Zorvak

I seethed on the inside as I sat shackled in a small cell.  The darkness swirled around me, but it only enhanced my vision as I took in the dire situation.  Scenarios constantly replayed in my mind.  How did the Humchins capture me?  They must have had help.  But who?  Who dare cross me?  Who brought me to this vile planet?  Think! What happened before I was captured…?

 

Lord Garan, leader of Ulaya, summoned me to his chambers.  As Captain of the Royal Guard, I walked with purpose until I reached my destination.

When I stood before the heavy door, I nodded to the guard, Marcet, and placed my hand on the sensor.  The door dematerialized, granting me entrance.  Dressed in my crisp white uniform, I stood at attention while I faced Lord Garan.

An elder male with deep lines etched into his face, he ruled with a stern fist.  Time had not been kind to him.  His black hair had long ago faded to silvery white.  His eyes were now a dull gray instead of sharp black.

I stood at attention until he finished writing and looked up.  “Zorvak,” he gestured, “take a seat.”

Lord Garan sat behind his desk, so I took the chair facing him.  Culture demanded that I let him start the conversation.  I didn’t know the urgency, the purpose of this meeting.

He sat back in his chair, laced his fingers together and held my gaze.  I answered to no one except Lord Garan. 

“Zorvak, you have led the Royal Guard for many years.  You have become someone I rely on… someone I trust.”

“Thank you, Lord Garan.”  I sat with my chin held high. 

“I am not young anymore and my time here is short.  I decree that you will take over when I depart from this life, perhaps sooner.”

The news staggered me, but I held still.  I knew what he meant but how could I possibly lead?  The title passed down from generation to generation and I was no blood kin.

“What of your brother?  Surely he is suited to rule Ulaya?”  Even as I said the words, I felt the wrongness as they flowed across my lips. 

“You know as well as I that Esad is not fit to lead.”

I did know that, so did everyone else.  Esad, Lord Garan’s only brother, was a selfish bastard who only cared about himself. 

Not wanting to speak ill of his family, I didn’t reply, didn’t show emotion when I nodded.  But, in my mind, I could already envision the fight that would ensue with the Lord’s decree. 

“I will let the counsel know when I deliver the official announcement.”

“Thank you, my Lord.”  I stood and gave him a salute.  He nodded, and when he looked back to the paper on his desk, I knew the conversation was now officially over.  I turned on my heels and headed out.

The news flowed in unorganized thoughts.  How could I lead this planet?  What opposition would I face?  The list was endless as different thoughts and solutions passed through my mind.

As I headed out to the training arena, I paid no attention to the air vehicles that passed overhead.  Nor did I notice the grounds keepers as they roamed outside.  The chilled air felt good on my skin, cooling it down to normal temperatures. 

Footsteps quickened behind me.  “Captain, wait up.”  I turned just as Roark caught up to me.  “I’ve been calling out to you.”

I looked out over the mountainous land.  Steam rose in the distance from a volcano.  Standing there with my hands laced behind my back, I mused at the thought that this would be my land to rule.  At least one day.  Glancing back at Roark, I took a relaxed breath, one that said I was in complete control of my emotions.  “I did not hear you.”

He held my gaze before finally nodding.  Roark knew better than to question me further.  “We are having problems with Ardak again.”

“Bring him to the arena.  I will deal with him this time.”

Ardak never should have been allowed in the Royal Guard.  He was cocky…arrogant and he hadn’t earned the right.  But, I knew the score.  Esad had somehow convinced Lord Garan that he would be an asset.  It had been rumored that Ardak was Esad’s bastard son.

“Yes, Captain, right away.” 

As Roark trotted away, I thought about Ardak.  The fact that he was a part of my Royal Guard filled my gut with raging fire.  When I finished with him, he’d know his place.

Not wanting to beat them there, I took my time as I strolled that direction.  Others stepped out of my way.  Some quickly nodded, others never made eye contact.  When I arrived at the arena, Ardak waited in the center.  The smug look on his face beckoned me to wipe it off.

As I stepped into the arena, I glanced at Roark before my eyes slid back to the male who had caused so many problems.  He refused to take orders from others, talked back to his superiors, and I was about to fix the problem.

