I enjoyed you being there with me, reading this story. 1 review makes a difference so review. I'll be happy. I don't know how to read them yet but I'll thank those who did in the next chap. Marina
Disclaimer: I do not, will not and don't want own BeyBlade. I love the show but owning and using my own ideas would be a pain. I'd give to someone with better stories if I did own it but I don't.
Chapter 3: The Council of the Lintec Tribe
"Council members we have been asked to call this meeting by world champion leader Ray Kon. He has asked us to come together to talk about the marriage arrangements with his tribe. He was not at the Festival of the Setting Son because he was training. We will make fair decisions on his statements, thank you." There were 20 people at there sitting at the table on cushions. 5 of the members were a little older than Ray he found them to be the council members that his friends were going to marry. The rest were elderly men like Mr. Doan.
An elderly lady stood up. "Mr. Kon, who are you marrying now of what tribe and position." The others wrote something down.
"I am to marry Guan of your tribe and she is a council member here." Guan stood up and sat down they wrote again. "My case is that Zackery Lazio is to marry fellow council member, Mariah Kito. She is very young and can barely handle the basic tasks that our team gives her to do everyday. She is strong in battle and responsible but at this point is very naïve and unable to cope with this. I can't let her go thru with this. I'm her friend." Ray ended.
"Anything else you need to add Mr. Kon?" Ray nodded.
"You're tribe is very mature and respectable beyond belief. You are very mature as are Mariah and Kevin and Gary of our council are not. They are very naïve and need time to adjust to this large change in their life. Gary and Kevin are both fine with this and they except it but Mariah doesn't and I'm here in her defense because she is in tears now. She has been under the guidance of team captain Lee Zeno and I. She is having a hard time adjusting and she can't handle the life that is being forced on her. Your tribe members are looking for mature members that they can raise a family with and do work with. Mariah can't handle that right now and not for awhile will be able to. This is the end of my statement." They all agreed to come back in a week to see and make final decisions. They decided to wait another week and have Ray challenged to a lot of beybattles everyday for another week.
Three Weeks after Ray left at White Tiger Village
"I can't believe Ray has been gone this long. It's not like him to be this late." Kevin said watching Mariah weakly wonder around the house. "I'm sure he's working on it Mariah. These people are serious about customs and everything. He'll come back with good news." Lee and Gary looked at him. They couldn't blame Kevin for trying.
"I think that Ray's in real trouble. Now way that he'd been this long without having to go thru a lot of tests and things. He probably had to meet with the council, take tests, make matches and they are going to have to make a final decision. It's not easy and it's probably going to be a while." Mariah ran crying into the room and they all looked at Kai, who just walked away.
Ray, I hope you're okay. I mean I couldn't go on if anything happened to you. This is my entire fault; I could have adjusted over a long period of time. I might be over worked, hate, and be miserable with Zackary but at least you'd be safe and not have to go thru this all. I wish you'd just come back. I miss you, good luck. Drigger, watch over Ray for me. Mariah thought this as she cried herself to sleep and slept with only thoughts of Ray's return.
Back at Lintec Tribe Grounds
"Max, how was Mariah when you left? I hope she's okay." Ray thought about how sad she had been back when The White Tigers thought Ray had deserted them. "I worry about her."
"Don't worry about her Ray. You're saving her from the only people who would ever harm her. There right here, you've beaten everyone here and won. You're protecting her. She knows it, she'll be fine. Kai won't let her do anything else drastic beyond what she's done so far." Ray looked up at Max and Miriam and they looked at each other.
"Ray, we didn't want to mention it but Mariah was a real mess after you were 2 days late that was 2 days before you showed up to Mr. Doan. She refused to eat or take anything to drink. She sat there and slept and watched out for you every night. She misses you. Kai snapped her back into reality and she's doing better but she's still probably crying herself to sleep. Anyone and everyone including me talking about you or anything related to you sets her off to run to her room. It's sad and beautiful how much she loves you." Miriam grabbed Max's arm and they left the building to leave Ray alone.
A man walked into Ray's room. Ray looked around it was Mr. Uzi. "Hi Mr. Uzi; what's the news so far. If I can know, I'd like all the rulings."
"So far Ray, they all see split. You see Ray, you're breaking a lot of rules by doing this. They told Miriam and Max outside to go with a few of the council members to go spy on Mariah to see how she is doing at home. According to what Max and Miriam said how she was doing; it looks like she's going to make the impression that she's not fitting for a wife for a while." Ray looked up, sort of mad and kind of sad. She could do it but not under the pressure and solitude that Zackary and this tribe would put on her. She did things not because she had to because she felt she needed to. She cared for them and would do anything if you were nice to her they weren't nice and not going to be fair to her.
