The Hunter's Companions Ch. 16

Livinia didn't know when it happened, but she was vaguely aware that Baine had resumed speaking, but this time in Orcish. She was able to follow the proceedings with ease now, and Belcarm relaxed when he heard familiar words. Kalendras was led to the centre of the tent and required to stand in the middle of the circle of gathered Elders.

"We are not here to decide if Kalendras Totemrunner committed the murder, he has confessed to it willingly and without coercion. What we are here to decide is what punishment, if any, we must carry out," Baine said, looking around the tent seriously. Several murmurs that rustled around the tent. "Now I already know there have been lots of rumors about the event. However, as is our custom, Kalendras Totemrunner has the right to tell you the story for himself and answer your questions." Baine nodded at Kalendras who took a step forward and introduced himself in Taur-ahe with all of the names and titles that were the custom of the Taurens.

"Now I hope no one will mind if I continue in Orcish, as we have outsiders in attendance," Kal said, switching back to Orcish. There was a general murmur of agreement broken by a small amount of grumbling. "As the High Chieftan explained, I take complete responsibility for the murder of Rioden Swiftspell. After being part of the group that was assigned by the Silvemoon City Master of Sword, Aegon Sharpsword, I went against his orders and slew the Warlock in a fit of rage." Kalendras stopped speaking and looked at the crowd expectantly.

"What set off this rage?" Asked an ancient looking Tauren with nearly transparent white fur.

"Upon entering the room where Swiftspell was keeping Livinia Sunspeaker captive, we tried to apprehend him peacefully but he resisted. He attempted to escape and when we immobilized him he continued to talk. He turned to Livinia and assured her that he would never be convicted, and that when he was free he would hunt her down," Kalendras explained with a composure and formality that Livinia admired.

"Why would this set you into a rage? The threat was not against you." When the tiny Tauren woman asked the question Kalendras's lip curled up in a sneer. Livinia looked at the female and tried to place her, but she didn't recognize her. However, from the anger in Kalendras's eyes she could tell that the female was no friend of his.

"No, he made the threat against my mate, Livinia Sunspeaker," Kalendras said calmly, not letting the hatred in his eyes come through his voice. A loud collective gasp filled the tent at his words. Livinia's eyes widened when he referred to her as his mate; the word so formal and concrete.

"According to the rites and rituals of our people you have no mate," A younger female seated beside the older one cried out . Now Livinia knew why the first had looked so familiar; it was Seranna and her mother. There was no doubt about it. Seeing Seranna speaking so haughtily made Livinia clench her fists.

"This is an issue that I wish to deal with today as well. I am sure that almost everyone in this tent is aware of the situation with my peh'ahroon," There was a general murmur of agreement and Kalendras continued. "According to the rituals of our people, if an individual has someone with whom they already wish to mate, then they are able to announce this at the start of the process. Usually this is just accepted and the couple are free to become mates without further ado."

"What does this have to do with anything?" Someone in the tent grumbled, a few similar comments followed.

"A lot, actually," Kalendras said with a small smile. "When given the opportunity to present my own choice for my mate I declined, even though I had a preference... I wanted Livinia Sunspeaker to be my mate, but I hadn't broached the topic with her yet. She wasn't aware of my intentions."

That caused a stir. The tent was suddenly filled with a hundred voices at once. The heat and noise made Livinia's head feel as though it was about to explode. She looked up and saw that Kalendras was watching her, his eyes seeking her for reassurance. She gave him a half smile and looked around with a shrug. After all of the years they had hidden their relationship they were finally facing the reality. People would talk, and people would argue, loudly, if they wanted to.

"SILENCE!" Baine roared through the clamor, banging his staff on the ground several times. After a few moments the noise died down and he stepped forward. "The reason you denied the outcome of the peh'ahroon is because you are in love with the Blood Elf." Baine didn't ask, he didn't need to. He just needed to confirm the truth.

"Yes, High Chieftan." Kalendras respectfully inclined his head. "But when it comes down to it I want Livinia as my mate and no other."

"That's ridiculous! There is no precedent for it!" Seranna's voice pierced through the tent as she got to her feet quickly.

"Well I fought you and won the right to be Kal's mate!" Livinia said, her voice much more confident than she felt. Unsurprisingly her announcement was met with another uproar of discussion. She couldn't help but smile at the outrage on Seranna's face.

