Claimed: Unchartered Territory

by Nia K. Foxx

Remar was not convinced. “If you are innocent in this then turn her over to me and I will extract the truth of it myself.”

  There was a long pause before Keltar spoke again. “She is not here with me, as I said she stayed to be with you.”

  “Why would she stay? I have had no further conversation with Kala beyond the dinner.”

  Keltar swore under his breath.

  “I have it confessed by another party to this action that Kala and two of your guardsmen carried out the abduction, no doubt at your behest.”

  “And did this confessor implicate me directly in this involvement?”

  “It would not be hard to keep yourself removed from the execution of the plot in order to avoid detection.”

  “Then why make it so easy a youthling could trace the crime back to me. This was obviously orchestrated to lay blame with my sector, and I am determined to prove my lack of knowledge or complicity, if you should wish my help?”

  Was it desperation to get Dal’las back that made Keltar’s statement ring true? “I cannot believe I am saying this but I am willing to accept your aid, but know this if you are involved in any way my vengeance will be slow and painful.”

  ***

  The hard marble floor dug painfully into her knees but at least it helped to distract her from the throbbing pain in her face.

  “You will speak to the high Commander with respect,” the superiority in Kala’s voice was irksome, to say the least. To think she’d felt sympathy for the Chezarian woman.

  “And you will speak to me with respect, concubine. You forget, I am still the bond mate of a High Commander, while you apparently sell yourself to the highest bidder. I assume Nelo is next on your rounds?”

  Dallas didn’t flinch, when the woman rose from her seat, nearly tripping on her way down the dais in a fury to reach her.

  “Stop,” Voren’s voice boomed with a note of amusement. At first Dallas didn’t think she would. The guards, who’d taken up position on either side of Dallas stepped forward. Their action registered quickly with Kala who promptly retreated back to her perch.

  “Are you going to allow her to speak to me that way?” Kala huffed.

  Voren gave Kala a cursory glance, “Whether I do or not is completely up to me. Do not question me again and do not take any action against Leila Dal’las without my express consent. Have I made myself clear?”

  “Yes, of course. Forgive me for overstepping,” she bowed her head slightly in submission before turning her dead pan stare at Dallas, who took a mental note of the interaction.

  “As you can see Dal’las I do not wish any more harm to come to you. In fact it is my wish that you are as comfortable as possible.”

  “We must have a completely different understanding of comfort.”

  Voren threw back his head and let loose a hearty burst of laughter. The sound grated on her already frayed nerves.

  “Such a rare treat you are. Even in the face of uncertainty you maintain your strength. So that we are clear all you need to do is ask and your every wish will be granted.”

  Had he said he were the wonderful Wizard of Oz with the ability to send her back to earth she wouldn’t have been more surprised. Dallas looked between the pair. Obviously his declaration was news to Kala as well.

  “Alright, then I’d like to be taken back to sector two.”

  The jovial look on Voren’s face wavered. “That is not an option.”

  “So there are limits to your…er...generosity?”

  ”You are an intelligent female, why would I take such risks to acquire you only to turn you back over to Remar?”

  She shrugged. “Change of heart or just coming to your senses. Remar may show some leniency if you end this now,”

  He grunted. “I believe Remar is to be thanked for your over valued sense of self. No matter, you will learn your proper place, I am a great instructor. Right about now your bond mate is most likely preparing himself for war against Keltar’s sector. So you see, you are far safer with me than in a war zone.”

  Remar. Her heart lurched at the danger he and the rest of his sector might be in.

  “You started a war between two sectors just to get me. It would seem that you are placing great value on me as well. Am I supposed to be flattered?”

  “You may be if you wish, but my reasoning for starting the disturbance has nothing to do with you. Of course you will prove to be the perfect catalyst and I hope will be a wonderful spoil of the inevitable.”

  Dallas’ stomach rolled with his smug admission. Innocent lives would be lost and chalked up as collateral damage because of her.

  “Chezar is in need of a little mixing up among the sectors. For too long we have lived in this unnatural state.”

  “You mean peace?” she clarified.

  Voren shuddered, his face souring as if he’d eaten something distasteful.

  “Peace,” he spat. “Equals stagnation. Are you familiar with the Treaty of Mutual Assurance?”

  “The unified peace accord signed by your fathers.”

  Something akin to admiration shone in his eyes. “You have taken to learning Chezarian history?”

  “I do live here now.”

  “What the history documentation fails to mention is that only one sector has made significant advancements since its signing. It is no surprise that as author of the treaty sector two has prospered the most since inception. Technologically and agriculturally Remar’s people have thrived.”

  “But the treaty allows for the sharing of information. If asked I’m sure Remar would extend-.”

  Voren shot up from his seat. The anger radiating off of him was palpable. “You think I have no pride and should go grovelling to him. The house of Mala was once a proud, conquering clan. This war will restore us to our former greatness.”

  “How? By scavenging off destruction? You’ll be the conquerors of desolation and waste.”

  Voren didn’t answer, but he didn’t need to, his answer was in the malicious stare he gave her as he settled calmly back in his seat.

