One More

Chapter 10

Finally ready for the banquet, Amelia secured her puppies in their open storage unit. They weren't old enough to run unattended in Val'jek's quarters yet.

Hult'ah was getting much larger than Odin and Freya. The Yaut hound nearly doubled their size and required two hands to carry. Soon the puppies would need a larger pen. That was for another time though, Val'jek was waiting for her.

She gave each a quick pet as the three settled down for a nap together. Hult'ah lapped at Odin's back, which he did before every nap, and she frowned. The gesture seemed friendly to her and Odin didn't seem bothered by it. The bald spot forming down the puppy's back concerned her however. She nudged Hult'ah away but decided to ask her mate before reprimanding the hound.

Val'jek chirped from the main room and she hurried to him.

He stood impatiently wearing his ceremonial armor; an impressive matching silver with gold accents set. His mask, hooked on his belt, was handsome and imperial with a raised Yautja brow. The cheek bones were high, sharp planes. The mouth piece flat but elongated like a short muzzle. It was expressive where most ceremonial masks were highly decorated blank faces encrusted with precious metals and gems.

His chest plate was asymmetrical, covering his right side and exposing a wide scar down his abdomen. The light tan flesh raised and slightly jagged around the edges. The mark was from another Yautja, a Bad Blood, he bested in his youth. Youth was a relative term, as Val'jek was older than 100 at the time.

His wrist guards held a concealed personal console but little else that was practical. An amber gem on each forearm was the center piece, it looked to be a sun with strange winged creatures fleeing from it down on his wrists.

He adorned himself in dead animals over his armor. His customary belt trinket was joined with another skull that seemed to be placed like a belt buckle at his waist.

Three skulls, separated by fangs, dangled from around his neck. The skulls looked demonic, staring out at her, with the bone around the eye sockets narrowing to a squint. She forced herself not to look at them. Instead she surveyed the gold links at his neck that clasped a long blue cape in place.

His collapsed combistick was not decorative and it seemed inevitable that the weapon was going to be used tonight.

She wondered what Raz'ha was wearing. Would his armor be silver or gold? Most didn't mix them as her mate did.

Amelia had decorative wear too, but not like a Yautja. She had her usual plain sack dress but dyed a deep blue. Val'jek had a belt made for her, a soft leather with a silken fabric cover sewn over it. The silver fabric was adorned with an amber colored gem. The oval cut gem was set in a silver frame and hid the hooks securing the belt in place.

She had spent an hour fiddling with her hair to get it clipped in a pleasing coiffure. It took almost as long to create the curled locks framing her face and dangling down her neck. Yautja didn't care if her hair was pinned up, but it was a feeling of rightness. Val'jek dressed up so she wanted to look nice beside him.

Her mate looked over her new hairstyle.

"Do you like it?" she asked.

"How did you make it stay in this shape?" He chirped and his claw brushed a curl.

"I raided your lab." She flushed with the admission.

"I was not aware my lab was equipped to modify Ooman hair." He trilled, amused, as his fingers trailed down her neck.

"I used your small beakers as curling irons, and a dab of that medicine goop to make it stay in place."

"Curling iron." His pronunciation was off.

She explained the wonders of the human invention and he nodded.

"It looks pretty, very feminine and Ooman." He clicked then added, "and formal." He was a man covering all his bases in case he offended.

"But do you like it?" She couldn't help her smile.

He considered her and took a step back to look her over from head to toe. "Yes."

Her smile broadened and she blushed like a school girl getting her first compliment.

"I believe it will complement your present well." His mandibles widened with a slight flutter and tipped up.

She had a present for him too but it wasn't ready. She was going to present it to him after their family dinner. Val'jek and Mah'sic didn't quite grasp the concept of a going away party. The banquet was essentially that, but Amelia wanted to have a private dinner for family and close friends. That was if either male could be bothered to invite anyone, otherwise it was just dinner.

Val'jek disappeared in his lab and returned with a small storage unit. It was tied in a lopsided bow with one of her hair ribbons.

She stood a little straighter and he presented the gift with both hands.

"Thank you, Val'jek." She accepted the gift and pulled on the bow.

