The next chapter is here! Enjoy :)
Things felt strange and different after their shared bath in the lake.
They felt...closer in a way. And neither of them knew how to feel about it. Than-guan was confused with what it was he was feeling. And Kayla just felt like she was falling more and more for him.
At times, it certainly made training awkward. While she was able to demonstrate more of her Jiu-Jitsu and self-defense moves with him, she also found herself quite distracted at times.
He noticed too and would get on her for it and tease her. But in truth, he was a bit distracted himself. Which wasn't like him. Than-guan was not one who got distracted easily.
Yet, here he was doing just that.
The seasoned warrior didn't like it. Distraction was never good and can be dangerous. They needed to find a way around this distraction. Because you never know when Lar'nix'va and his brother could appear.
And he wanted her ready.
They had just finished training and breakfast, before they decided to move on. Than-guan decided it was best to turn around rather than keep pushing forward north.
Because if Lar'nix'va and Mar'cte were tracking them, it be best to meet them halfway.
And at this point, Than-guan wanted this done and over with. He wanted to bring the bad blood to justice, and he wanted his honor back. And the only way for this to happen was to either capture the two bad bloods and bring them to justice or kill them.
Either way, he had to make sure he could get Lar'nix'va to confess to his crime before he kills him.
At the moment, they turned around and were traveling back. When Kayla questioned him about it, he told her not to worry. He knew what he was doing.
He's unsure how far Lar'nix'va has traveled in pursuit of him. But he's hoping if he turned around and met the bad blood halfway, then they could finally end this once and for all.
They weren't going back the exact way they came.
Than-guan had led them around and through the areas they have previously transversed through. When Kayla asked why that is, he told her it was best not to go back the exact way they came.
She trusted him. After all, he's been doing this a lot longer than she has.
The young woman and hunter were currently trekking through the coniferous forest they were in many days prior. The same one where they took refuge in a tree after they were ambushed in the meadow by a small group of kuty'y'ae.
The pair were chatting and joking as usual as they trekked through the woods. When Than-guan suddenly became silent and came to stand closer to her.
"What's wrong?" Kayla asks.
But the seasoned hunter held up his hand. As if telling her to be quiet.
Than-guan stood in front of her and slowly scanned his surroundings. He can't help but feel like he was being watched.
Then Kayla heard a set of rolling clicks about twenty feet from their right and in front of them. Than-guan heard it too and his head snapped in that direction.
He quickly reached for his ki'cti-pa and pulled it out from behind him. The warrior extended it to full length with a growl.
That's when Kayla and him noticed another hunter materialize right before them several feet away.
It wasn't long after this, did Than-guan relax somewhat.
She noted an equally large yautja male standing not far from them. He had medium to light green skin with light black stripes against his sides. He also had light silver armor on.
"Than-guan, I never expected to find you here, my friend." The other yautja said.
The dark navy colored yautja smiled.
"Nor have I thought to find you here, Vor'metka." Than-guan replied.
Kayla watched as the two them conversed. She'd give anything to know what they were saying right now.
"He's here. I found Lar'nix'va. And now, I will track him down and kill him." Than-guan said.
Vor'metka, his best friend, who also happens to be an Arbitrator, is one of the very few who believed him when the crime occurred. The light green yautja didn't believe his friend capable of raping and killing a young female yautja.
He stuck by him and tried to sway the Elder's decision and defended him.
"Yes, I'm aware. My ship picked up his ship's signal. It led me to here. Guess he's not a s bright as he thinks he is. Otherwise, he would've known to disable the tracking system on his ship. I take it you must've been able to track him here as well. And that is why you are here. But I must ask. Why is there an ooman female with you?" The Arbitrator asks.
"Lar'nix'va, his brother, and two others have kidnapped her from Earth. They brought her here. One of the thrusters on my ship has been badly compromised while running from another Arbitrator.
This was the closest planet to land on. So, I landed it here. I only found out Lar'nix'va and the others were here because of what this ooman female told me.
But not before I stumbled upon two other bad bloods working under him in the woods further south from here. They mentioned having an ooman female with them.
I also heard of the horrible things they planned on doing with her. I back tracked and found their camp. But not before I found the youngest in their group attempting to rape her.
I killed him, saved her, and got out of there.
I kept her with me, because it wouldn't be safe for her to be out there on her own.
There are only Lar'nix'va and his brother Mar'cte now. The other two working under him, I killed. Their names, I found out, were Chulonte, and Ka'Torag." Than-guan explained.
