Published: 23 May 2019

All the next morning, we watched the news vids. The city was buzzing with the news of the explosion at Gregor’s Head. They talked about the dead, the missing slaves and kids the toppled buildings, the smoking ruins, the apparent gun battle, everything. Everything that was, except for any mention of finding Phy-Tong’s body. I didn’t think they would find that for quite a while, it being buried under several hundred tons of rubble.

There was mention of two locals found dead in the bar, Dean and Pierre, along with lots of speculation about what really happened. No one seemed at all surprised, nor upset, by the death of the slaver Phy-Tong-Ki. They all said it was bound to happen sooner or later. The general consensus was a feeling of relief that it had, even among the city officials.

We waited all day to hear from Sam. When no word came from her by night time, I was in a panic.

What happen to the tracker inserted into her thigh?”There has to be a way to find her!” I yelled at John. [WHAT HAPPENED TO TRACKER]

“Relax Jared. I’ve got all my friends out looking. We will find her!”

“Our entire family is out asking questions and looking too!” Laurant added. “There’ll be word soon, I’m certain.”

“I know, I know. You’re all trying to help. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t lose my temper. I can’t just sit here waiting though. I’ve got to do something.”

“Like what?” John asked.

“I’ve been thinking about that. I’m going to go see the guy who said he could find the princess.Maybe he’ll have some information for me.”

“We’ll go with you.” Laurant said.

“No! No, I think it would spook him if you came. I’d better go alone. You two go help your own people.”

“Alright. If you think that’s best, we’ll go.” Laurant answered.

“Yeah I do, thank you. Ahh… Madame DuPree, could you look after Ryan and Cearil please?”

“Certainly. I’d be happy to.”

“Thank you.”

I shook hands all around, hugged Ryan then went out the front door.

‘Oh god! What am I doing?’ I thought, as the transport pulled away. I had no clue where they would take us and I knew Jared would be furious when he found I was gone. He couldn’t blame himself this time though. I’d made this choice all on my own.

Riding along, I couldn’t help but be frightened. I had begun to tremble when the woman beside me wrapped her arm around my shoulders and squeezed me snug against her side.

“It’ll be okay.” she whispered. “Just stay with me and we’ll get through this.”

“Thank you.” I mumbled, letting myself melt into her embrace.

“Hey, look on the bright side. It has to be better than Phy-Tong’s place, no matter where we’re going.” she chuckled lightly.

“That’s true.” I answered, beginning to calm.

“You’re not one of his, are you? You’re the little one that handsome tradesman came in with a few days ago.” I wasn’t sure what to say so I just nodded.

“Don’t worry, I’ll try and help you if I can. What is it you’re doing here anyway? I thought you escaped.”

“I did.” I answered, trying to decide if I should trust her or not.

“Well, whatever you’re up to, it must be important, to bring you back.”

“Look, there’s something I have to do, okay. There’s a girl out here in the city someplace that I must find.”

“Who is this girl?”

“Can you keep a secret? I mean it, it’s important.”

“Yes, absolutely.”

“Well… Okay… uhm, how to explain. You remember the boy Phy-Tong-Ki brought in about two weeks ago? The one named Ryan?”

“Yeah sure. We all heard about that. He was using the poor kid as bait, to get to some guy he blamed for ruining his life.”

“That guy was Jared, the one who came in with me.”

“Really! So that’s what was going on. You came looking for Ryan.”

“Yeah. But that’s not all There was a girl with Ryan. Really pretty and probably very scared. Do you recall seeing her at all?”

“Umm… yeah… but only for like one day I think.”

“What happened to her?”

“Some other slaver came for her. Why?”

“I have to find her and get her to Jared, that’s why.”

“So, one pretty little thing isn’t enough for your master huh?”

“Oh stop that!” I elbowed her in the ribs. “It’s not like that at all!”

“Okay, okay. But I think you’re protest isn’t quite sincere.”

She was right and we both knew it but I wasn’t going to talk about Jared with a stranger, no matter how much she felt like my mother.

“Never-the-less, it isn’t!”

“Then why is it so important to find this one particular girl?”

“Because…” I hesitated, still not totally comfortable with giving out too many details.

“Well?”

“Because she… she’s a… oh damn it all, she’s a princess. She’s the only hope for peace between two warring worlds. That’s why!”

“Now that is truly important. Look honey, I don’t know where she is. The slaver who took her is called Master Hayden. I don’t know anything more. I’m sorry.”