"I have been trying to get you one for many months, but the crafter never produced one worthy enough." His back stood erect but his head tilted forward to watch her. "If you do not like it, I will have another made."

"I'm sure I'll like it," she assured. Her mate was getting good at picking presents and if she didn't like it, she would pretend. The thought was more important.

She opened the lid and was surprised to see a metal face staring up at her.

"Wow," she breathed. It was a silver mask inlaid with gold accents and symbols similar to Val'jek's.

"Do you like it?" He stepped closer, pressing against her side with his warm abdomen and cool armor.

"It's beautiful." She ran her hand over the almost human face. The expression was serious, penetrating with the hint of a secret knowledge. The mouth was similar to Val'jek's mask but without such a pronounced protrusion. Golden symbols linked together made up the eyebrows.

"Will you wear it to the banquet?"

"It's wearable?" She looked up at him, surprised.

"Of course." He clicked with amusement. "It has only minor functionality since you have no mandibles." He took the shining face from the box and showed her the underside.

The inside frame was soft leather and a video screen appeared where the eyes were. He used a long black claw to touch a symbol on the edge of the mask. The screen lit up and he pressed several more times, cycling through colors and vision settings.

"Wow," she repeated. It was like his own mask.

"It is not for combat with external buttons, but perhaps you will enjoy it on research planets. It has a short range comm and a positioning system." Val'jek showed her all the settings and buttons that doubled as discreet decorations.

"This is amazing." She experimented with the buttons.

"Try it on," he insisted.

Amelia fit the snug mask to her face. She had to hold it and realized she had no idea how it was supposed to stay.

Val'jek fiddled with the sides of her mask and she felt him hook soft leather behind her ears. She dropped her hand and the mask remained secure. Looking up at Val'jek, she saw him as a red blob. Laughing she reached out to touch him. His hand covered hers as she stroked his head ridges.

"It will translate for you too," he said in his native language and a rasping computerized voice repeated it in English. Text appeared on the screen in both languages.

"Does it cook breakfast too?" She mused, but was grateful to have a translator for the banquet. Now she didn't need to beg a favor from Raz'ha.

She fiddled with the buttons, experimenting with the visions. "Best present ever. Thank you." She reached up to kiss him but only smashed her mask into his mandibles.

He trilled, setting her back a step and rubbed his left mandibles.

"Sorry." She fumbled with the ear hooks and tugged the mask off her face.

He trilled again and lifted her in his arms. "You are my honor and my heart." His mandibles caressed her cheeks and jaw.

"I love you too." With her feet dangling in the air, she wrapped her arms around his neck. She kissed around his mouth. "Do we have time for a proper thank you?"

His chest rumbled a purr. "We must be punctual. I am being honored with my hunt brothers."

"Then you better put me down." She rubbed the underside of his chin.

"After the banquet?" He rumbled again.

"Of course," she murmured, giving him several more kisses.

He slowly let her slide down his armor. "Let us go now."

She nodded, straightening her dress.

"Thank you again." She looked over the decorative face of her mask.

Her mate puffed up with pride. "You are welcome."

#

She forced her legs to widen her stride and keep up with her mate. A tremor made her knees wobble but she didn't ask him to slow down as they pushed through a throng of Yautja.

"It is all right." Val'jek's claws squeezed her arm gently.

"I know." It wasn't all right. They hadn't even made it into the dining hall before a warrior challenged her mate.

The warrior hadn't been large but he made up for the fault with numerous battle scars.

Amelia had caught his eye across a hall. Before the warrior moved she knew what was coming. He stalked toward them, his mandibles flaring at her. The warrior hadn't bothered with a taunt, shoving her mate's shoulder. The rough gesture had made her mate take a step back and growl.

Val'jek had nudged her aside, out of the way. Then he accepted the challenge with a rough shove of his own.

Right in the hall, they circled each other and proceeded to fight hand-to-hand.

Amelia's heart nearly pounded out of her chest as they swung, dodged and landed hits on each other. More Yautja gathered, purring and roaring encouragement at the spectacle. A few trilled at her and approached, but she refused to make eye contact.

