by Jessica Snow
There's a few chuckles, and one of the women smiles, relaxing. Good, I want them relaxed, they might actually remember some of this. “Now, that out of the way, let's talk about why we're here. There's two reasons that we want you guys to train unarmed combat. First, there just might be that chance when you could conceivably need this stuff. You're cornered, or maybe you feel that you need to fight in order to protect someone else. There are people in this world that I'd give myself for, and I know all of you feel the same.”
I pause what I'm saying to let it all sink in, and I can see Tauren shift when I say this. I know he'd protest if he could, but he understands what I'm saying. One of the recruits raises his hand, and I point him out. “What's up? And could you share your name please? I'm getting terrible with so many people around here.”
The man nods, looking slightly lost. “I understand. Ah, I'm Markuz. Anyway, you said two reasons. What's the other?”
“We're trying to teach you guys to have the mental mindset of a fighter. You don't have to love fighting to be a fighter, if you can dig that. You just have to be willing to set aside your fears and your desire for peace temporarily. But you can't do that unless you've faced down fears, fears of being hurt, of being engaged in combat. And we can't exactly have you guys running around shooting each other with stun charges all the time, those fuckers sting!”
I get a laugh, and we start practice. Starting with basic movement, I lead everyone through the basics that I was taught, simple punches, kicks and throws that won't work against a prepared opponent, but might give them a chance if they catch someone by surprise. We also work on the defensive maneuvers, which are more important in my opinion. Block, evade, deflect, keep yourself in the fight and give yourself a chance to find an opening to escape or to attack.
The whole time, Tauren's being amazing, either acting as my sparring partner, or going around, watching as the recruits work together. He's calm, and despite their obvious nervousness around him, the recruits listen as he talks in a soft voice, calmly explaining where they're making mistakes and guiding them towards better movements. After two hours, they're making progress, even if they're tired. During a water break, Markuz raises his hand again. “Audra, I mean this is all well and good, but just how effective are these things? We're patting each other on the legs and body, or just being nice when we throw.”
“Good question,” Tauren says while I sip my water bottle. “Against a prepared opponent, maybe not so much. Let us demonstrate. Audra?”
“Yes m..... yes, Tauren?” I ask, Tauren's eyes sparkling as he also notices the half uttered sound that I almost slipped up on.
Tauren goes to the center of the mat, assuming a ready stance. “Hit me. Full force, no holding back.”
There's a little rumble from the recruits, and I can understand. Most of them have, even if they lived their lives free until the slavers took them, never seen a human strike a Tamarian with total impunity. Now I'm being asked to hit the Crown Prince of Tamaria. They don't know how good Tauren is, but even Rebbie's smiling as I assume the same stance in front of Tauren that we've been practicing and lash out with a powerful kick that crashes into the side of his thigh, stopping dead cold when Tauren shifts slightly, enough that instead of buckling his knee it slaps against the muscle of his thigh.
“The kick would still cause pain,” Tauren says, his eyes never leaving me as he instructs, “but it would not buckle the way that you've been taught.”
My next move, a punch, smacks against his granite jaw hard enough to cause blood to trickle from his lips, but he barely moves otherwise. The recruits are looking disheartened, when Tauren speaks again. “This is just the base, however. Please, show them what you can really do, Audra.”
Tauren attacks, a maneuver that's slowed just enough that I can evade and strike back, kneeing him in the ribs and causing everyone to cheer slightly. For the next minute, Tauren attacks while I evade, counterpunching when I can until, with more force than I intended, I kick him in the side of the face, sending him tumbling to the mat, spitting blood. I kneel down next to him, worried. “Tauren?”
“My Audra....” he whispers, his eyes still twinkling. “Thank you. Teach.”
“From here,” I say in a louder voice, putting my knee in Tauren's back and looking at the recruits, “against a normal Lancer I would have multiple attacks, depending on if I'm armed with a knife or not. We'll cover knife fighting another day. Now, against Tauren, you all have to understand that he's being nice. I've seen him go toe to toe with Jensen to a stalemate. So everyone, respect for Tauren please.”
