HTG - Chapter 174

Kalon

Chapter One-Seventy-Four: Jukalla - Part Two

Galactic Quadrant: Darna Quadrant

Ruling Government: Republic of Hekate

Solar System: D-2,946

Planet: Ravena Minor

Location: Ara Continent, Ravena’s Temple

Fennec is focused as he takes my measurements, “I had hoped you would have filled out more,” he turns to give a look to Kotina, “Did they set his nutritube to low?”

“No, he was getting adequate nutrients,” Kotina sighs, putting her hands on her hips, “The issue was that machines that were supposed to provide him with stimulus kept malfunctioning.” She puts her hand through her deep blue hair, “Probably Dargo’s fault, he had a library of runes in that place.”

“Dargo,” Fennec says, a tone of contempt, “I don’t know why our lord let him stay.”

“As much as I don’t like him, he’s strong. Strong enough that he put me on my ass.”

Fennec and the twins look at Kotina, measuring her.

“Do you trust him?” Fennec asks.

She muses the question, turning to face the window and peer outside, the breeze catching her short hair.  

“He’s going through all the steps for purification, so that he can perform the rite. Once he does, ask me again.”

“What is this purification and rite?” I ask.

The twins turn and it is Ralia that speaks first, “Those who have abandoned their gods and sworn themselves to another must purify themselves.”

Salia speaks next, “Depending on the depth of the bond, it can take years to change the runes.”

“It’s even worse if your Edict is from that god as well,” Kotina says crossing her arms, then quieter under her breath, “I hope it’s painful for him.”

As Dargo thought, she doesn’t seem to like him very much. I wonder what the reason is. Not enough to ask though, my mind is already full of many questions.

“Have you decided? Fennec asks me, measuring my wrist.

“On?”

He looks up at me for a moment, then back down at the tape, “Where you will go.”

I measure how he says it, it is not an idle question, Fennec seems different than before, he seems… focused, calm and collected. There are idiosyncrasies that I notice are the same, he still furls one sleeve slightly lower than the other, but there is a wariness in his gaze as he looks at windows and doors. Like he worries at any moment someone might come through it to kill us all.

There was a time where I was like this, when Arrum and I lived in the frozen walkways, before Nekam took us in…

Nekam, I wonder how he fares, and his children, Neeba and… Nevari.

“If he’s smart, he’ll choose to become a Raven,” Kotina says, musing a small stone from a bowl on the table.

“That is not his only choice,” Fennec turns to me with a furrowed brow, “You should weigh your options before you commit to this house.”

“Is there something wrong with this house?”

He shakes his head, and I feel the sincerity of it, “It is a grand house, the best that I have ever known. But it is not the only house, not the only way.”

“Stop filling his mind with nonsense,” Kotina groans, shaking her head, “House Ravena is one of the strongest in the galaxy, he should be honored to join it.”

“For someone who aspires for power, I’ll not disagree, Ravens are feared, but has anyone bothered to ask what he wants?”

She turns and squints at him, not an angry squint, but a curious one.

“There are more than just noble houses, there are free states and consortiums on the outer reaches of all the quadrants. Places that he can take his time and…” Fennec looks down.

“Jukalla?” I ask in the old tongue.

He nods.

Kotina snorts, but I do not.

“Dream of peace, no, I think not,” Kotina says after a few moments, her expression becomes more somber, “This one was bred for war, the gods have already sunk their hooks deep into him.”

Fennec looks up toward her, “They will not choose his path, this much I am sure of.”

“Oh? And why not?”

Fennec smiles and starts to measure again, “When you feel it, you will understand.”

“Feel what?” she asks tilting her head. He doesn’t reply though.

Fennec rolls his tape and smiles at me, a genuine smile. It is strange to see him like this, before Mallock, he and I were not close, I think most days he barely tolerated me and my questions.

“I’ve finished the measurements,” he says, motioning to the twins. They stand from the seats near Kotina and come and embrace me once more.

There is warmth from them, the kind that families give when they embrace. I feel it from Fennec as well as he clasps our arms together. There is a bond here, one that was born in fire and will not be easily broken.

“What do you want?” I ask Fennec as our arms clasp still.

He ponders it as he pulls his arm away, “When I die, I want to know that I did enough, that my life mattered.”