No one ever touched her in the challenges and her mate was never seriously injured. It seemed unfathomable that anyone could beat her mate after she watched him kill a Kainde Amedha queen. Still, she couldn't help thinking it was only a matter of time. She didn't know what would happen if her mate lost.

She was uneasy, despite Val'jek's assurances that it was safe.

The fight was rather short, much to the crowd's disappointment. Her mate landed a solid kick to his challenger's abdomen and sent him into the far wall. The warrior groaned and slumped on the floor for a moment. He struggled to his feet but it was too late. He had been on the floor and that alone made him the loser.

Her mate, the winner, received trills and nods from other warriors. He had collected her and led her to the next hall as if all was normal. She wanted to ask if he was all right, but it was a sign of disrespect in the public setting. He looked all right, walking tall and swiftly. She resigned herself to silence.

Wandering the ship wasn't that bad on an ordinary day. She could walk by herself, unhindered, to a number of places and most other places Mah'sic could escort her. He wasn't blooded, and not real protection from a fight, but he was an effective deterrent simply by being a Yautja.

The added challenges were about her species attending a sacred ceremony like an equal. When not all Yautja were invited her presence was insult to injury.

Amelia could agree that she didn't belong at Yautja ceremonies. She was an outsider and the events weren't spiritually important to her, but Val'jek insisted. Her mate was important to her, so she grit her teeth and put on a brave face for as long as she could manage.

She forced her thoughts in a new direction before she crumbled in a ball of nerves. Her mind jumped to Val'jek's impending departure. Tomorrow might be the last time she ever saw her mate. Amelia shook off those thoughts quickly and settled on a benign topic to distract herself.

The dining hall was not called a "dining hall." It was some word with half a dozen syllables and two and a half clicks she couldn't mimic. She couldn't skip them either because then she was saying something insulting about reproductive organs.

Mah'sic and Raz'ha found her attempts amusing but she had grown frustrated with their trills and clicks. She was going to simply say "food room" in the Yautja language. That was much simpler and required no clicks.

Val'jek's hand brushed the small of her back, in an affectionate gesture, as they entered. "You are distracted."

"I can't say dining hall." She forced a shrug, taking in the large room filled with a dozen long formal tables in two neat rows. Nearly fifty Yautja dressed in ceremonial armor crowded the room. Walls were lined with the more prominent trophies like small shrines. In the center a large pit, filled with scented logs, waited to be set ablaze during the festivities.

"It is not a dining hall," her mate corrected, leading her through a group of Yautja warriors. Most clicked as she passed. Several bowed their heads to her mate and he nodded in return. He was formal, and in an odd way comfortable, as the large reptilian-like humanoids parted for him.

"What is it then?" She hoped there was food because she hadn't eaten dinner under the assumption that banquets meant food. The half a dozen other banquets she attended had food.

"It is the ceremony banquet hall. We do not take casual meals here." He directed her toward the very front.

"Where are we going?" She dragged her feet. They usually sat one table down the line, with the Elders.

"To the Table of Honor," he said.

She didn't know what that was.

Her mate growled at an unblood in their path. The shorter brown Yautja jumped and scrambled out of the way with two different stuttered apologies. After gawking at her, the unblood belatedly bowed his head.

Her mate directed her to the last table which was piled high with food. The giant chairs surrounding the table were devoid of Yautja but decorated with skulls. Worry settled in her belly as he pulled out a chair for her.

"We're sitting here?" she asked dumbly. "Isn't this the female table?" She had seen males sit at the table from time to time but it was rare. She didn't want to sit here.

"It is the Table of Honor. The banquet honors our mission so those on the mission sit at the table." He was irritated. "You wish to meet The High Priestess, yes?"

She nodded, staring at the high backed seat with an animal skull adorning the top. It was oddly shaped with a dome head and one hole in the center.

"Sit." Val'jek lifted her into the seat and her cheeks burned with embarrassment. Her feet didn't reach the floor in the massive chair.

"Where'd the skull come from?" She craned her neck to see the macabre decoration.

He spared the skull a glance and clicked thoughtfully. "From a Magok. They are small mammals but deadly. It stumbled upon me while I was hunting larger prey." He shrugged. "It had a nice skull."

"Of course." Because all chairs are adorned with presentable skulls. She bit her lip.

