Blood's Nexus

by K MacBurn

Ransidius waited till the group left before turning to Taylor.

  “How’s the other arm?”

  “Healing.” she admitted.

  “Good. Come on then; I need to go speak with my brother, and I plan on dangling you in front of him like bait.”

  Taylor sighed.

  “Whatever you need.”

  They both knew she didn’t have a choice.

  What Taylor was not expecting, though, was to walk outside with no chains or restraints of any kind. It was only out into the walled in compound, but the sun and fresh air were invigorating.

  From her window, the training ground had been visible, but past her line of sight was an elaborate obstacle course made of wood and ropes. A steep ramp started it off; at the top, there were monkey bars that went across a long drop. Once past the monkey bars, there was a pole that they shimmied up to grab a flag, then a long run across a narrow beam with various pendulums, ready to knock off any unsuspecting competitors. Once across the beam, it went down through a tunnel filled with web-like ropes, then finally a dash across the finish line.

  Taylor watched two of the Lioness’ tackle the thing, just flying through the course until an unlucky one got hit by a swinging sack of sand that knocked her off the high beam. By luck or skill, she grabbed one of the support posts and used her claws to slow herself before she hit the ground.

  She would have watched more, but Ransidius was walking away and she wasn’t about to make him angry at her slowness.

  With Sabres and other fighters eyeing her, the closer to Ransidius she was the safer she felt, oddly enough.

  They made their way to the back of the compound where several large tents were erected. These Sabres had blue sashes as opposed to Ransidius’ troops with their red.

  As Ransidius entered the area, a crowd gathered around a single tent. The males were courteous and bowed their heads as the big Cat passed, but they still stood by defensively.

  Ransidius ignored them and entered the tent without giving any warning.

  Two males were inside and looked up in surprise.

  “Brother! I was not expecting you or I would have at least had a good drink on hand.”

  Riccem was on the small side, but, if his leather armor and strapped on daggers were any indication, he was more accustomed to speed than brute strength. Beside him was a bigger Cat who looked old, with silver hair and a missing eye.

  “It is fine. I wasn’t planning on intruding, but I had a matter to discuss with you that required immediate attention.”

  Taylor straightened when all three Sabres looked at her as one.

  Curious, Riccem walked around the table and gave her a long look over.

  “Greetings human,” his voice was hesitant.

  “Hello,” Taylor replied with a delicate bow, “My name is Taylor.”

  “Taylor,” the small Sabre tried it out and seemed to like it. He took her hand in a swift motion; at first, she thought he would sniff it like the Cat earlier, or maybe nip her, but he was full or surprises when he kissed the top. “It is a pleasure to meet you. May I offer you a drink?”

  “No, I am fine, thanks.”

  The interaction was so unexpected, the confusion showed on her face. Ransidius on the other hand rolled his eyes.

  “Brother, brother, treating your guest well, I hope. She seems like one worthy of a little courtesy.” Riccem flashed a toothy but charming smile.

  Ransidius crossed his arms and leaned forward.

  “She is, technically, a prisoner Riccem. That fact she can walk without a leash is courtesy enough.”

  That was a strong statement that made Taylor cringe inwardly.

  “Yes brother, I understand. But you can get more with honey than with salt. And she is very pretty.”

  The last was said with a wink.

  Taylor felt a little heat in her cheeks. Not the interaction she was expecting at all.

  “Perhaps this was a bad idea,” Ransidius growled glancing at her.

  Riccem waved him off.

  “Ask away brother, I am always happy to help. And I was only commenting to the obvious; it is not like I would be stupid enough to touch your friend.”

  “That is actually why I am here. I would have thought no one would be stupid enough to touch what’s mine, but Avis saw herself exempt.” He waved to the bandages still around Taylor’s left arm. “I need guards for her I can trust that won’t take orders from the Witch.”

  “And the Lioness’ are getting ready for the hunt.” Riccem reasoned. “I have many good soldiers I would trust for the task. Would you like them posted inside the room or out?”

  “Outside.”

  “I’ll send one up now. He will be there when you take her back.”

  “Good. Is there anything you and your fighters require?”

  “No Brother, we are set here.”

  Ransidius nodded.

  The big Cat opened the flap of the tent and waited for Taylor to exit. The Sabres were still standing outside and bowed as Ransidius left. Still, it seemed more of a show of strength, than respect.

  Taylor didn’t bother mentioning that to the Sabre Lord. It was probably obvious, and Ransidius didn’t seem fazed either way.

  When they arrived at the obstacle course, Narseen was back.

  “He is as bold as ever.” Ransidius commented.

  “Well he wasn’t born with the size or strength, but he definitely had the confidence.” Narseen said with a ghost of a smile.

  The two stood there watching more Lioness’ take on the challenge in silence.

  “The new recruits are a little slow this year,” Ransidius observed.

  “They have the physical skills needed, but none of them have much in the smarts department.”

  Taylor watched the last two finish. These Lioness’ were young, close to her age.

  “What are the rules?” She asked. Then glanced over when there was no response. Both Ransidius and Narseen were staring at her, before sharing a look.

  “Might put a fire under their asses,” Narseen commented.

