Between the Light and the Darkness - Chapter 9

It was another few monotonous days of field work for Tim. The routine left much to be desired. Every morning was the same, every day was the same, the late lunch was sometimes different food, but the company was always the same. Jondak would occasionally pester Ileeya during lunch, but she was always demure and handled the situation like a lady.

The only thing Tim looked forward to was the end of the long hot day and an evening alone with the most intoxicating female he had ever met. She loved to hear stories of his world. He told her all about Gertie and Bones, and his work and hobbies. She shared stories of her home world with him, as well.

She, before coming here, had lived in a small village with her family. She had been out alone on a walk, enjoying the light summer breezes when she stepped through the invisible portal. She, too, had seen the bizarre landscape with its black stagnant pools when she first arrived. And the demon. She was taken directly to this cell, where she had been for the last ten years.


When Tim recounted his story about what happened after his arrival, in the king's throne room, she seemed perplexed. She never went to the throne room upon her arrival. When Tim asked her if she had ever shared the cell with anyone else in all those years, she answered a little too quickly that she had not.


Tim learned some other things about his new home. The practice sessions for the slave tournaments were held once a week. The last week of each month was spent mostly in the practice yard. And as the time for the Grand Tournament drew nearer, the slaves spent the entire month before it practicing. Tim was almost looking forward to these sessions. It had to be better than gardening.


Ileeya was animated when she talked about it. She had a gleam in her eye when she told him how often she was asked to train newcomers. Many of the senior slaves were trainers.

After a quick trip to a 'weapons room', where various weapons lined the walls and Tim was expected to pick one, he was ushered to a bench in the practice yard and told to wait. Tim didn't know anything about weapons, so he chose a sturdy sword and a wooden shield. Then he sat.

A few moments later, Aark returned with another of the slaves and gestured for Tim to get up. Then Aark stood back and gave a bellow. The creature immediately closed the distance with his sword raised high above his head. He let out an excited yell and attacked.

Tim was unprepared for the ferocity of the attack. The blow caught him on the side of the head. He stumbled under the force of the blow, but managed to keep himself on his feet. The creature was quick and was already bringing his sword back around for another hit by the time Tim stabilized himself. He had an extra second before the sword made contact and he attempted to block it with his shield. He had never used one before, and was unfamiliar with how to properly employ it.

The second hit grazed Tim's shield and hit him in the stomach. It was a light blow, luckily, and merely winded him a bit. The creature leered at him. Tim raised his sword to strike, but the thing countered the attack easily. This is much harder than all the movies make it look.

Tim's opponent swung again, and this time Tim was able to move his shield into the line of fire. A loud wooden thud shook Tim's body, numbing his arm. The battle continued. Tim scored a couple of minor hits, but received many more.

After getting his butt kicked by a few more competitors, Tim was allowed to sit and rest. His eyes scanned the sparring pairs and came across Jondak.

He seemed, as usual, totally at ease. He chose to fight with a short weapon in each hand. Although he didn't like the guy, he had to admit Jondak definitely knew what he was doing.

He was a blur of motion, striking first with his right blade and easily dodging his opponent's retaliation by turning his body full circle and attacking with his left in one fluid movement. Tim hoped he would never have to tangle with him.



The sparring pair next to Jondak happened to be Ileeya. When he saw her his heart skipped a beat. What is wrong with me? The sword she used was enormous, almost as big as she was. He wondered how she managed to even swing the thing, let alone move with the natural grace of a feline while she fought. She was an absolute vision to watch. It looked as if she had been fighting all her life.

A few moments later, the battle ended, and Ileeya and her opponent bowed to one another. Time seemed to slow down and Tim was aware of nothing else but this very moment. The sounds of fighting all but disappered as Tim's focus narrowed on Ileeya. She wiped the light sheen of sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. A few platinum strands of hair had escaped the leather band that tied the remainder back. They framed her face and clung to her neck in damp curls.

She closed her eyes and lifted her face as a light breeze fanned her. As if she sensed it, she turned toward him, catching him staring. Heat rushed to his face, but he did not look away. She smiled and he thought he would die. He never felt this way about anyone before. Time sped up to normal again as she approached. Tim did his best to act normal in her presence.

She sat down next to him and smiled again.

"Very impressive," Tim said to her.

"You really think so?"

"Yes," he said sincerely.

For and endless second he was lost in her eyes. Damn it. He knew he should be more concerned about his present situation, but she was his present situation. He couldn't concentrate. He tried, but he couldn't help himself. It was so easy to let reality just slip away into nothingness. He now knew, without a doubt, and with no further denying, that he was hopelessly in love with her.



Reality slammed back into him at full force as his daydreaming was interrupted by Aark. His face wore the usual scowl as he glared down at them. He said something in an angry tone, and Ileeya gave a sharp retort right back. Aark responded with a few words, and then left to attend to other business.



Ileeya turned to Tim. "Aark said since we enjoyed spending so much time together, then perhaps I should train you to fight...better."

Tim couldn't help but smile at the fabrication. "What did he really say, Ileeya?"

"Um..."

"Come on. I can handle it."

Her words came out in a rush. "He said since you probably couldn't hit a wima if your life depended on it, then perhaps I should train you."

Amused, Tim smiled. "A wima?"

"It's a very large mountain beast. Very large. And very slow."

Tim noticed the surprised look on her face as he threw his head back and roared laughter. "Is that so? Well, then, let's get to work."




Hours later, Tim sighed deeply as he stared at the ceiling of the cell. He missed his dog. He missed everything about his world. Just being in a place with other human beings seemed like an impossible luxury. He realized with growing horror that he was doomed to spend the rest of his days in this strange world with its strange people and its strange language, working as a slave with creatures who felt as alone and out of place as he did. And what of Ileeya?



Despite how he tried, Tim couldn't keep his feelings for her hidden from his eyes. He didn't want her to get the wrong idea. But what was the wrong idea? She fascinated him. Her every graceful move, every word spoken in that melodic voice and formed with those luscious lips. How he longed to kiss them! He could sometimes see in her face that some of his feelings were recipricated, but he also fear, caution.

After all, she isn't even the same race as him. He was in love with an alien! What would his buddies say about that? But if they saw her...the unearthly beauty she possessed, that could only exist on another world. Damn! He chastised himself for getting so hung up over a woman. A woman! He hated himself for being so vulnerable and weak. Everyday he would strive not to let her see his feelings for her. He looked over at Ileeya's still form sleeping soundly. What was he to do? He pondered this question until his mind was as tired as his body. He fell asleep trying to find the answer.

For once he had a happy dream. He was back home jogging in the park with Bones. The big dog barked happily when they stopped for a snack. The air was crisp and clear, and smelled of hotdogs from a nearby concession stand. Squealing children chased each other around the playground. Colorful kites decorated the air. And the promise of Gertie's homemade peach cobbler was at the forefront of his mind. Tim smiled in his sleep.

~*~*~*~*

Meanwhile, several cells away...

"Jondak...Jondak...," the soft voice floated into the room and swirled around Jondak's thoughts. "Jondak, wake up," the voice said firmly. Jondak's eyes flew open when he realized he wasn't dreaming.

"Ileeya...how...?"

"Sssshhh. Don't talk. Just relax."

Before his mind had time to process the command his body immediately relaxed, all his muscles going limp. An odd sensation swept over him as he stared at the figure in his locked cell.

"My name is Shirra. I have a request for you, Jondak."