Vor'metka stood there hanging onto every word his friend told him.
He knew of the other two he mentioned. He saw their pictures with a detailed description of what they have done.
Chulonte failed his Kainde Amedha Chiva and let his fellow hunter die. Ka'Torag was fighting off a large pack of rjet with at least one other hunter. And in an act of cowardice, he severely injured his comrade and left him there to be torn apart while he fled to safety.
Both were cowards. Both have broken code and were deemed bad bloods. But before they could seek judgement, they fled.
Lar'nix'va and his brother Mar'cte must've picked them up and made them apart of the crew for some reason. It was odd, because the brothers preferred working alone.
But Vor'metka knew of them. Arbitrators had to know about all the bad bloods that came from their clans. So, they know who to look for.
After he helped Than-guan escape, Vor'metka went hunting for Lar'nix'va his brother and any other bad bloods on the way. He too was hoping to clear his best friend's name and bring the real culprits back to justice.
It wasn't just him either. Than-guan's mother, Vagouti and a few of his siblings didn't think he was guilty either. Vagouti even requested that Vor'metka find her son and the real culprit involved and bring them back to the Elders.
Vor'metka approached them.
"This is your chance then to find him and make him pay. Though it might be hard with her here. I wouldn't put it past him to use her against you." He said.
Than-guan grunted, "It's why I've been training her. But even then, I worry you're right. I can't deny it will be challenging to take him on while keeping her safe at the same time.
Either way, I must face him. I have come in contact with him at one point. And it seemed clear he wanted this ooman female back. I don't want to think what he and his brother will do to her is I lose.
That's why, we need to stop running and stand and fight."
"I understand you're in quite the dilemma here. You may have found Lar'nix'va, but there are now other obstacles in your place. I will help you though. We can find him together and end this.
We will also squeeze a confession out of him too. And share it with the Elders. Because something tells me, he won't come back quietly to face judgement for his crimes. We will have to take him out." Vor'metka stated.
"I'm counting on it. But yes, I was looking for him to confess before dying by my hand." Than-guan replied.
The Arbitrator nodded, then turned his attention to Kayla.
"What is name?" He asked her.
She was taken aback by being addressed by this newcomer. She looked to Than-guan.
"It's alright. This is my friend, Vor'metka. He's an Arbitrator and one of the very few who believes me. He helped me escape." He told her.
Kayla's eyes shifted back to the light green yautja.
"I'm Kayla." She said.
"I Vor'metka. Was told Lar'nix'va brought you here." He stated.
She nodded, "Yes, him and three others. They kidnapped me while I was on a dirt trail near where I live."
"What they take you for?" Vor'metka asked.
Kayla was silent for a moment before speaking.
"They said they were going to use me as bait here and...for other things." She said, feeling a little uncomfortable.
The Arbitrator narrowed his eyes behind his mask. These bad bloods truly were a despicable lot. It's also why many Arbitrators were combing many planets searching for Lar'nix'va and his brother Mar'cte.
Out of all the bad bloods on their list, these two were the worst. They also had the longest rap sheets and had harmed or killed the most people.
It was to the point, that it was requested they no longer be brought in alive, but dead. Basically, kill on sight and come back with their heads. Something both Than-guan and Vor'metka wouldn't have a problem doing.
The Arbitrator nodded when he received her response.
"At least safe now. But Lar'nix'va and brother very dangerous. Must be stopped." He explained.
Kayla nodded, "I know. It's why Midnight and I are doubling back from where we came."
His gaze shifted from her to his friend.
"You are?" Vor'metka inquired.
Than-guan nodded, "Yes, Not going to play his games anymore. We know he likes to drag things out."
"Do you have a plan of action in regard to them?" The Arbitrator inquired.
"I'm hoping they have split up. I would like to at least take Mar'cte out first. Then find Lar'nix'va." He stated.
"Would you rather I join you? Or shall we split up in this search? Who knows, I could probably save you the trouble and find and kill Mar'cte for you. We both know he is younger and not as bright as his older brother. I don't believe he will be that hard to take out." Vor'metka implied.
"I do think it best we split. We could definitely cover more ground that way. And we can keep in contact via wrist computers. We can communicate updates, especially if one of us finds anything or just a day-by-day update." Than-guan inquired.
Vor'metka grinned behind hid mask.