  “As an E’rther I think you should understand best of all.”

  “As and Earther I do, completely. So many nations and people have been destroyed because of war.”

  Voren leaned forward with interest. “And the victors, how did they fair?”

  “They lived in fear of the sins of their past being revisited on them.”

  Voren scoffed at her reply.

  “Only a weak leader lives in fear. The time for change is here. Remar has become far too complacent, Keltar is no more than a temperamental child, and Nelo is no better than a lazy female. I shall easily take Keltar’s land to the west whilst he fortifies his strong holds against Remar on the east. Nelo’s lands will be easy enough to procure. By the time the others have realized what has happened Remar’s army will be battle fatigued and like youthlings to the slaughter.”

  “You did not mention taking Nelo’s land before?” Kala words were spoken softly but Dallas could see instant anger blazing in her eyes.

  “Did I not?” Voren looked as if he were giving thought to the mater. “Perhaps not.”

  “You know I have family in Nelo’s southern sector.”

  “Family who you renounced at the opportunity to become a concubine to any man with a hefty vault.”

  “It was not like that,” she said quietly.

  “No? Then enlighten us.”

  For long moments Kala remained silent. A veil of indifference fell over her face. “You are right. I have no one left in that region of importance.”

  “As I suspected.”

  Dallas gave Kala another once over. Curiosity, anger and pity all warred within her when she looked at the alien female.

  “For now, I do have some available time to be a proper host. Tell me what is it I can do to make your stay here more pleasant?” Voren directed at Dallas.

  It was on the tip of her tongue to ask to be taken to a medic but his next admission stopped her.

  “Understand
for every request I will expect something in kind. I believe on your world this is known as quid pro quo.”

  She wasn’t the slightest bit interested in learning what the trade-offs might be. Whatever discomfort she was experiencing would be worth it by comparison, she was certain of it.

  “Well?” Voren asked at her continued silence.

  “Other than going back to sector two there’s nothing you have that I might want.”

  His brows furrowed in anger until she thought his ridges might forever form a sharp arrow.

  “Take her back. Some more time in her current room with no food might change her disposition,” Voren declared.

  Dallas took that as her cue to rise on wobbly legs.

  “Come Kala, I require the warmth betwixt your thighs.”

  As Dallas was escorted from the room she counted herself far luckier than the Chezarian female.

  ***

  “What news have you for me?” Re mar demanded by way of greeting.

  “I will ignore your unpleasantness since it is obvious your hearts ache for your E’rther. I do have one of the accomplices in custody. He was discovered trying to make his way across my sector into Nelo’s provinces. A full confession has been made in which he and another were hired by Kala to extract your mate. We have yet to locate the other guardsman, but it could be he and Kala have sought sanctuary.”

  “Any information on Dal’las?”

  “Not as of yet but you are welcome to question him yourself before he is tried for treason against my sector.”

  “I will be there before the first sun sets.” Remar announced.

  ***

  Sensory deprivation was obviously part of Voren’s torture tactics, along with starvation. Dallas inched her way along the wall to the darkened room relying on memory to get her to the bathing room.

  Fifteen steps was all it took and although the bathing room was also pitched in darkness she was able to feel her way around until she found the cylindrical faucet. Cupping her hands beneath it started the cool water flowing into her palms and she drank greedily. At least that was something. Her empty stomach grumbled in disagreement as it had done several times since her return. Thirst quenched she retraced her steps back into the main room and onto the stiff bed. Her mind replayed the events since her awakening. Even if she pretended to warm up to Voren she had a strong feeling he wouldn’t let his guard down enough for an escape.

  The door to her room folded open again allowing light to penetrate it depths once more.

  “It’s time to take your meal,” a guard called in.

  Her stomach clenched at the mere mention of food but she remembered Voren’s offer clearly.

  “I still decline.”

  “Your presence is requested personally by the High Commander.”

  Great. He’d probably make her watch them eat until she begged for sustenance.

  “I’m not hungry.”

  She heard the sound of at least one guard entering the room. Not liking the possibility of being forced she sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed.

  “Fine, I’m up.” But if Voren thought by forcing her to eat it would change anything he had a rude awakening in store.

  Their walk was longer this time and Dallas recognized when they passed the large double doors of what she coined as Voren’s throne room. When they passed an archway and she glimpsed what appeared to be an empty dining area she became immediately wary.

  “Where exactly are you taking me?”

  Neither guard answered. The uneasy feeling grew into a ball of anxiety bouncing around her empty stomach.

  Soon enough they stopped in front of a door. One of the guards waved his hand over the holopad and it opened to a bedroom. The other guard gave her a shove hard enough to propel her forward. The feminine décor was the first thing to catch her attention. Not exactly what would have pictured for the sector leader. Bunches of orange, yellow and green flowers in varying shapes of glass containers were placed strategically around the room. Large multicolored fans and brightly colored crude paintings littered the walls. The perfumed air was the next to register on her radar. The sweet, citrusy smell was light enough to be inviting without overpowering. Mingled with the fragrance was a savory smell that set her mouth instantly to watering. The room was four times as large as the box she was thrown in but it was still small enough for her find a raised table opposite a large window. The spread laid out wasn’t grand but certainly more than enough for two people. She tore her gaze away from the food in case Voren came in and found her staring. Her gaze darted around the frilly room for anything that could be used as a weapon. She would have had better luck finding water in a desert.