"Livinia Sunspeaker. Tell me more of this fight," Baine asked, keen eyes turning on her, when he managed to quiet the occupants of the tent once again. She caught Kalendras' gaze and he motioned for her to stand.

"Kalendras were sparring in the woods outside of Thunder Bluff when Seranna and Ma'Isha came by. Seranna thought that I was attacking Kalendras and became defensive. Kalendras told her that we were just sparring and she got angry. Until then I had no knowledge of the Peh'ahroon at all. When she told me that she had won the right to be Kalendras's mate. I challenged her to fight for him," Livinia said. From this vantage point she was barely able to see above the horns of the closest Tauren. What she did see, though, was a sea of various coloured fur.

"Is this true?" Baine turned to Seranna.

"Well, yes, but she's a Blood Elf," Seranna spat "I didn't take it seriously."

Livinia was just about to respond when another female voice spoke up from behind her.

"The challenge was valid," Said Ma'Isha, getting to her feet. "Sunspeaker spoke the traditional words and won the fight fairly and without deception."

"I don't believe it," Seranna's mother growled. "How would she know the traditional words? She can't even speak Taur-ahe."

"I, Livinia Sunspeaker of Silvermoon City, hereby challenge you, Seranna, for the right to mate Kalendras Totemrunner or ThunderBluff and Silvermoon City, by the ancient ritual of peh'ahroon." Livinia spoke loudly in perfect, yet accented, Taur-ahe. She looked at the shocked Tauren woman "I can say it in Thalassian, Orcish and Zandali if you wish? Oh- and Goblin, but my goblin is a bit rusty."

"Well," Baine said, his voice laced with restrained mlaughter. "There you have it. Livinia Sunspeaker knows the words in our language."

"You want us to believe that you are Kalendras's mate yet you come here, hand in hand, with another of your race?" Seranna's mother asked. The question made Livinia's veins run with ice. "Was Kalendras Totemrunner mistaken in his affection for you?"

"No," Livinia said firmly, glaring at the woman "I have two mates." She said the words slowly, testing them out on her tongue as she announced them to the gathered crowd. There was a moment of silence before a loud cacophony of chatter filled up the tent.

"SILENCE!" Roared Baine Bloodhoof. When the room was quiet he glared around the tent. "This is a clan council meeting, not a marketplace auction!" He reprimanded the Taurens gathered aroudn him. "We have requested that Livinia Sunspeaker attend the meeting to speak, so you will listen to her."

"If she would speak sense then we would listen!" A young female in the first circle said.

"I have two mates," Livinia said again, this time more confidently. Despite the fact that, in her own culture, she would never dare call Belcarm a mate, the meaning of the words felt so right to her at that moment.

"And you were aware of this, Kalendras?" Baine asked, turning to Kalendras who nodded.

"There has been no deception," Kalendras said firmly "Both Belcarm Sharpsword and I are aware of where we stand with Livinia."

Another gentle whisper rushed through the tent, but Baine silenced it with a caustic glare.

"Polyamorous relationships are not unheard of in our culture," Baine reminded his people.

"But one between one of our kind and two Blood Elves?" The young woman in the center circle asked in disbelief.

"Does that mean to say that the male is your mate as well, Kalendras?" The nasty female further back asked, and Livinia felt Belcarm tense beside her at the slight.

"No," Kalendras breathed, barely able to keep a sneer of distaste from his snout. "Sharpsword and I are friends and comrades, nothing more."

"I think this discussion has strayed far enough." Baine's voice suddenly sounded tired. "We are here to determine if Kalendras was provoked, or if he murdered in cold blood. Whether or not the outcome of the peh'ahroon is recognised will have to be discussed by council at a later date."

"She is not his mate," Seranna barked, clearly unable to keep her mouth shut. Livinia rolled her eyes. Sensing that her time to speak was over, Livinia settled back down into her seat.

"Regardless of their mated status," A male Tauren said dismissively "it is clear that Kalendras Totemrunner was acting to protect the female he loves."

Kalendras nodded thankfully at the man.

"The threat the Warlock issued didn't sound terribly serious, especially coming from one who was bound and immobile," A Tauren male holding a long wooden staff said indifferently.

"That is because it was taken out of context."

Livinia smiled when she turned to see that it was Zuroc Totemrunner speaking this time.

