Outlaw

by Angela Verdenius

“No one is going to harm you.” Darvk took a step forward but stopped immediately when her fists clenched. “Relax, lass.”

  Was he joking? She was an outlaw, bought and branded, in the midst of what was sure to be the Lawful Sector. She had no idea of his plans for her, but after the betrayals she’d already suffered, she wasn’t prepared to trust him or anyone. As soon as she saw an escape route, she was taking it. If she got shot while doing so…well, it’d be better than being a crew’s plaything.

  “Not going to, hmmm?” Darvk’s lips quirked in amusement. “Stubborn little wench, aren’t you?”

  She stared blandly at him.

  “Are you hungry?” He swivelled around and headed toward the door.

  Maverk stepped aside and waited, but when she didn’t attempt to follow he motioned to Darvk, who turned back with a frown. “Are you coming?”

  “I’m your prisoner. Am I not to eat here?”

  “Hell, nay. Seeing that you are well enough to get up, you’ll come and eat with us in the dining hall of the Consult Building.”

  Instantly her mind started running possibilities. Get out, survey the settlement, plot the escape route, run.

  Obviously guessing her thoughts, Darvk chuckled. “No bright ideas, lass.”

  She just looked at him.

  “Come on.” He jerked his head, turned and walked out the door.

  Maverk swept his hand out in a ‘you first’ gesture, that damned amused grin on his face.

  Tenia’s gut tightened at the thought of being sandwiched between the men, but it wasn’t as if she had a choice. Stuck in the room, or have a taste of freedom to either bolt or make plans. So she followed, shoulders tensing as she heard the heavy tread of Maverk’s boots behind her.

  The corridor had rooms opening off each side, great arches lining the walls, but Darvk didn’t slow down or stop so she caught only fleeting glimpses of elegant lounge rooms, bedrooms, another bathroom, several closed doors, and then they were stepping out onto a porch, a veranda high above them, thick, elegant columns rising from the ground to hold the heavy veranda up.

  A wide pathway wound around trees and bushes planted thick enough that it blocked any view of anything more than the mammoth stone building ahead.

  “Consult Building,” Darvk said casually over his shoulder. “Everyone eats here if they wish.”

  Tenia didn’t actually wish it, but her hunger was undeniable now that she was up and moving. Food was fuel, fuel was strength, and strength aided escape.

  The entrance was an open section of the front wall, high, thick doors folded back to create an opening that enabled people to throng in and out at will. The dining hall beyond was huge, and though people both young and old ate at the tables that ran in two long rows down the middle, many of the chairs were empty. Tapestries and paintings hung on the walls, and tall windows stretched from floor to ceiling.

  “Darvk, over here,” Byron called from a table near the wall.

  The trader nodded and they walked over. Tenia was seated between the two Daamens. Byron was sitting at the head of the table with Lexie to his left, next to a big blonde warrior and a man with twinkling brown eyes.

  Byron’s smile was friendly. “I see you are much improved, Tenia. How do your wounds feel?”

  “Fine,” she replied.

  Lexie smiled. “Tenia, you know my husband, Byron. This,” she laid her hand on the arm of the blonde Saalm, “is Lica’s husband, Coran, and our friend Keema.” She indicated the merry-eyed man.

  “It’s good to see you up and about.” Coran regarded her closely.

  She returned the scrutiny before dropping her gaze to the glass of icy water before her. The Saalm men were huge, tall as the Daamens. She recognised them now, a race that had some of the best healers in the Lawful Sector. The Saalm had never been a threat, mostly keeping to themselves, and this dining hall that was populated with what appeared to be men, women and children going about their business was definitely not a place closely guarded. It was a meeting house to eat, greet and leave.

  Escape from it wouldn’t be hard as long as she could shake the two Daamens seated each side of her. Now, if she could just get a weapon. She flicked a glance at the utensils the occupants of the table were using. A knife, maybe-

  “Don’t mind Tenia,” Maverk said cheerfully. “She’s not exactly a friendly little soul.”

  Tenia glanced sideways at the blonde trader. Arrogant. Arrogance could be easy to fool.

