The Meeting

 I walk into the sacred garden with Kai and Dunn by my side in search of my father. He’s standing by the Sung tree with Zoe and Guii admiring its beauty. Pink petals fall to the garden floor around them. My father grabs one, hands it over to Zoe who looks at the pink petal puzzled, as if he doesn't know what it is. 

 “Amazing isn’t it “ Kai says, 

walking up to the three alongside  Dunn and I. 

“How something so Beautiful and insignificant could cause so much bloodshed” Kai sneered, staring directly at Zoe.

 Zoe gives a weak smile. The tension between my brother and the chieftain Zoe was thick and claustrophobic. My father reached out his arm, introducing us

 “My sons” he booms with pride.

 I couldn't contain the eye roll I gave at his ways to save face,

 “ The Chieftain Kane, I bowed  and the General of our mighty army Kai,” he gushed.

Kai glared, he couldn’t contain his dislike for Zoe, he thought Zoe was a coward  and disloyal. He didn't like that we had to ask for his help.  We asked once before and was turned down by his father fifteen years ago. The Yumi people have always sided on the side of caution. But to Kai  that was cowardice.

“How was your journey, I hope all is well,” I asked turning to face Guii 

  “As well as can be” Guii answered. 

Guii was a tall man, once he had hard muscles, now rounded out by the passing of years. In his youth he was a formidable warrior. He still wears his warrior tattoos proudly along with the many scars that tell the story of the many battles he has seen. Most people are intimidated by him, but i have known him for a while and he is a jolly fellow, harmless to most, but never underestimate him.

 “So Lui!” Guii shouted to my father.

 “What's the cause of this meeting? Why have you dragged me away from my beautiful mate? What’s with all the urgency?”

 I turn to Guii to answer, to tell him of our dire need for assistance, that this war is leaving my tribe vulnerable. I turn my head left to speak; I stumble over my words as I take notice of a slender woman standing just behind the tree line with a bow strapped to her back. She catches me staring and gives me a devilish grin and slowly walks towards me. I watch as her hips sway this way and that. I Am in a trance. I look to see if she is mated but her head is clean, no white tattoos, but her arms are covered in red.

 “She’s a warrior,” I gasp.

 She wears a woven bandeau across her chest from flexible tree branches to display her tattoos and a nicely crafted short sword at her side. She walks with confidence. I was immediately taken with this warrior goddess. 

“Ah my daughter, Mera; come, come, come,” Zoe said waving her over.

 I was at a loss for words. I bowed at the waist, clasped her hand in mine and said. 

“Nice to make your acquaintance,”. 

She gave me a once over and snatched her hand away, placing it behind her back.

 “Just in time; Mera, we are about to hear why we were brought here for this meeting”. Guii pointed out. 

Dunn elbowed me in the ribs to get my attention, My

father gave me a pointed look. Guii smiled knowingly, while Kai rolled his eyes and folded his arms across his chest.

  “We're here because Sung is in trouble, this war has taken its toll on our people, our land. This is our home and we will fight to protect it.” I Cried.

 “How can we help'' Guii asked.

 “In order to defeat Akoma we need weapons and more warriors; I refuse to let any more children die in this fight.  It needs to stop now! this will be the last generation that sees this war” i declared.

 Kai nodded his head in agreement.

 “This war has nothing to do with us” Zoe blurted.

 Kai's eyes narrowed, and he took a step closer to Zoe, baring his fangs.

 “You're a spineless coward and don’t deserve to be called Chieftain,” Kai seethed.

His eyes burned with rage, and a promise of violence. Mera stepped in front of her father, a short sword raised at the

Ready.  From her stance you can tell she was a seasoned warrior. Either way, she still wouldn't be a match for Kai.

 “Let's take a walk, Kai,” my father roared.

 Kai took a step closer, Mera raised her sword, its point rested on Kai's chest.

 “One more step and I will end your life,” Mera hissed.

 I stepped in and placed my hand on Kai's shoulder.

 “Go to the wounded,” I say.

  “Sorry about that, let's talk more of this matter later. I have a choosing Ceremony to get ready for, I would be honored if you all attended”, I say, turning to Mera

 “can you save me a dance?” I ask, looking into her eyes.

 She forced a smile and said

 “Don’t bet your kingdom on it” and walked away with her father following behind.

 Guii let out a thunderous laugh while Dunn patted me on the back. 

“Do not make that mistake” my father cautioned . 

 “A girl from Sung would be more appropriate,” my father said turning up his nose.

 “And if I choose her as my mate” I retorted walking up to him with narrowed eyes.

“Then you will not have my support” he says turning and walking away.

I wanted to bare my fangs, rip his throat out. But I just stood there like a deer caught in the headlights. I turned to look at Dunn, but he averted his eyes; I looked over at Guii, who gave me a weak smile. 

“I need to go and get ready for the ceremony, and I hope to see both of you there, give my best to Siva,” I tell Dunn.

 I walk through the garden back to the manse. I greet the guards at the door, one of them steps forward, an inexperienced boy about 14 moons. 

  He bows before me. His indigo skin is unmarked which  means he has not seen battle or taken a life. He smiles at me and I can’t return the gesture. I'm saddened because one day too soon his body would be tattooed red and it makes me sick.  I walk past with my head down and see his face fall from the corner of my eye.

  I manage to make it to my bedroom without incident. I nod to my personal guard, Seet, he doesn't respond as his eyes roam the hall watching for anything in the shadows. I smiled to myself. He takes his job way too seriously. I walk through the

double doors of my suite and flop down on my enormous bed and stare up at the ceiling. 

The only thoughts running through my head were of Mera. I smile to myself thinking of her false act of hostility, knowing it’s only a matter of time before I make her mine.