Chapter Ten

     After lying on the bed crying her eyes out for an indeterminate
amount of time, Candy decided she was not going to wallow in her misery. 
Dwelling on the strange turn her life had taken in the space of a couple days
would only make her crazy.  And wondering where Dolph might be at this
moment and what danger he might be facing only brought to her very
imaginative mind visions of his body, broken and bleeding, lying in a ditch
somewhere.  If this place even had ditches.  Enough!  Maybe she could find
comfort in order and normality.  That brought a smile to her lips.  Normal,
around here?  Perish the thought.
     Sniffling, she wondered if there were any Kleenex to be found
around here.  The logical place would be in Dolph's war-chest.  Candy
chided herself out loud.
     "Dummy, the only place would be in the war-chest."
     Since it had reached critical mass, Candy disgustedly wiped her nose
on the sleeve of her jumpsuit, rose from the bed and walked to the chest. 
The memory of Dolph teaching her to open it almost brought on another
bout of waterworks, but she managed to get herself under control by
imagining how her face looked when she cried.  She knew she looked awful
at this minute, and was determined to be looking her best when Dolph
returned.  Whenever that would be.  Another round of clenching fists,
holding breath, gritting teeth - crying jag abated.
     The inside of Dolph's war-chest was very orderly.  The top shelf
contained Silky's rations, several doodads the function of which Candy had
no idea, some empty spaces, and what looked to be a stack of
handkerchiefs.  Candy sighed, surprised that a Viking, and a man at that,
would have something so logical as a handkerchief.  She pulled one from
the top of the pile and quickly blew her nose before it could drip on
anything important. Then she folded the handkerchief and put it in her
pocket so that she could examine one of the others.
     The jet-black cloth felt like silk and resembled very finely woven
cotton.  Those weird symbols that Candy assumed was the Vikings' writing
were scattered in red on its surface.  It was actually quite pretty.  She would
have to remember to complement Dolph on his taste in accessories.  She
returned the unsoiled handkerchief to its place on the top shelf.
     Noticing the empty spaces, Candy remembered Dolph's dagger and
books.  She took them from the bed and replaced them in the chest, proud
of herself for performing one of her primary functions in this camp -
keeping his tent neat and tidy.  Shaking her head, Candy wondered if she
had already lost her mind.  Maid service was not one of the things she had
planned to do with her life.
     By pressing the button on the side of the top shelf, she made the
shelf raise and shift backward over the open lid to reveal the large
compartment below.  At the moment there wasn't much there since Dolph
had been wearing his armor and carrying his shield.  Just a couple extra
jumpsuits, a spare loin cloth, and the rest of the clothes that Dolph had
given her.  Candy touched the button and watched as the top shelf slid
quietly into place.
     Looking around, Candy noticed the gleam of silver against one wall. 
She smiled and threw her hands into the air in a gesture of mock frustration.
     "Typical man.  He has a woman to pick up after him, he figures he
can do anything he wants and let her repair the damage.  Men!"
     She knelt by the side of the tent that Dolph had assaulted with the
leather pouch.  It lay where he had thrown it, the tiny pieces of silver
scattered all around it like guards that had fallen in the act of protecting it. 
Candy wondered what the little silver discs were.  They looked like sterling
silver BB's that had been flattened by a car running over them.  There was
some kind of symbol carved or stamped in the center of each, but she had
no idea what it meant. 
     "Big surprise.  I'd be worried if I did recognize it."
     Candy's eyes were drawn back to the discs' original container. 
Remembering what had been implied by Vierig, she gingerly picked up the
small pouch.  It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that he had been
telling the truth.  The leather was soft and supple, a very light pinkish-tan in
color.  It fit in the palm of her hand with room to spare.  Holes had been
cut near the top and a leather drawstring threaded through to make it
closable.  The top edge was jagged and looked like it had been burned.  Just
holding it made Candy feel slightly queasy.
     She quickly gathered the silver pieces together, all thirty of them,
and dropped them into the pouch. Pulling the drawstring tight, she dropped
the pouch into the chest, nestled next to the pile of handkerchiefs.  She
couldn't keep from shuddering as the smooth leather slid from her hand. 
What kind of person would keep his own body part as some kind of change
purse?  She didn't want to think about it.  Feeling somehow defiled, Candy
pulled Dolph's handkerchief from her pocket, wiped her hands with it, then
returned it to her pocket.
