Now, back to the story!

Four: Dinner's Ruined

Robin immediately got in front of Koriand'r as twenty Gordanians filed inside, circling them. The Azerathians backed off and the six of them formed a tight group.

One of the lizard-lookers opened his mouth and let out a horrible screeching sound and the small force advanced on them.

As two Gordanians made their way over to Koriand'r, Robin quickly pole bolted with his axe and kicked the two in the face, knocking them backwards. Then, another grabbed him by his neck. He quickly hit him between the legs with the blunt end of the axe. The alien fell to the ground and Robin kicked him out of the way. Then, a Gordanian twice Robin's size grabbed the handle of the weapon and they pushed against each other.

As they struggled, Robin took a glance at the others. Koriand'r was staying close to Robin and Xavier was finishing up a Gordanian; which left the Azerathians unprotected as a few headed towards them.

"X!" shouted Robin. Xavier looked over. "Help them!"

He turned to Arella and Raven, axe in hand, when suddenly a white shield formed from Arella's hand. And black energy formed around the would-be attackers and threw them against the wall. Xavier quickly went back to his own battle.

Unfortunately, Robin was so enchanted by the sorceresses' power that he had nearly forgotten about the huge creature he was currently battling, and he was thrown into the dinner table. The Gordanian advanced onto Koriand'r.

She began to walk backwards, but tripped on the hem of her dress and fell to the ground. Her eyes were wide with fear as it approached her. She began to crawl to get away, but only backed up into a wall.

Then, without thinking, Robin jumped on the back of it, and clasped his arms around its thick neck.

It thrashed and bucked, trying to get him off, but Robin only held on tighter. They crashed on the table and Robin saw a large knife in his reach. So, still clinging on, he grabbed the knife and thrust it as hard as he could into the Gordanian's chest. It screamed in agony and then fell to the ground on top of the teenager. The others saw this and began to scamper out where they came.

"Looks like you killed their leader," said Xavier.

Robin wriggled out from under the dead body and looked at it. Greenish blood was oozing from the wound. Its eyes were blind white and Robin could smell the rank stench of fresh death.

He turned and saw Koriand'r, still on the floor with a look of awe on her face.

"I thought no one knew of this meeting," said Arella, sharply.

"As did I," said Komand'r. "Not even General Galfor. I believe that it is now too dangerous to go back to your planet. Perhaps you would like to stay for the night, just to be safe? In the morning, I shall have three army ships escort you back."

Arella thought about this.

"For the safety of my daughter, I shall stay."

"Very well. Xavier, find a servant to show them their rooms, and then quickly come back."

He nodded and was about to leave when the door opened, revealing General Galfor charging in, weapon at the ready.

"What happened?" he asked, looking around, frantically.

"Gordanians," replied Komand'r.

"Gordanians? Here? Why?"

He looked around and saw the dead Gordanian attack leader.

"Who killed this one?"

"Robin did," said Koriand'r, who had gotten up and stood by her body guard's side. "He would have killed me if it had not been for him. He killed him with a gunther knife."

Galfor looked at Robin, and saw his hands were stained with green blood. He looked back down at the body.

"I knew this Gordanian," he said. "His name was General Gonture. He was a great threat to the planets. And you have killed him and saved my precious Koriand'r. For this, I am eternally in your debt."

He bowed his head and Robin could feel a sense of pride and dignity. Beside him, he saw Koriand'r's huge smile and he felt his pride double.

"But one thing I must know," said Galfor, "what were the Gordanians doing here in the first place? And why are the Azerathian royals here?"

"We were just having dinner," explained Komand'r, slyly. "I gust they tried to get us when our guard was down. Queen Arella and her daughter were staying for the night so it will be safe to leave in the morning. Perhaps you may show them to their rooms?"

She gave a cold stare to Galfor and he returned it with a small, eerie silence. Then he nodded and ushered the two out.

"Let us return to our own quarters," whispered Koriand'r. Robin nodded and they left the Hall together.

Will Galfor have to repay that eternal debt? Will the Gordanians strike again? And what is a gunther knife? Tune in next chapter to find out!

T.