Page 7 of Benet

“And then what? I can’t simply ask my father to let us borrow a Vasclavian ship to enter Outlier space for a rescue mission,” she said, a frown marring her forehead. “I love Benet but there are hard limits when dealing with anything to do with Outlier. Scary people who don’t follow any rules but their own.”

“Buy him maybe?” Kyden suggested.

“It’d be a hefty ransom, I’m guessing. Whoever is behind this would be more likely to ask for favors and concessions than credits anyway and we’re not in a position to do much for them.”

“Nor do I want to.” The idea left Kyden cold. “I’ll have to talk to Pargen, see what ideas we can come up with. The one thing I do know is I’m not leaving him there for the rest of his life to rot. He may not be Badari but he’s my brother of the arena and our bond is unbreakable.”

“One of the things I admire most about you, my love, is your loyalty,” Elara said, kissing him on the cheek. “In this case though I think your bond is going to be severely tested. Better pray to your goddess as well.”

“I have been and I will continue,” Kyden promised. “But he isn’t one of her children so I don’t know if she’s listening to my appeals.”

“Don’t ask me why because I couldn’t tell you,” his mate-wife said, “But I have a feeling she might take an interest in this situation. I haven’t had a vision or a dream about it but the whole thing is so complicated and so risky to you if you insist on going to rescue him—” She set a finger over his lips as he drew breath to argue. “I know you will if that’s what it takes to save Benet and your Great Mother is interested in you, so…”

He hoped she was right. Good as it was to know where Benet had probably been taken, the prospects for ever seeing his friend again, much less for retrieving him were dismal. It would take the help of the goddess.

* * *

Benet was awake early the next morning. He’d slept well in the unfamiliar bed and as he stretched and did a few isometric exercises he was pleased to find the effects of the cryosleep had finally worn off. His head ached a bit from the feelgoods he’d had the night before to keep up with his host, but a dose of headclear would fix the problem. Rummaging through the clothing the housekeeper had sent for him he found a suitable pair of pants. Once he was ready, he went downstairs and into the kitchen area to explore the stasis keeper and figure out a breakfast. Eggs and bacon would do nicely and more of the crusty bread. He doubted there’d be coffee but he’d take anything with a caffeine kick.

He heard the front door open behind him but didn’t think anything of it, assuming Dmitri had been out for an early morning run. “I’ll cook us breakfast,” he said, turning with his hands full of the supplies he’d found, only to do a doubletake and stop in his tracks.

Marushka the daughter of the house stood there, dressed in a simple sundress and sandals, hair loose and flowing, clearly admiring his abs. Benet wished he’d taken the time to put on a shirt, not that he minded her frank appreciation of what he had to offer, but she was a lady and much higher in the social order here than he’d ever be.

A pair of large, purebred dogs gamboled at her side, clearly interested in the enticing aroma of the bacon. They were fluffy and white, with faces set in a permanent grin. Impossible to resist. The pair came forward to sniff at him.

“My lady, what a surprise,” he said in Basic, hoping she’d understand. He added a bow and moved to the counter to set down the foodstuffs.

“I’ll take you up on breakfast,” she said cheerily, seating herself at the table and smoothing the tablecloth. “I’ve only had morning tea so far and Dmitri makes the best pancakes.”

“I’m doing eggs and bacon today,” Benet said. “He cooked dinner so it’s my turn.”

“So domesticated,” she teased.

“I appreciate what he did for me yesterday and I’m grateful to be a guest in his home instead of cooling my heels in the dungeon. Unless you have a squad of guards waiting outside to take me there.” He chuckled to show he wasn’t serious.

“No guards. Dmitri’s my bodyguard,” she said. “And once my tiresome father departs for the capital, which he did before dawn, things go back to normal.” Gesturing at her dress and casual hairstyle, she added, “Like this. I’m left to my own devices which means I come to see Dmitri. And I bring my dogs. Father doesn’t like them so they’re glad of freedom today. Meet Oksana and Boris, shameless beggars who have been fed today, allow me to assure you.”

Benet wasn’t sure he understood the way things worked at this estate but he dug through a cabinet and found suitable frying pans. Cracking eggs after laying out the strips of bacon in another pan, he went to work cooking.

“You seem much better today,” she said. “I was so sorry for you yesterday. My apologies on behalf of no one but myself for the way you were kidnapped and brought here. I had nothing to do with it and nothing in my power to undo it either but for what it’s worth, my sympathies.”

“Kind of you. Dmitri said your father wants me to win some games for him?” Benet figured he might as well gather what intel he could, although her beauty and her proximity were severely distracting. He needed to redirect his focus. She called the dogs to heel and both settled at her feet, avidly watching Benet. Should he offer them a few morsels? Who could be immune to the mute appeal in their eyes?

“Not just any games but the Imperial Quadrennial,” Marushka said. “He invariably loses in the overall medal count and the big featured events and last time he was ridiculed for the team he fielded, which incensed him. The head trainer was executed and the surviving fighters sent to the mines. My father is big on obtaining revenge for failure by anyone to make him look good. Be warned.”

“So I’m part of a team? Who are my teammates?”

“Don’t worry about them,” Dmitri said, descending the stairs. “You’re a team of one for the main event.” He crossed the floor to Marushka and they embraced, his hug lifting her out of her chair and into the air, which set her to squealing in mock protest and the dogs romped, jumping on him and barking. “You shouldn’t be here,” he said to her as he set her on her toes. “Your father wouldn’t like it and neither would Prince Vasili.”

“I have a few more months of freedom,” she said with a frown. “And I intend to make the most of it. Until his ring is on my finger and the priest declares us wed, the prince has no power over me. I do what I please and what pleases me is time with you. And our new friend.” She nodded in Benet’s direction.

“I hope the scrambled eggs will please you.” Benet served her a generous portion. “I added cheese and chives.” He set a jar of jam next to her elbow and tore off a hunk of the bread for her. “No butlers and waiters here.”

“Good. I hate all the pomp and ceremony and life at the capital in the imperial palace is even worse than my existence here.” She slathered jam on the bread and took a big bite.

“I like a girl with a healthy appetite,” Benet said, dishing up Dmitri’s breakfast, which was five times the size of hers.

“I came to watch the training,” Marushka said, waving a piece of bacon. “Benet needs someone to cheer him on.”

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