  “Stay on the course and get the flag,” Ransidius said, “You think you can do that with your arm still healing?”

  Taylor eyed it again.

  “Shouldn’t be an issue.” Her competitive streak seeping in enough that she felt something other than fear and exhaustion. Ransidius gave a nod.

  “All right, Lioness’ line up!” Narseen snapped.

  The group came in and lined up. Their eyes flickered towards Taylor and then the Sabre Lord, but they did not speak.

  “Let’s see, lets see. Fiona. Why don’t you step on up? You had a decent time, not the fastest but decent.”

  Fiona was a fit young Lioness that seemed to be well liked by her peers, based on the cheer they gave her as she stepped forward.

  “Lord Ransidius will be watching this run, so don’t embarrass yourself. And if you need extra incentive, you’re going to be going against her.”

  Eyes snapped to Taylor. Taylor smirked back. Competition was something she thrived on.

  The silence lasted for a long minute before Fiona laughed out loud.

  “Take the line.” Narseen yelled.

  Taylor placed a foot on the line, her posture relaxed. Fiona was wound tight like a spring ready to release.

  “GO!”

  The teen didn’t slack, but she didn’t pay any attention to how fast her opponent sped up the ramp either. The Lioness had already started across the monkey bars when Taylor hit the top, but the Rugby captain changed the game by hoisted herself to the top of the bars and running across them.

  It was a good thing her fear of heights didn’t deter her from making a point because it was a long way down.

  The two hit the other side about the same time. Fiona growled and launched herself up the pole. Taylor leaned down and pulled the pin at the bottom of the pole. It fell over, stopping beside the narrow beam. She waited a moment to time the pendulums, then bolted. As she ran, she did a quick scoop to gra
b the flag then continued.

  The spiderwebs were easy when she used the pole on the outside of the ropes to fireman slide down to the bottom. Fiona was halfway down when Taylor jogged over the line.

  The teen waited at the line, amidst the shocked and pissy Lioness’.

  As soon as the irate Fiona crossed the line, her mouth started.

  Taylor let it go at first, but could remain quite after;

  “Pathetic human cheat!”

  Taylor stepped up to the Lioness, so they were nose to nose and spoke loud enough for all them to hear.

  “The rules were stay on course and get the flag. I know you are faster and stronger, but it is not my fault you can’t think outside the box to get the job done in a more efficient manner.” Taylor booped her on the nose with a finger before adding, “Work smarter, not harder.”

  At first, the Lioness looked as though she would go for the throat, but then she paused and looked to Narseen and Ransidius, who were just as shocked at the turn of events, but smirking regardless.

  All the tension left Fiona’s body.

  “That was the point, wasn’t it? Not that if we could do it, but if we could do it right.” She gave her head a shake, then her yellow eyes locked on Taylor’s blues. With the dignity she had left, the Lioness held out a hand.

  The Rugby captain took it and shook.

  “I have to go deal with something; keep her here with you and just put her back in the room when training finishes.” Ransidius told Narseen then disappeared back into the stronghold.

  Taylor got to spend the rest of her day outside with the young Sabres as they went through their training. She wasn’t allowed to do any of the combat, but Narseen let her participate in the physical challenges.

  Tired, and happily sore, Taylor followed a couple Lioness’ in to the building at sun down.

  As they winded through the corridors, a scene came to Taylor’s attention she did not like.

  The tiny Deer servant from her chamber was cornered by a group of beastly male Sabres in a side room.

  They were pawing at her like a piece of meat, and saying crude things that made the human’s blood boil. Something about the situation just ignited a fire in her soul.

  Taylor had done her best to make the most of her situation and gain a little bit of respect within the walls, but she knew she would throw it all away if it meant doing what was right.

  The Lioness’ taking her back to her room were a couple steps ahead, and it wasn’t as if any Sabre would expect this from a lowly human anyway. So, with a deep breath and a determined stride, the teen turned off course.

  The male Sabres didn’t see or hear her approach. Taylor picked up the large serving tray from the ground, the deer must have dropped it, as she stepped in behind the first one.

  She didn’t much care about a fair fight when the males were already playing four on one against a little Deer. She didn’t bother giving them a heads up either, as she smashed the first one across his ugly mug with everything she could. The other three turned, only for another member to take the heavy silver tray right into his front teeth.

  They roared and charged. Her response was simple. She held her arms out inviting them to strike while her blue eyes locked on theirs.

  They hesitated when they realized who it was, and the tray came up in a final blow, catching a third Sabre under the jaw. Taylor grunted with the effort in that one, the beastly-cat’s head snapped back with a spray of blood.

  Lioness’ rush back to see three males sporting injuries, and the last male had the human by her throat, fangs close to her face. The little Deer was nowhere in sight.

  “NO!! Kilbride, no! You harm that human and Ransidius will have your hide mounted to his wall.” One of Lioness’ pleaded, holding a hand up in a signal for him to halt.

  “So what? We are supposed to just let the thing run rampant?” He sneered.

  The room froze as another Sabre entered.

  “What is going on?” His words were soft, but his presence was not. No one moved as Ransidius stepped forward. His eyes took in the scene but rested on the hand still at the teens throat. Kilbride took the hint and removed it.