"Just like the good old days when we hunted together. The same strategy for whenever we decided to split. It seems to work quite well too. We either bagged our own kills or flushed them out into the open and took them out together." He stated, feeling nostalgic.
The pair always made a good team when they went out hunting together. They always left successful with very impressive kills afterwards to bring home and sow off to the females.
Than-guan chuckled, "Exactly, it's a strategy that hasn't failed us yet. Even with the most dangerous and cunning of prey. If anyone can pull this off it's us. But I do have one request."
"Name it." The Arbitrator said.
"Leave Lar'nix'va to me. He took my honor. I wish to gain it back and send him straight to the black warrior's halls." He requested.
"Understood. If I do happen to come across him, I will contact you immediately and give you his exact coordinates. I'll even trail him from afar to let you know which direction he is traveling." Vor'metka told him.
"Thank you. I'll be sure to let you know when I find him as well. It's not a matter of 'if'. Because I know I will. He is after all, hunting me, just as I am hunting him." Than-guan mentioned.
The Arbitrator nodded, "So, you're heading what...south bound? What direction would you like me to start?"
"It's hard to say. He could've really taken any direction. Especially, if we don't know exactly where he moved his ship. Any suggestions? If I had to guess, a good place to start would be east of here.
Mainly because a good portion of rjet packs occupy that territory. Definitely hard for any warrior whether they are honored or not to pass up. Because he didn't even know I was here originally. And he came here to hunt.
If we know him, he will want to collect a few more trophies before going in for the real challenge." Than-guan surmised.
He and Vor'metka knew Lar'nix'va and his quirks well. They all grew up together and at some point, hunted together. Though neither of them was never really friends with the large red yautja.
Hell, Lar'nix'va never really could keep friends even if he tried. He was just so cocky, arrogant, and reckless. Because of this, hardly anyone really liked working with him.
"Yes, all these things are true. Especially, about him. Still, we need to be careful. He has also proven to be unpredictable at times. Wouldn't put it past him to expect us to head to a certain area, if not to ambush either one or both of us. But I will still play the odds and try the area to the east. And keep you updated on what I see." Vor'metka said.
"I know there are many risks here. Especially, involving him. But I feel, no matter what strategy we implement, we always run a risk with him." Than-guan pointed out.
The Arbitrator nodded, "Shall we get started and head out now?"
Whenever they hunted together or in a small group. Than-guan usually led them and gave instruction. It seems just because Vor'metka was now an Arbitrator, habits like that still haven't changed.
"Yes, and like always, be sure to leave your communicator on. You know as well as I, if one of us doesn't hear from the other, we can only assume the other is in trouble or dead." Than-guan stated.
Oh yes, Vor'metka knew this drill well enough. It was only preached to him countless times during the past century they hunted together as hunt brothers.
"Sure thing. Watch your back out there. And hopefully, the female doesn't get in the middle of the deadly fight. When you do find him, you may want to find a safe spot for her first before initiating the fight." The Arbitrator cautioned.
"I do intend to. Can only hope I can keep the bastard's focus on me throughout the fight. Would hate for him to go after her out of desperation. This is why I hope to keep her in a safe area far enough away from him." Than-guan said.
Vor'metka nodded, "Good luck to both."
Kayla realized he was addressing them both at this point. But she was unsure what was passed between them otherwise and why he said that.
"You too." Than-guan replied.
Then the Arbitrator activated his cloaking device and started heading east.
Her gaze slowly swept to Than-guan.
"What did he mean? Just what did you two talk about?" She asked.
"Vor'metka is going to help us. But like many of our past hunts, we decided to split up and scope out different sectors. While we are headed south, he is heading east. We will both keep in contact and keep each other posted through our wrist computers." He informed her.
"Why east? There something out that way that would draw in the bad bloods' attention?" Kayla asks.
"There is a steady population of rjet that inhabits that area. It's kind of a go-to spot for hunters. While Vor'metka is out scouting that way, we will continue south, just in case he may be tracking us north. Either way, we are bound to run into either one or both of them." Than-guan said.
"I just hope we are prepared when we do." She says, rather quietly and more to herself.
Kayla felt a large hand on her shoulder. And looked up to the masked face of Than-guan.
"I cannot guarantee how prepared we will be. Especially, if he uses ambush tactics. But I promise, I will try and keep you safe as much as possible." He assured her.
Perhaps, but it wasn't just her she was worried about. She was also very scared for him. There was still a good chance either one or both of them could die during this deadly hunt.
Until Next Time ;)