The two days since Gæ had visited had passed in a blur. Now here she was, draped in silver silk with a dark gray sheer vale covering her head, her now quite long hair pinned up with a single silver pin that to her resembles a short chopstick. Never in her life had she ever felt as nervous about something as she did now, standing with Dalia and Aya waiting for Gæ to arrive and take one of them for Ahriman, one for himself and allow the third to be set free. Finally Viper enters the room where they stand waiting.
"You will come with me now," he says before turning and leading them from the room.
As Sam and the others file out of the room behind Viper she can't help but think that while she has been here against her will this place has been like her home for the past few months and she will miss how peaceful it is. Viper leads them into the garden where Gæ is standing waiting.
"You never fail to impress, you may go now," he says to Viper.
Viper bows low and then turns and leaves them with Gæ.
Gæ looks at them, "Today you may count yourselves blessed. One of you will be consort to Ahriman and one will be my companion and the other will be free to choose her own fate."
Sam knows that she isn't supposed to speak to him but she ignores this and speaks anyway.
"What do you mean be your companion?"
Gæ smiles, "If you are chosen then you will find out what the meaning of it is. But for the present you will remain silent."
"I..."
Gæ raises his hand and brings it down hard on the side of Sam's face.
"You will learn your place. I have chosen you for a great honor. You should be grateful for this."
Sam looks down, her cheek burns where his hand had landed.
"Now, we must be on our way to Ahriman's palace as he is expecting us. Come near to me."
The three women step closer to Gæ and as they do Sam hears a vaguely familiar sound but she can't place it. Suddenly there are rings around them.
'So that is how they get here,' Sam thinks.
Once on board the ship Gæ leads them to the bridge. Gæ walks toward one of the large windows and waves his hand, "Behold Susa, your future home."
Sam steps closer to the window but before she has a chance to look at the planet she hears the sound of a body dropping. She turns to see Aya on the floor in a heap.
"Let us hope that Ahriman does not choose this weakling. Guard take her to a room where she may recover during our trip," Gæ says, a hint of disappointment in his voice.
As the guard takes Aya away he looks at Dalia and Sam, "If you wish to rest there are rooms prepared for each of you."
"How long will the trip be?" Sam asks.
Gæ looks at her for a moment before answering, "No more than an hour."
"Then if is alright with you I would prefer to stay here."
"It is your choice."
"I would like to rest," Dalia says, her eyes never leaving the floor.
Gæ steps toward her and puts one hand under her chin, lifting her head slightly.
"You would make a magnificent queen."
Sam's heart drops as the words leave his lips.
Gæ turns to face her, "And it is my deepest desire that he leaves you for me. I would greatly enjoy having such a spirit in my presences often."
A shiver runs down Sam's back. She tries to hide it but Gæ sees and laughs.
"Oh fear not, I rather enjoy your spirit. I would not break it as Ahriman would if you are chosen to be queen."
Sam turns away from him and looks out the window at the planet below. She is vaguely aware of Gæ giving some commands to one of the guards concerning Dalia before leaving the room himself. The next few hours pass slowly but finally she rejoined by the others. She notices that Gæ has donned a copper colored robe and the girls are wearing matching silver gowns. Gæ snaps his fingers and a servant steps forward and bows before Sam.
"Lady Al'mena, if you would come with me that I may prepare you to meet our Lord Ahriman," the small woman says, keeping a contrite posture.
"Very well," Sam says.
The woman leads her to a large chamber. Once the doors are closed the servant sets to work removing Sam's robe and carefully replaces it with the silver colored one. As the fabric touches Sam's skin she notices that it is cool to the touch.
"What kind of fabric is this?" she asks.
"This gown is made from finely woven silver strands. All who are brought before Ahriman as choices for queen are to wear this. He likes to see what his future queen looks like in the color of the family."
"So like a preview? He picks solely based on looks?"
"As is his right."
Sam stands silently as the woman finishes dressing her and fixing her hair in the same fashion as the others. Before they leave the room Sam looks at the woman one last time, "What did his last queen look like?"
"They all look the same. Dark hair and eyes," she says turning and leading Sam from the room.
Quietly Sam follows, her head buzzing with thoughts.
'Ahriman will most likely choose Dalia' she thinks.
But this doesn't solve a problem as much as create one. Aya is young; she can't be more than 17 or 18. If Gæ chooses to keep her Sam would feel responsible for any harm that may befall her. But there is a chance that Aya will be the one to be allowed to return to her home. This doesn't scare Sam. She is a fighter and she will find a way to escape. But how can she break this cycle so that no other women are subjected to this life? She snaps out of her thoughts as she hears Gæ's voice.
"It is time for you to meet Ahriman," he says as he leads the way to the rings. Within moments they are standing in the middle of what looks to be a throne room. Gæ claps his hands and the servants bow and leave the room.
"You will remember to not speak unless Ahriman speaks to you," Gæ says to the women before turning and talking quickly to a guard then he scurries from the room. Sam looks around the room. The walls appear to be the same stone that the pyramid on Sind was made of. A door behind what looks to be the throne opens, catching her eye.
"Hail Ahriman," Gæ calls as he enters thru the small door. As Sam bows her head she catches a glimpse of another entering the room behind Gæ covered with a dark robe and veil. She fixes her eyes on a small spot on the floor and takes a deep breath. The room is silent but for the soft sounds of footfalls. After several moments Gæ speaks.
"This one is called Harmony, I believe that she will serve you well."
Sam feels Dalia standing upright, and then a new voice speaks.
"She is indeed beautiful as you told me. Yes, she will be my queen."
Someone claps their hands, Sam assumes this is Gæ, and the she hears the shuffling of the servants. This is it, the moment she has been waiting for. She takes a breath and begins to lift her head slowly, her eyes moving quickly. She first sees Dalia standing a few feet in front of her with her head down, then the dark figure standing beside her and finally the servants.
Time seems to slow as Dalia looks up enough to meet Sam's gaze as a tear rolls down her cheek. Seeing this makes Sam angrier. Without thinking she starts to lung forward but something grabs her from behind, then she feels a heavy weight come down on the back of her head and she falls to the floor unconscious.
A/N: I should have another part out soon. Let me know what you think of this so far, I love to hear from my readers. And for those who have left comments, thank you so much for your words of encouragement and I hope you continue to enjoy.
