At the end of Mara's treatment, the lesser purifiers filed silently into the Quasi-grotto. Though Riddick and Jasmine had never seen purification, it was routine for them. Two of the stronger men moved to stand beneath Mara's elevated body, prepared to take her weight once she was released.
Next came the removal of the pinions screwed into the sides of her neck. With a whoosh of compressed air, the spikes were mechanically drawn out of the young woman's skin.
The sudden withdrawal forced her eyes open, and she gasped, lunging reflexively forward into the purifiers' arms. They bore her legs and torso back until she was centered beneath the machine again, and other purifiers went to work freeing her bound arms. When she was released she collapsed completely, and the purifiers bore her entire weight.
Riddick immediately stepped forward to examine her. Her eyes were moving beneath closed lids, but in all other facets she appeared to be unconscious. Her visage remained unchanged, except for the occasional drop of blood trickling from her re-inflicted wounds.
The lead Purifier quickly came forward, wrapping gauze loosely around her neck. He looked up at Riddick.
"We'll bring out the Quasi-dead, My Lord."
In response, Riddick held out his arms for Mara's body. Obediently, the purifiers transferred her to his cradling grasp.
"No," he answered, "Let 'er rest first."
Jasmine frowned invidiously at this glimpse of tenderness, gathering her hair at the nape.
Pleasantly surprised, the Purifier nodded, turning to direct the group to the nearest empty bedchamber. Feeling invisible, Jasmine followed last behind the train.
Once he'd settled Mara in a bed, Riddick ordered the nearest servant to bring food.
"Is there anything special I should bring, My Lord?"
Riddick glanced at the unconscious girl, biting his lip.
"Don't know what she likes…broth I guess. Probably'll be all she can keep down. And something for us too," he added, finally appearing to notice his companion.
Jasmine smiled softly, chiding herself for her earlier foolishness. She came forward as Riddick sent the purifiers away, instructing them to await his summons.
They were alone again. Jasmine was quiet, looking up at Riddick expectantly. She'd grabbed his helmet and gloves on the way out, and offered them to him. He shook his head.
"Gonna take off the rest of it. I can't fly like this."
He reached stiffly toward his shoulder, grasping for the decorative brace around his arm. Jasmine came closer to help. It was a very complicated system; the decorative faces and filaments of the armor, when turned a certain way, became the keys that unlocked the protective plates and allowed them to be removed.
Jasmine had no idea as to the procedure, but she stood to receive the armor as he removed it. When he finished, she couldn't help but smile. Beneath his costume were the black tank and cargo pants.
"Defiant to the end," she exhaled.
He glanced at her.
"Aereon told me that once," he replied, amused.
Nothing else was more capable of removing the somewhat pleasant mood. Jasmine scowled.
"I will not trust her."
"Didn't ask you to."
Jasmine looked toward the still unconscious Mara.
"And as simple as she seems, I don't trust her either. Why do you?"
Riddick placed the last of his armor on a nearby table.
"I don't trust her. Picked somebody I could control, or you could. You're a bodyguard – guard her. Keep others from gettin' to her – keep her from gettin' to them."
"You would selfishly place her life in danger while you race off after the wind?"
Jasmine had tried in earnest not to mention Kyra. She knew that nothing she could say would convince him of the futility and heartbreak that awaited him.
What would it be like to be so loved?
The young Furyan quickly stifled the thought, awaiting Riddick's disapproval. Instead, he answered,
"No one'll be in danger if you're as good as you say."
He looked her over.
"If I'm wrong, now's the time to come clean."
Choosing to show rather than tell, Jasmine reached into her bodice, pulling out one of the throwing knives she'd hidden earlier. She spun, pivoting a tight circle and releasing the dagger as she turned. The sharp point lodge in the wall just above Mara's bed.
"You are not wrong, and if the Necromongers are as overt as you say, then we've nothing to worry about," she finally replied, smoothing the front of her dress.
They were both satisfied at the exchange.
Jasmine paused, contemplating the possible effects of her next action. In light of the circumstances, she pressed on.
"Of the times that you were incarcerated, Riddick," she hurried through the sentence before he could interrupt, "were any of them for theft?"
She'd been worried that he'd be offended, but instead he merely raised a brow.
"Not directly." The words were brusque, but not mean, and she continued,
"Good, then I can expect to get this back."
She reached into the neckline of her dress, resurfacing with a silver pendant hung on a thick chain. One side bore the deep imprint of a feline paw, the other, the image of a stone and an ambiguous coat of arms. She brought it closer, and he slipped on his goggles to see more clearly.