"Livinia, do I have your permission to tell your story or would you rather speak for yourself?" Zuroc asked, Livinia's cheeks colored and she looked at Kalendras. She could always so no, refuse to have the tale of her abuse hidden from the room, but it was clear that the crowd would be unlikely to believe Kalendras's side of the story without knowledge of what they went through.

"You may tell it," Livinia said, "but please do so in Taur-ahe." She added as an afterthought. Even though she could understand the language it still required effort. If Zuroc spoke in Taur-ahe she would be able to tune out to the story. Zuroc nodded grimly and begun speaking in the guttural tone of the Taurens.

"Are you sure you understand enough of the language to know he is speaking truly?" Belcarm hissed at her in Thalassian, clearly hoping that the change in language would give them some privacy, Livinia looked at him.

"I trust him unconditionally."

It seemed to take forever for Zuroc to tell the crowd her story. As he spoke Livinia was acutely aware of the sidelong glances the Taurens were giving her, and the gasps of surprise every now and again. Eventually, Zuroc stopped and gave her a sad smile.

"So we've heard it from Ambassador Totemrunner," A disgruntled male said somewhere on the other side of the tent. "Why will she not tell it herself? She has proven that she speaks our language well enough."

"You ask why I would not tell my own story?" Livinia spat angrily, her fists balling up at her sides, her eyes zeroing in on the verbal offender. "Would you ask your daughter or wife to tell a similar story to a room full of strangers?" The male had the decency to break eye contact with her "I trust the Ambassador to tell the truth and will swear any oath you require." There was a thick silence in the room after that. Every so often a few people would break it to discuss something with their neighbors.

"You wanted to determine if I killed the Warlock in cold blood," Kalendras said, looking around the room carefully "Now you have heard the story. Judge me as you will, but let me tell you that I would do it again a hundred times to protect my mate." Kalendras's eyes settled on her, full of passion, and she couldn't help but smile at him.

"Have you anything more to say?" Baine asked Kalendras. He shook his head and stepped back, so that he was just touching the tent pole. "Are there any more questions?" There was a general murmur of voices, but none were raised above a whisper level. "Then the time has come to pass judgment on Kalendras Totemrunner."

"Everything will be fine," Belcarm whispered to her, and it was then that she realised that her hands were shaking with nerves and rage. She smiled at him thankfully, pleased that he knew exactly what to say and when to say it.

"As High Chieftan of the BloodhoofClan, and ruler of the Tauren people, I believe that the attack was not in cold blood. The Warlock, Rioden Swiftspell, acted in a horrific way towards a person that Kalendras clearly feels strongly about; whether they are mated or not. After committing acts that are nothing less than horrific, he continued to goad Kalendras, who had acted in accordance with his orders. However," Baine said, his voice filling the tent, Livinia gasped and her heart began to pound against her rib cage. "Kalendras, being the son of out two Ambassadors in Silvermoon City, has committed a crime against one of their people. This crime has tarnished the interracial relations between our two kinds."

Tears welled up in Livinia's eyes. This wasn't what Baine was supposed to be saying, he had assured them that the trial would be easy, that Kalendras should have no problems. Livinia felt a warm hand on her back and turned to see her Aunt smiling back at her reassuringly.

"So I propose that, to atone for his crime, Kalendras Totemrunner be henceforth banned from entering Silvemoon City," The words filled Livinia with mixed feelings. Silvermoon was as much Kalendras's childhood home as it was hers, the idea that he would never be able to return there, even to visit his parents, made her feel rotten. However, after the way Baine had spoken she had been terrified that the sentence would be much worse.

"Can I have everyone who is in agreement raise their arms?" When the words left his mouth three quarters of the tent raised their arms in to the air. Livinia was not surprised to see that there the two vocal females had their arms crossed, their hands tucked firmly under their armpits with matching looks of outrage on their faces. "It is clear then, by a majority vote, that as punishment for the provoked murder of Rioden Swiftspell, Kalendras Totemrunner is henceforth banned from entering Silvermoon City on the penalty of a hundred lashes."