     She must have been a little spooked because she jumped when the
tent flap wiggled and someone spoke to her from the other side.
     "Star?"
     It sounded like a young boy.  Candy didn't recognize the voice, but
she was happy just to have someone to talk to.  And if the kid was calling
her Star, he must know Dolph.  That might mean a chance to get to know
more about the man she loved.  Candy ran to the tent entrance and threw
up the flap.  Realizing about two seconds too late that that was not a great
idea, Candy could do nothing but watch as the flap hit the boy in the face,
knocking him backwards into the dirt.  She stepped forward and offered the
boy her hand as she stammered an apology.
     "Oh, gosh, I'm sorry!  I didn't think..."
     The boy ignored her outstretched hand.  He regained his footing
quickly, blushing a deep red.  Looking more closely, Candy decided some
of that color was caused by anger.  He smacked his legs and backside with
his hands, knocking the dirt from his sleeveless forest green jumpsuit.  He
looked at her with eyes, narrowed now in anger, that nearly matched his
suit.  Candy knew instantly from the color, and the look, that this boy was
related to Dolph.  Though his voice still had the high timbre of youth, his
words were adult enough.
     "Do you ever think, woman?  Can't you even leave my brother's tent
without causing someone damage?"
     Candy smiled and gave the kid the once-over.  He looked about
thirteen, though his attitude was thirteen going on forty.  His shoulder-
length strawberry blonde hair was tied in a ponytail at the base of his neck. 
He wore an earring in one ear, a small silver dragon, and silver armbands
on his upper arms.  His black boots had green symbols down the front.  His
insolent stance reeked of male pride and arrogance.  Candy smiled.  Oh,
yes, he was Dolph's little brother all right.
     "You have a lot in common with your brother, little boy, lack of
manners being the first thing that comes to mind."
     A typical boy approaching manhood, he drew himself to his full
height, an inch or two taller than Candy, crossed his arms over his chest and
deepened his glare.  
     "I am not a little boy!  And there is nothing lacking in my brother. 
Except perhaps the sense to find a good woman to fulfil his promise to our
father, instead of some nearly useless bit of fluff."
     There went the Scottish again.  Candy stepped forward and angrily
pointed her finger at him, periodically punctuating her words with a poke to
his chest.
     "You listen to me, you Viking runt, I may have to take that crap
from 'warriors', but I sure as hell do not have to take it from an undropped,
too-young-to-shave little pimple like you!  I am neither 'useless' nor 'a bit of
fluff'.  I'll have you know that I just finished cleaning your brother's tent;
and, before you interrupted me, I was on my way to explore this camp so
I'll know where things are in case he needs something."
     She cast her eyes heavenward, and raised her flexed palms to the
sky.
     "Oh, Lord, I sound like Suzy Homemaker."
     Attempting to step around the boy, Candy snarled, "Get out of my
way, twerp."
     Candy's temper having already been tweaked, the boy's arrogant
smile nearly cost him a bloody nose.  She narrowed her eyes at him.
     "What are you smiling at?"
     He shrugged.
     "I now understand what Dolph sees in you.  You are a fiery woman,
full of passion.  You will please him in bed and give him strong children."
     He nodded as though he had just solved some great dilemma.
     "My brother chose wisely."
     Candy could not believe what this little boy had just said to her. 
Exasperation rang in her tone.
     "And what do you know about passion, or women, for that matter? 
I bet you're not even old enough to see R-rated movies without your
mommy."
     She held her hands out in front of her, as though to ward him off.
     "I know, I know, you haven't the foggiest notion what I'm talking
about.  Well, that's about how much you know about passion, kid.  What is
your name, anyway?"
     "My name is Kirk."
     Candy rolled her eyes heavenward.
     "As in James T.?"
     A blush spreading across his fair cheeks, he looked at the ground. 
His voice softened, a combination of embarrassment and affection coloring
his words.
     "A new television series had begun the year my father took my
mother.  She thought it was ironic timing and she liked the name, so she
called me Kirk."
     "So who's Dolph named after, Adolph Hitler?"
     Kirk looked up at her with narrowed eyes.
     "No.  Dolph is named for my mother's father."
     "You guys only have one name?"
     Kirk placed his hands on his hips and his tone became humoring, as
though he were talking to an unschooled child.  Candy gritted her teeth,
realizing if she really wanted to know these things she would have to put up
with Kirk's patronizing attitude.