  “Your human made a scene. Took a serving platter to these three faces.” The Lioness spoke up when the males would not.

  “And what was the purpose for this little outburst?” Ransidius came forward and took Taylor’s chin in his hand.

  “I mean no disrespect for you,” She said slowly; she had to play this right so Ransidius didn’t lose face in front of his men, but also not come off weak herself. Politics. “But I could not walk by as your, subordinates, pawed over some scared Prey. Pathetic little cubs unable to exhibit the real strength to catch a Lioness’ attention, so they grab at anything that moves.”

  The four males stiffened, their faces turning red. The Lioness’ chuckled approvingly.

  Ransidius couldn’t help his smirk at the girl’s quick wit. He looked to the smaller males with a raised eyebrow. They bowed their way out, embarrassed.

  There was no celebration in this small victory, though; Ransidius had not let her go, and was now looking at her with the same smirk.

  “Take her to my chambers.” He gave her a push into the Lioness. “As amusing as your attitude is, you can’t be assaulting my troops.”

  Taylor kept her emotions under tight control when he said this. She had just earned herself some standing in the pride, so she didn’t want to lose face now.

  “As you say,” she inclined her head in respect.

  The two Lioness’ took her back the way they came.

  The big Sabres room was not what she expected. Simple furnishings, a few furs on an otherwise, bare bed, and one cabinet. Very plain. The room she was held prisoner in had fancier wares.

  Ransidius didn’t care for materialistic things, so it would seem.

  Behind her the door snapped closed, and the sound of the metal lock made the teen flinch. She didn’t regret her decision, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t afraid.

  Fear didn’t stop her from looking around though. Regrettably, nothing stood out. No escape routes, no weapons, and no key.

  The fireplace was cold without so much as an ember in it, and without the flames, it was freezing and dark inside the room.

  “Maybe I should have paid more attention to Dad’s little lessons,” she mused as she curled up in the one large chairs. Starting a fire with a knife and flint like Tarak had was easy, but without those tools, Taylor was at a loss.

  How much time passed before she heard the metal lock again was not known to her since the room was windowless. Taylor took a deep breath to calm her nerves as the door opened in.

  Ransidius didn’t speak. He walked through his routine as if she was not sitting in his chair. Once the fire was roaring, he entered the second room, coming back out wearing baggy pants and an open robe top. He stood by the arm of the chair staring into the flames when he finally spoke.

  “Do you prefer to sit in the cold?”

  Taylor debated whether to stand, but she figured at this point he could just make her, so the teen remained seating till he said otherwise.

  “Not particularly.” She said. Then she decided to be honest. “In my world, making a fire has become unnecessary.”

  “How do you warm yourselves, or cook?”

  “Machines. Technology humans have invented and perfected over the years to make life easier. We have an appliance that burns oil or gas, sometimes wood, and it heats air or water and forces it around an entire building. Making fireplaces a thing of the past.”

  The Sabre considered her words. Taylor couldn’t tell if he believed her or not, but it was a moot point.

  “For all the good things we have done, for all the advances we made, we are still just beasts.” Taylor muttered as she stared into the fire. “We kill each other for the stupidest of reasons. Destroy the planet we need to survive. We are a plague.” This time she looked up at him.

  “You aren’t making a ver
y strong case for yourself. If I were to believe you, I should just chain you up and use you as needed. Not stand here and speak with you.”

  “I am just one. You better hope others don’t realize what the gate does, because they will come armed and ready to strip this place of every natural resource it has, and slaughter Predator and Prey to do it.”

  “I will take that under advisement.” He reached down and cupped his massive hand around the back of her neck, bringing her to her feet. “For now, though, I will deal with just you. And you are frustrating, to say the least.”

  “I get that a lot.”

  “I am sure you do.”

  The pressure on the back of her neck increased to a painful level, but she refused to look away.

  “Play your games, they amuse me. But know your place.”

  Her back arched and she couldn’t stop a small whimper of pain from escaping her throat.

  “I remember,” she said through clenched teeth, “I am not stupid enough to challenge you, especially in front of your men. But I am not going to just sit by and watch a group of males defile a young Deer for their own amusement.”

  “Prey are a conquered race. It is just a part of war to have casualties and victims. It is a common thing to take a female of any species for fun.”

  Taylor felt bile in her throat.

  “I don’t care if you think it’s normal. It’s not right. And I couldn’t live with myself if that ever becomes something I could just walk by!”

  Ransidius released her, and, without a word, left the room, snapping the door locked behind him.

  She slumped back into the chair and buried her face into her hands. This would not be good; it was almost a guarantee.

  A short time later, Ransidius returned, and, to the teens horror, he had the little Deer in tow.

  The big cat stood behind the Deer, his claws gripping her shoulders.

  “How long have you worked in the stronghold?” He demanded.

  “Two monsoons.”

  “Do I pay you?”

  “Yes M’lord.”

  “Where would you be if you were not here?”

  “On the streets M’lord, or dead.”

  “Would you prefer to be on the street, or would you prefer to deal with an occasional rowdy male in return for warmth, food and money?”