And Vaxa still continued to bleed.
“Where is Privanax?” Kate asked, mostly to herself.
Bidan answered, “Until there is a ruling, none can have medical aid.”
Kate’s eyes were drawn the stains of blue blood dotting the ring, where four Luxirians had already died and been taken away.The challenging warrior spoke to Vaxa, his voice reverberating around the mountain.
It was times like these where she wished she understood their language.
* * *
“Why did you spare my life?” Brelix asked, his eyes straying to the struggling Luxirian male currently being held down by Lihvan, Cruxan, and Vikan.That alone spoke of his strength, that he needed three warriors to restrain him.
“You challengedme,” Vaxa’an replied, trying to hide the way his chest heaved, trying to ignore the icy pain that was spreading from the gushing wound in his side.“I will ask you this once, Brelix.Did you organize this with him?”
Brelix physically recoiled.“I have more honor than that, Prime Leader.I wanted a fair Trial, a fair fight.”
“Yet in challenging my rule, you dishonored myluxiva, dishonored my unborn heir, and dishonored me,” Vaxa’an growled.
Brelix wisely remained silent.The edges around Vaxa’an’s vision began to blur and he shook his head, trying to clear it.
Then, Vaxa’an realized he was being unfair.Brelix had a right to challenge him, just like all Luxirians.
Brelix straightened, casting his eyes to the crowd that surrounded the arena and then back to him.“I was challenging you because I believe it is right.Humans have no place with Luxirians.”
“I am surprised by you, Brelix,” Vaxa’an said quietly, his voice dangerously low, his vision blurring once more.“You are only slightly older than I am and yet you support such outdated views.When will you realize that Luxirians will be no more in a hundred rotations?No young has been born in over ten.You should be thankful that we are compatible with humans because it gives our race hope and opportunity to rebuild anew.”
“We are compatible with other species,” Brelix argued.“Humans are weak.They would pollute our strength and we rely on our strength to survive.”
“One thing I have learned about myluxivais that she is not weak,” Vaxa’an said.“And you will be careful not to insult yourlavrix’anin front of me.”
Brelix’s jaw remained shut.
“I will give you three options, Brelix,” Vaxa’an said.“One is we continue the Trials.”
“I will not fight you, Prime Leader,” Brelix said.“You have been injured and it would not be an honorable fight.”
“Then you choose death, or exile,” Vaxa’an rasped.He was sweating now and getting dizzier by the second.The blade had cut him deeply and he needed the wound mended quickly.
Brelix was silent as he debated his options.Vaxa’an knew that he was one of their best warriors, but his prejudices had no place on Luxiria.
However, perhaps it was the blood loss or because Vaxa’an had simply taken too many Luxirian lives that span, an idea formed in his mind.It could either bite him in thevarxor it could sway Brelix’s opinions.He walked closer to the warrior until they were a few feet apart and said quietly.“Or I have an assignment that I would like you to join.”
Confusion and wariness sparked in Brelix’s gaze.“An assignment, Prime Leader?”
“Yes.You will accompany Ambassador Lihvan on an infiltration mission of the Pit.Those humans that you are so fond of…” Vaxa’an sucked in a sharp breath as pain radiated from the wound, pulsing and hot.“Those human women have been imprisoned against their will.Myluxivahas made me realize how shameful this is.And while she has forgiven me for participating, there are women there who continue to be mistreated.Luxirians do not stand for the mistreatment of females, do we?”
“No, we do not,” he said.Something fired in Brelix’s gaze, but then he asked, “You spare my life a second time?Why?”
“Because I have known you since we fought together on Hwaronia, do you remember?”Brelix nodded.“You are an honorable male and a good warrior.Perhaps your only fault is that you are too steadfast in Luxiria’s ways and this has clouded your vision.This mission may help to sway your opinions.Regardless of what you may think of me, I do not relish the thought of taking your life.Too much blood has already been spilled this span.”
Brelix glanced towards his feet, at the gore and blood spatters decorating the arena.
He was silent for a few moments and Vaxa’an pressed harder onto his wound, trying to stanch the blood flow.
Then Brelix finally glanced up at him and said, “I will accept your mercy, Prime Leader.”
Vaxa’an nodded, looking towards Rixavox who had been closely watching the exchange.“Take him,” he said to Rixavox.“Make sure he is sequestered before the assignment begins and inform Lihvan.”