     "Our father's name was Roarke Thorson, Roarke 'The Tamer'. 
Dolph's full name is Randolph Roarkeson, mine is Kirk Roarkeson."
     He raised both eyebrows.
     "Satisfied?"
     "Why 'The Tamer'?"
     Kirk smiled, looking very proud.
     "Father earned that name after he captured my mother.  She did not
wish to be taken.  She gave him many scars, which he displayed proudly."
     Pain softened his voice, and his eyes took on a faraway look.
     "Mother was a great lady."
     Candy spoke in a near whisper, not wanting to increase his obvious
pain.
     "Was?"
     Kirk lowered his eyes to the ground.  For a minute he said nothing. 
Candy knew he'd heard her, assumed that he just didn't want to answer.  He
sniffed and looked up.  His beautiful green eyes were swimming in tears. 
Candy wanted to reach out and hold him, but she figured if she tried he'd
get embarrassed and bite her head off.  His young voice was quiet, choked
with emotion.
     "She bled to death in our father's arms while trying to give birth to
our little sister."
     Anger, hurt and confusion gave his words more strength.
     "The doctor's told her that she was too old.  She'd already had seven
children, and they had all been difficult for her.  But she insisted on one
more try to give my father a daughter.  Foolish woman, she didn't have to
take that chance.  He was more than content with the seven sons she had
given him."
     He shook his head, then looked back at the ground.
     "After mother drew her last breath, father took the little one, held
her close, trying to give her the strength from his own body.  It was just too
early.  She was dead by morning."
     He kicked some imaginary rock.  With a heavy sigh, he continued
his story.
     "Father was never the same after that.  His eyes had lost the fire of
life.  Dolph tried to interest him in raiding, hunting, anything.  He said
Dolph was worse than an old woman.  The only thing Father showed an
interest in was returning to Earth.  He wanted his sons to see their mother's
homeland.  Dolph was so happy to find something that father wanted that
he quickly arranged the trip.  On the way, Dolph heard news of someone
wanting to hire Vikings to settle some little disagreement.  Father joined in
the battle, but he no longer had the spirit.  He fell on the field.  Dolph
pulled him from the battle and guarded him as he died."
     He looked at her with calculating eyes.
     "Father's dying wish was that Dolph would find a woman to give
him the years of pleasure that our mother had given our father.  Dolph gave
his word, and father went to Valhalla in peace.  You are to be that woman."
     He clenched his fists at his side, sadness fighting with anger for
space in his eyes.
     "Why did she have to try again?  We were all content with the
family we had."
     Sadness won.  Tears gathered at the corners of his eyes, then
flooded over to streak down his cheeks.
     "I miss her."
     He sounded so forlorn.  Though he tried hard to be a great Viking
warrior, he was really just a little boy who had lost so much.  Without
thinking, just acting on instinct, Candy pulled him into her arms and held
him.  She could feel his chest heaving with great sobs, yet no sound came
out.  Men, even very young men, were such strange creatures, letting their
pride tell them exactly how much emotion was allowable.
     Tears were running down her own face.  Candy saw a younger
Dolph in Kirk, and she wondered if there had been anyone there to hold
him while he cried out his grief for his lost parents.  She didn't think so, and
that made her cry harder.
     Kirk straightened and pulled away from her, wiping the back of his
hand across his face.  Candy reached into her pocket and produced Dolph's
handkerchief.  As she reached forward to wipe Kirk's face he grabbed her
hand, staring at the handkerchief in horror.  He looked thunderstruck as his
eyes met hers.  His voice was full of amazement. 
     "What are you doing?"
     Candy gave him a questioning look.
     "I thought you might need a handkerchief.  I know I do."
     She brought the cloth to her nose, intending to blow into it.  Kirk
quickly tore the 'handkerchief' from her hand and, holding two corners,
shook the cloth in the air, trying to straighten it.  Where it was still wet, it
stuck together.  He moaned and turned to Candy, a regretful smile touching
the corners of his mouth.
     "And I was starting to like you a little."
     He held the handkerchief in front of Candy's nose, his tone
returning to that of a Viking warrior.
     "Do you know what this is, woman?"
     Candy shrugged, a feeling of dread beginning to creep into her
heart.  Her voice was unnaturally high, imploring him to confirm her
supposition.
     "A handkerchief?"
     Kirk slowly shook his head.  He spoke softly.  'Like at a funeral,'
Candy thought morosely.
