-KAJA-

  Kaja's captors brought her food and water at regular intervals. She found the whole process very strange and rather comical.

  It would start with a knock on the door. And no matter what Kaja's response was, the door would open, and the person bringing the meal would place the tray on the ground. They would also drop a luminescent mana crystal before leaving the room.

  All this was done silently. Initially, Kaja had tried asking a few questions, but she got no response. The first few times, she ate happily. The food was surprisingly good and the water was a welcome relief for her parched throat.

  After a while though, it got odd. She estimated that they brought her food every two hours. Even when she resorted to insults, she didn’t get a response from the server.

  So the fourth time it happened, she tried to grab his arm. He jerked back without looking at her, and ran out, closing the door behind him.

  Kaja left the food untouched.

  She noted that they changed the person the fifth time they brought food.

  [I wish I could eat.] The Master Cube said.

  "It's honestly overrated," Kaja responded.

  [I don't believe you.]

  Kaja rolled her eyes. Just then, the door swung open. Kaja nearly fell out of the chair in surprise. She had gotten accustomed to them knocking first.

  The room was lit up with the glow of a bright blue mana crystal. The person holding it smiled at Kaja.

  She’s still using that fake smile, Kaja thought.

  "Get up," Yanda said. "We're going."

  -BREAK-

  Kaja asked a lot of questions, but Yanda didn't answer them.

  "Where are we going?"

  No response.

  "Why haven't you killed me?"

  No response.

  "I won't fetch much of a ransom all the way out here, you know?"

  No response.

  "That Kivessa woman was very strange."

  That one drew a response. It wasn't a verbal response, but Kaja noticed the change in Yanda's gait, and the flash of annoyance on her face.

  Still, Yanda said nothing. She simply kept walking. She led Kaja through a series of tunnels that climbed upwards.

  This is not the way we came in, Kaja thought.

  The tunnels terminated in a stair sequence that led to the surface. They exited onto a large grassy landing area. The clearing was lit up by bright lights suspended in the air by tall poles.

  The space was alive with activity, and was filled with busy-looking Chintari people in uniforms. At the center of the landing area sat one of the coolest looking starships Kaja had ever seen.

  "That's a StarRunner," she blurted out before she could stop herself.

  She noticed Yanda glance at her.

  The Chintari woman had an odd smile on her face. "Kivessa is always right," Yanda said with a chuckle. She shook her head and repeated, "Kivessa is always right."

  The StarRunner was a beautiful cruise ship designed more for luxury than speed or combat. It was something that generally wasn't Kaja's style.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  However, she had a deep appreciation for the effort and intentionality with which the StarRunner’s makers had crafted it.

  StarRunners were expensive. This one was admittedly one of the older models, the StarRunner T100, however, Kaja was still surprised that they had managed to get one all the way to Chin.

  "We're heading onboard," Yanda said.

  Kaja obediently followed the Chintari woman. She thought about running. With the exception of Yanda, none of the people around looked like they were mages. And Yanda didn’t look like a combatant. The woman had a slight figure. Kaja was confident she could beat her in a race.

  [You can't beat her in a race.] The Master Cube said flatly.

  Kaja pouted. "You can't know that." She murmured.

  [I can tell from her gait and the sound of her footsteps. She's channeling mana right now. She would beat you very easily.]

  "Okay then."

  [Plus there are many hidden soldiers in the crew. Plus a number of more dangerous starships above us.]

  Kaja glanced up. It was a cloudy night so she couldn't see much, but a few telltale lights broke through the cloud curtain in support of what the Master Cube said.

  Running was out of the question.

  Maybe I can hijack the StarRunner.

  [Let's be realistic Kaja.]

  Again Kaja pouted. They were almost at the StarRunner now. As they neared it, a door in its side swung open, and a staircase descended. Yanda climbed it, and Kaja followed.

  The inside of the ship was just as beautiful as Kaja had expected. It was furnished with silky upholstery, and the seats were arranged to resemble a comfortable sitting room. There was music playing. It was a foreign sound that resembled Jazz music from Old Earth.

