Arana – Book 1 - Chapter 14
By Kudara
Disclaimer: Star Trek Voyager and all who sail in her belong to Paramount/Viacom and no infringement of copyright/trade marks is intended.
Disclaimer: The Dungeons and Dragons Roleplaying System is owned by Wizards of the Coast and no infringement of copyright/trademarks is intended. The only thing I would like to lay claim to is the original D&D character used in this story.
Rating: (M +16).
Warning: non descriptive mention of rape.
Feedback: Always welcome, feedback is what encourages me to keep writing. Please let me know what you like and what you dislike about the story.
Revision History: 01/19/06
Summary: They find out who the representative of Bane has been seeing, Arana confronts a person from her past.
Seven arrived at my quarters as I was straightening the chain coif I had placed over my head. I buckled on my sword belt as I told her about the trumpet call only I had heard.
"How would Torm know to alert you in this manner?" Seven asked perplexed, as she watched me slide my longsword into its sheath.
"My presence in this plane allows Torm and Ilmater to perceive events here. I would presume that Torm has sensed the existence of a minion of Bane's somewhere nearby, or some other event has occurred that Torm believes will lead me to discovering Bane's intent here." I explained to her hurriedly, starting to feel the press of time against me.
"Icheb, Mezoti, Rebi, and Azan," I looked upon each of them as I named them, "Thank you for your assistance I could not have armed myself so well and quickly without your help," their faces brightened at my words, and they looked pleased.
"You look very formidable, Champion Arana," Icheb stated.
"Thank you, Icheb," I replied silently agreeing with him. The mythril armor gleamed in the light, silver in color with a slight bluish tint, each individual piece highly filigreed. Torm's emblem, the gauntleted fist, was emblazoned in gold on the breastplate.
"Time is pressing," I commented aloud, garnering curious looks from the children and Seven. Looking at the children I asked, "Can you make your way back to the science lab, I need to find Captain Janeway."
They assured me that they could, and then had to promise Seven that they would go directly there, before she would let them leave on their own. I picked up my gauntlets and slid them over my hands, finally prepared I looked over at Seven, "Shall we find the Captain, Milady."
"Perhaps it would be simpler to ask her for her current location," Seven looked at me amused.
I sighed, "I can feel her, but you are right, asking would be more efficient." I suited words to actions, retrieved my combadge from the pouch at my waist and tapped it, "Champion Arana to Captain Janeway."
"Arana?" Captain Janeway replied.
"The time and place Torm and Ilmater wished me to be present for will occur shortly, I need to be present at your side, Captain." I informed her as I stepped out into the hallway, Seven following beside me.
Captain Janeway had been silent since my statement, finally I heard her reply, "I'm on my way to the bridge from engineering. I'll meet you there."
Seven and I headed toward the nearest turbolift, and crewmembers paused and stared at me in surprise as we passed them, having never seen me before in my armor. We had just entered the turbolift and ordered it to the bridge when the lights in it started flickering. Seven and I looked at one another puzzled, and Seven reached up to tap her combadge, undoubtedly to inquire what was happening. She hesitated as the lift slowed and stopped, and the doors opened revealing Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay.
Both of their eyes widened slightly at the sight of me, "I hope that won't be needed," Captain Janeway commented as she stepped into the lift. She was quickly followed by Chakotay, and ordered the turbolift to the bridge as soon as he was inside and the doors closed.
"I find it best to be prepared where those who follow the Lord of Darkness are concerned." I replied calmly, already mentally preparing myself for what might lie ahead.
Janeway quirked her lips in a tight smile and nodded, then turned around and faced the doors. I glanced over at Seven and gave her a reassuring smile, feeling her uneasiness with the strangeness of the situation. This was the first time I had acted so obviously as a Paladin around her, and I knew she found the idea of some powerful being or beings, communicating with me and directing me places, to be troubling.
The doors opened onto the bridge, an odd greenish glow emanated from the view screen drawing my attention immediately toward it. It did not take me but a second to realize what and who I was seeing on the view screen. Seven took in a quick breath beside me and I could feel a sudden sharp spike of fear from her before she controlled herself.
I stayed with the Captain, pacing myself so I remained slightly behind her as we stepped out onto the bridge. Janeway stopped after a few feet, resting her hands on the railing that separated the back of the bridge from the center, instead of going around and sitting in her chair.
Curiously I examined the Queen, noting the skin color, the tubes I could barely see coming out of the bare skin of her head. I had read that she had a mechanical body, but now I could see where the junction was between the black metal of it and that all that remained of her biological body. Behind her I could see the interior of the cube, and occasionally a drone walking back and forth doing some task.
