Love at Light Speed II

Here is the continued space Harlequin. Questions? Comments? Suggestions?

Anna awoke slowly as her body attempted to dispel the powerful sedative. As the unfamiliar surroundings came into focus, she fought back the urge to scream. She took several deep breaths to calm herself before looking around. She was lying in a small bunk built into the wall of a spartan bedchamber. A shadow feel across the bed and her heart leaped in her chest.

In front of her stood the young man who had opposed her in the hall of the imperial palace. He wore a Garvalf’s black body armour which did nothing to hide his magnificent physique. Right now he was staring at her intently. She realized she was only wearing her nightgown. She stared back and tried to stand up but her head swam and she had to sit down again. He watched her dispassionately, his face stern.

“Where am I?” she asked.

“See for yourself,” he gestured to a small window set in the opposite wall. From the bed, all Anna could see was blackness. She tried to stand up again, more slowly this time, and walked over to the window. Outside, she could see the grey hull of the space ship curving in front and behind and beyond that only the infinite stars of deep space. The truth hit home; she had been kidnapped by the Garvalf and was on the way to the Telurine system.

Anna fought the urge to collapse in tears. Drawing on every ounce of her courage, she stood to face her kidnapper. “Who are you?”

“Varin Thoroldsson,” he replied, “Commander of the 10th regiment of the Garvalf of the great-ship Ice Serpent.”

“And what are you going to do with me?” she asked proudly, “You do know who I am.”

“All plunder is taken to our holding station outside of Telurine where it is divided amongst the Garvalf. In all likelihood, you will be brought to your master’s homestead on one of the planets.” Anna could not believe that the man showed absolutely no emotion while expressing this shocking statement. That she would be wrangled and bartered over like chattel! She flushed with anger.

He stepped towards her and stared down at her. He spoke slowly and calmly but implacably, “And do not think, Lady Anna Lekapenos of the Bevoun Duchy, that your Emperor or anyone else will come after you. Monarchs don’t waste fighters on female relatives.”

Anna turned away from him to hide her face. “Where are the other women?” she asked, still looking out the window.

“In the hold” Varin said. “They will be comfortable enough. You are to stay here.”

“I will not. Whether you recognize it or not, I am still their leader. My duties do not end because of capture or defeat. And one of those duties is to see to the needs of my people.” Anna spoke proudly, “You will take me to them.”

Varin bowed mockingly, “As you wish, my lady. Let us see what you shall be able to do for your people.”

Anna followed Varin and he lead her through the warren that was the inside of the Ice Serpent. The ship was nothing like the pleasure-crafts she had been on in Constantium. Those were luxurious, lined with silks and cushions, each with a top of the line stability drive so that take off and landing, as well as adjustments to altitude and speed, could be made without a drink even sloshing in its glass. The Garvalf greatship was sparse and barren. It was meticulously kept; Anna could see men (crew she supposed, not warriors), working everywhere. But the metal walls were bare but of rivets and from the ceiling hung, not soft shaded lanterns, but bare glow-bulbs that case a bright but stark light.

Varin led her down a series of stairs until they were many floors below where they had started in his quarters. There were fewer crew members but she noticed more of the Garvalf walking around. They were all harsh, barbarous looking men who eyed her with a look she didn’t like. It was contempt but with a judging distance that was unfamiliar. They see me as an object, she realized, not even human. She eyed the man in front of her; he doesn’t look at me like that. He watches me but I can’t see what he is thinking.

Varin stopped in front of a large set of cargo doors. Two Garvalf stood outside, clearly on guard. They looked curiously at Anna and then at Varin. Anna noticed Varin’s manner change as he addressed them. He was still aloof but gone was the slight mockery he used with her. Instead, he became stern and commanding. Anna didn’t need to be told that he was their superior officer. I wonder if Garvalf even have officers she thought. Whatever they have, he’s in charge.

Varin looked at each guard in turn and then opened the doors. The guards did not even glance at her as she followed him. What she saw inside made her gasp and clutch at a railing.

They stood on a balconey that circled a vast cavernous room. At various points staircases led down to the floor below where thousands of people were huddled, the captives of Constantium. The smell of so much humanity enclosed assualted her senses, just as the horror of it all gripped her heart. Anna took a few deep breaths, trying to regain calm. When she felt somewhat steadier she let go of the railing and turned to Varin.

“I will go down to them,” she said.

“And what will you tell them?” he asked.

Anna faltered. She did not know what she could say to these people, kidnapped from their homes and on their way to slavery. Still, she was their princess and it was her duty. She squared her shoulders, “Whatever I have to.”

Varin’s gaze was inscrutable. “You have one hour. I will wait. Then you will return here or I will send the guards to find you.”

She wondered if that was a threat. Taking one final deep breath, she collected
herself and walked down the nearest staircase.

More! More!

There's a typo in the middle: "waster fighters"

The harlequin-SF mix is a really great hook, at least to me. Will be interesting to see if the characters can overcome the genre stereotypes. On that note, Anna's indignation against the pirates and her sense of duty feels a bit flat to me... will we learn more about how she grew up and such?

Keep up the good writing!

Thanks Min, I fixed the typo. That's what you get when you don't proof read.

What? Are you suggesting that I develop my characters? Outrageous!

In other words, yes I should probably give that some thought.