Eleven years from the official betrothal was drafted, three years since the last visit.

“Welcome, welcome honoured guests. Your highness.”

“Come Henry. We are past that by now, surely. You may call me Hult’ah.” Henry, his prematurely greying hair combed back by one of his hands, and he chuckled up at his tall friend with tired blue eyes, heavy bags visible on his stress worn features, and brushed off his long imperial blue breeches and tunic. He stepped aside, used to the looming shadow of the Yautja mother ship in the upper atmosphere, and even more importantly, the looming shadow cast over him by his truest friend.

It had taken over a decade, but Henry had earned Hult’ah’s trust and friendship, and came to ask him advice, always getting brilliant replies, and requests upon the welfare and development of his two daughters. It seemed, Hult’ah had over 30 sons now, and no daughters. Henry suspected that he would have liked at least one daughter, whether to spoil or not, he didn’t know.

Did Yautja spoil their children the same way Humans did?

Hult’ah was still at least 9 feet tall, dressed in his ceremonial shimmering silver white cape and hanging cloth, over what looked like matching ‘shorts’, and he still had a full head of midnight black hair, with ornate golden rings.

Oh, and there was the fact that he had sharp, dark amber eyes, colossal hands that could, and probably have, crushed skulls in their palms, the body of a killing machine, and the pride of a mighty lion.

That is how Henry thought of his character, a noble, laid back, wise, but deadly beast. He is definitely a lion.

“Forgive me my friend, of course you are right. I fear, many years of habit have yet to be overcome. Come, come, please come inside. The gale winds have decided to come early this year.” Henry ushered them inside, bowing his head to Hult’ah first, then the one boy he knew would be with him, Daijuta.

It was strange, having someone 7 feet, looking very much like his father, except for brown dreadlocks with no hair rings, brown shorts, tattered at the ends, just above his knees, long brown cape, strangely focused amber eyes…and yet he was only 20, now. He looked the same when he was 17, three years ago.

But there was something different about him. Not only did he bow back to him, but he immediately started darting his amber eyes around the palace. Is he…looking for something? Henry closed his eyes, beginning to walk over to them both. Perhaps, he’s looking for Riona? No, that would be too convenient. Hult’ah already informed me of his ‘distaste’ for the betrothal. And even if he somehow changed his mind…it wouldn’t matter. Henry sighed, and blinked when the door creaked open once more.

But…they’re both here? Henry looked over his shoulder, and thought he would surely scream.

Stood there, looming at surely 8 feet, waist length midnight black dreadlocks, silver bolts in them, black angular mask with foreboding red eye lenses, jagged silver metal gloves, with twin wrist blades retracted, but visible, silver Awu'asa (he learned from Hult’ah that meant their special armour), consisting of a chest piece, moulding perfectly to his abdomen, a long triangle of silver chain mail falling over his brown hanging cloth, hard metallic boots, and many vicious weapons littered the circumference of his belt and other places, Henry wouldn’t be able to see.

What he could see, was a cutting disc, much like the one Hult’ah brought with him on his first visit, two vicious looking serrated daggers, one strapped to each thigh, a strange looking round ‘thing’ on his hip, and large dull metal maul.

That thing looked nasty, the shape of a flame, held tightly by his right left hand, like it weighed nothing.

All these items seemed almost like overkill.

But this guy…

…he seemed to live, breath and eat the words ‘overkill’…

Henry gulped, seeing that unlike any Yautja he had ever seen…this one had black skin.

Black.

Like a demon…

“Henry, this is my second youngest son. Allow me to introduce to you, Raijuta.” Upon hearing his name, the dark predator inclined his head slightly.

It could have been a slight bow…or he could just be regarding him.

Either way, he made Henry damn nervous.

“O Oh.” He stammered, and desperately shook it off. “Welcome to my home, your highness.”

Raijuta simply looked him up and down once, and then looked over to his father.

“Can I kill it?”

“No you may not!” Hult’ah hissed angrily, and trilled nervously to Henry.

