Chapter V

Eunuch enjoyed the shocked look on Apophis' face as he presented the girl, thinking that he was impressed by how elegant and attractive she looked now in comparison to the filthy street rat that had been brought in. But instead of praise, Apophis' voice boomed, "Where is he? Where is the insolent snot that was brought in!" Eunuch looked panic, glancing from the girl's calm expression to the man's wrathful one. "My lord, it was this that was brought in. None other." For a second, it appeared that Apophis might just kill everyone in the room and simply decide to start over again, but then a new thought seemed to cross his mind, and his expression changed into one of near-glee. To the girl, this was far more disturbing than the former look of hatred and disgust.

Apophis spoke, "None other, you say? Well, girl, it was wise of you to hide your sex. Not that it did you any good." He came closer to her, "You will still be lotar to my son. And I am most certain that he will break you. Yes, there are so many ways for him to hurt you, to…persuade you, aren't there?" The girl was certain that he was saying these things out of malice, in order to appear in control of the situation. But she wasn't certain if there was really truth to what he was saying. However, attention was diverted from them as another figure entered the room. A guard proclaimed something in that harsh language, and announced, "Klorel!" The new figure, apparently Klorel, strode in towards Apophis and bowed, "Father."

Apophis grinned, "My son. A gift!" He gestured widely towards the girl. "I would have you prove your strength by breaking this lotar, and not simply giving up and killing her as you did the last." The girl had a feeling that he was not making up this bit of information just to scare her. Klorel turned to glare at the girl as if this reprimand were her fault. Which, she supposed, it was. Klorel retreated out into the hall, and then into what must have been his own quarters, with the girl in tow. He turned on her, "I will not allow you to embarrass me…" But she wasn't listening. She didn't care. She was transfixed on the window on the other side of the room, staring in disbelief. Klorel smiled at the look of horror on her face, "Yes. Did you not know? We are on a ship, in the vast nothingness that is space. There is nowhere for you to run. The only escape here …is death."