     "When a Viking warrior becomes the commander of a ship, he is
given the flag of that ship to signify that she is his.  The flags are small so
that he can keep them with him always, usually in his war-chest."
     Candy's eyes slowly dropped to the black cloth, then lifted to meet
Kirk's stern stare.  In a whisper, she asked, "You mean, I blew my nose on
one of Dolph's ships?"
     Kirk nodded, unable to keep from smiling at her choice of words.
     "Oh, no!"
     She grabbed the front of Kirk's jumpsuit, her eyes taking on a
slightly wild appearance.
     "Where's a washing machine?  I'll toss it in the gentle cycle...Oh,
crap, you guys don't have a gentle cycle, right?  You don't even have a
damn washing machine!"
     She quieted for half a second, then the light of a thought flashed
across her face.
     "Where's the nearest stream, riverbed, ocean, whatever you use to
wash things?  You must wash, you're all so damn clean."
     She looked down, nodding as she made her plans.
     "I'll wash it, hang it on a tent pole or something to dry," she looked
up, "he'll never know.  Why are you shaking your head?"
     Kirk pried Candy's hands from his suit and took them in his own. 
This woman might be a bit headstrong, and quite unknowledgeable about
their ways, but, as he had said, he was beginning to like her.  He spoke in a
gentle voice.
     "You must tell Dolph what you have done, little one.  I don't think
he'll be angry with you."
     He thought about that for a minute, then, to Candy's discomfort,
amended his words.
     "Not very angry.  You must always be honest with Dolph.  Never
try to hide anything from him.  He'll always find out, believe me.  And he'll
get angrier about the deception than about anything you might have done."
     He rubbed his jaw, a disgruntled frown on his face.
     "I speak from experience.  The flag must be tended in a special way. 
You cannot do it.  We will return to the tent and replace it in Dolph's war-
chest.  When he returns from battle, you must tell him what happened."
     He placed his hand in the small of Candy's back and turned her
toward Dolph's tent.  They walked in silence.  All Candy could think about
was Dolph's face when he saw his flag.  He was not going to be happy.
     Her temper began to assert itself.  How was she supposed to know it
wasn't a handkerchief?  It looked like a handkerchief.  Nobody had told her
it wasn't a handkerchief.  If it looked like a duck, and waddled like a
duck...Was she supposed to just know these things?
     Candy's chin began to rise with her spirits.  She wasn't psychic, she
didn't know everything.  Heck, around here, she didn't know more than she
did know.  And who's fault was that?  Not hers.  Let him get mad!  Yeah,
just let that Viking say one angry word to her and she would give him a
piece of her mind that he would not soon forget!
     Candy was in a fine temper when Kirk escorted her into Dolph's
tent.  She walked to the war-chest, opened it and tossed the flag in on top
of its mates.  She was about to slam the lid when curiosity got the better of
her and she quickly counted the neatly folded flags.  There were six in all. 
She turned a surprised look on Kirk.
     "Dolph commands six ships?"
     Glowing with pride, Kirk nodded.
     "My brother commands the most formidable Viking armada in the
universe."
     Candy's look turned hopeful.
     "More formidable than Vierig's"
     With a heavy sigh, Kirk shrugged.
     "The last time we crossed swords with Vierig the Merciless, he was
in command of five ships.  We have not been able to obtain information on
his current armada.  It may have increased."
     His manner and voice brightened.
     "But his men are not as well-trained as Dolph's, nor do they have
my brother as their leader.  The battle will be ours, Star, have no fear."
     His youthful enthusiasm buoyed Candy's heavy heart.  Of course
Dolph would win.  But she was so used to being a worrywart she couldn't
very well rid herself of a lifelong habit in a day's time.  And Dolph meant so
much to her.  She didn't want to go back to her life before him, a life filled
with dating, dead-end jobs and loneliness.
     Giving herself a mental shake to rid her mind of all those negative
thoughts, Candy was starting to close the war-chest when she noticed
Silky's rations and decided she'd better check on the little guy.  She knelt
and spoke toward the little cage that still sat on the floor next to the war-
chest.
     "Hey, Silky, would you like to come out and see our visitor?"
