Tai'Tanu was furious. Somehow, the full unedited video of her duel with the Terran had been released all over their empire. She was working overtime to run damage control, but it was getting increasingly difficult. Every time she released a new statement, it was immediately countered and picked apart by the other high caste members.

"Jealous bitches" She thought to herself as she leaned back in her personal hot spring. She had not had any time for a good soak in days. "How have they gained such insight and knowledge into the truth of the duel?"

She threw her ornate goblet across the floor in a fit of rage, the gold making ringing noises as it skidded across the stone. she grabbed the bottle she had been pouring from and drank directly from it instead. "For all their faults, Terrans make wonderful beverages." She continued her train of thought as the bottle of Elderflower drink was slowly emptied.

She picked up the hypodermic needle next to the edge of the spring and quickly went through the motions of injecting the Terran steroids and she could feel the energy and strength coursing through her veins when she finished.

A door opened on the far side of the room and one of her few trusted aids came rushing in.

"What is it?" Tai'Tanu asked. "Can't you see I'm busy?"

The aide threw himself to the floor in front of her. "Apologies honored one. But a delegation lead by Sai'Lonis has arrived at the entrance to the estate and they are demanding to see you at once." He was shaking like a leaf as he spoke, a sign of just how ludicrous the notion of someone demanding to see a member of the high caste, was. Even if it was another high caste member that did so. Tai'Tanu was the most influential and powerful of the high caste members and everyone knew it.

"Demanding?" She asked incredulously. "How can anyone demand something of the highest among high caste?"

"I merely bring the message, honored one" The aide quickly said. He was desperate to avoid her anger.

Tai'Tanu stood up to her full height, uncaring of the fact she was naked. The aide kept his eyes fixed firmly on the ground as he saw the clawed feet of Tai'Tanu pass him.

"Very well then, let us humor them" He heard her say.

__________________________

Sai'Lonis was waiting impatiently at the entrance to the estate. She had enough soldiers with her to enter by force if she wanted, but better to keep the peace for as long as possible. A civil war between the high caste members was the last thing the Kloxna people needed during a war.

"What is taking so long?!" She demanded of the guard at the gate. Despite being quite a bit bigger than Sai'Lonis, the soldier in front of her was all but cowering.

"I do not know honored one. I just guard the gate" came the nervous reply from the gate guard. Sai'Lonis huffed impatiently just as the doors to the mansion beyond the gate swung open and Tai'Tanu came strolling out, looking like she did not have a care in the world. Sai'Lonis noticed the tail armor that Tai'Tanu always wore in public since her duel with the Terran.

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"What can I do for you, Sai'Lonis?" Tai'Tanu's words were as cordial as could be, but her tone of voice was laced with unspoken threats.

"I have come to summon you to a council of the high caste members. There are certain aspects of your honor duel with the Terran that we all wish for you to clarify." Sai'Lonis jumped straight to business.

"Blunt and direct as always, Sai'Lonis. What could possibly require clarification? The Terran sprang an ambush resulting in the duel being interrupted. You know this, you saw the footage." Tai'Tanu had practiced this line and she delivered it with all the skill and expertise of a seasoned politician.

"There are things better not said in front of the common soldiery, Tai'Tanu!" Sai'Lonis fixed her with a stare as she spoke. "We are here to escort you immediately. The council is impatient."

Tai'Tanu narrowed her eyes to small slits as she eyed Sai'Lonis and her entourage. There were too many soldiers for her to refuse. Best play along for now. "Very well, Let' me summon my honor guard and we can get going"

____________________________________________

The council chamber was filled to the brim. There had not been a gathering of the high caste such as this in over a century. Tai'Tanu was standing in the middle of the room under a single beam of light.

"The council has gathered and the defending member is present." The voice of Sai'Lonis rang out across the chamber. "The council will now review the 2 conflicting recordings of the duel in question and determine if dishonor is to be put on the family of Tai'Tanu!"

After the 2 recordings had been reviewed, the room was filled with the low murmuring of the high caste members talking together, but before they could finish, Tai'Tanu raised her voice. "This gathering is not only useless, but it is also actively helping our enemy in the war!"

The room fell silent and all eyes fell on her.

"What happened at the duel is between me and the Terran! But gathering like this during wartime?? Do none of you remember how the Terrans ended the war with the Plyxii??" Tai'Tanu heard several voices of agreement as she spoke. "If we turn our focus inwards", She continued "The Terrans will take advantage of us being divided and end this war before we even comprehend that the end is near!"

"Having a high caste member without honor among us will go against the very essence of our culture!! It is unthinkable!!" Sai'Lonis cut through the chatter and Tai'Tanu's speaking."To allow such a thing during wartime will only serve to corrode the foundation of our spirit further!"

"With my daughter dead, who would take over the responsibility of the bloodline?" Tai'Tanu countered. "Who would gather the soldiers? Who would collect the food needed for the troops? Who would keep the factories and workshops running? I propose we delay this gathering until we have won this war!"

The murmur of agreement rose to near-deafening levels of noise and Sai'Lonis could see that she was losing control of the situation. Something had to be done. "You are, of course, right, Tai'Tanu. However, with the accusation of dishonor hanging over you, I propose that you be put under supervision for the duration of the war. To make sure there are no... questionable... actions taking place."

"Tai'Tanu's face contorted with anger, but she had enough wits about her to hear the chorus of agreement amongst the council. "Very well, Sai'Lonis. I accept the terms of the council. Who will be my supervisor?"

The council all turned to Sai'Lonis. "I have no desire to be the one. I have enough to do with my own holdings that, while not as big as Tai'Tanu's, still require my attention."

"I will do it." A voice came from the back and an ancient Kloxna stepped forward.

"Thrice honored one! We could not ask someone with your immense responsibilities to-" Tai'Tanu began but was cut off by the ancient Kloxna.

"Do not dismiss me, Tai'Tanu. I may be ancient and I may be the keeper of the ancient knowledge, but I am also one of the only Kloxna that would not suffer an accident while performing the duty of supervising you during the war." The accusation was clear. Anyone else taking the position would get killed off in a freak accident at a prudent time. But being the keeper of the ancient knowledge granted a level of protection no other Kloxna possessed.

"It will be so." Sai'Lonis declared. "The keeper shall be the one to supervise Tai'Tanu. The council is adjourned."

As Tai'Tanu and the keeper went to left the room, Sai'Lonis noticed the hateful glare that Tai'Tanu shot her way.