Chapter 3
STRON
A week later
Stron's father, a Coalition member, looked him up and down as he came out on the balcony of the family residence. “I have heard rumors that you have committed to helping Khalzin in his experiment.”
The wide forest spread out before them as they both appreciated the expanse.
At least, his father appreciated something.
He didn’t always appreciate Stron.
As Ruler of the Green, his father protected and represented the natural landscape of Kantenan, as well as the clans that lived in them. He was their voice in the Coalition.
Including science experiments that may or may not have their endorsement. Like an honest politician, he did not always agree with his constituents, but he represented their preferences to the best of his ability.
He was very loyal to those of the natural clans.
Probably why he loved his mother so—she was from one of those natural clans.
Stron nodded as he picked up his ale. “I see the experiment is the talk of Kantenan, if you have heard about it.”
His father grumbled. “I was at the Coalition meeting. I heard it all.”
Stron had been waiting for this. He hadn't bothered mentioning to his parents that he'd agreed to help Khalzin without even asking what the favor was.
He probably should have given it more thought, since it would affect him for the rest of his life. But he'd made a commitment, and he wasn't about to back away from it.
He would not dishonor his friend in that way.
While he trusted Khalzin’s science, he had heard enough tales of other Kantenans mating with off-worlders. It happened. Not on the home world, though.
“So, you know in detail what it was about,” Stron said. Part of him wanted to think his father understood the importance of the experiment. “Perhaps my mother will stop insisting on introducing me to every female on the planet. You know we're related in some fashion to most of them.”
“She wants you to find a proper mate.”
“I will. With the experiment,” Stron said. That sounded convincing, he thought. No reason to make his family realize his own trepidation.
His father grunted.
Whether they liked it or not, it was for the best for the Kantenan people. A simple solution that would bring about the quickest results. It wouldn't be perfect, of course, and failure was likely, but if it did work, then it would open up a great deal of possibilities to their people.
“Khalzin has good intentions, but it won't be well-received. Not by many here.” He gestured to the green, and paused for a second, staring out into the land. “And what kind of females would want to come here, commit to a mate without even knowing what they look like?”
“It seems ridiculous,” Stron's mother said as she came out onto the balcony to join them. “And desperate.” Her hair hung in long braids down her back, some wrapped around her horns as well, making them look more elegant.
For appearances, of course.
His mother never let anyone forget where she stood in the order of the clans.
He raised his eyebrow to his mother. “I find it intriguing,” Stron said.
Khalzin seemed convinced that the females could mate with them, or at least that's what he said the Galactic Alliance's people claimed.
Thus allowing the Kantenans to continue to grow as a population. Lovely and scientific, but it was still all hypothetical at this point.
Stron was willing to experiment.
If they were pretty enough, they would at least entice him. While he’d never been away from Kantenan, he had seen enough of off-worlders that he had a vague notion of what to expect.
No horns. More delicate.
Generally smaller. More shades than just the reds and browns that dominated the Kantenans.
“It is a foolish venture,” his mother said. “I cannot imagine what you will do with an off-world mate. I doubt you can even connect with one.”
“That is what the experiment is for,” Stron said. “To see what is possible. If it can even work.”
“It may throw our way of life into ruins,” his mother said.
Stron raised his eyebrow. “I think that is a little bit dramatic, Mother.”
“Why? I merely am being honest.”
He shook his head. “You know that other Kantenans off-world have connected with different humanoids before. The long-distance miners do it regularly.”
She waved her hand. “But they're not connected to the planet and the culture. Not anymore. If they don't walk the world, then they are hardly members of our people, are they?”
His father raised his hand. “Now, just a moment. Those who do the long-distance mining operations are valuable to our people, same as those who are nearby and get to return. We honor those the same.”
“We are from Kantenan. Our place is here, our strength comes from this world. Not other worlds,” his mother said. “After all, those female mates? Who could they be?”
“I find them brave,” he said as he sipped on his ale.
“Why?” his mother asked.
“Because imagine leaving a place and position you know, and venturing into the galaxy to look for the possibility of a better life, and a better future. Into an entirely new world and culture. Brave.” That sounded good, and it was the best possibility he could come up with, considering he had the same questions initially.
They were either very brave, or very desperate.
His mother raised her eyebrow. “You sound more and more like a politician every day.”
“Good thing I am a Gol-Vett.”
“Still think it is a ridiculous idea.”
Stron half-smiled. “We can debate this as long as you like. I will even reach out to Khalzin's mother, and see if she wanted to come carry this discussion with you further. I'm sure the Priestess of Light will have some guidance in the idea of who is of Kantenan and who isn't.”
