Surrendering to Her General

by Sadie Marks

  It seemed harmless enough. She'd never had a Sadec hurt her in any way that wasn't allowed, so she had no fear of entering his rooms with him, and she didn't relish the thought of walking through the ship with her eyes red and puffy and her face wet, so she nodded and followed him. Besides, she wasn't sure she actually had a choice, anyway.

  To her surprise, his quarters were beautiful and even larger than Tal's. She frowned, turning slowly to take in the sumptuous elegance of the spare design. "Your rooms are so nice," she said slowly. The confusion at why they were so nice was obvious, and the older man chuckled.

  "Are they? I hadn't noticed." He looked around, seeing it through her eyes this time and then nodded. "Yes, I suppose they are. Fancied up guest quarters for visiting dignitaries. I don't pay much attention to such things anymore," he commented.

  Oh. Oh no. She'd tossed some important official on the floor! Tal was going to whip her until she didn't have any skin left. Suddenly, she was hyperventilating, and the Sadec turned back, frowning.

  "What's wrong? Stop, girl. Stop and breathe." He approached her to help but moved slowly and carefully to avoid being tossed again, until he was holding her by the arms and staring down into her wide eyes. "Breathe with me, slowly. In and out—yes, that's right, pet. Whatever you're upset about can't be that bad, now can it?" he asked gently.

  "I'm going to be in so much trouble," she moaned. "And Tal is going to be ashamed of me," she added as a fresh spate of tears burst from her.

  He looked taken aback and frowned, shaking his head. "Why would he be ashamed of you, Kenzi? I'm sure you're mistaken," he said, sounding positive about that.

  "I threw a visitor on the floor!" she blurted. How could he not see that this was what had her upset? To her shock, he threw back his head and roared with laughter. It went on so long that her tears had stopped, and she started to feel huffy about the whole thing. It wasn't funny!

  She glared at him and pulled out of his arms, turning to face away from him. She folded her arms across her chest and pouted. As soon as he realized he'd insulted her, he stopped and took a deep breath to clear the laughter from his voice.

  "My apologies, child. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings," he said gently. "I can promise you with absolute certainty that Tal will not be ashamed of you and that you'll catch no trouble from this. Does that soothe you?"

  She turned back, biting her lip as she considered this. It did if it was true. "You're a higher rank than he is, aren't you?" she asked. He nodded. "So, you could order him not to punish me, but you can't order him not to be ashamed of me," she pointed out.

  "I would never presume to tell him whether or not he could punish his slave, little one. But no human would ever be punished for what you did. It was, as you pointed out, an accident, and no harm was done. Besides, these things are not overly concerning to a warrior," he explained.

  She could feel his amusement, but he was making an effort to hide it from her out of respect, and she had to accept what he was saying. She relaxed, relieved. "Thank you. You've been very kind to me," she added. There was an unspoken question.

  His face softened into a slight smile. "Ah, I had a human of my own once. A woman I loved very much, and sometimes her emotions got the best of her—but enough of that. I believe you were going to wash away your tears," he reminded her, pointing the way to the hygiene alcove.

  She ducked into the facility and got rid of all the evidence that showed she'd been crying. She felt better when she emerged, ready to go home and see her general, but when she tried to leave, the warrior stopped her.

  "Not just yet, Kenzi. I was on my way to visit the Sands, and I want you to come with me," he said.

  "The Sands? I don't know what that is," she replied. There was so much of the ship that she hadn't seen yet, so there was no surprise on that score.

  "It's where the warriors spar. The floor is covered with a thick layer of sand to cushion the falls. I could have used some sand out in the corridor," he said, smiling to let her know he was only teasing. "It's a nuisance and the sand particles get everywhere, but it's been a tradition since our planet-bound days."

  She quickly realized he was talking about the place where she'd been so recently humiliated, and a blush rose on her cheeks. "Oh! I know where that is, but I'm not allowed to go there. Slaves aren't allowed there unless escorted," she said, surprised that he would even want her to go with him.

