[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.Adeenya did not doubt that the Maquar terir had been trying to eavesdrop on the conversation between her and Taennen.She considered reprimanding Loraica, but the plan she had in mind could not be accomplished alone.She needed help.She could not approach Jhoqo, and Taennen had chosen to remove himself from participation.Adeenya smiled at Loraica.She would do.But first, there was a more pressing issue to deal with.Adeenya made her way through the courtyard to Jhoqo's command building.She took long, determined steps and kept her focus on the approaching door.The guard there didn't even attempt to stop her, instead opening the door for her.Adeenya stepped into the dim room and looked for the Maquar urir.Jhoqo sat in a chair on the right side of the room, several scrolls lying around him in a mess.He looked up when she entered and waved her in.If he was surprised or upset at her arrival, he did not show it."Yes, Orir? May I help you?" Jhoqo said."Sir, you are in command here," Adeenya said."I'm glad we agree," Jhoqo said, rising to his feet."But that doesn't excuse your decision not to inform me that you were sending my people out on a scouting expedition," she said.She held herself still and poised."I had hoped that by sending out the party quickly and without much fuss, perhaps they could have slipped out unnoticed and caught our enemies unawares in the woods," Jhoqo said."I'm not questioning your tactics, sir," Adeenya said."Then what, Orir?" he said."You did not consult me or even tell me what you were doing.My people are dead and I never even knew where they were," she said.Jhoqo's shoulders sagged."They are back then? It did not go well?" he said."I'm sure they'll inform you, sir," Adeenya said, "but that's not why I'm here."Jhoqo watched her for a moment."Then tell me, Orir, exactly why you are here," he said."Sir, I'm here to tell you to not let it happen again," shesaid, stiffening her posture."If my people are to be sent somewhere, I expect to know ahead of time.""Orir, you said I was in command, didn't you? The resources in this citadel are mine to utilize," Jhoqo said."And that includes your forces."Adeenya relaxed her stance and looked the man in the eyes."Never again without my knowledge, Urir.Never."Before Jhoqo could respond, Adeenya left the building, leaving the door wide open behind her.She felt better.She wished Taennen could experience what she just had.+ + + + +Taennen strode through the courtyard, ignoring the salutes as he went.They meant nothing.The men giving them had not believed in the gesture since before their fight with the formians.That fight was why Taennen had lost the respect of both his men and Jhoqo.His feet felt heavy and part of him screamed to stop, but he moved forward simply to be away from anything."Taennen," Loraica called.She jogged toward him, her leather armor creaking as it tried to contain her mass through the jostling motion."Terir," he said."Can we talk a moment, sir?" she said."Of course.Walk with me.""I'm concerned about you, Taen," she said.He stopped and looked at her.His oldest friend's brow was creased, her eyes big and alert."I'm all right, Lori.""Are you sure? You don't seem all right.I saw what happened at the gate.""I was angry and ashamed.I'm dealing with it.""I'm glad," Loraica said."What is it, Lori? There's something else bothering you." Taennen had shared more with her than anyone else in the world.Stories of his childhood, hopes for the future, bruises, blood, tears, and joys.There was likely little they could hide from one another."You just seem different on this mission," she said.Taennen thought about her words."I suppose so.This is unlike any other mission we've been on, isn't it?"Loraica shrugged."I guess, but.forgive me, but I'm not sure I trust the orir, and you're spending more time with her than might be necessary," she said, her body stiffening to stand at attention."I'm not sure what to say, Lori.I'm glad you said something, but I don't think that's the case.I trust her so far, but I hope you can trust me when I say that I'm being cautious.""I do, Taen.You know I do," Loraica said, a smile overtaking her face."Oh, speaking of the orir, she asked me to tell you that something's come up in her ranks, so she'll try to catch up with you later.""I see.Thank you
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]