“You must fight through it, Vickie. What would Sir Georigi or Sir Trent say if they saw you like this?” Tiana said, her words being driven by fear, fear of losing Vickie.
Vickie smiled, a budding flame appearing deep within her dimming eyes. “You are right, how...how would I...I face either if I let a little, something like this stop me. Thank you, Tiana,” Vickie leaned forward, kissing her gently on the cheek.
They moved on, slowly making their way over the next few rings. Vickie's legs weakened and the child's growing weight slowed their journey to a near crawl. When they came across another group of petties, fighting desperately to survive against a pack snarling beasts, Vickie adjusted their course, no words passing between them, each knowing they could do little in their current state. But the idea of abandoning those in need, and the gruesome sights from when they did, would haunt her dreams, and she would never forgive herself for not doing everything in her power to try to help those in need.
Is this what Trent feels like? She wondered, noting that she'd have to ask when she and Vickie returned home.
After what felt like years, the final platform finally appeared before them, an archway similar to the one that lead them into this horrible place opening on the cavern wall just beyond. A single, hideous beast, worst then any she had yet seen, strode over the final platforms outer edge, seeming unconcerned with its surroundings as it lumbered in circles. Thousands of large, glistening, razor sharp teeth filled its massive maw, which was always agape, as if expecting prey to walk inside on its own, which Tiana realized, may actually occur, the mouth being so wide it stretched from the inner to the outer edge of the platform.
A scent so horrible, so utterly repulsive, burned her nostrils as the creature circled close to where they stood. She felt her stomach turn, again threatening to try to expel its empty contents. It was the scent of death, fresh death, mixed with the smell of bodily fluids so rancid that nothing in her life could have ever prepared her for the experience. But they had no choice. They had to move on, past this beast of nightmares, to escape this dreadful maze.
They watched the beast slowly lumber around the ring a few more times, Tiana noticing that besides its horribly wide mouth and peculiar, box shaped body, which shimmered as if made of liquid metal, there was little else to be concerned with. The beasts many legs were short, undersized for its large body, and would be little help chasing prey, while no eyes, nose, or ears were visible, it being all mouth and stomach. So all they had to do was provide it a wide birth, and hope the stench didn't knock them unconscious before they could escape. Tiana looked Vickie in the eye, noticing her strength and confidence had finally started to return. They nodded in unison before moving to the only two stones on this ring.
“Carefully, that thing may look slow, but I have a feeling it's very fast,” Vickie warned from her side, color having returned to her cheeks. She leaned up and kissed her lightly.
“Thank you for everything, Vickie,” she said honestly. A wry smile crept across the still slightly pale skin that circled Vickie’s purple irises that were always shining.
“And you as well, Tiana...” Vickie responded, kissing her forehead.
They touched the stones together and the bridge extended over the expanse to the final platform. Tiana followed close behind Vickie, still carrying the child. The creature was on the far side when they moved across, hulking forward as slowly as usual. But as soon as Vickie stepped foot on the platform, a primal roar made the ring tremble and she had to use all her will to keep from falling off the narrow bridge.
“Go, now!” Vickie shouted, reaching back to grab Tiana’s free hand, pulling her around the platform as the creature accelerated towards them, new feet extending to allow for the rapid movement. She tried to run faster, but the child was too heavy. A thought appeared in her mind, which she tried to shake off, but found it grasping at her fear.
Why not drop the child and save yourself? She was horrified that such a thought could be born of her mind. With all her will, she pushed the thought away and continued on.
They reached the bridge on the far side of the platform. Vickie's head swung around, eyes wide with terror. But Tiana didn't stop, sprinting across the bridge without pause, and diving to the floor under the archway. She dropped the child and spun just as Vickie slip off the bridge behind her, barely able to grasp its edge with one hand, the creature snarling and screeching centimeters behind.
The air became thick with its dreadful stench, her mind screaming, threatening to fail, telling her to run, to escape this horrible beast of nightmare. As she fought the urge to flee, the creature's body began to undulate, morph, shifting its metallic flesh, allowing it to extend its enormous jaw well beyond the edge of the ring. Slowly, it extended further, further, and further, reaching towards the helpless Vickie.