“I see I have finally gained your attention.”  Ardak’s voiced dripped with superiority.  “When I take you down, everyone will know of my worth.”

I never spoke as he circled me.  I waited.  An extraordinary fighter kept his emotions in check while he patiently waited.  That’s what I did.  Ardak would soon learn that no one could best me, least of all, someone like him.  As Captain of the Royal Guard, I was stronger, faster, deadlier than any of my soldiers. 

My senses flowed outward while I waited, hyperaware of everything around me.  All the energy surrounded me, giving me eyes without actually seeing.  The energy changed, pulsated the moment Ardak lunged at me from behind.  Coward!  I quickly stepped to the side, and as he propelled himself forward, I helped with a kick to his lower back.  Ardak fell, sprawling to the ground face first.

I stood unfazed as he pushed up and leaped back to his feet.  The smug look had disappeared and his mouth twisted in anger.  He spit blood before saying, “You got a lucky shot.”  I never replied as I stood, stoic, in one spot and waited. 

Ardak came barreling toward me.  Just within reach, I grabbed his arm and, using his momentum, I flipped him over my head onto the ground.  His back hit with a thud, and my lips barely twitched when I heard a slight moan escape his lips.

I toyed with him for a while as I let the twit wear himself out.  When I’d had enough, I came at him hard and fast.  With unrelenting strength, my fist caught his chin.  I felt the crunch of his jaw, heard the pop before he went flying backward.  The punch so hard, one tooth went sailing through the air along with blood.  As he lay moaning on his back, barely conscious, I placed a foot on his chest and pressed down.  My gaze bored into him, my words deadly and low.  “You will learn your place.  You will follow orders, or next time I will not be so easy on you.”

When he never answered, I pressed down with my heavy boot, cutting off his ability to breathe.  “Yes, Captain,” he finally croaked out as I released the pressure just a little.

“Keep one thing in mind, Ardak, everyone else earned their position.  You did not.”  With that, I lifted my foot and walked away.  I noted the twitch in Roark’s lips as I passed by.  Ardak had no friends in the Royal Guard.

I spent the rest of the day training with the new recruits.  A few of these males would earn the right to call themselves a Royal Guard.  Most would not make the cut. 

Just as I headed home, Estine called out to me.

“Captain La’qa?”  I turned to see her strolling my way with a huge smile spread across her delicate face.  A beautiful female with light red skin.  Black hair flowed over her shoulder.

“Estine.  How may I help you?” 

“I was wondering if you would share evening meal with me tomorrow?”  She smiled and batted her eyes.  This wasn’t the first time she’d approached me, but I wasn’t interested in anything romantic, not anymore.  Even though it was rare, I’d already tested the barriers of her psyche and we were not Compatibles. Not that it mattered, If I found someone who piqued my interest for more than a few days, I would consider them as a mate.  Until then, I’d wait.

“Estine, you are beautiful, but you know we are not compatible.”  Disappointment briefly crossed her face before she hid it beneath a bright smile.

“Captain, I am not asking you to bond with me, although Compatibles are for storybooks.  I am asking you to share a meal.  Nothing more.  Come on.  One meal for old times’ sake.”

I studied her for a moment, and then nodded.  “Very well.  Tomorrow night then.”

That night, I studied over Lord Garan’s words.  Esad would definitely put up a fight, but no one would back his claim.  Well, no one with good standing that is.  Roark would move up to Captain when I took the reins of power.  Nonetheless, I still needed to be on guard, aware of any enemies lurking in plain sight and in the shadows.

With one arm behind my head, I stretched out on the bed and stared at the ceiling until my eyes finally closed.

The next morning, I met Roark for morning meal.  Just as we sat down, I asked, “What do you think of the new recruits?”

Roark took a sip of cofa, peered over his cup and said, “Some show promise.  Most will not last long.”

“My thoughts as well.”  I took a sip of my own cofa.  “The young one, Hocath, seems very strong and willing to learn.”

“I agree.  He is also quiet and follows orders.”  He took a sip before a faint smile graced his lips. 

Just as Voth, another trusted member of the guard, sat down, I said, “Unlike Ardak?”  Roark smiled and shook his head.

“Ardak?”  Voth asked. “He hasn’t been seen this morning.  Last I heard, he didn’t show up for duty last night.  Saroff was pissed.”

