A SPARTAN'S WAR

ONE WEEK LATER

Tarifa stared at the sweaty bodies of her two lovers on her bed with a contented smile. The past week had flown by and it had been filled with pleasure beyond anything she had experienced up until now. Though Dysea had been confined to the upper levels of Mountain City away from the eyes of the common High Elves who lived there, she had not remained inactive. Her days were filled with helping Martin and his remaining people to set up a small encampment on top of the platforms where they had been evacuated too, and her nights were spent in rapturous bliss in the arms of Martin and Tarifa. They had spent a week exploring each other's bodies in exacting detail. Many times Tarifa had been content to watch Martin make love to Dysea in a way that always left her gasping and crying for more. His actions were more pronounced with Dysea, more methodic and precise. He lavished her with attention, and it was she who always ended up within his embrace when it was over.

They did not leave Tarifa out of their pleasure by any means, always including her and the times when the two of them had explored her lush body with only their tongues had led to many exquisite orgasms for Tarifa. She knew however that it was Dysea who was fated to be with Martin, and she was content with the fact that they never refused her or shunned her aside. Their hours were not spent completely in bliss either, as they would talk for many hours into the night, telling Martin of things that had happened over the years to them and to their people. Dysea was eager to get back to her own people and do as Tarifa was doing and clean house among the Elders. Once she was able to do that, with Martin and the others supporting her, they would be able to forge a powerful alliance of their own and just maybe begin to turn the tide on the Alliance.

The pounding on her door interrupted Tarifa's thoughts further and she sighed heavily at the intrusion. Martin and Dysea stirred on the bed and she watched Dysea's platinum hair rise quickly from Martin's chest. They had never been disturbed this early in the morning, and they looked at her with questions in their eyes.

"Stay where you are." Tarifa said with a seductive smile. "I will tend to this and then we can say good morning in a proper fashion." Tarifa saw Dysea's emerald eyes light up at that since Tarifa's definition of proper meant more pleasure for her and Martin. Almost every morning this past week Tarifa had woken them by using her lips and tongue on them in the most delightful ways.

Tarifa grabbed the light blue robe from the chair and pulled it on as she walked across the rooms of her home and went to the door, banging on the control panel and preparing to verbally lash whoever it was. Her mouth froze open, stealing her words when it slide open and revealed her father in the corridor with the tall elf officer.

"Papa?" She spoke after a moment. "What… what is going on?" Her father never came to her home this early in the morning.

Tareif stepped closer to her. "We need a moment." He told her in a gruff voice.

Tarifa blocked his movement with her hand. "Papa why are you here this early in the morning?" Tarifa asked. "And why have you brought Telan with you?"

"Are you going to let me in?" Tareif asked.

Tarifa met her father's eyes. "No…" She answered. "I have guests."

"Are these guests Martin Hunter and the Wood elf Queen?" Telan asked her. His voice was neutral but carried a tone of sarcasm in it.

"Who my guests may be is none of your concern Captain." Tarifa snapped.

"I beg to differ." Telan spoke. "I prefer to know who my future mate is allowing into her bed."

"Your future mate," Tarifa laughed. "You presume much Captain."

"Do I?" Telan spoke.

Tarifa looked at her father, her eyes wide. "Papa… what have you done?"

"You are my oldest daughter Tarifa and in accordance with the customs of our people, I am giving your hand to Captain Telan." Tareif announced.

Tarifa's eyes went wide at this announcement. "Papa… I do not have time for your games now." She said moving back into the room.

"This… this is no game." Tareif spoke following her.

Tarifa looked at him. "You are serious?" She said. "I told you we would talk about this later papa. Now is not the time." Her eyes widened when Telan stepped into her home followed by three Dragoons. "What is going on?" She demanded.

Telan motioned towards the bedroom. "They will be in there." He spoke. "Detain them."

Tarifa turned to her father, sapphire yes alive in anger. "What is this meaning of this?" She demanded.

"There is nothing to talk about." Tareif announced. "I am still the head of this family, and you will do as I say in this matter whether you are Queen or not."

"I will do no such thing!" Tarifa exclaimed. "Remove these men from my home immediately!"

"It is already done." Tareif told them. "The Council believes that your interaction with this Hunter person has clouded your judgment. After hearing what I heard today, I am beginning to believe they may be correct."

Tarifa looked at him. "What are you talking about?"

"The Council of Elders met in secret last night." Tareif spoke. "They have decided to reject the information you presented to them as their own investigations have led them to other conclusions. The main one being that you are under the false influence of this Hunter person as well as the Queen of our enemy."

Tarifa stared at him as if he had lost his mind. "You are joking! The Council informed me of no meeting!"

"Perhaps that is because for the past week, you have spent more time sharing their bed than you have actually being Queen." Tareif spoke his voice dull and unemotional.

They turned as first Dysea and then Martin were led from the bedroom, hastily trying to put their clothes on. Martin's eyes burned and Tarifa could tell he was keeping his anger in check.

"Tarifa what is going on?" Dysea asked quickly.

Tareif motioned with his head. "Take them to the platforms with the rest of their kind."