Tiana's mind blinked, then went blank.
She moved, rushing back across the bridge and sliding to a stop a meter from the beast, trying to ignore the pieces of flesh that still clung to its rows of razor sharp teeth. Its oozing salvia dripped on her skin, so foul she'd never forget its touch. She felt woozy as the air became thick, unbearable, the beasts heated breath striking her relentlessly, spittle and other bits of flesh raining across her skin. She reached down, trying to keep her balance as she grasped the semi-conscious Vickie's hand, using every ounce of strength in her tiny body to pull her friend high enough so she could climb the rest of the way on her own. She lost her grip as the creature lunged, snapping its massive jaws shut centimeters from her face. She fell back, almost tumbling off the narrow bridge. But she held steady, a wall appearing in her mind, keeping back the fear that threatened to return at any moment. Together, they crawled their way across the bridge, to the arch, ignoring the howls of anger rising from the creature mixing with the cries of horror from the now awakened child. They collapsed into a heap on the floor.
“Congratulations, dear Gorgeous Vixens of Death! You have survived the first trial. But can you survive the next four?” the marquis's maniacal laughter echoed through the cavern, then vanished as the archway slammed shut behind them. The wall began to move closer, forcing them to their feet and towards their next horrible challenge.
*********
Sweat poured off Sasha's trembling brow, flowing onto cheeks flush from overexertion, and locking her disheveled, silky black hair to her skin wherever it touched. Trent desperately tried to keep pace with the ever increasing flow, tenderly drying her brow while forcing the wayward strands free from their watery prisons. Tears began to appear, breaking through eyelids locked shut by nightmare, trickling down to chapped lips whose color had long since faded.
Trent leaned in, kissing her tear and sweat soaked cheek, his heart crying out at seeing his love suffer so and he being unable to do anything to ease her pain but strengthen his embrace to provide her his meager warmth.
He grasped the strong emotions that welled up within, trying to again use them to force open their bond to soothe her mind. But found it useless. His attempt again blocked. He forced away the feeling of helplessness, knowing until Sasha finally released her desperate grip on the Arm of the Emperor, and the vision it provided of her lost ladies, he would continue to support her in any way he could.
Terra and Lia, their mated catillians, sensed Sasha's growing turmoil, cooing support from deep within her bosom. Both had decided it best to stay with Sasha, somehow sensing that she required their attention more than he. At first, they even tried to mimic Trent's behavior, using their tiny, human-like hands to fight against the torrent of sweat that had formed on Sasha’s neck, shoulders, and chest while her mind's eye traveled on its distant journey. Trent forced a smile, recalling the two tiny animals working so hard for Sasha's sake; for his love.
Sasha began to convulse, a gasping sob exploding free as she tried to fight to her feet, seeming confused by her surroundings. Trent tightened his grip, cooing into her ear as she struggled to break his iron embrace, eyes wild like that of a cage
d animal.
“Sasha,” he whispered soothingly into her ear, “Sasha...it's me...my love...it's ok...I'm here...I’m here for you,” he continued until she started to calm, letting her body slump. She buried her head in the crook of his neck and began to shiver. The fire that had burned when she awoke extinguished. He pulled her even closer; wrapping his entire body around hers on the couch where they lay in the isolated sitting room they'd been provided by Sir Wontin.
“Why...why, Trent? Oh...why...” she sobbed uncontrollably, her cries of despair joining more tears then he could ever recall her shedding. He knew it was mainly because of her ladies and the horror's they were experiencing. But he also knew they were born of the wound that had been ripped open by the man who attacked her in her youth, causing the deepest of scars. The man named Roberto.
“Are they alright?” he asked carefully, already knowing that Vickie and Tiana had been sent to a horrifying dungeon, deep under the Marquis's Fortress. Sasha nodded in his chest and he felt a tiny wave of relief, being glad they were safe, at least for a time.
Their bond ripped open and he felt Sasha grasping helplessly at his mind, filling him with such despair, such total hopelessness, that he almost fell into it himself. But he endured, he had too for her, and released the pure love that swelled from deep within him, the love that always permeated every layer of his heart when in her presence.