“That’s okay. At least it gives me a starting point.”

The transport made its way through the city for about thirty minutes. It finally pulled to a stop out front of a huge building. When we got out, I could see that it was elaborately decorated with twenty foot high fluted columns and carved Corinthian cornices.

A set of double doors, at least twelve feet high and about four feet wide each, stood at the top of a flight of marble stairs. Set on pedestals at either end of the stairs were ten foot tall Pegasus, their wings outstretched as if ready to leap into the air at any moment. The doors looked to be some kind of blackened metal, studded with large rivets of shiny bronze, in rows and lines from top to bottom.

One of the men who had brought us here, lead us up the steps and knocked on the door. After several seconds the doors swung slowly inward. We all walked into a large entry hall that had a staircase that swept upward in an arc on either side of the room, coming together at a balcony in the center.

The entry had a giant hand woven carpet that spread across the center of the room. All around the sides, there were statuary, either standing on their own or on small pedestals. The walls were covered with paintings and tapestry.

Standing at the center of the balcony, looking down at us was an elderly woman. She was dressed in a fine silk gown and dripped with gold and jewels. Even though elderly, she had the poise and bearing of a refined lady.

“Welcome.” she began. “I realize you’ve all been through a very traumatic experience this night. I am also aware of how poorly you have been treated in the past. That all ends here and now. From now on you will be given the choice to join my family here, or go to another owner if you desire. Which ever it be, you will be given respect and valued for the services you provide.I will not keep you now. Go with my aides and get cleaned up. You are all tired and hungry, I am certain. Go, eat now, then get some sleep. You will be told more tomorrow.

I found that I was at once enthralled by this lady. Somehow, I felt almost as strongly affectionate towards her as I had felt hatred for Phy-Tong-Ki. Instantly I knew that if anyone could help me find the princess it would be this woman.

Several men and women appeared from the side halls and began ushering us away. I hurried over to one of the women to plead my case. “Excuse me please, I need to speak with the lady of the house right away.”

“I’m sorry little one, Lady Tessara is a busy woman. You will be given more information tomorrow”

“But it’s important and urgent!”

“Nothing is so urgent it can’t wait on a good meal, a bath, and some sleep.”

“Look you, I’m not a slave! I’m only here hunting someone. I need Lady Tessara’s help!”

“Now, now. What could she possibly care about your little hunt? Come now, follow the others.”

I had no choice. I let myself be ushered away to the servant’s quarters along with all the other women and girls. After a bath, a good meal and some needed medical attention, I had to admit, I did feel better. The dress I was given was not exactly to my taste but it was clean and soft.We were assigned beds and most went right to sleep. I couldn’t though. I kept pacing around the halls, worried about the princess, Jared, John, Laurant, Cearil, Ryan and Madame DuPree.I could almost hear them talking about me. Jared would be sick with worry and angry that I had run off again. I didn’t even have my comlink, having given it to Laurant.

“Are you okay?” a familiar voice asked.

Turning, I found Della standing there.

“Yes and no.” I told her.

“You’ll find the princess, don’t worry. Have you asked these people about Master Hayden yet?”

“Not yet. I tried to see Lady Tessara but these people treated me like a kid who had nothing important to say!” I ranted, still pacing up and down the hall. “God I hate this dress!” I said, pulling out the pleats two feet on either side.

“Why? It’s beautiful if you ask me.”

“It’s ugly. First, it’s way too long. I mean who wears a floor length dress these days? And these stupid puffy sleeves are driving me nuts! They’re too short to stay down but too long to actually be short! Gah!”

“Well, it wasn’t designed for show, you know.”

“I know! That’s another thing! It hides all my best bits!” I said, turning my head back and forth, looking over the dress.

“You need to sleep. You’ll think clearer in the morning.”

“I tried to sleep but I can’t. I’ve got too much on my mind.”

“Come on, I know something that’ll help.”

Della took me back to my room, took off the dress and had me lie down on the bed. Starting with my neck, she massaged all the muscles from there to my toes. It felt so good that I never even noticed when I fell asleep.

I awoke the next morning to find it was no longer morning but afternoon. I hadn’t slept this well in quite a while and I felt better than I had in a long time. I had to find Della and thank her. She has a real talent, that one. I wondered where she had learned it.

By the time I was up and dressed I realized I was famished. The last time I ate was yesterday evening. When I found the servants dining room it was deserted. There was a steam table along one wall that, when I checked, was well stocked. I found a plate and loaded it up. Everything looked and smelled so good that I ate way more than I should have. It was very difficult to believe how much better this place was than Phy-Tong-Ki’s place. Eating here made his food look like pig slop. While I was eating, Della came through the door.