Not that he had any idea what Raijuta just said. “This is Henry, the ruler of his people. And the father of your future mate.” Hult’ah growled, getting that point clear.

Raijuta just clicked furiously to himself, glided over to his father. He turned his back to Henry, wouldn’t look at his father, and looked to his younger brother.

“I blame you for this. You told him where I was hunting.”

“I wasn’t about to let you skip out again, cocky Pauk-de. Besides, father threatened to take away my flying rights off-ship if I didn’t.” Daijuta hissed, lowering his voice again. “And activate your translator to Ooman.”

“I will not speak the language of animals.” Raijuta clicked darkly, stoic as ever, his brother noticed.

“If father catches you saying that, then-”

“He knows my views. It makes no difference.”

Daijuta blinked at his brother.

Gods, he really was ‘docile’ compared to his brother.

Well, you don’t get to command your own ship and hunting party at the age of 15 by being ‘obedient’.

And his brother was only 2 years older than he was, standing tall at 8 feet, 22 in years, and not even in his prime yet.

After all, Yautja live naturally for around 300 years, but not as long as females.

It was only after Hult’ah reminded Henry of that fact, did he stop worrying, as much, about having his 16 and 17 year old daughters marrying a 20 and 22 year old.

16 year old Riona, to seemingly bitter, angry 20 year old Daijuta, and 17 year old Rosemary to this dark…dark 22 year old Raijuta.

Looking at the eldest of the ‘royal’ Yautja sons did not calm his nerves, and noticed once again that Daijuta was scanning around him again.

And it seemed he lost his patience.

“Where is Riona?” He clicked in the back of his throat awkwardly, furious at himself for asking.

Henry blinked, and beamed a smile.

Perhaps he did like her.

“Alas, my daughters are wilful at most times. It seems, that not even the fierce winds of autumn will tempt them inside. Especially my youngest, Riona.”

“So…where is she?!” He barked, and Hult’ah put his hand on his shoulder warningly. Why the pauk can’t Oomans just give a straight answer?!?! Henry chuckled nervously and gulped, pointing towards one of the windows, whistling as the wind beat branches against it’s pane.

“…in the gardens…”

“Right.” Daijuta pulled his shoulder free, not caring how disrespectful that was for the moment, and stormed off outside.

“Are you coming or not?” Daijuta paused for reply. Raijuta grunted as his younger brother, stood shoulder to shoulder with him, but didn’t follow. “Fine!” He clicked angrily and stormed off outside, forcing the great gates open with only his hands. Henry sweatdropped, when only he seemed amazed by this.

All they all this strong? The main gates must weigh around 20 ton, the minimum.

“It seems, my youngest requires some fresh air…” Hult’ah trilled nervously again, very unusual for him to be nervous, but dealing with humans was so tricky. They were so emotional and fragile. Anything could either break and upset them. And most things did both.

Luckily for him, Henry wasn’t too bad. He could deal with him.

“Just like mine. Riona; she was very insistent that she would go for a walk outside, despite the weather.” They shared a very awkward, painful moment, both realising from the get go that this was not going to be easy.

“And young Rosemary? Is your eldest pup with her?”

“Yes, they go most places together.”

“I see.”

Again, silence.

“…could be hunting right now…”

“Raijuta hold your mandibles before I tear them off.” Hult'ah hissed, and then sighed, his vast shoulders dropping slightly. “Why must you insist on vexing me so?”

This isn’t going very well.

Henry sighed, and rubbed his hands together. The large marble doors were still wide open, and the gales were chilling even Jade palace’s mighty halls. And one meagre king stood within them. I need to getthismoving“Well. . . perhaps we should retire to the study? I have just received your most generous gift and anticipate one of our thoroughly interesting discussions over…what did you call it? Kentip?”

“C'ntlip? You received it already? That certainly was swift. I give my praise to your curer service.” He bowed his head. He sent that to the outer post on the moon outside the eastern moon 2 days ahead of himself, and predicted it not to arrive for another 3 days at least. Not before his arrival.

“Then shall we retire? You of course are also invited, your highness Rai-”

And then he stopped mid sentence.

