Battling Rapture

by Stormie Kent

  He heard skittering to his left. It was a sound too small for a man. Slowly, Rhine moved farther into a space which had become woodland in such a short period of time. He watched his footfalls as well as the trees and foliage around and above him. Surely Skela Ja would notice how quiet the animals had become. They waited now that their privacy had been invaded by the five men.

  A boulder caught his eye. At first he couldn’t understand why. Then he saw it. The stone had obviously been moved from its original resting place. Dirt and water marks lined the edge showing where it had previously been in the ground. He pulled his blaster from his hip, and moved closer. There was the chance that when he disturbed the area, it would trigger a trap. It was what he would have done in the hunter’s place.

  He pulled his pad and signaled his location to his cousins. He moved closer. The boulder held down the edge of a camouflaged tarp. Fallen leaves were spread across the top. If he hadn’t been looking carefully he might have missed it.

  His cousins appeared silently around him. He allowed them time to notice what he’d noticed. They did not speak. He found a long tree branch that had fallen to the woodland floor. He used the branch to snag the edge of the camouflaged tarp, and fling it away.

  A shallow trench had been dug in the earth. There was nothing there to suggest anything about its creator. The hunter had left nothing behind. Not even a change of clothing. Rhine recovered the hole and scattered leaves along the top of the tarp. They signaled each other and once again moved through the copse, looking for more evidence Skela Ja had been there. They found nothing out of place. They would obviously need to set a trap for the hunter at his resting place.

  Olaf remained behind, hiding in some leaves and shrubbery. Rhine walked with Venn, Tor and Gunter out of the copse and around the lake. The breeze brought her scent to him before he saw her. She marched toward him through the sparingly spread out trees surrounding the lake with Varin keeping pace beside her. He didn’t need the blast of fury emanating from her to know she seethed. Her eyebrows were so drawn a line appeared between her eyes. Her jaw was tight and she clenched her fists at her side. His cousins stepped away from him slightly.

  “Traitors,” he whispered.

  He heard the whoosh of an arrow leaving a bow. He pulled his blaster even as he ran toward Niki. He felt air displace behind him as the arrow travelled past the place he would have been. Varin had already pulled Niki to the ground and covered her with his body. His cousins fired into the trees to the left, covering him as he ran to Niki.

  Then he realized the arrows were following him. He couldn’t lead them to Niki. He had to trust in her ability to protect herself and Varin’s ability to shield her. He changed direction. He dove behind a tree and gazed around it. Three arrows hit the trunk in rapid succession. He jerked back. He’d seen enough to know Niki and Varin had taken refuge behind another tree.

  “Stay there, Niki,” he yelled.

  “I’m not the crazy person who just outran a bevy of arrows,” she yelled back.

  Rhine fired at the tree line where the arrows were coming from. He couldn’t see anyone. He glanced over at Niki. She was also firing her blaster at the tree line. They couldn’t stay there forever. Already guards converged on the area.

  Rhine waited for the second after an arrow was released and darted to another of the widely space trees. He did this again and again until he was close to the tree in which he believed the hunter hid. He gazed into the tree canopy. He smiled as he caught sight of the hunter’s arm moving back to nock the arrow. Camouflage or not, he had a clear shot. Rhine fired three shots. The hunter called out once and fell.

  Rhine raced to where he’d fallen. His angle hadn’t been the best, so unless the man broke his neck in the fall, he might still be alive. They reached the fallen man quickly, with Niki only a few moments behind. Skela Ja bled from a small wound on the side of his neck, a belly shot and an arm wound.

  Venn directed one of the guards to climb the tree, and make sure there weren’t any more surprises waiting for them.

  “Skela Ja,” Rhine said.

  The man looked up at him with disdain. He was covered in dirt and leaves.

  “You are still alive. You should be as dead as my nephew.” Skela Ja coughed and blood coated his lips. “You cheated and shot him, all to steal a slave.”

