Fayna

By Gerard Whittaker

Just a short introduction to my latest book set in the far future.
In a world where women are treated as chattel a young princess must battle palace intrigue, a forced marriage to a sadistic brute and dodge a skilled assassin. But the killer must prevent the marriage at all costs before it upsets the balance of world power. However, when they finally meet neither is as the other expected

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gerard Whittaker
• Release date: Aug 2, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465974112

Gerard Whittaker

Once I was a soldier, getting blown up a few times convinced me that a change of career might be a good idea.However, given some of the jobs I've done since, being shot in the chest could be preferable to being stabbed in the back. I'm happily married with my wife helping me proof read my books. I've studied military history, used most types of swords and medieval weapons. I spent a few years learning how to write and had my fair share of rejection slips. I'm still hoping to see my work in print. However, in the meantime, I want to share my worlds with the world at large. Perhaps someone might suggest ways to improve my writing. I've enjoyed writing "When Twilight Falls" intending to develop the story slowly with an ever increasing threat level. I've written about fourteen books so far, not all were completed. I was half way through a novel about an alien invasion with modern day US Airtforce taking on flying saucers. Then I saw a little film called Independence Day and sulked for a month. There are too many Sci-Fi books written for children in my opinion. So I'm trying to write for adults, if that includes a bit of sex then so be it. Heroes are just normal people in extraordinary circumstances. When they get the job done, they are still just your average Joe with all the weaknesses of you or I. For some reasons most of my worlds are not very nice, I suppose the good worlds don't need saving. So there is plenty of scope for temptation in many forms for the 'Heroes' to fall into. When you put yourself in their place, wouldn't you give in to temptation too? All the best to one and all. I wish you the best of luck in avoiding temptation. I've just uploaded a short novel called "The Streets of Bucharest". I'm still working on the full sized book and expect it to be online shortly. I'm sorry I screwed up not loading the full version. But I did give it for free to make up for my mistake. The Full version of The Streets of Bucharest is now online. It's only 40,000 words but I hope you will enjoy it. Just finished rewriting an old book of mine "The Bonds of Time". It was an experiment in erotic drama with a lot of BDSM thrown in. For anyone interested it also gives a short description of Aeden, a couple of years after the founding. It was not a very nice place when TIME was first being formed for self defense, and long before the Cosmic Guardians were even thought of to protect the Multiverse. Finished Isralla and now working on a sequel called Enryn, using a new slant, telling of a war from the Marines' point of view. I'm writing these with as little sex and as much action as the characters will let me. So if anything goes wrong, blame them! Date 13 December 2010 Thanks for the rating, for a writer who lives and works alone any kind of a pat on the back is very welcome. Sometimes I am intending to finish "Of Dusk and Dawn" in the New Year. But I admit to getting writer's block and being side tracked by Isralla and Enryn. I hope these books will keep you all amused till I can get back to D&D. A word of warning, I've finished a new book called "The Cloud Knights". A sort of cross between Biggles and Sharp, set in a crazy world you will not recognise. So if you like the idea of bi-planes versus airships, politics and treason, and a hero determined to rise from the ranks to become a Cloud Knight, fighting for freedom in a world where everything is for sale to those with the rank to claim it. Then you might like it! Currently working on a sequel called the Sky Knights, which will be big. And if that works I might round off the trilogy with the Star Knights. I also draw my own book covers using DAZ Studio which explains how I keep uploading new covers. Gerard Whittaker

Book preview

Fayna

By

GERARD WHITTAKER

FAYNA

By Gerard Whittaker

Smashwords edition.

Copyright by Gerard Whittaker, 2011

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Started 23rd July 2011

Prologue

The first sounds she could remember was that of the College of Surgeons practising their skills on prisoners of war in the palace courtyard, but first they had to create the wounds they would have to patch up on the unwilling patents. And so the butchery began with simulated war wounds being left by sword and arrow as the trainee surgeons waited with a stop watch in hand before they would attempt to cauterise the wounds or remove the offended limbs.

Later she was placed in the school for the mnemonic training that would let her remember the Woman's Rules that would be the backbone of life in a society that forbade females from learning to read. Without a way of checking up on the thousands of laws, customs and probations that she needed to understand to be a Princess of the realm in the law books, she, and every other woman, would need to be able to recite word for word the mantra that told her how to behave under every condition.

At ten she was allowed to meet her father, Emir Hassan the Great, a great bear of a man of good humour but an explosive temper. He fit her in for five minutes between sentencing a thief to the College of Surgeons and choosing a new concubine, just long enough to name her Fayna. The only change it made in her life was that she was now a royal Princess and was given a blond girl of eight to serve her. She also met the crown prince Jallom, her elder by four years by a senior wife of great looks but limited understanding. He mirrored his mother in all ways.

Shortly afterwards her mother, and most of the other wives, concubines and children fell pray to palace intrigue and Fayna only survived because she did not like prawns.

