Premonitions

by Le aha Vaughn

Eriq stood in the middle of a large white field in awe at the sight of peace and tranquility. He felt cold earlier, but now he did not. Now he felt a peace that he had never felt. Thinch wheat covered the field gently swaying in the soft breeze. From as far as he could see, the land had not been cultivated. There were no telltale signs of cottages that stood or of farmland ripe with life.

  He did not know this place. The land was so unfamiliar to him. He had been used to the dreams of Mireya or the sexually charged dreams of Nah'Dara. This was something that was out of the ordinary. Half of him wanted to wake and find out what was going on, and the other half did want to wake up at all. The peacefulness struck a cord within him, the first glimpse he felt in a long time.

  "Eriq?” a soft voice questioned. He turned to find nothing. I'm going crazy, he thought. This is a dream.

  "But it isn't,” the voice said. Again he turned. Nothing. Keeping a skeptical eye out, he tuned around. When a small hand touched his shoulder, he startled; his heart nearly stopping at the beautiful sight that greeted him.

  Mireya stood in front of him holding their son.

  "Good Tidings, Santar.” He looked at her in disbelief. Her skin color looked healthy and not the deathly gray that usually covered her entire body. Her dark brown hair glistened in the glow of the setting sun. His son lay snug in her arms squirming with life cooing his own hello.

  How could they be here with him? They died years ago.

  He died. That was the only way to explain Mireya and the baby standing with him.

  "I'm dead.” It was not a question, but a statement to confirm what he already knew. Mireya smiled. Her dark eyes shined into his.

  "No, Santar. This is the meeting place between the world of the living and the next.” The baby cooed and she turned her attention to him tickling him under his chin. “It is not your time to cross over."

  She looked at the baby and then to Eriq. “Do you wish to hold him?"

  Eriq nodded, longing to hold him for the first time. “Please?"

  She handed the baby to him with a mother's gentleness placing him into Eriq's waiting arms. His heart leaped at the sight of his son, mingled with the sorry that he would never see him alive. A tear trail down his cheek.

  "Why am I here if I'm not dead?” Eriq raised his eyes from the baby and gave Mireya a puzzled gaze.

  "I called you.” He let the baby snuggle closer into his chest rubbing his cheek against him. Mireya chuckled. “One of the reasons why I called you here is to let you see your son.” He ran his finger through his son's fine hair. “The other reason is to release you."

  "Release me? Why do you need to release me?"

  Her smile brightened chuckling gently. “You still haven't lost your knack for questions.” Taking a deep breath, she continued. “You needed to release your guilt."

  "Over your deaths?” Mireya nodded. Was it so easy to release something that had been a part of his life for so long?

  "Mireya, I don't think—"

  "I don't blame you for our deaths, Santar.” Shocked he looked at her through wide eyes. “Things like war and death are something that cannot be easily helped."

  "But, I didn't fight for you."

  "I honestly think had you been there, you would've done all you could, but still, I would have died.” Defeat and anguish still coursed through him, but he clamped down on it concentration on her deep brown eyes. “There is no need to fight here. The baby and I are at peace."

  "But—"

  "Don't. There is no time, Santar.” She gently took the baby from his arms. “You need to fight for another reason. To fight for us now would be over nothing. I know someone that could use it a whole more than us."

  "Who?"

  "You know who.” Nah'Dara, his mind rang. “She needs you a lot more than we do, Santar."

  "She's like a living fortress. She pushes me away. I can't get close to her."

  She sighed. “And you are not the heartless man I knew? Santar, she's been hurt, too. Look into her past. See her pain. She loves you, but is afraid to even let herself open, for fear of being hurt all over again.

  "She saved your life. In order to save yours, she gave away her freedom to Lord Narl."

  "What!” he said in outrage as his hands balled into tight fists. “Why would she do a stupid thing like that?"

  "Because she loves you.” She backed away from him beginning to fade away. “There is no time, Santar. Find her and protect her. She needs you."

  "Where are you going?” By that time, her body faded into the wind leaving behind the whisper of her voice.

