heartofthebetrayed_195-8e3.htm

by Heart Of The Betrayed (lit)

  "Zar’s our leader, not you, Gera." She started forward to the fallen Southlander.

  Diago beat her to it, dismounting and dropping to his knees beside Zar. Cina crouched down opposite, crying, Rominac behind her.

  "Damn it!" Dana dismounted and strode forward, Garret following.

  They’d taken no more than ten paces when a voice ordered harshly, "Hands up, outlaws!"

  Rominac stared past them. "Soldiers? Here?"

  "Turn around, outlaws. Now!"

  Knowing instinctively who was behind them, Dana and Garret looked at each other, dread in their hearts and eyes.

  "Get your hands up and turn, or we start shooting."

  Slowly they turned to face fifteen Intergalactic Peace Soldiers, ten of whom carried lasers aimed straight at them. Four held chains and steel bracelets while the soldier in the middle spoke. Behind them stood an IPC troop ship.

  Diago looked helplessly from the unconscious woman bleeding in the grass to his daughter.

  Confusion was evident in the Southlanders and Northlanders, some standing together, whispering, for once feeling no enmity towards each other with this new threat facing them.

  Zar’s eyes opened and she gazed painfully up at Diago. "Don’t leave me."

  "I--"

  "Stay with her, Father." Rominac strode past him. "I’ll see to this."

  "Step apart, outlaws" the soldier ordered. "Put your hands down. Attempt to fight and we’ll have no hesitation in shooting you both. Do you understand?’

  Hearts heavy, Garret and Dana did as ordered. Aye, they understood. The Intergalactic Peace Soldiers were an elite troop committed to the Peace Council and would carry out their orders to the last man.

  With horror Rominac saw steel bracelets snapped around his sister’s wrists and ankles, the same done to the big Daamen.

  "What’s the meaning of this?" he demanded.

  "Stand back."

  "This woman is my sister. I demand to know what’s going on!"

  The soldier eyed him expressionlessly. "This couple broke express orders from the Intergalactic Peace Council to stay out of this war."

  "I don’t understand. Why are they chained?’

  "By breaking the orders, they have become outlaws."

  "Is this true, Dana? Did you know this would happen?"

  Her expression told him everything, the sadness in her eyes, the paleness of her face.

  His gaze switched to Garret. "How could you let her do this?"

  "I love her too much to stop her," was the simple reply. "So I came with her."

  "Move them out," the soldier nodded to the armed troop.

  "You can’t do this!" Rominac protested.

  A laser pointed in his direction.

  "Rominac, don’t," Dana said softly.

  "Dana--"

  "Don’t."

  Helplessly he stood by and watched his sister and the trader taken into the ship. Within minutes it had taken off, leaving behind a stunned silence.

  Whirling around, he stared at Diago and shook his fist in bitter rage. "See what your bloody war has done, Father? See what your daughter has sacrificed for us? She is an outlaw once more! Because of us--because of you! We have betrayed her again!" He glared around at the silent people. "Because of us all!"

  ~ * ~

  The instinct to fight was strong, but the life of the man she loved meant more to her, something she’d never have dreamed of mere months ago.

  Five soldiers marched between herself and Garret, each soldier four feet apart, giving themselves room in case fighting broke out suddenly.

  The lead soldier stopped, swung open an iron door, and stepped back. "Inside, Reeka."

  She was staring into a bleak cell containing a narrow bunk. Slowly she turned her head and looked across the soldiers’ heads to Garret. Seeing the anguish for her on his face, she attempted a smile of reassurance.

  "Inside--now."

  Seeing Garret tense at the terse order, knowing he’d fight for her regardless of it costing his life, she quickly stepped into the cell. The door clanged shut ominously.

  The silence inside was almost deafening. Looking around, she saw that there were no portholes, no window in the door. Despair filled her. In all her years as an outlaw, she’d never been captured, never been chained. To be so now was a cruel joke of fate.

  "It isn’t fair," she whispered, then louder, "It isn’t fair!"

  The words rang out in the cell, a mocking taunt.