Their dueling emotions battled within her mind. His surging love striking against her wall of despair. But she couldn't hold on, her love sensing his and pushing its way through the wall, to the surface to meld together, burning away her sorrow with the heat of a thousand suns. Her breathing slowed, then calmed, and she fell into a deep slumber, her exhaustion from holding the vision of her ladies for so long finally overtaking her. He leaned in, kissing her gently on forehead, gently wiping away the last of her drying tears. Slowly, he rose to his feet, cradling her carefully in his arms as he walked quietly out into the hallway.
Four Alutia Guards in full combat armor came to attention as they emerged, their body language showing their concern for the sleeping grand duchess, face still flush, dress soaked in a dense layer of sweat. Trent nodded his thanks, a forced smile telling them she was ok.
There was no need for an order, the guards just moved in unison, escorting him and Sasha to their temporary bedchamber. Five additional Alutia Guards greeted their arrival, guarding the door to one of their few safe bastions on Don’Alutia, saluting in unison as he slowly moved past. He nodded his thanks before the door slid shut behind him. He walked slowly through entryway outside the bedchamber with only a transparent cylindrical tube in its center, reaching from floor to ceiling. As he moved around the tube, the inside filled with liquid programmable matter, which hovered in the center before coalescing into a depiction of the Alutia Crest. Trent only glanced at the sight, finding little of the usual excitement when witnessing a new type of programmable matter art, his only concern for Sasha.
The door to the bedchamber opened and he moved through, gently placing Sasha down on the modest bed. Carefully, he removed her dress. She shivered as the cool air struck her skin, still moist from her constant sweat. So he hurried to washroom, finding a standard and auto-dry towel, wetting the standard with warm water, before returning to her side. With the utmost care, he wiped down every millimeter of her skin and hair, trying not to disturb her slumber. When he was content that his love was clean of the sweat and filth born of despair, he slid her into a silky soft nightgown, before placing her under the covers, running a single finger down her cooling cheek.
As he started to pull away, hating to leave Sasha behind, but knowing important business was awaiting his attention, she wrapped her arms desperately around his. He sat back down at her side, allowing her to snuggle onto his lap while squeezing tightly onto his leg. He smiled gently, running his hand through her hair as he accessed the local BAP, summoning those he needed to see.
Within minutes, five people entered his presence, all with eyes of concern for the sleeping grand duchess. Trent placed a finger to his lips, but knew it was useless, they needed to speak and he wouldn't dare leave Sasha's side.
“Fill me in,” he whispered.
“Very well...but please remain calm...” Precursor Dei'Fil started.
Trent braced himself for the worst.
*********
The raging inferno of Trent's love engulfed her, overwhelming her being with its primal essence. Sasha's unconscious mind screamed for her to resist, to force shut their bond, to not allow through the overpowering flow that would wash away the fresh memories of her ladies torment. But her heart welcomed his love with open arms, allowing it to enter unhindered so it could cleanse every ounce of fear and despair that had grown within while she observed her ladies suffering. His love couldn’t, however, wash away the fatigue born from the excessive use of the Arm of the Emperor, nonstop for almost six straight hours.
Her body had completely failed her the moment Tiana and Vickie had escaped the cavern full of hideous alien monstrosities; where they were trapped, fighting for survival for the amusement of Marquis Rostil and his noble court. It was a dreadful spectacle and the hundreds of others she witnessed die horribly during her ladies struggle to stay alive would forever haunt her nightmares; their screams; their last dying breaths.
Despair threatened to overtake her once again. But Trent's love burned it away with its unyielding flame, whispering that it was alright, that he was there for her and always would be. The last of the sorrow that clung reluctantly to her mind, finally washed away, and the hope that she once had, hope in Trent, hope that he could do what he promised, hope that he could save her ladies, returned.
But no matter how hard she tried, her eyes would not open, or her limbs move, or her flesh feel Trent's loving embrace; though her mind was aware. Am I dead? She thought, wondering if it was possible to use the Arm of the Emperor for too long. But if that was true, how was their bond still active, Trent's feelings engulfing her, filling her mind, her breath, her soul, her very self.
