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My own laughter joined hers, filling the cockpit around me. Laughing helped calm my nerves and I was able to ready myself for what lay ahead. Whatever happened once I exited my ship, I would be a king that would make my forefathers proud. If I died, I died with honor. If I lived, our planet would be free.
At the end of my ship’s ramp, Magnum waited. He stretched out a deeply tanned hand and waited.
Dismor leaned in to whisper. “Your majesty, on his planet Earth it is customary to shake hands in greeting.”
I flexed my fingers; on my own planet, we did not touch one another with explicit permission. Nodding at Dismor, I gave her the signal to speak.
“His Majesty Kaio Targen, Son of Ramzen, would like permission to shake your hand, Magnum Bloodworm, commissioner of the games.” Dismor spoke formally, eyes trained over Magnum’s shoulder, voice authoritative yet neutral.
“Well, now, of course he has permission. I’ve already got my hand out.” Magnum lifted his hand, giving it a little shake in the air for emphasis.
“On my planet, we do not touch so casually.” I spoke this time, reaching out to his offered hand and curling my own around his. I was universe dark next to his sunbaked skin.
“I’ll be damned, Kaio, you’re the darkest sumbitch I’ve ever met.” Magnum held onto my hand, turning it sideways to study it. After a moment, seeming to realize he’d held onto my fingers an inordinate amount of time, Kaio dropped my hand suddenly and gave me a wide toothy grin. “Your hair is blue though. Navy blue we’d call it back on Earth. Girl in school used to dye her hair similar back when I was a boy. Don’t suppose you dye your hair?”
“My hair is the same shade as my mother’s,” I responded dryly, remembering what little I knew of Earth history and how skin color and anyone who looked or acted differently seemed to be a historical issue for the status quo.
“Bet she was a striking lady.” Magnum crooned appreciatively before slapping a hand against his thigh and whistling. “Let’s get you settled, shall we? Set up the best digs in the place for you and lined up some sweet entertainment. These gals will warm the cockles of your cold hearts, and warm the nethers… which I’ve heard are especially intricate in your species.” He winked. The man’s crude manners made my stomach turn.
As I stepped off the ramp, Magnum tossed an arm over my shoulder. In a nanosecond, Magl’on barreled to my other side, pushing Magnum away and taking a protective stance.
“It’s fine, Magl’on. I believe Mr. Bloodworm momentarily forgot that we do not casually touch on our planet. And that I’m,” I glanced at Magnum who was peering at my bodyguard with obvious disdain, “a King.”
“I’ve not forgotten who you are,” Magnum drawled, annoyance threading his words. I watched as the irritation faded quickly, replaced by a mischievous smile. “How could I forget, when just the mention of King Kaio Targen joining the games has sent our pre-sales through the roof. You’re a big draw, your highness. I’m surprised you didn’t negotiate for a cut of the earnings.”
Magnum began walking away, nodding at a row of attendants standing outside the ornate building. “Take his royal highness to his chambers. And make sure to tell the entertainment I’ve lined up not to touch him without,” he tossed a look over his shoulder, grin widening, “explicit permission.”
When Magnum was out of earshot, Dismor hissed. “We should cut off his arm for the insult.”
Magl’on stamped the butt of his spear against the ground in agreement.
“No,” I shook my head, “he doesn’t matter. We are here to survive only. We are here to clear a debt. And then we will never see Magnum T. Bloodworm again.”
“The day we leave here triumphant cannot come soon enough,” Dismor walked away and Magl’on followed. They were gone for only a few heartbeats before returning with their own belongings across their backs and my large trunk balanced between them.
I lead the way slowly toward the row of attendants. Ten filed in on either side of our trio while an eleventh led us into the palace. The inside of the building was as architecturally heavy as the outside. Carved statues held up arched doorways. A mix of stone and metal glistened beneath crystal chandeliers. Jewels lined the walkway, sparks of emerald and ruby playing tricks on my gaze.
Corridor after corridor, we went further into the belly of the beast until the eleventh servant stopped next to a set of double doors. They were twice my height and carved from white stone, carved with a scene of birds and trees. The other attendants peeled away, no longer acting as moving barriers to keep us at the center of the parade. Eight lined the walls on either side of the double doors, joining the eleventh, and two made a show of pushing the entrance inward to reveal a massive chamber anchored by a round bed elevated several feet above the floor on a moving platform. The platform was surrounded by a moat. Artificially blue water swirled, showering upwards in random intervals as dazzling lights and prisms across the ceiling bathed the scene with rainbows.
“Hands raised to the creator of suns and moon. This is…” Dismor breathed out in disbelief.
“Underwhelming,” I finished for her pointedly, making sure my voice carried to every attendant nearby. I wanted Magnum to know that I wasn’t impressed with his little show.
“Yes, your majesty, completely over the top.”
“Disgusting,” Magl’on grunted.
“Are you not pleased?” The eleventh servant fluttered next to us, a storm of pale blue material floating around their body. “What can we do to please you? Mr. Bloodworm has insisted we please you.”
I turned to them indifferently. “I need no fanfare. I only need to rest before the games.”
“Oh yes, rest. I understand. You will find everything you need inside. The entertainment Mr. Bloodworm arranged will arrive later.”
“I do not require entertainment.” I shook my head. “Where will my guards stay? They require adjacent accommodations.”
The Eleventh’s lavender face reddened. “Through that door, Your Highness.” They pointed at a second set of doors off to the side. Your guards should be comfortable. But,” they hesitated, swaying uncomfortably before speaking again, “I will try to delay the entertainment, Your Highness, but I cannot guarantee. Mr. Bloodworm insists that your happiness should be our priority. He took special care to pick the entertainment out for you.”
“My happiness requires rest and no interruptions. Thank you for guiding us here.” I assumed the entertainment involved species of the opposite sex, and it was neither the time nor place to given into baser desires.
Before they could speak again, I nodded at Dismor and Magl’on before entering the room. My guards did not have to utter a single word to make the attendants leave, their looks were intimidating enough.
When the doors were firmly shut, I allowed my body to relax.
The sound of the water swirling around the bed was peaceful, and the rainbows of light dancing across the floor and walls was beautiful.
Exhaustion flooded over me.
