Sailmaster's Woman

by Annie Windsor

  Anti-detection shielding automatically deployed around the speeder. She felt a sense of triumph as the computer informed her the shielding was functioning well. And then she felt nothing but worry.

  What if she rammed a skyscraper? Crashed into the Grand Canyon?

  “Knock it off.”

  She sighed.

  Talking to herself had become a bad habit, especially since she reached Pluto. Nerves, she guessed. The baby—now she could speak to the baby without a moment’s hesitation.

  “We’re off to fetch Auntie Georgia,” Elise murmured. “Are you with me?”

  Thankfully, the baby didn’t offer a comment.

  Carefully working the buttons and steering switch, Elise eased the speeder into the atmosphere. Unlike rockets on TV, the speeder didn’t burn or rattle. It floated, almost like a feather. The descent felt like a slightly fast elevator ride through rocks, dust, and buffeting currents.

  And then Elise saw pinkish evening sky, and nothing but ocean below. The speeder didn’t even leave a shadow on the whitecaps.

  Using the Earth geocharts available in the computer banks, Elise pinpointed her position in the Atlantic, programmed coordinates for Nashville, and eased forward at the speed of roughly four times that of a Concord jet.

  The U.S. coastline sprang into view, and Elise crossed over North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Right over the Albemarle Sound and Kitty Hawk island itself. The misty slopes of the Smoky Mountains rose and fell beneath Elise’s wings, and then the ship slowed, and slowed again.

  She coasted into the Nashville area just ahead of sunset. The gray-blue sky hosted fat clouds, and Elise could almost feel the heat shimmering toward the speeder. Using the hand-steering knob, which felt a lot like a computer mouse, Elise took herself around Nashville’s tall, spikey “Batman building”, down the main streets of Broadway and then West End, and to the top of her old haunt, Crestview Village.

  “Oh, thank God.” The roof looked wide enough and strong enough to hold the speeder.

  Elise tapped the descent panel, cutting the engines back and easing down, down, and down onto the pebble-covered flat expanse.

  Dockers deployed with a soft thunk, and the speeder turned itself off, keeping anti-detection shields at full power.

  Elise’s heart rapped in her throat. “I did it. I actually flew a spaceship from Arda to Earth. Okay, well, it basically flew itself, but I did it!”

  Georgia was here, or she soon would be. Just yards away. Mere feet, instead of solar systems.

  Elise scrambled out of the speeder, and her breath caught hard in her throat.

  God, but the air smelled awful. Like smoke and burning trash.

  Her lungs rebelled. She coughed, glanced around for the fire—then realized the odor must be from pollution. The normal clutter of Earth’s air, so totally unlike the fresh, clean breezes of Arda.

  Regaining her mental balance, Elise forced her breathing to behave. A quick scan of the area told her no one seemed to have a vantage point on Crestview’s roof, and no one seemed to notice a woman walking into view out of thin air.

  Hand on her belly, as if to protect her baby, Elise hurried toward the roof door.

  And of course, found it locked.

  “Dammit.” She rattled the handle, willing it to turn. The knob gave a loud pop and crumbled in Elise’s hand.

  Creaking a protest, the metal door swung open.

  Ooooops. Elise dropped the pulverized knob. I guess my psi power is active on Earth, too. I thought it only worked in space.

  The stairs from Crestview’s roof were dark and dusty, but Elise ran down them without caring. Five flights, from the roof to stairwell eleven—she reached Georgia’s floor in only a minute.

  This time, she directed gentle but firm thoughts toward the locked door’s mechanism. It popped open without exploding, and Elise smiled.

  One door left to Georgia, and that one might open with a knock.

  Elise strode down the hall to Georgia’s apartment. Her mouth ran dry with excitement, and her hand shook as she rapped on the red painted wood.

  For a moment, no sound came from the apartment.

  Oh, no. What if she’s not home? Elise chewed her lip—and then locks clacked, and the door swung wide to reveal Georgia. Her red hair looked wild and rumpled, and her face seemed flushed, like she just woke up. White blouse, blue jean shorts, and a very startled, very thrilled expression—yep, all Georgia, classic-style.

