Bab 34: Challenge
Kowalsk simply couldn't understand why Thilláila was there by his side, but he felt relieved seeing her calming the beast as if it were a domestic puppy. He became even more amazed when he saw his other companions surrounded by numerous dreikis so still they seemed like statues; both seemed unable to move.
Always close by, Thilláila only calmed the enormous dreikis from time to time, while Kowalsk's curiosity only increased. As they approached the other companions, Kowalsk couldn't contain himself and asked, "But what's going on here?"
"The gang's leader challenges our leader, that is, you," said Thilláila without much perspective.
"And what if I don't want to fight?" Kowalsk asked, already guessing who the gang's leader would be.
This time it was Dr. Kami who replied, "I'm afraid you don't have that alternative, sir. Thilláila, due to her ability to communicate with these beasts and not carry weapons, isn't even considered a threat. Followed by me, for some reason I don't know, they also don't attack me and seem to show some respect."
"And why do you say that? And where's Troy?" Kowalsk asked, then seeing a dragon immobilized by over ten dreikis that seemed to wait for the order to tear apart the dragon in a few minutes.
"They stopped attacking Troy when, in despair, I screamed for it. But I couldn't believe it when it happened. And before you ask about Gareno, see him over there, totally immobilized. So, only I remained..."
"Me!" Kowalsk replied, anticipating Dr. Kami.
"And if I win the fight, what do I gain?"
"They withdraw without taking what they came for. That is, the bodies of the slain dragons," Thilláila affirmed with utmost certainty.
"And if I lose, what happens?"
"Well, Mr. Kowalsk, then they withdraw taking both the dragon carcasses and yours. They take Gareno as future food, tear apart Troy, and leave Dr. Kami and me here at this base."
Kowalsk found this last part strange, but he had no doubt as he declared, "So what are we waiting for? Let's fight."
Kowalsk definitely wasn't eager for that fight and, if it depended on him, he would only do it if he had a beautiful and loaded weapon, or preferably two, one in each hand.
"Before I'm served as the main course for these dreikis, I need you to urgently negotiate the terms of this fight."
"How so?" Thilláila wanted to know.
"I need you and Dr. Kami to be very close to the gang's leader and try your hardest to insert some rules into this fight. The first is that no matter what happens, no one can interfere. The second is that the winner will have a prisoner who will not be attacked in any way. And the third is that this fight is to the death, and this matter ends here."
"And do you think I can explain all this to these beasts?" Thilláila asked, amazed at such audacity.
"I'm counting heavily on you, my young lady."
"And why do you think they'll accept these terms, Mr. Kowalsk?" Dr. Kami asked.
"Because it's extremely advantageous for them. Offer advantages to the enemy army, whether human or animal, and they'll hardly refuse."
"And do you think you can face a dreikis leader and come out as a winner, Mr. Kowalsk?" Thilláila asked skeptically.
"I have no other choice. I need to win."
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone