THE MOTHER LODE BY ABRAXIS

Chapter 34 – A Kidnapping

Casmir held Riddick's belt shiv up as he handed it to him.

"This was taken from one of the men guarding your cell. The nature of the weapon led my man to believe that it might be yours and that you would appreciate its return. It shows a great level of craftsmanship. I am sure that it will serve you better than the more hastily constructed one you now carry."

Riddick matched Casmir's cool as he accepted the belt and shiv from him, buckled it on under the outer layers of his robes then openly removed the make-shift sticker from the slashes he had made in the inner robe and slid it into a more secure position under the heavy belt.

"Depends. Do you want this bloody or clean?"

If Casmir was surprised by Riddick's lack of reaction to his being aware of the existence of the sticker, he didn't show it. Syrus awarded the points for cool all the way around with a snide chuckle as he moved off to sit by Nagia and give the other two men at least a semblance of privacy. This wasn't enough for Casmir. Rather than replying, he motioned Riddick to follow as he turned and exited the apartment. Two doors down the hall, he led Riddick into a second apartment and motioned toward a pile of luggage sitting in the middle of it. It was Syrus' and Riddick's part of the luggage that had been brought from the BC to the hotel suite.

"If this thing is to be done, it should be done tonight. You will need no disguise but the way into Sulleman's quarters was part of the defenses of the original fortress that the compound was built over and around and is somewhat physically strenuous. I presume that you have brought proper garments with you. If not, I will do my best to supply whatever you need. If it is acceptable, I will discuss the details while you dress."

Riddick gave him a quick nod and began digging through his part of the baggage. Luckily, Jenna had insisted that their luggage match their cover story and he had plenty to choose from, including a second pair of tough but comfortable boots. Padding around bare-assed or in his shorts didn't make Riddick feel half as vulnerable as being barefoot did. You could run just fine naked or in stolen stuff but no shoes or bad fitting shoes could cripple you and get you caught quick. As he replaced the flowing robes Casmir's men had given him with a black "T" and trousers, buckled his weapons on again and tucked the pants into his boots, Casmir presented him with a possibility for Sulleman's disposal.

"It would be most demoralizing for the opposition if Sulleman were to be found butchered; bloody, as you designate it. However, that would require some evidence that directed their inquiries away from my associates and myself. The body of a mercenary known to have had dealings with Sulleman, perhaps in a staged scene of mutually fatal combat with one of Sulleman's private guards, would serve well for that. It might even be assumed that it was a matter of a personal dispute between Sulleman and this mercenary."

Oh, fuck! That idea should be so damned tempting but it did nothing but turn Riddick's stomach. It wasn't killing Rafferty in cold blood that bothered him. That would simplify things for Jenna, even if he was pretty sure that she might consider it a little premature. It was using the merc as the patsy for Sulleman's murder that lifted Riddick's hackles. He had always turned down contracts of that sort no matter how much they paid. It would have been like doing business with the bastards who send him to slam in the first place. Riddick started making plans to ditch Casmir's envoy to Mira somewhere in the badlands before they reached the BC.

"Think of something else." Then to cover his own emotional reaction, "If he doesn't get any stupider than he already has, Rafferty stays alive until my Captain says otherwise. She may still have some use for him."

"Would it change your mind if I were to tell you that this was not my invention; that a similar scenario, with you as the off-world distracting element, was his suggestion?"

After Syrus' warning, Riddick wasn't surprised at this revelation, at least not the part about Rafferty. What he was having trouble figuring out was what Casmir was up to. What was he trying to learn about Riddick or manipulate Riddick into doing by ratting out Rafferty?

Riddick was getting tired of God's cosmic joke of having incorporated spider genes into the mentality of most of the human race. Casmir's motives aside, there was one thing he was certain of. No matter what he personally wanted to do to Rafferty, it was now more important than ever to Jenna to find out what else he and Sen might have been up to. The excuse that Riddick had given Casmir before now became the only thing that was keeping Rafferty alive.