  “Well, this slave slapped your nephew around a bit before he lost me in a card game fair and square. He wasn’t a prize, and certainly not worth being full of holes right now. You shouldn’t have wasted your time,” Niki said. She gazed down at the man with a sneer.

  The man lunged at her and she kicked him back. Rhine turned to Venn.

  “Do we end his suffering here or chat with him a bit more?” he asked his cousin conversationally.

  “We should definitely chat. I have a cell all ready for him under the keep.” Venn looked eager.

  “You heard your lord, tie this offal up and transport him to one of the cells under Huntu Keep,” Rhine commanded.

  Rhine grabbed Niki and pulled her closer to his side. He’d felt such fear for her while she had apparently been as calm as the lake on a clear day. Touching her soothed him, so he gave in and rubbed her back. That she let him was reassuring.

  “Thank you for keeping her safe, Varin,” he said to the younger man.

  “Yeah, thanks, Varin, though I can keep myself safe, even if no one will believe me,” Niki muttered.

  “I understand, Niki. Having Varin with you helped ease my worry about your safety.” He lied. He’d worried anyway.

  She patted his stomach. “I’m going to show you some meditation exercises. You worry too much.”

  As long as they were naked while they completed these meditation exercises, he was all for it. They slowly began walking toward the keep.

  “Did she really slap Isor Ja?” Venn asked quietly.

  Olaf still brushed leaves and dirt off his clothes from where he’d been hiding in the underbrush. “The gambler had a black eye and she is quick with a punch or hit.”

  “I thought we discussed the fact that I can hear you and you shouldn’t speak about me as if I’m not here,” Niki said.

  “I thought she said she liked it,” Olaf whispered.

  Chapter Ten

  Niki considered stabbing herself just to prove she hadn’t been bored to death. She shifted again on the sofa and Camryn patted her leg reassuringly. It was her sister’s fault she was currently surrounded by Ordanian noblewomen for the sixth time in the last six weeks. Each week they got a new batch as though they’d been ordered from a catalogue. As Camryn’s sister and Rhine’s woman, she was considered part of Camryn’s court. Since both Camryn and Rhine took the position seriously, she was forced to sit still for hours as these women talked. Thank goodness for the occasional card game and horseback ride or she would have locked herself in her room and flagellated herself with Rhine’s ornamental ties.

  “Just a little while longer,” Bronwyn whispered.

  Apparently Bronwyn had been raised from birth to hold these conversations and make nice with others. Camryn hadn’t begun these get-togethers until after Niki arrived. Niki wondered what brought on this massive public relations campaign. That was what it was. Camryn was charming and appeared highly educated about issues from each of the woman’s tribes.

  They’d all been guests for a week and would be leaving shortly when their husbands returned from conference with Rhine, Venn and the rest of the Huntu boys.

  “Will you remain with your sister when Sir Rhine returns to travel, Mistress Niki?” Kadlin, Lady Velth asked.

  She’d been especially nice to Camryn after the House Ivar faux pas. Venn was correct. Lord Velth had stripped the family of their position and placed another high-born Velth family in their place.

  “I will do as Sir Rhine directs me, Lady Velth,” she responded.

  All the women nodded as if Niki was imparting sacred wisdom. She’d learned the trick early. All she had to do was say anything she di
d was at Rhine’s direction or proclaim she would do Rhine’s bidding if they asked her a question she didn’t want to answer. It worked perfectly every time. Poor Rhine probably had a reputation now as a strict taskmaster when he was really putty in her hands—most of the time.

  The door opened and the men entered to take their ladies away. She realized her torture was almost at an end and she wanted to shout a chorus of halleluiahs. She stood and crossed to Rhine. He immediately pulled her to his side and laid his arm loosely around her waist. She calmed almost immediately. There was a rustle of activity as each guest left the keep. She stood next to Rhine and smiled politely as he clasped hands and said a few words to each person. He was very diplomatic.

  What in the world was he doing with her?

  He pulled her into his arms as the door closed for the final time.

  “Don’t worry. They’re gone,” he said.

  “We have two days before our next guests arrive,” Camryn said to Bronwyn.

