11
Yan walked out regally at dawn, flanked by Jack and Rhiannon as Luc followed behind with his baby strapped to his chest like a baby shield. Rhiannon needed none, her hair braided and her head held high. Her cleavage was deep enough to burry a child in and more than one sighed softly with lust at the sight of her in her tightly corseted waist, huge hips and the broach in her hair where it caught the growing light. An hourglass figure topped with a familiar heirloom. Now more than one started to whisper as it was recognised and Yan turned to stare at those whispering, her eyes gleaming with a golden glow that was so unnatural that some stepped back respectfully. Yan took Rhiannon's hand to show the connection, trying to cement Rhiannon's place at a High Woman.
The King stood on the other side of the grounds, his head high as well and he watched the one approaching with a growing fear as he felt the air change. Yan met his gaze and smiled, immediately defusing the feeling of dread and the old man saw the delicate yet deadly creature for what she truly was.
Amazing.
"My dear friend, honourable king. Are we ready to witness honour today?" Yan asked, her voice carrying over the crowd and the king nodded, motioning for the two men to be brought to the centre of the grounds and Yan moved to stand beside the king as an equal, two crowns united.
Mervik moved to stand beside her husband but Luc was quicker, stepping in beside his father on the other side of Yan and smiling as he let the old man look at the baby and cluck happily. She looked around with confusion as Rhiannon then stepped into her space, leaning in softly to whisper "Fuck off, I stand here."
Jack stood beside his mate, grinning happily as the firelight from the torches around the pit still flickered while the shadows shrunk back. The king glanced back at his queens who stood behind him with their hands joined then he motioned one forward, the handsome one with red hair and a round sweet face, he leaned in and kissed her then she curtsied and shot back with a soft blush, Mervik glaring at her but unable to do anything in public.
Bormeth appeared, smeared with pig fat, his taut skin gleaming in the dying lamplight. Bormeth stalked out to meet Goddrin with his face smeared with blood. Goddrin blinked slowly then said sweetly, "Did you cut yourself shaving cousin?"
Giggling became a Mexican wave as Bormeth blinked. Then he swung, the axe coming from the folds of his kilt and Goddrin yelped as he leaned back, the blade slicing through the air, then he slammed his fist into Bormeth's throat, the man gagging as he staggered back, dropping the axe.
"Cheater!" some screamed, "No weapons!"
Yan saw movement as one of Bormeth's brothers moved towards the circle and then yelp as he was halted, a blade slammed into his foot as Gray snarled at his feet. Yan ran across the pit, between the two men at war so fast they felt the breeze, both turning to see Yan slam into the man who was still in the act of reaching for the child and he flew back into a caravan.
Bormeth swung again, this time catching Goddrin off guard and Goddrin grunted with pain as he brought his head up under the man's chin and now blood was flowing as Bormeth spat out a tooth.
Yan swung back to watch as Goddrin followed up his head butt with a knee to the man's groin. Seems anything goes as Bormeth tried to grab Goddrin's ear, his hand slipping on the man's oiled hair and Goddrin bit into Bormeth's ear instead. Mervik cried out as she watched Bormeth fall to his knees, blood flowing between his fingers as he looked up with open surprise, Goddrin placing both hands together to swing them at the man's head. Bormeth pulled a blade from his wristlet and sliced at Goddrin who yelped as it bit into his cheek and he slapped a hand over his cheek, kicking out at the man still at groin level and he caught him in the head.
The gunshot was loud and shocking, making everyone freeze as Jack walked into the circle, aiming across the pit, "Put it down or I will shoot you next!"
Everyone turned to find Mervik standing with a knife in her hand, the young redheaded queen at her feet with her hand to her throat and the bullet hole in the house bus so close to the queen's head everyone could see the crown she wore had been knocked to the ground and one of the men lifted it, the hole in the crown evident for everyone to see.
"Woman!" the King roared, "You dare interrupt a sacred rite of blood? Endanger the life of one of my loyal queens?"
"I am your queen!" she roared, shaking with rage as she snatched back her damaged crown, "I am your First, your strongest …."
Whatever else she was about to say was cut short as Rhiannon's' fist slammed into her jaw and she staggered back, holding her jaw as the handsome woman shrugged off the pink mink and snarled, her fist the size of a roast, swinging again and catching the woman on the side of her head.
"Fecking bitch" Rhiannon snarled, "Get the fuck up, I wanna smash your head in! This is their fight and you chose to use it to spill blood where my babies play?"
Mervik started to crawl so Rhiannon kicked her arse as hard as she could, slamming the woman forward into the dirt so Bormeth ran to protect her as he gathered her into his arms and placed himself between her and Rhiannon as a shield, "Get off her! Viky love, are you OK?"
The collective gasp was loud.