Her mate took his seat beside her. The chair was designed for a female and large even for Val'jek. A Yautja skull adorned the top of his chair and she assumed it was a Bad Blood Val'jek had slain. It gave her the creeps.

Amelia scanned the room, trying to find Mah'sic or Raz'ha. Unfortunately, they couldn't sit together without disrupting the pecking order. Once the dinner formalities were over they could socialize with Raz'ha but Mah'sic would be busy with duties.

"There's Mah'sic," she said.

Val'jek clicked a distracted acknowledgment.

Mah'sic was conversing with several other unbloods near the table by the door. His armor was decorative but plain with only a few symbols on his mask. A few skulls were draped around his neck.

The closer to the door, the lower rank the Yautja. Small groups of unbloods were cycled through banquets and ceremonies to learn proper etiquette. The young Yautja were seated at the lowest ranking table but were excited simply to be in the room.

Searching for Raz'ha, she craning her neck to see around two Yautja who blocked her view.

"What is the Ooman doing?" one asked, in the Yautja language.

She jerked and stopped leaning over to look up at the speaker. He appeared amused, which was good for her health but not her pride.

"Looking around your ugly face," the other Yautja said in English.

The first huffed but let the insult pass.

"Ramsee, Lukis." Val'jek nodded to them and they bowed. Her mate made introductions.

"Pretty Ooman," Lukis said. It was a generic greeting she received from time to time. It wasn't personal, like between humans, but a friendly word from a Yautja who didn't understand English.

"Greetings," she said using their language. She bowed her head and looked to her mate for her cue.

He shook his head. They were just warriors then and no other formalities were required.

"Lukis does not speak your language, but he has a translator." Her mate pat her shoulder as Lukis took the seat across from him.

"I speak perfect English, and I will sit beside you so Bosch does not." Ramsee clicked his mandibles together with amusement and Amelia noticed the bottom left one was missing a tusk.

"Bosch?" she asked, following his conversation prompt.

"Ornery old warrior, not much for conversation." Ramsee pat her shoulder, mimicking her mate's gesture.

She flushed, unaccustomed to random touching from strange Yautja. Her mate grunted at the male and clicked a nonverbal warning.

Ramsee leaned back and trilled. "Pardon."

She smiled, feeling the knot of tension ease. Dinner beside the warrior would not be as awkward as with the Elders.

The table filled out with two other warriors that Val'jek introduced and they gave her surveying glances but few words.

Small talk with Ramsee was cut short when her mate stood, followed by everyone else. She struggled out of her massive chair. Seeing everyone bow their heads, she quickly did the same as a hush fell over the room.

Amelia heard a parade of footsteps drawing closer, signifying The High Priestess and her entourage were moving closer.

Hoping no one noticed, she stole a glance at the High Priestess and her entourage of Priestesses. It wasn't the first time she had seen her but Amelia still felt a sense of awe. The High Priestesses was taller than her priestesses, more than a head taller than Val'jek. Her ceremonial armor was a sold gold color encrusted with dozens of green gems. Her skin was darker than Val'jek's too, even on her underside which was a dark brown. The armor was a stark contrast against the mottled black spots all over her skin. Most Yautja Amelia had seen were green or tan, not nearly so dark.

She took deep, even breaths. Female Yautja were more intimidating than their male counterparts. On top of growing taller than the men they were heavier. They also didn't speak English, at all. Females were a class above males in most cases, which didn't seem to bother Val'jek. He was an Elder, though. The only people higher in the pecking order than her mate were Priestesses.

She was the bottom rung. A pet. She got the impression that trophies ranked higher than her. Females often looked at her with disdain and irritation. Her mate protected her, but it was a frightening thing to see a female posture with aggression. No female ever took up a challenge with her mate over her presence, though Val'jek issued many. She wasn't sure why because males had often enough.

She was counting the minutes until some younger male shoved her mate while snarling at her. If females were superior, they should be lining up to challenge him.

The procession stopped at the table. An authoritative female voice said, "sit."

Chairs scraped as the entire room sat down. Val'jek held her arm and helped her back in the chair.

Another female voice chirped something about a "suckling" and a "chair." Amelia didn't need to understand the rest to know it was directed at her.