“There you are! I’ve been looking all over for you.”

“Why?”

“Because, you have an appointment with Lady Tessara in five minutes.”

“How’d you manage that?”

“How doesn’t matter right now. It took me all morning to arrange it and I’ll be damned if you’re going to be late.” She rushed me out in a hurry, even taking my arm and almost dragging me along.

“Shouldn’t I at least clean…” It was too late, we were already out the door. “Well, I hope whoever has to clean up after me doesn’t get mad.”

“So you’ll apologize later!” she said, as we scurried down one hall, up a set of stairs, along another hall, through three large rooms with woven carpets, carved wooden furniture, puffy chairs and sofas, floor to ceiling windows and many pieces of art on the walls.

We finally arrived at a set of double doors. Pausing momentarily, Della straightened my hair and dress, then tapped lightly on the door. “Enter” was the only response.

Inside was an anteroom with a large wooden desk in the center. It was richly carved and inlaid in dark and light woods. Parts of it were even covered in gold leaf. Behind it was a heavy wooden chair covered in padded red leather and just as elaborately carved and embellished as the desk. They were a matching set.

Sitting iron straight in that chair was a woman of middle age. Her hair was dark brown with slight streaks of gray at the temples. It would have been long if let down but right now was tied in a tight bun at the back of her head. She was wearing a white, long sleeved blouse with ruffles starting at the throat and running down the front. Her skirt was sapphire blue and hung to her ankles. A small set of gold reading glasses perched on the end of her nose, pinching it so tightly one would think it painful. A small gold chain was attached to each arm of the glasses and draped itself around her neck.

As she looked up at us, I saw that her eyes were blue but there was no warmth in them what-so-ever. She looked us both over with a frosty glare that one could almost feel chilling the skin and made me shiver.

“You are very nearly late Miss Della! I’ll announce you at once.” she chirped shrilly, rising from her throne-like seat.

“No, wait.” Della said. “This is Sam. She’ll be going in my place.”

The woman turned on one heal slowly and glared at us. “This will not do Della. Not at all. The appointment is for you, not this.. other girl.”

“Please Mistress Elnora, it’s critical that Sam see Lady Tessara.”

“What do you mean critical?”

“She’s not actually a slave. She’s on a mission of political import and needs Lady Tessara’s help.” Della said, glancing at me as if to apologize for giving away my secret.

“Hmm. I see. It’s highly irregular, I really should not…”

“Please Mistress Elnora! I really am in dire need of help.” I added.

“Very well. Tell me your name again.”

“I’m Sam.”

“Sam…?” she asked, lifting one eyebrow.

“Well…, it’s actually Samira, Samira Corby, but I usually go by Sam.”

“Samira Corby will do fine.” she answered, entering it into her data pad. “Follow me.”

Even though I knew it was past closing time I had to try and make contact with Iakibos. The shop was dark and the shutters closed when I arrived. There were a couple of lights on upstairs, glowing warmly from behind their drapes. “Iakobos!” I called, banging on the shutters. There was no response so I banged harder and shouted.

“Iakobos!”

“I’m closed you fool!” come his voice from an upper window.

“It’s me, Jared!” Get down here! Now!” I called, stepping back and looking up at him as he hung his head out the window. He just stared at me for several seconds.

“Hey! Come on! I ain’t got all night!”

He pulled his head in and closed the window. I watched as lights came on first in the back of the shop, then up front and finally at the door. “What the hell is your problem?” he chided me. “It’s almost midnight.”

“I need your help and I need it now. Let me in!”

Shaking his head he opened the door and stepped back. I walked in then waited for him to close up again before continuing.

“Have you gotten any information on the princess yet?”

“Yeah but you’re not going to like it.”

“Well, I’ll just have to live with it but now my friend Sam is missing too. Have you heard anything about her?”

“No, sorry. I can ask around tomorrow but not tonight.”

“Tomorrow’s too long. Tell me what you’ve got and I’ll go from there.”

“Alright. The princess was purchased and moved today. I’m not sure by whom, nor where she’s at now. Like I said, it’s not good news but it’s all I could get.”

“Who sold her?”

“I”m told it was a slaver called Master Hayden.”

“Can you tell me where to find him, at least?”

