Chapter Twelve — Part 2

I was happy that nobody had been hurt. “My terms are simple. I’m going to enter Otherspace and go far away. You are going to enter Otherspace and go the other way, as far from me as you can. And if we cross again, it will be on peaceful terms. I don’t have anything to sell you now, but in the future, if my ship’s hull is full, maybe we can negotiate a trade.”

The defeated Captain Jonas didn’t seem too happy with the outcome, though I had spared him his life. “Aren’t you going to raid our ship and rip us apart?”

“We have what we need to make repairs. We only take what we need.” said.

“Why, that’s bloody communism. That’s no way for a pirate to act.”

I tried to fathom communism for a moment too long. He added quickly, worried I’d changed my mind. “Not that we don’t mind the courtesy, of course.”

“Of course.” I smiled. “One more question,” I said as I input coordinates into the ship’s navigational computers.

“Yeah, what is it?” Captain Jonas said.

“Are there any slaves aboard your ship?”

Jonas was quick to respond. I could practically hear him spitting in disgust. “Slaves? What a horrid thought.” The man cut communications abruptly.

“Take us into Otherspace, keep your weapons on track, your shields up, and be ready for anything. I’m feeding you homing coordinates now.” The ship lurched into Otherspace and I felt my body shift to its angelic form. “Captain Reed, you have the Bridge.”

I paused, looking at Princess Lotus. “Girl,” I said, abruptly, “What’s your first name?” I’d heard it before and forgotten it.

“Uruza.” The woman answered, not a hint of emotion in her voice. Her eyes sparkled for a moment, and I had to try to interpret that glimmer. Elfin people had a strange set of emotions to work with — angels and humans often have a hard time understanding Elfin psychology.

“Uruza.” I looked away, holding back my tears. “I’ll be in the cargo bay. Practicing my sword skills.”

Having dumped Tiffany and the others into Isastan’s sun, the cargo bay was empty. Being roughly the size of a couple of tennis courts, the bay was a good place to do some hard practice. I stood straight, wings forced tight against my naked back, striking, slicing, and practicing every nuance of the primitive art that had become such a critical part of my life. I flapped my wings, swinging out with my saber, then drew my pistol for a mock shot. I continued my imaginative practice for a while longer, then began working on technique, creating a little dance, practicing and repeating it as I went.

“Captain.” The voice disturbed my practice, and I flipped twice, landing in front of Fluff, my saber at his bare throat.

His sheep eyes were fixed on mine, and I wanted to kiss him, so I looked away, studying the gleam of my pistol. My sword went to its scabbard, my hand on the pommel.

“Yes?” I wiped the sweat from my brow, and Fluff returned the motion as if it were a salute.

“I’ve hurt you, in some way.” The angel within him dead, his memories of us died as well.

“It was another life. It’s not important now. When we get you and Uruza home, you’ll be permanently dismissed from duty aboard the Persimmon.”

“Yes ma’am.” Fluff saluted me again and left me alone.

I was about to restart my practice when Uruza disturbed me. I realized that height must be an Elfin trait. She made me feel like a dwarf. Though two and a half feet taller than myself, she was still cautious. She kept her sword in its scabbard. She spoke quietly, in an aristocratic tone that rattled my nerves.

“You love my man, don’t you?”

I felt a little defensive anger from her, and started to feel some myself. If her father hadn’t just died, I might have been more cutting.

“Do you even remember the ball, where you took him from me?” I sheathed my sword, practiced my blocks, punches, and kicks, waiting for her to talk.

“I remember, but Fluff doesn’t. Not like you and me, anyway. When his angel half died, he lost a big chunk of his memory, didn’t he?”

“What do you want anyway?” I snapped at her in anger, trying to forget Fluff’s fallen form, covered in blood.

“If you want him you have to fight for him. Only a contest of battle will give you the right to reclaim him.”

“Is that the way the Elves do things?”

“It’s Elfin law. The ball wasn’t officially ended, so until Fluff and I get married, there is no official bond holding us together.”

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