  “Why is she torturing me?” Niki whispered the words against Rhine’s chest.

  Her body shook along with his as he laughed. She caught movement out of the corner of her eye. Camryn was leaving the room without Venn. She looked a little nervous. Usually after the guests left, she would hang around and listen to the men analyze how their meetings went. She could be going to the bathroom, but…Niki didn’t believe that for a moment.

  She tugged away from Rhine. “Hey, I need the little mistress’s room. Be back in a sec.”

  She didn’t wait for permission despite the lies she liked to tell Camryn’s guests. She did exit the room quickly to follow her sister. Camryn wasn’t in the hallway, so she asked the guard at the front door where she’d gone. He pointed her toward the area behind the stairs.

  She checked every room. She found her in the communications room. Camryn stopped speaking as Niki walked in. They stared at each other.

  “What are you up to, Cam?”

  Camryn smiled nervously. “Come here.”

  Niki walked forward and looked at the screen on the desk. She sat next to Camryn. On the screen were two women and a man. The man was attractive, with brown skin, slanted eyes and wavy, shoulder length brown hair. He could have been from any humanoid species, maybe even from Earth. The women were spectacular. Their skin glowed in the way a pearl would if coated in glitter. One had crayon red hair and the other coal black.

  “These are the people who helped us locate you. Captain Acia, Shunyuan and Cheris. Shunyuan is from Earth.”

  “Thank you,” Niki said.

  “It was our pleasure,” the redheaded woman said.

  Her voice was mesmerizing. Niki could understand the words, but she swore she heard bells and chimes tinkling.

  “What’s going on here, Cam? You look as though you’re up to something,” Niki asked.

  “They are freedom fighters. They work for the Anti-Slavery Alliance. We work for the Anti-Slavery Alliance.” Camryn stared at her and waited for her response.

  “Does your husband know you’re in this Alliance?” She was all for it, but she knew Camryn took her role as Lady Huntu seriously.

  “I’m working on it. Why do you think I’ve been practically running for office around here trying to portray both you and me as people and not former slaves? Your ‘I’m a good little woman routine’ has actually been helping a little.”

  Niki grinned. “Glad I could be of service. So what’s the plan? I’m in.”

  “Exactly what are you in?” Rhine said.

  They both looked up to find both Venn and Rhine in the open doorway.

  “Call us back when you have more information,” Captain Acia said.

  The screen went blank and Camryn pushed a button on the keypad. Niki assessed the situation and figured she’d let her sister, who’d been wrapping men around her fingers since she was a toddler, explain their way out of this one.

  “Camryn, what have you done?” Venn asked with a frown.

  “I haven’t done anything, Venn,” she said. Cam’s smile dazzled.

  Yeah, that’s why Niki was just going to sit there and be quiet.

  “Did I hear the Dovian captain on the communicator?” he asked.

  “Why yes. I was introducing her to Niki.”

  “Camryn,” Venn said.

  “Venn.”

  He sighed. “I promise I won’t be angry. I just want to know how to prepare.”

  Camryn regarded him for several long moments.

  “Well, Captain Acia and I are part of the Anti-Slavery Alliance.”

  Niki held her breath as she looked back and forth between the two. Venn’s eyes narrowed.

  “What have you helped them with so far?” he asked.

  “Venn, you know slavery is rampant throughout the United Universe. Not every enslaved person is as lucky as Niki and me. What if you’d never walked past me in that market? What if I’d been purchased by a Gastronian or one of the Tuetvon beast people? Where would I be now? Where would my sister be now?” Camryn had tears in her eyes.

  Where would they be? Camryn was correct. They were in a position to at least help poke holes in the slave trade in the universe. Venn walked forward and Niki took her eyes off them and stared at Rhine. His eyes were locked on her. She jerked a bit. She’d expected him to be watching Camryn just as everyone else was. Come on, her sister even cried prettily. She didn’t cry ugly as most people did, with a red face and a runny nose. Yet he was staring at Niki and not her sister.

