Part Four-Tests

The door echoed loudly in their ears as it banged behind them. The two followed K'Lera into the main hall of the castle. She offered them something to drink to which only Paris accepted. She poured him a glass of blood red wine and handed it to him.
Paris took a sip of the drink. His eyes opened wide after he swallowed the liquid. He fought back the urge to cough which impressed the priestess.
"Strong," Paris said when he could speak, "What is it?"
K'Lera smiled, "It's from my people. It's called Blood Wine. You liked it?"
Paris stared at the drink then took another sip. It was better the second time, and he smiled. K'Lera's dark eyse glittered as Paris nodded his approval.
"Good," the priestess said, taking a sip of her own drink, "Now tell me about yourselves."
K'Lera looked at Torres, telling her she should start.
"I am B'Elanna. We're on our way to Krynus."
"Ah, you're going home," K'Lera said, nodding. She then looked at Paris and said, "Who is he?"
Torres could hear the venom in K'Lera's voice, and she sensed trouble ahead. She gathered her self-control and spoke, "His name is Tom Paris. He is my mate."
K'Lera stared back at Torres in both anger and surprise. She nearly spat her next words, "How dare you take one of his kind as a mate! Do you remember what they have done to us?!"
Torres glared back, "If you have remembered the real story you would have known that it was only one human male who raped one of us! Tom is nothing like that! He cares for me, and he would never let anything happen to me!"
K'Lera sneered, "Do you know what they would do to him if you walked down the streets of Krynus with him beside you? Do you want that to happen?"
Torres shook her head, "He knows, but he insists he come along."
"Then he is a fool!"
"I am still in the room!" Paris snapped, glaring at both of them, "Quit talking like I'm not here!"
The priestess whirrled around to face him, her dark eyes like coals. Paris stared back, his blue eyes hard as diamonds. K'Lera was impressed that he didn't back down. Taren always back away when she showed her temper. This boy was clearly not afraid of much.
K'Lera straightened when she saw that Paris was not going to relent. She looked back at Torres.
"You're mate is clearly a brave or stupid soul," she stared at Paris and smiled, "But stubborn is more fitting. I will show you to your room. Follow me."
K'Lera left the Hall with Paris and Torres following. She led them down a hallway then up a flight of stairs. They walked down another corridor until K'Lera finally stopped at a door. She unlocked it and pushed it open. She then stepped aside to let them enter.
"This will be your room during your stay," she said then left the two alone.
The two stared in awe at the room. In the center of the room, up against a wall, was a bed large enough for two people. It had a canopy over the bed. Flowing down from the canopy were curtains made of silk. The curtains were pulled back and tied around the bedposts.
To the far right was a dresser made of maple. On top, was a single candle which was the room's only light. On the left side of the room was another door. Torres opened it to find that it was a closet.
The whole room was a maroon color. The two looked at each other, both dazed and in awe.
"It's lovely," Paris said, not taking his eyes of Torres.
Torres smiled in response, "Might as well get some sleep. We still have a whole day before we get to Krynus."
Paris nodded and untied his cloak. His boots were next, then his sword belt. He let them fall in a pile on the floor. Torres did the same and headed over to the bed. She pulled down the covers and climbed under them. She looked at Paris, who was untying the cords of the curtains. The first half of the right curtain fell into place. Torres felt her blood rise as Paris untied the other cord. She noticed that the room was dimming as the thick curtains blocked the light from the candle.
Paris went around to the other side and untied the other curtain. He looked at Torres once, and saw the feral expression on her face. He smiled mischieviously as he untied the last cord. He heard her yelp once then a soft growl came from the bed. He chuckled softly as he went to the dresser and blew out the candle. He was definiatly going to enjoy this night.

K'Lera sat in her throne room, glaring at the doors. She had a feeling that the two were mates, but she didn't want to believe it. She wanted to kill Paris right then and there, but Harpra never took cold blooded deaths as sacrifices. She would have to wait until the goddess was ready to recieve the gifts.
Paris will be first, she thought, but until then I have some plans for him. I want to know if he is willing to prove his love for B'Elanna.
The priestess smiled as she invisioned his expression at hearing that news.
It is my place to test him after all. I am a priestess of my people.