"Nope. Same answer as before. Rafferty goes back with me alive. But, if you want me to do this job, I'm not going to be worrying about what he's up to behind my back. He gets chained to a wall until I take him out of here. Now, why don't you cut the bullshit and tell me how you really want this done?"

Casmir's answering smile was wry but the first real one Riddick had seen from the young prince.

"I want Sulleman alive and able to talk. Because of your admitted desire to kill him, I could not be certain that you would agree to that. By revealing Rafferty's treachery, I have discovered that you do have the capacity to put aside your natural inclinations for a greater purpose. Now, I would know if you can do the same for my purposes as you would for your own?"

Shit! Between Jenna and Prince Casmir, Riddick's shiv was going to stay one very thirsty lady. The hell it was!

"Ok, you get him alive to talk but I get him dead before I lift off planet or you can kiss any chance to talk to Mira good-bye. The kid ain't setting one foot on this rock unless I ghost him because that's the only way I can be sure he'll stay ghosted and out of her life."

Now Casmir looked worried.

"But he must be taken elsewhere, to a place that you and your party would not be welcome. I have no dungeon. I employ no interrogators."

For the first time in this whole fucked up mess, Riddick felt like things were finally breaking his way. The image of Jenna working on G came to his mind with memories of Syrus' comments to Sulleman's torturer mixed with it. But, even if the doctor couldn't match actions to words, not something Riddick really doubted, Riddick had his own ways; not so sophisticated and a lot more bloody but just as effective.

"You know what questions he needs to answer?"

"Yes"

"Then you supply a soundproofed room and I'll take care of the rest. Now, tell me how to get to him."

Riddick knew the grin on his face was one of his really nasty ones by the way Casmir drew back from him. But it only took a second for the young man to gather his courage. Rising and stripping off his own outer robe to reveal black trousers and shirt very similar to Riddick's own and a dark-metal, sheathed dagger belted at his waist, he motioned to Riddick to follow him once more.

"I will accompany you. The passages are quite complicated and, also, Sulleman will most certainly have a companion who will need to be abducted as well. Though I am forced to admit that I am no physical match for Sulleman, I will be able to deal with his bed-warmer. Male or female, he prefers them young and helpless."

"What about his guards? How many and where?"

"He should have none in his bedchamber, only beyond in the atrium. If you can prevent him from crying out, we shouldn't have to deal with them. I would prefer that. The more mysterious his disappearance the better it would serve my purpose. If he is able to summon them, there will be four."

Riddick nodded his agreement with the wisdom of not involving Sulleman's guards and Casmir turned toward the outer door. Before he could reach it, Riddick stopped him with a final question.

"What about Rafferty?"

Again he was met with that wry, but real, smile.

"Though not chained to a wall, he has been incapacitated since his treacherous proposal convinced me that I would not be making any agreement with him no matter the outcome of our discussion. Also, to be truthful, you were always my first choice. Mr. Rafferty lacks your exceptional physical attributes. I do not believe he could deal with taking Sulleman alive alone and would require the participation of several of my household guard to aid him. You, however, should have no difficulty. The fewer involved in such business the safer it is done."

As Riddick followed Casmir through the maze of corridors and then into even more twisted passages between the walls of the massive rock fortress, he was occupied with that last comment. The truth was that it was a lot harder to take someone alive than to kill. It wasn't something that he had much experience with, either. Added to that, from what he'd seen of Sulleman in the dungeons, the man looked powerfully built, probably taller than Riddick and, under those robes, he had seemed close to the same size. But, Riddick had a gut feeling that there was no way life in the royal compound could hone a man like slam and the streets did. Still, his having to keep Sulleman alive while the bastard would be doing his best to kill him was a definite disadvantage. Especially since Riddick's instincts would be screaming at him to rip the man's head off the second he got his hands on him. This was going to be a tough contract.

