Once Upon a Saturn Moon

by Edward Antrobus

  Salaris poked her head out. The hallway was clear of people. Leaning against the wall was a mop. No doubt, Lomis had been instructed to clean up the blood spilled on the floor as well. She turned the mop upside down and rested her armpit on the mop head. It lacked the cushioning and support of a real crutch, but at least it would allow her to move faster than she could with the wall as support.

  She hobbled down the hall. Her heart raced as she kept an eye out for guard. The path terminated at a single door. She tried to open it but it was locked. She sighed. Lomis probably had the key on that ring. She turned around and made her way back to the room.

  The keys lay on the floor by the bed where she had dropped them. She tried to lean down to pick them up but couldn't reach without losing her balance. She eyed the bed. This is going to hurt. She turned her back to the bed and fell back. Her broken leg bounced at the impact. A cry escaped her lips before she covered her mouth with her hand.

  She didn't think anybody could have heard it, but it was enough to cause Lomis to stir. Quickly, she grabbed the keys and used the crutch to stand.

  "Salaris," Lomis groaned.

  "May Bara forgive us both, Lomis," Salaris cried as she crutch walked past her friend to the door. Now that Lomis was waking, she had no choice but to lock the door behind her.

  She reached the end of the hallway again and tried the key that hadn't fit the handcuffs. The click echoed in the room. Salaris paused. If there was anyone on the other side, they now knew somebody was coming. Well, it's not like I'm not conspicuous enough. She pulled open the door.

  It opened into another tunnel. This one looked more familiar. She had played here as a child. How did I not know about that prison? As the door closed behind her, she realized the answer. This side of the door was covered in a stone facade to blend with the surrounding wall. Looking closely, she saw the small keyhole hidden in a shadow. What other secrets does Vaamick have?

  Footsteps shook her from her reverie. After her public outburst, everybody knew Vaamick wanted her dead. Detection meant death.

  She turned away from the sound of the footsteps and hurried as fast as her makeshift crutch would allow. At the next junction, she had to make a choice. She needed to escape but her previous attempt reminded her that, without surface gear, survival was about as likely as if she handed herself back to the priest.

  She kept to the shadows and the less used tunnels as she worked her way towards the storeroom. Kasil worked there, but she would wait until it was empty. She didn't want another confrontation like with Lomis. A few times, she heard people approaching and she ducked into the next room until the tunnel was quiet again.

  Bells chimed in the distance announcing the mid-day prayers. Thank you Bara. This is just the break I need. The goddess would understand if she didn't recite the full litany.

  After a few more agonizing minutes, she reached the storeroom. Peeking around the corner, she saw that it was indeed unoccupied. She dressed in the surface clothing she had worn earlier and found a real crutch. Her shoulder ached from where the mop pressed against it. She searched for some rations when she read a voice behind her.

  "Salaris," Kasil squealed. "What are you doing here? You can't be here. Vaamick said you were a traitor and a spy for the Saarkaaks. Why did you become a spy? Why didn't you become a spy for us?" Kasil paused as the last question brought back a flood of pain as memories of a little girl when her father's body had been returned after a failed attempt to gather intelligence from the other side.

  "Kasil," Salaris replied. Her face scrunched in a frown as she reached for Kasil's hand. "I'm not a spy. Vaamick lied to you. He's gone mad."

  "You mean you aren't going to die like daddy?" Kasil's voice quivered as tears welled in her eyes.

  "If Vaamick gets a hold of me, I will, but I'm not a spy." Salaris's anger at the accusation washed away as she soothed her. She brought the other woman into a hug as Kasil fought to maintain her composure. "He's not following Bara. I need to find that ship and warn the humans."

  Salaris pulled away from her friend and looked her in the eye. "Look, you can't tell anyone you found me. Wait half an hour for me to get to the surface before you let anyone know that gear is missing."

  "Can't I go with you?" Kasil asked. She squinted to try to keep the tears from falling again. "Maybe we can convince Lomis to come, too. She has been acting funny since you left. She was saying mean things about you."

