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The Councilor -Chapter 2-
Posted By: CarbonElite<drweird813@yahoo.com>
Date: 17 April 2008, 1:03 am
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The chamber was a small affair, ornamented with several curtains of silk of varying hues of pink, blue and purple. The small bed in the center was layered with several silken pillows all a dark royal purple shade, a shade which was matched on the flushed face of a lower caste priestess by the name of Rasa 'Nualaa who at the moment was wishing to be anywhere but that small constricting bedchamber.
"Now my child, whatever shall I do with you?" The High Priestess spoke quietly placing her hands on her hips shaking her head slightly causing the jewelry she was wearing to jingle softly and the robes she was wearing to shift colors in the light.
"But High Priestess Ruetii, I tried to return in time, but Priestess 'Anolaa needed help to dictate the new prophecies, you know I am the only other sanctified recorder of the Prophets in the city now that the others are on pilgrimage." 'Nualaa said pleadingly to the older, more prestigious Sangheili before her.
"My child, you could have been killed last night, or worse," The High Priestess said placing her hands over the younger Sangheili's, "You are one of my most gifted students, but sometimes you lack even the common sense of an Unggoy." 'Nualaa lowered her head and turned an even darker shade in embarrassment. "But you are alright now, thanks to the High Councilor. You are fortunate indeed he was by, it is not every night one of the most skilled warriors of the Sangheili walks through the streets." High Priestess Ruetii said smiling comfortingly to the young Priestess. "Now, tell me what you thought of our High Councilor."
The young Priestess was slightly taken aback by her statement but smiled at the mischievous smile she received from the High Priestess. "Well, he is tall, handsome and…"
Two Sangheili stood across from each other upon a decorated mosaic disc floating in the middle of a darkened chamber. The taller of the two wore a black ornamental armor painstakingly etched with intricate carvings of lines and designs creating the illusion that the little amount of light in the chamber was actively be devoured by the armor. He was armed with two metallic blades each of which was a different shade of red that seemed to glow with an inner light. In contrast, the armored Sangheili's opponent wore a simple cloth tunic of a royal blue color and was armed with a sturdy staff, each end ending with an ornate gem imbedded in the end. Without warning the Sangheili wearing the tunic struck, spinning one of the ends of his staff towards the helmeted head of his opponent.
"Too slow for your own good!" shouted the armored Sangheili as he ducked under the ivory colored staff that Elwo 'Nadutee swung at his head. "You are getting slower as you age, hmm?" He taunted as he blocked the follow through with a loud crack as 'Nadutee pivoted with his swing to bring the other end of the spinning staff towards his chest. "Since when have you not had words for your teacher?" The armored elite laughed as he kicked high at 'Nadutee's jaw. 'Nadutee avoided the kick by easily back flipping out of the way landing lightly on his feet twirling his staff into a ready defensive position across the front of his body.
"You've always been more skilled warrior than conversationalist, 'Ottosee." 'Nadutee said as he brought his staff down in a vertical strike at 'Ottosee's head. 'Ottosee barely managed to get his blades up in time as their weapons collided with a shower of sparks and the noise of a thunderclap.
"Oomph, we cannot all be as fortunate as some, I suppose," Ottosee grunted out as he struggled to maintain his balance straining against the strength of his onetime apprentice.
"Truly," 'Nadutee spoke as he spun on his heel going low and kicking the now off balance Sangheili's legs out from under him, placing the edge of his staff over Ottosee's throat. "This fight is mine, old one." 'Nadutee said as 'Ottosee closed his eyes in acknowledgement.
"So it would seem," muttered 'Ottosee as he opened his eyes and looked up at 'Nadutee."But not by much, my friend." He laughed as he gestured to the hold-out plasma pistol now pointed at 'Nadutee's groin. 'Nadutee chuckled as he lowered his staff to allow 'Ottosee to grab the end and helped 'Ottosee to his feet. They walked off the circular ceremonial battle towards the baths as the platform lowered itself on blue gravity field and secured itself onto the floor awaiting the next fighters. They handed their weapons off to a pair of waiting Sangheili garbed in maroon robes that placed the weapons into a secured chamber. The bath chambers were in a large columned room with several baths cut directly into the marble like stone. The baths were all circling the columns which were spread out all over the room. Each column had the controls for heating and cooling the individual baths. The columns rose and met in the center of the room over a magnificent fountain carved from a black obsidian stone depicting the Holy Rings in a large circle. Each depiction of a ring was suspended in the air by tiny gravity lifts which were expertly hidden within the stone making them appear to hover under their own majestic power. As they approached the chambers steam could be seen rising from the baths. As they entered they placed their armor into the specially designed slots and they each selected a bath and entered into the comfortably hot water.
"So tell me 'Nadutee what is on your mind that affects you so?" Ottosee inquired as he washed off the sweat from duel's exertions. "It is very unlike you to be distracted, or focused, on anything other than your opponent especially in the warriors circle." He stated as he plunged under the water to rinse off. "You are not worried about this new race are you?" 'Ottosee inquired as he leaned his back against the marble like sides of the bath.
"It is not that I am worried about this race, it is that I am confused by the Prophets. I have a feeling that the Prophets are nervous about this race." 'Nadutee replied as he adjusted the baths heat with the glowing holo panel on the column, having decided to keep lasts night adventure a secret.