Laughter and trills of amusement went down the table as heat bloomed in her cheeks. She was the child sitting at the adult table. Her mate pat her shoulder, which should have reassured her but just made her embarrassment worse.

"Disrespect at my table?" The authoritative voice snarled from the other side of Val'jek and Amelia straightened.

Her stomach hit the floor and she instinctively reached for her mate. She knew it was a bad idea to sit at the Table of Honor. Her mate might get that female challenge tonight after all. That was assuming The High Priestess didn't jettison them out of an airlock.

"You," The High Priestesses said.

Her pulse pounded in her ears and she dared to look up. The High Priestess wasn't looking at her but a female across the table.

"Stand." The High Priestess ordered.

The tan and yellow female bowed her head and stood. The room almost sizzled with anticipation and The High Priestess barked something she didn't understand. It was rude to wear the mask at the table and Val'jek offered no translation.

"Pardon High Priestess." Properly cowed, the female gave a lengthy apology but Amelia only understood a few words.

"To the Ooman," The High Priestess voice raised so slightly in pitch and Amelia flinched.

"The Ooman, High Priestess?" The Yautja female was appalled and shocked with sagging mandibles.

"To the guest at my table." The High Priestess stood and everyone followed suit. "Sit!"

Everyone sat and Amelia wanted to curl up and hide beneath the table.

"You disrespect guests at my table and you disrespect me." The High Priestess paused. "I do not tolerate disrespect."

Val'jek's claw squeezed her thigh beneath the table as she pieced together the rapid reprimand.

"Pardon, Ooman. No disrespect." The Priestess's words were tense and the room remained in silence.

Her mate nudged her and Amelia looked at him with dismay. She didn't know what to do. The female didn't speak English.

"Ooman, do you accept?" The High Priestess pinned her with a hard stare and tense mandibles.

Amelia squirmed and nodded. "Yes. No harm done."

Val'jek immediately translated her words into something more formal. "The transgression is forgiven." He pinned the Priestess with a glare of his own. "By Amelia."

The female moved to retake her seat but stopped at the rude noise from The High Priestess.

"Sit with the unbloods." The High Priestess pointed to the door. "They too learn respectful behavior at ceremonies."

Amelia quaked in her chair under the female's venomous glare.

The room watched the high ranked female walk with stiff outrage through the hall. The unbloods shuffled, making room for the female with nervous glances. She was seated and The High Priestess looked over the room.

"Eat," she ordered and took her seat.

Chatter started as plates were filled. The females at the Table of Honor all chirped and laughed.

"Raina will be furious for many cycles," one said.

"Now she faces her offspring as equals," another trilled and more comments were shared but she picked out only a few words. It was enough to discern that they were gossiping.

"Who was that?" She felt sick as Val'jek piled food on her plate.

"Priestess Raina. " Her mate poured her a green drink. "Mah'sic's bearer."

Poor Mah'sic. She inadvertently sent him the woman who publicly belittled him.

"Mah'sic—"

"Will be fine." He squeezed her leg again. "Eat."

She blanched. In order to give Val'jek a son, the priestess had slept with her mate. How had he found such a venomous female appealing?

"I am going to more banquets if you are in attendance." Ramsee chirped, elbowing her in a friendly shove that hurt quite a bit.

"That was mortifying." She rubbed her abused arm.

"Nonsense. Priestess Raina is offensive." Ramsee really did speak perfect English.

"Where did you learn English?" she asked.

"Here and there." The warrior was being obtuse with a flutter of mandibles and a tilt to his head.

Ramsee actively made small talk through the meal and Amelia felt her unease lighten. It was nice being able to speak to a stranger. The warrior was amusing and friendly while Val'jek was able to have a conversation without translating everything going on at the table.

Once the meal was finished The High Priestess made a short speech, praising Val'jek and the warriors under him. Val'jek said a few words that couldn't quite be called a speech. The High Priestess chose a lucky unblood to light the bonfire and the giant aliens mingled casually. Tables were moved and c'ntlip was served by unbloods, who were not permitted to partake.

Several fights broke out before musicians entered and dancing started.