  Salaris shook her head. "Lomis won't do it. She believes Vaamick. I had to trick her to escape the prison he put me in." She placed her hands on Kasil's shoulders, balancing precariously on her good leg. She wobbled for a second but maintained upright. "I wish you could come with me, but it is too dangerous. I don't know how the humans will react, if I will even make it there. And if I get caught, I want you safe."

  Kasil pouted and looked down. She sighed and looked back at Salaris. "Just…be safe."

  Salaris nodded. She opened her mouth but Kasil cut her off.

  "And let me get you a cast for that leg. It won't heal if we don't set it. Kaarg showed me how." Kasil smiled as she mentioned the doctor she dated.

  "I bet that's not the only thing he showed you." Salaris teased.

  Kasil blushed and turned around. Salaris eased herself onto a chair to wait. Kasil reached the medical section and grabbed the supplies she needed.

  "Let's get you onto the floor for this." Kasil helped her onto the floor and handed her a cloth. "Here, put this in your mouth. This is going to hurt."

  Salaris pushed the gag into her mouth and bit down. Kasil felt for the break and then twisted the leg. Salaris screamed into the gag and her entire body tensed as the bone snapped into place. Tears filled her eyes. She struggled to maintain consciousness. But the pain subsided to a dull ache and Kasil wrapped the cast around the leg.

  "Here, these pills should help with the pain." Kasil handed her a small bottle. "I'd say take it easy, but I know you can't. Be careful out there. If the humans have a doctor, get them to look at it. I don't really know what I'm doing."

  Salaris nodded. "Thanks. Now get out of here and go home. You can come back in a while to discover the missing gear." They hugged again and Kasil left.

  Salaris gathered the rest of the items she needed and headed for the exit. The door opened. "Kasil, I—"

  It wasn't Kasil. Guards flanked Vaamick. "I thought I would find you here when we found Lomis." He shook his head as the guards grabbed her arms. "Such a shame. She could have died when she hit her head. Just another way to show that you don't really care about the welfare of others."

  Salaris spit at him. "I cared before you twisted her with your lies and false caring." That earned her an elbow to the gut from one of the guards.

  "Roogar, that was uncalled for," Vaamick admonished.

  Roogar lowered his head. "Sorry, sir."

  Vaamick leaned towards the man and whispered, "We save that for when we are in less public areas." Roogar nodded and Vaamick returned his attention to their prisoner. "Now, let us return you to your new home. I still hope we can talk some sense into you."

  They walked in silence until they reached the hidden door. "I will find a way to stop you, Vaamick. When Donoon returns and sees what you've done, he'll make you repent to Bara." Salaris huffed.

  "Why, he already knows everything," Vaamick laughed. "He's the one that brought the humans here."

  Salaris's lip quivered. Her worst fear in this whole mess. "No, he wouldn't. Donoon wouldn't do that. He wouldn't agree to the plague. He follows the true Bara, not the false one built of your lies."

  Vaamick shook his head. "No, my dear. Only you disagree with the plan. Everybody else has sense."

  They reached her cell, and Roogar pushed her inside. Salaris stared at the cot. The mattress was still stained and wet from her blood. "You aren't really going to make me lay on that, are you?"

  Roogar pushed her onto the bed. "It's better than you deserve, traitor." He leered at her. For the first time since waking
, Salaris was conscious of how the blood soaked shirt stuck to her chest. "Of course, I could chain you to my bed instead."

  Her face reddened. She broke her arm free and slapped him. He grabbed the free arm and twisted it behind her back, pushing her face down into the sticky mess. "I'll make you pay for that, bitch." He reached for the clasp of her pants.

  "Roogar," Vaamick shouted. His fists clenched and unclenched. "I tolerate your viciousness because it suits me. But this girl was to be my niece. You will not defile her. If you attempt that again, I will surface you."

  "I was just having a little fun, boss." Roogar stood up but wouldn't look at the priest.

  "Try it again and I'll tell Donoon that you killed her instead of the Saarkaaks. I'm sure that will be fun as well." Vaamick smirked. "Leave. Fiimit can secure the prisoner."

  Salaris turned onto her side and curled into a ball as much as the cast would allow. She shivered at the thought of what almost happened.

  Fiimit fidgeted by the door. When Salaris looked at him, he looked down. She remembered him as a timid man. How did he get mixed up as one of Vaamick's secret police? Roogar huffed and pushed passed him.