  “Oh, my God.” Georgia grabbed Elise and smothered her with a hug. Her neck smelled like roses. “Oh, my God! Oh, my GOD! Where have you been? Jesus H. Christ on a creaking crutch! You scared me to death.”

  “I’m so sorry. And I’m so glad to see you!” Elise stepped inside Georgia’s apartment. “Is anyone here?”

  “No. Why?” Georgia shut the door behind them. “Is the CIA on your tail or something?”

  Chills ran up and down Elise’s spine. “No. At least, I don’t think so.”

  Georgia managed to arch one eyebrow, even as she wiped away an obvious tear. “Okay, Miss Mystery. Start talking. Where in the living hell have you been?”

  Elise took a deep breath and reached for Georgia’s hands. Her cousin’s fingers felt warm and welcome in her palms, and yet, when Elise opened her mouth, nothing came out but a sigh.

  “Another hug,” Elise whispered. “Then we’ll talk.”

  * * * * *

  Ki Tul’Mar sensed it when Elise located her cousin on Earth. A sudden stab of well-being. Of joy. Unfortunately, he could not share the emotion then, or now, four stellar days later.

  The OrTan fleet was speeding toward Arda, and the Galactic Council forces had joined the massive flotilla. Word had filtered from sources all through the universes that Lord Gith had indeed bribed and persuaded the Council to bend to his viewpoint. The Council had agreed to hear Gith’s complaint on Arda, to facilitate the return of Elise to OrTan control at the first possible moment.

  The “show of force” was to keep Arda from resisting, once the legalities were established.

  Arda, of course, would not be so easily forced into compliance. Krysta and the Home Guard had deployed over key planetary areas, and the bulk of Arda’s Fleet set sail with Fari at Astoria’s helm. By design, the Fleet would intercept all forces, allowing only the Galactic Council flagship through to Arda. Krysta’s speeders would handle any stray vessels.

  In most campaigns, Ki would have been on his ship, spearheading the defensive wall. However, in this most rare of times, when Arda herself came under threat, the Sailmaster had but one place to be.

  In the war room, on a silken cushion, lending the might of his psi power to each and every sail in the Fleet.

  Ki could feel each of his frigates like energy on his skin. He whispered to the pa coating sail and board, and to the pa protecting and coating so many key structures on Arda.

  Hold, he urged. Join. Hold. Join. Hold.

  And the pa answered its master, not with words, but by thriving. Growing stronger and more powerful with each passing stellar hour.

  Ki’s staff tended his meager needs, and the few times he made eye contact with one of the servants, he noticed how they looked away. To the walls. To their feet.

  They know, he realized. They know my shanna has left me. That I am a dead man, as of moonrise this very evening.

  War would not put off or delay Ki’s sentence. Once the people knew the truth, Akad and the other priests would do their duty.

  Until that moment, Ki would do his duty. He hoped at least to contribute to Arda’s victory, and ultimately, to the safety of his mate and child.

  The execution would be swift, though not painless. Fari would become Sailmaster immediately, and put for Arda and Camford as soon as battle conditions allowed. This the brothers had resolved, through much shouting and strain. Krysta had not been included in the plans, as she never would have agreed.

  At that moment, she was hurtling about the planet, keeping her surface defense troops organized and
scanning for Elise’s return. It was up to Krysta to intercept Elise and see her safely through the Fleet battle lines—and to get her off of Arda if the legal case or military struggles went poorly.

  Ki could sense the approach of darkness as he meditated. Big sun and little sister waned into the western sky as he sat, ticking time with his heartbeats and breath.

  Shortly, there came a rustling and coughing before him. As if a great party had entered, but felt loathe to disturb him.

  The priests had arrived for the Presentation.

  Ki kept his eyes closed, but his hyperaware mind took in the scene.

  Akad stood in front, clothed in white and purple robes. The high priest’s expression was one of horror and dread. Four lesser priests in black robes accompanied him, and with them, a priest in red waited—in obvious shock. The Ord’pa. A ceremonial executioner. Double-axe already in hand.

  Little did the man realize he would play more than a role this night.

