Dark Warriors: A Dark Lands Anthology (Darklands) Read Online Free PDF Page B

happens when a generation of men is raised without a woman’s gentle hand. Our words carry great weight, but there have not been enough of us to soften their hearts. You have the power to change this.”
    “No one is going to harm you,” Adibi, the smaller of the two women, said quickly. She was dressed in a gown of muted colors, unlike Ellyn’s bright lavender and pink robes. “We are all hoping for happy matches, and Ellyn and I have been chosen to be your counselors in this matter. Both of us enjoy harmonious marriages, and hope to guide you into making good choices. After all, your match is to be for life.” She beamed.
    Vana scowled, not in the least pleased. Happily married to an abrupt man like Dagon? Ha! Then she caught sight of a huddled girl who couldn’t have been more than sixteen. A quick glance around showed more like her. Her blood boiled.
    “Are you so desperate that you have to marry off children?” she snapped at Ellyn, indicating the girl with a jerk of her head. “Where we come from, that’s not legal.”
    Ellyn sighed as if put upon. “Our customs are different here. We most certainly match up girls of her age. She is physically mature, and even in your culture young women her age take lovers.
    “Besides, it is very difficult to find women in your “United States” who have not known men.” Her mouth tightened a fraction. “We do not approve of promiscuous intercourse here.”
    A dreadful suspicion bloomed in Vana’s mind. “How would you know who has and hasn’t…” she trailed off, too nervous to outright say it.
    With a kind smile, Ellyn said, “Our men are very resourceful. I’m told they tracked down each woman and observed her, doing remote medical scans to check for health and…other things. Believe me, you would not be here if you were not pure.”
    Face burning, Vana looked away. That was not the sort of information she wanted to be public knowledge.
    “Now, let me show you to your sleeping places and help you get settled. We’ll have a meal soon, and then you’ll have a chance to get to know your future husbands.”
    Oh, joy, Vana thought grimly.
    Their rooms were actually curtained and screened off sections of the larger chamber. The gel-filled beds were thermostatically controlled, allowing the sleeper to adjust the temperature and density for their comfort. Each woman was given grooming supplies and urged to choose from a colorful array of saris, sarongs and alluring tops.
    Vana balked. No way did she want to dress up like some virginal, sacrificial harem girl. “I’m quite comfortable in my own clothes, thank you,” she said firmly to Ellyn. At least her jeans and sweater hid her belly button, which was more than she could say for most of the clothes they were offered.
    The older woman considered her calmly. “What will you do when your clothes become ragged and worn? You have only the one set. Besides, your rebellion would gain Dagon’s notice. He might feel the need to personally compel your obedience.”
    The subtle threat did its dirty work. With a glower, Vana chose some clothes and retreated to her “room” to change.
    The wrap-around skirt was gorgeous. Black silk with gold fringe hugged her legs from waist to ankle in loving detail, allowing just a glimpse of sandal-clad feet. Also of black silk, the sleeveless halter-top with hidden support was attached to a golden embroidered, choker-like collar. The top ended inches above her skirt, allowing for an enticing glimpse of skin.
    She didn’t like how exposed it made her feel. She liked it even less when she entered the dinner hall and saw how the men looked at the women. Suddenly she felt like filet mignon at an all-you-can-eat buffet.
    There were many tables scattered throughout the huge banquet room, so she was surprised when Ellyn personally escorted her to Dagon’s table. His inquiring look as she climbed the dais told her that it had not been at his request.
    “I think you should keep a close