tamaranean warriors, there were few changes since their meeting with Terra. The scorpion had long since turned to dust, and the rock bridge Terra had dropped on it had been moved. It now rested against the back wall of the canyon, forming the back drop for the platform and the dais in front of it.
"Why are you here? Are you curious as to how we treat our dead?"
Raven turned toward the unfamiliar voice, and saw a warrior talking to a small group of six humans. She floated over to see what was going on.
"My name is Shalomar Beakman," one of the group replied. "We are here for the same reason you are, to honor the young woman who has died. My friends and I owe our lives to her because she pulled us from a burning building."
"Is there a problem here, Captain?" Starfire asked as she arrived.
The warrior quickly dropped to one knee. "Highness," he said, and rose when Starfire nodded. "I was merely curious as to why these outsiders are here."
"They are here at my invitation, Captain. . . ."
"Veron'r, Highness, Commanding the SOMON'R," he quickly filled in.
Starfire nodded her thanks, "As she said, these are the ones Sher'l rescued from a burning building two weeks ago."
Veron'r turned to Shalomar, and gave a small bow. "My apologies, Lady, I meant no disrespect."
"None was taken, Captain. I can understand that at a time like this, people can be on edge."
In less than an hour, the canyon was filled with warriors. They lined both sides of the canyon for almost half a mile, and left an aisle just wide enough for four people to walk side by side down the middle. Raven, Beast Boy and Cyborg stood near the front, not far from the platform, with the group of office workers. Suddenly, all was silent except for the soft whistling of the breeze. After a moment, the warriors all started chanting in unison.
"X'Hal fen shovaka vana chalen, ri hifa sha ve merla. Treva sha a Grimhallen, cro sha relo serana verla."
The chant was repeated over and over, and the deep rumbling note of it made a chill run down Raven's spine. She almost jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Do you know what they're saying?" Shalomar asked.
Raven switched on her translator and listened for a moment, then she passed on the translation, "X'Hal this warrior has fallen, in battle she was slain. Take her to Grimhallen, so she may know peace again."
A moment later, the funeral procession came into view. Lead by Starfire, the funeral bier on which Sher'l's body lay, was carried by Mik'l, Shel'b, Shar'n, and Stev'n. Pet'r and Diet'r were on either side as a ceremonial guard. Following behind was Nie'l and some other warriors Raven didn't recognize. The chanting continued as the procession made it's way to the raised platform. The four bearers levitated slightly and place the bier on the platform. As if a switch had been thrown, the chant stopped as the bier touched the platform. The bearers left the dais and took a position at the foot of the it.
Starfire stood before the platform facing where Sher'l lay. In the silence her voice echoed slightly as she spoke, "X'Hal fen shovaka vana chalen, ri hifa sha ve merla. Treva sha a Grimhallen, cro sha relo serana verla. X'Hal this warrior has fallen, in battle she was slain. Take her to Grimhallen, so she may know peace again." She turned so she was facing the assembly. "I am Koriand'r, warrior and princess of Tamaran. This young warrior gave her life that I would live. There are those who would argue that at the age of ten, she was not a warrior and not worthy of the title or this ceremony. Her selfless sacrifice on my behalf belies that. She saw the attacker, and knew his intent, yet she placed herself in the path of the star bolt that was meant for me. For that act of courage and bravery, I have named her a warrior in my personal guard."
Starfire stepped down, and joined Raven and the others, and an grizzled, old warrior took her place. He saluted Sher'l, then turned. "I am Simo'n, warrior, and sword master of Tamaran. Sher'l was my student. I found her to be a quick leaner, and tireless in her training. That she took the action that she did does not surprise me, as she has shown me that she had the heart and soul of a warrior."
Several other warriors stepped forward and gave testimony on Sher'l's worthiness of being called a warrior and praising her sacrifice. As the last one stepped down, Starfire looked over at Raven, wondering why she hadn't stepped forward yet, and she noticed that Beast Boy had a restraining hand on her arm, his head cocked to one side as if listening to something. After a moment, she heard what Beast Boy's larger, pointed, more sensitive ears had heard.
Crunch. . .scrape. . . .crunch. . . . .scrape. . . .crunch. . . . .scrape. . . .crunch. . . . .scrape
Then she noticed that Mik'l and the rest of Robin's Guard appeared to be standing straighter, their faces beaming with pride, and she heard the word 'shalocfa' muttered from the warriors down the canyon. 'Robin?' she asked through their bond.
'Yes, Kori, it's me. You can be ecstatic about my being here later, this is more important.'
Just then, Robin came into view with Galfore and Vern'a behind him. He was limping on his right leg, and was using a cane to make it up to the dais. "I am Robin of Earth, Leader of the Teen Titans, Shalocfa of Princess Koriand'r and Warrior of Tamaran. I have heard the praises of her worthiness of being called a warrior and I will not deny them. In what little manner I could, I tried to assist her in her training, but I learned far more from her than she did from me. She was deeply devoted and loyal to Princess Koriand'r, a trait we both shared. Above all, she was a fighter. She fought against what she knew was against the Oath of Reaffirmation in that a warrior will obey the commands of the Grand Ruler." He turned toward the bier, and knelt on his left knee. "Sher'l of Tamaran, I am honored to have known you, I hope you have found peace."
After Robin had joined the rest of the Titans, Shalomar gave a brief speech, relating how Sher'l saved the ones in the group she was with, then stepped down.
As Starfire walked back up to the dais, she gave a small sigh of relief. The timing of the testimonials was perfect. The sun was just setting. "X'Hal, we pray that you will grant this warrior a place of honor in Grimhallen," she said, then sent a steady beam of star bolt energy into the middle of the pile of wood. The tendrils of smoke quickly became flames in the prepared wood, and as the pyre burned the chant began and continued until there was nothing left but a pile of smoldering embers.
"Shalocfa, I wish to thank you for honoring my sister with your testimony. I realize that it cost you."
"The honor was mine, Nie'l, and the cost to you was far greater, and I have something that I hope will begin to repay you."
"Young one, your sister was the last of your family, is this correct?"
"Yes, Emperor Galfore," Nie'l replied, quickly kneeling. "My parents were killed in a training accident two years ago."
"Then you will have need of a k'norfka to look after you."
"Yes, my Lord."
"It has been many years since my last bumgorf left Tamaran, and I would say that she turned out very nicely," he said, looking fondly at Starfire. Clearing his throat he continued, "I am confident that I have not forgotten the duties a k'norfka , if you will accept me."
Robin felt Starfire's arm slide around his waist as she came up beside him, her smile matching his at Nie'l's reaction. He stood there, mouth working to speak, but it was a moment before he found his voice.
"My Lord, I would be deeply honored if you were to become my k'norfka!"
Galfore smiled, "Then so be it, little bumgorf."