  In halting high words, Akad begged pardon for his interruption, then asked Ki to surrender his mate for evaluation and presentation.

  Forcing his thoughts steady, still giving his full mind to the sails, Ki gave the required, though completely unexpected response.

  “Shanna Ki Tul’Mar ist onden.”

  Ki Tul’Mar’s mate has departed.

  The red-robed priest swayed in place. Murmuring broke out amongst the party, and Akad wavered on his feet.

  “Your Majesty, I—I do not—I cannot—what—”

  “You will do your duty, priest.” Ki’s voice was a growl. “Leave me here as long as the law allows, so that I might assist the Fleet. At the appointed moment, I will accompany you to the Tuscan Platform.” He opened his eyes and cut them to the Ord’pa, who nearly dropped his ceremonial axe. “Peacefully.”

  For now.

  Silence filled the chamber as Akad gave thought to his next words. Ki heard the priest’s sigh, and then, “Bekor. Hie and notify the people.”

  Clothing rustled, and the chamber door opened, then closed.

  Akad’s next words spilled out in a rush. “Ki Tul’Mar, you are under arrest for failure to meet the provisions of the Law of Keeping. At moonrise, you will journey with us to the Tuscan clearing, whereupon you face the known consequences of your failure.”

  Ki grunted his assent. His heart felt heavy in his chest, but his mind remained engaged with the needs of the Fleet—and at some level, the needs of his beautiful shanna.

  Beloved. She could not hear him, he knew, but he had to try. Know that my heart was yours. Always, and forever. Be strong for our daughter. Dora, shanna. Dora!

  Chapter 11

  “You’ve changed so much.” Georgia stroked Elise’s loose hair as they stood side by side and stared into the outer reaches of space. The speeder pelted through clouds of dust, around tumbling asteroids, and through the rocky paths of comets. “I can’t believe how relaxed you look. How happy.”

  Elise smiled. Georgia’s green eyes were wide in the front window reflection, as they had been since Elise first explained where she had been—and where she wanted Georgia to go. Georgia hadn’t hesitated. She hadn’t even packed much. Just one small bag of keepsakes, and a few outfits, though Elise had assured her she would prefer the soft, sensual Ardani fabrics.

  “You’ll love it on Arda,” Elise murmured. “And I know you’ll find some hunk of a warrior and live in a dream, just like I’ve been doing.”

  Georgia’s laughter brightened the small deck. “Well, how about I stay at this fabulous castle you keep describing, and meet your hunk first? One step at a time.”

  “Ki will love you, I know.” Elise’s eyes traveled to Georgia’s ample bosom, despite her best efforts to behave. He’ll love every inch of you. If you don’t kill me over this one teeny cultural detail I left out….

  Man, but she was horny. Having Georgia’s warm beauty beside her felt so right and perfect, like a piece of her heart had been healed. All Elise could think of was sharing her joy with Ki, connecting with his thoughts fully and completely, giving herself to him in hours of splendid, soul-filling sex. And finally hearing Georgia’s cry of ecstasy when Ki made her come, too.

  Share and share alike.

  Elise already knew from Georgia’s comments and thoughts that Georgia wouldn’t be too shocked by Ardani customs. In fact, she’d probably be thrilled.

  But like Georgia said, one step at a time.

  First, finish the journey back to their new home. Next, get the speeder on the ground, and after that, throw herself into Ki’s hopefully merciful arms.

  “You really miss him, don’t you?” Georgia’s grin glittered in her reflection.

  Elise turned and kissed the side of Georgia’s head. “Like breath. I’ve been away from less than ten stellar days, and I feel like it’s been a century. When I get back—as soon as he speaks to me again—I’m jumping his bones and keeping him busy for at least a week.”

  “Mmmm.” Georgia’s grin widened. “And during that time, what am I supposed to do?”

  “Oh, I’m sure we’ll think of something.” Elise coughed. “I think we’re still ahead of schedule. The computer keeps registering something about stellar winds, and the ships hull—I don’t know. It’s like it keeps cleaning itself and moving faster.”