Kotina blinks at this before saying, “When the hells did you get so fucking… so fucking… are you alright?”

He smiles and turns back to me, “Korra told me that you are tending to the old warden, would you like me to have her fitted as well?”

“If you don’t mind.”

“Any preferences?”

“Something she can fight in, and if you have time, something that she can feel comfortable in.”

“I will do my best, and I will leave the color accents off of both until you decide where to go.” He leans in and says, “You are more valuable than entire star systems, know your worth before you bargain it away.”

“Fuck’s sake,” Kotina groans, “He’s a fucking pup, stop filling his head with nonsense. Yeah, I’ll admit he’s weird, not sure how he bounded so fast, but his body is like a wet noodle. Don’t make him overestimate himself.”

“You should spar with him,” Salia says with a coy and playful smile, “In his gravity that is.”

“I’m not one to bully,” Kotina says with an eyeroll.

“Have you not seen him fight before?” Ralia asks, cocking her head to the side, “He’s quite the dancer with blades.”

“I keep hearing that, yet I’ve never witnessed him do more than give platitudes and brooding looks,” she shifts and sighs a little, “Well, he’s less broody than before, but I still stand by what I said.”

“I wouldn’t mind a spar,” I say to Kotina, stretching my arm, “I am anxious to know how my body fares.”

She smirks, then squints at me, “Wait, you’re serious?”

I nod.

Fennec grins, “I have a sparring outfit you can borrow.”

We all turn to look at Kotina, she muses her jaw for a second, “Fuck it, but don’t cry to me if I break something.”

The twins match Fennec’s grin and give me a wink as they leave.

“Fennec,” I say as he leaves behind them, he looks back but does not fully turn, “Thank you for trying to get me out, Adona told me you acted as proxy for the other party that bid for me.”

His jaw tightens, “I only wish I had requisitioned more funds.”

“Do not dwell on it, I do not think that Solara would have given up easily.”

He turns a little more with a measuring look, did he not know that it was her?

“I’ll bring the sparring suit to the east training center.”

“Not sure he’ll be needing it,” Kotina yawns, clapping me on the back, “Come on pup, let’s go, should be pretty quick.”

***

Some time later I walk in stride with Kotina towards the training room. The beauty of the halls is making me forget the troubles of my life if even for the briefest of moments. As we walk through the grand arches of the entry way to a different wing, guards show respect to Kotina in the way of their people. Since waking up on Ravena Minor I have learned her position of Knight Commander is quite prestigious and that it is highly irregular for her to train the uninitiated. To spar with one is even more strange.

When I asked Fennec about Kotina in Tarvashal, he said that she is the best Ionic sword duelist in the entire armada under the house of Ravena. To learn the ionic blade from her is an honor bestowed upon few. I can’t help but wonder if someday she will train me in its ways, the thought excites me, calls to the warrior my people forged within me.

From what I have heard, only nobles and knight commanders may wield the ionic blades of light.

We make our way through grand halls, murals of soldiers holding the banner of this house standing atop fields of slain enemies line its walls. Depictions of great battles in the stars, I can’t help but be in awe by the scenes wondering their stories. Wondering if someday my own deeds will be recorded in ink.

“Lord Arkon is a tough man to please, mind your manners but show strength, it is the only currency in all the galaxies he respects,” Kotina says without looking at me as she pauses before a large set of doors with golden handles.

“I thought I was going to meet him after we fight?”

“Well, I got a ping that said he wants to see you now. So now, we’re here. Straighten up and try not to show you’re intimidated. We can fight after.”

“You’re not coming in?”

She pushes me in the small of the back toward the door then motions too it and says in a hushed whisper, “Come on then, don’t just gawk at it, knock for fuck’s sake.”

She said he respects strength above all, is my knock going to be a test? A weak knock will not do, and too strong of a knock may mean I am compensating by trying to appear strong. Why am I overthinking this? Be firm with the knock, but do not pound the door. I’m not entirely used to my strength yet…

“Knock, damnit,” Kotina growls, ushering me toward it.

Rushed, I knock on the door firmly… too firmly I realize as the wind gusts and the large ornate wooden door cracks and shatters inwards with a thunderous roar.

Vek.