Then it got tougher. The labyrinth of narrow passages connected by steep, narrow stairs gave way to narrow passages connected by straight shafts with climbing chains that were lowered from and withdrawn into their ceilings by hidden hand-winches. Casmir hadn't been kidding when he called it strenuous and it was going to be even worse bringing two trussed-up bodies out.

The combined light of the half shuttered lanterns, that Casmir had provided to hang from their belts, was like the weak bulb in the dungeon cell, too much light but not enough. Riddick was overjoyed when Casmir, communicating by sign that these passages contained spy holes that might allow the light to be seen by anyone occupying the rooms beyond, signaled that they had to be doused for the final stage of the trek. While he couldn't see the path in the complete darkness, Riddick had no trouble distinguishing Casmir's living flesh from the cold stone and could have followed him easily. But he allowed his hand to be placed on the other man's shoulder as if he needed to be guided. No sense in giving away the secret of his shine if it wasn't necessary.

For his part, Casmir walked with the sure stride of someone following a path he had often trod. It made Riddick wonder if Casmir had provided the lanterns just for his benefit and could have made the whole journey in darkness if he had been by himself. But maybe not, since there were only passages and none of the chain shafts to negotiate now. Then again, all of the chains had been within easy reach of the cross passages, a simple arm sweep would be enough to snag them on the return trip. With enough practice and guts it wasn't impossible. It was also something that Riddick would have made sure he could do if he had been in Casmir's situation.

Riddick's opinion of Casmir had risen sufficiently by this point that he thought it was a good possibility. If Riddick was right, if Casmir had been as thorough about this as he seemed to be in everything else, if he could negotiate the passages without the light of the lanterns, Riddick would have no problem following his lead and keeping track of a totally blind Sulleman. That would make the trek back out a lot easier. Sulleman could be forced to use his own muscle rather than being carried and the worse that could happen was Sulleman dropping himself down a shaft and breaking something.

As far as Riddick was concerned, even though the thought of repaying Sulleman in kind for the torture sessions and for Imam's suffering was very appealing, it could be the bastard's neck and be done with it.

This line of thought was interrupted as Casmir halted, removed a small brick-shaped stone from the wall, and pressed his eyes to what must surely be a set of the spy holes he had referred to earlier. As he leaned back, rubbed his eyes and then peered through the wall again, Riddick realized that he was having problems seeing the room beyond. Pulling him back, Riddick let him get a good look at his shined eyes before nudging him aside and taking the spy holes himself. He was amused at the smothered gasp this elicited from the young prince. Jenna had sure been right on the money about keeping the full effect of the silver shine in the dark. The small risk of detection that went with it was more than justified by its use as a psychological weapon.

Though only a small amount of light from a crescent moon penetrated the room from a balcony window, Riddick could see rather well. At first, he thought that they had lucked out. There seemed to be only one body occupying the huge bed. Sulleman was sprawled on his back and looked to be deeply asleep. Damn, the son-of-a-bitch must be having a good time in his dreams if the vicious smile on his lips was anything to judge by.

Then a small movement drew Riddick's eyes to a delicate ankle and foot lying on the floor, extended slightly beyond the end of the bed on the far side. Either Sulleman had relegated this night's bed-warmer to the carpet after satisfying himself or the owner of the foot had chosen to escape at least that far after Sulleman fell asleep. From the size and shape of the foot, Riddick decided that the poor unfortunate was either a young boy or a woman.

Riddick pulled back and waited until Casmir had replaced the brick before putting his lips against the young man's ear and whispering the locations of their intended victims and telling Casmir that he would lead him to his before taking on Sulleman. After nodding his agreement, Casmir located a hidden lever and the section of the wall containing the spy holes pivoted silently, opening an entrance into the room. Steps well muffled by the deep carpet, Riddick and Casmir approached the bed.