"By the way, 'Nadutee, the race does have a name you know." 'Ottosee chuckled.
"You know what their race is named?" 'Nadutee asked, water splashing as he turned quickly around. "How do you know it and what is their name? I thought that the Prophets had just sent a scouting party yesterday."
'Ottosee continued to laugh at his companion. "They call themselves huimaans, or something very much like that, it is difficult to pronounce their language without a translator." He said waving his talon in the air. "And as for how I know this, well, let's just say that I have many contacts, some less reputable than others as I'm sure you do as well." He spoke as he rose out of the bath with the splashing of water and began to dry himself off. "Come, I have much too so you before the next Council." Intrigued, 'Nadutee rose to follow him out.
'Ottosee and 'Nadutee entered onto a crowded city street located not far from the Council Sanctuary. Several of the prominent races of the Covenant were present all mixed together in a collage of blues, whites, purples and reds. While not the shouted bargains and dealings of the market place, the denizens of the council district were no less busy. Unggoy servants followed on the heels of Sangheili matrons going about their daily errands, Jig-yar envoys jabbered together in small specialty bistros tailoring to the particular tastes of the Jig-yar, even a few of the powerful Lekgolo were seen as they made their way to the Sanctuary. The two Sangheili made their way towards the landing platforms situated on the high tiered walls which harkened back to the time when the walls separated the different levels of the city for protection from marauding enemies but now serving a more peaceful purpose.
"We will take my personal phantom to my mountain getaway." 'Ottosee said as he entered the code which started to open the large metallic gate separating them from the Phantom. "We must be cautious and take no chances. I believe that the Prophe-BRUTES!" 'Ottosee shouted as he toppled 'Nadutee to the ground as several grenades exploded on the opening gate causing the gate to topple over and come down with the sound of wrenching metal. 'Nadutee rolled over to cover behind a protruding conduit.
"Quickly, as they are reloading!" He shouted as he charged at the closer of the two hair covered monstrosities. The Brute saw him coming and readied the blade on his weapon and swung at the approaching Elite. 'Nadutee rolled under the blow and came to his feet driving his elbow into the chin of the surprised Brute. Enraged, the Brute dropped the grenade launcher and took a swipe at the Elite with his fists. 'Nadutee managed to block the attacks and as the Brute readied another strike, 'Nadutee attacked with a quick jab at the Jiralhanae's eyes, temporarily blinding the beast. Blinded, it started to swing crazily trying to land a blow, but 'Nadutee avoided the wild flinging arms and managed to roll and grab the launcher that was left on the deck. Reloading it quickly he fired several rounds into the torso and head of the Brute disintegrating the armor on the Brute and taking large chunks of flesh from the monster's body. It dropped to the street with a wet smack. 'Nadutee turned to check on his old master only to see 'Ottosee fighting two Brutes with the body of another one on the ground, two having come to help their comrades with the troublesome Sangheili. 'Ottosee had managed to take one of the Brute's wicked looking blades they constantly wore and use it to good effect. He managed to keep the two Brutes at bay, but they were quickly beginning to encircle the single Elite. 'Ottosee attempted to attack one of them with a quick thrust, but before the attack landed a large explosion ripped through the platform throwing 'Ottosee and the Brutes to the deck sending large portions of the platform and the destroyed Phantom flying like deadly projectiles killing the two brutes as they were pierced by the superheated metal, and buffeting 'Nadutee with its concussion. 'Nadutee regained his balance in time to see 'Ottosee slowly start to regain his feet, but through the haze of the smoke 'Nadutee saw another Brute approaching 'Ottosee from behind carrying a large knife. 'Nadutee tried to bring the launcher to bear, but it was too late and 'Nadutee watched in horror as the Brute shoved the blade through the armor that 'Ottosee was wearing all the way out of his chest. Time seemed to slow down as 'Nadutee roared in rage and rushed at the Brute with the blade on his launcher, 'Nadutee could see the dark bluish-purple blood of his master pour out as the beast forcefully jerked the knife out of his victim. 'Ottosee slowly collapsed to the ground and the Jiralhanae turned to face the rushing 'Nadutee with a sneer. Rage fueled 'Nadutee's attack as he relentlessly struck blow after blow at the Brute who managed to block the first few, but could not withstand the furious onslaught that the Elite pummeled him with and when a single strike managed to slip through the Brute's guard 'Nadutee's blade sliced cleanly through the Brute's forearm severing the appendage with a fountain of purple blood, but before the Brute could even roar in pain 'Nadutee decapitated its head with one fluid motion, it landing several yards away among the rubble. Panting, 'Nadutee ran up to his old master and friend and cradled his head in his arms.
"'Ottosee, what can I do? Please, answer me my friend." 'Nadutee begged his dying friend trying to staunch the already mortal loss of blood. With a wet choked gurgle 'Ottosee managed to speak.
"Find…*cough* find Shar 'Rilaan he…" 'Ottosee wheezed hacking up more bluish blood. "He will tell you…tell you…everything…may the…F-Forerunner guide you…" With these final words Dama 'Ottosee, renowned warrior, died. Not since his childhood so many years before Elwo 'Nadutee, High Councilor of the Covenant, felt tears begin to fill his eyes.
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