"Captain," the Borg Queen acknowledged Janeway's entry on the bridge politely, then her eyes shifted and fell upon me and I could see that she was examining me closely.
"It's been a long time," Janeway replied, "How are things in the Collective." I could sense the Captain's inner turmoil, this close to her, but she betrayed none of it in her voice, and I could not help but admire her composure.
"Perfect, for the most part." The Borg Queen replied to her then her eyes shifted to me. "I see you have a visitor," she stated.
"Yes," Janeway replied shortly, volunteering no further information about me.
The Borg Queen smiled slightly. A flicker of movement behind her drew my attention. Behind her a figure appeared, as he drew closer to the Borg Queen I could see that he was an older human male wearing black armor. As he came up beside her I could make out the detail of the medallion he wore, it was a fist with rays of light escaping through the fingers, the mark of Bane. Cruelty stamped its mark upon his face in the coldness of his dark eyes, the permanent sneer to his mouth. I did not know what a follower of Bane was doing with the Borg Queen, but it could not be anything pleasant.
Looking upon his face, I felt the echo of an old memory, a chill came over me, I knew him. Images of a cold, cruel man at Lord Durass's parties superimposed itself, and I was suddenly certain that it was he. Searching my memory I remembered his name, he had been called Lord Askal. He had been a frequent visitor during the last two years of my slavery, and I had not considered it coincidence that Lord Durass drugged me with a powerful aphrodisiac before each of his visits. I steeled myself as he walked up beside the Borg Queen; if he recognized me I was certain that he would take the opportunity to taunt me.
"High Cleric Torr Askal, Emissary of Bane," the Borg Queen introduced as he walked up beside her.
Askal and I stared at one another, then I saw the recognition in his eyes, I took in a breath and prepared myself. "Champion Arana of Torm," he smiled coldly, "I wonder if you remember me, I certainly remember you. How could I ever forget such a beautiful face, such a lovely body, you seem to have matured nicely since I last had you at one of Lord Durass's parties." I could almost feel the ripple of disbelief and shock around the bridge, as the meaning of his words sunk in.
There was a brief movement of Captain Janeway's head as she glanced my way, but she quickly turned back towards the screen. Before I could think of a response, I heard Captain Janeway ask, "So, what does an Emissary of Bane want with the Borg?" Her voice was tight, and I could sense her anger.
I felt more than saw Seven move up to stand beside me; she was concerned for me, and extremely angry. She knew the events he was referring to, and knew that I still had a hard time talking about those parties.
"Why is a Champion of Torm on your ship?" he retorted, then his eyes widened. "Of course that's how you escaped from Tuskal." He and I stared coldly at one another. Then he smiled cruelly, "I made sure to tell them about the things you liked so they would know how to please you."
Suddenly I was tired of this game; I would not win so long as I allowed myself to act as if I were ashamed and afraid. I stepped forward to stand beside Janeway, "You are a pathetic man Askal, bragging of beating and raping a slave girl of fourteen that you had drugged with Murkal so you could persuade yourself that I liked your abuse." I stated it plainly, and felt the renewed shock of those around me. I felt a moment of pity for the bridge crew; they were definitely not used to exchanges of this nature.
Slightly behind me I felt Seven's initial confusion at my words, the openness with which I had said them. Then her confusion cleared and I felt her eyes rest upon me and I prayed she was recalling my words earlier, that she understood I was not going to let him make me feel ashamed for his actions. Fierce pleased emotions radiated from her, and I hoped they were because she understood why I had chosen to confront him, instead of trying to ignore his efforts to humiliate me.
Whatever Seven's understanding of the situation, her presence beside me lifted my spirits, "I am not that slave girl anymore Askal, you don't frighten me." I lifted my head and looked directly into his eyes.
Unadulterated rage passed over his face, "I'm sure I could persuade you of the wisdom of fearing me if I were to have the opportunity to meet you again." He snarled.
"What an interesting idea," a voice came from thin air; I whipped my head around searching for the source. In a gleam of light a man appeared by the Captain's chair, "Perhaps I could arrange that for you." He stated staring at me out of dark eyes.
"Q," Captain Janeway exclaimed dismayed, "What are you doing here."
I stiffened recognizing the name, if one could call it that as it seemed to be the term for his entire race as well. I bowed respectfully for a moment, "Lord Q." I kept a careful eye on the strange man, from what I had read he was not evil, but from the ship's logs he usually brought chaos and confusion with him.
We examined each other closely, ignoring everyone else in the room. "Fascinating," he finally announced, and I could have echoed it. If I had not known what he was from what Captain Janeway called him and Voyager's records, I would have assumed he was a Toril deity, just one unknown to me.