The body sleeping on the carpet was that of a young woman, probably about the same age as Mira. The very brief, shift-like garment she wore didn't come close to covering the ugly bruising on her thighs, upper chest and arms. It seemed that Sulleman was rough trade all the way around. Riddick had seen worse but it seem that Casmir hadn't. A mix of disgust and sympathy was showing plainly on his face. After a short moment, resigned determination replaced them and he gave Riddick a tight nod. At Casmir's signal that he was ready to deal with her, Riddick jumped Sulleman.

He hit the man like a ton of bricks, trapping his arms with his knees and knocking the breath from him at the same time. The second the exhale ended and Sulleman tried to suck in new air, Riddick clamped a hand over his mouth and nose, pinning his head to the bed as he cut off any air to his lungs. Using the thumb of his other hand to press against the carotid artery, Riddick cut off the blood to the man's brain as well. It was doubtful if Sulleman ever awakened completely before he passed out from this double assault. With great reluctance, Riddick released his grip and allowed the man's tortured lungs to begin sucking in air but allowed only a partial return of the blood to his brain, enough to prevent brain damage but not allow a return to consciousness too quickly.

Riddick turned to check on Casmir's progress to find that he had indeed captured the girl. However, though he was smothering any outcry with a hand held tightly over her mouth and had her lifted completely off the floor with his other arm, she was still fighting him like a small but vicious cat. It was obvious that Casmir was trying to keep from hurting her and she was using that to her best advantage in her attempt to escape him. Hoisting the unconscious Sulleman over his shoulder, Riddick bent close to her and whispered.

"Come with us quietly or I'll kill you right now!"

Whether it was his tone, his words or the glowing moons of his eyes, the girl immediately ceased her struggling and, after a glance at Sulleman draped across his shoulder, nodded her acceptance. Riddick quickly turned and carried Sulleman into the hidden passage. Casmir followed almost as quickly. Riddick was pleased to see that he had kept a firm grip on one of the woman's arms and his muffling hand over her mouth and that he released her arm for only a brief second to flip the lever and close the door to the passage behind them. So far, except for his too gentle handling of the woman in the first place, Casmir was proving to be very capable. Now, if he was only able to make the whole trek back without using the lanterns. With that thought, Riddick whispered to Casmir.

"Can you travel the passages all the way out without the lanterns?"

The answering voice was puzzled.

"Yes. But how will you follow me when we reach the chains?"

"I don't have to touch you. I can see you just fine. You can take the woman down the chains first then step away from them so Sulleman can't find you. I'll make him climb down next and be right on top of him."

"It would be much easier than carrying him but he is certain to try to escape. Are you sure that you can control him?"

"Yes. Now, before he wakes up, take us back to where I can have a little talk with him without being worried about being heard."

By the time they reach the safe point, Sulleman was beginning to stir and moan. Riddick set him on the floor of the passage, lit his lantern, set it on the floor beside Sulleman and motioned Casmir to go further down the passage into the dark where Sulleman couldn't see him or the woman. Riddick then backed away into the dark on the other side of the man and waited for him to become completely conscious.

Riddick studied Sulleman's breechcloth clad body. He had been right about the man's physical state. He was tall and well built but there was the aura of softness of someone who keeps himself in shape for vanity rather than utility. His muscles were shaped but not hardened. There were also signs that the man was beginning to succumb to the dissipation of too rich food and possibly other 'sins' as he aged. What strength he had wouldn't have any staying power and his pain threshold would be nil compared to Riddick's. When the man tried to rise, Riddick gave him a semi-gentle boot to the head and retreated into the darkness once more.

"Stay on the floor or the next kick will take your head off."

Sulleman stayed curled on the floor holding his head but rather quickly his eyes began darting around trying to locate the source of the voice.

"Who are you? What do you want?"

"Some people want to have a talk with you. They're paying me good money to see that you make it to the meeting."

As he straightened himself to lean against the wall once more, Sulleman's answer was quick and predictable.

"I'll pay you more!"

"Well, that might work except for one thing."

Riddick stepped into the light. Sulleman's reaction was instantaneous. He cowered. Obviously, Riddick's imperviousness to his torture sessions had impressed Sulleman.