     Whenever Dolph had spoken to him, Silky had either come out of
his cage to see who sought an audience with him, or meowed his
displeasure at being disturbed.  He did neither now.  Wondering at his lack
of response, Candy pulled the door of the little cage all the way open - it
had been about halfway open because Dolph said that Silky hated being
locked in and could raise a heck of a ruckus - and leaned down to peer into
the cage.  It was empty.  The sharp edge of fear began to cut into her
consciousness.
     "Kirk, did you see Silky when we came in?"
     Hearing the concern in her voice, Kirk stepped closer and gazed
around the tent.  He saw no little furry body scampering about.
     "No.  That's strange.  Silky usually comes running when he hears
my voice 'cause I bring him treats.  Dolph says Silky knows a sucker when
he sees one.  Maybe he got into the chest?"
     With visions of squashed mini-cat flashing in her mind, Candy
riffled through the top shelf of the chest, desperate to see a furry paw. 
Nothing.  She pushed the button and both she and Kirk watched with dread
as the top shelf lifted and slid back.  No angry meow met their hopeful ears.
     Kirk fell to his knees beside her.  Pointing toward the bed, he said,
"you take the rear sector, I'll take the front."  Never had he sounded more
like Dolph.
     On hands and knees, they searched the tent inch by inch, their dread
growing as each space was revealed to be empty.  Finally, Candy rose to
her feet and spoke in a voice that resembled a funeral dirge.
     "He's not here."
     She began wringing her hands.
     "Oh, Kirk, what am I going to do?  Dolph trusted me to take care of
his sweet little kitty, and I lost him.  He'll never forgive me.  And poor little
Silky, all alone in a strange place.  Oh...!"
     She sat on the side of the bed and dropped her head into her hands. 
She had thought all her tears had been shed when Dolph left.  No such
luck.  As she imagined Silky out there all alone and vulnerable, a whole new
motherlode broke the damn.
     Listening to the woman sob, Kirk wasn't certain what he should do. 
She looked so small and pitiful, and she was trying so hard to be brave and
swallow her sobs.  His male instinct overtook his embarrassment, sending
him to sit beside her and wrap his arms around her quivering body.  He
wasn't sure that he had done the right thing though because, as she turned
into his embrace, her sobs increased.  He was trying to come up with a
better course of action when she began to quiet.  She raised swimming blue
eyes to his, and he could see the silent plea shining there.  Her voice shook.
     "What are we going to do?"
     Kirk shook his head.
     "There is nothing that we can do.  I will let Dolph know..."
     Candy's grip on the front of his jumpsuit cut him short, her eyes
filling with fear.
     "No, don't.  If he's worried about Silky, he might not fight as well. 
Something awful might happen.  Please, Kirk, please don't tell him until he
gets back."
     Once again, Kirk gently pried her fingers from his clothes and held
her hands in his.
     "You truly care for my brother, don't you?"
     Candy nodded, but the look in her eyes spoke more clearly to Kirk
than any words or gesture ever could.  She loved Dolph as he did.  She
might be right.  Dolph was very protective of Silky.  His concern for his pet
might shadow his judgement.  Upon his return would be soon enough to tell
him about Silky.
     "Very well, I will not call him.  Maybe we can find Silky in camp
somewhere.  He may have just taken a stroll to annoy us.  I will enlist the
aid of the other camp-tenders and we will search the whole camp."
     Her questioning look reminded him of her newly arrived status.
     "Men," he emphasized the word, "who have yet to gain the muscle
and skill for battle tend the camp while the warriors fight."
     He set her from him and stood, smiling, his eyes and voice full of
youthful confidence.
     "Don't worry, Star, with such little legs, how far could he get?"
     A sad attempt at a smile was all she could manage.  Kirk turned to
leave.
     "Kirk?"
     He looked at her with brows arched in question.
     "I want to help."
     He shook his head.
     "Dolph left you in my care.  Though we have no reason to believe
that the enemy is anywhere near our camp, I don't want to take any
chances.  You will remain here until I return.  Should you require anything
before that, open the tent and tell whoever you might see to find me."
     "But..."
     Kirk held up his hand and spoke with that authoritarian tone that
Candy was quickly beginning to hate.
     "No argument, woman!  You are my responsibility and Vikings do
not take their responsibilities lightly.  You will stay here until I return."
     Candy could see that it was no use arguing so she sat quietly until
Kirk had exited the tent.  Then she stood and clenched her fists at her sides. 
She knew Kirk hadn't meant to make her angry, he was just being a typical
Viking man, but his parting words had made her good and mad.  She spoke
to the air as she went to the war-chest to get Dolph's dagger.