“Yeah, that’s not hard. His place is on the eastern sea, about an hours tube ride outside the city. The township of Lis’tarii. Just ask around, everyone knows him.”

Iakobos gave me a description of Master Hayden and I promised to return with the pistols and ammo in a day or two. I went straight to the tube station and boarded an express for Lis’tarii.

My source was right. It was impossible to not find my way to Master Hayden’s place. It seemed he either owned or had an investment in, almost everything in the township. The problem was actually getting in to see him. I was told repeatedly that I would need an appointment.

When I arrived at his front gate, i was told the same again and that the soonest he had an opening wouldn’t be for another two weeks. Even when I told them it was an emergency and couldn’t wait, the soonest they could squeeze me in would be three days from now.

For an hour I argued with them. Then I spent another two hours walking the streets fuming in anger and frustration. It was a bit after 4:30 in the morning and I guess I let my emotions and lack of sleep as well, get the better of me.

“He’s going to see me tonight whether he wants to or not!” I grumbled to myself.

I made my way back to Master Hayden’s estate and spent about thirty minutes reconnoitering the place. I settled on a spot at a back fence that had no lights. It only took me a few seconds to scale the wall and drop onto the other side.

The place was quite large, probably twenty acres at least. There were gardens, trees, paths, a small pond, several outbuildings and shops, a swimming pool and a garage that could have housed ten vehicles. The house itself was a rambling, two story ranch style, built in a U-shape around a courtyard. It was all wood, natural stone and huge logs. I couldn’t imagine where they found trees that large. The biggest had been used as the upright structure and stood the entire two stories of the house. They would have been too large for one man to even reach around half their girth.

The lower portion of the ground floor was built from giant granite blocks about six feet across and three feet high. From the outside, I couldn’t tell how thick they were but to support that much weight they’d have to be at least as thick as they were tall. The face of each stone had elaborate relief carvings. Featured were scenes that ran from stone to stone around the entire perimeter of the house, of old mythological stories, beasts of all types, trees, horsed men on a hunt, battles and lots of nudes.

From there up, the house was built of huge posts and beams, logs, boards, glass etc. The house was roofed with kiln fired tiles but they weren’t red as I expected. In the dark they had a shiny dull glow I couldn’t place at first. As I got closer and closer to the house I was finally able to see better. I was bowled over when I realized they were gold. I knew it had to either be a glaze placed on the tiles at firing or gold leaf. They couldn’t be solid gold, the weight would be far too heavy.

At the back end of one wing of the house I found a set of double french style doors. It was dark inside the room behind the doors so I figured it would be a good spot for my entry. I’d have to hurry as it was almost dawn now and the household staff would be stirring soon.

I was astounded to find the doors unlocked. Either a servant had forgotten them or this Master Hayden believed no one would dare break into his house. I silently slipped past the doors and closed them behind me. Turning from the doors I started across the darkened room. I’d only made it about five steps when the lights came on and I found myself surrounded by at least a dozen muzzles attached to beefy hands of a dozen large guards. I had no choice but to give up. Kneeling, I put both hands on top of my head.

“Please, I’m not a thief. I only need to speak to Master Hayden on an urgent matter that cannot wait.”

None of the guards said a word but one turned and left the room. A few minutes passed, then the guard returned with another man. This one I already knew.

“You!” he said. “I told you Master Hayden was busy. So what do you do? Do you wait for an appointment? No! You try to break in! Are you truly that big a fool?”

“And I told you that I could not wait! I must see him! Now! It’s a matter of life and death! Please, give me five minutes with him, then I’ll be gone!”

He stared at me for several seconds then finally sighed. Pulling something from his pocket, he touched a button and all the guards vanished into thin air.

“They were holograms?” I sputtered in disbelief.

“Yes. State of the art though. Don’t be fooled, the stun beams that would have hit you, had you tried to escape, are very real indeed. The rest is for psychological effect. Come with me.”

I followed him to a sitting room and was told to wait there. It was nearly a half hour later before the doors opened again and he returned, followed by another man.

“He doesn’t look dangerous to me. You may go Granville.” the second man said.

The first man nodded his head and left, closing the sliding doors behind him.

“I am Master Hayden.” he said, as he walked over and seated himself in the chair across from me.

He was a big man, maybe 6’4″ and 260 lbs. I could tell by the way he moved that there was muscle under his robe, not fat. It wasn’t the bulky muscle though. He was fluid and smooth in his movements. It was a bit inconsistent with his obvious age.