Both his Yautja guest’s heads had snapped towards the open gates so vigorously, their midnight black dreadlocks whipped through the air and snapped against their necks angrily. Their eyes were wide, and bore into an invisible enemy in the doorway.

Poor Henry.

“…was it something I said?”

“Trust the dull ears of an Ooman to miss that.” Raijuta swiftly bolted out the door, and Hul’tah for a moment, stepped to go after him. And he would have, if it wasn’t for a nervous hand placed on his forearm. That was all Henry could reach, after all.

“Hul’tah?”

“You see, when you have been in as many battles as both my son and I have, you are trained to hear certain things over all others. And when faced with death screeching in your face, you never forget the swift song of a blade being drawn.”

“A…blade?” Henry blinked. And then it finally dawned on him. The sound will have come from outside…and who was outside? “Rosemary, Riona!” both kings bolted outside, Hul’tah deeming it appropriate now Henry was sprinting ahead of him as fast as possible. That wasn’t because he was particularly faster, but because he wouldn’t know where his daughters are, so Hul’tah let him lead.

Daijuta walked at a normal pace, mask attached to his belt for now, his deep amber eyes cast to the ground. Being the skilled hunter he was, it was easy to discern the harsh patter of many foot prints in the soil and grass earth of servants, from the lighter and relaxed prints of his targets. Humans who held themselves in high regard tended to walk heel toe heel toe, with the majority of their weight being supported first by the heel, and evenly transferred to the front pads of the feet, leaving a level print. Where those below their station, scurried around, the majority of their weight being supported on the front pads of their feet, and leaving more of a partial print, and closer together. As servants, didn’t have the time to take a leisurely pace.

There were two sets of foot prints that fit the description of the two princesses, their feet being of a small, dainty size, and very similar in shape.

However…this is most odd.

Daijuta lowered to one knee, and examined the prints.

Why does one lady walk with her feet closely together and aliened constantly…while the other walks with their feet shoulder length apart? As if they are carrying a heavy weight of some sort?

He raised his head, and looked down the plain of grass he had come too…leading significantly away from the palace. It almost looked…barren. Trees were half rooted, half strewn across the landscape, patches of turf were upturned. But it almost looked…

…as if the ground was stricken by something. Something strong.

He stood, bracing his hands as if he held the hand piece of his maul, and swung his grasp diagonally, from up, to down. That would have caused this, if I had aimed at a target…that had moved…

His eyes snapped open, as he saw the footprints scatter randomly, becoming sloppy as mud smeared up around the prints. They started to run.

He increased his pace, following the tracks, adrenaline pumping through his veins, as realisation dawned on him. There was an actual fight here.

He hurried, flat out running now. The princesses were attacked by someone. They were in danger!

“Riona!”

Daijuta barked, seeing the tracks go off the edge of a sudden grassy cliff. Without a second thought, he placed his mask over his face, pulled out a concealed pair of twin Wakizashi like short blades, still sheathed together, and leapt with all his strength over the edge of the cliff, releasing a mighty battle cry that echoed through the tattered countryside.

He landed on soft turf on one knee and one foot, and fluidly snapped his arms out to either side, and pushed a release button at the end of the hilts. This shot the sheaths off to either side, and produces a soft twang of release steal, as he bore his weapons. He jerked his head up, rich brown tendrils whipping up and clacking together against his back.

But what he saw, shocked him.

It now made perfect sense.

Why there hadn’t been a third set of prints when the attack started.

There wasn’t an attacker.

Before him, stood two very startled women.

One stood on her right foot, the left leg extended above her shoulder level, and the flat of her foot was frozen inches before the delicate nose of her opponent.

The other was stood on both her feet, but the fingers of her left hand wrapped tightly around her opponent’s threatening ankle, about to spin her round, and the other hand clenched back into a coiling fist, seconds from being thrust forward into her gut.

Both had wide emerald eyes, both frozen out of shock in place.

“Oh…my lord…”

“Clothes!” The taller snapped, releasing the ankle of the smaller woman, and they both scrabbled over to a sunken tree, where their long dresses were billowing in the strong winds.

