Capítulo 4: Chapter four
Darkness fell over the Horde, the great fire pit in the middle of the courtyard was the only source of light. Despite not being a fishmonger town, the Chief made a show of opulence and excess: there was food served wherever you turned your head. The teenagers were dancing like lunatics, with a passion that could only be matched by the flames they were surrounding.
Uluki, despite his sober appearance, was a happy drunk: the Chief’s unfunny jokes were comedy gold for him.
A man arrived to announce the presence of a skilled scientist and friend of the court. Yan came into the room, glancing nervously for Zazuza.
When their eyes met, he smiled but she looked away, snubbing him.
„ Yan, how are you, we haven’t seen you in such a long time! Have you been too busy to check on us?” asked the Chief, puzzled.
„What? Of course not.”
„I heard otherwise... would it have killed you to walk her home?”
„ I asked her and she said-„
„ And you believe her? You let her decide for you? Well, it’s dark and there are bandits but I guess my 120-pound girlfriend is no watch for killers and thieves. See this man? You owe him a thank you for doing your job.”
„Thank you, sir...?” Yan was embarrassed by the Chief’s pushy words.
„ Uluki, I was young and stupid in love before but I sober up the morning after.”
„That’s supposed to be funny, in your country I imagine.”
„It was funnier in yours.”
When Zazuza got up from her chair to go to the bathroom, Yan went towards her to tell her something important:
„I asked you if you wanted me to come with you. What's this about? Now I even have your father bad-mouthing me. „
„I just wanted to see you and spend time together. I wasn't expecting to find out you were trying to make monsters of all of us.”
„What do you mean?” Yan asked.
„I mean you wanted to give me that mask... don’t you get it, Yan? I’m supposed to wear a mask that keeps falling off my face in my everyday life... . When you visited, those few moments are all I had as a means to feel better. I was happy just being myself with you..but you’ve hidden far too much from me. If you intend to carry on with your proposal, tonight I advise you don’t. I don’t think you’ll be successful.” Zazuza walked away but Yan grabbed her by the hand:
„Wait, what are you saying?”
„I'm saying do your best, I’ve already seen your worst.”
„ You’re wrong!”
„ So now I don’t even know right from wrong anymore. Geez, I am a lost cause if I need your guidance.”
„You just said you did. Which one is it?”
„I just wanted you to be honest from the start ... if you didn’t want me, why did you keep me hanging in there for 100 years? All this hiding and secrecy and arguments and for what? I’ve told my father that we were together all this time.”
„Figured that much.”
„Well, aren’t you smart? This isn’t only about you, Yan. Start thinking about that, for a change.”
„Come with me, I want to show you something.”
„OH no, I'm not falling for THAT again.”
„ Aren’t you...curious?” He went in for a hug and covered her in kisses. „ You know, in the name of science, we have to make a massive discovery... a place neither of us has been to before.”
Her heart began to race... what had gotten into him?! They had had occasional tender moments before... but nothing this...passionate. Her cheeks were burning and she wanted to slap him for what he did yesterday... but what if they...did... that. She turned to him and him:
„Alright, but just this once.” And they raced to one of the guestrooms, trying to look as deadpan as they could with stupid grins on their faces.
At the chief’s table...
„So tell me about the council, when are they coming?” said Uluki.
„ Later, you’ll recognize them instantly when you see them.” Said the Chief.
„Tell us more about them.” Inquired the advisor.
„ They’ve been eyeing this area for a long time... I haven’t told a soul... but maybe it wasn’t one of my men who did this, and they’re looking for a scapegoat. One chief’s son will be initiated soon in the ways of the Hydra. They see me weak because of my stupid offspring.”
„They’re still young, sir. They’ll learn.” The advisor tried to calm him down, he could feel the tension.
„This one here drinks us all under the table and the other one is a liar and a moron. She’s had good men wanting to marry her but she rejected all of them for some lousy scientist who doesn’t give half a toss about her. That’s why we’re having these problems now, she was supposed to marry Zelout's eldest son. He died in battle, but now we would of all been taken care of and I wouldn’t have to deal with this mess.”
„We, sir. Don't worry, we’ll f*** them up for you, you’re in good hands.” Reassured Hotnik with a pat on the shoulder and a clenched fist.
„ I can’t believe that shifty guy did this to you, sir. We'll deal with him afterward, we'll make sure he never returns to these parts when we’re done with him.” Uluki was eager to punch him around a bit, especially since he got an excuse to do it.
„ I cringe at the word science, now.” Admitted the Chief
„How did you come into contact with him?”
„ He was the one who thought of the dam. Since we need repairs, we called him over.”
„Ah... I see... what a pity. I have an idea: if he doesn’t propose to your daughter by midnight, we throw him down the cesspool.” Uluki had a glint in his eyes as he was saying this.
The Chief stopped for a moment, looked serious, and told Uluki with utmost sobriety:
„ I’ll make a lot of enemies if I allow you to do that. As a Chief, I am appalled by your chaotic leadership ...still...I do want to see that so, as a father... you have my blessing!” and they toasted to that, excited for midnight.
„So you’re saying that she rejected all the Chieftain's sons? Geez, what makes her so special?”
„Mind your manners, she’s my daughter, after all. By the way, after midnight you can have her if he doesn’t ask for her hand in marriage. I'll give you a plot of land and you can retire here. What do you say?”
„ Yes, I will do it.”
„Fantastic.”
„ Where is your daughter? I haven’t seen her anywhere.”
„Whatever she’s doing, I hope she isn’t talking to that moron of a scientist.”
When Zazuza and Yan got out of the bedroom, they looked slightly disheveled and they began to quickly prim themselves for the party.
„ Did you enjoy it? Am I marriage material now?”
„ Too soon to tell.” She winked.” Come on. Let's go dancing so that nobody suspects us.”
At the table, Uluki told the Chieftan:
„There’s the little love birds! What do you think? They look a little... ruffled, don’t you think?”
„ Indeed they do. Let’s spoil their fun.” Said the Chieftan
„Ahem! A toast to the wonderful friendship between my daughter and Mr. Yan. Is there anything you wish to add, Yan?”
„ I hope it will continue.”
„What?”
„The friendship.”
At that very moment, drums began to beat rhythmically and a large bell rang. Uluki looked him in the eye and said, mockingly:
“Wrong, answer.”
„It is midnight, and I have another announcement to make Uluki, I offer you, my daughter, in exchange for your loyalty, what do you say?”
„Yes. I accept you as my father-in-law and your daughter as my wife.”
„ Hear that Zazuza? You’re his problem now!” He was grabbing his belly and it looked like he was going to die from laughing and coughing.
„ What?! Father, what are you saying?”
„ This is your new future husband. Get along now.”
„I can tell you're not a virgin anymore.”
„ It's alright, we have you to defend the family honor.” Joked Zoel.” A toast to a happy marriage and strong union!”
„ Oh, I almost forgot, Yan, my friend, let’s go. Choose a door from 1-3.” The men took him in their arms and carried him in front of the cesspool doors.
Uluki opened the door and let them throw him in the gutters.
As soon as he could escape, Yan made a run for it while the crowds were laughing at the whole situation.
Uluki grabbed a bottle of wine and began to cheer, at that moment he felt like the lord of this small corner of the world, everything in it seemed to be his for the taking.
Regalos
-- Regalo
recibido Estado de energía semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Piedra de
Poder