  "Yes, and I will be escorting you. Come," he said. He turned to palm the door opening without waiting for her response, just expecting she would obey.

  There was a firmness there that made it more of an order than a request, and Kenzi frowned. She wanted to say no because the embarrassment of being spanked in front of a room full of warriors was still fresh in her mind, and now that she'd shaken off the sudden emotional storm, she was anxious to return to her quarters and wait for Tal. There were things she needed to tell him, things she understood about herself now.

  But this Sadec was an officer, a high ranking one, apparently, and also, she had attacked him, and no matter what he said, she was still nervous she'd be in trouble over it, so she sighed and followed. She wasn't sure exactly why he wanted her company, but he talked to her as they walked, asking her opinions on things and just making conversation in a way that others of his species rarely did, at least not with her. It was obvious he was trying to get to know her, and she couldn't imagine why unless…oh, of course, she must remind him of the human he'd talked about.

  With that mystery settled, she relaxed and let herself enjoy the conversation. There'd been very little of that with anyone but her general, and even with him, it seemed so often that their light chats turned into other things—not that she minded, of course. She loved all the things Tal did to her body. It was just nice to relax and talk with a Sadec who didn't have designs on her body.

  At least she didn't think he did. It wasn't that she didn't think he was still virile. He was old, quite old, she suspected, but you couldn't tell by looking at him. He still carried himself with strength, though the muscle tone had softened on his lean frame. She had seen compassion and caring in his eyes, though, not lust, and he had the manner of a doting parent more than someone who wanted to use her in her role of Pain Receiver.

  It meant there was no tension between them, and she found herself speaking with him freely, telling him things that she'd never told Tal, including her new revelations. He listened quietly, nodding his head without interrupting until she was done.

  "It does seem that a lack of trust was at the bottom of your problems. Tell me, Kenzi, what has been different with Tal'aav?" he asked curiously.

  "I-I really don't know. To be honest, I think at least part of it is that I didn't have a choice in the beginning. As a slave, all the things I agreed to, once I was here, I didn't have any other option but to trust him. So, I did, and once I did, it just felt…right?" She wasn't sure if that was exactly the word for it, but she couldn't think of anything better.

  "I see," he said. He mulled that over for a few moments. "And do you love him?" he asked after the pause.

  "I think so, yes. It hasn't been very long, and the situation is so strange that it's hard to be sure, but I definitely have strong feelings for him. I thought at first it was just…" She gestured vaguely with one hand. "…you know, the things he was doing to me? All the new experiences? Because those sensations are so overwhelming, but I think it's a lot more than that. If it's not really love now, then it will be soon, only—" and she stopped there.

  He waited for her to continue, and when she didn't, he stopped and turned toward her. "Only?" he asked, head tilted curiously. She avoided his eyes, looking down until he put a finger under her chin and tilted her head back.

  "I'm just not sure he feels the same way about me. He hasn't said it, and he doesn't seem to mind sharing me with others. I understand, logically, that it's part of your culture, but." She had to pause for a minute to clear her throat. Her voice was starting to sound wobbly again. A
fter a second, she continued, "But it was hard for me to accept that it would be so easy for him. Maybe if I was sure he actually loved me back, it would be different, but I felt like a toy or a pet. I—do Sadecs actually love the way we do?" The question was plaintive, looking for reassurance, and the older man offered her a slow smile.

  "Oh yes, we love deeply and completely," he assured her in the tone of a man who had experience. "We were like humans once, generations ago. We felt the need to possess things and, yes, mates too. But possession turned into jealousy, and that easily turned into rage. Warriors would rip each other apart over love and there was one war after another. We were never going to get off our planet that way, so the rulers encouraged change."

  He paused, looking at her to make sure she was paying attention, and then he took her arm, continuing as they started walking again. "Our whole society had to change, had to grow, and it needed to do so quickly before we destroyed ourselves. What they implemented was subtle at first. No laws for people to rebel against—just suggestions and rewards for those who shared. It was a long time before these things became the general custom and even longer before it became mandatory."