Q turned toward the view screen, "You are not supposed to be here," he declared coldly to Askal.
Focusing my attention back upon Askal I noticed that he did not look at all pleased by this turn of events, "My presence does not breaking the agreement, you can't interfere with me." Askal replied to Q.
"Your right, I can't," Q replied and I could hear the satisfied smile in his voice. Q snapped his fingers and Askal disappeared from beside the Borg Queen.
The Borg Queen had been silent up to this point, "I was told that the Continuum would not detect his presence here or be able to interfere with his mission." She spoke to Q.
"Oh I'm not, I'm just going to grant his wish," Q assured her suavely.
I frowned for a moment, then my confusion cleared and I suddenly knew what he had planned. Q apparently could not do anything about Askal, but I could.
Q turned and stepped toward me, in a low voice he whispered, "You have fifteen seconds, prepare well." Then he snapped his fingers and the bridge disappeared, instead I stood in the middle of some type of arena. Rows of seats stretched around and up around the white sand of the arena floor where I stood. Upon my left arm was the kite shield I had left in my quarters, I glanced at it for a moment then recalling Q's words I began preparing for the upcoming conflict. Askal was most likely a pure cleric, which meant that I needed to defend myself from his spells; the only question in my mind was how good a cleric was he.
At the very least I knew I needed to protect myself from profane spells, so the first glyph and word I said cast a protective circle around me against evil. My next act was to murmur a quick prayer for Torm's aid, and draw my longsword.
A flash of light caught my eye and I whirled around to face Askal, we looked at each other for a moment then he began drawing a glyph in the air. I knew what type of spell it was from the feel of it, and I barely had time to trace the death ward symbol in the air before his spell impacted upon it. There was a horrible shriek and inky blackness flowed around me as my ward resisted the spell. It answered my question, he was a skilled cleric, if I had failed to get my ward up, I would have died when it hit me.
Not waiting for him to launch a second spell I leapt toward him, he yelled out a word and reflexively I threw up my shield, heat and searing light washed around me, and I held my breath knowing that I would burn my nose and throat if I breathed in the heated air. I heard the sound of the spell impacting the stone wall surrounding the arena floor after it passed me, but I ignored it.
He blocked my first sword strike, our weapons locked and we strived against one another, glaring at each other over the crossed weapons. Though he was heavier and slightly taller than I he was not stronger and could not push my blade down as he was attempting, finally he was able to push away from me and gain some distance.
Before I could close again, he shouted out a word, desperation in his voice. The stench of death filled the air and I knew he had summoned some undead creature to do his bidding. I dived and rolled putting some distance between me and whatever he had summoned. When I rolled to my feet I saw it, decaying skin stretched tight over its bones, its red eyes glared at me, and decayed lips revealed rotting pointed teeth, it was a ghoul.
I was surprised; if he could call this he could have called something more useful against me, something against which I couldn't use my paladin abilities. I summoned my will and gestured, rebuking the ghoul's existence. I was not able to destroy it, but it turned and fled across the sands from me.
Summoning my strength, I charged Askal, holding up my shield and leaning my weight into it to ram into him. "For Torm!" I cried, summoning my patron's protection and power. Once again Askal summoned profane fire to send against me, it washed against my shield and around me just before I crashed into him sending him back and down to the sand of the arena floor. Not hesitating, I swung my sword with all my strength, shearing through his armor and cutting deeply into his chest.
A shriek behind me reminded me of the ghoul; I pulled my sword from Askal and turned around only to see nothing as it disappeared upon its summoner's death.
I looked at Askal, his dead eyes stared unseeingly upward, blood ran from the sides of his mouth into his beard. It had been both vengeance and duty, and as usual the vengeance left me empty, his death would never undo the abuses I had suffered from him. I was satisfied though; that I had succeeded in performing my duty, and ensured that he would never again hurt someone else.
Shaking myself from my retrospection I looked around, and noticed the devastation the flame strikes he had cast at me caused upon the stone wall separating the arena floor from the empty spectator stands. In both places where they had struck, the wall had been breeched, the square stones lying tumbled on the ground, blackened and in some cases split open from the heat.
"Well, I guess he didn't persuade you of the wisdom of fearing him," Q appeared, looking down upon the dead body with a bored expression on his face.
"No, Milord Q, he did not," I replied calmly.
Q looked at me, raised one eyebrow, "What no celebration, no rejoicing that he's dead?"
"I did my duty, he cannot hurt anyone now," I replied simply, meeting Q's dark eyes.
Q shook his head, "What is that human saying, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree?" he mused.