"Good. You remember me. You'll understand what I'm going to tell you next. I'd like nothing better than to pay you back for my little stay in your dungeons but the money gets real short if I don't deliver you breathing. If you walk out of here on your own power and don't give me any trouble, I'll go for the money. If you don't, if you even blink wrong at me, I'll kill you before you can blink again and I'll enjoy doing it."

To add emphasis, Riddick pulled his shiv from its sheath and slowly ran his thumb lightly along the edge then showed Sulleman the thin line of blood that welled up on it.

"If you need any more convincing," Riddick reached down, picked up the lantern and returned it to his belt. Then, he turned it off. "I can still see you."

To prove this, Riddick touched the point of his shiv against Sulleman's forehead right between his eyes. Sulleman stared into Riddick's eyes and whimpered.

"A daemon, you are a daemon."

"Yeah, straight from the lowest pit of hell. Now, stand up and walk to your right along the wall, I'll tell you where to go from there. By the way, when I tell you to stop, you better be listening or you walk off into empty air and I lose money."

As Riddick watched Sulleman feel his way along the walls, Casmir had taken his cue and was leading the woman further down the passage. However, the pace he was setting was slower than it had been. Riddick surmised that he was keeping track of those following him by the sounds of Sulleman's anxiety induced panting and adjusting his pace so as to stay within Riddick's range of vision.

This worked out well through the twisting passages until they reached the first of the chain shafts. Casmir lowered the chain and, with the woman clinging to his back, descended to the next level with no problem. But, when Riddick tried handing the chain to Sulleman, he balked completely. His panting turned to agonized gasping and he literally clung to Riddick, pleading.

"I can't! In Allah's name have mercy! The darkness! Falling! I can't! No more! Dear Allah, no more!"

Riddick could feel the man's heart beating ninety-to-nothing against the hand Riddick had wrapped around his throat to hold him off. Fucking wonderful! The asshole was having a panic attack! Riddick had begun to suspect that the man was dealing with more than his fear of Riddick by the way he had continued to cling so tightly to the walls rather than being able to adjust to the situation and relax a little as the woman had. But he hadn't thought the man would go over the edge like this. Riddick did the only thing he could think of. He flipped on his lantern. Sulleman immediately let go of him and clutched at the lantern, kneeling to hold the light close against his face.

If it had been anyone but Sulleman, Riddick might have felt a little sympathy at the agonized fear he saw on the man's face but, in Riddick's opinion, people like Sulleman, who built their lives on using the fears and weakness of others and reveling in that power and that suffering, had no right to anything else in return. Riddick wasn't a hypocrite about this. He applied the same rules to himself, never expecting and certainly never asking for 'mercy'. It was only the necessity of getting the man through the passages the easiest way possible that prompted Riddick to unsnap the belt strap of the lantern and fasten it around Sulleman's wrist.

"Now, get down that chain and turn the lantern off the minute you hit the bottom or you'll do all the rest in the dark if I have to wrap the chain around your neck and lower you down before you choke to death."

This method worked. Sulleman might have hesitated each time he had to turn the lantern off but he did it. In fact, it worked so well, Sulleman showing open gratitude for the reprieves from the darkness, that Riddick allowed him to continue using the lantern to negotiate the stairs after they had left the chain shaft section. As useful as this was to control him, it only continued to increase Riddick's disgust for the man. After what Sulleman had done to Imam, Jack, Mira, Nagia, Sissua and only God knew how many others, not to mention that he had probably intended to leave Riddick and Syrus to die slowly in that stinking cell, Riddick would rather have taken the lantern away from him and left him wandering in the passages until he died, insane and screaming.

Riddick also knew that the man's gratitude and good behavior would last only as long as the darkness did. He was prepared for it when, the second Casmir opened the door between the passages and the well-lit hallway of his quarters, Sulleman attempted to charge the younger man. Riddick was in motion the second the man's muscles tensed in preparation and, before he could take his second step in Casmir's direction, slammed a fist into his right kidney with such force that the man bounced off of the opposite wall of the passage and hit the floor retching bile.