Val'jek made formal introductions to The High Priestess as Amelia slipped on her mask. Nervous, she made sure to bow and keep her eyes lowered. She recited the Yautja praise that she could muster and bowed again.

"Enough." The High Priestess flicked her wrist. "Greetings, Ooman."

"Greetings, High Priestess."

"Do you miss your home?" The High Priestess tilted her head.

"Sometimes," Amelia admitted.

The High Priestess nodded and the silence grew awkward.

"I have heard your offspring, Honored Warrior Cov'o, is a skilled warrior," Amelia said.

The High Priestess flicked a sharp look at Val'jek, stiffening. He stiffened too.

"He is." The High Priestess clicked.

There was something to the story, Amelia could feel it in her gut. There was no dragging it out of the highest ranked female however. She had to find a different path and already knew where she wanted to start.

Val'jek steered the conversation away from Cov'o and Amelia returned her attention to Ramsee, who was happy to chat for a while.

"I see Raz'ha," she said spotting the tall green Yautja in his usual armor. It was as practical as ever, sporting a few more scratches from his daily sparring.

Val'jek was wrapped up in conversation with another Priestess. Her mate nodded and looked to Ramsee. "Escort my mate to Honored Warrior Raz'ha of the Saracen Clan."

The warrior bowed and placed a hand on her shoulder with a formal flourish.

#

Raz'ha nodded and made polite clicks of interest at Elder Mur, who was droning on about the necessity of firm tactics in clan negotiations. The gray haired elder was preening with the victory of securing an invitation to the ceremony.

These mission events were private, a small festival of well wishing and praising of the gods before warriors hunted. Raz'ha had planned to decline Elder Val'jek's invitation, fearing the wrong impression was given if he attended. Then Elder Mur threatened exile if he declined.

It was interesting to see the Taurens' take on customs, but Elder Mur was monopolizing all his time.

He had a nagging suspicion Elder Val'jek was meddling further in his clan affairs but Elder Mur would never admit to help from an outsider.

"Honored Warrior Raz'ha of Saracen Clan?" a Tauren warrior greeted, cutting off Elder Mur from his preening. The Elder growled but the warrior was nonchalant. The warrior, who Raz'ha recognized from the dining hall with Val'jek, bowed.

Raz'ha bowed in return. He started to introduce the Elder but the warrior pulled Amelia forward and presented her formally, claws dwarfing her narrow shoulders.

A ceremonial mask peered up at him and she waved in greeting. Raz'ha was impressed by the careful blend of Yautja and Ooman features. He was also starkly aware of his own plain armor beside the Ooman's ceremonial garb. He had nothing to trade for a presentable wardrobe and previously no time to work for one.

"I present Elder Val'jek's pet, Amelia," the warrior said but it was Elder Mur that grabbed his attention.

The Elder stepped up to Amelia and leaned in close with a snort. He looked the Ooman over with a critical eye, appearing tall beside her small stature.

Raz'ha pushed closer, disliking the rude gesture his Elder was making. He clicked but the Elder ignored him.

With his meaty claw, the Elder picked up a lock of her hair unnaturally curled hair.

She leaned away, looking to Raz'ha for answers. He moved to intervene.

"Do not touch Elder Val'jek's pet. It is forbidden." The Tauren warrior snatched her hair from the Elder and put it back in place, making Amelia wince.

Elder Mur stepped back but snarled. "Is that a challenge, pup?"

The warrior puffed his chest.

"No challenge," Amelia said with a forced grunt that was meek at best. She turned to the warrior behind her, trembling and smelling of fear. "Get on with the formalities."

"It is my duty, Honored Warrior Raz'ha, to leave Elder Val'jek's pet, Amelia into your safe keeping. May your honor guide you." The warrior growled and clicked the words rapidly, skipping half the required statement.

"I accept Amelia." He physically took her under his arm. It was the way of passing along prized goods and loans. The process was absurd when discussing a mate, but he admitted respect for the extra layer of protection.

The warrior bowed without farewell and stalked away.

"This is the Ooman pet?" Elder Mur moved closer and she pressed against Raz'ha's side.

"Elder Mur, this is Amelia, Elder Val'jek's mate and pet." He clicked with uncertainty and Amelia bowed her head.