"Milord?" I replied confused, I was familiar of course with the saying; it was usually used to imply that a son or daughter was like their parents. "Did you know my parents?"
"Your parents? No not them," he replied then before I could say anymore snapped his fingers and we were once again on the bridge of Voyager. Q gave me an unreadable glance then disappeared once again before I could ask him anymore.
I was standing by the Captain's chair, looking up I saw the Borg Queen still on the view screen beside her lay the dead body of Askal. Her gaze sifted from him to me, "Primitive but effective," she commented staring at my longsword which I still held in my hand.
"Your Majesty," I acknowledged her words, and gave her a short bow, keeping my eyes warily upon her.
She raised an eyebrow at this response, and then the view screen went blank.
I stared at it for a second, trying to order my thoughts and ignore the confusing mixture of emotions bombarding me from all sides. Taking in a calming breath, I turned around and looked at Seven and the Captain. As soon as I saw Seven's face I could tell how worried she had been, "I am unhurt Milady," I assured her.
Her eyes wandered over my face, and then up and down my body, verifying my statement before her eyes met mine again and she nodded sharply. I didn't need my empathy to know that she was still upset and agitated, though the why eluded me. I took a moment to examine my sword, noting with surprise that it was not bloodied; the blade was as clean and untouched as when I first drew it. Frowning in confusion, for the blow I struck should have scratched even a mythril blade, I sheathed it.
"Tuvok, has that Borg vessel we found earlier changed course?" Captain Janeway's voice drew my attention away from Seven.
"No, Captain," he replied, looking up from his tactical station. His gaze fell upon me and he nodded to me briefly, his eyes grave as they met mine.
"Keep an eye out for transwarp corridors," she ordered. Raising her voice she addressed all those on the bridge, "Everyone, I'm sure this isn't needed, but I'd like to remind everyone that what was heard earlier is not an appropriate topic of casual conversation, nor considering that we have minors aboard an appropriate topic of any public conversation." Her voice was stern, and she made a point to look at everyone as she made the statement.
Subdued, "Yes, Captain," responses came from everyone. I looked around, people had trouble meeting my eyes, but I did not have the feeling that it was because they disapproved of me, but rather that they did not know how to react to me at this moment. The general mood of the room was one of confusion, with an assortment of other emotions like fear, uncertainty, anger, and in some pride and satisfaction.
"Chakotay, have the senior staff report to the briefing room in twenty minutes," Janeway ordered him.
He nodded, his face set, eyes worried.
The Captain turned to me, our eyes met, I could see her worry, both at the situation and for me, "Arana would you join me in my ready room please." She said in a softer tone than she had used so far.
"Certainly, Captain," I replied. I returned my gaze to Seven, and gave her a reassuring smile. She was calmer now, and her gaze flickered from the Captain to me questioningly.
I frowned, trying to understand what she meant then shook my head as it came to me, no I did not need her to accompany me.
There was a slight frown on her face as her eyes searched mine then she drew in a breath and nodded.
"Milady," I inclined my head toward her, and then faced the Captain expectantly.
Janeway's eyes flickered speculatively for a moment between Seven and I then she turned and headed to her ready room and I followed.
Instead of sitting at her desk she turned to the left, where there were two couches with a low table between them. "Would you like anything to drink?" she asked.
"Water please, Captain," I replied gratefully. The spells had not damaged me, but my throat was parched. I pulled off my gauntlets then removed both my mail coif and the cloth protecting my hair, and placed them carefully on the floor before accepting the glass she handed me. I took a few sips before speaking, "You need to know who High Cleric Askal was, and how I knew him. And what opinions are as to why Bane would have sent an Emissary to the Borg Queen." I stated openly, feeling her reluctance to start the conversation.
She grimaced, "I don't want to pry into your past, Arana, unless you want to talk about it. I just want to know who he was."
I nodded, "When I was twelve Lord Durass bought me and two other young female slaves to be his body slaves. He would throw parties and invite influential men with whom he wished to curry favor. After they had eaten and drank, he would bring us in and let them do what they wished to us, so long as they did not permanently disfigure us." I pressed on ignoring the Captains emotions for now.
"I only knew him as Lord Askal, and as I stated, he liked beating us before he raped us. Because Durass was never able to break my spirit, I was Askal's favorite when he visited. I did not know then that he was a cleric to Bane, though perhaps I should have considering the way he needed me to fear him." I finally looked at her.
She looked horrified, and I knew I was right to not mention that Lord Durass had not been much better. "As to what he was, I am not certain, the Order does not know much about Bane's clergy, and the places where they are openly allowed to build temples are not places the Order of Torm is welcomed. The mageocracy of Thay is one of those places. If I had to guess I would say that he was most likely fairly high up in Bane's clergy, perhaps even a leader of one of the temples in Thay."
