Her belly full, Lhora gave her father a kiss on the cheek and left
the kitchen. It was good to know that the vibes she’d been getting
from the Coltrosstians were identical to the ones he’d received.
They both agreed the Sarpi and his men were up to something. They
just couldn’t figure out what. Not until the right question was
asked, and the men were forced to outright lie.
“Yes, and I know
what you’re going to say. You noticed I’m interested in the Sarpi’s
son.” She winked at him. “But not in the way you believe.”
Fallmin raised a
hand. “I never said you were. Are you going to approach him
indirectly while he’s here?”
“I hadn’t
considered it. I do admit I’d like to converse with him when his
father’s not around. Or any of their men.”
“If you do, you’ll
have to be careful what you say.”
She grinned at
him. “I know you feel you have to remind me. I assure you I’m
prepared for that…if that moment comes. Speaking of watching
tongues, I’m very proud of the way Mother warded off their pathetic
attempts to find out about our fleet.”
The commander
snorted. “I will pass your praise on to her. She’ll be very glad to
know how quickly you’re learning.”
Lhora stopped in
the hallway and leaned against the wall. One day her mother would
hand the red robes of the Esstika to her, the way her grandmother
had given them to Kai, and her great-grandmother before her.
Sometimes the robes were given upon the death of the Esstika.
Sometimes they were given when the current ruler became too ill to
serve. Age-wise, Kai Vul Est Niram was considered to be young. She
still had many decades wherein she could serve before handing their
half of the planet over to Lhora. Personally, Lhora admitted to
herself that she would be content to remain one of the guards and
never assume the robes. But she knew she’d inevitably have to don
them. Just not now. Later. Years and years later, she hoped.
Reaching a window,
she gazed out into the clear night sky and the two nearly full moons
floating above the horizon. Twin moons following almost parallel
paths around their world. Geet led her younger sister Vit by a good
hour, as if showing her the way to go.
She passed a
couple of guards on her way to the side door that opened into a
small garden. That private area was visible from their bedrooms, but
not from the main gate or entrance. The men acknowledged her before
she slipped outside.
The moons were not
yet visible from here as the rock wall blocked them from view. She
loved being able to sit and watch them ascend a second time. Opening
the metal gate, she took the path around the far side of the manse
to where it intersected with the rear entrance.
“Good eve,” the
guard standing duty greeted her. He didn’t refer to her by her
proper name or title, and wouldn’t as long as the Coltrosstians were
present. They fiercely guarded keeping the identity of their next
Esstika secret in case there was any planned attempt on her life.
“Good eve. How are
things faring?”
“Quiet,
thankfully.”
She flashed him a
smile. “I won’t be long. I just need to walk off some of my late
meal before I retire.”
“Enjoy your walk.
The sky is clear, and the moons are beautiful tonight.”
“That they are.”
She continued down
the path and toward the open courtyard. From here, the two pinkish
orbs appeared brighter and bigger in the heavens. Their combined
light was enough to where none of the sconces had been lit, and none
would be until they vanished below the horizon.
She’d lost track
of time when an odd sound caught her attention. Partly drawing her
sword, she got to her feet and strained her ears, quickly
recognizing the sound of approaching footsteps.
“Ho! Who goes
there?” She expected a guard to be checking out the area. Maybe
looking to see if she was still here after being informed by another
soldier of her presence. She wasn’t prepared to see the Sarpi’s son
emerge from the shadows. He paused when he emerged into the
moonslight.
“I thought it
might be you,” he remarked. “I saw you from the window over there.”
He turned and pointed to the opposite side of the courtyard.
Lhora wondered why
the Coltrosstian would be allowed to roam freely, especially after
dark. Her eyes dropped to the sword at his hip. She got the
impression he was adept at it, but was he skilled from being in
combat or simply from practice?
“What are you
doing here? I thought you were sleeping on your ship.”
“I talked Vadris
Boe into spending the night here in the manse with me.”
Lhora allowed the
little smile to cross her lips. “The Sarpi’s son is afraid to stay
alone?”
The man’s eyes
widened. “How did you… Oh. The torgart told you.”
“What he didn’t
know was your name.”
“I’m Duren Sim
Sarpen Sov.”
“Hello, Duren Sim
Sarpen Sov. I take it you’re having trouble sleeping?”
“If you were lying
in a strange bed inside the manse of your enemy, wouldn’t you?”
“Then why not stay
on your ship?”
“Because I’m
curious.”
“About what?”
“About Beinights
in general. About the way you live. Your food. Your homes. Plus, I
was hoping I might run into you again.”
He was telling her
the truth. His sincerity allowed her to relax somewhat.
“What are you
doing out here this late at night?” he queried.
“I didn’t get to
eat until after you and your father were finished. I was feeling a
bit stuffed, and thought I’d come outside, get some exercise and
fresh air, and watch the moons rise.” She sat down on the bench,
leaving plenty of space for him to sit on the stone next to her if
he wanted to.
Duren advanced
closer but chose to sit on another bench a few feet away. Turning
back to the rising moons, she kept herself attuned to his vibes,
resisting the urge to stare at him instead. His proximity was doing
strange things to her, setting her nerves on edge in ways she hadn’t
felt in a very long time. But in a good way.
“So you’re one of
the Esstika’s guards?” He was initiating small talk. Lhora
immediately went on the defensive.
“I’m part of her
security detail.”
“You must be
pretty good at what you do.”
She raised an
eyebrow at him. “What makes you say that?”
“You’re awfully
young to be part of her military.”
“My age has
nothing to do with my ability.”
“Then I applaud
your skills…and your station, Lhora.”
She jerked her
head around, her reaction automatic upon hearing her name. A name
they hadn’t been given, as far as she knew. Too late, she realized
she’d made a mistake when a wide grin crossed Duren’s face.
“There’s a lot you
can tell us because of your closeness to the Esstika.” He chuckled.
“You’ll be able to tell us everything about her. About her family,
if she has one. About her private life, as well as her work life.
All the juicy little details, including her weaknesses and
vulnerabilities.”
He got up and
walked toward her. Something had come over him. A change she
couldn’t put her finger on. Jumping to her feet, she detached her
shurr sword from its clip and swung it over her head.
Duren slowly shook
his head. “It won’t do you any good, Lhora.”
“Why not? What are
you talking about?”
“Your people made
a serious mistake in allowing us to keep our weapons.”
She stared at him,
then realized he hadn’t gone for his sword. In fact, he’d made no
overt threatening gesture other than take a few steps in her
direction. She hesitated, and at that moment she sensed another
presence.
She began to whirl
around to defend herself when something struck the back of her head.
There was a flash of white pain. She never got the chance to wield
her weapon before she collapsed. |