  "To Nehmala.” Heaven. Her time in his world was done. She was ready to move on. “Find her, Santar. Find her.” She faded away.

  Chapter 24

  Pain knifed its way through Eriq the moment he came awake. His entire body felt as if it had been used as katana practice. A blinding white light greeted him as he opened his eyes. He closed his eyes allowing them to adjust to the pain. Trying again, he opened his eye to the white interior of a regeneration chamber. His arms felt heavy as he tried to lift them sending more pain registering through his body. He pushed it back all of it. Nah'Dara needed him. There had to be some way out of here.

  As he shifted his position, he heard something clank against the side of the chamber. He ran his fingers down the length of what appeared to be a sword. His heart did another leap when he felt the fine engravings of his family crest. His katana. But how did it get in here with him?

  He had to get out of here. He ran his finger along the rim of the chamber trying to find the release. With several clicks, the lid hissed before sliding open revealing where he was. He sat up and looked around at the open area surrounding the chamber. As he started to rise, he heard the loud claps of boots hitting the floor. He lay still closing his eyes keeping himself ready for anything as he wrapped his hand around the hilt of his katana.

  The footsteps came closer stopping at the side of the chamber.

  "What is going on here?” The raider leaned closer felt by body heat alone.

  Eriq opened his eyes glaring at the raider.

  "What the—” the only thing raider said as he drove the katana deep into the raider's chest. Eriq pushed the dead body to the ground, hearing it hit the ground with a sickening thud and pulled himself from the chamber.

  He searched the raider for another weapon finding two more daggers. Sheathing them in the belt of his pants he stealthily walked out of the room in search of the woman he loved.

  * * * *

  Eriq unsheathed the daggers he found on the dead raider. The ring of metal on metal filled his ears. Two guards stood at the door, guarding it. He smelled their musk of arousal making his anger climbed higher. It fueled him. No one would keep her from him. She was his, for all eternity. Nah'Dara found a way to get under his skin a lot more than he dreamed possible. Now he needed her more than anything.

  In an increasing red haze, Eriq watched through a small window on the door as Lord Narl grabbed her roughly at the shoulders tossing her on the bed as if she weighed no more than a bag of sevilos beans. His blood boiled as he felt the rage course through him.

  Narl had put his hands on his woman. His woman. He was going to die a long, painful death before the night was over. Eriq had not felt such rage since the night he found Mireya murdered. He welcomed the feeling as it consumed him, feeling the boost of power that it gave.

  The sound of her pain twisted his soul. Though she fought back, clawing at him and trying to use her Camtar, he quickly overpowered her, pinning her to the bed. The guards never moved from their post, content to watch the beating of a human woman.

  How could he let her be taken so easily? He should have protected her better. Eriq mentally slapped himself. Now was not the time to sit here and wallow in guilt. Nah'Dara needed him. Mireya had told him so. He would do everything in his power to protect her.

  He forced his anger higher, feeding off every ounce of mental power he had.

  At the sound of the seco
nd ring of metal, the guards slowly turned to the small window. Eriq took his chance. Taking the two daggers, he rammed them home through their heads. They fell to the floor dead. Using his renewed strength, he pushed the door open using the daggers as handles. He never broke his stride.

  Taking the katana from his back, he used the one of the fallen men as a bouncing board taking to the air flying across the room to Narl.

  Hearing the commotion, Narl quickly jumped out of the way. Eriq, missing his target, skidded across the floor, rolled several times until he came to a stop just before the holographic furnace.

  Eriq heard the heavy foot falls of approaching guards coming to the aid of their leader.

  "Stay your weapons.” Narl commanded. Eriq heard the clicks of phaser rifles as they begin to lower. “He is after me."

  Nah'Dara entered his mind. He did not expect her to reach out to him. Eriq? What are you doing? Get out of here!

  Not without you. Eriq rose from the ground. He saw one of the guards hand Narl a long bladed dagger. He never moved his eyes from them.