His hair was thick but gone fully silver gray. He had the lines and wrinkles associated with a man of maybe 70. He was self assured and comfortable in his own skin. He was every inch the ‘Master’ of his domain.

“Who might you be young man?”

“My name is Jared McFarlane, sir.”

“Very well. Now that we’ve been introduced, tell me please, if you will, what is so important that you were desperate and foolish enough to attempt breaking into my home?”

“Please sir, first allow me to apologize for my rudeness. I know it was inconsiderate but I had no choice left. I hope that when I’ve explained, you’ll both understand and forgive my intrusion. I’ll come right to the point then, if that’s alright.” He nodded and I continued. “About three weeks ago now you acquired a young girl from Phy-Tong-Ki. She was sold by you today, well, yesterday now.”

“Hmm, let me think. Yes, I believe I know the one you’re referring to. But tell me, why is she of interest to you?”

“It’s a long story but I’ll attempt to shorten it as best I can.”

“Thank you, I’d appreciate that.”

“About umm, what’s it been now? Let’s see, almost six weeks ago I was contracted by Mediator Kaylar of Tau Seti Prime. I was to pick up Princess É-Lin’doa of Sliven and deliver her to Bracktor. Unfortunately, she was kidnapped, along with my son Ryan, before I could do so.”

“Wait. Let me guess, by Phy-Tong-Ki. Correct?”

“Yes, correct. Or at least by his agents.”

“So, what you’re about to tell me is that this girl I bought from him and now have sold, is this Princess É-Lin’doa?”

“That’s correct also. And I need to know who you sold her to. Please.”

“About that. I didn’t sell her actually.”

“What? Then she’s still here?”

“No, no. You misunderstand. Yesterday afternoon I was contacted by Lady Tessara. She informed me about who the young lady truly is…”

“Who’s Lady Tessara? What does she have to do with the princess? In fact, how did she even know about her?”

“All in due time,” he said, motioning with his hand for me to sit back down, “let me continue please.”

“Lady Tessara is my competition you might say. Another great house here on Bindell Five. It seems she was contacted by a young girl who was looking for the princess also.”

“Young girl?!” Did she give a name?”

“Yes. It was Miss Corby if I remember.”

“Sam! So that’s where she went!”

“I take it you know this young lady.”

“Yeah, she’s my… ah… well… friend.”

“It sounds to me like you’re not really sure of your relationship with this Sam. Am I right?”

“You can say that again. It’s complicated. I’d rather not get into that right now. Suffice to say she’s a good friend and trusted companion.”

“How did you two get separated then?”

“That truly is a long and convoluted story. I really don’t have time to go into it now. It has to do with the slaver you got the princess from. Speaking of that, I really do need to find the princess and make certain she’s safe. Can you help me?”

“Ahh… it’s starting to make sense now. You’re the one we should be thanking for ridding us of Phy-Tong-Ki aren’t you?”

“I’d rather prefer that that not get spread around, if you know what I mean.”

“Why not? You did a good service, not only for our world but for the entire system.”

“Along with a very large amount of collateral damage I’d rather not be held responsible for.”

“Trust me. No one cares about that. Haven’t you even wondered why the local authorities never even put in an appearance when your little war started? In fact, they never showed up at all, did they?”

“Now that I stop and think about it, no, they didn’t. Up till now, I’ve been too preoccupied to even notice that, much less think about it.”

“You should know that the entire planet has been buzzing with the news of your activities all day yesterday. They’re all looking to identify the ‘Hero of the hour’ so to speak.”

“I don’t want to be a hero! I just want to get back together with Sam, find the princess and complete the job I was given. Before two worlds fall apart and start killing each other again would be a good idea as well.”

“You have no need to worry or fear. I’ll contact Lady Tessara first thing. You’ll be back with them by lunch time.”

“Thank you so much. Again, let me apologize for forcing my way in.”

“All is forgiven, pray don’t mention it again. In the meantime, you look like you could use some sleep and food.”

Master Hayden touched a button on the arm of his chair and a minute later the door opened. A servant came in and asked what he needed.

“Please take Mister McFarlane to a guest room and provide him with whatever he needs. Give him food, bath and clothes if he wants. Then let him sleep a while.”

I followed the servant to a grand suite and snuggled into a lovely feather bed. I fell asleep almost at once. Now that things would be okay, I was able to relax. Even though I felt I should contact Kaylar, I knew there would be time tomorrow.

Are you enjoying this story? If you are, please, let Jared know by emailing him at: Jared at CastleRoland dot Net