"The rest of my kind," Martin snapped. "Would you mind telling me what is going on?"

"I will tell you nothing!" Tareif snapped. "You will return to the rest of your kind on the platforms above or I will have you arrested for treason and shot!"

Martin's eyes went wide at this and he looked at Tarifa. The anger on her face was obvious and she gave him a quick nod. "I will discover what is happening Martin." She spoke quickly. "Take Dysea and I will see you later."

Martin didn't question her and took Dysea's hand in his, heading for the door followed by the three Dragoons. Tarifa looked back to her father. "My patience is gone father." Tarifa barked. "You barge into my home… drag my friends out of my home like criminals… perhaps you should explain to me what is happening quickly, or my father or not I will have you arrested and detained."

"Telan has submitted his petition to take you as his wife and I have agreed." Tareif spoke almost like a machine.

"We have spoken of this already father and I told you I will not allow you to do this. You have no right!" Tarifa shouted.

"I am your father and I have every right!" Tareif shouted back at her. "The thought of you consorting with that… that half breed human turns my stomach! And to see you and the Queen of our enemy sharing a bed in such a manner sickens me! You will take Telan as your husband, and things will become more normal around here again."

"I will do no such thing!" Tarifa snapped. "I will not allow you to barter me off as our people are bartered off!"

"You have no choice in the matter!" Tareif snapped. "It is already done and the paperwork will be consecrated within the week. Hunter is using you Tarifa! Using you to get what he wants! He cares nothing for you."

"I… I have heard some of the other genomes speaking when they think no one is around." Telan spoke now, stepping into the room. "They say that… they say that he laughs when he speaks of you. That he has had hundreds of women and you are… you are simply one of many."

"You do not know him!" Tarifa barked. "And you have no right to speak about him in such a way!"

"I know all I need to know!" Tareif snarled. "He is half animal! He has forced you to submit to him, forced you to submit to that wench of a Queen, and he is forcing you to turn away from your own people!"

"Who has told you such lies?" Tarifa snapped.

"I have eyes! I can see the lies when they are right in front of me!" Tareif growled. "You are my daughter! And you will do as your father tells you to do! You will take Telan as your husband and there will be no more discussion in regards to this!" Tareif barked.

Tarifa glared at her father with savage anger. "So now you advocate forced slavery and rape like the Alliance do you papa?" She spoke.

Tareif's eyes grew wide and he slapped Tarifa hard across her face, rocking her head back. They heard the gasp of horrific surprise and turned to see Palina rushing forward. She sprang forward, putting herself between her daughter and her husband.

"You dare you strike your own daughter Tareif!" Palina growled at him. "What has become of you? How dare you!"

"My daughter will learn her place and do as I tell her!" Tareif growled. "This discussion is over. Telan will be assigned as your new escort, and Radama will be removed from his position to attend to other duties! Once the paperwork has been consecrated we will hold the ceremony as soon as possible."

"Tareif you…" Palina began.

"That is enough of this woman!" Tareif shouted, shocking his wife of nearly two hundred years into stunned silence. "I am finished here!"

Palina watched her husband turn and leave the room, her eyes going to Telan's face. She saw the young elf smile at her and turn to follow her husband. Palina turned as the door closed and she enveloped a weeping Tarifa into her arms.

There was something terribly wrong going on, and she did not know what was happening anymore.

24 HOURS LATER

Martin walked up to War Master Tareif as he exited the lift. His eyes narrowed when he saw the half dozen Dragoons exit the other lift. Martin looked at Tareif as he stopped in front of him. His head turned when he saw Dysea move over from the tent to stand next to him. Her eyes were just as confused as Martin's and he turned back to Tareif.

"War Master Tareif." Martin said. "Mind if I ask what is going on? I was told you wanted to see me."

Tareif held out the data pad. "The Council has come to a decision Commander. They do not feel your presence here is a benefit to our people. They have asked that I give this to you and insure that you and your people leave our city."

Martin looked at him taken aback. "Excuse me?"

"These are the coordinates of several locations that will sustain you and your people and allow you to survive. You must go to one of these locations and remain out of High Elf territory and business." Tareif spoke. "Your other ships have already been informed and are standing by in the clearing to the west."

"Where is Tarifa?" Martin asked.

"My daughter agreed with the Council of Elders in this decision." Tareif spoke seeing Martin's eyes go a little wider. "She is conducting her business as Queen of our people."

"I wish to speak with her." Dysea spoke now.

Tareif met her eyes. "What you want is of no concern to me." He answered. "Do you honestly think she cared for either of you?" Tareif let out a small laugh. "She is Queen of the High Elves. Her only concerns are for our people. She could never actually feel anything for a half breed human and the Queen of our enemies. You were amusing toys to her nothing more."

"We were toys?" Martin hissed taking a step toward him.

"Of course you were!" Tareif spoke, not backing down. "She will be married to an officer within my command within the week; a fine High Elf warrior that she has been betrothed too for many years now. The two of you were nothing more than items for her to use as amusement, and to learn how to become a better wife."

"I want to speak with her." Martin spoke quickly.

