PART 2
Death Sentence
The first time Verbal ever saw her he was a slave to the Empire and she was the daughter of a powerful colonel to the very faction that had enslaved him.
Verbal was enslaved at the age of 15 and spent his teen years bouncing from planet to planet working in the slave mines controlled by the Empire throughout the galaxy. At the age of 22 he was transferred to a spice mine on Yavin IV that was controlled by Col. Armas Fasquelle.
Verbal spent most of his days working away underground but in the evenings is when he got to do what he really enjoyed; helping to train Fasquelle's men in hand to hand combat. Verbal basically was used as a punching bag; he was to pull all his punches and was never to injure any of Fasquelle's men under penalty of death. It was one of these moments that he first laid eyes on Zonia.
He was in the fighting circle, dodging blows and letting a few hit him so he did not get beaten before he was locked in his bunk for the night. He was face down on the ground, covered in dirt and his own blood with soldiers cheering for his opponent and laughing and pointing at him when Fasquelle entered.
"Gentlemen," Fasquelle shouted to get his men's attention, Zonia standing next to him, "Against my better judgment my daughter has begged me to come watch your training."
His men began to cheer, Zonia was beautiful and they all fantasized about being with her, this was their chance to impress her.
Verbal knew he was in for a real beating this evening as he lifted himself off the ground and glanced up at her. His heart nearly stopped when he saw her. She was the most amazing thing he had ever seen, long auburn hair, green eyes sparkling like emeralds, blood red lips, and a pale complexion to bring out the colors of her features. His eyes met hers and he felt lost in them. A faint smile touched her lips. Verbal instantly dropped to his knees and bowed his head.
"Looks like our slave has more manners than I would have expected," Fasquelle said, indicating Verbal.
Verbal was covered in dirt and filth and knew he could meditate and heal without anyone noticing his wounds closing. None of these people knew of his ancient abilities and that is how it had been for years.
"Who shall be first to impress my daughter with their fighting abilities?" Fasquelle asked his men.
All 40 or so men answered at once that they wanted to be the one to marvel her with their skills.
Verbal remained unmoving on his knees channeling strength back into his entire being. "I shall be the one," he said to himself.
"You," Fasquelle said pointing to one of his men, "You shall be first."
Victor Dowdell, one of the largest men in the group stepped forward into the ring, "Thank you Colonel" he said, bowing his head in respect. He then looked at Verbal and shouted "On your feet slave!"
Verbal gracefully hopped up onto his feet and raised his head and looked again at Zonia. She was still looking at him, her smile still barely there. Victor walked up behind him and whispered into his ear "Go down quickly and I will be easy on you, Slave."
Verbal turned to face his opponent who was already in his fighting stance.
"Begin!" Fasquelle shouted.
Victor charged at Verbal and the fight finished so quickly that most of those watching only saw Victor land face first onto the ground with his heart clenched in Verbal's fist. Murmurs rolled through the crowd. Fasquelle stood with his mouth agape. Verbal held the heart towards Zonia as though it were some sort of ritualistic offering.
They stood for a moment staring into each others sole's. She did not look horrified at what he had done like everyone else did. "My heart for you," he whispered to her. She knew what he had whispered from nearly 20 feet away and her faint smile broadened.
"Seize him!" Fasquelle screamed to his men.
Within seconds verbal had nearly 30 blasters pointed at him yet he continued gazing into Zonia's eyes and she into his.
Verbal was grabbed on either side and forced to his knees in front of Fasquelle.
"Captain Bell," Fasquelle said to one of the men in the group, "I want all of our men and all of the slaves to be present at the amphitheater at dawn. We are going to make an example of this slave's disobedience. He shall be executed at first light."
Verbal remained on his knees, his expression never changing, looking into Zonia's eyes.
Zonia's smile faded and a single tear rolled down her cheek.