  "It’s not fair!" The words screamed out once more but there was no one to hear except the lone occupant.

  Twenty

  Garret paced the cell, the chains at his ankles hampering the normal smooth stride. His wrists were still chained. For seven days he’d been incarcerated in the cell and knew every nook and cranny of it. Not that there was much to know.

  A food tray was slid through the narrow opening in the door twice a day. When he was finished eating, he slid the tray back out the same opening. No one came near him except to check briefly through a small slot. No one spoke and no one answered his queries about Dana’s welfare. He worried in silence.

  Suddenly the cell door opened and the lead soldier appeared. "Step out of the cell."

  Garret raised his brows.

  "We have docked on the Intergalactic Peace Ship. Your trial starts in four hours."

  "What of Dana?" Walking out into the corridor, he glanced eagerly in the direction of her cell.

  "She has been taken ahead already. A safety precaution." At his puzzled look, the guard added, "Your obedience is guaranteed when we hold her elsewhere. It’s known that neither of you will risk the life of the other."

  Was that a glint of sympathy in the soldier’s eyes? If so, it was gone in an instant.

  "Move to the exit."

  He did as ordered, five soldiers behind him and five a safe distance in front. Descending the ramp into the docking bay, he saw more soldiers milling about and knew why as soon as his gaze fell on the waiting group standing nearby.

  Maverk, Connie, Darvk and Tenia, Jase, Simon, Cam and Red all waited. Upon seeing him, they moved forward.

  "Hold!" Two soldiers blocked their way, lasers drawn.

  "Keep pointing that at me, soldier, and I’ll ram it down your throat," Connie promised grimly.

  "You’re allowing Reya to speak to Dana." Maverk stepped up beside her. "Allow one of us to speak to Garret."

  "One only."

  Darvk strode forward. Stopping before his friend, he laid his hand upon one shoulder, sorrow in his vivid blue eyes.

  "Have you seen my lass? How is she?"

  "Fleetingly, as she left the ship. She appears calm. Garret, why didn’t you come to us?"

  "I had no choice."

  "We could’ve helped."

  "And all be branded outlaws?"

  "Loyalty, my friend," was all Darvk replied but Garret read the real answer in his eyes.

  His friends would have done whatever it took to assist them. He had to swallow the lump in his throat.

  "You don’t know how much that means to me. It was hard enough getting Dana to allow me to go along. Neither of us would have endangered any of you."

  "You’re not alone in this trial, whatever happens. Remember that."

  Catching the glint in his eyes, Garret glanced across at his friends. Tenia, the most emotional of the group, was pale but stalwart, her nod barely discernable. Were they planning something? It wouldn’t surprise him.

  The lead soldier moved forward. "That’s all, Daamen. The prisoner is being taken to the holding cells. You can see him again at the trial."

  ~ * ~

  The holding cell door opened and Dana looked up from where she sat on the bunk. Seeing the tall warrior entering, she stood up quickly.

  Reya glanced around at the guard, who shut the door behind her. The icy gaze then fell upon her. "Sister--"

  Dana bowed her head. "I’m so sorry, Reya. I’ve brought shame upon the Reekas--"

  "Bloody hel
l, don’t give me that," her cousin retorted and opened her arms. "Come here."

  Without hesitation, she flew into the slender arms that enfolded around her comfortingly. "Oh, God, Reya!" She burst into tears.

  "Hush, now." Reya patted her back soothingly. "All is not lost."

  "How can you say that? Garret is in chains, I am in chains, we’re outlawed--"

  "Foolish wench," was the gruff reply. "Why didn’t you come to me?"

  "How could I? You’re wed with a child. I couldn’t drag you into this with me."

  "We’d have worked out something. Going under cover of darkness and beating the sense into your useless father and that equally useless Southlander would have been the go."

  Dana gave a choked laugh.

  "That’s better." Reya set her back slightly and wiped the tears from her cousin’s face with a gentle hand. "I’m your leader, as is Tenia. We’re also blood kin. It is to us you bring your problems. We wouldn’t have failed you."

