Chapter 4.

I stood invisible, watching him hunt for me. Its good to see him on the hunt again; it suits him well.

I knew I'd be taking a chance by coming to him in his chambers, but I want him to hear it from me. He needs to know.

We should arrive at the threshold within two weeks, according to the briefing he chose to ignore this morning. That is when they will attempt to strike him down.

His eyes keep boring into me. I wonder what it is he sees when he looks at me.

As I brushed his arm, I was shocked that I could feel his hair tickle my arm. I smiled as I disappeared, savoring the feeling.

I passed through the halls, the silent whispers of Riddicks unusual behavior during the briefing quickly traveled throughout the ship.

Commander Vaako stood with his wife, quietly conspiring.

"He must be done in now. Why should he be graced to travel to the Underverse? He is not even one of us. We must act soon, husband." The woman was quite a piece of work.

Vaako nodded in agreement " I understand wife. But he will no doubt know what it is we are trying to do."

The last one to try to take Riddick down, met with the end of a sword through his head.

Dame Vaako's silence astounded me. She was even plotting against her husband. She had devised a plan with one of Riddicks' mistresses. They planned to drug him so Dame Vaako could kill him herself, to become Lady Marshal.

Tara, a young girl that too was killed by the previous Lord Marshal, gently pulled at my sleeve; she pointed towards the long hallway that led to Riddicks Chambers. He walked without doubt, heading directly for Commander and Dame Vaako.

He sneered slyly at them and asked them to accompany him to dinner this evening to discuss the Underverse.

Lady Vaako was unable to hide her excitement amongst this turn of events. Commander Vaako glared at his wife, and agreed to the specified time Riddick suggested.

Tara pulled again at my sleeve looking at me questioningly when Riddick turned and looked in our direction.

I stood in shock, how did he know where I was. I didn't even attempt to reveal myself.

I squeezed Tara's hand reassuringly and headed after Riddick.

He headed down an empty corridor that avoided the basilica. I followed.

As I turned down the corridor, it was empty. A bit apprehensive, I still continued.

"How did you know where I was?" I asked, hoping to draw him out of hiding.

"I can smell you." He said softly. He was now standing behind me.

Of course.

"You know you are walking into a trap, don't you?"

"You mean like Dame Vaako's poisoning plot?" I caught his smirk as I looked up at him. Still whispering, "I pay more attention than you think, Kyra. Do you think it's a coincidence I haven't taken a mistress in weeks?"

She had to stop and think about how often she needed to leave him to his duties over those weeks. Wow, I need to pay more attention.

"I'm sure she is getting quite frustrated by that," He chuckled. "As am I." He added. "Follow me to the bridge. I have a few things I want to have done."

I did as he requested, following a few feet behind him.

I stood at the door of the bridge

"Commander Tol, Does this thing go any faster?" He asked, catching his soldier off guard.

"Sir?"

"I want to be at the threshold within a week."

"Sir?" Tol questioned again, unsure of the reasoning behind the new orders.

"Don't ask questions Commander. Make it happen."

"Yes, Sir" Tol replied, marching away. He quickly made it seem as if he was following orders, until Riddick turned his attention to the vast space that lay before them.

Tol muttered under his breath his need to speak with Vaako, as he headed towards the door.

Riddick seemed to be lost in thought. I cleared my throat as Tol approached the door.

"Commander Tol, have you set the new course yet?" Riddick asked turning to face the distressed soldier.

Tol froze, turning to face his Lord Marshal. "Not yet Sir."

"Then what is it you think you are doing? What ever it is, it can wait."

"Yes, Lord Marshal." Tol sat, starting to key in the new course.

Riddick smiled at Tols' anger and looked at me triumphantly. He nodded as if to dismiss me and turned to face the windows again. I headed for his side instead.

Come on... Give me some inspiration.

I love the feedback...