by Henry Vogel
As I spun back to look forward, I heard a deep-throated growl. Looking up, all I could see was twin rows of long, sharp teeth!
Chapter 9
The raiders backed away, muttering “tammar.” The predator—for it could be nothing else—stood two meters tall at the shoulders and was five meters long. My choices weren’t good ones; die on the tammar’s fangs or Boost and probably die overtaxing my body. Probably dead was better than definitely dead. I prepared to Boost.
The sound of a fully charged Onesie cracked through the air. The tammar’s head disappeared in a spray of blood. Turning, the raiders and I saw the princess holding the gun. She was already turning the gun on the raiders.
“Run. Now,” she commanded. “Unless you want to end up like the tammar.”
All but scarred-face broke and ran. He stared at the princess, a smile crossing his lips, then he turned and walked after his rapidly receding crew.
“Nice timing, Highness,” I said, joining Rob and her. “I’m in your debt.”
The two stared at me in shock. Quickly, it dawned on me what was wrong.
“You’re wondering how I learned your language so quickly,” I said. “It will take some explaining, most of which you’ll probably find unbelievable.”
“What little we know about you—especially this weapon—is already unbelievable!” the princess said, handing me the Onesie.
Taking the gun, I said, “You realize your threat was empty, Highness?”
“The raiders did not know—” she paused. “I do not even know your name.”
“I am David Rice, Scout First Class of the Terran Exploration Corps,” I said, bowing. “Let’s start walking and I will happily tell my story.”
The princess looked to Rob. “Northeast, Highness. I spotted a trading outpost during our escape from the raiders.”
Carrying only the provisions in the survival pack, we headed into the desert.
Chapter 10
We spoke little throughout the afternoon, moving too quickly to waste breath talking. At dusk, Rob slowed the pace.
“While we’re hardly safe, Highness,” he said, “following our trail will not be easy. Especially from an airship.”
“Thank you, Rob,” the princess replied. Turning to me, she said, “You promised us some unbelievable explanations, Scout First Class David Rice.”
“First, please just call me David, Highness.”
“Very well, David. This is Captain Robbill Vonsteader, captain of my personal guard. I am Her Royal Highness, Princess Callan Debah Lois Antrulta Ziliah Villas, daughter of His Royal Majesty, King Edwar of Mordan. You may continue to call me Highness, though Princess Callan is also correct.”
“Thank you, Highness,” my lips twitched up in a smile. “I’ll start with the most relevant part of my story. I had never laid eyes on this planet, nor even knew it existed, until today...”
Princess Callan’s eyes grew wide as I told of my wormhole exit and subsequent crash. “I told you I was a member of the Terran Exploration Corps. Terra is another planet, the original home of the human race. Thousands of years ago, humans began leaving Terra to settle on other worlds. These colonists traveled the vast void of space, many of them spending decades in transit. Some of those ships left no record of their destination. Some of them wished to withdraw from human civilization entirely, so recorded false destinations. And some of the records have simply been lost. The Terran Exploration Corps was formed, in part, to look for those lost colonies.” I paused briefly, “Colonies such as your planet.
“Do your cultures have myths and legends telling of a great journey, Highness? Perhaps something along the lines of ships crossing the Sea of Night? Considering my experience earlier today the tales probably end with many of the ships being cast upon rocks and very few of the brave travelers reaching the new land alive.”
“Yes, David, we do have such tales. They’re almost exactly as you describe,” replied the princess. “In certain scholarly circles, there is hot debate concerning those stories. Some claim the stories are based on true events while others are certain the stories are merely attempts to explain our presence here on Aashla. You say those tales are true?”
“Yes, at least in part,” I said. “Is Aashla what you call this planet?”
“Every schoolchild knows that, David,” Princess Callan said. Looking into my eyes, she continued, “Yet I believe you did not.”
“Thank you, Highness. I know it will require quite a leap of faith to believe my story,” I said.
“Is there no way to bolster my faith in your story? You could just be an adventurer with a fanciful imagination or simply insane. Can you offer proof, as well, David?”
I held out the survival pack, “Highness, you’ve used my weapon, heard me learn your language in less than a day, hidden beneath the chameleon cloth, and watched me fight while Boosted. I can offer no more proof than that.”
“What of this ship you crashed this morning?” Callan persisted.
“It sank into the small lake,” I said. “Yes, I know that sounds very convenient for my story, but it is true.”
“Highness, all of this is quite fascinating,” said Rob in a tone that belied his words, “but we must find a defensible place to spend the night. The tammar you killed was drawn out in daylight by the scent of blood from our fight, but they usually hunt at night.”
“Of course, Rob,” Princess Callan said. “But if danger strikes, at least we have David and his astounding Boost.”
“Highness,” I said, “do not depend on that. Boosting places an incredible strain on my body. Using it again so soon could kill me.”
The princess appeared shocked at my words. Rob, on the other hand, looked surprisingly satisfied. Perhaps he was happy to learn just how mortal I was.