The lessons of the Woman's Rules had taken up most of her intervening years, especially when she was too young to understand what the words meant. However as Fayna grew older she began to wonder why all slaves in the palace had to be naked at all times, and prostrate themselves before all free men. The blond, fair skinned ones from the Northern provinces were usually little more than savages dressed in animal skins and fought with flint spears, but they could be tamed enough to work the fields and their woman had a certain charm.

She had grown quite fond of her own slavegirl Silva, once the girl had stopped hissing at her and learned to bathe.

A couple of years later two more slaves entered the palace, both were blue eyed blonds but were treated with respect for they were captured from a merchant trader and were very well educated. It was the first time Fayna learnt of the existence of other worlds, or that some were far in advance of her own. Technically if not morally, for they taught their women to read and who knew what perverse thoughts they might pick up that way? But the woman was undeniably beautiful, and her husband promised to serve the Emir if they were allowed to be together. And so Ken and Cheri became naked slaves in the Palace's accounts department, protected by their love for each other and loyalty to the Emir. And Fayna got to know them well as she forced them to teach her about the greater galaxy and how insignificant was her own world.

Chapter One

Silva bathed her mistress and massaged her for an hour, chatting away about the palace gossip that was little more than which slave had been batting her eyes at which guard. Fayna dressed in the formal robes that was little more than a see-through bikini with a short tabard of yellow silk that did little to hide her proud breasts. She had a dusky completion, large almond shaped eyes of jet, an aristocratic nose and long raven hair down to the small of her back. Her warm mouth was always smiling with mischief at thoughts she should not have had but were never acted upon.

Today you come of age, Silva laughed. She was a small girl with collar length blond hair, blue eyes and a firm figure, and plenty of muscles on her midriff, as had her mistress from their compulsory daily exercises. What's it like being sixteen?

This is when my duties start, Fayna sighed. And I don't mean having the odd slave whipped for insolence. Sorry about that!

I earned it and am happy now to serve you. There are no hot baths where I come from, she laughed.

Fayna led her slave by the ceremonial leash towards the throne room as the marble halls sweltered in the heat of the day. A fresh breeze blew through the open doors and windows bringing some slight relief to the inhabitants of the imperial palace, but even Silva was sweating as they reached the throne room, and all she wore was a golden collar.

And what do the rules say about female hair? Emir Hassan the Great asked on seeing Silva.

That none shall ever be upon a woman's body except upon her head, Fayna answered automatically.

Then have your slave treated as soon as this interview is complete. And yourself as well girl.

As you wish my father. I truly hadn't noticed this.

You are a Princess, never apologise to anyone, just take it as it comes and keep your pride! he insisted.

Even if I am in the right father? I still have to submit?

To any man I put over you. I am assigning you a bodyguard from this day. Lemat is an old battle friend of mine, and will protect your honour as if it was my own. A battle scared warrior limped forward, a sabre on his right hip and a machine pistol on his left. He wore a white robe over black armour.

I am honoured my father. Do you really think I am in danger in the palace?

Your future husband does. He let that sink in for a while. Don't worry girl, I explained that you're still too young for that nonsense. Give it a couple of years and we'll see.

Well then, she gasped. May I know my bridegroom's name?

I haven't decided yet, it might be that young popinjay lord Wallsin.

Oh, the hunter who can not hunt? Yes, the whole palace has heard of his exploits father.

Don't get smart with me girl! he laughed. His family has connections I need. Now kneel by me for the rest of the day and learn a little statecraft." Fayna knelt by her father with Silva lounging formally before her as the rest of the supplicants were brought forward one by one. The crown prince Jallom was next, scowling at his half sister who had gone before him, but on kneeling before his father's throne he started to stammer so bad he forgot what he had come to say.

When you learn to talk get back in line, the Emir bellowed so loudly the boy ran to hide behind a guard.

Ken and Cheri were next, they handed the accounts to a servant and prostrated themselves before the Emir, awaiting permission to talk. The Emir spent some time going over the accounts with his humour rising all the time. You tracked down the leak then?

Yes my lord, we set a trap giving six false stories and waited until the cartel tried to buy out the wheat crop, and then we knew who was betraying you.

And the yearly profit is going up nicely.

Simply better accounting my lord, Cheri said humbly. You used to have lots of stock wasted because no one knew where it was.

I'm impressed and you have earned a boon. Name it and it's yours.

We are married my lord, Ken stammered, but not on this world, and if we can not function freely because any man could take Cheri, then we can not perform our duties as well as we ought.

We ask that you marry us my lord, Cheri begged earnestly.

What think you daughter?

I know they have both been pressured into looking the other way, with threats against the slave woman, Fayna pondered. It will cost nothing and bring great rewards father.

Then I declared you married, Emir Hassan the Great bellowed in fun. Let none threaten either of them or I shall be most displeased! Now get up the both of you, I'm sure you can think of better things to do than lay on the floor before a grumpy old man.

Ken and Cheri backed rapidly from the throne room and raced from sight, and Fayna felt the first stirrings of affection for the legend that she called father.

The evening meal was served in the cosy little dining room that was historically based of the tents her ancestors used to live in, and she finally met her father with his hair down as it were, laughing with his concubines and goosing his slaves.