Starblade by Rodney C. Johnson Page B

his
holographic image appeared over Vanguard Island and the palace in
Kuras. The sight of the vajra held aloft above him would be an
inspiration to his people. He pressed the firing node to extend the
coruscating electric blade.
    More cheers overtook the hall. “Falcania jai!”
    Frederika's emerald eyes widened, enraptured
by the scene that unfolded before her. Her lips parted, she watched
Sharr Khan tap into the primal urges of his people.
    Once the cheers lessened, Sharr replaced
Jaikra into its holster and sat back on his throne. The Queen
leaned close and kissed her mate on the lips.
    Again the musicians began and the lights
dimmed. A lone Falcanian female stood with her hands crossed before
her face. Her amber-wings caught the diminished light and diffused
it through the membrane to make it seem as if they glowed with an
internal fire. The rhythmic music played and Tanusri parted her
hands, revealing golden eyes. The concubine's hips swung and
whipped her tail about dancing enticingly for her Lord. Her curly
hair bounced around her with each pulsation. A teasing expression
brightened her oval face. Hands still on her hips she thrust her
upper body forward seductively swaying before the Shotar. Up the
dais she gyrated, her pierced navel, its diamond stud refracting
the flames in the hall. In a pause in the music Tanusri blew Sharr
a kiss. She turned and placed her hands on her hips. Then from over
her shoulder she winked suggestively at Sharr to give him a
scorching smile that oozed with allusions of sex and love to be
given later. With a bow the concubine finished, she walked up the
dais where she planted a kiss on Sharr Khan. They exchanged some
quiet words. Sharr Khan motioned for an ottoman to be brought for
his favorite concubine which denoted her status as a prize among
his treasures. Once she had sat, Tanusri nodded for her sitar.
Nadia bent forward,and whispered to the concubine as she strummed
on her instrument which had been placed beside her maroon ottoman.
Clearly the two women shared not only the fondness of the same man
but also a close relationship.
    At last, the time had come for Ch'Kran to
present the exotic dancers to his Lord. He stepped before the
throne and bowed to the Shotar. “T'Saar, my Shotar!"
    “Welcome home, my friend.”
    “Let me present to you my Lord these
beautiful valka to entertain and act as hostesses for your most
Imperial Self.” Ch'Kran knew how to be rather dramatic, not unlike
his own father the current Chancellor who had once served as the
Shotar's majordomo. “Each young woman comes from across the globe.”
Ch'Kran walked around the dancers. “From as near the Shogun's
Japan.” He informed as he went past a tiny Asian woman. “And as far
as Germany.” Ch'Kran deliberately stopped beside Frederika. “I hope
that they are to your liking my Lord.”
    “Indeed they are.” Sharr eyed the array of
pretty women, his gaze lingered on Sabina and Frederika. To Mia he
gave a nod of recognition that caused the girl to blush.
    Under the Shotar's inspection, Frederika
felt giddy. She could sense her moment to be close at hand. It was
clear to her that Sharr Khan thought her attractive. She noticed
the Queen also inspected her with curiosity. At first Frederika
assumed Nadia simply gauged the rivals for her mate's attention,
yet there seemed to be something else. A brief moment of dawning
crossed the female Falcanian's Persian features, her lips parted
and brilliant-blue eyes suddenly lit up when she looked at
Frederika. The Queen buried her reaction, and leaned toward her
mate to whisper in his ear.
    Nadia glanced at Frederika, recalling her
from a recent vision. This exquisite girl, hatching from out of a
green egg. Yet more than that, this girl felt familiar in some
manner to her. Could it be? Nadia moved in close to Sharr
and spoke in Skora: “That blonde in the black jeans and halter top.
Ask her to sit with you.” Purred Nadia while she took firm hold of
Sharr's