[i]A lot of character development here. Don't hesitate to tell me if you don't like anything.[/i] [b]Part 20 - Cultural differences[/b] "Sangheili, I must rest. Mine limbs grow weary of this continuous walking. May we not set up camp awhile?" the Chieftain finally gave in, which prompted the equally weary, if not more so Zharn and Ahkrin to share a secretive, triumphant look between themselves. Neither had been prepared to admit their weariness before the Brute had. "Very well, if you so wish," Zharn replied loftily, and with masked relief, lay back on the rough forest ground. Two heavy thumps told him that Ahkrin and the Jiralhanae had done so too. Dust particles kicked up around him, only to be incinerated by his energy shielding as they touched it. "Is the communicator working?" Ahkrin demanded between short breaths, also sprawled out on the ground. "Nay, I am afraid not. The humans have indeed put up a mighty scrambler, but fear not, the Huragok are no doubt working on a solution even as we speak. Trust in the Path to see us through," the Chieftain replied confidently. Zharn scowled. Was every Jiralhanae a religious zealot? The Sangheili believed in the Great Journey, sure enough, but the Jiralhanae seemed to think about nothing but it. "What's your name?" Zharn questioned the Jiralhanae, who stood over a foot taller than him, and had a thick white, braided beard which was meticulously clean, unlike that of so many of their kind. "Orpheus, noble Ultra," the Chieftain replied, a wary look in his eyes. "That is a strong name," Zharn answered sincerely, wanting to stay on Orpheus' good side. "And you?" the Jiralhanae then asked his two Sangheili companions. "I am Ahkrin, and the gormless one over there goes by the name of Zharn," the Stealth Sangheili answered for him. "Enough pleasantries, I want some answers. Orpheus, how did you know where we were?" Zharn demanded, scrambling to his feet and stretching his aching muscles. The group had made rest in a tall, thriving forest, and night was nearly falling. Looking up at Eridanus II's looming moon, and hearing the sound of wildlife and wind brushing against the trees, Zharn suddenly felt sick. How could they glass something as wondrous as this? "My pack mates were killed by a human ambush. Rage seeped through my veins, and I killed those barbaric interlopers. Whilst in the berserk state, the body's senses are heightened. I heard you and Ahkrin as you were held and gunpoint as clearly as I would if you were standing next to me, and went down to help. We may be of different species, but we are all of the Covenant," Orpheus replied gravely. Zharn blinked. A Jiralhanae who wasn't a bigot and Sangheili hater? "Well, thank you Chieftain, for delving down into what was essentially hell to save us. Is there anything I can do to repay you?" Zharn thanked Orpheus. The Jiralhanae was a Chieftain, the highest rank one of his kind could attain, but even a Sangheili Major would have authority over him. Zharn sometimes thought that the Sangheili repression of the Jiralhanae was a little too brutal. It would all end badly, he felt. "Just fight alongside me noble Ultra, that's all that I ask. We must stick together if we want to make it off this planet alive," Orpheus replied, standing up. The Chieftain was rather small in comparison to most Jiralhanae; he was only the height of Zharn. Still, his chest and arms rippled with raw muscle. "I will go and collect firewood, we should set up camp here tonight. I trust it one of you knows how to create a shelter?" "Yes," Ahkrin answered instantly, almost in a hostile tone. Zharn recognised that, but Orpheus, who didn't know the Stealth Sangheili, obviously thought he was just weary. "Excellent. I will be back within half an hour, fear not." And the Chieftain lumbered deep into the dark forest, hammer in hand. Ahkrin's narrowed eyes followed him until he couldn't be seen anymore. Then the Stealth Sangheili snapped to face Zharn. "On your feet Zharn, we're leaving," Ahkrin instructed in a brisk tone, no longer sounding weary. He'd been faking it. "[i]What?[/i]" Zharn demanded, utterly bemused. Ahkrin was already on his feet, frowning down at Zharn. "He's a Jiralhanae, Zharn. I don't trust him, and neither should you. If we move now, we can be gone before he returns." Ahkrin stalked off, obviously believing Zharn would follow him. When he didn't hear those familiar footsteps behind him though, he turned around, puzzled. "No Ahkrin. We're staying. He saved our lives; you need to stop this petty antagonism towards the Jiralhanae," Zharn told his friend firmly. "Zharn--" Ahkrin began to protest loudly, before being cut off by the Ultra. "Don't argue Ahkrin. I know why you hate the Jiralhanae, and I understand. But Orpheus did not incite the riot upon your uncle's position. You need to learn how to forget, Ahkrin. Holding a grudge for such a long time is unhealthy; the riots have ended. We're staying, and you are too. That's an order." Ahkrin looked at Zharn then with murder in his eyes, and looked as if he were about to strike him. Then, he cursed, shook his head and sat down sullenly. "I won't forgive this Zharn," Ahkrin told him icily. Zharn chuckled as he too sat. "Yes you will, Ahkrin. You always do." The two sat in an awkward silence for the better part of twenty minutes. Zharn sadly pondered his friend's hatred of the Jiralhanae. It was when Zharn was reflecting on his thoughts when Orpheus stumbled back into their camp. He looked at the two Sangheili in confusion. "You haven't made shelter?" Ahkrin said nothing, and merely stood up, and began to gather the materials he would need to create for them a place where they could rest the night. Orpheus looked at Zharn in perplexity, who just shook his head warningly. The Jiralhanae fortunately understood his unspoken message, and began lighting the fire mutely, creating sparks with his long, sharp claws. An hour later, and the three Covenant soldiers had built themselves a safe an amiable camp. The fire had not only warmed their bodies, but it had also warmed Ahkrin's frosty demeanour. Abashed, Ahkrin had apologised to his friend, who readily accepted. He still behaved a little frosty around Orpheus though. Zharn had managed to catch a Deer which had been galloping through the woods, and so now the three were enjoying healthy portions of cooked venison, seasoned with some herbs they'd found. It had a distinctly alien taste, but wasn't at all unpleasant. There was some left over, and so Ahkrin froze it in a stasis field so it wouldn't spoil. Ahkrin was always prepared like that. "So what's your story then, Orpheus?" Zharn asked after the meal. He was bored, and Orpheus seemed interesting. "My story? It's long and bloody, Sangheili. You don't become a Chieftain by shaking hands. I killed my father's brother to attain this position," Orpheus replied casually. Ahkrin's eyes widened in outrage. "That's barbaric!" he cried in a disgusted tone. Orpheus shook his head. "No, you misunderstand. My father's brother was old, and he wouldn't have lasted a year anyway. In our society, there is no greater honour than to be killed by a relative, rather than some upstart from another family. He died with a smile on his face," Orpheus explained, but his words didn't alleviate Ahkrin's anger. "That's disgusting. I knew you Jiralhanae were Brutish, but I didn't realise how much so." "Sangheili, would you die in your bed an old and lonely husk? Or would you rather leave this world in the glorious rush of battle? For Jiralhanae, it is always the latter; I can only hope that I am one day bested by my kin. Don't try to compare your culture to ours, it's impossible." Ahkrin shut up after that, thankfully. He could get awfully long winded at times. [Edited on 07.29.2011 2:24 PM PDT]