She concentrated on Trent’s essence, suddenly feeling his loving hands caressing her skin, peeling away the layers of filth that clung to her and replacing them with ones that were fresh, clean, and purifying. Something warm was pulled over her and she sensed Trent start to pull away. She couldn't stand the thought, so she grasped at his presence, dragging it close, desperate for its soothing caress. He obliged, allowing her to bury herself once again in his being, forgetting, for a time, her sorrows as they melded into one.
“Fill me in,” Trent instructed, his hushed words echoing in her mind, calling forth a hazy vision; his vision.
“Very well...but please remain calm, Sir Trent,” Trent stared at Precursor Dei'Fil, a man of modest looks with short black hair and a prominent brown mole just under his right eye, who spoke in whispers from his side. She felt Trent tense, causing the vision to fade, but not the hearing.
“Roberto obliged our interrogations rather quickly, disclosing many disturbing events that have been taking place on Don'Alutia for the past few years. He made it quite clear that he is the second nephew of Marquis Rostil, and after his banishment from Tidelia for his part in the scanning ring that was caught with hundreds of illegal scans of noble women, he was taken in by his uncle and provided seed capital to start a noble business.”
The name Roberto froze in her mind, but the heat of Trent's love defrosted it instantly as he forced himself inside her, not allowing her to fall back into despair. The unexpected surge of his emotions caused the vision to return with full force and she could once again see through his eyes.
He was gazing down on her, running his fingers through her unkempt hair as Terra and Lia did the same. The sight made her want to cry out, witnessing their combined love being poured into her. But her limbs were frozen, mind locked shut.
Trent turned his attention back to the concerned guests and Sasha could sense him forcing a smile, trying not to raise their worries further.
“She is...is alright...just exhausted. Please continue,” he stuttered, as if he too felt the same exhaustion as she. Sasha felt her heart cry out again, then explode with her own concern for him, which she pushed through their bond, causing the vision to once again fade.
“Roberto was somehow able to slip his scan database past the Tidelia Service when his belongings were confiscated. He has since used them as the backbone for the skin morphing business he invested the seed capital he was provided. For the first few years, the business was niche, almost underground, but just recently it has started to expand after word spread, becoming very popular with the noble youth and began to-,” the man froze and Sasha sensed Trent's alarm, probably having shown on his face. “Recently, Sir Trent....which means it has only spread to two or three other baronies. The King's Service is already aware and from what we gathered from that Program...Vin I believe it's called...it wiped not only the illegal scans on Don'Alutia, but also throughout the entire universe. This is only a theory, of course, so until we can actually locate the physical database matrixes and check the access logs, we cannot be fully certain.” Trent's relief washed through her and mixed with her own. Vin obliged Trent's request to the extreme.
“That is very good news. But I would still like a complete log of anyone who visited and used any of the illegal scans,” Trent's voice trembled, but held little emotion. Why would he want something like that? She wondered.
“I will provide a detailed record to Sir Seb'Losh when everything has been resolved. But for now...we must discuss the most pressing issue,” Precursor Dei'Fil paused, allowing another to continue.
“We have firmly determined the fate of the missing Heclutia petties...as well as where Lady Wedra, Lady Vickie, and Lady Tiana have been taken,” Sir Illion explained, his voice void of all emotion. “The Marquis's Labyrinth......a sick and twisted game of death that he and his noble court watch for amusement, betting on the lives of those trapped within. Occasionally, they will kidnap noble men and women, usually realists or reformists, with Roberto and his cronies assistance, to add an extra level of excitement, or “flavor” as he called it, to the competition.” Trent's anger began to boil, and she let her own match its pulse, allowing it to lead her back to his vision. He was staring at Sir Wontin, whose face was hidden in his hands, back trembling as he appeared to be sobbing, with his son, Sir Totin, standing stiff at his side, face a sickly white, but eyes blazing with his fury.
The Noble Petty, Complete Edition (Alutia Rising Series, Book 2) Page 66
