Descend- Seeing Stars, Sean Oswald [best e books to read .txt] 📗

her worthy. Ultimately, he said, “I’m simply not sure if it would be possible to fuse with you or if it is whether you could survive the process.”

      That last part triggered her challenge as she said, “I was given to you as a wife, but many before you sought me as their mate and each of them, I defeated in combat. If I must prove my worth to you then I will fight you.”

      Jay tried to steer her away from it, but she could not be dissuaded. She was fixated on proving her worth. So, he asked, “Please tell me about this custom. When a male tries to claim you as his mate do you fight in earnest or is it some type of mock battle.”

      She scoffed at that and said, “It is to submission or death and is very earnest. But I cannot fight you in the same way. The council has made me your wife, you have no need to fight to earn me. Yet, I still wish to show you that I am not a woman to be taken lightly.”

      Jay said, “This would hardly be fair.”

      “Why because you are human, and I am Tamoori? Will I always be less in your eyes? How long will I have to bear this shame for the sake of my people?” She lamented.

      “It isn’t fair because none of my wives could match me in a fight. It would not even be close. Whether it is right or not, I simply have abilities that none of them can match,” Jay said.

      “You have not tried me, perhaps you will be surprised,” she said defiantly.

      Jay thought for a moment and then held up his hand to blast out a jet of flame so hot that she had to throw up an arm to cover her face. Then he manipulated the metal of the floor and formed a series of three-foot spikes up out of the nearly indestructible A’snkarnt metal.

      “Yes, I know all about your sorcery. You wives are immensely proud and even though I saw it, I doubted at first, but they call you the Master of Time, but this is to be a physical battle not one of mystical arts,” Eesa said.

      “Master of Time,” Jay laughed. “That might be a bit extreme. But since when is a fight a fight if you don’t use all of your abilities?”

      “Since now. You are not questioning my knowledge of Tamoori customs are you, my lord husband?”

      He shrugged and said, “Fine, but it will make no difference. So, what do we have to do?”

      She said, “We must have some witnesses. Preferably some of your people and some of mine.”

      “Very well then go and gather your witnesses and meet me back at the spot where I met with the council in one hour,” Jay said.

      She kneeled and lowered her head with a toothy grin upon her face, “As my lord husband wishes.”

Chapter 24- Throwing and Jumping

 

When Jay showed up with his other seven wives in tow to act as witnesses, he was surprised to see that there were thousands of Tamoori and not warriors. Sure, there were warriors present but they looked mostly like families. They were down on the ground almost like it was to be a picnic. Some of the children even appeared to be eating snacks.

The council members were waiting for Jay and his group to arrive but this time Eesa’s father took the lead. “Is this all that you are bringing as witnesses?”

      “Yes, you have to remember that there aren’t that many of us and the rest are needed to be doing the work required to save our people. I didn’t expect this many Tamoori to come.

“As you wish, but even in war time, there is a need for relaxation. This way they will get to watch the contest today and cheer for a princess of our people,” Namur-san said.

      A moment later, Eesa walked out. She was wearing what he would call a gymnast’s suit with shorts over it. Her feet were bare, and claws extended from each of her toes. They were a bit off putting but her entire outfit showed off her very feminine form. “Greetings, lord husband. Are you ready for the contest? I hope you won’t dishonor me.” The last part she said very softly.

      “I will do my best. I admit I am glad that this is not a fight, but a contest. So, what is involved?” Jay asked.

      Namur-san said, “Your wife has invoked the right of challenge. Any female may do so against a prospective suitor. If he wins then she is his wife, joins his house, and is his to do with as he wishes. If she wins then he may never approach her again.

      The challenges are based upon our heritage. They include contests of leaping, climbing, spear throwing, hunting, running, and if things are not clearly decided by that point, combat.”

      Jay said, “Okay, I can handle that.”

      “We shall see, my little Eesa has never been defeated. Today is not a challenge for your right to mate with her, but rather about the respect you will have with her and our people,” the Lepar elder replied.

      His other wives were given a position of honor next to the elders and their wives, while Jay and Eesa were led out to a line marked on the ground. Jay knew that beneath the soil lay a metal floor but for all intents and purposes this could have been the African savannah.

      Up from the ground metal arms sprang forth with six-inch targets hanging from them. The closest were fifty feet with the furthest out being three hundred feet. Then