"So what all rules have I broken." Mr. Uzi handed him a list.
Bothering an arranged marriage setup.
Bothering the council about personal issues.
Failure of appropriate evidence to prove one's point.
Loving spouse of another.
Going against another tribe's arrangements for peace.
Favoritism toward one's own tribe.
"What is going good in this council dealing? I'd don't see much in my favor. I just wanted to do this for her. I do love her and are guilty of everything on that list and would admit it. I'd do anything to keep her safe and happy." Ray stood there and Mr. Uzi walked out.
A few minutes later Mr. Uzi came back and nodded. "You actually have more for you than against you. The council members are going to deliver their final verdict on Friday. They have a few questions for you and the questioning will happen on Tuesday and Wednesday." Ray nodded and Mr. Uzi left.
Ray fell asleep and it was now Monday and was going to see if Max and Miriam had returned. They didn't have to walk the whole way this time because the council members got tickets for the train so the rode that there and back.
There were no signs that Max or Miriam had returned. He kept and eye out all day until nightfall. Then there was a knock on the door it was Max and Miriam. "Hey guys, how was Mariah? What's the news? Was it much better on the train then a two day walk?"
"Mariah was wondering around aimlessly sad and content. We didn't get to talk to her because we were spying but all she did was fix a meal or two a day and sit in the front yard. She watched for you every hour and fell asleep crying. Everyone thinks she's wondering around waiting for her life to be over or to refuse to do chores but I didn't say anything. Trust me she misses you, Ray." Max said as he fell asleep on the bed. Miriam nodded her face looked like it was in tears and she went to her room to sleep.
Ray's head went to thinking about how Mariah felt. He never let his mind wonder from her and beyblading. He always thought of those two but never had it crossed his mind she was this bad. Mariah, I'm sorry I caused you so much pain by leaving you. I promise you I'll never leave you alone again. I hope you are going to be better when I come back I'm sure I'll be back by next week. Just a while longer Mariah, you can wait. I know you can. Galax, help Mariah thru this please.
It was Tuesday and they were down to their final days at court. They would be asking final questions and this was fine because Ray just wanted this over with. He'd answer honestly and hope that she'd get everything her way. He was there and on trial.
"Mr. Kon, on this recording we have of you it said you admitted being guilty to all of these things on the list. Is this right?" Ray nodded. "Here is the file was have on Mariah from the spying trip we went on. You haven't read it yet and here you go. You can either agree to this or deny them. There are a lot of things you can agree and disagree with any you choose. Some of these are inferred some are real things we saw. Here you go."
I, Daniel Doan agree that these are things we have brought to Ray Kon's attention during the council.
Mariah was weakly wondering around the house. She did very little house work, made dinner but didn't respond to anyone in the house. She was very sad and upset. She did barely anything but sit around and sleep.
Mariah's physical examination test finds her in top shape for basic normal activities such as housework and beyblading. She has poor structure for child bearing needs. She is not a suitable wife for a member of the Lintec Tribe.
Mariah is hereby not passing in form and child bearing status. She is very temperamental and is found not emotionally ready for a relationship of this degree.
"I agree to this form's statements about Mariah. I do think she can handle normal help services and daily activities. She is not emotionally ready for getting married and must be protected and helped move on. She can't bare a child and won't for another few years fairly temperamental and needs help dealing with this. These statements are true." Ray sat down in the seat.
"Ray how long have you been a member of this team and known Mariah? Have you two ever had a relationship? Why do you protect her? Why does she mean so much to you and your tribe? You may tell us later today we are on break." Everyone took a break. Ray wrote something down.
Ray walked around had dinner with Max and Miriam. They seemed happy together. Max had saved Miriam from the same fate but this was harder. He had a connection with Mariah. Max stood up for Miriam because he was her friend and after fates had helped her be free she was being sent out of her village because she was unmarried and overage. Max asked her to come with her and had disappeared a few times. She had stayed with her teammates but only for a little while before the let her go. Max now brought her back.
"Ray, is something on your mind? You see to be fighting yourself trying to see what's right and I want to help you." Ray looked up at Miriam, she'd been through this so maybe she could help.
"Mariah is going to be found guilty of a lot of things. She can't bare children, can't handle her own emotions, take care of so many responsibilities, she can't handle the pressure of the Lintec Tribe and her own village. And, I think she's going to be sent out like you and I don't want her to be unhappy. She loves the village, the team, and everyone everywhere. I couldn't take her away from that. I promised I'd save her from this problem and I'll find away out. I will, what do you think?" Ray was wondering like Mariah except he was deciding which would be worse.
