by Heidi Skarie
Erling’s heart sank. First Hendora, now Zac. “Is he dead?”
“I don’t know.” She shook her head.
“Where is he?”
“In one of the holding cells.”
Erling shoved the muzzle of his laser into Zanton’s chest. “You’re going to free my pilots, then we’re turning this ship around and heading to Jaipar.”
“Why should I?”
“Because I’ll kill you if you don’t.”
“I’ll be executed regardless.”
“If you do as I say, I’ll sign a treaty that allows you to return to Haklute and continue to rule under military occupation.”
“How do I know you’ll keep your word?”
“You’ll have to trust that I’m a man of my word. What’s your decision?”
Zanton glanced at Jake, and then back. “I’ll cooperate.”
“All right, let’s go,” Erling said. “Get us in to the detention center and order your guards to bring all my pilots to you. Don’t try anything because I have my laser pointed at you.”
“Do you think this will work?” Onolyn asked.
“It’ll work,” Erling said. “Jake, pretend Onolyn’s a prisoner. I’ll keep a gun on Zanton.”
They stepped into the hallway where Toemeka waited. Erling stared in surprise at Seetva’s crumpled body on the floor. “You took out Seetva?” he exclaimed. “A sorceress!”
“I said I’d watch your back.”
“But she’s really powerful,” Onolyn said.
“Is she dead?” Zanton asked with a concerned frown. He squatted down and turned her onto her back. Blood oozed from wounds on her face, chest and arms, but none of the injuries appeared life-threatening. “You’ll pay for this!” Zanton said, glaring at Toemeka.
“You’re not in a position to threaten me,” Toemeka replied. She shoved the muzzle of her laser into his stomach. “Get going.”
In the detention center, Zanton went to the front desk and said something in Haklute. The guards pulled out blasters, pointing them at Toemeka, Jake, Erling and Onolyn.
Erling held his laser to King Zanton’s head. “I should have known you couldn’t be trusted. I should kill you right now. You’re a man without honor.” He turned to the soldiers and said in the universal language, “If there’s any shooting, Zanton will be the first to die. Lower your weapons.”
“I’m afraid you’ve miscalculated again,” Zanton sneered. “We’re at a stalemate. I’m willing to make a deal. You surrender peacefully and I’ll let you and all your pilots go when we reach Haklute.”
“That wasn’t my plan. You’ve already proven your word is worthless.” Erling raised the sword and turned the blade so it caught the light. It gave off a reddish glow. “I see there’s poison on the blade. Dying slowly from poison is a painful way to go.”
Erling drew the blade across Zanton’s arm, cutting through fabric and skin.
Zanton blanched and grabbed his arm. His men leapt forward and Zanton yelled, “Stay back! Lower your weapons.” Blood ran down the king’s sleeve. The Haklute guards lowered their weapons.
“The poison is beginning to enter your bloodstream, as it did mine,” Erling said, keeping his voice hard. “You’re running out of time. You’ll die without the antidote, but before you do you’ll be in agony.”
“I’ll give you a ship,” Zanton said. Sweat shone on his brow. “You and your pilots can return to Borko now.”
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you? As soon as we launch, you’ll blast us out of the sky. Tell your men to drop their weapons before I take another slice.”
“You’re bluffing again. If my men start firing, your friends will be killed and we both know you won’t endanger their lives.”
“He doesn’t have a choice,” Toemeka said. “He knows if we fall into your hands our fates will be worse than death.”
Erling realized she was right. There was no bluffing this time—only grim acceptance of facts. He stared into Zanton’s eyes. “Either your men throw down their weapons or you die.”
King Zanton was breathing shallowly; blood soaked his sleeve and dripped onto the floor. “You’ll allow me to continue to rule Haklute?”
“That was our agreement.”
King Zanton turned to his men and this time spoke to them in the universal language. “Throw down your weapons.”
The sound of blasters hitting the ground echoed in the large room. “Collect the weapons,” Erling said to his friends. When the weapons were all in a pile on the floor, Erling said to Zanton. “Have your men bring my pilots here.”
Zanton gave the order and shortly several dozen Jaiparian pilots entered the room. Zac staggered in last, with a man supporting him on each side. His face was ashen and his shirt was red with blood.
“Zac, you shouldn’t try to walk!” Onolyn exclaimed, running over to him.
“I had to find out what happened to you.”
“Where are the rest of my pilots?” Erling exclaimed.
“Dead or too weak to walk here,” King Zanton said coldly.
“You’re too foul to live.” Erling raised the sword, wanting to thrust it into him.