I get off of Tauren's back and Rebbie brings over a med kit for Tauren, who lays back and lets her run the scanner and give him an injection of healing compound, sighing as the pain lessens. The recruits clap when Tauren sits up and Rebbie shows them the scan results. “Audra's knee broke two ribs, and that kick to the head broke his cheekbone. So it's possible, everyone. Now, let's get this stuff broken down and...”
It seems to be Rebbie's day for interruptions as the hangar door to the garage opens up, and Jensen brings a hoverbike in. He stops short when he sees that the parking area has been rearranged, hovering over the mats as we quickly clear a space. Getting off his bike, I can see he's upset, and he takes a deep breath before looking around. “Tauren, Audra... we need to talk.”
“What!?”
Tauren's outburst is similar to the one I'm barely holding back as Jensen nods, sighing. “I barely got out of there myself, Ambaris had a good trap laid for us when I approached the estate.”
“Still....” I whisper, shocked. “Mogar? Under arrest?”
Jensen nods, rubbing at his hair, which he's cut short and dyed deep brown as a disguise. It's disconcerting, the haircut more than the hair color, it's not that far off from his normal reddish auburn. But the short cut... that's just strange.
“The Resistance in the capital is still trying to piece it together, the royal court's being tight lipped on it, but the slaves we have in there are saying the word is that it was a combination of two things. First was that a piece of the rocket body was recovered, and it was traced back to a shell company that Mogar used to supply the Resistance. More importantly though was.... Taven.”
“Huh?” I ask, shocked. “He's dead.”
“His boots still had plenty to say,” Jensen replies. “Best guess, they were traced, maybe to a shipment that Mogar diverted for us, I don't know. The details are sketchy right now as to how. All I know is that Ambaris arrested him in his own estate, and laid a trap for us all.”
“Tell us about the trap,” Tauren says, “and your new haircut.”
Jensen doesn't take the bait at the joke, and instead just rubs at his head again. “When we got to the estate, I landed just like I always have. I went in by myself, because not everyone who came with me is or was a member of Mogar's household. I could explain myself, after all I'm his champion gladiator. It would be a bit of a stretch to explain my presence after being 'escaped' for a few months, but it could have worked. But... Ambaris was waiting for me.”
“How'd you know?” I ask, and Jensen taps the desk, thinking.
“First thing I saw was a young girl, maybe eighteen or so, but she was Tamarian. That's something I've never seen before around Mogar's estate, he rarely has Tamarian visitors, especially ones so young or ones I haven't seen before. She caught my eye also because she's really short for a Tamarian woman, maybe ten or fifteen centimeters shorter than you. But as soon as I got off my bike she just disappears, not like she was surprised that a human slave would come in riding a hoverbike, but like she expected me. I had my powerlance out, but there were suddenly men all around with blasters, slavers for sure.”
Jensen takes a deep breath and continues. “I saw Ambaris coming out of the main hall of Mogar's estate, that nearly bald head of his and the scar on his cheek standing out. I've seen him before; he's got a minor noble title.”
Tauren growls, shaking his head. “Scum is what he is. I've kn
own him since my teen years. He used to be a mercenary working for the Royal Army, specializing in work in the wild lands. He also would do some exoplanetary work, some of the lunar colonies are rather wild. Then he figured out that slaving and slave hunting were more lucrative.”
“How did he get a noble title?” I ask. “I never saw him around Neyton's house.”
Tauren chuckles mirthlessly. “That's because Neyton didn't mind throwing his money around to replace runaways, he thought hunting slaves was more trouble than it was worth. As for Ambaris, he got the noble title from his lineage, but it's only a Sir. Until the past few years, he was too poor to even buy life extension drugs, so he looks older than he is for a noble. He turned to slave hunting to boost his finances, although it cost him his wife. He's been kissing Father's ass, and my ass, for years since he started gaining wealth, trying to get himself a Lordship. Barring that, he's only been interested in his daughter, Kelbara.”