  Vaamick nodded to Fiimit and he approached Salaris. He still avoided her gaze. She flinched when he touched her arm.

  "Please, Salaris, don't fight me on this," Fiimit said in a low voice. "I don't want to do this either but Vaamick found out that I have cousins on the Saarkaak side and will kill me if I don't cooperate."

  Salaris sucked in her breath. She glared at him, tried to be angry. Then she deflated. She rolled over onto her back and allowed Fiimit to guide her back into the restraints.

  Fiimit finished his task and shuffled back to the door. He turned to Vaamick, "What time do you want me to bring her dinner, sir?"

  Vaamick shook his head. He looked at Salaris and sighed, heavily. Salaris knew that he didn't care about her well-being. Nor was he sorry for the fate he was bestowing upon her. . "I'm sorry for that unpleasantness, dear. But unfortunately you must be punished for your little escape." He turned back to Fiimit. "No dinner tonight. We will see if a day without food will adjust her attitude. Now, I have other matters to attend."

  Vaamick walked out the door. Fiimit looked at Salaris one last time and shut the door behind them. Footsteps receded into the distance, and then it was quiet.

  Salaris

  Salaris twisted in the bindings. Either Fiimit had shown her some mercy or he didn't know how to tie them properly because they were loose. Salaris tugged at the cuff. It slid down her wrist. She sucked in her breath. I think I can get loose. It caught at her thumb. Almost.

  Her leg ached. The pain medication Kasil gave her was wearing off. Even if there was someone to ask, Vaamick isn't going to let me have more. He didn't even have my leg set.

  As the adrenaline from the past hour wore off, she felt every ache from her earlier beating. Vaamick is an animal. Donoon won't stand for this. His name triggered Vaamick's earlier words. He already knows Vaamick's plan. He is in on this. What happened to the man I fell in love with?

  Alone, tears fell. She made no effort to hold them back. Heaving sobs racked her body. The full weight of what she was up against weighed her down. Salaris cried herself to sleep.

  Roogar lay on top of her. "I'll make you pay for that, bitch." Salaris cried out as he twisted her arm further behind her back. A rough hand pawed at her pants. The clasp popped free.

  Salaris awoke, panting heavily. She tried to focus on something else as the scene of the near-rape kept playing through her mind.

  She looked around for any sign of the time. But the cell was the same as she remembered it. She sighed. This is going to be a long night.

  Salaris was unwilling to sleep and subject herself to the nightmare again. She twisted her head and started counting the stones on the wall. Somewhere around fifty, she lost track and started over again.

  She resisted sleep as long as she was able but dozed after several hours of her fruitless activity.

  Donoon entered the cell. He was as tall and muscular as she remembered. "Oh, Donoon. Thank Bara you are here! Vaamick is crazy. He's going to kill innocent people. We have to stop him!" She strained against the bindings.

  He shook his head. "My uncle explained everything to me. You are the one who is crazy. I regret ever wanting to marry you." He turned and left. The door clanged behind him.

  "Donoon! Noooo!" Salaris shouted at the empty room. It took her a moment to realize that it was only a dream. She shivered. The dream felt even more horrible than the last.

  Her stomach growled. It felt like forever since her last meal. She laughed. If Vaamick thinks he can turn me by skipping a meal, he was never an underfed orphan.

  Hours passed. She slept in short bursts, each time waking from more nightmares. Far off, the bells chimed for morning prayers. Breakfast usually came before then. Her last meal became a distant memory as lunchtime came and went without food. Evening prayers marked another missed meal.

  Sleep became even harder as her stomach complained about its mistreatment.

  Finally, she heard the door open, revealing Fiimit with a tray. The aroma of fruit and hot grains filled the room.

  "I'm not allowed to free your arm, so I'm going to have to feed you, Salaris." Fiimit set the tray down on the floor beside the bed. He knelt down beside her. "If you fight me on this, I don't know when Vaamick will feed you again."

  Too hungry to argue, she just nodded and opened her mouth as Fiimit fed her.