Tareif shook his head. "No. As I said she is busy, and she wants nothing more to do with either of you. You were amusing pets, but now she must return to her duties and her place."

"We were pets?" Martin growled stepping closer to Tareif. The six Dragoons behind him lifted their weapons higher towards Martin.

Tareif smiled. "Do you think you will be able to defeat six of my Dragoons carrying weapons you supplied to us before they kill you Hunter?" Tareif spoke in a menacing tone. "I thank you for the weapons by the way. Once my armories learn how to build more of them we can supply them to all our soldiers. Tarifa thanks you as well."

Dysea stepped closer to Martin and slid her arm around the front of his waist stopping him from moving closer to Tareif. "No Nya Nauta Melme." (My bounded Love) She spoke softly to him.

"My daughter is above someone such as you Martin Hunter." Tareif continued looking at Martin. "You are nothing more than an animal in human skin." He looked at Dysea. "And you are no better than the whores in the Alliance brothels Queen of the Wood Elves. Leave our city while you are still able. My daughter is finished with you both! Her own words were 'They have amused me long enough. Tell them to be gone and never speak to me again.'"

Dysea could feel Martin shaking in rage and wanting to lash out at Tareif. She glared at the War Master with hate in her own eyes.

"Where is the Holy One?" Dysea asked, keeping her anger under tight control.

"The Holy One will remain here with us. You will place his life at risk no more." Tareif told her. "We passed on the information we have to your people as well, and it is my understanding that your Council of Elders has named a new Queen in an emergency session last night. You have been branded a traitor to your people, and if my intelligence is accurate, you will be arrested and executed on sight if you return to your territory." He grinned when he saw her eyes widen in shock. "My suggestion is for you to remain with this animal you seem to prefer over your own kind, and be thankful I do not arrest you myself and surrender you to your people."

"You sorry sack of fucking shit!" Martin swore at him.

Dysea gripped his arm tightly. "No Martin!" She spoke through the tears that were forming in her eyes. "We must go!" She pulled him away from Tareif, tugging him towards the Raptor. "Come! We must go quickly!"

Tareif nodded. "Go! Crawl into the hole you emerged from and never set foot in this city again!"

Tareif watched as Dysea had to nearly drag Martin to the ramp of the Raptor. Dan and the Master Chief came down to the bottom of the ramp.

"Skipper what the hell is going on?" Dan asked.

Martin looked at him. "Is everyone accounted for?" He asked his voice threatening to come apart. His stomach felt like he had just leaped from thirty thousand feet in a Hard Drop.

"We're all onboard Skipper." Dan replied. "Tina has the other Raptors and the transports standing by as well. They're kicking us out aren't they?"

Martin felt Dysea begin to shake uncontrollably in his arms and he picked her up easily and marched up the ramp.

"They're kicking us out." Martin spoke.

Dan looked to where Tareif stood a small smile on his face. "You shit sorry no good motherfucker." He swore softly before moving up the ramp and hitting the controls.

Tareif stood there watching the ramp rise as the Raptor's engines increased in power and it began to lift off the platform. Tareif felt one of his senior Dragoon officers move up next to him.

"War Master?" He spoke softly.

"What is it Cantel?"

"War Master I apologize for speaking out of turn." The man spoke. "I had thought Commander Hunter and his people were going to be a powerful ally, and I do not understand what we have done or why."

"I… I have secured the safety of my family Cantel." Tareif spoke. "I have secured the safety of all our families."

"I do not understand War Master. We have thrown away an ally that could have altered the course of our war with the Alliance." Cantel spoke.

Tareif turned to look at the man who had fought beside him for more years than he could remember. "You do not need to understand why I have done this Cantel." He spoke. "It has been done."

Cantel nodded. "As you order War Master we do not question." He replied. "You must know however, that several dozen of our people accompanied Hunter on his transports."

"What?" Tareif asked, his eyes going a little wider. "Who has done this?"

"One of the Queen's Senior Lieutenants, Endith I believe her name is; as well as many Dragoon warriors who fought with them when the mercenaries attacked, including Radama." Cantel replied.

Tareif shook his head. "Then they shall be treated as outsiders from now on." He spoke softly. "I have business to attend to now."

Cantel watched Tareif turn and head for the lift his eyes filled with questions. He turned as another senior officer came up beside him.

"What is it Cantel?" He asked.

"How long have we fought beside War Master Tareif Roland?" Cantel asked.

"For as many years as I can remember, why?"

"When have you ever known the War Master to turn away such powerful allies? Or allow the politicians to dictate his actions?" Cantel asked.

"Never," Roland answered.

"Ever since this Telan joined our ranks, the War Master has been different. And this last week even more so." Cantel spoke softly. "I want you to make discrete inquires. I want all the information that you can gather on Telan and his family, their associates, their dealings, everything."

Roland nodded. "It will be done." He said softly.

Cantel nodded. "I want you to assign two Dragoons to the Holy One and two to the Queen herself. Our most experienced officers."

"What will be their mission Cantel?"

"To watch Roland, and intervene if needed."

The Dragoon officer nodded. "It will be done."