The next morning, Tyrex found himself in front of the Council of Elders again.
“Jukhtar has brought us some troubling news, Tyrex Luk'ta,” the lead council member said. “Please explain to us what happened.”
“I discovered an alien from space, my lords. Simple as that.”
The council Elders grumbled to each other. “And where did you find this alien?”
“In the forest. Her spaceship crash landed here a few days ago.”
The council members grumbled to each other again. “This is most unusual, Tyrex Luk'ta.”
Tyrex laughed. “You're telling me.”
“And should we expect more of those things to come?”
Tyrex tried to be as polite as possible. “The thing's name is Sophia Jordan and she's from Earth.”
The council member rephrased the question. “Will there be anymore Jordans arriving?”
“I'm not sure. Sophia has told me there's a small chance that her people might be looking for her. But it might be like finding a yuwil in a hayfield.”
“And what of your Joining? Have you found your Intended?”
Tyrex was shocked at their change of topics. “I regret to inform you that I am still looking.”
“I believe we have found you a suitable Intended, Tyrex Luk'ta,” Juktar announced.
Tyrex looked at the third council member from the left. “That is most irregular, honored council member. I never knew the Council of Elders would choose the Intended for the male.”
“This is most irregular,” the middle council member said. “But this situation is irregular, Tyrex Luk'ta. I believe you would agree with me.”
Tyrex stood firmly. “I believe a Jeorn male should be able to choose his own Intended.”
“We are not forcing you to Join with her. You must only meet with her. That is the order of the Council of Elders. There will be no more discussion. You will meet with Rajla Cut'ha. Tonight.”
Tyrex left the hall with his fists clenched. “How could they interfere with my life anymore than they already are?”
Tyrex took the long way home, zigzagging through the village. As much as he was angry at the Council of Elders, his thoughts kept turning back to Sophia.
She was everything he wanted in a female. Her beauty was exotic and her brain would make her the perfect mate. Yet she was not a Jeorn. Tyrex would still have to find his Intended.
–
“Mother, Father, The Council of Elders are forcing me to go on a date with a Jeorn female.”
“We know, Son,” Kitor said. “The Council spoke with us on who would be a suitable mate.”
“And did you agree with this?”
Kitor nodded. “We think you might need a little help, considering the distractions.” Kitor motioned to the room where Sophia was taking a nap.
Lija embraced Tyrex. “Look at it from our side. We just want the best for you. And we believe Rajla is a wonderful female.”
Tyrex had only met Rajla once when he was six years old. When the villages of Ja'la and Tuk'na joined for a celebration. It wasn't unheard of for the Intended to be from another village. There were many times when there were a lack of females in one village and an overabundance in another. Trade sessions with both Council of Elders would commence.
If Tyrex were to pick Rajla as his Intended, the village of Ja'la would have to pay Tuk'na a hefty sum.
“But why Rajla? There must be a suitable mate in our own village.”
“The Council of Elders put forth her name. While we would love for you to pick someone from our own village, we agreed with their pick,” Lija said.
Tyrex knew something was wrong with the Council. They never set up dates for the males and they almost never would've picked a female from a competing village.
“Son, just meet the woman. None of us our forcing you to make her your Intended. But we think she will be perfect for you,” Kitor said.
Tyrex took a deep breath. It would only make matters worse if he angered the Council and his parents. “Okay, I will go on this date.” Tyrex put his palm up. “But don't expect anything.”
“That is all we ask,” Lija said.
–
When Sophia awoke from her nap she almost forgot where she was. “Oh right, I'm still stranded on an alien planet.”
Lija had set out a spare set of clothes for her. She almost forgot that she'd been wearing the same clothes for days now. She didn't care what they looked like. Sophia just wanted to feel clean.
There was no mirror in the guest room but Sophia didn't need one. She knew she looked like a cave woman from the prehistoric age. Leather wraps for her waist and chest were tight but not uncomfortable. She wasn't used to showing so much skin. “When in Rome...”
After thanking Lija for the clothes, Sophia found Tyrex outside the hut. “What's going on, Tyrex? Your mother told me you are going to be busy tonight. Is it that thing about your Joining?”
Tyrex was caught surprised when she showed up in a traditional Jeorn outfit. “Wow Sophia, you look incredible.”
Sophia flushed from head to toe. She looked down at herself. “Your mother said it used to be hers when she was younger.
“I think it looks better on you,” Tyrex said.
“And what about your Joining?”