B'Elanna Torres woke the next morning to the feel of warm arms around her. She smiled as the sensations of last night returned to her. She never felt so good before. She was always afraid of becoming intiment with any male, even her own kind. She knew most human males would never want to get close to her, thanks to the stories.
She turned around in Paris' arms and looked at him. She smiled when she saw the innocent expression on his face. She reached up and brushed the hair off his forehead. She saw his eyes flutter, but they didn't open.
Suddenly, the curtains behind her parted and she turned arouns to see K'Lera standing behind her. The priestess wasn't looking at her, but at Paris.
"So how was the human?" K'Lera said, almost mockingly, "Could he handle you?"
Torres snarled at the remark, "What do you have against him? Beisdes that he is human."
K'Lera looked at her then, and her eyes softened, "The females of our people have been hurt by humans before, B'Elanna. We have been cautious when we got to their towns. Someof us have even hurt them back."
Torres looked at Paris, who was still asleep. She was amazed he had been so persistant to get her.
"Tom took a chance on me, K'Lera. He believed I was worth what ever risk there was. He didn't believe the stories."
The priestess snorted, "We shall see about that. When he is awake bring him downstairs. I have some tests for him."
Torres turned, but K'Lera was already gone. She heard the door shut quietly as she turned back to Paris.
"What was that all about?" He asked sleepily, his eyes still closed.
"K'Lera wants to test you, Tom," Torres answered, "It's a custom of my people to have the parents or a priestes to test the worth of a female's mate. That's what she wants to do."
Paris' eyes flew open then. He glared at her as he spoke, "If you believe I am worthy of you then she should respect that and leave us alone."
"You would get the same from my mother if she saw fit to do so."
Paris sat up then and ran a hand through his hair, "I would understand your mother doind that, but what right would K'Lera have?!"
Torres touched his shoulder, trying to soothe him, "She is a priestess, Tom. It is a priestess' right to do so. They are the ones who preform the ceromony when a pair is ready to complete the mating ritual. You would call it getting married."
Paris' eyes showed that he understood, but he still didn't like it. He ran his hand through his hair again and sighed.
"Alright," he said, "What do I do?"
Tom Paris stood before K'Lera. The two seemed to be staring each other down. K'Lera was, in fact, trying to read the rogue. She stared into his eyes as if she could see into his soul. She did see that he was determained to go through with whatever she had planned.
"Tom Paris," K'Lera began, still staring into his blue eyes, "It is my belief and place to test your worth as B'Elanna's mate. You will first be tested for bravery. If you survive that your next test will be of honor. After that you will face me. If you pass all three tests I will give B'Elanna's mother my acceptance that you can marry. I will even preform the ceromony."
Torres looked at her mate, concerned. She knew that these tests were difficult for a male of her people to finish. She believe that for a human male the difficulty was near impossible. She saw and sensed Paris' defiance and dertermaination to complete these tests.
"Paris," K'Lera continued, "the test of bravery is to begin now. At the edge of the forest is a cave. In it is a creature of pure evil. I want you to destroy it and bring back proof that you've done so. I will give you until sunset to complete this test. Go."
Paris nodded once, gave Torres a small smile, then headed out of the room.
K'Lera looked at Torres, and saw worry etched on the warrior's face. She smiled slightly at the belief that Torres did love the rogue. These tests might prove that he would do anything for Torres.
These tests might also prove that he is worthy of Harpra K'Lera thought, All the better.
"B'Elanna," K'Lera broke the silence, "care to have something to eat? It will be hour before he gets back."
Torres tore her gaze from the door to look at the priestess. She nodded slowly then followed K'Lera to the dining hall. All the while, she was praying to whatever god was listening to watch over Paris.

