When Kate and Manutaai boarded the domain warship, they were separated once more.
Everything seemed in a blur as she was instantly sandwiched by two huge specimens who marched her into a rather small lift device, which did not leave much breathing space. It hardly felt like they were moving. Seconds later, the door opened automatically, and she was directed down a corridor to a doorway that did not have a door. One of the guards silently gestured for her to enter which she did. She turned around and some kind of bluish haze appeared in the doorframe, then it disappeared. Must be a force field, she thought. The two guards remained flanked on either side of the entrance. Kate wisely decided it was good for her health, if she did not test it.
To her pleasant surprise, the room was no cell, quite the opposite. More like an elegant, majestic lounge. The walls were washed with warm shades of red, cream, and gold. There were beautifully carved furnishings, ornaments, mirrors, and tapestries that looked professionally arranged that would make the top interior decorators of Earth look like amateurs. It did not have a lived in look, more like a set up for a photo shoot in one of those glossy house and garden magazines. The colors and style gave Kate the impression of being inside a luxurious medieval castle setting from Earth centuries past, complete with semi modern, stylish furniture. It had a “when old meets new” feel. She loved it.
Draped on a day bed was a white flowing gown, accentuated with gold edging. She walked over to it and felt the material, so soft and yet she had a feeling it would not rip if it caught on anything sharp. She could see no visible seams or stitching. It was a stunningly remarkable piece of craftsmanship.
She giggled. This was so out of place, so soft and feminine.
Just off from the day bed were two comfortable looking sofas facing each other and divided by a glossy black coffee table. Two containers that looked like gourds with two clay stemmed goblets were perched. It reminded her of the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. At the end of the table was a bowl that contained fruit. Some of the fruit was recognizable like grapes and bananas. Some looked a bit too alien to sink her teeth into yet.
Was this all for her, to make her feel at home, or was this typical living aboard an intergalactic warship? A thought occurred to her; was this luxury something what Queen Leah would have expected. If so, how would these creatures know? It was pleasant, yeah, were they just being friendly, or…
Nevertheless, she had to admit, she liked it.
“Well, I’ve come this far now. I’m pretty sure they aren’t going to poison me just yet.”
She sat on the edge of a sofa, picked up one of the gourds and tentatively sniffed it, and poured some of the liquid into a cup and took a sip. Water, good old fashioned life juice. When she finished, she tried the other, some sort of white wine, very similar to what Manutaai had given her. Nice, but she had better go easy on that stuff. She knew she would need her wits about her. Especially if Talokta was planning on softening her up.
She stood up and again felt for her stone. It was still in her hip pocket of her OBF fatigues. She thought the warriors would have taken it from her by now, or perhaps, more than likely, were under orders not to touch it. Well, she could not quite open a window and throw it out could she? At least Manutaai had the other stone. She hoped to God he had managed to hide it.
“It is nice to see you again, Kate.”
Kate jumped and turned.
Talokta, silently watching her from the entrance, smiled at her reaction. He was immaculately presented, and despite herself, Kate could not help but notice how handsome he was. She stopped thinking that just in case he was reading her mind as he had during their first encounter. He was back to speaking perfect English. She took in his attire, similar to when she first saw him. A shiny leather like, long dark jacket that fell to his knees, a bright flash of color revealed a gold shirt, knee high boots, dark pants, and a gold belt that had weird looking markings over it. His long light brown hair was tied back in a neat ponytail. Kate’s eyes noted he had a silver ring on his finger. Could that be the device she had visualized that would scan for the enemy? It did look familiar.
He signaled to a guard who lowered the force field allowing his leader through the entrance. Dressed the way he was, he seemed to match the surroundings better than she did in her base uniform.
Kate decided the indignant approach. “You guys were very late picking us up.”
His face wore an apologetic smile, but his eyes twinkled. “Yes, there was a small Locum problem that has dissipated for now. They did attack Ahmadeus, but we prevailed and drew the battle off the planet for your own protection.”
Geez, this guy was something. “So it was the Locum that attacked Ahmadeus?”
“Yes, and from the reports I got back, I heard Ahmadeus suffered.”
“Yeah, the Cantals lost a lot, including precious lives. Well, I guess it explains why the Locum never got a chance to land and carry out their absorption. My team, Sataal and his men, are you going to set them free now I have kept my end of the bargain?”
Talokta smiled warmly and walked slowly over to her. “Oh you loyal humans, always putting your fellow man ahead of yourself, so honorable. I am a man of my word. However, I thought I might hold on to them, just in case you don’t keep to your word.”