"These are the symbols of my house, and our God." The pronoun was carefully stressed, "The rock, to ground you and crush your enemies. The shield, to protect you from harm."
As she reached up to place it around his neck, she was surprised to see him receive it without protest. She swallowed thickly.
"It is Furyan custom to loan a possession to a traveler…to ensure his safe and swift return."
He tucked the pendant beneath his shirt, though that did nothing to hide its outline.
"Doubt I'll be comin' back, Jasmine."
He refused to give her any hope. She bowed her head.
"Then it is a gift."
They both looked toward the bed when they heard Mara stir. She was looking at them, eyes aglow with light. Her serene smile was firmly in place.
"Forgive my impertinence, My Lord," she refused to drop her manners despite the rasp in her voice, "but would it be too much to ask for something to eat?"
Once the group was fed, Riddick summoned the purifiers. As the servants took their leave, he held one back, asking them to have his armor placed in his aircraft. Then his attention was focused on Mara. He helped her stand to greet the purifiers, supporting much of her weight on his arm.
Jasmine resignedly moved to the background. Greedily she watched her Furyan brother, making sure to capture each of these final moments. Only he, Mara, and the Purifier would witness this final ritual; apparently her last glimpse of Riddick would be of his back.
As the final company gathered themselves to exit, Jasmine had a sudden thought. Moving toward the group, she spoke to Riddick, carefully using his Necromonger title. His head turned sharply, then he realized the purpose of the formality. Gently handing Mara off to the Purifier, he stepped back, pulling Jasmine out of earshot.
"Yeah?"
"You will think I am trying to stop you, but I must ask…if you are able to retrieve her, how will you bring her back to this plane? Her body is surely decayed beyond salvage…"
"I'll get her another body."
The matter-of-factness of the statement was a shock. Riddick's implications were undeniable and Jasmine was awed at his nonchalant view of murder. A corner of his mouth turned upward.
"Hmm – so killing someone for no reason is okay when you do it, but not me?"
Jasmine frowned, remember how she obtained the clothes used to stow aboard the ship those nights past.
"That was for a reason."
"So is this."
She still looked apprehensive.
"You should look me up on the net sometime. Won't bother me any."
She couldn't tell if he spoke of the net trolling or the murder, and she didn't ask. She felt herself becoming angry and rushed to ensure that they at least parted well.
"Riddick, I would like to ask you for a favor," she broached cautiously.
"Wanna kiss me goodbye?"
In a strange moment of clarity, she was suddenly past anger at his teasing. She looked directly into his eyes.
"If you return, I will kiss you."
His chest rose in a silent laugh and his head tilted slightly.
"Right. Now what's the favor?"
She tucked some hair behind her ear.
"Please give me a date – some time frame where I'll know to stop waiting around."
He nodded gruffly.
"Fair enough. I'll tell Mara before I go."
The frightening machine had been replaced; the Quasi-grotto was back to its essential normalcy. Slowly, Riddick helped Mara to the platform. As he lifted her atop it, he asked,
"Can you stand?"
When he tried to place the servant on her own feet, she sank to her knees. Weakly, she brushed away his attempts to help her.
"It would probably be better if I knelt," she wheezed, endeavoring not to show her fatigue.
Riddick nearly groaned with frustration and impatience. He was desperate to get going, but the girl was clearly exhausted. Another look confirmed fatigue…and fear. He clenched his jaw as the revelation dawned. Of course she was afraid; he hadn't been too jazzed himself the first time he saw those iron pods come down.
Actually…he hadn't seen the Quasi-dead since that day.
When he stepped decisively onto the platform, Mara shakily crawled aside to make room. He reached down, looping his wrists beneath her arms and pulling her to her feet.
"No more groveling. Get up," he tried in vain to keep the irritation out of his voice.
"I'm sorry, My Lord. I'm sorry that I am so weak…"
"You're tired. Nothing wrong with that. It's been a long day."
He hitched a supportive arm around her waist.
"Here. We'll do it together."
Her expression grew stronger then, and she nodded, gathering enough power to stand and lean against him. Checking that she was secure, Riddick turned, making eye contact with the Purifier out side the door. He looked chagrined at the sight of two sharing the platform, but he was a quick study. Whatever he felt, he gave no voice to his concerns.
Ignoring the people milling around her, Jasmine stood in the middle of Necropolis and watched the Purifier engage the machine. A select few could approach the grotto while the Quasi-dead were unveiled, but she would be within earshot if Riddick called.
A whisper of cloth brushed against her, and her hand went to the hilt of her closest weapon. She drew it when she saw Aereon.
