Taming a Planet (Trapped in Time Book 2)

by Saxon Andrew

  Annelise looked at Derek, “There was a Destroyer Warrior on board who has been sharing his meals with Ana. He’s taken care of her and she’s fallen for him. She needed to know if he survived.”

  “The fight was over when I left and we had killed all of the warriors from the ship.” Derek paused, “I thought the Destroyers were heartless beasts?”

  Annelise shrugged, “Most of them are. I’ve met very few with any kindness in their heart. The one that shared his meals with Ana was a good man.”

  “If you say so.”

  “No, I’m serious. He was captured by the Destroyers at a young age and forced into the military.”

  “He could have escaped if he wanted.”

  Annelise smiled slightly, “Derek, if you ran away from your friends into the forest, how long would you survive?”

  Derek looked at Annelise and remembered the Destroyer Warriors firing their weapons all night. He could hear their screams as some of them were taken by predators. Derek looked at Annelise and finally nodded, “You’re right. Sometimes the universe dishes up a bad meal for us to eat.”

  Annelise came over and hugged Derek from behind as she said, “And sometimes it sends us a wonderful dessert.”

  Derek smiled.

  Derek heard Jonathan yell, “We have a glider over the cliffs circling.”

  Derek looked at the top of the cliffs and saw the glider. He squinted and Annelise said, “What’s wrong?”

  “That glider looks different. It’s not responding to the winds like it should.” He stepped back and said, “Take the ship in closer to the cliffs.”

  Annelise took the wheel and yelled, “I want a depth taken every thirty seconds!”

  Ana got up from the deck next to the door leading to the hold and wiped her eyes. She sprinted to the bow and pulled out the sounding rope. She threw it over board and yelled, “Eighty feet!” Annelise continued edging the ship toward the cliff until she heard Ana yell, “Forty feet.”

  “We need to stay here. I thought the bottom was shallow close to the cliffs?”

  “How can you tell?”

  “By the way the waves are breaking on the beach. I’ll teach you about that later.”

  Derek saw the glider start down from the cliff and said, “Turn the ship away so the stern is toward the cliff.” Annelise turned he ship into the wind and began tacking away. The women manning the sails adjusted the sails without being ordered. They knew their jobs and performed them well.

  • • •

  Paul looked at the ship just off shore and said, “You’re going to land us on the ship?”

  “That I am.”

  “You’ve already scared ten years off my life off me.”

  Gerrod laughed and thought back to when he and Paul had been hoisted up the tree. Gerrod had to get the archers to lower them back to the ground for him to blindfold Paul. He was in a state of panic and Gerrod knew having a thrashing passenger was not going to work. They arrived at the top of the tree where they were being blown by the hot wind. Gerrod prepared to drop from the rope when he heard Paul say, “If you smell something bad, I’m sorry.”

  “What?”

  “I’m close to losing it.”

  “Think about your family. Try to remember how they looked years ago. Don’t think about anything else.”

  Paul thought about them and when Gerrod dropped off the rope he managed to control his fear. He felt the winds grab the flying device’s wings and he took deep breaths as he thought about his mother. After thirty minutes, Gerrod said, “You can remove your blindfold if you want.”

  Paul was tied off under Gerrod and he pulled up an edge of the blindfold and immediately put it back. Finally, after another hour, he took it off. He remained silent and Gerrod said, “Are you ok?”

  Paul blew out a deep breath, “Why did you take this risk?”

  Gerrod looked at the young warrior hanging under him and said, “Harmony was just like you. She was forced into their military and she hated every moment of it. I believe she would have wanted you to live. It was worth the effort.”

  Paul nodded, “Thank you. I hope I can make your gift worthwhile.”

  • • •

  Jonathan stared at the glider hoping it was Dottie coming back. He stood beside Derek and heard him say, “John, there’s two people on that glider.”

  John watched the glider coming closer and said, “That’s not Dottie.”