  "You have no place here, Great Prince.” Narl growled. “The woman has promised to be my thralline in exchange for your life. Her body as well as her life is mine."

  Eriq circled Narl watching as one of the guards grabbed Nah'Dara holding her so she would not interfere.

  A growl escaped his mouth. “You can't have what's not hers to give. It would be a cold day in hell before I let you take her from me."

  "I think that could be arranged.” Before he could strike, the klaxons sounded through the ship.

  Eriq gave his dry lips a feral lick. “Expecting company, traitor?"

  Narl kept his eyes pinned on Eriq as he addressed his men. “See what's going on.” One of the guards broke formation going to the wall viewer on the desk. “We are under attack."

  "Find and kill them if necessary."

  Several men scattered through the door. The one holding Nah'Dara started to break away.

  "No,” Narl commanded him. “Hold the woman.” The guard hesitated as if contemplating helping his men or defying his leader, but grabbed her again.

  Eriq heard her mental growl of frustration. Spirit, Eriq! You are the most stubborn man I have ever known! I did this for you. He shifted his dagger from hand to hand.

  I never asked you to. To Narl he said, “Make your move, traitor."

  Narl smiled ruthlessly. “As you wish."

  Narl made the first blow aiming for Eriq's head. He blocked the blow with is own dagger but the impact jarred him to the bone.

  I did this to save your life! She screamed into his mind.

  I never asked you to. He spun away and sent Narl a series of blows. Several connected, but several did not. His movements were too slow. The pain in his side began to grow severely. His time in the chamber had not been long enough. He just happened not to care. Save Nahni. Save Nahni, his mind chanted.

  I did it because I love you, you stubborn Tenn ox. Eriq felt her warmth around him, but he pushed it back. He needed his mind clear.

  He connected blades. For a moment, they were locked together. The metal had magnetized them together. Strength pitted against strength. Narl hooted a feral laugh.

  "Give up, Great Prince. You're screwed.” Eriq kicked away from him spinning. He felt the dagger graze the bastard's cheek, wishing he had slashed him wide open.

  "Not until I have your head on a pike, traitor.” Eriq lunged forward, aiming his katana to the man's stomach. Narl dodged shifting his hips to the side just barely missing the blade. He gained another scratch on him that gave Eriq a brief shaft of pride.

  Narl stood still. Shock spread across his face as he raised a hand to his stomach.

  "Kill the woman.” At the sight of his own blood, he growled and ran head long into Eriq's gut.

  * * * *

  Nah'Dara's mind raced as she watched Eriq being rammed back by Narl's large body. Why did he come for her? Couldn't he realize that she was capable of taking care of herself? The arrogant selfish man. He pushed her out of his mind with such force that she had not expected. Her heart lodged in her throat seeing Eriq nearly miss the point of the dagger to the ribs.

  "Kill the woman,” Narl yelled as he deflected another blow.

  The guard behind her pulled out his sword. The hands on her shoulder dipped lower to grip her forearm. The slight movement took her attention away from the fight.

  Pouting her mouth and widening her eyes to big frightened green saucers, she leaned backward. He positioned her just so, to ram the dagger through her stomach.

  That's right, you big dumb ass. Take the bait.

  Nah'Dara licked her lips, placing her hands on his large muscular arms connecting her knee to his groan. He fell to the ground holding his wounded pride as she kicked him.

  "Don't—kick—ever—kick—touch—kick—me—kick—again!” She gave him one last kick in the head for good measure, leaving him on the ground.

  She turned to see several more guards burst through the door heading straight for her. She crouched low into a fighting Camtar stance. She kicked one of the guards, punching the other. A guard grabbed her around the waist, hoisting her off the ground.

  Big mistake. They must think I'm just another helpless female.

  Nah'Dara rammed her head backward connecting with his head. The pain burst through her skull as she struggled to right herself. She staggered for a minute, recovering enough to pick up the dagger by her foot. As the raider charged after her, she held her knife ready. He sliced across his body with his own dagger. Nah'Dara blocked it with the long dagger giving him several quick blows.