A site was soon selected and camp established. We ate a meal of tasteless survival bars from the pack then settled in for the night, Rob taking first watch. It seemed as if I had only just closed my eyes when Rob’s hand clamped over my mouth.
“Wake up but make no sound or sudden moves,” he hissed.
I opened my eyes and instantly knew what was wrong. A long, black snake-like thing was coiled on the princess’s chest. It had hundreds of tiny legs along its body and a single fang bared in its open mouth. The thing’s head was raised and ready to strike. The princess lay still, her eyes so filled with terror that I knew this snake-thing’s bite must be deadly!
Chapter 11
If the snake-thing was like Terran snakes, it was probably searching for warmth and found it on the princess’s chest. Now aroused, it was nervous and looked likely to strike. Whatever we were going to do, it had to be done fast!
“Red or green?” I asked quietly.
“Red,” Rob answered quietly, instantly knowing I referred to the Onesie. “This Boost of yours—does it make you faster?”
“Yes, but maybe not fast enough.”
“But you must—” Rob began, breaking off as the snake-thing hissed and moved in agitation.
I waited, letting the creature settle a bit before answering, “I will. Now, give me your hat.”
Without another word, Rob carefully handed me the hat to his guard’s uniform. Slowly, I began moving the open end of the hat in front of the snake-thing. The thing swayed in agitation then struck at the princess—a fraction of a second after I Boosted. The creature’s head plunged into the hat, its strike blocked. I grabbed it just below the head and pulled it off of the princess. Its legs wriggled disturbingly within my grip as I dragged it outside. Drawing his sword, Rob smoothly cut off its head.
Quiet sobs drew Rob back inside the tent to comfort the princess. I took up the watch in his place.
After a while, the sobs faded and, finally, were replaced by the deep, rhythmic breathing of sleep. When Rob looked outside, I motioned him back into the tent. The princess would feel safer if she awoke to a familiar face.
As dawn was breaking, I heard the raider’s airship engine in the distance. Wors
e, I realized the airship was ahead of us. It was apparent the raiders knew of the outpost and knew it was our only hope for survival. They would be waiting for us when we arrived!
Chapter 12
We broke camp immediately, hoping the outpost was close and we might reach it before the raiders could prepare for us.
“Highness, you know my story,” I said, trying to distract her from the previous night’s horror and from the raiders ahead of us, “but I know little of yours.”
Rob gave a nod and she said, “Very well, David, it’s not a complicated story.
“I was being escorted to my betrothal to Prince Rupor, heir to the throne of Tarteg. Ten airships of the Mordanian Navy escorted my own airship. Over unsettled lands, a large force of raiders surprised us. Three raider ships attacked my ship. When it was obvious all was lost, I ordered my men to surrender.
“The raiders locked us in one of their airship’s holds and flew south. A few hours later, ten of my guards broke out of the hold. They attacked the raiders, sacrificing themselves as a distraction for the rest of us. In the confusion, Rob grounded the airship and we ran. Several hours later, you arrived.”
“A harrowing tale, Highness,” I said. “But why would the raiders come south? I would assume any ransom would be paid in the north.”
“With her lineage and beauty,” Rob said, “Princess Callan would fetch a very high price in the southern slave markets.”
Slave markets? I knew primitive colonies had been known to revive the vile practice, but it was still shocking to hear.
Rob added, “I will die before allowing that to happen!”
Unable to bear the thought of anyone—especially one so lively and lovely—being sold into slavery, I said, “As will I.”
Rob stopped walking, “Will you swear to that, David?”
“Rob—” began the princess.
I interrupted, raising my right hand. “On my honor as a Scout First Class, I swear to protect and defend Princess Callan to the best of my ability, even at the cost of my life.”
Rob smiled for the first time since I met him. “Nontraditional but quite satisfactory.” He extended his hand. “Welcome to the Royal Guard, David.”
“That was unnecessary, David,” the princess said.
“Perhaps for you, Highness,” I replied, “but it was essential to Rob.”
Suddenly, a shout rang out. “The princess! She’s over here!”
The raiders had spotted us!
Chapter 13
The shout was taken up by other raiders and quickly echoed all around the trading post.
I turned to Rob, “You two use the chameleon cloth to hide while I—”
“It’s gone, David,” Rob said. “Lost when we threw it off so the princess could shoot the tammar.”
“All right,” I said, “new plan. I’ll lead the raiders on a merry chase while you and the princess make your way around the trading post to the raiders’ airship. They know where we are and are intent on surrounding us quickly. That will take most of the crew, so their airship should be lightly guarded.”
“Right,” Rob nodded. “After we take the ship, we’ll wait for you for two minutes.”
“Cast off immediately,” I said. “Her Highness’s safety is all that matters. Do not wait for me!”
Rob nodded but the princess disagreed. “No! We all escape together or—”
“Highness, there are a very few times when your royal guards may disregard your orders,” Rob said. “This is one of them. Your safety is paramount!”