Daijuta cleared his throat, then turned round. The women had only been wearing brassieres, bodice, panties, suspender belts attached to their hosiery and slipper pumps. All of which, where white. Their pumps were consequently, filthy.

“Why did we take then off?!?”

“You can’t spar with a bloody petticoat on!”

“But, but we shouldn’t have been sparing in the first place! If Father were to learn we were-”

“He won’t.”

“But we’ve been seen! And so indecently!!” She squeaked, the younger of the two pulling her cream petticoat down so it flowed from her bust properly, and hastily started stuffing her auburn locks up into her crimson bonnet. “Rose!”

“Stop your fretting and put your Spencer back on, quickly!” The older threw the crimson bust jacket at her, and hurried in retying the lace at the bosom of her white petticoat. She didn’t spoke a bonnet, preferring her long wavy chestnut locks to fall down her back. She managed to get her blue Spencer on, and inspected her sister. “Riona? Are you done?”

“Yes, I believe so. But-”

“Hurry, this way!” She grabbed her wrist, and they started to flee round the other side of the cliff, but were stopped dead but the immediate crashing presence of a monstrous figure.

“Raijuta!” The girls huddled together, Rosemary looking squarely up into the cold blue lenses of Raijuta’s mask. She didn’t waver once.

Poor Riona however, was terrified! She huddled to her sister, and looked from the foreboding figure of the dark spectre Raijuta, and the less intimidating Daijuta.

But when I say less intimidating.

I mean barely.

He still had both blades drawn after all. It was then she lowered her eyes to actually look at the weapons.

Her head cocked to one side, and she mouthed her lips to say ‘Wakizashi’. Why did that bother her? She stepped away from her sister only slightly, to gaze at the…familiar weapons.

Daijuta clicked his mandibles in annoyance. His brother chose to ignore him, and instead hold a staring contest with the oldest of the sisters. “Raijuta.”

Rosemary stiffened, and reached blindly to her side for her sister.

“Riona.” Hearing her name snapped Riona back to reality, and it was just in time, as Daijuta’s had just noticed her getting closer, and reached out to greet her. But she jumped back and squeaked before he could.

“S sister. Wh what should we-”

“I’m thinking.”

“But why are there aliens here? D Don’t they need a permit, o or-”

“I said I’m thinking!” Rose snapped, clutching her sister close to her, and looking over all Raijuta’s weapons. There were too many to counter them all. And he looked very skilled. She probably couldn’t wrestle or sneak one of them from him.

There was only one thing for it. “Forgive me.” She grabbed her sister’s shoulders tight, and shoved her down the cliff side hard, before leaping forward and punching high, connecting with Raijuta’s neck. It winded him, not expecting an attack, and he stepped back.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!”

Rose snapped her head to the side, and gasped in horror.

Riona had never connected with the hill floor and tumbled to safety like she hoped while she bought her time.

Daijuta had moved swiftly, grabbing her arm, and yanked her into his arms like the lightweight she was. He stood tall at 7 feet, holding her like a bride in his arms.

She just wasn’t acting like one.

“Ouch! Stop that!”

“AAAAAAAA!”

“C'jit!” He hissed, her arms and legs flailing everywhere, and her talons scraping his neck for the third time. “Damn it Ooman!”

“Put me down! You savage brute!”

“Let go, now.” Daijuta raised his eyes to look at Rosemary, who had a very intense look in her jade eyes. “You shouldn’t have dropped your weapons so carelessly.” His eyes widened, as she raised her hands into view, both brandishing his Wakizashi. She raised her arms into a striking stance, and her eyes warned him.

However.

Colossal jet armoured hands grasped her wrists brutally, and twisted them painfully. Both weapons dropped from her hands, and she was forced to her knees, her arms wretched up behind her back in one of his hands.

“And you shouldn’t underestimate or forget your enemy!” Raijuta clicked angrily. Giving her wrists an unnecessary clench. Rose screamed with pain.