  “No, it looks like Fats’ glider; it’s bigger than most.”

  “Derek, get ready to help them land. Try to keep them from hitting too hard.” Derek moved to one side of the stern deck and John moved to the other. The Glider came in and they heard a scream as it came in. The wings folded and John grabbed the two under the glider as Derek arrived and helped break their fall.

  Ana stood at the front of the ship and watched the glider come in and hit the deck. She shook her head and hoped no one was hurt. She stared at the stern and saw one of the ones in the blue uniform stand up and then someone dressed in Destroyer fatigues stood up. She started walking slowly toward the stern and then she saw it was Paul. She screamed and sprinted toward the rear of the ship. The three heard the scream and Annelise said, “You better brace yourself.”

  Paul looked at her just as Ana came up the steps and launched herself into him. He caught her and fell to the deck as she covered his face with kisses. John looked at Gerrod and he smiled, “We managed to save one of them.”

  John smiled, “You saved the right one.”

  Gerrod watched the two lovers on the deck and smiled, “I know.”

  “What about Dottie?”

  “She’s carrying Harmony’s body back to the community with Andy.” Gerrod saw John’s expression and said, “They made it to the cliffs and were flying at an incredible speed. I suspect they passed you last night.”

  John nodded and worried about her. He looked at Gerrod, “How difficult was it to fly with a passenger?”

  Gerrod blew out a breath and shook his head, “That’s why I came here. I only wanted to attempt one landing. This ship is wider than the track on top of the cliff.”

  John shook his head and watched Paul stand up with Ana’s arms wrapped around him. He looked at Gerrod and smiled, “This makes it all worth it. Thank you for saving me.”

  Ana heard him and rushed over to Gerrod and planted a huge kiss on his lips. Gerrod laughed out loud as Ana rushed back over to Paul.

  • • •

  Dottie was tired and knew she was going to fall asleep soon. She motioned Andy and he slowed slightly to fall back beside her. She put one hand against her face and closed her eyes and he nodded. She watched him reach over his head and pull a small rope out of a pouch. He flew ahead of her and began playing the rope out. She flew up and managed to grab it as it flapped in the wind behind him. What did he want her to do? She saw that there were two ropes attached at the end that were tied in the shape of a Y. Suddenly she knew. She tied the two ropes to her two control poles and felt Andy start pulling her glider behind him. She had passed the Master Archer Glider training and had been able to stay aloft over the cliffs for a week. She gripped the horizontal bar and closed her eyes. She was asleep in an instant but her body kept the glider level without conscious effort. It wasn’t a deep sleep; but it allowed her to recover.

  She didn’t know how long she had been out but she felt a jerk. She saw Andy release the rope and fall behind her. She shook her head and pulled the rope up and then played the Y out behind her. Andy grabbed the rope and tied it off. Dottie felt the tug and used the wind off the cliffs to climb and continue the flight toward home. What took two weeks to travel coming south only took six days flying back. They landed inside the Community’s walls and Andy rushed over and took Harmony’s body and carried it toward the Holy Cave. Dottie lay on the ground and was instantly asleep. Three Archers folded up her glider and carried her to her quarters where they put her to bed. The mourning began for those that had been killed fighting the Destroyers and
Harmony’s funeral took place that night. Everyone in the community attended and they saw the pain Andy was enduring over her loss.

  • • •

  Mark and the other archers arrived eight days later. The Community welcomed them back and the homecoming for the survivors was memorable. Dottie was sitting on the Roman wall watching the celebration and saw Andy walking toward her. He sat down beside her and watched the celebration in silence. Dottie looked at him, “Andy, how could we have made the flight in just six days?”

  Andy looked at her with a small smile, “Harmony gave us a wind. She wanted to go home to be buried.”

  Dottie stared at Andy and after a moment nodded. “What now?”