     "We Americans take our responsibilities very seriously, too, Viking! 
Silky was entrusted to me, and I am going to find him if I have to crawl on
my hands and knees across this whole damn planet!"
     Securing the dagger in one of the invisible-until-you-need-them
pockets of her jumpsuit, Candy carefully lifted the tent flap.  The sun was
setting, darkness quickly approaching.  She guessed that the days were a bit
shorter here than on Earth.  There were a few Vikings milling about. 
Typical men, they were all too involved in whatever they were doing to pay
much attention to a woman.  She walked right by them without incident.
     Candy could smell food cooking.  She figured if she were a cat,
she'd head in the direction of the kitchen.  Scanning the ground from side-
to-side, she slowly walked where her nose led.
     Candy felt as though she'd gone at least a mile when she walked
headlong into a hard body blocking her path.  The man stood as tall as
Dolph so Candy had to strain her neck to look him in the eye.  When she
did, she found herself gazing into the blackest eyes she'd ever seen.  Not
just black in color, but black to the core.  He was quite handsome, his
square jaw covered by a close-cropped black beard.  Sleek black hair
feathered about his shoulders to the middle of his massive torso.  He wore
shiny black body armor that made him look like a giant roach.  Even his
boots were black metal.  He wore no jewelry and no helmet.  The gold
sword that hung at his side was the only bright thing about him.
     That, and his perfect white teeth, which he showed now as he
looked down and smiled.  Inexplicably, Candy felt like a bug under a
microscope.  When he spoke, his voice flowed like warm honey.
     "You are much too beautiful to be wandering about camp
unprotected.  Have the gods smiled upon me and made you available to any
warrior who wishes to claim you?"
     In spite of herself, Candy blushed.  He was positively magnetic, and
he reeked of man and sex and...she shook her head.  Though she meant to
sound strong and unafraid, her voice betrayed her, coming out weak and
almost sorrowful.
     "No, I'm not available."
     Candy blinked, momentarily breaking the spell this mysterious man
had cast over her.  Her words were stronger.
     "I mean, I'm with someone.  I'm sorry I bumped into you."
     His smile widened.  He brushed her cheek with the back of his hand
and goose bumps instantly answered his touch.
     "I'm not.  I only regret that another has claimed you before I had the
pleasure of driving you wild with desire.  What is your name, little one? 
And who is the lucky man that holds such a treasure?"
     This man was hypnotizing, like a king cobra in full hood. 
Something inside Candy warned her that he could be just as deadly.
     "My name is Candy, but Dolph calls me Star."
     There was the slightest tightening of the man's dark features.  It
happened so quickly that Candy thought she might have imagined it.  Then
he nodded.  A trace of sorrow tinging his words, he said,  "Dolph has
always been a very lucky man.  I see his luck continues.  Still, I'm sure he
would forgive his old friend a taste of forbidden fruit."
     Before she even realized what was happening, his hands slid over
her shoulders, down her arms, and around her back to pull her into his
embrace.  His lips descended to caress hers ever so lightly.  Candy knew
she should pull away, but the shock of the sudden unexpected action held
her still long enough for her to realize that this man was a great kisser.   As
the pressure on her lips increased, she found herself responding, parting her
lips.  Warning bells were going off in her head, her sixth sense telling her
that this man was dangerous.  Candy was planning to heed them.  In a
minute.
    Suddenly, he caught her bottom lip between his teeth and bit down hard. 
Candy yelped and wrenched herself from his grasp as she tasted blood.  She
raised her hand to slap him, but he stepped back out of her reach.  He
chuckled deep in his throat, his smile predatory.
     "Dolph had better keep a closer eye on you, Beauty, or he will be
questioning the parentage of his children.  Perhaps his luck has run out after
all."
     He narrowed his eyes at her, and Candy felt true fear.  Who was
this Viking?
     "When you explain the damage to your lip, give Dolph my regards,
Star."
     He started backing away from her.  Candy sincerely wished she had
the nerve to follow him and give him a piece of her mind, but every
warning signal she had developed in her young life was blaring inside her
head.  She raised her chin proudly and yelled contemptuously at the
retreating Viking.
     "And just who the hell are you, anyway?"
     Though his body had melted into the darkness, his silky-steel voice
found its way to her shocked ears.
     "Vierig, my sweet little prize, I am Vierig the Merciless!"