Jensen takes it in, his face despite the frustration studying everything Tauren says. “Regardless, he was there, in light armor. His men were firing stun rounds only, I could hear the plasma sizzle the air. I hightailed it for my bike, there was one of his men already there, which is how I got the haircut. His plasma bolt was so close it singed my hair on my left side it was so damn close. I knocked him out, jumped on my bike, and hauled ass so hard I think I broke the sound barrier before I even crossed the estate border. As soon as I was sure I wasn't being pursued I set down, blew up that bike, and made my way for a safe house where I cut my hair, got the dye job, and picked up another bike that I was sure wasn't being tracked.”
“Why didn't you put it out on the net?” I ask, and Tauren shakes his head. “What? Am I missing something?”
“Ambaris may have access to our communication nets now, if he's captured Mogar. Until we can pass the word to communicate along a backup system, or alternative nets, Jensen couldn't risk talking over a possibly unsecure network,” he explains. He sees my frustration with myself for not thinking of it sooner, and waves it off. “Military stuff, it comes with time, and I know you've learned a lot already. So what now, Jensen?”
“We've moved since Mogar last saw us, there's nothing he could give up even if they use hypnotics,” Jensen says, then shivers. “Still... we need him back. I want to mount a mission to get him out.”
“No way,” Tauren says, not unkindly. “I can understand your feelings Jensen, he's my teacher as well, but he's going to be held in the royal prisons at least at first. The only royal prison in the area is Camp Brandeis, and that's the home of the Royal Lancer Regiment. I know that base, Jensen. You can't get in and out.”
“We have to do something!” Jensen says, his control slipping. “He's more than my teacher, Tauren! He's my mentor, and my friend!”
“As he is mine.”
I can see that they're about to argue, so I speak up before I have to get them from getting their emotions too involved. “Jensen... Tauren's right. Ambaris has Mogar because he wants King Joren to break the Resistance. If Ambaris captures you, he gets that Lordship he wants. Heaven and stars, Joren would probably give Mogar's estate to Ambaris if he can crush the resistance. How many men does Ambaris have?”
“Forty, maybe fifty if he's expanded,” Tauren says. “All hardened ex-military types. No concerns about discipline in that bunch.”
I nod, then take Jensen's hand. “I understand the pain you're feeling, Jensen. I really do. But if you go charging off, you're playing right into Ambaris' hands. You risk not only yourself, but the Resistance. You get captured, and there's nobody to stop men like Mathias from taking over, and that's the end for all of us. They'd go nuts, Joren sends the Lancers after us, and we're all dead. And you can't get Mogar out of there.”
“So what do we do, let him rot?” Jensen asks, and Tauren shakes his head. “Then what?”
“Use the rest of the Resistance. There has to be elements in the capital, groups that can get information to us. When we know more, we'll have a chance to strike. Mogar was popular with the people, there's no way my father can just arrest him and have him tortured without some sort of public trial. The average Tamarian wouldn't tolerate it. So we find out about that, and when the time is right, we strike when the grip on Mogar is weakest. If anything, they'll probably move him to Arklan Prison after a while just for the image reasons. But until then, you sit tight and you keep the Resistance going. It sucks, but that's what you need to do more than be a hero right now, Jensen.”
Jensen growls, but nods. “Fine. And what are you going to do?”
“I'm going to make sure that when we do strike to get Mogar back, that we'll have troops capable of taking out Ambaris' men,” Tauren says, standing up. “No offense, you've done an admirable job.... but I think it's time to make some special operators. I'll talk with you later, and with Rebbie. Audra... would you be my assistant in this task?”
I glance at Jensen, who nods, and I stand up with him. “Of course... my Prince.”
