The Journey

Days passed. Kylie avoided everyone, only letting Vaako even come near her, and then only when he insisted on entering her ship and making sure she was all right.

She sat there with him, eating something from her galley.

“How long does it usually take? The trip the Lord Marshall is supposed to take.”

“Only a couple days, but he’s searching for someone too, so there’s no telling.”

Finally word came that his ship was returning.

She waited with Vaako as his ship docked and he got off. Following behind him, dressed in Necro clothes, was a young woman.

“Welcome back Kyra.” Vaako said to her, and she nodded in return.

She didn’t speak, walking with Riddick as he escorted the girl to a set of rooms. When it was clear that he wouldn’t be needing her, Kylie went to her ship and curled up on her bed.

So that was it. She might as well not even be here, but she had given her word. How would she face him every day, or be around her. She’d have to find a way.

She didn’t hear him enter at first, or even care that she had tears running down her face when she was aware of him. She lay there silently, not moving.

For a long time she lay that way, before she spoke. “What do you want?”

“Why are you still here? With them gone, you’d be safe in rooms of your own again.”

”I like it here. I like my ship, I like the quiet. I like not having to be around people unless I want to. Why’d you follow me Vaako?”

“Lord Riddick wishes you to join him for dinner. It seems one of the remaining women has taken it upon herself to have a formal dinner to welcome convert Kyra back, though I imagine that she wants to know what she saw in the Underverse, as well as seeing it as a chance to get into Lord Riddick’s favors.”

”Tell him I’ll be there.” She nodded slightly. “Is there anything else?”

“I wanted to thank you. I doubt she would have gone had she been given a choice.”

“No, power was too important to her. I didn’t do it for you though, and you know that as well as I do.”

”Perhaps, but the fact remains that you did it. I am in your debt.”

Kylie shrugged. “If you say so.”

Vaako smiled and bowed, leaving.

Kylie sighed. She would have to find something to wear that would be appropriate. She didn’t dislike dressing up, she was a woman after all, it was finding the clothes that she didn’t like.

She shook her head and set out to find something to wear. She searched through the rooms of those who had left, having gotten permission from Vaako, and spent the rest of the afternoon preparing herself for the dinner, both mentally and physically.

The time came, and she once more walked into the dining hall. The majority of the women there wore black and gray dresses, though all of them were beautiful in their own ways she supposed.

She stood in the doorway to the hall, watching the room unnoticed.

She had found a dress with colors more to her liking. She wore an empire waisted, floor length satin gown in a deep forest green. Over the bodice was black sheer lace, cinched tightly below her breasts. Her hands clasped in front of her at her waist, a sheer black scarf was draped over her arms. She wore her hair in curls down her back and over her shoulders.

She walked slowly into the hall, and to where Riddick sat with Kyra at one side, Vaako beside her. She could feel her heart pounding as she turned to speak to him, but took a deep breath and approached, taking her place at his other side.

During the dinner she didn’t speak much, a yes or no here and there when asked a question, she kept her answers as simple as possible. She didn’t feel like being social, but it was her duty to be there, so she was, and she was polite to all those around her.

There was entertainment, and dancers who performed for them. Vaako leaned towards Riddick and Kyra after the food was gone, and spoke with them as the women danced. Kylie watched quietly, impressed by their fluid movements, and lack of sound as their feet struck the floor. The blades on their hips were curved, with bone handles. Their uniforms glittered in the light as they twirled and moved.

Two of the women faced off, bowing to Riddick, then to each other, setting into a sparring match. From their well trained fight, it was clear that they were no ordinary group of women.

In all there were only seven of them, and after they bowed once more for the Lord Marshall, they took up positions evenly spaced around the parameter of the room.

Finally the meal died down, and as Riddick walked over to speak with some of the generals, and then Vaako once more, Kylie rose, and left.