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Birth of a Covenant Legend: CHAPTER 8
Posted By: Ryst Airasee<RystAirasee0208@AOL.com>
Date: 5 April 2005, 1:35 AM
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CHAPTER 8
The loud roar of 'Pekrumee echoed through the air, rousing the trainees. 'Zextramee groaned, wondering if it was really as early as it felt. His eyelids were heavy, his body sluggish. The black-scaled Sangheili yawned hugely, his mandibles stretching, rolling onto his side.
Sunlight filtered in though the sides of the bark door. It wasn't bright, blazing afternoon light, but a soft light that always hung about in the early morning. That was all it took to convince 'Zextramee that it was very early indeed.
Yawning again, he slipped outside. The cool morning air was refreshing, and he inhaled gratefully. It cleared his senses. As he turned he saw 'Pekrumee approaching, the early morning light giving his golden armor an almost otherworldly shimmer.
'Zextramee ducked his head, somewhat clumsily.
"You are ready," 'Pekrumee said, more of a statement than a question. "Walk with me as I gather up the others."
'Zextramee followed obediently behind him. However, 'Pekrumee's strides were long, and he had to walk very quickly to keep up. Therefore he had little breath for talking, but that seemed to be the last thing on the Zealot's mind.
He concentrated on other things, and was lost in his thoughts quickly until 'Pekrumee let out a surprised snort. 'Zextramee looked up, wanting to ask what was wrong, but the Zealot answered before he could even ask.
"Trainee 01 is missing," he said, his mandibles pressing tightly against each other.
'Zextramee had seen that expression on the face of his mother's often; it signified concern. Once again he found his heart aching for her. How badly he wanted to return...
"We will be entering Xenris' atmosphere in a matter of timeframes!" the Zealot continued to snarl. "We cannot leave the Holy Will until all of us are together. You must stay here, while I go search for him."
"Excuse me, Excellency," 'Zextramee was surprised to hear the words come out of his mouth. If there was one thing he had been told not to do, it was speak out of place.
'Pekrumee was obviously irritated at the delay. "Yes?"
'Zextramee wanted to back down, but was suddenly assaulted by a wave of shame for his cowardice. Whether it was justified or not, he did not care. "I could help you search for him..."
"No," 'Pekrumee said automatically, but then he cocked his head as if considering something. "Actually...perhaps this could be for the best. Early training. Yes, you are allowed to come. As for the rest of you, exercise discipline and remain here."
The black-scaled Sangheili grinned, running up to 'Pekrumee and ducking his head vigorously. The Zealot snorted but did not seem displeased at the show of flattery.
"We will be heading back to Trainee 01's living space. Perhaps we can unearth some clues as to where he went," 'Pekrumee told him.
Once again, 'Zextramee found himself struggling to keep up, especially since the Zealot was hurried. He was basically scrambling madly, trying to seem fast yet not ungainly at the same time.
Trainee 01's living space was a cave nestled into a rock slide. It was surprisingly bare; 'Zextramee wondered how he could enjoy living there. Even the dirt and grass had faded to a bed of pebbles. He shook himself out of his thoughts and watched as 'Pekrumee scaled one of the boulders, using it as a vantage point.
'Zextramee knew he couldn't accomplish that, so instead he crawled into the cave. The inside was well lit, since there was no covering over the mouth of the cave. He could see scuff marks in the gravel, but nothing else.
"He's not in here," 'Zextramee informed 'Pekrumee when he left.
The zealot looked ready to lash out in frustration. "We will have to search through this entire area. I'll allow you to assist, but do not get lost. Call me if you find anything."
The black-scaled Sangheili wanted to give out a yell of joy. Now he could prove himself! 'Zextramee squeezed between two boulders and was out of 'Pekrumee's sight. The Zealot sighed, once again climbing the boulders.
There was little room "inside" the rockslide, but 'Zextramee managed to wiggle through most of the gaps. It was dark and hard to breath, but he kept going. Just when he thought he was going to suffocate, a tiny voice cried out.
"Help," the missing Trainee coughed, its hand sticking through a tiny space between two boulders.
'Zextramee rushed up to the trapped Sangheili, then remembered what his instructor had said. "'Pekrumee! I found him!"
"Where are you?" the Zealot called back. His voice sounded surprisingly far away.
"Uh," for a second panic raced through 'Zextramee's mind. What if he can't find me? Then an idea raced through his head.
He hefted a rock of considerable size and threw it upwards. It clacked against another boulder above them and fell to the ground. He picked it up again, this time aiming for a small opening. He threw it and smiled in satisfaction as it slipped through the hole.
Minutes later, 'Pekrumee's face was looking at them through the same hole. "Good idea," the Zealot grudgingly said. "But I can't fit through any of these gaps. You'll have to get Trainee 01 out."
'Zextramee nodded. He approached the large boulder that he knew the infant was strapped behind. He looked over all the sides of it, but could not find a space large enough to fit through. Above him, he heard the Zealot shift impatiently.
The black-scaled Sangheili suppressed a wave of frustration. "How did you get stuck?" he called loudly, hoping the Trainee would be able to answer.
The reply was weak. "A rock fell when I was climbing around and hit me in my back. It knocked me down here, then blocked off the entrance."
'Zextramee was horrified to notice a splotch of purple-blue blood on one of the rocks. But now he knew which stone he had to move and threw his weight against it. He took a step forward, pressing against it with his entire body. A tiny grunt escaped his mouth. The rock lurched suddenly, a tiny bit, but this was all it took. The Trainee saw the widened gap and managed to squeeze through.
As the weakened Sangheili stumbled out of its trap, 'Zextramee saw that the scales on its lower back were scraped off, and the wound was bleeding. That was the explanation for the blood on the rock.
"He's free," 'Zextramee called triumphantly.
"Excellent work," 'Pekrumee called. "Can you find your way out of the rockslide?"
The black-scaled Sangheili faltered, but was not about to let his moment of triumph be shattered by navigational problems. "Yes," he replied.
The other Trainee looked at him uncertainly, then hurried after 'Zextramee. The lack of air inside the rockslide was taking its toll; they were breathing heavily and stumbled often. The black-scaled Sangheili gasped loudly, but the air that filled his lungs was dank and filthy. He coughed.
"Do you know where to go?" Trainee 01 asked skeptically.
"Of course," 'Zextramee snapped irritably, pausing to look around.
He had never seen this area before. The rockslide appeared to be getting smaller; the boulders overhead were closer to the ground, but just as tightly packed. They were still unable to breathe good air. 'Zextramee dropped to his stomach and started crawling forward, just barely fitting underneath the boulders.
The next gap he came across was so tiny he could barely fit his hand through it. He couldn't move any rocks, either; they were all too large for him. He heard the Trainee behind him cough violently. He felt choked, too.
Suddenly, light and sweet, fresh air blasted inward. 'Zextramee and the Trainee hissed shrilly and covered their eyes. When they opened them, they saw that the rocks in front of them had been knocked away. There stood 'Pekrumee, looking at them.
"Excellent job, Trainee 00," the Zealot said. "Let us return to the others now. We are long overdue."
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