“In other words, no, and you will kill them.”
“I will probably set them free in due course.”
Man of your word, huh?
“Why did you torture them? You could have read their minds just like you did mine.”
He towered in front of her, and Kate felt dwarfed, he must have been a little short of seven feet, and she was around five ten.
“They are not your concern, but if you must know, Sataal and his rebel followers are criminals and will be brought to justice. Your human companions, well, they are associates. But I am not an unreasonable man. As I have told you, I will not harm your human companions, if you behave.”
“I don’t believe you! You are lying!”
Unperturbed, he continued, “You however, Kate, are very special and you know that don’t you?”
She looked defiantly up into his dark eyes; he knew something all right.
Do the answers lie with this man?
Talokta was enjoying himself. She was strong, but her eyes exposed just how vulnerable she really was. Humans. So emotional.
“I have some, er, questions I need answering.”
“Oh, do you now? Yet, you call me a liar, Kate. Whatever I tell you, you won’t believe me.”
“I don’t know you from squat!” she yelled, eyes blazing from his arrogant attitude. “What I do know is you are torturing friends of mine.”
“In time, these answers to your questions will come to you, not necessarily in simple words. Time and trust is what you need, you shall see.”
“Well, thank you for that, doc!” she sneered at him. “You’re the type that not only makes the rules, but you change them as you go along. Trust! Ha!”
Furiously, she turned her back on him, her face thunderous, and folded her arms.
In her heart though, she knew she was a prisoner herself now, and it was pointless arguing. He was in control.
She took some deep breaths, forcibly calming herself and slowly turned back. Slightly subdued she looked him dead in the eye. “Can you at least promise me you won’t harm them?”
Talokta stared back at her boldly. “As I keep repeating, no harm will come to them if you behave and they cooperate.”
“Why do you want my stone?”
“Stones, you mean.”
Back on Ahmadeus, Kate had instructed Manutaai to hide the second stone she had entrusted to him with his men, replacing it with a fake one that she had made before she had returned to Ahmadeus. The plan was for Pilcher’s men to retrieve it from the Cantals later. Convincing Pilcher to let her have both stones was a battle in itself, and she did not want to lose one, let alone both.
Kate made Manutaai not tell her where h
e hid it in case her mind was read.
However, she knew she would need her stone. She had made Manutaai take the fake one on board representing the second.
There was no way she would let Talokta get his hands on both real ones that represented so much, for Earth’s future. Besides, they were hers!
Unfortunately for Manutaai, who could not resist touching the stone she had entrusted to him, almost jumped out of his skin with the intensiveness. He knew he could not hide the damage to his hand and admitted to her what he had done. It felt like a savage shock or bite, similar to when Sataal touched her hand when they were introduced. Though she thought that was caused through her experiencing a simultaneous vision. Perhaps direct contact with the stone was worse.
It was like the stone knew it did not belong.
In the end, Kate had wrapped it in thick cloth and placed it in a box and handed it to Manutaai who disappeared for several minutes and came back, assuring her, he had hidden it well. Though his hand was red and swollen, it only lasted a short time.
Would Talokta have the other fake stone from Manutaai by now?
Kate moved over to a couch. “I could only bring my own stone,” Kate said assessing Talokta’s reaction.
He awarded her a terrific smile, which unnerved her. He followed suit and sat opposite her, his smile remained but his eyes were cold. Kate continued in a small voice, “My superiors would not allow me to sacrifice their property.”
“Is that so? They don’t think very highly of their men or your life.”
“Maybe the stakes are too high.”
Talokta looked at her. What was the point in her lying? Manutaai had presented him with the other stone. He had obviously successfully gained her trust.
“Do you wish to see your friends alive again?”
“What do you think?”
Talokta smiled again, which irritated her.
Amused at her reaction, he steepled his fingers together. “You have no idea what these stones represent, what they do, and your role?”
Kate at first fought an overwhelming urge to punch him, scream, or burst into tears, as she needed answers to those very questions to keep her sanity. But she took a breath and held back.
She matched his stare but how long would he hold his patience, especially when they realize one of the stones was a fake. She felt very nervous. Perhaps if she could win his trust she and her colleagues may get out of this situation alive, intact, and sane. But there was far more to this puzzle than met her eye, and what was the point in denying it.
She remembered the old adage: Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. She had no idea that very same philosophy was shared by his master.
Right now, Lord Talokta had all the aces.
Got to stop thinking, he will read my mind.
Don’t think, use instinct.
“What was that?” Kate whispered.
Talokta frowned.