“Steady, Erling, he’s our ticket home,” Jake said, putting his hand on Erling’s arm. Erling handed Jake the sword and stepped back, not trusting himself near Zanton until he felt more in control.
He ordered his pilots to put Zanton’s crew into the holding cells, then they proceeded to take over the entire ship. When the ship was fully under Erling’s control, Toemeka and Onolyn took Zacchary to sickbay and Erling and Jake went to the bridge.
Erling slid into the chief pilot seat and Jake took the copilot position. Once the ship was headed back to Jaipar, Erling said, “How did you and Toemeka happen to land on the ship with my pilots?”
“We heard you were personally landing on Zanton’s ship over the intership radio,” Jake said. “Toemeka didn’t trust Zanton and thought we’d better be backup.”
“I’m glad you did. It never occurred to me that my men would refuse to attack if I was aboard.”
“You led them to victory. You’re their hero.”
“I led them to victory but at the cost of many lives.
“It could have been much worse. I hear you’re marrying Queen Koriann Marsindi.”
Erling smiled, thinking of Kori. “Yeah, I’ll be resigning from the Coalition and marrying a remarkable woman.”
“Congratulations. I envy your happiness.”
Erling knew Jake was thinking of Toemeka. “You’ll find love.”
“I’m content with my freedom for now. What are you going to do about Zanton? He should be executed or thrown in prison.”
“I’ll keep my promise and let him remain the ruler of Haklute with limited power, under military occupation.”
“He’s too dangerous. He’ll raise an army against you.”
“I can’t execute him. I’ve given my word and a man’s reputation and character is built on his word.”
Erling flipped on the radio. “I need to contact Michio. He and Koriann will be worried. Night Wanderer, are you there? This is Cruiser. We’re coming home.”
Erling flew the Haklute command ship over the Tethanty Ocean. In the dark sky, he could see the lights of the City of Silver Light. The tall, luminous buildings looked ethereal, like a fairyland.
He lowered the ship to cruising elevation and soared toward the royal palace. This would be home for the rest of his life. Joy filled him. He and Koriann would soon be married and rule Jaipar with a governing council to guide them. He’d miss the Coalition and his home on Alandra, but his future life in Jaipar felt right, as if everything he’d done up until now had led to this moment.
Erling requested permission to land and ground control directed him to an open space on the airfield. The airfield was unusually crowded, filled with military ships, thousands of soldiers standing in formation and a throng of Jaiparian citizens beyond them. A ground crew guided him in and he made a precise landing
. He and Jake unbuckled their seat belts and stood.
Toemeka and Onolyn waited for them near the exit. Gratitude filled Erling that they were both all right; he ached for the pilots who’d been killed. Toemeka glowed with excitement at their victory. Erling felt a slight twinge of discomfort as he thought of the danger she’d been in. He didn’t think he’d be able to face Michio if she’d died because of his mistake in landing on Zanton’s ship.
Erling walked toward the ship entrance with his friends close behind him. When he stepped onto the top of the ramp, cheers greeted him. He raised his fist in the air in victory. “Long live the Marsindi Dynasty,” he yelled. The applause increased.
Tremendous waves of goodwill flowed out of the crowd as the cheers changed to “Prince Erling! Prince Erling! Prince Erling!”
Surprised to be addressed as “Prince”, he realized Kori must have announced their engagement. He hadn’t expected the Jaiparian people to be so excited about their future royal marriage. He and Kori wouldn’t get by with a small wedding, nor did he want to anymore. He wanted his people to have a reason to celebrate after they’d risked their lives for Borko’s freedom.
“Where’s Kori?” he asked. He scanned the crowd at the bottom of the ramp and spotted Michio, but not the Queen.
Toemeka pointed toward a palace balcony. “There.”
His heart swelled with love and he bowed to Queen Koriann. When she curtsied back, the crowd cheered loudly. He started down the ramp with Toemeka at his side. Jake and Onolyn followed right behind them.
Toemeka raced ahead to Michio and they embraced. “Thank God, you’re safe!” Michio said. Their lips met in a heated kiss.
Erling stepped off the ramp and the crowd surged forward, pressing against the palace guards. Soldiers joined the guards and tried to maintain a pathway for Erling to walk through. People threw flowers on the ground in front of Erling and reached out to touch him. He couldn’t stop grinning as he stopped to shake hands with the Jaiparian citizens. “Love and blessings,” he said over and over.
He was impatient to reach Koriann as he shook yet another outstretched hand. It was for her that he’d fought to save planet Borko. Happiness flowed through him as he finally reached the stairs leading to the balcony. He raced up them. When he reached Koriann, he swept her into his arms.