  He was bigger, but she was definitely faster. She swung the blade around trying to connect with his head. When he blocked it and growled down into her face, she kicked him in the stomach. The big ox did not budge. Fear shot through her.

  Oh, shit!

  Suddenly, a phaser blast shot out, hitting the guard in the back. He fell to the side, dagger still in hand. Behind him, stood the guard who had taken Eriq away from the dungeon. He nodded to her, turning to fight off a wave of guards coming to kill her.

  * * * *

  The blow knocked the wind form him. A blinding pain hit him. He madly pushed back, spread through his right side, rib broken. Narl grabbed his neck in a vise grip trying to squeeze the life out of him.

  Eriq clawed at his neck and hands in order to force him to release him.

  "I'm going to gut you, Great Prince,” Narl growled close to his face. “Then, as your spirit separates from your body, I'm going to fuck your woman while you're on your last breath."

  The rage in him boiled over. Eriq reached up slamming is fists hard into Narl's ears. The man howled in pain as blood dripped from his ears. Eriq pushed him off him pounding his face with a series of punches. Narl slammed him in the stomach and forced him back on to the wall. Eriq slammed his fist into the side of Narl's head with all the strength he could find. Narl yelled in pain, grabbing his ears. More blood seeped through his fingers.

  Narl gave him an evil laugh that cracked on his voice. “You have become weak, Santar. The woman poisoned your mind, just like Mireya"

  Eriq roared. His rage reached an all-time high. He speared into Narl, driving him back to the other wall. Releasing his fury, he pounded away on the lord's abdomen ignoring the distinct crack of bone.

  "You should have heard her, crying for you, begging for you to save her, but you were too late. You were all too late.” At the sound of his horse laugh, Eriq gave him another dose of his fist to the ribs, feeling the spray of blood on his face.

  * * * *

  As the guard fell to the ground, the other guards recovered to charge after her. Nah'Dara pulled her blade up, ready. With lightning speed, she fended them off, landing several blows across the chest of one and the throat of the other. The unknown guard helped her by taking two other guards swinging his body into action.

  Fighting with a blade while not her strong point, she figured it was better
than fighting hand to hand. She round house kicked her assailant sending him staggering back, giving her some time. The guard stopped to give her a full body glance.

  Nah'Dara looked down horrified at her dark bare breasts free for everyone to see. The corset around them was a complete ruin, cut into shreds with the daggers.

  "Nice."

  She rolled her eyes at him. “Go fuck yourself,” she spat at him.

  He laughed lunging at her. “Not before I do you.” He never got the chance to touch her. Several shots sounded from the corridor gaining the raider's attention. The raider looked to the open entryway as several of his friends were being pushed back by phaser fire. As he started for the door, Nah'Dara took her chance driving the blade deep into his back. She turned it for good measure watching the blood spill form the wound into his uniform.

  She shrank back nearly falling over something in the floor. The guard who helped her lay dead at her feet.

  Boom!

  A loud explosion sounded from behind the bed destroying it. She was thrown several feet before she landed on the hard floor behind the table. Her head swam as darkness met her finally.

  * * * *

  The explosion knocked Eriq and Narl half across the room. He recovered quickly, wrapped his hands around Narl's neck slamming him to the floor. He used Narl as leverage as he rammed his head twice on the hard floor. Eriq punched him in the face repeatedly until the lord lay limp on the floor.

  He roared fiercely as the last of his anger spent away.

  * * * *

  Nah'Dara opened her eyes. She must have only been out only a short time. No one came through the gaping hole in the wall where the large bed once stood. She pushed debris from her body briefly, looking for any sign of blood.

  She heard the sounds of bodies hitting the solid floor and then a gurgling. Expecting the worst, ready to defend her lover, Nah'Dara found the strength to stand. She saw Eriq with his hands wrapped around Narl's throat. The deadly look on his face made his intent clear.

  Nah'Dara limped over to him.

  "Eriq,” she said, her voice cracked.

  He did not move.

  "Eriq!” she said louder.