The Lost Planet of Ko'sstahn (Winner - SFSD 8 Collection)

The Lost Planet - Contract

Princess Kelliana wished she could drum her fingers impatiently on the arm of her throne, but that would be too undignified. Instead, she sat motionless, her head at a regal angle, her hands folded in her lap. She wished, not for the first time, that the damned throne was more comfortable. Silicon crystals were all very pretty no doubt, but not much fun when you had to sit on them. 

She had received the message that Kelior was escorting the Warrior to the palace a glass ago, but no-one watching her serene expression would guess the storm of feelings churning in her stomach. Her people had waited so long for his arrival. Months had passed since she sent out the summons. Months where the monsters multiplied, and killed more people, and were even now threatening the very city of Koftan itself.  

Now the Warrior had come - almost too late. Would he be strong enough to succeed in his task?  

She heard the crisp sound of Kelior's boots crossing the Entrance Hall, the softer tread of the Warrior keeping pace. At last. She schooled her face to an expression of polite welcome, then struggled to keep her jaw from dropping as he entered the Reception Hall. The man was a giant! She stared, despite herself. He had harsh features, short black hair, shorter than any man she knew, and his skin was brown instead of cream. And that red suit he wore - she had never seen anything like it. Where in Ko'sstahn's name had he come from? 

"Welcome to Koftan, Warrior." The Princess managed to get the words out. She rose gracefully to her feet. Even standing on the dais, she was still far shorter. "Thank you for answering our summons." 

The Warrior returned her gaze silently.  

Had he no manners? 

"Greetings, Princess Kelliana," intervened Kelior, bowing politely and elbowing the Warrior in the ribs.  

The Warrior got the message and bowed too. "My greetings, Princess Kelliana." He cleared his throat and the Princess realised he was nervous. Perhaps he had not meant to be rude. 

"Is the contract to your satisfaction?" she asked. Hoping there was not a problem. 

"Contract? My apologies, Princess. Perhaps you could run through it again for me?" 

Kelliana frowned briefly. This wasn't sounding good. "Certainly, Warrior. In return for ridding us of our enemies, we offer you our finest sword for your weapon and a purse of gold - more than one hundred coins." She paused for a moment and the Warrior asked a question.  

"Your enemies, Princess? A neighbouring tribe?" 

"Tribe? I suppose you could call them that. The Bursas are pack animals." The Princess answered before it dawned on her that the Warrior was expecting to fight people. What kind of land did he come from? "There are other monsters too, in the hills behind the city. But the Bursas are the worst." She was now feeling quite uneasy about the whole business, but she had committed herself. She couldn't back out now. "And lastly, of course the contract includes my hand in marriage." 

Carver gulped. He had gone along with the proceedings, hoping to find out as much as he could without betraying the fact that he was the wrong person and a stranger to this world. He had actually begun to wonder if the task might be within his power. True, he had never shot a bow and arrow, but he was a good shot with a laser-rifle and a photon-gun. Surely he could learn. Not only that but he was highly skilled in martial arts and had more than a few tactical tricks up his sleeve. He was a soldier - perhaps he could help these people out while he waited to find a way home. 

But he couldn't possibly ask for the Princess's hand in marriage. He wondered rather hysterically if she had a brother. 

~~~ 

Certainly, times had changed. The stereo-type of purely caucasian super-heroes had long been replaced, thank you sir, but the gay barrier had yet to be breached. Although there was no discrimination - Carver had been treated just the same as everyone else in his squad - it seemed there were some conventions which had yet to be challenged. And celebrating gay heroes was one of them. 

And if that was the case on his own, more sophisticated planet, what were the chances of a gay Warrior being accepted here? 

Just as the silence was becoming a little awkward, the sound of a loud bell split the air. Clang clang clang. 

Kelior and the Princess exchanged looks.  

"Bursa attack!" exclaimed Kelior.