  Keema’s lips twitched. “So I see.”

  “Why don’t you get something to eat and stop tormenting her?” Lexie suggested to Maverk.

  “Who, me?” His expression was innocent.

  “Yes, you. Come with me.”

  “Out of favour again.” He sighed but obeyed.

  While everyone was away getting their food, Darvk turned to Tenia. “Relax. There’s no one here to hurt you, ‘tis mostly families.”

  “That means nothing,” she returned coolly.

  “You would hurt children?”

  Immediately anger surged through her, the knowledge of what her race had been accused of as sharp and hurtful as though it had happened just hours ago instead of years. He’d poked a raw, bloody wound. “I’ve never hurt a child!”

  “Then what did your comment mean?”

  Jaw clenched, she turned away. She could feel him studying her profile thoughtfully, but he kept silent. That suited her just fine.

  When Maverk returned, Darvk went and selected food for himself and Tenia. When he placed the plate of meat and vegetables before her, she glanced askance at the fork he gave her. “How am I supposed to cut this meat?”

  Pulling the plate before him, Darvk proceeded to cut the meat into bite-sized pieces.

  Surely he wasn’t serious? She stared at him but he continued cutting. Finally, she demanded in a low voice, “Give me the knife and I’ll do it myself.”

  “You must be joking.” He slanted her an amused look.

  “I’m not a child who needs food cut up.”

  “Nay, you’re not a child,” he agreed easily. “You’re a wench who happens to have a grudge against men, or people in general, I’m not yet sure if ‘tis either or both. Do you honestly think I would trust you with a knife?” He pushed the plate back in front of her.

  His cavalier attitude had her teeth gritting. “Frightened of me?”

  “Cautious.”

  A low laugh went around the table, mostly from Maverk and Keema, but there was no denying the amusement on the Saalms’ faces.

  Apparently she was now the source of speculation and humour. A Reeka they think they can laugh at, bring down, use for entertainment. Do they really think I’m just going to sit here and take it? Rage was building up inside her. How dare he humiliate me? “I can’t eat this.”

  “Of course you can.” Taking a bite of bread, he chewed with enjoyment.

  “Are you sure you trust me with a fork?”

  “‘Tis not as sharp as a knife. Now eat up like a good lass.” He winked.

  Maverk chuckled.

  It was like fuel to a fire.

  Laugh at me? I’ll teach them not to laugh at a Reeka. In that second, Tenia didn’t care if she lived or died. All she knew was that she wasn’t going to sit one second longer and be laughed at, toyed with. Treated like a child. A toy. A plaything for their amusement.

  She’d show them what a Reeka could do. Would do.

  She let the anger swallow her, acting on instinct, all her muscles tensing, adrenaline pouring through her as she analytically processed every person in the big hall with one sweeping glance, checking the position of the guards, the Daamen traders, everyone at the table.

  The arrogance of Darvk to not even suspect that she might retaliate was a bitter yet welcome pill. It made him so much more vulnerable.

  Her escape so much easier. And sweeter.

  Taking a deep breath, she said quietly, “A fork may not be as sharp, but it can be just as good.” Jumping up, she slammed the
fork down with such force that it twanged as it just missed Darvk’s hand and embedded in the wooden surface of the table.

  Face shocked, he jerked back, toppling over backwards in the chair to hit the floor. Before Maverk could recover from his surprise, she swept his plate of stew up off the table and slammed it into his face with such force that he was momentarily stunned.

  The whole episode had taken mere seconds, but Tenia took advantage of the shocked stillness to bolt from the table toward the open doors.

  “Tenia!” Darvk’s roar broke the spell and Maverk, Coran and Keema bolted after her.

  Red came at her from the right and she ducked, swinging her arm in a wide arc to slam into his stomach, winding him. A long row of tables stood directly ahead but she didn’t break stride, leaping up onto the table, sending dishes crashing and the three women seated at it fleeing with shrieks.

  Freedom was beckoning through the open doors until she saw two traders approaching through them. Morgan and Borga, muscular arms reaching out. Damn. No weapons in sight, nothing she could use, but she had to get past them and she’d do it any way she could.