  "So, you don't feel jealousy anymore?" Her mouth pursed, one eyebrow up in surprise. She'd always thought that would be the biggest problem with a relationship that had more than two people.

  "Sadecs are highly emotional, pet. We feel things too strongly, and that's the problem. So, we feel it; we just don't allow ourselves to be ruled by it. The more intensely a warrior feels about keeping someone or something to themselves, the more important it is that they share. This lesson is taught from the earliest days of their life. If a warrior isn't willing to share something, it means he thinks it holds no value," he said.

  She wanted to ask questions, because this was a different perspective for her. On Earth, people held on tight to anything they liked, but they had arrived at the entrance to the Sands, and already, the over-sized door was opening to allow the battle cries and grunts to be heard in the hall. He entered with the confidence that came with rank and skill, but she lingered in the doorway until he looked back, questioning.

  "Come," he said, holding out a hand to her.

  She had the sudden fear that he intended to humiliate her for what she'd done to him, that he'd brought her here to punish her publicly, and she hesitated. It was an effort to force herself to step forward and take his hand, but when she did, he gave her an approving look as if he realized the internal debate that had precipitated her giving in.

  Whatever she was expecting from him, it wasn't to be led out onto the sandy floor where the warriors combatted. All around them, Sadecs paused their sparring and moved back respectfully to make room, which hinted strongly at his status, but there were curious murmurs and confused looks everywhere she turned.

  "W-what are we doing here?" she asked nervously. She pulled her hand back from him and stopped short. "I don't understand," she said.

  "You have nothing to be afraid of, Kenzi. I promise. Do you trust me?" he asked gently.

  She shouldn't; she didn't even know his name so how could she trust him? How could a girl who'd only just learned how to trust again put her faith in this strange alien she'd just met? But somehow, she did. She believed he meant what he said. There was something comforting about the gentle way he spoke and a deeper concern for her wellbeing that she didn't understand at all. She nodded slowly.

  He smiled. "Good girl. Now, you're going to show me what you know about fighting. Starting with that throw you used on me. We'll—"

  She was already shaking her head rapidly. "I can't do that!" she protested.

  He looked at her, a slightly amused look on his face. "Why?"

  "I'm just a human!" she said, as if that should have been obvious.

  "Yes, you're a human, but this isn't a real battle. I'm just curious about your skills. I won't hurt you," he promised sincerely.

  "There are rules." She trailed off, frowning. Were there rules? There had to be, right?

  "There aren't any rules, but if there were, I'd be the one in trouble, not you. Now, show me," he insisted. When she made no attempt to move, he lifted an eyebrow and managed a slightly mocking tone, "Unless you're afraid."

  With her pride stung, she had no choice but to move forward. She was woefully out of practice in her forms and very aware that she was an amateur facing a professional, but she closed her eyes and did a slow count to calm herself, and then, without giving him any warning, she lunged, left leg flying out in a roundhouse kick that could have knocked a human across the room if it landed—it didn't.

  A pleased look flashed across his face and then a determined one, indicating he was now taking her more seriously. They circled each other on the sands, while warriors gathered around them to watch with interest. This was something they'd never seen before. Maybe it was giving them new thoughts about the humans they considered so fragile, but if so, it wasn't because she had any chance at winning.

  Again and again, she landed on the sand, grunting as the air rushed out of her body. She knew how to fall, and he was careful, so in just a few seconds, she would roll back to her feet with a grace that she had never managed to show when going through the submissive postures they'd taught her. But here, in this, she didn't feel awkward or embarrassed as she moved.

  Even when she thought she was giving him no sign of attack, somehow, he was always prepared to block and return. She stopped trying to hide the signals and instead put out false ones. Leaning slightly to the left when she intended to punch with the right. Letting her eyes indicate where she would aim and then shifting somewhere else as she moved.

