Page 42 of Emperor of Draconis

“They didn’t belong here. Those Earthers invaded our land.”

“Mortee, isn’t it?”

“Yes, my liege.”

“You seem to be quite violent. Do you feel that is the way to settle everything?”

“Not everything, but this thing.” Mortee replied.

“I believe in working things out if we can. They are willing to do so as well. We have a shortage of people and they are willing to stay here and take jobs that are available. That sounds like a good deal to me.” Mortee shut up, but it was clear he was unhappy. “Next we need to work on the rogue leaders.”

“The bounty has been placed. We will see what happens.” Garulto said.

“Bounty?” Mortee asked and he sounded outraged. “They are our people.”

“They are traitors that attempted to kill us.”

“I admit they were behaving badly, but traitors?”

“Who do you know that’s in their group?”

“My brother.” He admitted.

“And he is ready to come home?” Torr asked.

“I don’t know. I hoped he would.”

“If he turns himself in, we would negotiate something.”

“Thank you. I’ll let him know.”

“Anyone else have anything?” He asked.

“No. I believe that is it.” Garulto said.

“Okay. Everyone can go.” They trooped out but a few stayed, and some different people came in. “Welcome. We finished the meeting, but it didn’t go as planned. It seems some of the rogue leaders may want to come home.”

“You’d let them?” Saim asked.

“I would. I want to redeem all my people if I can.”

“We’ll do whatever we can to do so.” Garulto agreed.

“It would be good if we could redeem a few of them.” Kitty observed.

Everything was settled and most of the others left. It was down to family with Garulto, Jarel, Davy, and them. “So, this is pretty interesting. Mortee’s brother is in the desert. He’s one of the few we just located. There are twenty soldiers with him that are loyal to him.” Davy described.

“We’ll wait until tomorrow and see if he surrenders. If not, we need to go after them.” Torr decided.

“That’s agreed. Hopefully they’ll come in.” Davy said.

“Do you really believe they will?” She asked.

“Probably not.” Jarel admitted. “But they have a chance if they want one.”

“It’s more than they gave us when they attacked us.” Davy pointed out.

“We’re better than they are.” Torr pointed out. “Not that we’ll get credit for it. Meanwhile we should keep trying to locate the rogue leader and convince the soldiers left to come back.”

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