"Looks like you have a choice to make. You have many choices but you can only pick one. I'll tell you that what's right for both of you is the only right answer. I have to go with Max somewhere but give your mind time. You have until tonight." Miriam left the room with Max. She knew where he was coming from but she left him open.
Ray had told the truth to them. In the process he had seen all the problems with Mariah. He still loved her and would help them through it. He didn't want her to be kicked out of the village like Miriam was so he had to talk to her. Ray wasn't supposed to but he needed to. He left the village and went into the forest with his cell phone and looked like that. He couldn't break the law, he had done it too many times this month and he needed her not to worry about him any more. Ray went back into the city and sat in the room.
How long have you been a member of this team
and known Mariah?
Have you two ever had a relationship?
Why do you protect her?
Why does she mean so much to you and your tribe?
He pulled out the question sheet then another piece to write the answers.
Ray Kon, Question Reply Sheet.
I have been a member of this tribe since I was born and was accepted into this team at the age of 4.
I've known Mariah since I was 4. I trained her to BeyBlade and helped her overcome all her physical disadvantages because she was a girl and not accepted.
No, we both very much like each other and would like to but since we were both engaged to be married we couldn't go against the law.
I protect Mariah because she's a girl and so fragile. Girls aren't toys to play around with they are your friends and are equals. You don't tell them to do things you ask them to do something and help them. She felt below everyone else, she had no choice but just to be a person. She has had many hardships and other boys from our tribe and different tribes protect her offend her and attack her. She needs protection.
She means so much to our tribe because she is not only because she's a Beyblader but she is very helpful to us, she's always there to support us, she's like a sister to everyone but I have helped her realize that she's not just a girl to be a slave, she's a person. She's special and has done so much for us, we owe it to her.
Ray went back to the council gave them the paper and left to sleep the night. Wednesday was tomorrow. Soon Ray would be back with Mariah telling her the good or bad news. He just wanted to cry and be with Mariah. They had been gone 3 weeks and 4 days. He had told her and promised her 2 or 3. He had broken the promise and he would not break another.
Ray stared at the stars. He wondered, was Mariah doing the same? She was probably asleep already. She most likely had fallen asleep crying like the nights before as Max and Miriam had told him.
The White Tiger Village- Tuesday Morning
"Mariah, everything's fine. I saw Max and Miriam on a train this morning. According to a man in our village they were watching you Sunday and Monday to see your behavior. The examination results from the doctor were given to them. Ray's doing it, it's just taking him more time than he hoped. Ray's fine but he's just been on trial for the last few weeks. It's okay." Kevin said. Mariah didn't look any happier to them but on the inside was the happy, cheerful girl they had seen before Ray left; the one that couldn't wait for him to return.
Mariah made dinner and did some laundry and went and waited outside again. Ray, you're doing it. I wish you would make some contact though. It would make me very happy. I'm not worried any more, just anxious for you to come back. I wish you would soon. I love you Ray. Everyone's fine. Tyson and Kai are fine. Kai you'd never know but he's entertained by Lee, there a lot alike. I miss you, love you. Good-luck. Mariah had written down her feeling in her journal and never wished for anyone to see her negativity she felt over the last few days but she'd never lose it. She had to have a negative side because everything does.
"Hey Lee, is Mariah going to be upset anymore. I mean she wasn't this down when he left us for a few years. Why so much for just a month?" Lee stood up and walked over to Kevin.
"Kevin, Mariah knows Ray will come back. She's just becoming impatient. She's upset because she has to wait. When he was gone for a few years; she didn't want to waste her time with the hope he might come back. She always knew he might but waiting every moment was a waste of time this time she know it could be any day now. He'll be back so she waits." Kevin nodded.
"Ray will be back. He just is having a problem with all the crazy people in the village. I bet he has to BeyBlade them all off to get to talk to the head people. I mean he was in jail and they had to watch Mariah. What else do they need? I'd just let her and him go with whatever they want so I could be done with it." Tyson said stuffing his face with food that Mariah had made to keep her mind preoccupied for a few moments.
"Tyson, they're facing rules like in my home in Russia. Strict rules and regulations; the stick to them and no one can be able to get through them that easy. They pride themselves in such a strict way of living. They love to bother people with all their rules and they seem to be having their fun with Ray. It'll never be simple." Kai said finally putting his word into the conversation.
