Thanks to: tamekabu, NightmareWeaver, traptrogue6 and TotallyRiddickObsessed

Chapter XV: A Little Bit of Liege

After cleaning up from her much-needed food, Liege quietly climbed the stairs, not wanting to disturb Jack and Riddick. Slipping into the room, she tried not to snicker at the sounds she heard through the wall as she pulled on a clean wife-beater and blue baggy jeans.

Tightening the oversized jeans with a black leather belt, Liege checked for her knives and was pleased to find them in their correct spots. She always carried one in the waistband of her pants, but when she tugged on her boots, she was armed with four more.

Feeling secure, she stepped out into the hallway and walked towards the study, hoping to find something to occupy her time. Happy to see a small library, she looked at the titles, begging to find something good to read.

"'Beasts of the Helion System'…no, not so much. Let's see…'American History', ech, had enough of that in school. How about over on this shelf…" Liege talked to herself, making the whole searching experience more enjoyable.

"Ahha! 'Legends of Lost Planets'. This sounds good." She commented, pulling the thick book from the shelf. Carrying it with her to the couch, she set it on the table, making herself comfortable.

Picking up the heavy read, she opened the cover and sneezed when a cloud of dust rose. Blowing it away, she winced as she heard the page crack with age as she turned it. Finding the table of contents she ran her finger down it, looking for something interesting.

Suddenly, she stopped and inspected the print closer, as if she had misread it. Rubbing her eyes, she blew away more dust to read the rest of indexed title.

"'The Warriors of Furya'. Talk about coincidence. I should show this to Jack later." Liege mumbled, finding the page number and carefully looking through the pages.

Finding her destination, she opened the book a little wider and began to read. She became so engrossed by the story that she didn't hear Imam walk into the study hours later.

"Liege, my child, what have you found?" He asked, ignoring the look of surprise on Liege's face at being referred to as his child.

"Uh…something on Furya. It's from a book filled with Legends, but if it scientifically came up as an existing planet, then it shouldn't be a legend." Liege replied, looking back at the book in confusion.

"Some are legends, some are truth. Depends who you are asking. What do you think?"

"Well, I know it's more than coincidence tha' Jack pick'd up tha' ring, tha' it belonged to Riddick and tha' he n' Jack had met previously. And this book? If Riddick is like tha' by nature an' the descriptions here of Furyan people be true, then this planet had to have existed!"

"Who says it still does not exist today?" Imam questioned her, enjoying this intellectual conversation with Jacks friend. At least now he knew she had smart friends.

"No one…I suppose. Do you think he knows anything abou' 'is past?" Liege asked, closing the book and setting it on the table.

"Perhaps, but I will not be the one to ask him. Do you know where he is? Or Jack?" He was confused when Liege's eyebrow twitched.

"Well, that be a good question, sir. Las' time I check'd, they be talkin' in Riddick's room. Excuse me, sir." Liege nodded as she swiftly exited the room.

Liege quickly walked down the hall and rapped her knuckles against Riddick's door a few times before she turned and descended the stairs.

Hearing movement in Riddick's room, she sighed a breath of relief. She felt that Imam couldn't know just yet. They should wait until the bond was stronger and they were sure of their feelings.

Breathing deeply, Liege looked out towards the darkening sky. Walking to a balcony that overlooked the city, she moved the thin peach coloured linen curtain away and let it drop behind her as she moved towards the edge.

Fisting her hands, she propped them on the thick stone railing of the balcony, her paler skin contrasting with the dark orange stone. Blinking slowly, she surveyed the beautiful city.

Looking down into the courtyard of Imam's house, she saw how the smooth white marble pathways turned a light blue in the evening atmosphere. The water that sprinkled from the fountain that was the center of the courtyard was lifted with the breeze and cooled the entire garden. Grateful for the high wall that surrounded the house, Liege tried not to remember how deceptively beautiful her home city was.

It was not a desert climate, like Helion, but a temperate climate, like the ones in old Europe of old earth. A city surrounded by dark forests and open country hills, Liege had loved it when she was a younger girl.

Her father had a manor that he inherited from his father and he brought Liege and her mother every weekend. She had learned to ride horses, an animal that was very rare in this time and age. Her father had loved both her and her mother dearly and would give anything he could to make them happy.

But her family had a legacy. An undeniable legacy that Liege's mother wanted no part in. She found out when she was pregnant with Liege and wanted to flee the system. Her father had saved her by making it clear it was useless, she was married into the family and could only escape by death.

This legacy had led to the death of her mother and in order to protect his daughter, her father had sent her to boarding school in Helion Prime, knowing it was far enough for a child to flee too.

Growling, Liege rammed her fist into the stone balcony, furious at what her family legacy had done to her father and mother. And what it had led her to. To stay safe, she had to make a pact that forced her to serve them still. But if she did this, and kept it secret, they would not bother her.

Liege never forgot the kindness of Khan, nor did she ever impose on him to protect her. Her thoughts faded when she was brought back to reality by the pain in her hand.

'Great, good job, Liege, how the fuck are you going to explain this one?' She thought to herself, realizing it had already become completely dark outside.

When she and Jack were in school together, Liege had a few moments where her anger got the better of her and she when her temper snapped, it was certain violence would break out. Jack was well aware of these incidents and just fixed Liege up, never asking what had caused her to do it.

Hoping Jack wasn't off with Riddick, she moved out from the balcony and went in search of her friend. Grateful to find her alone in their room, she closed the door behind her, startling Jack.

"Hey, Liege, where have you…" Jack trailed off at the sight of her friends bloody hand. "Christ, Liege, I thought this stopped."

"As long as 'm alive and I've got a temper, this won't ever stop." She replied, her attempt at a grin turning into a grimace of pain.

"C'mon, let's clean you up."

Jack led Liege into the bathroom where she washed off her hand with warm water. Heavily dousing a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol, Liege braced herself for the certain pain.

Clenching her jaw, Liege was glad when Jack threw away the cotton ball. Holding out her hand, Liege watched Jack wrap it with skill. She knew how to wrap it to keep it from getting infected, but wrap it so she could still have full movement.

"Thanks, Jack. I owe ye one."

"No, you don't. Trust me. Your explanation earlier today helped. A lot." Jack said, blushing as she reorganized the first-aid kit.

"Tis very sweet, ye n Riddick. So, when's the weddin'?" Liege joked, standing up and moving out the bathroom.

"LIEGE!" Jack shrieked, throwing a roll of bandages at her friend's head who easily ducked. Both girls ended up lying on Jack's bed, completely worn out.

"Hey, Liege?" Jack asked, tilting her head towards her friend, whose own head wasn't far away.

"Aye?"

"What are you going to do after school?"

Liege was silenced after this question. She knew exactly what she had to do, but hopefully a chance would present itself so she could have the option of escaping that future.

"'m not sure yet, Jack. 'm just goin' to see what's given to me…" Liege replied quietly. "Ye and Riddick will be happy together, thas for sure."

"You think?"

"I know, Jackie lass, I know." Liege replied, catching the reflection off of the silver ring Jack wore around her neck. Riddicks ring.