4.

Courtly Manners

"Vaako, this is…" Riddick was at loss for words. Right in the middle of conquering a system and he tells him that in a few days time, a ball is held.

"Ridiculous, I know. But this is the one thing that keeps Necromongers half-alive. Just, make a brief appearance." Vaako reasoned, feeling the old tug of Necromonger duty.

"I think if I throw the damn thing then I don't have to go," Riddick snapped, leaning back in his chair. Maps, notes and figures were scattered over the desk in front of him.

"By throwing the party you technically invite yourself." Vaako pointed out and Riddick nearly groaned.

"Then you do it. You're my equal in command."

"But you're still the Lord Marshall."

"And as such, I'm ordering you to do it."

"It's your duty to do it," Vaako countered, knowing he was treading on Riddick's last nerves. "Whether you like it or not you are the Lord Marshall and nothing more can be said nor done!"

He didn't even flinch when Riddick suddenly rose from his seat, rounded the desk and was snarling not two inches away from his face.

"Did I ask for this duty? Does it look like I have accepted it? Look at my neck, does it look like I have!" Riddick yelled, his anger flaring.

Vaako closed his eyes briefly, trying to avoid bringing up the topic that the fact Riddick had never truly converted bothered many people of the court. It was almost cause for mutiny.

"Be reasonable and just do it." His voice was ice as he turned and left the room, the door swinging easily on its hinges and slamming into place. The sound echoed strongly through the halls, covering the sounds of his retreating footsteps.

"M'lord Riddick," a tightly dressed woman bowed deeply in front of him. "It's a honor and pleasure to be invited and within your presence tonight."

"As it is an honor to have you with us, Dame Nawkon." Vaako stepped in, his courtly experiences allowing him to properly accept her introduction.

"That is Nawkon's wife?" Riddick asked, his penetrating silver gaze watching her form move into the crowds.

"Yes. Not a mean wisp inside of her, kindness to the core. Strange for someone who is half-dead." Vaako remarked and nodded as another lesser couple passed.

"Vaako, when are we reaching the Hiriv System?" He ignored another sly look of a woman tossed his way.

"Enjoy yourself for once and in by half-sun tomorrow. Relax, take a few women and use them. That is what they're there for," Vaako sounded slightly amused by this idea.

"Pick a few. Most can't last through one round with me," Riddick smirked.

"Trust me, my lordly companion, I've heard it, you don't need to tell me. You think the steel walls would be thick enough, but no." Vaako raked his eyes over the crowds and caught a few glances, motioning for them to come to the throne.

"Your taste is flawless, as is your work," Riddick noted, making Vaako flush in his armor. He knew that Riddick was aware that all compliments made him uncomfortable. Instead he focused on the women sliding their way forward to the throne. All slim were beautiful creatures that Riddick would undoubtedly tear to shreds.

"M'lord, you called?" They all asked simultaneously.

"Yes. Go to room to the left of Lord Riddick's personal rooms. Wait for him there and for your sakes, don't wear yourselves out before he gets there." Vaako said and the women's eyes widened. They knew exactly what was going to happen and Riddick could smell the fear easily.

He gave them a feral grin and one of them looked close to fainting.

"I will see you all later this evening. Go." Riddick ordered and they left quickly.

Not much explanation was needed for the four women who were in the med bay the next day. One was paralyzed from the waist down, her shattered and crushed hips making it impossible to repair or replace. Two were unlikely to make it through the next few hours and one got off with being in a six-hour surgery and many stitches, both interior and exterior. The women of the armada could only hope that he was sated for a while.

"Nawkon would like to speak to you in private." Vaako added before he began to close down the strategy boards and diagrams. Riddick raised an eyebrow and nodded. "I'll send him in then."

Riddick stood over the blank table now, the liquid holographic surface moving like an obsidian pool as he lightly dragged his hand through it. Nawkon entered and bowed, walking forward only when Riddick motioned for him to do so.

"You wished to speak with me?" Riddick asked, subconsciously noting how refined his speech had become. Jack would've laughed at him for it. Purging his dark mind of her memory, he listened to Nawkon.

"-I know I need not fear for your safety, m'lord, but their whisperings and plots should be addressed. They do not realize that any man or woman owes his allegiance and loyalty to the Lord Marshall, regardless of the Lord's acceptance of the faith. They should know that thus any women you wish to bed are yours to bed and can be taken without permission." Nawkon looked straight ahead, his eyes trained and cold.

"Leave their names with Vaako and tell him of the situation. What do you think I should do, Nawkon?" Riddick asked, amused by this turn of events.

"Make them realize." He replied directly.

"Sounds appropriate…as well as not giving limits to punishment. I must do what I must to make them realize, don't I?" Riddick allowed himself a small smirk that let Nawkon smirk as well. "Anything else?"

"Yes…m'lord…it's a matter relating to this." He broached the subject with a quieter tone.

"Speak," Riddick watched Nawkon the same way he had stared down the hellhound in Crematoria.

"What you did with the women, Dame Nawkon, she is…delicate and not of the same…caliber as the women you bedded. It is out of line to ask, yet I fear for her. Could you not ask Dame Nawkon to your bed?" He asked, his voice still strong although Riddick could sense the emotion easily.

"She's safe." Riddick said, nodding slightly.

"Thank you, m'lord." Nawkon bowed deeply. "I will tell Lord Vaako the names." He backed out of the room and door softly closed behind him.

Riddick looked out the window again, watching the black space glide by and wondered how affection between any Necromongers would last. Relaxing slightly, his thoughts touched upon Jack, the way she would laugh and smile.

Suddenly the glass shimmered and her reflection was clear, she smiled and smirked at him. She began to talk and Riddick moved forward, only to find that she changed. Her back was to him but she turned around and a dangerous mix of lust and desire watched him. As he raised his hand to the glass, and inches away she changed again, to the woman she was in Crematoria. As he touched the glass, she disappeared, but he left his hand there, only to pull it back when he heard the door open.

"Riddick, I assume you heard from Nawkon what has been happening among the husbands of…Riddick?" Vaako concentrated on his form that wouldn't move form the window. "Riddick?" He asked again, approaching the still form. Just as he raised his hand, Riddick turned and looked him square in the eye.

"I know. What should we do?"

"Do as he suggested. Besides, a show of power never hurt anyone. Well, before this." Vaako mused and Riddick only smirked slightly.

That was a little off-plot, but I was in the mood for it.