“I wanted to wait for you on the landing field, but my royal guards insisted I wait here,” Koriann said.
“Here is perfect. This way, all your people can see you.” He took in her beauty. She wore a golden, floor-length dress and crown. He realized how fortunate he was to have her love.
“Kori, I love you,” he said, as his mouth lowered to hers. The whole world disappeared around them.
Gradually he became aware of the roaring, happy crowd once more. “Long live Queen Koriann and Prince Fenian,” someone yelled. Others took up the chant while overhead a laser light show formed exquisite light patterns in the dark sky. Erling and Koriann turned to face their people, holding hands, ready to face their new life together as rulers of Jaipar.
The End —
Acknowledgments
Many people help with the birth of a novel. I gratefully acknowledge all who have been a part of my journey, especially my husband, Jim, for his encouragement and our long walks while we discussed ideas for the book like the final game scene played between Michio and Samrat Condor. He also helped me with scientific details.
I want to thank my critique partners—Stanley Trollip, Gary Bush and Sujata Massey—whose comments and suggestions have made it a stronger novel. And thanks to Anna and James Skarie who have helped me with various aspects of the project.
Appreciation also goes to Coleen Rehm, my editor, for her professional editing and support, and to Courtney Cannon for the captivating book cover design.
About the Author
Heidi Skarie writes visionary fiction novels filled with action, adventure and romance, featuring strong heroes and heroines. She’s published in the genres of historical fiction and science fiction. She’s also published fiction and nonfiction stories in several anthologies. Skarie teaches classes on writing and has spoken on radio and television.
She lives in Minnetonka, MN with her husband. To find out more about her journey as a writer visit her website and blog at www.bluestarvisions.com.
Novels Heidi Skarie wrote:
Annoure and the Dragonships
Red Willow’s Quest
Star Rider and the Razor’s Edge
Anthologies Heidi Skarie’s work is in:
Romancing the Lakes of Minnesota, Valentine’s Day
You Can Never Go Wrong by Being Kind: 101 Inspirational Stories of Kindness & Generosity
Where Rivers Converge: Prose & Poetry of Carver County Writers
Conscious Women Conscious Relationships: True Stories of Wisdom & Awareness on the Path of Relationships
Thank you for reading Star Rider and the Golden Threads. If you enjoyed it, please leave a review on Amazon to help me get the word out to other readers.
Praise for Star Rider on the Razor’s Edge: Book One of the Star Rider Series
“I’d recommend this novel to everyone who likes sci-fi action novels infused with spiritual insights.”
—Iva Kenaz, author of The Goddess Within
“Skarie’s writing has great appeal. I admire her ability to thread the uncertainties and heat of romance into a high-tech plot set well into the future—one that maintains our interest with its unusual weaponry, modes of transportation and surprising tactics. . . Star Rider keep you guessing on several fronts until the surprising end.”
—Chloe Callan
“I love books with strong female leads and this book has just that ... A well-written story about a heroine’s journey and love.”
—Amadea Cahyo
“Fast-paced! I couldn’t put it down. Waiting for the next book.”
—Carolyn Veno
“This is a sci-fi adventure/romance, the first in a series. Ethereal and fascinating descriptions, mixed with everyday realism, spring from the pen of this skilled writer. Toemeka's code name is Star Rider and everything changes for her when she meets Michio and discovers he is an Ahimsa Warrior. They are both on a mission with narrow escapes from deadly screeching tawkus and unexpected rescues in a fast-moving narrative with breathtaking action. Will their separate missions drive them apart or bring them together? You won’t know till you reach the end of this thrilling story!”
—Marie Flanagan
“Fantastic book… very well written…I cannot recommend this book highly enough.”
—Amazon Reviewer
“The first book in a brand-new series, Star Rider is full of action, adventure, science fiction, and romance. The author introduces you to a fascinating new world. It is a fast-paced book. There is also a spiritual side to the book that surprised me. I will definitely be reading more of this series. It is a highly entertaining read.”
—Jen Sut
“Star Rider on the Razor's Edge had me from page one! It has the perfect combination for quality entertainment—I didn't want to put it down, but I also didn’t want it to end.”
—Lyndra Hearn Antonson, author, How to Find Love: A Spiritual Approach
“Without a doubt, Star Rider on the Razor’s Edge by Heidi Skarie instills creative imagination. It takes you to realms where illusions of power for the enslavement of the many are soon uncovered…It was exciting, spell-binding, artfully choreographed and provocative!”
—Jean Weber, author of Pets Are Soul, Too
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