Page 23 of Captured By The Alien (Starbound #2)

“Four contestants will be eliminated in the first round. Three in the second.”

General Elaryx Solarun paced back and forth in front of the candidates. All of them were wearing their numbered jumpsuits. Vysh was four. Layahn, predictably, was number one.

They had been assembled in a training room directly after breakfast, though the word ‘room’ was a bit of an understatement. Arena would be more accurate.

“These rounds will consist of challenges designed to test your ingenuity and tenacity. The Zhaal doesn’t want a trophy wife, he wants someone smart and capable.”

“Bad luck, human,” Layahn said pointedly. “You fail on both counts.”

Kara rolled her eyes.

“Gosh, you’re so witty. If only your charm matched the size of your ego.”

“Quiet, both of you,” Ela snapped. “If you don’t want to know about the challenges, feel free to leave.”

Neither of them moved. Kara looked down at her feet, heartily wishing she could use them to boot Layahn across the room. Ela resumed her briefing.

“The third and final round will involve unarmed combat between the remaining six contestants. Three fights, three victors. These will be the three Potentials from whom Zhaal Talvahnax Castellian will choose his mate.”

A shiver run down Kara’s back. She’d told Vahn she could do this but standing here now, with twelve other hopefuls all desperate to be the Zhaalini, doubt was creeping in.

She glanced at Layahn, as vicious as a rattlesnake and highly motivated to kick human butt. If she ended up facing her in unarmed combat, she wouldn’t be able to hold back because the Vraxian certainly wouldn’t.

General Solarun continued.

“From today, to ensure your safety and to protect you from any interference during the trials, there will be guards posted outside your rooms. This is merely a standard security measure. You should not let it distract you.”

Ela didn’t look at Kara directly but it was clear to everyone what the security threat was: any disgruntled Vraxian outraged at the idea of a human taking part in shaa’baara .

“Great. So because of her the rest of us are essentially under house arrest,” sniped Layahn. Ela raised an eyebrow.

“You object to our procedures, Lady Vantrax? Perhaps you’d like to make a formal complaint to your uncle?”

Kara rejoiced internally as the Potential squirmed.

“No, it’s fine. I appreciate the palace protecting our safety.”

“Very glad to hear it.” Ela turned her steely gaze back to the others. “You may use this training room to prepare, exercise, spar, anything you feel you need to do before the challenges begin. Or you can just rest. The first round will be in two days. You will be given precise details then. May good fortune walk with you.”

She turned and left.

The Potentials looked at each other, uncertain what to do.

“You want to run?” Kara asked Vysh. “I don’t know about you but I’ve spent the last few days eating and sleeping. I could do with some exercise.”

“Me too. Let’s do some laps.”

“I’ve been training since we got here,” said Layahn superciliously. “I have no need for further preparation.”

She stalked to the exit.

“Don’t let the door hit you on the way out,” called Kara. Vysh snorted with laughter, hastily straightening her face when Layahn turned to glare at them. She pulled Kara towards the running track.

“Come on, let’s run.”

Vysh started jogging along the outer perimeter of the arena. Her long legs covered the distance quickly and it took Kara a few moments to catch up. Vysh slowed fractionally to ease the pace.

“You know, you shouldn’t antagonize Layahn, Kara. If you draw her in the final challenge she’ll try to eviscerate you.”

“I thought lethal force wasn’t allowed?”

“No, but accidents happen.”

“Great. Good to know. Anyway, you’re assuming I’ll get that far. What about you?”

“What about me?”

“Well, what if we both get to the final round? And face each other?”

Vysh shrugged.

“That won’t be a problem.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t intend to pass the final round.”

She sped up, leaving Kara in her wake. But Kara wasn’t about to give up. She cut the corner on the track and drew level again.

“Hey, hang on a tick. What do you mean, you don’t intend to pass?”

“Just what I say. I don’t want to marry the Zhaal.”

“So why the heck are you competing in shaa’baara then?”

“My father wanted to benefit from the associated kudos.”

Vysh pulled ahead again and Kara raced to keep up.

“So you’re going to throw the competition?”

Vysh didn’t answer. They were now halfway round the arena and far enough away from the other Potentials not to be overheard. Kara put on a final burst of speed and managed to grab the Vraxian by the arm.

“Stop. Stop a minute before I have a heart attack. Jesus.” She put her hands on her knees and took a deep breath. Vysh stretched her hamstrings, unperturbed.

“Do you wish to practice your hand-to-hand skills?” she asked.

“What? No, I want to know what’s going on with you.”

Vysh sighed.

