Read Online Dominion by Scott McElhaney - Free Book Online Page B

these women were back when he was in college and had no respect for himself or for others.  And even so, he would have chosen Kashuba over Wind Racer in an instant.  This here was only harmless flirting as far as he had been concerned.
    “Thank you, ma’am, but I do believe my tiny lover would not take it too well if she knew I was offering myself to others,” he said apologetically.
    “Well, we’ve got a couple more days at sea until we reach the North and a lot can happen.  If you get bored, you know where to find me,” she said.
    He sighed sadly and nodded, heading back to the stairwell.  Nothing in this world was going to be easy for him. 

 
    Ten
     
    It was two and half days before the Savior docked at a long stone pier in a cold nation accurately named the Frozen North.  By the time the ship had reached their destination, it had been repaired to a presentable condition.  Much of the hull repairs were merely bandages to at least maintain some interior warmth during the journey through arctic waters.
    Once the ship was tied down, a walkway was laid out and the bell was rung to announce the crew’s liberty to leave the ship at will.  Hawke was already waiting on the main deck with Kashuba at his side.  Night Rain and Sky Listener had brought their bags with them and also waited nearby.
    “In spite of what the Shomani would have you believe, we do have access to technology and we do enjoy the advantages of motorized vehicles,” Night Rain offered, “I just wanted to let you know in case you feared it would be a cold journey to the fictional village of the Frozen North.”
    “Fictional?” Kashuba asked.
    “Surely you know that no one lives in the Frozen North or as some call it, the Frozen Continent,” Night Rain said.
    “Yes, I have heard of the stories,” she replied.
    “Welcome to that very continent,” he said, waving his hand across the snowy landscape.
    Indeed, it was an industrialized and very inhabited place.  Smoke rose from the rooftops of the many buildings and homes that not only littered the nearby landscape, but also dotted the roads visible along the mountainous horizon.
    “We will be residing at the Star Village n ear the Iron Rainbow.  Your spacecraft probably arrived a few days ago and should already be at the village,” Night Rain stated, “On behalf of the people of the Frozen North, I welcome you to our land.”
    “Thank you,” Hawke said, “I’m ready to see this giant buried ship as soon as you’re ready to take me.”
    Sky Listener laughed, then lifted his bags from the deck beside him.
    “Patience, my friend,” Sky Listener stated, “We don’t even know if we’ve gained access to this thing yet.  Let’s get settled in first and give Night Rain and me a little time to greet our families who have awaited our return.”
    “Indeed,” Night Rain stated, lifting his own bag over his shoulder, “One step at a time.”
    . . . .
    The vehicle awaiting them at the end of the pier was like nothing he’ d ever envisioned.  The truck was something very reminiscent of a backwards steam locomotive with a rectangular boiler tank responsible for two thirds of its size.  Steam was being released periodically through an exhaust chimney at the rear of the vehicle.  Unlike the locomotives from Earth, this one did not drive upon tracks and its passenger cabin was situated in front of the tank and engine.
    The driver, seated in the center at the front of the cab paid his passengers no heed as he navigated the vehicle down the snowy highway.  Hawke gaped at the populous villa passing by at a relatively slow twenty to twenty-five miles per hour.  He was amazed most of all by how much foot traffic there was in the arctic environment.  A man was selling what resembled crabs and fish at a roadside stand.  Two women were perusing through some various furs offered at another roadside stand.  An elderly woman carrying a bag and a steaming mug was exiting what appeared to be a