Janeway nodded, she looked me in the eye for a long moment, "Are you alright, Arana?"
I nodded, "My torture at the hands of the Lovitarian priests stirred up old memories of my time with Lord Durass, but with Seven's assistance I have been able to put them to rest, and have come to peace with what the Priests of Lovitar did to me as well."
"Seven," she repeated surprised, "you've been speaking to her about this?" that fact seemed to trouble her.
"Yes, Captain. I told her some of it the first day I arrived here, and she has continued to help me ever since then." I replied, uncertain as to why she was reacting this way.
She stared at me, "And has she had any problems dealing with this information?"
I realized what was troubling her; she was concerned for Seven, worried that Seven was not ready to be that type of confidant to me. "Only one, and she has already determined how best to handle it."
"Oh Kathy, don't worry so about your Borg, she's been doing just fine handling her Paladin." Q's arch voice broke in as he appeared on the couch across from us.
"Milord Q," I protested his jesting, understanding only too well his innuendo, even if the Captain did not. Though I appreciated the humor and truth of it, it was not entirely proper to make such a remark. Not to mention I had not had the opportunity to formally inform the Captain of the fact I was courting Seven.
"Arana?" Seven entered the ready room abruptly, and glanced around obviously concerned.
I stood and glanced at her questioningly, uncertain as to why she had entered, and why she was so worried about me.
"See," commented Q, "Just the tiny hint that Arana might be distressed, and she comes to make sure nothings wrong."
"Q," stated Seven flatly as she walked up and stood beside me.
"Q, what is going on?" Captain Janeway divided her attention between Q, and Seven and I, staring at all of us with a slight frown.
"Don't they make such a cute couple," Q observed. He shook his head and sighed, glancing over at Captain Janeway, "Though you have to admit Kathy, they have it a bit confused," he looked back at Seven and I, "the knight in shining armor is supposed to rescue the fair damsel, not the other way around."
I struggled with whether I was more indignant or amused at his statement. Glancing over at Seven I saw the smirk on her face, and felt the grin forming on my own. "I shall keep that in mind, Milord."
Q leaned back against the couch and chuckled.
The Captain was glancing between Seven and I, and I could see the realization in her eyes as she observed us together. I turned to Seven, "Milady I have your permission?" I asked wanting to be certain, though I was fairly sure that at this moment the Captain already knew.
Seven raised her brow at me, then she glanced over at the Captain, "To tell Captain Janeway you are courting me?" she asked.
"That you have given me permission to court you," I clarified.
Seven smirked at me, "Very well, you have my permission to continue courting me."
I frowned confused, then I caught her meaning and blushed, she was right of course, strictly speaking I had been courting her for quite some time hoping that she could return my interest.
"See?" remarked Q, "She has no difficulty handing her Paladin at all."
I ignored him, determined to make it through the next few seconds. I turned to Captain Janeway, "Captain, I wish to inform you that Seven of Nine has given me permission to court her with the hope that we may fall in love with and form a permanent relationship with one another. As my liege, I must ask if you have any objections to this courtship."
Captain Janeway stared at us for a long moment, "Besides not knowing how long you will remain here?" she commented to me.
I had almost forgotten her surety that I was not going to be a permanent member of this crew. Now I rued that I had not made more of an effort to convince Captain Janeway that Torm would have not blessed my oath to her service, had he not meant me to serve here.
"Oh don't worry about that Kathy, I'm sure arrangements can be made if these two lovebirds want to stay together." Q commented. "And isn't she your vassal? That hardly indicates that she's about to go wandering off somewhere, Paladins take that type of oath fairly seriously."
Captain Janeway stared at him, narrow eyed. "The Q have something to do with this entire situation don't they."
"Oh not yet Kathy, your being impatient, and leaving them hanging. Look at them, how can you possibly be so heartless as to stand in the way of true love?" Q finished soulfully, gazing at Seven and I.
Captain Janeway rubbed the bridge of her noise, I could feel her aggravation with the situation and regretted bring this issue up at this moment even though Q had, I suspected, deliberately instigated events so that it had to be addressed.
"I don't make a habit of interfering in my crewmember's personal lives," she stated to Q. Turning to Seven and I she said, "I have no objections, only the concern I mentioned earlier, I don't want either of you to be hurt if Arana has to go back to Faerun."
"That's such a paltry thing to be concerned about," Q interrupted, "Especially when there is a much bigger problem that needs to be dealt with."