  Snatching up a plate, she sent it spinning with deadly accuracy through the air at them.

  “Duck!” yelled Borga.

  She couldn’t have planned it better. As they bent to avoid the spinning plate, she leaped forward with one push of strong legs, bounding onto their backs as she narrowly evaded Maverk’s grasping hands behind her. She leaped off the stunned men quickly, propelling herself through the open doorway.

  “Tenia!” Darvk’s bellow sounded out behind her. “Stop!”

  The sunlight kissed her skin, warm and welcome, but there was no time to enjoy it. Sprinting across the lawn, she looked around wildly. Shouts came from behind her, and she glanced over her shoulder to see people spilling out of the Consult Building.

  “Tenia! Stop now, damn it!” Darvk roared, swearing as she cleared a low hedge and continued toward some buildings.

  Don’t panic. Think, look.

  Another glance showed traders and warriors gaining slowly, but she was lighter, fleet of foot, and confident of losing them; until Aamun and a young trader came at her from the right.

  Desperation gave her a burst of speed, and she veered away and bolted around the corner of a nearby building to find herself directly in front of a corral full of horses and several startled men and women who watched her approach with surprise.

  Obviously they had no idea what was happening, and she took full advantage of it.

  Grabbing a surprised young Saalm warrior by his tunic as he was just starting to mount the tall horse, she jerked him back and kicked him behind one knee. He crashed down onto his back in the dust.

  Without using the stirrups she was up and onto the horse’s back, wheeling him sharply around and kicking him into a hard gallop down the trail leading out of the settlement.

  “Bloody hell!” Darvk’s swearing rent the air.

  ~ * ~

  Tenia laughed aloud as the wind whipped past her face, her blood racing with victory. Freedom! Sweet, blessed freedom! If she could make it to the tree line before other horses or travel discs caught up with her, she had a good chance of evading capture.

  The horse ran effortlessly beneath her, it’s powerful muscles surging. Ten minutes later she turned him down a narrow old track leading into the forest, slowing him down to a brisk walk to rest him as the trees lined the old track thickly, obscuring her from sight.

  “Good boy.” She patted his shoulder.

  Recalling Darvk’s shocked face, she couldn’t help a small grin. Undoubtedly he’d be fuming by now, having lost his prize.

  Her amusement didn’t last long, however. Becoming aware of a low humming sound, she pulled the horse to a halt, looking around and angling her head in an effort to detect the source of the noise.

  It came from behind her.

  Twisting around in the saddle, she saw Maverk gliding around the corner of the track on a round, silver travel disc. She’d crowed about victory too soon, stopped too soon, hadn’t realised they were so close behind her.

  Spotting her, Maverk’s eyes narrowed, the travel disc speeding up.

  Tenia kicked the horse into a run, leaning forward over the pommel, urging the horse faster, her mind already planning how to knock the trader off the disc when he drew close - as he would, it was a forgone conclusion when the travel discs could go so much faster than a horse. But if she could get him off the disc, kick him hard enough to send him crashing into the bushes, she might be able to exchange horse for disc, enabling her to manoeuvre easily amongst the trees and leave the track behind.

  No sooner had she started to construct a plan than she rounded another bend to see Darvk standing on a disc not far ahead, his arms folded and a smirk on his face. In one hand he held a visual communicator tracker.

  So that’s how they’d found her so quickly.

  His triumphant expression faltered when she didn’t slow the horse, continuing towards him, the horse’s hooves thudding along the dirt without pause.

  Faced with the big horse bearing down upon him, Darvk reacted exactly as she hoped. With a curse he swung the disc out of the way. The sharp movement unbalanced him, and he crashed down to the grass.

  Maverk’s laughter was loud enough that Tenia had no problem hearing it. She also had no problem hearing Darvk’s bellowed “That little witch!” A glance over her shoulder showed Maverk closing in behind her, Byron shadowing him, and Darvk leaping onto his downed disc to rise into the air and accelerate in their wake.