“Rose!” Riona yelled, and reached for her, but Daijuta wouldn’t let her go. “You monster!” She screamed, and proceeded to slap him across the face. Hard. So hard she yelped with pain. He was wearing his mask after all. He turned his face to look back at her angry, hateful jade eyes and clicked sorrowfully.

“But I-”

“WHAT is the meaning of THIS?!?!” Henry and Hul’tah had finally arrived on the scene.

To find one son man handling his daughter so badly, timid little Riona saw fit to beat him across the face! And the other was torturing his eldest daughter, execution style!

Hul’tah took one look at the situation, and his blood boiled.

“Have I been cursed with dishonourable sons who would assault defenceless women!” He barked, drawing his own weapon. He bore a spinning disc in each clawed hand, looking murderously at his own sons. “Well?!? RELEASE THEM!”

“Daijuta lowered Riona to her feet slowly, for her to be pulled away from him protectively, and to watch her cry heavily into her father’s chest.

“F F Father!”

“I know. I know.” Henry was borderline crying, and borderline murderous. “Go to Hul’tah.” His jaw was tight, and Riona hesitantly left her father, to stand near Hul’tah. When he tried to comfort her, she stepped away from him, and wouldn’t stop shaking or crying.

Riona was now terrified of even Hul’tah.

The grand Yautja watched her cower from his offered embrace, and felt sick inside.

Henry immediately ran to Raijuta, who had still to release Rosemary. “Release her.” He stood there, a mere aging mortal human man, craning his neck back to look at him square in the eyes. His hand moved to his sabre by his side, and he didn’t look even slightly afraid of Raijuta. Like he had been only moments before. “I said, release her NOW.”

“Father, she attacked me! It’s fair game after tha-”

“If you wish to still be classed as my son, you will release that poor girl this instant.”

“Now!” Henry drew his sabre. “Is this what I have agreed to, Hul’tah?!” He looked over his shoulder to the Yautja King. Hul’tah frowned, and then stormed over to his son.

“I shall kill you myself boy, if you do not-”

Raijuta released Rose, letting her fall to the floor in a convulsing heap of pain. Her hair strewn in the mud, her dress soiled, deep purple bruises on her porcelain wrists and tears burning her cheeks.

Raijuta stepped back, and bowed his head to his father. Knowing not to question him. Yes, to an extent he could rebel against his father, but never, never, allow the High Arbitrator Hult’ah of the Kwei Clan, to finish a promise of death. Not even if you are his own kin, would you enrage him that far.

For he surely would kill you.

Daijuta simply watched Riona shivering with fear, her jade eyes darting from each of the Yautja, until she couldn’t stay still any longer. She threw herself forward, and into the dirt with her sister and father.

“R Rose! Rose, are you-”

“Call for some of the servants to have a room ready, the physician called and some to aid me carry her.”

“No need.” Daijuta stepped forward. “I’ll carry her! I’ll-”

“No.” Henry stared him down, and it actually silenced him.

“I’ll go, father.” Riona ran straight past Daijuta, not looking at him, and heading back up the hill to the palace.

“I’ll go too! I can-”

“Boy.” Hul’tah shook his head. “Enough.” The disturbed King looked at both his boys. “You shall both be barred to your rooms prepared for you in the castles, and may not leave until King Requinas deems fit.” Hul’tah bowed so low, his hips were at a right angle to his legs. “Please see fit to forgive the actions of my sons. And deal with them how you wish.”

“I’d rather not deal with them at all, at this moment in time.” Henry spoke, monotone, raising to his feet, carrying his collapsed daughter in his arms. “Could we please postpone our drink, your highness?”

“Of course.” Hul’tah bowed again, and Henry walked off, leaving the three Yautja in the silence of the countryside, and the tension of the situation.

It was obvious that Hul’tah was frothing at the edges, ready to remove both their limbs, from the way he looked at his sons.

He folded his arms, throwing his silver cape over his shoulder, and boring his intense amber eyes at them.

“Daijuta!” he barked, his upper mandibles clicking together angrily and his lower mandibles flared dangerously. “What in the name of the Gods happened here?!” Raijuta was still silent, and knew not to talk until spoken to.

