All is Forgiven in Victory

Chapter 2.

“ You will prepare yourself.” Tsavong Lah had said in that very matter of fact tone that warriors young and old spoke.

Confused, the knot inside Seef’s stomach increased in intensity. It was forbidden for Yuuzhan Vong to mate outside their own caste, it would result in the sacrifice of both lovers to the gods Yun-Txiin and Yun-Q’aah, also known as the lover gods. So why was one as high as the Warmaster so clearly flouting the rules? What was more, Seef was a member of the Intendant caste, openly despised by many warriors. Still, she gave no indication of weather she considered her new fate worse than death.

“ Yes Warmaster.” She responded as she rose, “ I will await you in your chamber.”

Another exchange of steam and cool air later, and Tsavong Lah was once again alone. He retrieved his living cloak and hooked it to the spine-like protrusions implanted in his shoulders, wrapping its smooth living form around his own.
He had little time to contemplate what he had just requested of his communications Attendant. Supreme Overlord Shimrra would be waiting, no doubt with a view of his own on this matter.
Tsavong Lah forced away the concerning thought that he may have inadvertently brought the wrath of the gods down upon this stage of their invasion. No, he would give them a glorious victory, one that would become legendary among the Yuuzhan Vong.

*****

Seef shifted nervously from foot to foot as the door to the Warmasters private chamber irised closed. She could still hear the mumblings of the sub-altern stood outside. No doubt confused as to her being permitted here alone.
She began to take stock of all that had brought her here, exploring her surroundings as she did so.

Seef imagined that the conversation between the Dreadlord and the Warmaster would be a brief one as it usually was. She also had to wonder if the Supreme Overlord would have known about Tsavong Lah’s plans for her? It was said that Shimrra was in direct – as direct could be – contact with Yun Yuuzhan. And the gods were as omnipotent as they were omnipresent.
Had she been mistaken about the Warmaster’s intentions after all? Did he simply wish to end her life in a more fitting way than where she had knelt prior to this? Such things were not unheard of, but if that were so, why allow her to wait here of all places?
With the sleep cycle fast approaching, she doubted that the Warmaster would wish to sully his hands with sacrifices as small as her own.

Silently she padded around the fungi-lit chamber. As far as warship accommodation went, this was almost overly lavish compared to the normal living circumstances of others. Bioluminescent fungi lit the walls in alcoves furrowed out in the coral walls. In many places the blackened coral was almost polished to be reflective, adding an element of space to the otherwise diminutive dwelling. Seef knew well that these shiny surfaces could become transparent when required, allowing a spectacular view of the space outside the ship’s walls.
Various, living containers were tidied away into corners and alcoves, no doubt holding weapons and other items that Seef had, wisely, little or no desire to be curious over.
At the far end of the chamber, stood a sizable nest-bunk, not unlike her own. Designed for practicality rather than shameful comfort, it was formed from the same yorik coral that lined the walls, giving its base an appearance as though to suggest it flowed out from the wall it’s self. Atop the base lay a layer of fine moss like covering, most of which appeared untouched due to either lack of use or regeneration. She absentmindedly ran a hand across its surface. The moss reacted as though to push back against the pressure she exerted.

Sudden sounds of conversation outside the chamber caused her to whirl round to face the entrance with a start. The membranous porthole opened allowing Tsavong Lah to enter, a rather neural expression worn upon his face. He had barely taken two steps into the chamber when Seef saluted as was polite.
Tsavong Lah chose not to acknowledge her visually, instead merely carefully inspecting the Radank claw he had received a day or so earlier. He did however, acknowledge her verbally.
“ Did I not ask for you to prepare yourself?” He inquired matter of factly as per usual.

“Belek tiu Warmaster, I had not expected your return so soon…” She lied.

“ Disrobe Seef.”

She hesitated, a potentially fatal move on her part. Heart hammering so loud she could hear it’s rapid beat in her head, she dared question.
“ Warmaster?”

Surprisingly enough, he answered.
“ If by your questioning tone you wish to assume your actions would be offensive to the gods, then I assure you this…” he paused, observing her for a moment with a steady gaze, “ …The gods forgive all in victory.” He repeated the words spoken to him by the Supreme Overlord only moments earlier.
Unknown to Seef, Shimrra had indeed commented on the fact that Tsavong Lah had denied the gods someone who should have been delivered to them. The Warmaster had begun to make his excuses when Shimrra had interjected, stating that the gods were pleased for him to keep Seef, to use her well and. The Overlord then added that all would be forgiven in victory. It was this oversight that saw Tsavong Lah here now.

The Warmaster gestured toward the Attendant again. Seef knew that without a doubt, if she hesitated again, he would almost certainly kill her.
She gingerly began to coax her robeskin away from her flesh. Like all things Yuuzhan Vong, the robeskin was alive, and it moved with a certain fluidity as she pried it away from her skin, pooling at her feet. Her head bowed in a mark of submissive respect, Seef could not gage the Warmasters reaction by expression, nor movement alone. But she could hear him take deliberate steps toward her.