Paris rode his horse deep into the forest behind K'Lera's castle. He was deep in thought as he kept an eye out for the cave.
I have until sunset, huh? Paris thought, looking toward his left, I bet I can make it before that.
He rode for several more minutes until he caught site of the cave. It was dug into a hill on his left, almost hidden by the greening grass.
There you are, Paris thought as he slid off his horse, and drew his sword. Let's see what you look like.
Paris cautiously walked up to the mouth of the cave. It was quiet, the breeze the only sound.
Paris entered the cave slowly. The ceiling was low, making him feel as thought he should duck. It wasn't too dark thanks to the sunlight pouring in. He could almost see teh outline of a small treasure trove. His thieving instincts were about to kick in when he heard a noise coming from in front of him. He looked up, and saw glowing red eyes. Almost the same eyes that belonged to the creature that had attacked him.
"Hello there," Paris whispered calmly.
A low growl came from the creature, and Paris tightened the grip on his weapon. He inched closer, causing a snarl to escape from his foe. A chill went down his spine at the sound, but he ignored it. He had to get back to the castle to prove to K'Lera that he was brave.
"Attack me," he taunted, "I dare you."
The eyes glowed brighter as a roar sounded through the cave. Paris winced as teh sound echoed in his ears. At the same moment, he felt something slam into him. He then fell to the ground.
He swung his sword to hit the creature. It roared in protest and attempted to bite him. He used his left hand to hit the beast aside the head. It snarled, and tried to bite his hand, but Paris was able to kick it off. He then jumped to his feet.
"Is that the best you can do?" Paris mocked further as he prepared for another attack.
The black creature roared again and jumped toward him. Paris swung his sword, catching the beast in mid-flight. It fell to the ground beside him with a thud. Paris stared at the creature. It was too easy. He pushed it with his boot, but it didn't move. He then bent down, and used his sword to cut off one of the creature's feet. He stood up and looked at the treasure. Again, he had a sudden urge to take something.
Some other time, Tom, he told himself, B'Elanna is waiting.

K'Lera watched B'Elanna as she ate. The young warrior ate as if she hadn't eaten in days. She also seemed to be avoiding the wine. She insisted that she would drink only juice. The priestess found it strange, but then Torres had been living among humans for several years. She probably didn't like the taste of Blood Wine anymore.
The priestess stood up when Torres had finished her meal. She walked over to the warrior and took her plate. She then turned and went to dipose of them.
Inside the kitchen, K'Lera found Taren cleaning up. She put the plates on the counter and looked at the priest.
"There is something strange about B'Elanna," K'Lera stated, "I can't place it, though."
Taren stared at her. He barely saw the warrior when her and her human mate arrived. He was about to shake his head when an idea came to him, "Why not ask the goddess, Mistress. Harpra might have an answer."
"I doubt Harpra would want to be bothered by such trivial questions."
Taren shrugged, "Then use your powers. They should give you your answers."
K'Lera smiled, "Thank you, Taren. I will do just that."
Taren nodded as the priestess went back into the dining room with dessert.
Torres saw what K'Lera was bringing next. Her eyes widened at what was on the plate. She felt her mouth water as the plate was placed before her.
"Truffles," Torres whispered, "I love truffles."
K'Lera smiled as she sat down on the othe side of the table, "There's a lot buried in the forest. It's a wonderful challenge trying to find them."
Torres returned the smile as she picked one up. She smelled the chocolaty aroma before popping it in her mouth. Her smile grew as she revevled in the taste.
K'Lera closed her eyes as Torres ate the truffles. She gave herself over to her powers as she asked them to tell her about Torres. She went into a trance as she saw B'Elanna's history play out before her. The priestess grew interested as she viewed Torres' relationship with her mate. She saw that Torres was suspicious of Paris at first, but grew to love him.
As the present drew closer, K'Lera saw that the two had mated several times. At that, K'Lera stopped the history and looked at Torres through the trance. She was shocked at what she saw.
B'Elanna is pregnant, the priestess stated as she broke her trance, She's pregnant by Paris. I can't give her to Harpra. It is immoral, but I can still give Paris to Harpra.
K'Lera smiled as another idea came to her,Maybe I can give B'Elanna's baby to Harpra. She hasn't had an infant in centuries.
K'Lera looked at Torres, who was finishing off the last truffle, I won't just get the continent; I'll get the world!

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