  An obscured door opened from one side of the room and Kala stepped inside. Dallas tried to catch a glimpse of the area beyond but the opening closed too quickly.

  Kala’s normally superior expression looked pensive. She paused as she spotted the group as if she hadn’t expected to see them there, then in a split second her features changed making her more recognizable as the woman Dallas had grown to despise.

  “You may wait outside,” she dismissed the guards with a wave of her hand.

  “Do you think that’s wise?” Dallas asked.

  Kala gave her a dismissive look. “Are you suggesting I should fear you? I may not be a warrior woman but do not think me defenseless. You look barely strong enough to hold yourself up at the moment. Sit and eat.” Kala nodded in the direction of the table.

  “And exactly what is that going to cost me?”

  “Nothing, whether you choose to eat or not has no bearing on me, but I thought you were a survivor. Perhaps I was wrong.”

  “Nice speech but I’m not buying this sudden generosity.”

  “Suit yourself. I take that to mean you do not wish the use of the healers either?” She held up a little metallic box Dallas recognized as a nano unit used by medics.

  “Did I just step through another wormhole? Why do you care whether I’m healed or fed?”

  “As I said before it matters not to me, if you want to go back to that smelly cave. I will call the guards back.”

  Dallas eye balled the meal once more. “What assurances do I have its not poisoned?”

  “None. It is a game in chance. Do not eat and die most assuredly or eat and take a chance on survival.” Kala walked over to the table and plopped a random piece of fruit in her mouth, chewing with relished slowness. “Would I eat poisoned food?”

  “Not all is meant to kill, there are psychotropic drugs,” Dallas added knowingly.

  “Psycho…”

  “Poison that alters a person’s sense of reality even morality. You and your boyfriend could have had this drugged to make me more receptive to him.”

  Kala looked momentarily confused. “There is no such poison.”

  Dallas wasn’t about to argue the point especially with the food beckoning to her.

  Kala’s sharp gasp caught her attention. “Did someone give you Q’ema root?”

  Her silence must have been the only confirmation the other woman needed.

  Kala let loose a low laugh.

  “I’m glad you can find amusement in that.”

  “I was actually imagining the blow to Remar’s ego when you went screaming in the opposite direction. It is what he deserves for giving it to you.”

  “He wasn’t the one who spiked my drink but it didn’t have me cowering in fear. I’m sure you can understand why I’m hesitant now.”

  Kala’s expression quickly sobered.

  “Q’ema root is an enhancement of one’s emotions. Fear, desire, truth. It is normally used in interrogation but has been discovered to have sexual enhancement properties but only if the attraction is already present and the right stimulus is provided. Some untried females use it the night of their bonding enhance the experience.”

  Dallas looked away in embarrassment and moved toward the food laden table. Was Kala telling the truth? Sure there was a strange physical attrac
tion to Remar from the beginning but there was also an element of fear. Why wouldn’t the Q’ema root pickup on her fears too?

  Dallas plucked a piece of fruit than another off the platter. It was definitely an ambitious move on her part because chewing the tender fruit seemed another chore all its own. It hurt to talk but was a bitch to try and eat.

  “Do you want me to use this or not?” Kala wiggled the nano medic at her.

  It was like waving a life jacket over the head of a drowning person.

  “Yes,” she tried not to sound too eager over the offer in case the woman had a sadistic streak and withdrew it just for shits and giggles. Kala’s approach could only be described as cautious, making her wonder if the female was more weary of her than she let on. The nano medic worked like a laser and two quick passes was all it took to inject the necessary healers, within seconds Dallas could feel the pain dissolve away in waves of relief.

  “Hmm… I guess that’s better,” Kala said after giving her face a once over.

  “Why are you doing this? You’ve made it abundantly clear you don’t like me.”

  “I have no emotions for you at all, but your presence has caused a disruption in my life.”

  “It wasn’t intentional.”

  Kala took one of the two seats at the table and inclined her had to the empty seat for Dallas to take.

  “Nonetheless, I find myself substituting a position I found most advantageous for…this,” she gave a minimal wave of her hand.

  “I got the impression this was where you wanted to be.”

  Kala lifted a dinning stick and stabbed a piece of meat before popping it into her mouth. Dallas followed suit making sure to select from the same area the other woman had made her selection.

  “This, my dear E’rther, is a means for me to secure my future. Unlike on your world a female Chezarian is nothing without family or strong male connections to safeguard her.”

  “Did I hear wrong earlier, or didn’t you mention something about having family in Nelo’s sector.”

  Kala broke eye contact. “What I had there was over a long time ago, but it does not mean I am without caring of what could happen to them if Voren succeeds with his plan.”

  The two women ate in awkward silence for long moments.