The ghosts that we knew
Chapter 12
~But do not ask the price I pay
I must live with my quiet rage
Tame the ghosts in my head
That run wild and wish me dead.~
Carolyn could have groaned out loud when she saw Dame Vaako sitting in her chair in the area behind the throne. She was simply not in the mood for the woman's mouth at the moment.
Riddick had been particularly aggressive in his questions today and Carolyn knew she was down to hours with him demanding answers. She hadn't slept well last night and had a throbbing headache.
Moving towards the area, she spoke briefly with each of the ladies gathered there as she made her way to her occupied spot. Dame Toal had seen her and had already stood but Dame Vaako was still sitting, inspecting her nails.
"Dame Toal," Carolyn said in greeting as the woman gave a curtsy.
"Lady Riddick," She replied backing up a few steps.
"Dame Vaako. Is there something I can do for you today?" Carolyn asked sweetly, her hands folded in front of her.
"No, not at all," the woman replied looking up from her seat.
"Is there a reason why you're sitting in my chair?"
"Oh, is this your chair? The last I heard this chair was reserved for the woman who was actually sleeping with the Lord Marshall, and we all know that's not you."
Carolyn simply smirked, as there were twitters of laughter from the women behind her and Dame Vaako realized what she had said.
"I simply meant that since you're obviously not woman enough for the Lord Marshall, perhaps you should let someone else have a turn."
"And that someone is you?" Carolyn asked as she turned a small circle making eye contact with some of the other women.
"Of course not. I'm completely devoted to my dear husband."
"And that's very commendable of you, because unlike the Commander, the Lord Marshall doesn't settle for sloppy leftovers."
Carolyn heard the intake of breath from the women behind her as she watched the color drain from Dame Vaako's face.
Her nails were stopped an inch from Carolyn's face by Dame Toal who hissed at her, "Control yourself, Madam! You know the rules. If you have an issue, declare it!"
"The woman insulted my character and my husband. I demand satisfaction." Dame Vaako screeched.
"Name your second." Dame Toal demanded.
Dame Vaako looked around at the women gathered. "Dame Scales."
Dame Toal looked at the woman who nodded, stepping up next to Dame Vaako.
"I declare myself Lady Riddick's second." Dame Toal said. "You have five minutes to prepare.
"Explain!" Carolyn demanded of Dame Toal as she dragged her over to a weapons chest throwing it open.
"You insulted her honor. She's challenged you to a duel."
"To a duel?" Carolyn scoffed.
"To the death."
"This is a joke, right?"
"Can you fight?" Dame Toal asked worriedly. "All Necro women have training in hand to hand combat."
Carolyn smirked. "I can hold my own."
"She excels in hand spears, yes, there they are." She said watching the other Dames.
Carolyn started tucking knives into her gauntlets and strapping them on her thigh. "Give me the long spear." Carolyn said pointing to the weapon in the corner.
"The spear? Are you sure?"
"One minute!" one of the other women announced.
"Thank you for your kindness, Dame Toal."
"She gives us all a bad name." The woman hissed. "I will not be saddened to see her go."
"I'll see what I can do," Carolyn replied and the two women shared a smile of understanding.
"Time!" was announced and the women spread out amongst the throne room, blocking the exits from anyone attempting to leave or come in.
Dames Toal and Scale stood in the middle of the room, Dame Scale speaking first.
"A challenge has been issued."
"The challenge has been accepted."
"The terms are to the death."
"The terms are acceptable."
Turning to their respective parties they spoke together. "Begin."
A foot soldier, his armor rattling, rushed into the war room where Riddick was listening to Vaako and the rest of the commanders going over their plans for the next planet they were about to encounter.
"Yes?" Vaako asked displeased at the interruption.
"You're going to want to see this sir!" The young soldier said.
"See what?"
"A challenge."
Scales, Toal, and the rest of the men started chuckling.
"A challenge?" Riddick asked having not heard of this before.
Turoop answered. "A challenge is held when one woman thinks that another has insulted her enough to want to kill her. They're to the death." He turned to the soldier. "Who is it?"
"Dame Vaako, Commander. Dames Toal and Scales are acting as seconds."
At the mention of their wives names the men sat up.
"And?" Vaako prompted the soldier.
"Lady Riddick."
As one, Riddick and Vaako hit the floor running, the rest off the command staff following.
Plowing their way past the wives standing guard, they arrived to see Dame Vaako on her knees in front of Carolyn, hair in disarray, dress torn and bloodied from several cuts upon her body. Both were breathing hard as Carolyn lifted her crossed arms, a knife in each hand.
"STOP!" Riddick bellowed bring the room to absolute silence.
Both women, chests heaving turned to look at him. Riddick went rock hard in a second. She was absolutely feral. And she was his. He couldn't tear his eyes away from her, even as Vaako spoke by his side.
"Lord Marshall," Vaako spoke loudly enough for everyone in the room to hear him. "My wife knew the possible outcomes when she entered this challenge. To not allow Lady Riddick to follow through will only cause her shame."
Arms crossed over his chest, Riddick simply shook his head, never taking his eyes from Carolyn.
Carolyn threw back her head and let loose a scream of sheer frustration before bringing the crossed knives down across Dame Vaako's face. Lifting her foot, Carolyn pushed her down on her back even as the bleeding woman held the gashes on each cheek.
"My name is Carolyn Fry Riddick, and don't you ever forget it, Bitch!" Carolyn snarled in her face before handing the knives in her hand to Dame Toal. Dame Scale and the rest of the women swept down into low curtsies as Carolyn passed, going out the back way, avoiding Riddick and Vaako all together.
"What the hell just happened?" Riddick muttered looking around him at the complete chaos as some of the women rushed to help Dame Vaako, while others stood talking to their husbands relaying the events of the last hour.