Without Hesitation

Mitri realized now that everything hinged on her. She was the one that would either make or break this new alliance. But there was more... If she did this, she would be even closer to Broden. She would become a conspirator in his lies to her mother. He would need her more than ever. And above all, she might actually become his....

"So what do I do?"

"Stand with us and take knee."

She moved from behind Broden and found Mis'Ra doing the same. The She-Orc shrugged and Vil took the lead. Six people stood before Broden and as one they each dropped to their right knee. Vil placed a fist over her heart and slightly bowed her head. Mitri followed her lead.

"We kneel here before Chieftain Broden, to swear our Oath as kith and kin."

Five voices range out to repeat Vil'Ra.

"Chieftain, we swear upon our swords and our lives, to be unto you as blood and forsake our loyalty to all others."

Again her statement was echoed by the others.

"Chieftain, do you accept us as your people, your brothers and sisters, above all others?"

Broden looked at the six, who stared back expectantly. This wasn't what he wanted. He wanted a peaceful life where he could live with those he cared about in safety. But that wasn't the world he was in. His people needed him, and he had already come to realize that his few people wouldn't be enough to push south through the human empire. Their ancestral home was beyond him unless he could utilize more than what he had now.

"I, Chieftain of the Nomad tribe, accept you as you are and will be. I pledge to honor your Oath and treat you and yours as blood until my last breath. I will trust you at my back, as you trust me to lead you."

"We are honored, War Chief Broden."

"We are honored, War Chief Broden," Mitri echoed, feeling as if her entire world had just changed. She watched as Vil and the other chieftains began to rise and she carefully got to her feet as well. Mis went to Broden's side and turned to face the chieftains before kneeling again. Broden placed a hand upon her head and spoke once more.

"I place Mis'Ra as my spymaster. Any words you have for me can come through her."

"And the princess," asked Vil'Ra with a smirk. Broden looked at Mitri and nodded slowly.

"Princess Mitri, I ask... I ask for your hand."

"B-but you... You love my mother! You've only just now began to feel anything for me..."

"I admit that I do love Ethimilee.... But that doesn't change what I feel for you. You told me before that if I still wanted her, you wouldn't stop it as long as you could have a piece of me, even if just one night. Is that still true?"

"Yes..."

"Then I can't promise what will happen with your mother, but I ask you again, become my first bride. I know we will have to hide it for now, but I will honor our marriage"

"I... I accept."

Vil's hand clapped the princess on the back and a hearty laugh rang out.

"Sounds like a mother fetish to me," said Rulgan.

"Marrying an Elf. They do say a man looks for a woman like his mother," Brial chuckled.

"Aye, though this one is far prettier," nodded Hilroth.

Mitri's eyes widened as she looked at each man in turn before looking to Broden. "Your mother was an Elf?" Broden indicated his slightly pointed ears and smiled.

"Yes. She wasn't Horgrog's wife, just a **** he had taken. But one day after my birth she disappeared."

"Liar," chuckled Vil'Ra. "I heard from Mis, you had her and Gaine help you to smuggle her back into Elven lands long ago.

Broden nodded with a smirk and held his hand out to Mitri

"Shall we head back?