"It is an honor, Elder." She bowed and kept her chin tilted down in submission. Her formal greeting was impeccable and Raz'ha was impressed.

Elder Mur cocked his head, unimpressed. "It speaks like us."

"And I understand you." She looked his way but he couldn't see her expression through the mask. "You enjoy the ceremony, Elder Mur?" Her words weren't grammatically correct but understandable.

"How is it a pet is welcomed here so easily?" The Elder ignored her and looked his way as well.

"Elder Val'jek is well respected and I imagine she causes little trouble." Raz'ha brought her a fraction closer. This was dangerous territory he was treading. Amelia was in his care, as if he was Val'jek, and any insult toward his mate was met with a challenge.

Elder Mur was an Elder of his clan. The cankerous warrior could strip his rank or make his life miserable in a number of other ways. Raz'ha wasn't certain he was skilled enough to take on Elder Mur. The Elder had nearly as many stories of challenges and battles to his reputation as Val'jek.

Raz'ha needed to stage a strategic retreat, before the old brute said something neither could back away from.

"Little is accurate. How does the Elder mount such a weak creature without causing death?" Elder Mur stepped closer again, reaching for her.

"Elder Mur." He growled a warning, pulling Amelia out of his reach. She complied without complaint and her cold fingers curled around his wrist.

The Elder snarled and flared his mandibles and Raz'ha knew a challenge was imminent.

"Pardon, Elder Mur?" A Tauren blooded warrior pressed closer and bowed.

Raz'ha recognized Cov'o instantly and was grateful for the warrior's timing.

"Who are you?" The Elder's eyes were locked on Raz'ha.

"My bearer, that is, The High Priestess sent me to deliver a message." Cov'o stood closer, casting a curious glance at Amelia. "Greetings Honored Warrior." The Tauren didn't take his eyes off her, despite addressing him.

"Greetings, Honored Warrior Cov'o." Raz'ha shifted slightly to better defend his Ooman charge from the newcomer.

"Cov'o?" she murmured with interest and nudged him with her elbow. It was Ooman code for something that he didn't understand.

"The message?" Elder Mur gave Cov'o his full attention, taking the warrior's measure.

"After considering Elder Val'jek's petition, on behalf of Honored Warrior Raz'ha, she invites High Priestess of Saracen Clan to a meeting, tomorrow, for the last meal." It was not the first message errand the warrior had delivered to speak flawless formalities and titles.

Elder Mur was surprised, his mandibles fluttering, and he directed his questioning look at Raz'ha.

He was more surprised than the Elder. Yes, he had made the request, along with half a dozen others that Val'jek denied. Raz'ha hadn't expected the turn of events any more than Elder Mur. His debt to Val'jek was ever increasing.

"Tell High Priestess of Tauren Clan that High Priestess of Saracen Clan accepts the invitation." Elder Mur puffed with pride. "I will inform her immediately."

They exchanged formal farewells with Elder Mur, but the warrior remained.

"Will you not introduce your charge, warrior?" Cov'o looked Raz'ha's intended mate over from head to toe.


#

Thanks for reading!

Author's Notes
I apologize for the long wait. Life got messy, but now I'm back. Expect regular updates again!

In this chapter I tried to cut out a lot of the long, boring formalities, but it's still twice as long as I wanted. Expect Banquet part 2 next. I fear the plot bunnies are running away with me on this story. I do know where this story is going (outlined and everything, I swear), but I keep getting sidetracked by things like cute puppies – I mean plot bunnies. I figure since it's fanfic you guys might cut me some slack though. I hope.

I saw Predators and I loved it, especially the characters this time (AVP 2 characters weren't great, imo). **SPOILERS ALERT** BUT I wish a Predator would come out on top one of these times. Is that too much to ask? I would also like to see a pornographic movie about Predators (but that will never happen either lol). What did everyone else think of the movie?

Thank you to the reviewers for the feedback!

Death God Dist: Thank you for the compliments and especially for the consistent reviews. I hope this chapter is up to par and there will be more juicy back story and smut to come. =D

cricket: Are you stalking me on TWO web sites? lol. I see your "one more" chapter and raise you "one more" comment. ;)