“Father.” Daijuta stepped forward, his arms open submissively and his amber eyes begging. “I followed the girls, found there tracks, and-”

“Picked a fight?!?” Hul’tah raised his fist aggressively.

“No father!” Daijuta stepped back, and gulped from the level of murderous intent in his father’s musk. “When I was tracking them, I saw evidence of a fight in their footprints. So I assumed they had been attacked! So I drew my weapon and-”

“Attacked them?” Hul’tah folded his arms. This was to stop him lashing out at him, of course. He tried to be fair, and let him explain before he beat them senseless. Then at least, when he tried to patch things up with Henry, he would have their side at least.

“No! I saw that they were actually sparing, and turned around to let them dress!”

“…dress?” Hul’tah clicked with confusion. “Why…where they not dressed?”

“they were…in their underwear…” Daijuta looked off to the side, embarrassed as hell, but clenched his fists, and continued. “But I didn’t touch them!”

“So then what? How do you get from scarcely dressed women, to savaging them brutally?”

“I turned, and they had run off! And…” He looked over to Raijuta, who was looking off to the side in silence. He recognised that pause, and looked up. Almost as if the silence had been his way of addressing his brother.

“And?” Hul’tah turned to Raijuta, allowing him to continue.

Raijuta shifted.

“I got in the way. Just stood there. She shoved the small one off the cliff-”

“At which point I caught her! That’s why I was carrying her!” Daijuta butted in.

“And she punched me…in the neck.” Raijuta burned beneath his mask, ashamed that a weak creature like her had attacked him…and gotten the upper hand. Even for just a second, she had the upper hand.

“So you saw fit to almost tear her arms off? Is that what you’re saying to me?” Hul’tah rounded on Raijuta, happy with Daijuta’s involvement now. “You thought, she’s injured my pride, so I’ll remove her limbs?!”

“No, I just-”

“Nothing! It is now illegal to regard Oomans as pray! You can not regard her! She is to be your god damn MATE Raijuta!”

“I will not mate her!” He barked back, only to receive and silencing fist to the gut, topping him to his knees. Raijuta clutched his stomach, desperately trying to breathe.

Daijuta just stood there, and when his father turned to look at him, braced himself.

“Was that all your involvement boy?!”

“Yes father.” He gulped.

“Why did you even follow them in the first place?!?”

He didn’t answer at first, as if it was painful to talk. “Well?!!?” Hul’tah raised his fist, and stopped, as Daijuta pulled something from his belt.

It was a small slipper, so small, it had to be from a child…

“I…wanted to return this…” He looked down, ashamed of his weakness. He knew Raijuta would slate him for being such a female later…

“Truly?”

“Yes, father.” Hul’tah regarded him, and resisted the urge to smile.

Now was not the time for it.

“If that is the case, keep that, and return it to her with your full apology.” Daijuta snapped his head up in alarm, but didn’t get chance to protest. “It must be on a one to one basis, and I shall give you a week to do it.” Daijuta looked as if he was going to complain…the thought better of it. “That…also goes for you.” He turned his head, and looked down at the seething, but silent dark skinned hunter, who refused to look at him. “You shall apologise to young Rose. One week. The same applies. And if you don’t…”

Hul’tah started to walk off, his cloak billowing behind him, head high and voice certain. “…then you shall both be labels as bad bloods.”

Both sons snapped their heads up, dread settling in their chests at that last threat. They both understood the severity of what had happened. And both opted to use the back door to the palace, to go to their quarters. As to avoid anyone and everyone.

Raijuta was shown by a servant to his room at the end of one wing, and refused to even look at his brother, while Daijuta was shown to the opposite side of another wing. He entered his room, and collapsed on the large Queen sized poster bed. Which to a Yautja, was almost a single bed.

I have to get Riona alone, to apologise after all that? She didn’t even recognise me, and she said she hated me…

“You monster!”

Daijuta took a deep breath, and released it slowly. All I wanted to do was return a damn slipper to that stupid Ooman. How did this all happen?!? Why are Oomans so complicated?!?!?!