  Andy continued to stare at the couples celebrating below and said, “There are fifty six Destroyer ships coming in a month.” He looked at Dottie, “The last thing Harmony said to me was to try and save her sister. She’s coming with those ships.” Dottie stared at Andy in silence and after a few moments he looked at her, “I intend to do what she asked and kill every Destroyer in that fleet.”

  Dottie shrugged, “Piece of cake.”

  Andy looked at her and for the first time since Harmony died, he laughed.

  • • •

  John was standing on the main deck when Annelise came out from below deck and walked over. John had called a meeting of the archers to discuss the arrival at the community. John looked at her and she said, “Which one of you is in command?”

  The eleven archers looked at each other and Mitchell said, “John is our commander.”

  John looked at Mitchell, “Hey, I was chosen to land first. No one put me in command.”

  Gerrod chuckled and John looked at him. “John, you’re the best flier here and you’ve proven yourself to be one that we all look to first for instructions. Whether or not you want to believe it, you are our leader. Does anyone see it differently?” The others all voiced their agreement with Gerrod.

  John looked at Annelise, “Why do you want to know?”

  Annelise smiled, “The one commanding the ship has the authority to marry a couple. Ana and Paul request that you perform the ceremony.”

  John looked at Annelise and Derek said, “Perhaps it could be a double marriage.”

  Annelise looked at Derek and everyone saw her heart on her face, “Don’t you need more time to be sure?”

  “Over the last four weeks, I’ve seen what I want.”

  “Wouldn’t you rather wait and do this when we get back to the community?”

  Annelise shook her head, “No! I don’t want Derek to find someone else there.”

  Derek laughed, “Annie, I’ve lived in the Community my entire life and no one has won my heart. It’s only you that I want.”

  “Then there’s no reason to wait.” Annelise looked at John, “Will you do it?”

  “Why is it so important to do it here…and now?”

  Ana stepped out of the doorway to the hold and said, “Because it was here that he was brought back to me by an angel flying on the wind.”

  Annelise said, “And it was here that I fell in love with Derek. Even if we waited to get back, I would want the ceremony on this ship.”

  John looked at the other archers and they were nodding. John smiled and said, “Annelise, I’ll do as you ask but when we arrive home, you will take the command of this ship and use it to defend our home. Will you agree to do that?”

  The former slaves on the ship that had gathered around them cheered the announcement. Annelise’s face turned red and she nodded, “I will.”

  John shrugged, “When do you want to do this?”

  “When the moon is overhead tonight. I think having the full moon to witness the ceremony is appropriate. It was under the moon that you came and freed us.”

  John smiled and said, “Under the moon it is.”

  Gerrod said, “Wait a moment; get Paul up here.”

  Everyone looked at Gerrod as he rummaged through the pouch on his glider. Paul came on deck as Gerrod said, “Ah, here they are.” He walked forward and handed Annelise, Ana, and Paul a small packet. Annelise opened the one handed to her and pulled out a small blue uniform. “What is this?”

  “Don’t be deceived by its size. One size fits all.” Gerrod pulled his camo shirt open and they saw the same color uniform under it. “This is the uniform that all of our Community’s warriors wear. I think it would be perfect for a wedding.”

  The three looked at each other and Paul said, “Thank you. They will be perfect.”

  Gerrod looked at John and he nodded. They would have normally had to pass archery training before they would be issued the blue archer’s uniform…but these people were not going to be archers. They were going to be part of the Community’s Navy. They would be training the Community how to sail. Gerrod was right. The uniform was perfect.

  • • •

  The moon was high over the ship as it rocked slowly in the waves. Paul and Derek stood beside John and waited for the two brides to come from below deck. The lanterns on the masts made the deck glow and the moon shining on the waves was incredibly beautiful. The door opened and all of the women that were now free began walking out and formed a circle around John and the other archers joined them. They took each other’s hands and as Ana and Annelise walked out of the hold to join Paul and Derek they closed the circle. John looked at the men and women holding hands around them and smiled. He looked at Paul and Derek and said, “Take the hand of your bride.”