  She stood to make room for Venn as he moved to comfort his wife. Rhine beckoned to her and she walked toward him. He led her out of the room.

  “You and your sister together are double the vexation,” he said.

  She bristled. “I don’t know what you mean. You’re going to have to be specific.”

  “Calm down, hellion.” He tugged her braid. “You’re worth the trouble.”

  The comment stopped her in her tracks. She looked up at him. Maybe he did think she was worth it. She thought about everything they’d done. He’d defended A’Di so Niki wouldn’t do it herself and be killed. He’d helped her find the courage to begin fixing her relationship with her sister. He didn’t try to make her change. He just warned her when she was about to jump off a cliff. He was her friend. It was too bad she wanted so much more from him.

  She wrapped her arms around his waist, and hugged him. Other than Camryn, he was the first person to tell her she was worth their time. He kissed the crown of her head.

  “You know, she’s right. If you hadn’t found me, someone would have killed me by now. I would never have stopped giving attitude, fighting and running. She’s right to help. We may not be able to do a lot, but we can do our part.”

  “Hmm.”

  But the sound meant he was listening, even if he didn’t want to. She pulled away and he took her hand and walked with her back to their room. Once inside, he pulled her to the bed and tucked her into his side.

  “What are the risks of helping the Alliance?” she asked.

  “The United Universe has many laws about slavery. Each planet is self-governing as long as they don’t make laws which contradict universal law. If we could convince Ordanian Council to forbid citizens from taking new slaves, it would be illegal to require they free any they already own. It would violate the universal law.”

  “Who makes universal laws?”

  “Each galaxy has two representatives who are elected to United Universe Assembly.”

  “How many galaxies are there?”

  “Well, your galaxy is the newest discovered and it has been labeled the twelve thousandth galaxy.”

  “Oh.” The numbers were staggering.

  “Of course, some galaxies really don’t have evolved life. The life forms are sentient, but only barely. The newest galaxies have no representation in the United Universe Assembly.”

  “So it is the United Universe Assembly laws which ultimately have to be changed.”

  “Yes. Unfortunately, the slave trade i
s a large business in most galaxies. Economic structures will topple on several planets if it is outlawed.”

  “So you all will be making powerful enemies if you speak out against slavery?”

  “Yes.”

  The problem was bigger than she’d imagined. She was a fighter, not a diplomat. She wouldn’t know how to even begin a campaign to convince one planet to change its laws, much less thousands of them. She’d be better as a mercenary. But she couldn’t keep her new family as an outlaw. She would lead trouble to their door with every visit.

  And how would she get around? Maybe she could join the crew who’d discovered her whereabouts. They already had one team member from Earth. But she’d promised Rhine almost two years of time. She wouldn’t break her word. She had time to investigate her options.

  She looked at him. He lay with his eyes closed. He appeared peaceful, almost as if Camryn hadn’t already broken a few laws and he and his cousin weren’t going to have to hide the proverbial bodies.

  She wondered if he still was in love with Camryn. Niki cringed and her stomach churned. She rubbed the spot over her heart. There was an ache deep inside her chest.

  They all treated her sister well. She would find one or all of them with Camryn in her garden talking about any and everything. The men treated her as a little sister, humoring her and bringing her things they believed she would like. The youngest Huntu, Hans, let Camryn treat him as though he was a hair mannequin while he read to her in the afternoons.

  But they were just as solicitous of Niki. She’d been sort of suspicious at first, but realized the men simply recognized her as family. They even let her spar with them, though she knew they pulled punches. She was grateful. She didn’t want to be killed because one of the giants forgot she was smaller than they were.

  Rhine didn’t treat her as if she were his second choice. He’d never once called her by Camryn’s name or suggested she be more like her sister.

  “Don’t worry so much, Niki,” he said quietly.

  She looked into his clear blue eyes. She might shatter if she discovered she was just a standin for her sister in his mind. She wouldn’t ask. She couldn’t take the chance he would confirm his continued love of her sister. She didn’t have talks about feelings, anyway. But you do brood about them.