Chapter Nineteen: Honor Unchained — Part 10

“I didn’t want to seem intimidating.” Susan admitted.

Joni looked at Trina, whispering quietly. “First she kisses the Master of all the Temples of Vodia on the lips as if they’re in wedlock, and then she says she doesn’t want to seem intimidating.”

Trina giggled, and Susan looked at both of them for a moment, wondering.

Everybody please join me, and try to look disciplined but courteous.

Within a few moments her troops assumed a dignified stance behind their Leader, patiently waiting for further orders. Master Toen studied every one of them closely. He held a great deal of respect for each of them, so he kept his inspection respectful.

“All of you are of varying genetic stock. And yet you are definitely from a single planet.” His eyes landed on Jonathan, “Why is it you’re completely covered, when your fellow tribesmen seem uncomfortable in their clothing.”

Jonathan snarled a response. “Unlike my fellow tribesmen, I don’t trust any of you.”

“Is this attitude a common one among your tribe?” Master Toen asked.

“About as common as a virgin in Vegas. I’m an original, pal, the only one of my kind. Paranoia, they call it. But me, I think of myself as a survivor.” Jonathan’s dialect of English brought confusion to most, but Master Toen chuckled openly.

“Virgin in Vegas. Haven’t heard that phrase in close to a century.” Master Toen said.

“Yes, I’m very old.” Jonathan admitted, as if it were a matter of mild discomfort to him.

“Me too, or can’t you tell?” Toen took Susan’s hand in his. “I’d accept you openly as an equal, but the laws of the Temple were established by the Shadow Clan before they were cast off of Vodia, and I will not betray their traditions, even if their traditions betrayed them. You must prove yourself to be a master of your own consciousness, for only a master of such can change the world. We’ll give you tests that we would give anybody training for the position of Master Priest.”

“That doesn’t sound all that fair.” Alexsai said. “Father, you may very well be sentencing her to death.”

Master Toen’s tongue clicked harshly. “Forgive my son’s clucking nonsense. His courage has always been lacking — that is why he became an Ambassador. Susan requested that she be treated either as a guest or a native. She must earn one status or the other, in the eyes of the Temples of Vodia, if not in my own. As Leader of her people, she should pass the test without difficulty.”

Master Toen turned away, walking back into the trees that made part of the Temple a forest. “Rest children.” He said.

“Why did he just make such a blatant attempt to insult us? I mean, we were invited here to help you folks, and we’ve had nothing but insult and contempt since our arrival. You’ve five minutes to give me a good reason to put up with this nonsense.” Susan said.

“I don’t think my father intended to insult you, Susan. I see you as an equal, as does he. But others will see you as children, mainly because you look and act a little like children. You’ll have to pass the Koroduro — The Shadow Clan’s Test of Warrior Integrity — to be accepted into the Temple as Spiritual Citizens.”

Susan lost all her anger, deflated. “No problem. This should be a fun game.”

“It’s not a game Susan. Your life will be put in jeopardy.”

Susan laughed, “If people see me as a child here, then I will play silly games, as would be expected of a child.”

“I’m serious Susan, the Koroduro is a dangerous test.” Before she could turn away, Alexsai grabbed her shoulder and held her in place. Susan let flow up from her stomach a growl so inhuman and frightening that Alexsai was forced to take a fearful step away, putting his hands behind his back to show respect. It felt to Alexsai as if she might kill him where he stood. “I failed the Koroduro, and that’s why I’m an Ambassador, and not a Priest.”

“Go play with your father then, we need to rest.” Susan said, sarcasm tainting her words.

Touch her again, Drake warned telepathically, so Susan could not hear, and I will hurt you.

Alecsai shrugged off the warning, knowing that he meant no harm, and would therefore be spared harm. Susan sat down, feeling the power of the planet rise up from beneath her. Alexsai got down on his knees, concerned for Susan’s life. She seemed so calm, yet so childish. He felt unexpectedly protective of her. The Shadow Clan were not shock troopers, the soldiers and priests trained by them were far more terrifying in nature than a garrison of troops. He wondered if Susan could survive in a head on confrontation with a founding member of the Shadow Clan. He didn’t consider that such a confrontation might be philosophically impossible.

“You aren’t just proving your equality — you’ll be proving yourself worthy of the Shadow Clan’s Highest Honors. If you succeed the Council will fear your every move, and respect your right to negotiate a treaty. The Council attends every Koroduro, and they’ll be watching your responses to each of the seven steps closely.”

“Seven steps? This game has rules. I like it already.” Susan’s friends spread out around her, exploring their surroundings. After determining that the grounds were secure, Jonathan went back on the ship, followed by Vertigo.

Alexsai looked around. “Don’t they care? They’ll be tested even as observers.”

Susan calmed him with a placid gaze. “Everything I hear they hear.”

“Your friends may be asked to participate.”

“Thank you for your input. I need to rest now, to calm my mind, Alexsai, so leave me until tomorrow morning.” Susan crossed her legs, closing her eyes. She listened to Alexsai depart. He was anxious and afraid for her. Susan could hardly care. In a few brief hours she would be giving the Vodians their last chance to form an alliance. Susan could only hope they’d take that last chance seriously. She knew her people could survive even if every planet with a human being turned on them. She knew that Vodia, however, wouldn’t last a day at war in its current state.

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