Casmir had lived up to Riddick's expectations. He, too, had prepared for the possibility of Sulleman's attack. The woman had been shoved into the hall and Casmir was facing Riddick and the retching Sulleman with his dagger drawn. With a sneer of approval, Riddick motioned him to continue out of the passage and then turned his attention back to Sulleman. Allowing the man only the briefest time to recover, Riddick growled at him.

"Get up!"

"I.... I can't." was the gasped reply.

"Then crawl! But get moving!"

With a nudge from the toe of Riddick's boot, Sulleman managed to struggle to his hands and knees and crawl out into the hall. When it became apparent that Riddick was going to make him continue on his own power, he managed to get to his feet and stagger slowly after Casmir. The woman, who had walked obediently at Casmir's side from the first chain shaft, would occasionally sneak a look over her shoulder. From her expression, while she was still apprehensive about her own position, she was enjoying her master's humiliation a great deal.

She even managed a tentative smile and a seductive blinking of her eyes for Riddick. The offer should have, would have interested Riddick ... before he met Jenna. That bothered Riddick until he decided it had nothing to do with any thought of 'faithfulness' but was simply that the woman would be less than satisfying in comparison. Then, it occurred to him that idea should bother him even more. He gave the woman the same wicked leer that he had given Jenna in the alley behind G's. Where Jenna had turned wide-eyed and blushing but definitely hot and bothered, this woman paled and moved so close to the protective presence of Casmir that she almost trod on his heels.

Riddick shook his head. This could seriously limit his future prospects for casual fun. He hadn't had this reaction even when he was with Beshue. Maybe it had something to do with his not being seventeen any more, having had a hell of a lot more casual fun since and not being so hungry for it. Or ... No! He wasn't going there. After a lifetime of experience on just what that kind of emotional crap did to people, he fucking wasn't going there!

'Oh, yeah, like you got any fucking choice!' he had to admit to himself. 'You're already there, up to your neck there, you idiot. This just isn't the time to be thinking about it.'

He turned his attention back to Sulleman only to catch the man watching him out of the corner of his eye. The mood Riddick was in now, he really hoped the man made a bad move. Being able to beat the shit out of someone would go a long way to keep his mind off of things he didn't want to think about.

Sulleman must have read something of this in Riddick's face. He quickly focused his eyes on the floor of the hall and kept them there for the rest of the trek to the room Casmir had selected for the interrogation. However, once there and having gotten a good enough look at Casmir to realize who he was, a great deal of Sulleman's courage and confidence returned. He actually managed an air of dignity and superiority standing there in his skivvies. He addressed the younger man with a silky, patronizing tone.

"Ah, so my scholarly little cousin is behind this. You have grown, Casmir, but not matured. That is not your fault, of course. You have but listened to the same unwise council as your father. I had thought you wiser than that, had hoped the animosity between our houses was a thing of the past. This farce was totally unnecessary. I would have given you audience any time you requested it. I would have welcomed it. Now, provide me robes and invite me to your table. I will forget this unpleasantness and we will discuss the matters that disturb you in the proper manner for two princes to converse."

Casmir stared at Sulleman with hard eyes but when he spoke it was to Riddick.

"What do you require to continue this?"

"Syrus. And tell him to bring his med-bag."

As Casmir abruptly turned and left the room, dragging the woman behind him, Sulleman made one last attempt.

"Cousin! You are your father's son. You haven't the stomach for blood nor the strength needed for this game. Release me now or I will erase your house to the last suckling babe!"

Casmir spun back toward Sulleman, his face livid with hatred.

"Have you defiled so many that you do not remember a princess of a royal house? Or did you think that she would not have the courage to tell her husband and later her son of what you had done to her? You should pray to Allah that I do not have my 'father's' blood!"

Then, Casmir was gone and Sulleman was backed against the far wall of the room, his eyes wide with realization and fear.