  There were already three people inside. Kaja recognized Kivessa immediately. The beautiful Chintari woman was dressed in a sharp uniform, and sat in the most prominent seat in the cabin. Her legs were crossed and resting atop a side table.

  She was reading something. It was a tome of some sort, large and ancient looking, with yellowing pages and a spine that was peeling off in some places.

  Kivessa was flanked by two stern guards, who stood at attention. The woman looked up when Kaja entered the cabin.

  "Ah, Kaja Khan," she said. She closed the book. "Thank you for joining us."

  "I didn't have much of a choice," Kaja said.

  Kivessa frowned. "You do have a choice," the Chintari woman said. Her tone was so serious that it made Kaja uncomfortable. Kivessa continued. "You have choices Kaja Khan."

  "So can I get off this ship and go back to my friends then?"

  "No," Kivessa replied. She leaned back in her chair. The serious look remained on her face. "No, you cannot."

  Kaja shrugged. "Then I don't have much of a choice."

  Kivessa glanced at Yanda, who had made herself comfortable in one of the other seats in the cabin. Kaja remained standing.

  Yanda shrugged. “I thought you might want to tell her yourself,” the thin woman said.

  Kivessa looked back at Kaja. Kaja didn't like the look in the woman's eyes. It felt off. Kivessa stood up and Kaja found herself backing away. The woman was not much taller than her but she seemed to loom over Kaja.

  Kivessa raised the book she had been reading and pointed at it. "Do you know what this is Kaja Khan?"

  [It's a Spell Ledger.] The Master Cube said.

  Kaja shook her head.

  "It's a Ledger," Kivessa said. "A Ledger of special magic made by my family. Do you know how we made the leaves?"

  [Probably something gross like animal skin.]

  "I don't know," Kaja said.

  "Skin," Kivessa replied. "This book is made from the skin of my dead ancestors."

  Kaja shivered. Kivessa seemed to notice that and smiled.

  "Many generations of my ancestors have had the honour of being counted worthy to be added to this ledger. I hope to be like them one day."

  She paused and the smile fell off her face. "But there are people trying to stop me from accomplishing that. She gestured at the ship. "Do you know what this is?"

  [This woman likes questions.]

  "A StarRunner?" Kaja ventured.

  "Yes," Kivessa said. "Yanda was instructed not to tell you that. She didn't, did she?"

  Kaja shook her head.

  Kivessa took another step closer to Kaja. "Do you believe in fate, Kaja Khan?"

  [Kaja, please tell the woman to just say what she wants to say.]

  Kaja ignored the Master Cube.

  "No. I don't believe in fate," Kaja replied.

  "Well that's a pity," Kivessa said. "Because fate has brought you to me. I believe in fate, Kaja Khan. Fate is driving me to take back this planet. To glorify my family. To win this war. That's why you are here."

  Kaja saw the woman's gaze drift to the Master Cube. "I have allies," Kivessa said. "My allies brought me this ship, as well as many other technologies. But there is reason to believe that my allies are plotting against me. Their betrayal would strike a harsh blow in my plans. That's why fate brought you here. You are their replacement Kaja Khan. That is the choice you have. I assume you know how to use that thing." She pointed at the Master Cube.

  Kaja said nothing but apparently that was enough for Kivessa. The woman’s smile broadened.

  "You have a simple choice. Join me and become my new ally, or remain bonded to the people who brought you here, and suffer the same fate they will."

  Kaja swallowed.

  This was happening fast.

  [She's right.] The Master Cube said. [It's a simple choice. Do you want to live or die? That's basically it.]

  Kaja stammered, "I...I..."

  Kivessa raised a finger, cutting Kaja off.

  "I am a reasonable person Kaja Khan. You don't have to decide now. Take your time."

  She walked back to her seat and sat down, then gestured for Kaja to do the same.

  Kaja obeyed. Shortly after she did, the StarRunner began to purr.

  [Ask her why they brought you so much food.]

  Again, Kaja ignored the Master Cube.

  "Where are we going?" she asked instead.

  Kivessa had opened the book again and began to read it. She answered Kaja without looking up.

  "To war."