"I hope that someday you will no longer feel the need to do that every time I appear."
"Such a day will never come."
Aereon sighed, indifferent.
"Riddick has charged us both to watch in his absence. That may require our collaboration at some point. Can you put aside your prejudice long enough to do as your kinsman asks?"
Jasmine sighed, but sheathed her weapon.
"I thank you for finding me that night." She cast a bitter glance toward the Quasi-grotto, adding, "though it turns out that you did me no great service."
"Most any life is worth saving, young Furyan. There is a balance to uphold," were the Elemental's final words. Then she disappeared into the shadows.
A groan was pushed from Riddick's diaphragm and through his clenched lips as the Quasi-dead gravity crushed Mara against his chest. He was extremely thankful he'd removed that metal armor.
Concentrating on taking small breaths into his nose and blowing them out of his mouth, Riddick glanced down at Mara. She whimpered against him and he tried to move his arm; it was undoubtedly crushing her too.
"And what is this? Two? It is unheard of!"
The ethereal voices spoke, and Riddick knew he was again in the presence of the Quasi-dead. It was very strange; the first time, he had been struck mute, forced to cower before these freaks of nature. But now…
"Made a few chances since my last visit."
The Quasi-dead heaved in surprise, moaning and writhing in their pods. Riddick himself was shocked at the strength in his voice. Apparently he hadn't needed the purification after all.
"Ah yes! Riddick the Fierce –"
"Riddick the avenged –"
"Hail, Lord Marshall."
The voices came intermittently and in stereo, magnified by the egg-shaped chamber.
"But why have you brought us –"
"a rejected one?"
"once unworthy and forever."
Mara was unable to move, but Riddick felt her hands tighten upon his arms.
Suddenly there was flash of gray light, and Riddick saw -
****** Mara beaming in her new convert's robes as she is presented with her first official Necromonger costume. The black scalecloth flashes with gold ornamentation upon the spine.******
*****Mara eagerly listening to the Purifier. He speaks.
"The Quasi-dead wish to meet with all who are interested in the way. If you would see your path lead to this honored office, be ready in a fortnight.
But be sure that your mind is strong, your intentions true. They see all and will reject the unworthy…"*****
***** Mara huddled and weeping upon the platform. The Quasi-dead scream "unworthy."*****
"Like I said," Riddick affirmed strongly, "made a few changes. Now tell her what I need to know."
"A Furyan King –"
"It is inconceivable –"
"We will do as you command."
Their voices were inaudible then, but the cloud that drifted along the floor rose and rose until it hid Necromonger and Furyan from view. It began to swirl, becoming a pillar of smoke that tightened until it secreted the platform only.
Outside the door, the Purifier stared in awe. He had been trained for this, but he had never actually witnessed an impartation.
Jasmine was equally shocked to see the plume of white smoke burst into the air. She started forward, straining to see. When she had all but decided to run to the rescue, the smoke ceased as it was forcefully sucked toward the Earth.
All Necromongers turned to watch the smoke disappear. The ritual was finally complete.
Jasmine moved as close to the room as she dared, hovering, waiting to see who would appear. Eventually, the doors opened, and Jasmine loped up the stairs. She'd entertained a small hope, but released it at once.
Mara was the only person she saw. Quickly, she looked over the servant's shoulder, trying to get a glimpse of the room before the doors closed, but to no avail. In response to the Furyan's discontent, Mara smiled.
"The Lord Marshall asked that I immediately inform you that he will return in a month's time."
The young woman smiled again, thinking she had delivered good news, but Jasmine recognized the hidden message. She would wait a month, and then return home to meet her fate. Before Mara could get suspicious though, Jasmine thanked her for the message.
"He has also given you authority to speak for him in council, although you probably won't meet while he's gone. And…" she paused to remember,
"He says you can have any room on the ship as long as it has an adjoining bedroom with only one way in. And you have access to any weapons you want, but not the throwing knives. He says you need more practice first."
Jasmine tried in vain to hide her frown. He hadn't actually given her any choices. Her expression cleared, however, as she focused on the task at hand.
"That adjoining chamber will be for you, Mara. We'd best go find it. Your Lord Marshall would want you to rest. Besides the fatigue, how do you feel? Is there anything special that you need?"
Mara shook her head in wonder.
"I'm not tired anymore. I feel strength, inside…and purpose – " Her words broke off and her voice was choked with emotion. "I have known for some time that my place was to serve," she continued after a moment, "but I never felt that it mattered…"
Jasmine gave a sardonic smile.
"Yeah."