Motok’s eyes glowed with a greenish tinge as we walked from the small vessel and I stayed tucked against his side. He dwarfed my modest height by over a foot and in the shadow of his presence I felt safe and secure. Despite the looming threat of Zhorn and Tylon slavers, I relaxed next to the big warrior and his bulky frame.
It wasn’t long before he engaged some sort of beacon.
“We’re meeting up with my brothers and Valtus. The other crew will rendezvous with us once we have secured passage aboard a ship.”
Orion, Rexnor, and Valtus arrived swiftly and we began walking in the dark night of the foreign planet. I couldn’t detect a moon and wondered how the green and yellow lights flickered along the horizon. They weren’t suns either.
“There’s no moon here,” Rexnor offered when he noticed how often I kept looking at the sky. “By day, there are three suns. By night, only the gases that cause the strange lights and colors. It provides enough light to see your way around.”
Smiling, I thanked him. “Interesting.”
Several hours into our trip, I sagged against Motok’s side as my feet stumbled. He lifted me without complaint, and I snuggled against his warmth. The night here was chilly. My head rested against his neck as he continued to walk without any indication of fatigue. I was lulled to sleep by the rhythmic movements almost instantly.
“Kerra.”
My awareness was slow to return. “Hmmm?”
“We’re approaching a settlement. I need you awake and fully alert.”
He nuzzled his nose to mine, and I laughed as it tickled. “I’m awake.”
A mile outside the town we stopped as the men discussed our plan.
“We need a ship, Commander. This planet will become nearly impossible to leave the longer we stay. There are too many spies and species that would enjoy finding Braxthar warriors so near the –”
Valtus was about to continue but shut his mouth when both Rexnor and Motok gave him a threatening look.
“The terrain has been exhausting so far and Kerra will suffer from the daytime temperatures. Those suns can bake a human in only hours.” Rexnor winked in my direction. “There must be something we can find and arrange tonight.”
“Agreed,” Orion added. “Our best hope it to secure passage while it is still dark. The morning brings too many risks.”
“We are limited on credits,” Valtus pointed out.
“And we deal with it when the problem presents itself. Right now, our first priority is finding a vessel willing to take us to Vindar.”
“Why don’t you ask for another ship?” My innocent question made them all smirk. I wanted to slap each of their handsome faces when I noted their expressions.
“Comms are down. Most of the legal frequencies won’t work here and those that do are monitored. If we hail a vessel, we expose ourselves long before we have a chance to leave. We’d never make it. Every slaver and Seeker in the vicinity would descend upon us in mere minutes.”
“I see,” I whispered, deflated.
“It was a smart question,” Motok praised as he tilted my chin up. “I would expect you to ask.”
Our eyes locked and remained that way for several seconds until the spell was broken as he turned to his brothers.
“We leave Valtus and Kerra here and walk into town. There’s a row ofpohlsdown the main road. It’s a smuggler’s haven and a slaver’s delight.”
Pohls? “What’s that?”
Motok grinned. “They serve what you call alcohol.”
“And lots of pretty females,” Valtus added, none too pleased with the arrangement.
“Oh, like a bar or pub. I get it,” I acknowledged, “and no way in hell are you leaving me behind with Mr. Grumpy Pants.”
Rexnor laughed as Orion shook his head. Valtus seemed slightly offended.
“You’ll stayhere,” Motok reiterated, going all caveman including the growl.