  This was not good. This was bad, very bad. Three big men on travel discs, all determined to catch her, all on a device able to travel faster than the horse.

  The thought of giving up didn’t enter Tenia’s mind. Any chance at freedom was a chance to be taken, and she took it. Uncaring of the small cuts and scratches sustained from the slapping branches, Tenia urged the horse through the bushes. She broke through into a clearing, aimed for the river below, and thundered down the rise towards it.

  A flash of silver, a big body, and Darvk flew past her.

  The horse shied, jerked at the reins, and she fought for control, but it reared, bucked, completely spooked when Maverk shot past the other side and swerved in front of her.

  The wound in her side grabbed suddenly, pain ripping through her, and combined with fighting the big horse she was thrown from the saddle to land painfully on her injured side before rolling down the slope.

  She finally came to a halt on her back against a strong pair of legs braced apart. Ignoring the big trader glaring down at her, his arms folded across his muscular chest, she gasped for air. The pain was a raw burning, and she pressed a hand to her wound, feeling the wetness. Holding up her hand to see the blood coating it, she dropped her head back onto the grass with a groan, gritting her teeth as another bite of pain raked through her.

  Apparently her wound wasn’t as well-healed as she’d thought.

  Concern replacing anger, Darvk crouched by her side. “Are you all right, lass?”

  “Your wound.” Byron appeared, dropping to one knee on her other side. “You’ve hurt yourself.”

  “It’s fine,” she gritted out, resiting the impulse to cringe away as his hand reached out towards her.

  “I need to check it, Tenia.”

  “No need.” Teeth clenched against the pain, she tried to sit up. God, that hurts!

  It also had nausea roiling up the back of her throat and her vision swim a little.

  Darvk halted her attempt at sitting up by placing one large hand on her upper chest and simply pressing her back down. “Lie still.”

  The ridiculous ease with which he did it was enough to fire her annoyance, but the sensation of his big, warm, hard palm on her upper sternum was disconcerting. She glared up at him. “Get your filthy hands off me or I’ll-”

  “Caught yourself a hellcat, I see,” Maverk drawled, eyeing her with amusement from where he stood holding the horse’s r
eins.

  Before she could spit out a reply, Darvk threatened, “If you don’t lie still, we’ll hold you down.”

  The threat brought back humiliating memories of other hands restraining her; hurtful hands, invasive, groping her in tender, private places. It still had the power to make her skin crawl at just the humiliating memory. She subsided back onto the springy grass.

  Byron drew up her vest only enough to study the wound dressing.

  “Is there much damage?” Darvk asked.

  “It’s bleeding, but I don’t want to remove the dressing until we return to the settlement.” Byron smiled down at her. “You’ll live, however.”

  When Darvk gave a sigh of relief, she couldn’t resist baiting him. “Congratulations, trader, you haven’t lost your investment after all.”

  Maverk laughed outright, while Darvk scowled darkly. “That sassy tongue is going to get you into trouble one day, wench.”

  “I’m terrified.”

  Byron didn’t bother to hide his amusement. “Let’s get going.”

  Darvk eyed Tenia’s mutinous face. Reaching behind him, he slid off the leather strip fastening his hair back and deftly tied it around her wrists. Standing, he drew her carefully up with him.

  Hands bound before her, she glared up at him.

  “Precautions,” he informed her, a faint quirk appearing at the corners of his firm lips. “You have a knack of attacking when least expected.” Taking her arm, he led her over to the horse.

  Fully expecting to walk alongside the horse, she was taken aback when Darvk suddenly gripped her carefully under the arms and lifted her onto the horse. He didn’t waste time letting her settle, swinging up behind her, heavily-muscled arms coming either side of her to grip the reins.

  Surrounded by the heat of his body, knowing that for now she was trapped, she drew in an annoyed breath. “I can walk.”

  “You’re not going to.”

  “I can ride alone.”

  “Lass, you’re never going anywhere alone.” He nudged the horse into a walk.

  Fuming at the helpless situation she was in, she held herself stiffly, refusing to give in to the temptation to lean against him in an effort to ease the throbbing in her side.