The Journey

She stepped out of the ship, coming face first with a statuesque woman who walked past her and greeted Vaako.

“Welcome home beloved husband.”

She raised an eyebrow, taking in the skin tight dress she wore, a scaled material in a deep blue shade, it clung to every curve. Kylie shrugged to herself, and waited to be shown where she was to go.

“So this is the breeder.” She looked Kylie over, face carefully unreadable. “Why would the Lord Marshall want you?”

Kylie already did not like this woman, but for the moment, until she knew what Riddick thought of her, and whether or not she was allowed to not be nice, she smiled. “I am a pilot, and he knows me as a good one.”

The woman merely nodded slightly, and took her husband’s arm.

“This way.” He spoke, and led her to a set of rooms.

She wasn’t sure if she liked the “apartment” she’d been given or not. The space in it was great, but it was so dark and dreary looking.

“Could be worse. Least the bed looks comfortable.” She started unpacking, putting her clothes away.

After she finished, she lay back on her bed, and looked at the ceiling. The next thing she knew she was being awakened by a knock on the heavy door.

“Coming” She muttered, heaving open the door.

“Ma’am, I have been instructed to inform you that there will be a dinner this evening for the Lord Marshall. I was also told to ask if you have or need the proper clothing as this is a formal affair.”

Kylie frowned. “I have something that can work for it. Do you have a name?”

The woman standing there was fairly young, no more then nineteen, and was dressed in a charred robe over black slacks and a matching shirt. “Kendra Ma’am.”

“Well Kendra, first, stop calling me ma’am. Second, I’m Kylie.”

“Yes M…Kylie. Do you need help in preparing the dinner this evening?”

“Perhaps.” She smiled, and allowed the girl to enter, closing the door behind her.

Evening came, and the hall filled with Necromongers wishing to meet or win favor with their new Lord Marshall. Dame Vaako was there at her husband’s side, wearing a low cut, skin tight gold dress, hair bedecked in smoky diamonds, and a gold collar necklace around her neck. Vaako, by contrast, was wearing his uniform, a deep charcoal color that looked even more dark and dull in comparison with the flashy dress of his wife.

The majority of the people there wore various shades of deep blues, grays, and blacks, all very subdued in color. A woman here or there wore some expensive looking gold or silver jewelry, but only those of higher stations.

Kylie wasn’t really nervous, well not about meeting anyone anyway, the only person she had to impress at all had already been impressed enough to bring her there in the first place. Her only nervousness stemmed from wondering whether what she wore was good enough for the events of the evening. Too late for her to change now.

She paused for a moment outside the grand doorway, looking over the crowd inside, barely able to see the side of Riddick’s goggled head as he turned to speak to someone beside him as he sat on the throne. Taking a deep breath she entered, Kendra following a few steps behind her. The crowd parted for her as she made her way to the dais, the majority unsure what to expect from this breeder in their midst.

She wore an emerald green dress, a gift from her mother a long time ago, that swept the floor as she walked. Though her arms were bare, the cut of the dress brought it up around her neck, covering her, though her back was bare to the waist, the cloth tight enough that her curves could be seen. The slit up one leg ensured she would be able to walk, and showed her shoes, a pair of simple heels with a strap that wound its way to her knee. Her hair was up in a simple twist on the back of her head, the few unruly hairs curled around her ears. She wore little makeup, the dark colors the Necromongers preferred not being to her liking, and she had none with her. Kendra had been able to find some lipstick though, so that was all she wore. She wore a simple gold chain necklace with a pendant hanging from it.

The lighting in the room was dim to allow Riddick to remove his goggles, so she could see his face as she approached him.

“Nice” was all he said before he motioned with his hand, telling her to stand beside him. She nodded and walked up the steps, turning to face the crowd.

One by one they approached him, giving their names, and swearing their loyalty. Dame and Lord Vaako came near the beginning. Kylie saw something in the woman’s eyes as she spoke, she was trying to use her beauty against him.

Kylie frowned slightly, and leaned closer to Riddick, breathing the words into his ear, so only he would hear it. “She lies.”

He nodded slightly, turning his attention to Vaako as he approached. The rest of the introductions passed, the only other person to make an impression upon her was Kendra, who actually made a request of the Lord Marshall when she approached him, in spite of the disapproving looks her elders gave her.

“My Lord, I know I am only a new initiate, and I hope I do not offend you by approaching you like this. I wish to make a minor request, I am a housemaid, currently serving for one of the smaller lords. I wish to be allowed to change my service to aid your pilot, as I think that it might help her become acclimated to our people if she was to have someone to speak with if she has questions.”

Riddick’s eyebrow went up, surprised at the courage this young woman showed in speaking with him so bluntly. Kylie was more surprised then Riddick, and her eyes widened slightly at it. He raised a hand to silence the chatter that arose when she approached him, and turned to Kylie.

“Well?”

“I don’t have a problem with it.” She said with a shrug.

“So be it. You are to move closer to her quarters immediately.”

Finally they settled into the dining hall, Kylie seated at Riddick’s right hand, across from Dame and Lord Vaako. Dame Vaako had jockeyed them into that position, trying to win favor.

The food was served by numerous initiates, who left the room right after it was placed, with the exception of two wine stewards.

Murmuring conversations started around the tables, and Kylie listened to those close to her as she slowly ate. She was silent as she watched Dame Vaako whisper something into her husband’s ear.

“You will be shown the ship you will be flying tomorrow.” Vaako stated as he set his cup on the table.

His face swam before her eyes, his voice fading. Colors swirled and reformed into the sight of Riddick choking, eyes bulging and bleeding, a cup of wine spilt on the table. As quickly as she saw it, it faded again, to the sight of the table before her.

Riddick was reaching for his wine glass, but Kylie quickly reacted, snatching it away just before he could lift it. He looked at her in confusion.

“It is poisoned.” She stated simply. “Who brought this glass?”

Her eyes sought out the man who she saw with the glass earlier.

“Him.” She pointed, and Riddick motioned him forward. When he refused to do as told, Vaako stood, walking to where he sat and dragged him back to the Lord Marshall.

“Drink it.” He growled, taking the wine from Kylie. She backed away from the scene in front of her. She looked and saw the frustration and bitter anger on Dame Vaako’s face, and as she heard the man choking and the cup fall, she fled the room.