Alex awoke to the gentle rock of the boat. She could still see the grey clouds through the openings of the dry trees. On her stomach lay a sleeping grizzly. His dark hair trailed across the top of her white tank top, his head turned away. The boat rocked again more forcefully and she realized that no one was steering the confounded thing. She tapped Jack on the head. No response. Alex walloped him with the palm of her hand."Hmm-" he grumbled."I thought you were going to let me sleep while you steered.""You really wore me out earlier and you looked so comfy. I didn't want to wake you. Besides, you make a really good pillow." He traced his fingers across her stomach.It tickled, but she forced herself not to react. Alex swatted him on the head again. "Get off me, you oaf. Someone needs to watch where we're going. What happens if we go over a waterfall?""I've traveled this route a dozen times. There are no waterfalls on this river. We're perfectly safe," he said, rolling over
They floated down the river until dusk, stopping occasionally when Alex had to relieve herself. She wasn't about to jump into the river, or pee off the side like Jack seemed to enjoy doing.Jack fished a lantern from his pack and lit it with a flick of his hand. He set it on the floor in the middle of the boat. The light cast mysterious looking shadows across his hairy face."How are we going to avoid the rocks? It's so dark, even I can't seem to see them anymore," Alex said, poking the paddle out into the nothingness."There aren't any from here on, so don't worry so much." He offered her a spoon and an open can of ravioli."Oh thanks, I love cold ravioli."Jack smiled and put his hand over hers. Warmth flooded through them and into the can until steam started to rise."It's warm now." He released his grip."Thanks." She sat stiffly on the front bench and ate the warm ravioli quietly. Something about him made her say things more harshly then she normally would. The words just t
Alex's eyes fluttered open. Her head was still on Jack's chest, but her hip leaned against him and one of her legs was draped between his. Jack was stroking her hair all the way down her back, combing his fingers through the wavy burgundy tendrils. It sent stems of pleasant tingles down her neck and spine.She rolled on to her side. "Did you unbraid my hair?" she asked, running her hands through it."No, it must a just fallen out overnight," he said, giving her a sly smile, that twang showing its ugly head in his voice again."It's kind of hot in here now, don't you think?""Oh, good it wasn't just me. I'm baking to death." He undid a few ties and pushed the poles up to their maximum height.Alex put her sunglasses on and peaked out from under the tarp."Wow," she said in awe.The sun was up behind the clouds. Steam rose from the water making the air humid. A small waterfall trickled from the east into the pond they were surrounded by. To the north, stood a rock wall and to the
Alex stopped in mid slurp. Her ears tingled, just on the edge of hearing something. Like they wanted to twitch, but there just wasn't enough sound to react to. She looked around, scanning the dark shadows cast by Jack's fireball. Jack noticed her change in demeanor. His questioning eyes begged an answer, but he stayed silent. Alex closed her eyes, concentrating and straining to hear anything.Her eyes popped open. She slid off her rock and into a crouch, knife at the ready. Jack spun around, flame in hand. The can slipped from his hand and rolled across the stone floor. They stood back to back, waiting for an attack from the unknown darkness."A dozen, from all sides," Alex whispered.From the shadows emerged glittering cat eyes from all around. The painted warriors came away from the shadows as one. They were human-like with large ears and sharp oval eyes. They stood barely chest-high and took stealthy steps forward with spears and bows at the ready. The firelight caught the zigzags o
A few hours later, Jack and Alex emerged into a large cavern. Torches along the sides of the smooth stone walls lit the large area. The sudden light stung Jack's eyes. He was glad to finally be able to see something other than blackness. Alex patted his hands on her shoulders as if reminding him they were still touching.At the end of the large cavern, people similar to Oskowa gathered. These people lacked the war paint, and instead wore fine colorful clothing. Half of the people wore shiny suits of metal armor. Six men stood in the middle dressed in black robes, their beards long and grey. Cat eyes watched as the company traversed the distance."Welcome, Jack of Fire." The oldest of the black robed figures spoke solemnly. He stepped forward after the company came to a halt in front of them. "I am Kenshe. I am an Elder. You are our honored guest.""Hello Kenshe, and Elders. I have come to make hot fire for you and in return I ask that you show us the way to the east.""We are aware
Weylin led them back to the Great Circle where the festival was just getting started. Deep brass drums thumped, vibrating the cavern walls and Alex's ears. Trumpet-like instruments blared a deep, fast tune encouraging people to dance. Antarians wearing bright yellow, red, and blue colors skipped around weaving long colored ribbons through the air as people filed into the cavern and took their seats around the stadium.Alex and Jack were seated in a raised area close to where the elders sat. Jack sat at a large table facing the soon-to-be empty middle expanse of the arena. Alex was positioned on a lower tier a few meters away from him with Weylin at her side. Guards stood behind each of them. Jack looked like a king ready to watch a jousting match.After everyone was seated, waiters came around with giant platters of food. They set a plate with a variety of delicacies down in front of every person. Alex thought that every piece of food looked like the remnants of some large roasted in
Alex awoke. Her head throbbed like she'd been hit by a transport pod on a speed way. The black colored contacts stuck to her eyes making them burn. When they finally opened, she licked her fingers and jiggled the contacts until they moved easily. A low candle burned on the metal dresser. Alex let her eyes adjust to the dim light before she tried to move."I wonder how long it's been," Alex said, her voice coarse and deep.She pulled her tired body up into a sitting position. Looking down, Alex realized she was still fully dressed, jacket, boots, everything. Her stomach tossed and she forced it down by taking a couple of deep breaths. Wiggling out of her jacket made her stomach even more upset and this time, she knew she wouldn't win. Alex launched across the room and over the basin. Her ears quivered at the horrible retching noise as she produced a bland pink colored vomit. It drained down the side of the polished granite basin and the waterfall washed it down the drain in a swirling
Now the hard part.She poked her head down into the room for a brief look. What she saw appalled and saddened her. How could they use Jack like that?Jack was tied naked to a metal four poster bed. A large breasted burly brunette had her dress pulled up and was sitting on top of him moving her body up and down.The girl chattered on and on. "And then I'm going to raise him to be a big strong warrior and my family will be honored. Those Vestarians don't-" and on and on she went.Jack's head lolled from side to side with a look between a grin and a grimace. His chest hair was matted with sweat and vomit. A bucket full of pink vomit sat on the floor next to his bed. His eyes were tired, glossy, and drunk.Alex was in luck though. The room was set up the same way hers was and the girl faced away from her. She timed the drop of her bag with the movement of the rocking bed. The girl didn't even hear the bag hit the ground. Alex held on to the sides of the rock and hung, then dropped sil