Tauren's eyes flash, but Jensen doesn't see it. One step back, but we're going to make progress. And we're going to get Mogar back, I know it.
Chapter Sixteen
Tauren
Another month, and I've never in my life felt this way before. I'm covered in sweat, my pants around my ankles as I drive my cock into Audra, who's got her arms wrapped around my neck and her legs wrapped around my hips as I hold her against the rock that we're using to shelter us from the mountain wind.
“T-T-Tauren!” Audra moans deeply as she comes, her pussy squeezing my cock wonderfully. I last another stroke before I shudder, coming deep inside her as we reach another peak, another amazing joining that leaves us both drained and energized at the same time. Audra moans again as she feels me fill her, her legs wrapping more tightly around me to keep me inside her as long as possible as we kiss tenderly, both of us sighing happily.
“How do you do it?” she asks, stroking my hair. “You know almost without me asking when to go gently, and when to go hard and fast. You sure Tamarians aren't psychic?”
I chuckle and kiss her again, tenderly. “Like you're one to talk. The other day, when I was feeling stressed about Jensen and Mogar, and you just....”
Audra blushes, remembering. I'd been in the gym, trying to work out my frustration when she came in, pushing me against the wall before deep throating my cock until I came deep and hard down her throat until I was totally drained. I'd barely gotten my pants up when Jensen came in, slightly surprised that Audra was in the gym, but buying our excuse that she wanted to check out the place.
“You needed relief, and it was sexy as hell to have my powerful Prince literally in the palm of my hand as you gave me a wonderful mid-afternoon snack,” Audra finally purrs. “Tauren, you have no idea how sexy you make me feel.”
“I'm just glad you know how to keep your voice down,” I joke, kissing her again. “Especially last night when I returned the favor. You know I find going down on you like sipping the finest wines.”
“Is that what I am?” Audra teases, playing with my hair. “Just an after dinner wine before bed?”
“You're much more than that,” I reply seriously. “I think you know that.”
Audra nods, blinking. “It's been a month and a half now, Tauren. I feel like it's never going to end, and I don't want it to.”
“It'll have to some time,” I reply sadly, both of us sighing again when my cock slips out of her and we feel the physical connection slip away again. “I don't want it to, though.”
I let Audra down carefully, pulling my pants up while she gets dressed. I watch as she pulls her pants up, her hand lingering between her legs, and she sighs. I finish doing my belt and kneel down next to her, where she's tying a boot. “What is it?”
“I know it seems stupid, but.... well, I was praying.”
I'm surprised, but say nothing, rubbing her back. “You never struck me as the praying type. You do like saying heaven and stars a lot though.”
Audra ch
uckles, nodding. “It's always been my favorite curse, I guess. But I do pray sometimes. And the past few times, I've been praying that.... well, never mind, it's stupid.”
Audra goes to get up, and I grab her wrist, pulling her back down next to me. “Nothing you say or think is stupid to me, my Audra. So tell me, please.”
“I just... I've been wishing more than praying, thinking that it'd be nice if I were Tamarian, or you human,” Audra finally says. “Just.... this is more than just an affair to me, Tauren. And I've been praying for a miracle, that somehow, we'd end up not having to break this off some day.”
Audra blinks rapidly, wiping at her eyes, and I'm moved. She goes to get up but I pull her back down, holding her to me. “I wish the same thing,” I whisper to her. “Audra... I've never felt this way about any woman. Not like I feel about you.”
We hold each other, and Audra sniffles, pulling me closer. “I just... Tauren, I'd serve you if I had to. To keep you in my life.”
“And I will never, ever allow you to be a slave again,” I promise her. “I'd rather give up my crown.”
“Don't. You're too important to this planet,” Audra says with fierce intensity. “You need to free this planet, to move it forward. Heaven and stars only know what would happen if Neyilla was made Queen. I did the tracing, if you give up your crown, she's next in line, since she's the next closest blood relative to the Queen. Your Father has no more blood relations.”
