Effie intervenes

"We are betrothed!" Effie screamed at the top of her lungs. Nathan confused by her words eased his hand off his pistol. The elders all had a shocked expression on their faces. They turned to one another and quietly addressed the situation amongst themselves. The rangers did not move to Nathan's relief. He knew he could put at least three of them down before they could react but he would rather avoid putting his savior in the crossfire.

"Explain yourself daughter." Her father demanded.

"I have promised myself, body and soul to Captain Nathan." She pleaded. "He is the bravest warrior I've ever known. I offered myself as his wife and he accepted."

The elders deliberated once more. " As you have foolishly taken this imperial as your beloved, we are unfortunately bound from carrying out a **** order against this outsider." Nathan and Effie both breathed a huge sigh of relief.

"however..." her father continued. " The rules of our people allow for any member of the village to challenge the union within the next sun cycle." Effie nodded. Nathan turned to her and asked what her fathers words meant. Effie explained to him that the male members of her village had a full day to challenge their engagement. Any challenger was entitled to battle Nathan in single combat with the victor winning the right to bed Effie.

"So if someone beats me in a fight then they marry you instead?" Nathan asked.

"Well...yes except instead of simply beating you, it is a fight to the ****. So the survivor marries me..." Effie nervously replied.

"Well shit..." Nathan said. Effie was gorgeous there were sure to be one or two challengers lining up to kill the human.