Ardak was assigned to guard the eastern gate at night.

I shot Roark a serious look, one he understood well.  “After we eat, find him.”

“Yes, Captain.”

That evening, I showered and dressed, then headed to Estine’s place.  She lived on the sixth floor of a high-rise building, while I lived on the eighteenth: the top floor.  There was no monetary system; everyone was assigned a dwelling based on importance. 

Just as I was about to press the bell, the door dematerialized.  “Captain La’qa, as always, you are right on time.  Please, come in.”  She moved away from the entrance and gestured me in.

“Thank you, Estine.  But please, call me Zorvak.”  We’d shared a night together and nothing more.  Even after that, she had stuck with formalities. I never corrected her…until now.

With a pleased look, she said, “Zorvak, this way.  I have everything ready.”

“Thank you.”  She led me to a small table beautifully adorned with fine eatware. “It looks great, Estine.”  I knew my words made her happy.

Just as I took a seat, she handed me a drink and smiled, her eyes soft as she said, “Let me get our food.  I’ll be right back.” 

She walked out of the room, my eyes following her movements.  The sway of her hips with every step, the way she carried herself certainly demanded a male’s attention.  She was beautiful. I took a sip from the glass, and then another.  It didn’t taste exactly right.  I took one more and tried to discern the taste.  “Is everything all right, Zorvak?”  Estine asked as she set a tray of food down.

“Fine.”   But it wasn’t.  My vision blurred.  Estine yelled my name as everything went blank.  When I awoke, my wrists were shackled in this blasted cell.

Blinking back to the present, I now had three suspects.  Esad, Ardak, or the last person I remembered seeing…Estine.  Did one act alone, or did they conspire against me? 

A noise from down the hall snagged my attention.  Heavy footsteps pounded the floor as someone drew closer.  When the Humchin came into view, I sat with my spine erect and my chin raised high.

He grinned, showing his sharp spindle teeth.  “Ahh…I am most happy to have someone of your caliber to fight tonight.  We’ve never been graced with someone from Ulaya.” 

“Release me and I will not kill you.”

He laughed, big and boisterous.   “Fight well.  I have a lot riding on you.”  And with that, he fled.

My chest heaved in anger and I searched for a way out.  The force field extended from floor to ceiling.  I didn’t understand why they had me shackled as well.

Before I got a chance to examine it further, the floor beneath my feet vibrated and hummed just as it started upward with constant acceleration.   Jeers and music reached my ears the same time the ceiling opened.  My platform lifted to a rink surrounded by tall solid walls.  Now I understood my purpose here.

I caught sight of my opponent and sneered.  A Dukal.  Mean creatures who were very hard to beat.  They fought with brute force instead of skill or thought, but they were strong.

I studied my opponent, noting any vulnerable areas that could cause the most damage.  Then, I opened my senses, letting them flow outward, traveling up through the crowd.  My psyche touched everyone, and then dismissed them at lightning speed.  I only needed to find someone to connect with, someone who could alert my Guard as to my whereabouts.  Then… my head shot up while my eyes bore into another Ulayian.  Definitely female, although she hid under the cover of a dark cloak. 

My psyche swirled around hers, testing for compatibility.   A match!  I couldn’t believe it after all this time.  Forming a bond was a life-long decision with a female.  Could I do it?  Sight unseen?  I had to.  This is what I always wanted.  Not wasting any time, I struck hard, intertwining her energy with mine.  Taking her strength while giving her some in return.  A wave of dizziness rushed over me as a jolt pierced my chest.  It passed quickly.  The first road of mental pathways formed, and over time, they would only strengthen. 

Anger and confusion fueled my determination to escape.  Why was another Ulayian on this planet?  Not only here, but partaking in the betting scheme, mingling with the lowlifes of the universe?

Just as the fight was about to start, my attention snapped back to the Dakul in front of me.  He fought well, but still, he was no match for me.  He got a few good swipes in, but when I rammed the staff into his chest, the match ended.  He fell dead at my feet.

My attention flew back to the female.  I knew she stared, at least until she stepped back out of sight.  It didn’t matter as my psyche gripped hers once again. Now I could talk to her whenever I needed.