[Author] Yeah I've come to the conclusion I've just been away from Star Wars in general and the Fallen Angels in particular to finish my other Nebula California story but Liam's Ghost keeps giving me bad ideas about Nebula California stuff and well I have to do something with them. So hopefully he doesn't mind me running with my own take on something he's mentioned wanting to delve more into for his story. [/Author]
Unclaimed(officially) area
Toreel
3025 March 27(maybe?
David had been one of the group who had decided to stay behind and make a new life for himself on Toreel.
Finding a spot that none of the local kingdoms actually cared about to setup a colony had been easy enough. What they hadn't counted on was how scary magic could be.
The creatures came literally out of nowhere ransacking through their camp. The locals called them Orcs he had learned that much.
Before he could even pull his rifle to his shoulder one clubbed him over the head.
After that he started fading in and out of conciousness.
The next period of awareness he had he was being carried somewhere out in the wilderness, he was only certain it was away from his new home.
Suddenly he felt himself drop to the ground. As his vision faded again he saw the Orc that had been carrying him was also now slumped down on the ground.
Darkness overtook him again.
He wasn't sure how long he was out but the next thing he knew he felt a warmth spread through him.
As his eyes opened again he realized his head was cradled in the lap of a blue skinned woman in a tattered white dress and pure white hair. The lack of pupils in her eyes was unsettling. Lower light conditions, a bit of fog, a chill in the air, and he'd swear she was a ghost. Under different circumstances an attractive ghost at that.
"Greetings. I am Dax. Fortune has smiled on us. While I was completing another task for my liege I saw the Orcs passing through this region with you as prisoner." The woman spoke in a soothing voice.
"Thanks. Though I have a question. How do I get back to my settlement?" David asked as Dax slowly eased him into a sitting position.
"Hmm I don't recognize your style of dress from any of the kingdoms I am familiar with. So I honestly don't know. Orcs are quite hardy they could have easily packed you quite some distance away before I came across them." Dax answered.
"Great. I have no idea how long I was even out and I can't remember the name of any of the kingdoms near my settlement. Probably have a concussion then." David rubbed the back of his head.
"Your concusion shall pass soon with the healing magic I have used on you. Still this is quite a predicament then. For a short term solution I am willing to introduce you to my liege and petition him to aid you or to allow me to aid you further." Dax sighed knowing what would actually be most likely to happen.
"Beats wandering around here waiting to get picked up by Orcs or who knows what again." David said as the pair stood up.
"Take my hand then." Dax extended her left hand.
"Okay." David said as he got his first good look at the woman and how truly attractive he found her despite her unusual features.
Dax muttered something incomprehensible to David and suddenly the forest clearing was replaced by a large room. The walls were smooth black stone, almost like concrete but not quite with light sources recessed near the floor. The ceiling was the same material with similar recessed lights. The floor was mirrored. Four massive white quartz pillars dominated the room with a throne at the far end.
"My liege." Dax went down on one knee.
David still a little shocked from the sudden change in scenery collected himself enough to follow suit.
"Dax, you have brought an unexpected visitor. Explain." What looked to be a man in his early twenties with jet black hair, slightly tanned skin, and from what David could tell was thin but covered in elaborate robes.
"My apologies my liege. The Orcs had captured him. I made the conclusion that if they wanted him alive he must have some value and thus would be worth saving. I do not know which settlement or kingdom he belongs to and I did not wish to keep you waiting my liege. So I brought him with me in hopes he could be returned to his people." Dax answered.
"Ah Dax you just can't help yourself can you? But that is part of why I keep you around. Young man what is your name?" The man looked David straight in the eyes.
The instant they made eye contact David shuddered and could somehow sense the power behind them.
"David Clarkson. My apologies but you are not familiar to me and thus I do not know the correct honorific to address you by." David was starting to regret ever having stayed behind instead of going with the rest of the crew.