"I just hope Mariah can readjust to having Ray with us and not sitting around. There going to have to go through The White Tiger Tribe's laws too. We don't have the same rules, Ray's going to be punished somehow. It might be something he agrees to or not. They might have to leave our tribe for awhile. We don't have a word in this subject until Ray comes back then we'll see what happens." Lee said helping out with Kai's hard part of the subject.
"Hey Lee, how did Mariah's physical examination go? I heard there were some problems. Do you think that'll effect their decision for them or against them?" Kevin asked wondering about Mariah's health and their chances of winning.
"Well sadly without Mariah getting the proper nutrition from not eating. Her health was pretty bad, she was really weak, Galax was like 10x weaker than normal. She could just barely attack. There's some other things she didn't tell me but most likely they'll be used for her and Ray." Kevin looked at Lee and Kevin was confused.
"Ray's trying to prove that Mariah isn't ready to be an adult and take care of a household, raise children and everything. After these stats she'll probably be proved unable to for a while. Also she almost didn't make it to The Festival arrangement list the first time because of all her childhood illnesses and problems. Her beyblading skills put her on because of her strength but now it'll hold her down. That's what they need." Lee said leaving everyone to think.
Lintec Tribe- Wednesday Morning
Ray awoke feeling worse than ever yet happy. He'd have this over with and get back to Mariah. He had to she was having everything so tough right now. She is so weak and sad. She needed him and he needed her. They had to be back together.
He walked up to the building wishing that he could win and finally leave with Mariah's document of arranged marriage in his hand. He'd give it to her because she'd keep in safe. He knew she needed in more than anyone. She could wait until she wanted and was ready and give it to the one she loved.
"We have started our verdict, Mr. Kon. We find Mariah guilty of absence of talents to be a successful wife and mother. You have proven to us that she in incapable of it and she is free of any arranged marriages. We have a few more problems to address." Ray wanted to scream and jump up saying 'Yeah!' but know was not the time nor the place.
Another one of the council members stood up. "Ray we find you guilty of helping out a guilty party so you have in return broken many laws. You can't marry Guan on your 16th birthday or anyone else. You must take care of Mariah until she is able to care for herself and married. Is that clear?" Ray nodded this was amazingly exciting and happy. He didn't have to marry Guan and he had to protect and be with Mariah until she got married.
"Who do you think should marry Guan, Ray?" Ray thought it was now very simple.
"I believe that Zackary Lazio is the most honorable for this place. He is in my position in court and is on my level. He isn't marrying anyone because he was supposed to marry Mariah but can't because she can't marry anyone. I see this only fitting." Ray was right neither Zackary nor Guan were to marry anyone and they were of the same levels of Mariah and himself so they were perfect.
"I believe this is a fitting placement. We have one more order of business. You must battle Zackary once again to show us your place and the respect that you can take Mariah away from Zackary. Zackery and Ray, please grab your blades and there is the dish. 3…2…1…Let it Rip!" The battle ragged on but in mere seconds Ray had one and they signed a few papers and gave them to Ray.
One was Mariah's marriage charter- the paper saying she is to marry. The second was a document saying Ray is to marry. The third is giving Ray protection responsibilities to Mariah. The fourth was a paper saying in 2 years Mariah and Ray must go to their tribe elders and get cheacked to see if they are ready to marry, yet.
The let Ray, Max, Miriam, and Mr. Uzi take a train back to The White Tiger Tribe. It took a few hours to get home but it was better than 2 days walk. Max and Miriam were so happy to be back and fell asleep on the train. Mr. Uzi also slept but Ray was too excited to see Mariah again so he stayed up.
The got home at about Thursday morning at 4:00. Ray walked home to his house and Max and Miriam went to the visitor's house where Kai and Tyson were staying. The first thing Ray saw was Mariah leaning against the front door of the house; waiting for someone. Ray could only guess who. She was sleeping and happily dreaming of things which were right there in front of her at the moment. Ray picked her up and carried her through the house.
"Have a good rest Mariah, you deserve one." He laid her down in her own bed. Then he kissed her forehead and laid her marriage forms in her arms, covered her up with blankets. She wook up and didn't see anyone there and went back to sleep. She didn't notice the papers in her arms.
I say that was a perfect ending for this chapter. I warn you this is not the end of the book. This book so far is twenty-six words short of making the 10,000 mark in 3 chapters and I do not plan on stopping it this far into this story. Mariah has to find out Ray's back and through a party and go over everything. Marina
Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade or anything Beyblade related. I do however own the crazy people that they are arranged to marry as well as Mr. Uzi and Mr. Doan and the other council members.
Thanks for Reviews from: Bluestray and Diligodia. Hope your stories go as well as mine did!