  "I never doubted that, but it was my problem--"

  "One we should have dealt with together."

  "One I had to do alone."

  "Dana--"

  "You’re the only one who can possibly understand me, sister. You went alone to deal with your own demons. I had to do the same."

  "You’re calling your father a demon? I can relate to that," she said darkly.

  "No. Well, yes. But it was for Rominac I went originally. It was for him I had to return."

  "I can see that we’re not going to see eye to eye on this, and it’s too late to argue about it now, anyhow. What we need to do is try and sort out this mess."

  "I’m sorry--"

  "Say that once more and I’ll beat you myself. As you say, I understand you, so," a cold smile warmed briefly, "You’re forgiven. However, I remind you that you’re not alone in this."

  "I know. Garret is incarcerated somewhere here, too."

  "Possibly. I don’t know."

  "He’s not?" Alarmed, Dana pulled back.

  "I meant that I haven’t seen him."

  "I shouldn’t have allowed him to accompany me, Reya."

  "I doubt you’d have been able to stop him. Past experience with these Daamens should have taught you that once their minds are set on something, nothing will sway their convictions. And Garret, sister, has his mind set on you."

  "I know. And look at the mess we’ve gotten into."

  "Because of that useless bastard, Diago."

  "Yes, but I can’t say I’m sorry for going to their aid, for it meant that I met my brother once more."

  Reya smiled understandingly.

  The door swung open, revealing the guard. "Visiting time is over."

  Unbidden, Dana’s heart fell. Seeing Reya had given her comfort.

  Laying her hand upon her cousin’s shoulder, Reya said softly, "You’re not alone, sister. Every Reeka stands behind you."

  "I don’t want my sister warriors to put themselves in danger if this turns out badly."

  "They won’t."

  "Promise me."

  "We stand together, you know that. But we won’t be in danger. I just want you to not despair. Understand?"

  "Yes, but--"

  "No buts. With the Daamens and Reekas on your side, have no fear. We’ll not fail you or Garret. Now try and rest." Reya stepped back. "The trial starts in four hours, I understand. Tenia, Connie and I will be with you in the Council room."

  "Thank you."

  With a last reassuring nod, Reya left, the guard slamming the cell door behind her. Alone once more, Dana sat down on the bunk and stared at the bleak, steel wall.

  ~ * ~

  Entering the huge room, Dana saw that it was the same one in which she and her sister warriors had been pardoned three years earlier. Yes, there was the long curving table that held eighteen chairs, with another table raised behind it, and yet a third behind that, each with eighteen chairs. Three tiers of leaders, one from each planet.

  It was this immense panel that would decide their fate, upon advice from the remainder of the leaders and advisors seated at the long tables and rows of chairs at the sides of the room.

  The leaders entered and filed into their seats, then the remainder of the leaders and their advisors came in and sat at the sides. Amongst them she recognized three Saalm advisors, friends of the Daamens and the only race in the galaxy to match them in size and height.

  Coran, Byron and Keema nodded to her, sympathy in their eyes.

  The doors opened again and three Reeka warriors entered, the two leaders her cousins, the third Connie, who was second-in-command. Behind them walked their Daamen husbands. They crossed to the opposite side of the room to the advisors and sat down.

  Dana kept her gaze on the tiers of leaders, studying them, trying to gauge their moods.

  The rattle of chains caught her attention and she looked around to see Garret being led into the chamber. Their gazes locked and she felt love and sorrow swirl in the pit of her stomach. Love for the man, sorrow for what she’d brought him down to in his life.

  He was brought to a stop beside her and the soldiers retreated to their posts near the door.

  Warm grey eyes swept over her face. "I love you Dana. Whatever happens, remember that."

  "If only you didn’t, you wouldn’t be here."

  "Beside you is the only place I want to be, lass, regardless of where that is."

  There was no more time to talk. Silence fell as the tall man in black entered the room and took the seat in the middle of the long, curving table. Sharp black eyes studied the chained captives in the center of the room.