"Don't worry David. I don't actually have feudal title. Dax is in my service though and likes to mess with strangers by making it seem like I do. You may call me Astun. If you are who I suspect you are then Dax most certainly made the right decision bringing you here. Tell me David are you one of the visitors from beyond the nebula that decided to stay behind?" Astun chuckled slightly.
"Yes." David had a sense if he lied things would be far worse for him.
"Well David the arrival of you and your friends was enough of a shake up. That some of you left but others stayed behind has made that worse. So much so I can't even travel outside this realm. The higher powers must be quite perturbed if they are denying inter-realm travel. In fact I suspect one of the so called gods arranged the raid on your settlement to learn the secrets of you and your people. It may take some time if the higher powers have their own designs on your people but fear not you will be safe here. Dax since you brought him here you will tend to him. Set him up in one of the guest rooms." Astun said with a subdued tone of cold menace.
Astun muttered something then vanished from sight.
"This way please." Dax gestured toward a door.
The black stone gave way to worked stone brickwork expertly fitted together and hardwood floors.
Torches that gave off no heat lined the hallway.
Dax led David down the hallway past a staircase up and several rooms until reaching the end of the hall.
The room was bigger than most dropship cabins but still modestly sized. A small siting area with a collection of books to read was available to him. A toilet of sorts and a bath were off the main area. A large bed in a separate room finished the accomodations.
Dax clapped and a human woman, short, blonde, and very nicely proportioned entered the room.
"This is Samantha. She is the chamber maid for this room. She will bring you anything you may need and since it is winter in this region she is also available as a bed warmer if you so wish. If she is not to your liking I can arrange for another to take her place." Dax answered David's incoming question before he could even ask it.
"So this Astun guy, are all the people in his employ attractive women?" David found himself asking before he could consider how crass he was being.
"He does have certain standards, yes. Fear not he actually treats us quite well. Is Samantha satisfactory?" Dax answered.
"Didn't Astun say for you to see to me yourself?" David knew if he accepted Samantha he'd almost certainly cause an incident, especially if she really did do what was hinted at.
With Dax he at least had a slightly better chance at controlling himself thanks to how unsettling some of her features were.
"You are quite correct. Please forgive me. Do you have a preference for an evening meal?" Dax bowed before him.
David almost wanted to say he was joking or that Samantha would be fine after all but knew it was too late.
"A burger and fries would be great. Timbiqui dark if you have it to drink." David couldn't help himself.
It had been a long trip out to the nebula and luxuries like real ground beef had ran out pretty early on in the trip and none of the locals had even understood what that meant.
"By your command, my lord. Samantha, please see to it." Dax answered.
In only a few minutes Samantha came back with a tray and set it on the table. Lifting the lid was the best looking hamburger David had seen in a long time and a pile of french style cut fried potatoes. Everything he could want on his burger was there for David to put on it and then some.
A large mug was also on the tray. It looked and smelled like Timbiqui Dark. Then David tasted it. He could get used to this place.
"Is it to your liking?" Dax asked.
"I don't want to know how you did it but everything is perfect. Thank you." David answered.
"If you need anything else please feel free to ask. We shall be nearby." Dax showed herself and Samantha out.
David couldn't control himself as he plowed through his dinner and ale.
After dinner he found some simple clothes in his size in a chest and decided to bathe then get changed.
With little else to do he sat and looked out the window into the manicured lawn then to the selection of books.
He picked one at random. A thin volume entitled Adventurer's Quarterly Issue #19. It read like some sort of mercenary publication. One article comparing the pros and cons of the heavy mace to the morningstar. Another giving tips on how to organize your pack. The last article he read was on the spread of religions across different planes of existence.
"Damn it really is getting to be winter here. This bed is cold despite the blankets." David muttered as he climbed into bed.
"By your command my lord." David heard Dax's voice as she seemed to come from nowhere and slide into bed next to him.
All David could do was gulp and be glad despite everything he really was quite exhausted and sleep overtook all other priorities as a result.