  She approved of the Sadec uniform she wore. The halter and form-fitting pants were flexible and didn't hinder her movements. As they continued, she began to glisten with sweat. She hadn't had a workout like this in years, and that was despite him holding back. It was frustrating that an older man, long past his prime, could so easily bob and weave to avoid her blows. And he was so fast that she knew she'd have been hurt more than once, except he pulled back at the last minute to deliver them with a fraction of his strength.

  The legend of their skill had not been exaggerated and she tried not to let herself be demoralized; after all, the whole universe feared them for a reason. She knew it was unlikely that he had studied anything of Earth's martial arts, so she went through the forms in order, so she could move on autopilot while she tried to come up with something that would surprise him.

  She finally did think of something, but it required him to take the initiative, and so far, he'd seemed willing to just respond to her actions, making no attempt to go on the offensive. Remembering how he'd stung her pride earlier by implying she was scared, she decided to taunt him into attack. "Going to let me keep doing all the work, or are you going to show me some of those skills?" she called.

  He looked at her, lip twitching with amusement as he shrugged, and then he startled her with a roar that sent her wind-milling backwards, and after that the slight grin turned into full-throated guffaws.

  She flushed, embarrassed as she stepped back into place. "Maybe try it without the sound effects," she said. "I already know you Sadecs can raise your voices, but I thought we were fighting!"

  He watched her carefully, and she was wondering if she'd been too sassy with him, but then, without the roar, he lunged forward with a strike to her chest. As it connected, she yelped and pretended to fall, dropping to her knees, but it was a ruse to take him off guard. When he paused, worried that he'd hurt her, she threw herself at his legs and her momentum had her knocking him down like a bowling pin. He fell over her, landing across her body, but she was prepared for that and was already rolling away as he landed.

  Suddenly, the graceful back and forth became a messy wrestling match with sand flying everywhere as she tried to evade him. She was faster than he was and good at squirming free every time he tried to pin her down, so the watching audience got an unexpectedly good show. The elder Sadec and the hum
an girl were both covered in sweat, and now the sand was sticking to them. She had to keep spitting it out of her mouth and pushing her hair back because it had come loose during her exertions and was now clinging to her skin, along with the sand.

  With his strength held firmly in check, her speed almost made her a challenge for him in weaponless combat, but he had something she didn't. The stamina that came from lifelong training far outstripped what she could muster, and eventually, she collapsed on her back, panting for breath. "I surrender!" she cried.

  He climbed to his feet and began to brush the coarse grains from his body before he reached down to offer her a hand up—and that was when her general arrived, striding across the sand and looking panicked.

  "Grandfather! Kenzi? What's happened?" he demanded, looking from his elder to his slave girl on the ground. "I've been searching the ship for her, and then someone told me they'd seen her with you here! Did you hurt her? Kenzi, are you hurt?" He dropped to her side and began checking her over for damage, while his grandfather stood over them both, looking amused.

  "Calm down, boy. I imagine she has the same number of bruises I have. I'm not a young pup anymore, you know," the elder grumbled.

  Kenzi had stiffened at the word grandfather, and now her eyes had gone wide as dinner plates. "G-grandfather?" she stammered.

  The older Sadec sighed, "My apologies, little one. I neglected to introduce myself to you on purpose. I am indeed his grandfather. Former Triad-General Ka'Le'aav, at your service."

  Two thoughts surfaced from the maelstrom that was currently filling her brain. First, she had tossed Tal's grandfather to the ground and then fought with him in front of an audience. Second, his grandfather was one of the three leaders of the entire Sadec race. Or at least, he had been. She turned to Tal and took in the intense look on his face and decided he was angry with her.

  Her eyes welled up with tears. "I'm sorry! I didn't know who he was. I didn't mean to throw him on the ground, I swear, and then he wanted to see what else I could do, and I didn't think I was allowed to say no," she explained quickly.