  Derek and Paul were shocked at just how beautiful their brides were in the blue uniform. It fit them like a second skin and they were amazing. Over the month they had been sailing, the crew were able to eat enough to help them gain weight. The women on board were now well nourished and in good health.

  John looked at the four people in front of him and said, “Ana, Annelise, do you accept the one coming here asking for your hand in marriage; to be faithful and cling to them and no other for the rest of your life?”

  Ana and Annelise said, “I do.”

  “Do you promise to cling to them through good times and bad, to honor them and care for them through sickness and health?”

  “I do.”

  “Do you promise to love them and to show them that love every day?”

  “I do.”

  John looked at Derek and Paul, “Do you accept this woman to be your mate for the rest of your life and to cling to no one but her?”

  “I do.”

  “Do you promise to honor her and to care for her through good times and bad, sickness and health, happiness and sorrow, and to show her your love every day for the rest of your life?”

  “I do.”

  “Then by the authority given to me I pronounce you mates and wish you all the happiness you richly deserve. You may now kiss your mate.”

  The two couples kissed and the attendees rushed in to congratulate them. Gerrod walked up to John and said, “Hey, that was pretty good.”

  John shook his head, “I have no idea what I just said. I just hope it was appropriate.” John looked at Gerrod, “Did I make the promise the same thing for both the brides and Archers?”

  Gerrod laughed, “No, but I don’t think anyone noticed.”

  The women started singing and the two couples danced under the full moon.

  • • •

  Three days later the ship arrived at the cut in the cliff and anchored. Andy and Dottie came out in a small boat and joined them on board. John told Andy that he had asked Annelise to command the ship for the Community and Andy agreed it was a good decision. Andy went around introducing himself to the sailors and welcoming them to their new home.

  Dottie walked up to John and hugged him, “I understand that you performed a wedding ceremony.” John nodded. “Do you want to perform another one?”

  “If you’re talking about us, no way. I’m sure I really messed it up. I didn’t remember the words to the ceremony.”

  Dottie looked into his eyes and smiled, “The archers tell me you
r words were moving and they want you to perform their weddings if they ever get married. They loved the simplicity and briefness of the ceremony. I hear you did a wonderful job.”

  “Even so; someone else will have to perform the ceremony for us; I’d be speechless staring at you and how beautiful you are.”

  Dottie slowly shook her head and put her arms around John. John looked around and whispered, “How’s Andy?”

  Dottie sighed, “He appears normal but something is brewing inside him. He’s a very dangerous man and even more so now. I hope he maintains control when we go after the Destroyer fleet that’s coming.”

  “He’s decided to take them on.”

  Dottie looked up at John, “Hell itself couldn’t stop him from making them pay.”

  John looked at Andy talking to one of the women and could see what Dottie was talking about. There was something…but maybe that was a good thing. It was going to take some hard choices to decide how to handle the Destroyers. He knew that many archers had been killed by one of their own guns. Andy was going to have to decide if they had a place in the coming fight.

  Chapter Twelve

  Andy looked around the cave at the Community’s leaders and saw their nervousness. They were wondering about his stability. Andy thought for a moment and realized that they should be worried. He was possessed with a mission and no one was going to stop him from doing it. The former Commander of the Destroyer ship was bound next to the fire and his fear was clear for all to see. Andy looked at Maxius and nodded. Maxius reached over and removed the gag and Andy said, “You will answer my questions. Do you understand?”

  The Commander looked around the cave and saw Ophelia sitting against the wall. The look on her face told him all he needed to know if he refused. “What benefit is it to me to answer your questions? You’re going to kill me anyway.”

  Everyone in the room looked at Andy wondering what he was going to do with the prisoner. Andy’s eyes never left the Commander’s and he said, “We do not take slaves in our community. However, in your case, I’m going to make an exception. If you answer my questions honestly, you will be allowed to work in our fields. If you refuse, I’m turning you over to the woman you abused for the last year. Now decide.”