The princess shook her head in disagreement but did not argue. With that settled, I scuttled away from Rob and the princess. A moment later, I rose and dashed off in the direction opposite the path they would take. My appearance immediately drew another shout and the chase was on! I used rocks, bushes, low dunes, gullies, anything I could to pop in and out of sight. I couldn’t draw the raiders off unless they saw me, but I couldn’t give them too long a look or they’d realize they were chasing one person instead of three.
Perhaps a minute later, I came face to face with my first raider. I vaulted over a boulder and found him lurking behind it. I ducked his wild sword swing and ran him through with my own sword. He fell, screaming and twitching as life drained out of him. I popped up and ran out.
Behind me, someone shouted, “He killed Farley!”
Any raiders who hadn’t been chasing me, would be after me now.
A moment later, I crested a small dune and saw the main building of the trading post before me. Gambling that all of the raiders were in the desert chasing me, I ran to it and threw open the door. Half a dozen raiders, led by scarred-face, stood within. They all had their swords drawn. Behind me, the raiders who had been chasing me charged up to the outpost.
I was surrounded by raiders. Again.
Chapter 14
I thought about Boosting, but knew I couldn’t. I could always trigger Boost if things got desperate, but until the princess was safe, I had to save it to use in her defense. With raiders all around me and no chance to survive a fight, I chose the only direction available to me. Up. Jumping, I caught the edge of the low roof and had pulled myself onto the roof before the first raider could react.
It was a mistake.
I had a great view of the raider airship. It was on the far side of the building and just lifting off. Now that they were looking up, the raiders outside the building could see the same thing.
“The airship!” rose the cry. “She’s loose and floating away!”
Raiders ran for the lines hanging from the airship, even before scarred-face began shouting orders at them. I pounded across the roof, hoping to grab a line and climb to the deck ahead of the raiders. That wasn’t going to happen. Some raiders must have been near the ship and they were already scrambling up the lines.
Glancing at the airship deck, I saw Rob holding off three raiders while the princess sawed away at a dangling line with her dagger. There was no way she could cut all of the lines before the first raiders reached the deck. I had to get aboard the airship soon or all was lost. Casting aside caution, I sprinted to the edge of the roof and leapt off, aiming for a line dangling from the airship’s starboard side.
I just managed to catch the end of the line. Even as I began the long climb, I saw several raiders reach the deck of the airship. The princess saw them and shouted a warning to Rob. She also saw a raider heading toward the line I was using. Princess Callan ran to defend my line against the raider, pitting her dagger against his sword. She whirled, dodged, blocked, and then tripped. I was halfway up the line when she fell against the railing, overbalanced, and fell from the airship!
Chapter 15
The princess plunged toward me, her eyes wide with terror and locked on mine. Wrapping my legs around the rope, I lunged out to intercept her fall.
Boost!
Her flailing hands would have been impossible for me to catch without the added speed and strength of the Boost. I caught her wrist, grasping it with both hands, but her momentum dragged us both down the line. A scream tore from the princess’s lips, but I tightened my legs around the line and our descent stopped.
I pulled her up, wishing I could take the time to comfort her. “Wrap your arms around my neck.”
She was shaking from terror but, mastering it, did as I instructed. “Hold tight, Highness, we’re going up very fast.”
With Boosted strength and agility, I swarmed up the line faster than any monkey. The raider at the railing had just enough time to realize the princess hadn’t fallen to her death before we leaped onto the deck. Grabbing his shirt, I threw him off the airship. I sat the princess down, well away from the rail, then drew my sword and raced to Rob’s aid.
I crashed into the raiders around Rob like a human battering ram, knocking two more over the rail and sending the rest flying across the deck. Rob, whose back had been to our ascent, stared at me in astonished relief.
“Her Highness—” he began.
“She�
�s safe,” I said, pointing behind me. Then I attacked the remaining six raiders. They were better fighters than the blue men I’d fought earlier—could it have just been yesterday?—but I also had Rob at my side. In less than a minute, the last raider fell to the deck.
Pain slammed into me as the Boost cut off, but this time I remained conscious. That meant I was entirely awake and aware when the princess—the betrothed princess—flew into my arms and began kissing me passionately on the lips!
Chapter 16
I received a lot of training in the Scout Academy. None of it had covered my situation. When the princess’s lips locked on mine, all rational thought fled, leaving instinct to take over. Placing my hand on the small of the princess’s back, I pulled her close and returned the kiss. Enthusiastically.
“Ahem!”
We jumped apart like a couple of preteens caught necking in school, our eyes downcast and unable to meet Rob’s stern gaze.
“Highness, go to the stern of the airship,” Rob ordered.
The princess bristled at his tone, “Rob, you will not—”
“Callan, do as I say.”
Chastised, she stalked aft.
Trying to head off the coming rebuke, I said, “Rob, I —”
“Silence, boy!” hissed Rob. “Less than an hour ago, you took an oath to protect the princess with your life. That includes protecting her from herself and her infatuations. That includes protecting her from your base instincts. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir!”
His gaze bored into mine.. Satisfied, he unbent slightly. “Many men develop strong feelings for those they guard, David, especially when their charge is a beautiful young woman. Burying those feelings is your duty.”