His mother glared at him. “You do not have to be so pompous. And I know Wyleigh and I would have a wonderful discussion about such things. We used to all the time when you boys were younger. It was great enjoyment, that time we ladies spent together. Back when it was all theoretical. This, however. I just know what I feel, and my heart belongs to Kantenan. Just as both of yours do. So why you would even consider this bizarre arrangement is beyond me,” she said.
“I volunteered before I truly knew what the terms were. Khalzin is my friend. I won't dishonor him by not helping him when he needs it.” He downed the rest of his ale. “Besides, it could be fun. I have always been interested in bedding a non-Kantenan. Just to see if it's different.”
“Stron!” his mother cried out.
His father rolled his eyes.
Stron couldn't help grinning. If she was offended, then so be it.
She didn't get to dictate his behavior anymore. Neither could his father.
Give advice? Of course.
But Stron was grown now. He could make his own choices and do whatever he needed to do.
It was the way it was.
His parents didn't have to like it.
Though, really, he knew very few who would like it.
He really was willing to give it his best effort to see if it could work, regardless of his own trepidation.
“Are you ready to meet the future of Kantenan,” Dhomhes asked Stron as he walked into the workout gymnasium. Khalzin had not been in as often as of late, and as a result, Stron found himself working out more with Dhomhes and Fiviel.
This morning, however, Fiviel wasn't there, just Dhomhes.
“Are you?” Stron asked.
They didn't have long until the experiment began.
A little less than two weeks to get everything set.
Stron, like the others, did what was asked of him, when it was asked.
The Galactic Alliance had sent them some information to read about the potential females that were coming--typical mating rituals, and the like.
Though interestingly, it wasn't that different from what Stron used with his own dating practices.
Besides his systematic elimination of them.
His hand went over the pendant that hung low on his chest, revealed when he removed his overshirt.
“You know, you can take that off,” Dhomhes said, staring at the wide pendant.
Stron blinked. “So you can steal it and sell my family crest to one of the miners? No thank you.”
“You think so lowly of me.”
“Probably why I enjoy sparring with you.”
Dhomhes chuckled. “So, who is on the breaking stone this week?” he asked as he picked up a sword to fight with.
Stron followed suit. “No one.”
And he felt that pang of withdrawal. Since telling Patrie that they were done, he had not bothered looking for a new partner to pass the time. He didn't desire anyone. He found himself drifting to thoughts of new women, those who had not been there before.
That had to be the reason he felt little draw to any Kantenan females. It wasn’t that he did not admire their forms, he just was reluctant to get a new one in his bed.
Regardless of his mother's efforts to encourage him to find a mate from their world, and not from the stars, he held no enthusiasm for it.
Instead, he kept thinking about these new females that were on their way.
He told himself he had a much more practical reason for his interest. He could use all his old techniques and they would never know that he’d used them before during the courting phase of the relationship. Would make the courting phase much easier, if they didn’t already know the steps.
Dhomhes popped his sword and twisted it to the side. “I find it hard to believe that you're leaning into this experiment of Khalzin's.”
“Why wouldn't I?”
“Because it will never work.”
“You seem convinced you're right.”
“I know that I am. We are too different. For one, the horns would tear up another female's reproductive organs,” he said.
Stron raised his eyebrow. “What are you doing that you're tearing up females with your horns, Dhomhes?” He glanced at his friend's horns, and the two, pointing straight and high over his head, resembled a double-crown shape.
Dhomhes smiled. “Need some tips?”
“Not from you,” Stron said, and held out his sword.
Stron’s horns spread wider and curled outward.
Overall thicker than Dhomhes’s tall thin ones.
Even the green coloring varied slightly between them.
There were many differences like that between them, maybe that had something to do with why Khalzin had asked them—different Kantenans with different features for the foreign females.
The two of them continued their sparring. Dhomhes took the lead, attacking, and Stron blocked his moves.
His armor started to wake, pushing out over his arms and shoulders to protect him from injury.
It always felt like an eruption when the armor burst from his skin to create a shielding.
His armor, unusual even for a Kantenan, was almost like a lattice over his body, leaving tiny holes that someone could--
“Watch it,” Stron said, shoving Dhomhes back.
The tip of Dhomhes's weapon pricked his skin underneath the armor.
“Perhaps you need some armor enhancements.” Dhomhes came at him again.
Stron wasn't taking any of his jabs today. He met him hard, and their weapons clattered together as they slammed into each other. He would move left, and Dhomhes countered. They were bouncing off one another, and Stron really didn't want to give Dhomhes and his smart mouth any leeway today.
“You talk too much.”
“I'm sure that's not the first time you've said that to a partner.”
Stron growled and shoved him hard, with three quick snaps, he sent Dhomhes to the ground.
Dhomhes rose, wiping blood from his lip, and grinned. “Well, I see that I hit a mark.”
“Your mouth will get you into trouble.”
Dhomhes grinned again. “Not the first time.”