Judgement Part Four: Ready, Set...

Posted on Sat Dec 2nd, 2017 @ 9:18pm by Staff Sergeant Nyx'e'Trixe Valentine & Lieutenant Commander J'Loni Mo'Bri

Mission: https://wellington.pegasusfleet.site/index.php/sim/missions/id/4
Location: Rogue Planet
Timeline: July 2nd, 2399 1315

ON:
This was all so new to her as she walked along side Nyx on the grassy field. Ahead of her she saw two individuals. One she guessed was the Priestess who she guessed was the one Nyx was gonna duel with. The other she figured would be her Keyal, just as she had agreed to be.

The two women approached each other on the field, the man behind the silver-armored woman breaking off a few steps from their meeting point and walking over to J'Loni and greeting her.

"Lady Commander Mo'Bri, my name is Hir'e'Meta Lotalla, Priest Fifth Class of Bey'a'Dande, Keyal to the Priestess Sixth Class Tilas'e'Tori Nethteli and her second in command. I will also be your guide for this combat. If you have any questions, I will answer them for you." He was rather genial and soft-spoken.

J'Loni nodded, " I am Lt. Commander J'Loni Mo'Bro, Daughter of the House of L'Keth and Keyal of Nyx. I am not familiar with my duties of your type of battles. Please enlighten me as to what my duties are please so I may serve My Lady Nyx with honor", she said.

"Of course, Lady Commander." Hir'e'Meta agreed, hand casually resting on the single sword on his belt, "Our duties are rather simple, Lady Commander, we are to do nothing to interfere with the fight and to ensure the other Keyal does not interfere themselves. The other primary duty is to provide mercy to our primary. Unfortunately, that duty is more likely to fall to you. I know My Lady has every intention of leaving your Priestess in that precise situation.

Nyx, in her red armor stopped three paces from the other priestess and bowed low, “My Lady, I have called Judgement against the decree set to me by thine own self to return to Tial.”

“So you have.” Tilas'e'Tori Nethteli acknowledged, “And I have chosen to respond to your call myself. I, Priestess Sixth Class Tilas'e'Tori Nethteli of Bey'a'dande do accept your call to Judgement, as is proper by the Law.” She returned the bow, then gestured to the ground between them, making a gesture over it, “Sacred ground stands between us, no harm shall come to thee whilst we call upon Bey'a'dande to bless this Judgement.” She gestured to one of the dark-haired soldiers behind her and he came up with three bowls and they were placed between them and they kneeled.

Nyx, being the junior priestess, reached out to the one with the bread, then dipped it in the water and the salt, “We feast today for the promise of what to come.”

“For one of us shall surely feast by Her side before the sun falls beyond the sky.” Tilas added.

“And may She defend the Right.” Nyx finished, the two priestesses taking simultaneous bites of the traditional 'last feast' that came before known combat or duels. Another gesture from Tilas made the soldier retrieve the bowls and withdraw again.

As soon as the soldier was out of earshot, Tilas's voice lowered so only Nyx could hear her, “You killed my brother, Sentar.” She growled, “And for that, you shall bleed out on this patch of dirt. I hope your 'friend' is willing to give you Mercy, because that will be your only quick release.”

“Your brother and his friends tried to rape me, My Lady.” Nyx responded, “Four priests, one of the second rank, against one newly escalated priestess, barely thirteen. I fought. What else was I supposed to do?”

“Submit.” Tilas replied, “You should never have even made it to become a priestess in the first place, much less defeated him. He would have been Light one day, now we'll never know, Sentar.”

Nyx stood without using her hands, “No, My Lady, we shan't.”

Standing herself, Tilas gestured to her subordinate, who said something to J'Loni and the two approached. “Priest Fifth Class Hir'e'Meta Lotalla, you stand here as my Keyal, as well as my next in command. Do you understand your duties?”

“Yes, My Lady, and I stand ready to perform my duties.” He responded with a bow.

Nyx turned her head to J'Loni, “Lady Commander J'Loni Mo'Bri, you stand here as my Keyal. Do you understand your duties?”

"Yes my lady, and I stand ready to preform my duties", she said, bowing lowly to her.

“This is so witnessed.” Tilas said somberly, then looked between J'Loni and Nyx, “Say farewell to your 'friend', Sentar, comfort her for your impending doom.” She gestured to her companion and withdrew a few steps before talking to him in lowered tones and drawing both of her swords in preparation.

"Are you sure you can best her in fighting? I know you can win if you are careful and parry well and defend her swords well. I have faith in you. Fight with Honor and with a pure heart and you will survive. It will be my job to see you live after this. That is my promise to you", she said, as a tear escaped.

"My Lady, yes, I am good, very good, but she is truly a mistress of war itself. One doesn't make the Sixth Class on points and those who survive to the rank are deadly indeed." Nerves were starting to hit Nyx again, "She is quite frankly leagues better than me, but I have not given up. But, My Lady... If it does turn out badly, don't hesitate, please, it truly would be a mercy."

Looking at Nyx in astonishment...."Nyx, you can't be serious. You expect me to end your life just like that? I mean if she wins that is what this being second is for? To mercifully end your life because you failed to kill her", she said with tears running down her cheeks. Deep in her soul that is exactly what this all meant and it would be a Klingon's way should they be unable to function again as a whole person, but this? It was something totally different and she was unprepared in her heart to accept. There had to be a better way.

"I would, My Lady, truthfully." Nyx sighed, accepting what may happen, "I am not going to say I don't fear death, but I fear a slow, torturous one that causes me to betray that fear with screaming and pleading. A warrior's death is far better."

"Nyx I pray it won't come to that. If I see that your wounds are giving you pain, Do not cry out please. There is a medic on the shuttle for you and I can get you there Nyx! Please just do your best and I promise you won't suffer, just DON'T cry out in pain", she said pleading.

"My Lady, if I lose and you bring a medic over, it would be interfering and they will kill us all." Nyx shook her head, "No, my life is not worth that. If I lose, I die. It is our custom. Don't challenge her if I lose, she might just take you up on it. Don't. If I die, don't let anyone throw their lives, or yours, away to attempt vengeance. She. Is. Too. Dangerous."

"So is an irate Klingon that has just had to kill her best friend Nyx. But, I will try to avoid my blood anger and do what is necessary", she said. Hanging her head in defeat. Now she had to rethink her strategy and watch the movements of both combatants. "Nyx, is it allowed to coach or speak to you as you fight?", she asked quickly.

"I don't know of anything to prohibit it, however just be aware it may cause a momentary distraction. And believe me, My Lady, this will move fast, faster than you might think."

"Don't underestimate my empathic ability to read Nyx. It might help if I see you are unprotected and vulnerable in a moment. But, I will try none the less. Just remember in the end, do not cry out in pain. Let the pain flow from your mind like he water flowing over your body taking the pain with it. Keep thinking that and you will not cry out in pain", she said, smiling at her.

"It would have to be bad indeed, anyways." Nyx gave a final brief smile, "Pain is only pain, remember? But Honor?" Nyx turned away from J'Loni and took a deep breath, exhaling it explosively, "Is Everything." She said aloud, but mostly to herself as she turned towards the fight. Always towards the fight.

OFF:

Lt. Cmdr. J'Loni Mo'Bri
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Wellington

First Lieutenant Nyx'e'Trixe Valentine
Marine CO
USS Wellington

Priestess Sixth Class Tilas'e'Tori Nethteli
Bitch Priestess, CO
TCS Bey'a'Dande

Priest Fifth Class Hir'e'Meta Lotalla
XO, Keyal to Tilas'e'Tori
TCS Bey'a'Dande