Livinia's head swam as Baine went back to speaking in Taur-ahe. Not enter Silvermoon on the penalty of a hundred lashes? That was the type of sentence that was meant to be a slow death rather than punishment. The thought of seeing Kalendras's hide being torn off his back made her feel ill. Belcarm seemed to sense her unease and wrapped an arm around her, pulling her against him. Livinia looked up, searching for Kalendras, whose restraints were being severed by and elderly male as Baine spoke. He met her eyes and gave her a smile so slight that only she would know it was there. His entire body was tensed, poised to move, but he was frozen in place by propriety. If it weren't for Belcarm's arm being wrapped around her so tightly, then Livinia would have crossed the distance between herself and Kalendras in a heartbeat.

Finally, Baine said something in Taur-ahe that all of the Taurens in attendance repeated heartily before they all got to their feet and started to move. Belcarm let go of her, and the next instant she was in Kalendras's arms, breathing in the earthy scent of his fur.

"You did well, Little One," He whispered in a deep growl, she laughed and buried her face further into his fur.

"I did nothing."

"It is even more disgusting in reality than it is in thought," A voice came from behind them and Livinia turned to see Seranna and her mother standing behind her. There was a flash of red and black and Belcarm slipped in front of her, blocking her from the sight of the two females.

"I don't recall asking for your opinion, Liandra," Kalendras said, his voice dripping with sickly sweet sarcasm.

"Nevertheless she gave it. If I'm to be completely honest though, the fact that you have admitted to a relationship with these two should be enough to get you banished from Thunder Bluff as well. You are disgusting," Seranna spat. Livinia stepped out from behind Belcarm to look her in the eye.

"These children have been through enough Liandra, take your poison elsewhere." Caristra's voice slashed through the tension before Livinia had a chance to open her mouth. The Tauren females eyed Caristra as she stepped in beside Livinia, and after a few moments they turned and left the tent, pushing their way through the crowd.

"Son!" Zuroc Totemrunner pulled Kalendras into a hug. "Where are you planning to go now that you're free?"

"Not to Silvermoon, that's for sure," Kalendras replied gruffly and his parents were dumbstruck. For a moment they stared at him, and then begun laughing. "But apart from that? I guess I'll go back to Orgrimmar. That's where we were headed before all of this began."

"Nonsense!" Caristra said with a careless wave of her hand "Livinia and Belcarm are staying with me in Dalaran at the moment, and you're more than welcome to join them. You three are welcome in my home for as long as you can handle me."

"Are you certain?" Kalendras asked, looking at Caristra, surprised by her open hospitality.

"Of course! Anytime," Caristra was about to say more, but she bit her lip before speaking again. "I would love to stay and chat, but I must be going. Will I ask my maid to set up a room for you?"

"Yes please," Kalendras replied and then Caristra was gone, darting through the crowded tent and disappearing into the world beyond.

"We have to go as well," Said Timbra with a long sigh, "The authorities in Silvermoon City wanted to know of the outcome of your trial as soon as possible. "

The kindly Tauren gave Belcarm and Livinia warm hugs before pulling her son into her arms and whispering something to him that made him laugh. Zuroc gave Livinia a hug and Kalendras a pat on the back before he led his wife out of the rapidly emptying tent.

"Let's get out of here," Kalendras said gruffly before wrapping a massive arm around Livinia and leading the way out of the tent, Belcarm following closely behind. When they made it out into the bright midday sun they stopped suddenly as a particularly large male Tauren stepped in front of them.

"Totemrunner and his toys," The Tauren said with an amused laugh.

"Excuse me, Chief Grimtotem," Kalendras said with a strained voice and a stiff bow of his head.

"You got a far more lenient punishment than you deserved." Arnic said in a voice that vibrated through Livinia. "And you two... don't think I don't know who you are." This was aimed directly at Livinia and Belcarm. Livinia's body tensed as the Tauren eyed her with hatred burning in his eyes. He was Arnic, son of Orno Grimtotem, only spared by Baine because he was the last male of his line. Clearly his status had been elevated since Livinia and Belcarm had helped to drag him back to Thunder Bluff.

"If you remember us so well you should step aside." Belcarm warned, coming to stand beside Livinia.

"You should step aside Chief Grimtotem," Arnic corrected smugly, standing taller and looking down at Belcarm with distaste.

"You are not my Chief," Belcarm spat. "Now move aside."

"The little prick has spirit," Grimtotem observed, directing the comment above the Elves and to Kalendras. "Although how you could fuck a male is beyond me, even if he is prettier than your little whore here." Arnic gave Livinia's form a disgusted sneer.