  Salaris devoured the food, barely stopping to chew. When the plate was finished, Salaris tried to thank him. "Fiimit, you are the first person to show me kindness since this happened." She couldn't reveal Kasil's help the day before.

  "Hush, Salaris." Fiimit frowned. "I can't talk to you; Vaamick won't allow it. And I don't think I could hold my opinion back if I did." Without another word, he picked up the tray and left the room.

  The door closed, leaving Salaris to her own devices once again. Lunch and dinner passed without any return of Fiimit. She hoped that he hadn't gotten in trouble for the few words he had said. Morning came and Fiimit brought more fruit.

  "I'm sorry if I got you in trouble yesterday," Salaris said. "I promise to be a model prisoner for you, but only for you."

  Fiimit looked down and didn't respond. Throughout the meal, he wouldn't look at her except to guide the food to her mouth. When finished, he left her again.

  Weeks passed without anyone coming to see her except Fiimit with her one meal each day. The room began to stink. She still wore the clothes she had the morning the humans had landed. She'd been given no opportunity to use a bathroom. Somehow, the worst of all was the itching under the cast. Salaris wondered how long Vaamick would keep this up. A month passed when Vaamick came to see her. The door opened, and he retched and backed away.

  "Oh sweet Bara. Get me out of here. Somebody wash her. I can't deal with that smell."

  A few hours later, Lomis returned. She glared at Salaris as she set. "I'm going to release those cuffs. If you attack me again, I'll…I'll..."

  "What? You'll chain me to a bed to stew in my own filth for a month?" Salaris spit the words out. Her whole body shook. "Only give me one meal a day? Try to rape me like Roogar?"

  "What?" Lomis screeched. Her body softened. "Oh, Salaris. I didn't know. Nobody deserves that."

  Salaris hadn't cried in weeks, but the tears came anew. Lomis held her one-time friend and cried with her.

  Lomis grabbed her keys and unlocked the cuffs. Salaris rubbed her wrists where a month of yanking at the chains had rubbed them raw. The shackles came next. She tried to reach her ankles but was too weak to move.

  Lomis stripped the ruined clothes from her and used a sponge to wash away the grime. When the water became too dirty to use, Lomis left and returned with fresh, hot water. It took three buckets to finally get Salaris clean. She took scissors to cut the cast loose. Finally, Lomis fetched new clothing and a clean mattress for the bed.

 
"I'm not going to chain you back. But, please Salaris. Don't try anything. Vaamick has worse punishments than this if you try to escape again."

  Salaris nodded. She wasn't sure what to say. Lomis picked up the bucket and left.

  In the morning, Fiimit brought her breakfast. He looked at the open cuffs and then at her. Then he sat down and fed her. She ate in silence and he left with the empty tray. After a week, Lomis returned to give Salaris another sponge bath and clean clothes. This routine lasted another month.

  One day, Salaris knew something was up when Fiimit put chains back on her after breakfast. A few hours later, Vaamick appeared in her cell.

  "Yes, that's much better. I can tolerate to be around you now."

  Salaris glared at him as he crossed the room and sat beside her on the cot.

  "Are you feeling more docile, yet, my dear?" Vaamick caressed her check. She flinched at his touch. "Please, we were almost family once. We still can be if you recant and publically support my plan. Donoon will be reporting in soon. Wouldn't you like to see him?"

  "If he is really cooperating with you, I never want to see him again," Salaris hissed.

  Vaamick straightened. He took a deep breath and held it before releasing it slowly. "Very well. I should warn you, my dear, that things will get a lot less pleasant from here on out." He stood and walked to the door. He glanced at Fiimit. "Tell Roogar I'm in further need of his services here."

  The nightmares had subsided but tonight they came with renewed vigor. She willed morning not to arrive but time marched forward without regard for fears.

  Fiimit brought her morning meal as usual. For once, he broke his silence. "Salaris, I don't know what to do. Roogar is going to torture you. He's been practicing on Saarkaak spies that we've captured. Not all of them survived. Things are really getting out of hand." He shook as he relayed the information.

  "Bara, protect me," Salaris cried. Her faith wavered; the goddess didn't seem very present these days.

  "I hope so. I want to help but I can't. May Bara protect us all." A tear fell from his eye. He blinked it away and left the room.