  "Well, Dana of Reeka, you’ve done it this time," Meekta said. "You were ordered to stay away from Orkra and the war, but you broke that order. Is that not so?"

  She squared her shoulders. "Yes."

  "You knew the consequences."

  "Yes."

  "But you did it anyway."

  "Yes."

  "You willingly became an outlaw."

  "You gave me no choice."

  His brow darkened. "The situation was explained to you, warrior. There was a choice and you took the wrong one."

  "She took the only one she could," Garret stated.

  Hard eyes switched to him. "You also knew the consequences of assisting her, Daamen, yet you chose to break the order given to you and be outlawed as well."

  "I had no choice, either. I love her."

  Many of the leaders’ brows shot up at this bald declaration except for Meekta, who frowned darkly.

  "You made the choice. Standing here now, chained and branded an outlaw, can you honestly say it was the correct one?"

  "Aye. I wouldn’t change it."

  A murmur rumbled through the listeners.

  "This won’t help them," Keema muttered. "Meekta’s not known for a soft heart."

  Coran rubbed thumb against forefinger. "It’s going to take a miracle to get them out of this."

  "As touching as this is," Meekta said, "the fact that you both broke direct orders does not change."

  Next to him, the Saalm Council Member spoke. "I understand the war was prevented, that Rominac turned up. Why did you not flee when you knew he was not captured? Why stay?"

  "Because the war was not stopped."

  "You couldn’t stop it. You could have left then. What was the hold to stay and see it through?"

  It was the same question she’d asked herself in the lonely cell. The answer gave her no real comfort. "Because of Diago."

  "Why worry about him? Did he not betray you fifteen years ago, leaving you and your mother to face the soldiers and bounty hunters?"

  "He is my father."

  The words were loud in the silence.

  "My father, regardless of what he did."

  Golden eyes intent, a Morican Member leaned forward. "You love him, after all he’s done?"

  "I can’t honestly say that, but there are blood ties. He is the father of my brother, whom I love. To save Rominac, I had to try and save
Diago. Loyalty is deep in the Reekas."

  "A shame it is not so for your father." He leaned back in his chair.

  Meekta folded his hands on the table. "The case against you both is clear, guilty of--"

  "Wait!" Dana stepped forward, chains grating. "Garret shouldn’t be on trial. It was my idea--"

  "Nay! Dana, you’re not to take the blame!"

  "He tried to talk me out of it--"

  "I won’t allow it! Meekta, ‘tis her who needs the compassion--"

  "He came only to protect me--"

  "Enough!" Meekta banged his fist on the table. "You both are on trial--"

  The doors at the end of the room banged open to admit a large group of people dressed in fine clothes of various styles, according to the races that wore them.

  "What is the meaning of this?" Meekta roared.

  One man stepped forward. "I am the Imperial Ravnor of Rashmar and have come on behalf of the Reeka warrior."

  The soldiers looked at the Council Members for instructions.

  Meekta scowled. "This is unusual, Ravnor. Why didn’t you step forward sooner?"

  "I’ve been coming as fast as I could while gathering up others on the way."

  "Others?"

  Ravnor indicated the people behind him.

  Irritated, Meekta glanced at the Saalm Member beside him.

  "A fair trial allows any race to speak for the accused," Karion reminded him.

  Bewildered, Dana gazed at the people, recognizing them. Various times she had served as their bodyguard. What could they possibly mean to do? She glanced up at Garret and saw that he was just as puzzled.

  "There must be at least twelve of you," the Morican observed. "Do you all speak for yourselves, or is there a spokesman?"

  "I speak on behalf of us all."

  "Very well. Seat yourselves." He pointed in the direction of the Reekas and Daamens. "But you come forward, Ravnor, and be ready to state your case."

  "Interesting development." Darvk watched the newcomers seat themselves next to him.

  "Mayhaps they can do some good." Tenia bit her lip worriedly. "Although I can’t imagine how."

  He squeezed her hand reassuringly.

  Stopping beside Dana, Ravnor looked up at her gravely. "You should have come to me."