Kate sighed resignedly and leaning forward, she put her hands on her chin. “I know I act like some kind of catalyst with the stones. They have immense power and were not meant for anyone but their true owner. I know when they are both together, all sorts of wild things happen.”
Talokta stood up. “You have a lot to learn, and you may start to realize that we are not your enemy. We are here to help you find your true course.”
Fighting this man was not going to get her anywhere. Kate stood, and reached into her pocket, walking slowly towards him, she handed him her stone.
Talokta silently extracted a weird looking glove from his jacket, pulled it over his hand, and took the stone from her.
Kate realized he had not spoken to her. He had placed that thought inside her mind.
In a soft tone he stated, “Rest now, relax, you may wish to bathe,” and he gestured to the beautiful flowing gown, “this is a gift from my master for you.”
Kate swallowed and Talokta headed to the entrance, he turned and bowed, “I will come and see you later once you are rested.” He strode out, and the force field was back.
She wondered why he had not pushed the subject or gotten angry about only bringing the one stone. Only answer was he would have probably searched Manutaai by now. That had to be it. It was only a matter of time until he realizes he’s been duped. She would have to act before that.
The thought of a bath was too much, and she was not going to refuse an invitation like that. It was a long time since she had a good soak or felt clean water on her skin. She was worried about her colleagues, but what was the point at the moment? She was on board a ship that was so big; she felt she would just get lost in this lounge. Bath eh? Kate took a good look at her surroundings and walked around touching the walls.
Just around a corner at the back was another room that she had failed to notice. But she was sure it was not there when she first walked in. Was it some sort of illusion or trick that Talokta conjured up? She walked through and facing her was a huge king size four poster bed in a room big enough to house a small football field. One could have a lot of fun in that monster, if one did not get lost! Just off from that, behind a screen was a huge claw foot bath, made of the shiniest black marble she had ever seen. Well, some type of alien stoneware resembling marble. The taps. Bath taps–on a space ship! Was she seeing things? Well, guess aliens have to have some form of plumbing too! They appeared to be made of material that resembled gold. Upon closer inspection, she knew they were definitely the real stuff. She imagined herself soaking in warm, bergamot scented water with goat’s milk to soften her skin.
She gazed into the huge bath and gasped. It was just as she had imagined, with rose petals scattered on top. The scent was lingering, so warm, so inviting.
Was it her imagination, had she created this? Or was it trickery? Had Talokta read her mind and conjured up her desires?
Too many questions. Boy, do I need some answers, she thought.
But the sight of the bath made Kate strip. The thought of being spied on did not occur to her, as she could not have cared less at that moment.
She sank into the depths of the warmth that surrounded her. Ahhhhh, the feeling was magnificent. She closed her eyes, and her mind wandered far away to a time when luxury was an everyday occurrence.
They would sometimes bathe together, playful, happy, and in love. They would make love in the warm scented water, that heightened the senses! She felt him inside her, increasing his pace, she felt the build-up of the orgasm as it drove them to abandonment, captured in a frenzy of sheer lust, until spent, she lay on top of him, nurtured in the warmth. He raised his mouth and kissed her passionately.
She smiled serenely with the intense physical satisfaction and opened her eyes…to the sight of red evil eyes delving into her brain.
“Ohhh! Shit!” She had fallen asleep while in the bath. My God, it felt so real, had she just experienced explicit sex, well the memory of it?
She had no proof, but she thought the man who was with her was Sidonio. But those eyes, were they warning her, frightening her? It seemed her dreams and visions were sending her a message she could not ignore. However, her instinct told her it was not just Earth and Ahmadeus in danger. It was the whole damn universe, the balance of good and evil. She did not have tangible evidence, as the details were still incoherent. Everything seemed based on instinct, but is that all it took?
Maybe that was the key, let go of logic and open the mind up to whatever comes her way. Anyhow, everything up to this point seemed to defy logic. But would she lose sight of reality?
Instinct was telling her she was living someone else’s life, inside this person that was Kate Willard. Did Kate Willard exist? Was she being taken over by this Queen Leah of the Kingdom of the Old World? Would she be fighting yet again for the sake of the people on Earth, maybe the Universe? Would history repeat itself? Would she sacrifice herself for love?
He had told her the time would come when she would realize they were not her enemy. Help her find her t
rue course.
Though her fragments of memory seemed to tell her that the Trimadians were her enemy. Everyone’s enemy.
Did she believe Talokta?
One step at a time.
She had been in the bath she figured twenty minutes and the temperature had not changed.
That was frightening.
Dare she turn on the taps?
Chapter 17—Shadow and Light