“The Council of Elders has seemed fit to set me up with a date. I regret to inform you that I will be busy tonight.”
Sophia felt a sudden rush of jealousy. She didn't even know where it was coming from. She'd only known Tyrex for a couple days. “I'm sorry to hear that. Maybe it will be a good thing? From what you told me, this Joining thing sounds pretty intense.”
“You might be right, Sophia. I just don't like when my destiny is chosen for me. If you'd excuse me, I must prepare for the journey.”
“Journey?”
“My date with Rajla is in the next village over in Tuk'na.”
Sophia already didn't like the name Rajla. “Is it far?”
“Not too far. But I will be gone until the next morning.”
Sophia dropped her head. “Oh.”
“I'm sorry, Sophia. I will be back as soon as I can.”
Sophia smiled. “Good luck.”
–
Tyrex traveled until sunset when he finally made it to Tuk'na. A representative dressed in white robes was waiting to escort him.
“How was your travel, Tyrex Luk'ta?”
“Uneventful. Where is Rajla?”
“She is waiting for you. I will take you there.”
The representative led Tyrex to a beautiful clearing in a meadow near the edge of the village. A female Jeorn with long black hair sat in the middle plucking at flowers.
The representative bowed as he left the both of them.
Tyrex approached slowly. She seemed not to pay attention to his presence.
“My name is Tyrex Luk...”
Rajla stared at the flowers. “I remember you Tyrex Luk'ta. We met when we were six years old.”
“Yes I remember,” Tyrex replied.
“Do you remember this meadow?”
Tyrex looked around. It looked no different from the hundred other meadows he'd seen. “No I'm sorry I don't remember.”
“You gave me a flower just like this one in this meadow when we were kids.” She finally looked up at Tyrex and showed him a green flower with soft petals. “You also told me we would be together forever.”
Tyrex was drawn into her green eyes. He didn't remember those either. “I'm sorry but I don't...”
Rajla waved him away. “It was a long time ago. Now help me up.” She reached out her hand and Tyrex pulled her up.
Rajla was dressed in black silks that were almost transparent. Didn't leave much to the imagination. She was only inches away from him and Tyrex felt nothing. He was confused. Under normal circumstances, a beautiful Jeorn female would get his heart pumping and his hands sweating.
But he felt nothing.
“I know you were forced to come here tonight,” Rajla said, walking ahead of Tyrex through the meadow.
Tyrex tried to keep up, following the tight black silk that hugged her hips. “It's true that the Council set this up but I didn't refuse.”
Rajla laughed. “Of course you didn't refuse. You don't want to be executed, do you?”
Tyrex joined in the laughter. “Yeah my head likes to be attached to my body. But I still need to find my Intended.”
Rajla agreed, smiling with perfect teeth. “Yes you do.”
They walked through the meadow in silence. Tyrex thought to himself that Rajla would make the perfect Intended but he just didn't feel a connection.
Rajla finally spoke, “Is it true what they say?”
“What?”
“About the thing you found in your village.”
Tyrex stopped in his tracks. He didn't like the way people kept referring to her as a thing. “Her name is Sophia.”
“Oh, she even has a name. How wonderful!”
“I didn't even know your village knew about this.”
Rajla playfully shoved him. “Are you kidding me? This whole village has been buzzing about this Sophia. Please, you must tell me all about it!”
“There's not much to tell actually. She fell from space.”
“But what does she look like? Does she speak our language?
“Sophia looks like you and me except that she has white skin. She told me she has a device around her neck that translates for her.”
Rajla twirled around with her arms outstretched, bathing in the moonlight. “Wow! To travel the stars. Can you believe a thing like that exists?”
“A few days ago, I wouldn't have.”
“Does she bite? They might put her in a cage when she gets here.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Well we don't want the children attacked when your Sophia arrives.”
“She isn't coming here.”
Rajla looked back at Tyrex and giggled. “You mean you came here and didn't know the price your Council of Elders paid to take me as your Intended?”
Tyrex saw all the pieces fall into place. The Council of Tuk'na was willing to give Rajla away in exchange for Sophia.
And they must've already taken her.
“This date is over. I must be going now.”
“Oh Tyrex, the night is still young.” Rajla hung on his arm, holding him in place.
Tyrex shoved Rajla to the ground. “I'm sorry I must go.”
Tyrex raced back to his village with one thing on his mind: Sophia.
“You'll be mine some day Tyrex Luk'ta,” Rajla whispered to herself.