  “Maybe this little ship is like a horse. You know—hurrying when it sees the barn.” Georgia broke away from Elise and went to a side portal. “I keep thinking this’ll get boring in a second, but it doesn’t. Not even after nearly a week.”

  “Stellar days,” Elise corrected. “Four. Almost five since we left Earth. We should be heading into the Ardani system in a few hours, or maybe sooner. We’re moving so much faster on the way home. That estimate clock has changed five times since I’ve been looking.”

  “What’s that, over there?” Georgia pointed out her window. “All those bright things—and those other big dark things? They’re all in straight lines, and they don’t look like asteroids.”

  Elise joined Georgia, at first more interested in the scent of apples and cinnamon in Georgia’s hair than the direction in which her cousin was pointing—but there was something odd on the horizon, to the right. Elise hurried to the other side of the ship. The same weird shadows and shapes appeared out the left window, too.

  Flashes of silver and streaks of black emerged directly in front of them as well.

  A red light blinked on the com-panel. When Elise checked the screen, it noted, Visibility deflector employed.

  “Visibility deflector?” She felt a squeeze in her chest.

  “Something’s wrong.” Georgia backed away from the portal. “My instinct’s bothering me. Elise—what’s going on?”

  Elise’s mouth went desert-dry. “I don’t know. I didn’t see anything like this—oh, God.”

  One of the dark shapes in front of the speeder had started to grow. Except it wasn’t growing. It was coming closer. When Elise glanced at the com-panel to see if the computers had identified the obstacle, her knees wobbled.

  The computer screen flashed green, detailed pictures of an OrTan skull ship. Different perspectives. Best shooting ranges.

  “We’ve got real trouble,” Elise told Georgia in a shaky voice. “Go to the back. I’ll try to handle it, okay?”

  “What are you going to do?”

  Elise’s fingers trembled over the weapons controls as the skull ship bore down on them. “I don’t know. Just get down. Please!”

  A soft alarm bell rang. Elise jumped. Her heart picked up the alarm’s beat. The computer screen showed the skull’s shrinking distance to the speeder. From behind her, Georgia’s shallow, panicked breathing doubled Elise’s terror.

  Why now? Damn! I can’t believe this is happening.

  Her mind filled with visions of Lord Gith and his alligator palls. What if they blew the speeder out of space? Or worse, boarded it and took them hostage?

  Could she reach Ki or someone on Arda if she tried?

  Squeaking wit
h frustration, she pushed a communication beacon. Nothing happened.

  Out of range, the computer noted.

  And still, the skull closed on them.

  Elise felt totally exposed and vulnerable. She wished her soft tunic would turn into chain mail, but no luck.

  I can’t believe I did this. What was I thinking?

  “Christ. I’m going to have to shoot at it.” Her words sounded strangled in the quiet air.

  The speeder’s automatic systems attempted a few basic maneuvers to avoid the OrTan slaver, but to no avail. It shuddered once, then grew still.

  Elise studied the diagrams of the big ship, and her speeder’s weapon controls. She felt like she was about to fire on a whale with a few barroom darts.

  “It’s stopping,” Georgia whispered.

  Elise glanced up.

  The massive skull eased to a halt.

  It was so large Elise couldn’t see it all through the viewing window. Her entire speeder would fit in one of the glowing holes that might be eyes, or a nose, or a toothy, grinning mouth.

  If Gith was inside, the bastard was probably laughing. Elise wished she had thought to bring a knife. A sword. Anything at all.

  For a moment, she stood frozen, and then her hands found her belly. Through the cloth and the thin walls of her skin, she felt her daughter’s heartbeat. And she sensed Georgia’s, too, blending with her own.

  Ki was just a few stellar hours away. One, in fact, according to the estimate clock.

  No way would she give up without a battle. No way.

  Grinding her teeth, Elise programmed the firing coordinates the computer recommended. She hesitated over the firing control.

  One of the skull’s eyes winked.

  BOOM!

  The speeder rocked so hard Elise flew backward. She crashed to the metal floor, taking Georgia with her. Hissing noises broke out over her head, and for a long second, she couldn’t breathe.

  Then air seemed to rush through the compartment again. Elise gasped, filling her lungs.