“It’s quite simple. My father forced me to offer shaa’baara so he could reap the benefits. If a contestant does well, it can raise a family’s status. Bring them new business opportunities, social connections, that kind of thing.”

“But you don’t want to be the Zhaalini?”

“Nope. If I get to the combat round, I’ll throw the fight.”

“But why?”

Vysh smiled a little sadly.

“Because I have found my kalehshun . I don’t know if you know what that is, it’s a little hard to explain. It means…”

“It means you’ve found your fated mate. Your one true love.”

“Yes! You do understand!” Vysh was overjoyed. “That is exactly right. I’ve found my true love and he is the only one I want to be with.”

“So why bother with shaa’baara ?” Kara was perplexed. “Just marry your kalehshun .”

“I can’t. He isn’t from one of the noble families and my father doesn’t approve of him. But he says he’ll allow our union as long as I perform well in the challenges.”

“He’s making you do this for him? ”

“If I get through to the third round, he’ll get the respect he wants and I’ll be free to marry my love.”

Kara shook her head in disbelief.

“Wow. I thought I had a ruthless parent but your father takes the biscuit.”

“I’m unsure how carbohydrate-heavy consumables are involved. But yes, my father has given his word I can marry my kalehshun as long as I do well in the contest . ”

“Is that why you didn’t want to look at him yesterday? During the ceremony?”

“I didn’t want to be reminded that I’m here under false pretenses. I feel shamed by my deception. I didn’t want to lie to you too.”

Vysh hung her head and Kara reached up to pat her shoulder.

“It’s okay. I get it. I’m doing shaa’baara for an ulterior motive too. I’m trying to show everyone humans aren’t all monsters.”

“But yours is an honorable mission.”

“So’s yours. Love is always honorable.”

“Please don’t tell anyone, Kara.” Vysh was suddenly agitated. “If anyone finds out I intend to lose on purpose they’ll disqualify me and…”

“Relax, Pink. I’m on your side. And this is great news for me. One less Vraxian ass to kick.”

“Don’t be so sure,” Vysh said, affronted. “I’m going to give it everything I’ve got in the first couple of challenges.”

“Wouldn’t have it any other way.” A thought struck Kara. “Hey, how are you dealing with teshekalehsh symptoms? From not being with your kalehshun I mean?”

“You know about that?”

“Oh, I heard someone mention it,” she said evasively. “Don’t you get super edgy when you’re apart from him?”

Vysh looked round furtively to make sure no-one was watching, then pulled up one leg of her jumpsuit. She showed Kara her calf.

At first Kara didn’t get what she was looking at. Vysh’s calf looked normal, if a blue scale-covered calf could be said to be normal. The she realized one of the scales was a much darker color than the rest.

“What is it?” she asked.

“He pulled a scale off his leg and I did the same. Then we swapped them so we would always have something from the other against our skin.” She stroked an affectionate fingertip over the darker scale. “It was drek’aa painful but worth it. If I didn’t have this I’d be unable to sleep or function and or be good for anything.”

“Yeah, it’s a bitch all right.” Kara spoke without thinking and Vysh’s gaze sharpened.

“You seem to know a lot about it.”

“I only meant it sounds awful. Shall we run some more?”

“Zandarr’s Fountain. You have a kalehshun! ” Vysh squealed and Kara tried to shush her.

“Keep your voice down.” She looked over nervously as other runners approached. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Who is it?”

“No-one.”

“You can tell me. I’ll keep your secret. We’ll keep each other’s secret.”

“There’s nothing to tell,” Kara said desperately. “Honestly, just let it go.”

Vysh’s eyes widened.

“In the name of Ayanlesh. It’s the Zhaal, isn’t it? Did you find kalehsh with him on the planet you were marooned on? You did, didn’t you? By all the gods and temples, that’s why you offered yourself for shaa’baara .”

“Vysh, please. Just forget it.”

The other Potentials ran by, glancing at them curiously as they passed. Vysh didn’t say anything until they were out of earshot.

“I won’t say anything to anyone,” she said quietly. “But think about this. What happens if you don’t win the contest? Is the Zhaal willing to give you up? Are you willing to give him up? Because I tell you now, every other Potential is as determined to wed him as you are.”

Kara swallowed.

“But they don’t have fate on their side.”

It sounded stupid when she said it out loud but Vysh grinned.

“You’re right. And they don’t have me either. Come on. We’d better get you fighting fit if you’re going to win this competition for both of us.”

“You’re a good person, Vysh.”

“Not really. I just want to see the look on Layahn’s face when you beat her.”