artwork by me
recap from the previous episode
I observed Tirad laying on the ground barely conscious, the silence was getting louder and the look of shock and disbelief was simmering in the crowd, most especially when I looked at chiefs - with bowed heads slightly buried in their hands, they couldn't bear to watch their champion in defeat.
Although my blood was still fresh with rage and a rush of triumph, I slowly regained some sense of normalcy when I remembered the real mission at hand, the reason for my escapade, finding the Lobab to save Abin's life which is a wide contrast from killing another man in armed combat.
I walked over to the center of the arena with my head lifted high and a flush of electric goosebumps as I spoke gracefully.
"I don't know about the customs of Quaz'in, I am not an Orktarg but one thing I've grown to know is the strength of this colony under the leadership of one man, Abin, he is down there dying while everyone sits here thirsty for blood, I don't think He would approve of this, I'm not here to kill anyone, I am here to save a life and I implore you to let me do that..."
"Thorak speaks the truth" Misa rushed towards the arena with a hand full of Lobab root.
"I sent him to fetch the Lobab root from his hometown that could save my father's life, I trusted him to do what he promised and he did, he could have ran away but he came back, he kept his word"
I let out an astonishing smile as Misa walked closer toward me and lifted my hand.
"Thorak Quaz'in! Thorak Quaz'in! Thorak Quaz'in!" She chanted with increasing clamor.
Before long, her chants spread like wildfire igniting the auditorium as they echoed her words, I stood in disbelief, overwhelmed by emotions.
Suddenly, Zilad, one of the high chiefs, stood up and motioned for some decorum with the crowds who were clearly on my side.
"Thorak... is granted the Quaz'in" Zilad spoke with a humble demeanor.
Zilad walked down from the podium, towards me as the loud cheer of the crowd echoed around us, I thought he wanted to shake my hands but he slightly bowed his head and walked past me towards Tirad, the fallen champion.
"I'm sorry, father... I-I failed you..." Tirad groaned.
"aahhh... save your strength child" Zirad spoke softly.
Zirad signaled some orderlies who carried Tirad away and then he turned towards me and Misa.
"You fought well Thorak, you showed heart of a true warrior and have earned the respect of mine and the entire colony"
"Thank you chieftain... I..."
"Hurry, let's go Thorak, we need to give the Lobab to my father" Misa interrupted and pulled me away from the arena.
Shortly afterward, we approached the room where Abin was held, I observed that his conditions had worsened as his skin had grown dull but his will to survive was still strong, usually a Klaxion poisoned arrow would have killed even the strongest person in half the time but it seems Orktargs are more resilient than I imagined.
"Is this the herb?" One of the healers in the room asked.
"Yes it is" I responded with enthusiasm.
"Hmmm... " The elderly woman grabbed the Lobab and tasted a bit from it.
I was about to tell her how to administer the herb but she instinctively began grounding the herb and made some deep incisions around Abin's wound, she squeezed the juice into it and wrapped up some more ground herb with the wound, she also applied a rich amount unto his anal cavity and also his ear openings.
I was surprised at their ingenuity in using the Lobab as I watched the healers go to work, like a hive of drone bees.
"Thank you Thorak, Abin is in safe hands now, you can have your well-deserved rest" The elderly Healer said "... and that goes to you too Misa, we don't need to hear any more of your tears in this room"
"Okay Mother," Misa said with a coy smile and ushered me out of the room.
I was surprised at the revelation that the elderly woman was her mother and bowed my head toward her as I left the room.
After a while, I arrived at my resting quarters with Misa walking behind me, I noticed she gently grabbed my shoulders and I turned around.
"Thank you Thorak" Misa said as she got closer and held my hands.*
"It is no bother Misa, I did what I had to.."*
"No, Thorak, you did more, you fought with honor, you fought like a warrior... like the strongest Orktarg I've ever seen"
Misa gently place her hands under my chin and lifted up my gaze, I could see the passion in her eyes as she slightly stooped and planted a kiss on my lips.
My lips slowly warmed up against hers but she suddenly withdrew before our romance peaked, she let out a shy smile and took a step backward.
"Forgive my impulse, Thorak... You must be tired and hungry after today's ordeal, I will bring some ointment for your wounds and some food, with those fruits you love so much, hehe..."
Misa giggled and hopped out of the room, like a giddy princess, a princess that just stole my breath away.
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