Page 52 of Lhora
“So how did you escape?”
“The Sarpen, Duren, came to visit me. He offered me my freedom in exchange…for me to…” She didn’t know it would be this hard to confess her weakness.
“In exchange for your body?”
Lhora nodded. “He promised to send me to Kotill, where a schooner would be waiting for me so it could take me to Vikalda. I read him, and knew he was telling the truth, so I…agreed. Mother…” She bowed her head, unable to look the woman in the face. “Mother, Duren is very much like his father, but in many ways he’s not. He can be ruthless, but he doesn’t have the hate-filled callousness. Our night together was… There was caring. There was tenderness. There was… There were moments when we were no longer mutual enemies. We ceased to think of each other as Coltrosstian and Beinight.”
The Esstika leaned back slightly but didn’t release her daughter’s hand. “At any time did he discover, or the Coltrosstians discover, that you were the Esstiss?”
“Not until we entered Beinight airspace and were challenged by Gur Ontis.”
Kai patted her hand. “After you spent the night with the Sarpen, did he keep his word?”
“He placed me in one of his coaches and had the driver take me to Kotill. But along the way, I got to talking to the man. I found out his brother was the pilot on the Vadris’s ship, and he especially hated me because he blamed me for his brother being imprisoned. I told him what really happened, and whom he should blame.”
Kai lifted her face. “I thank the goddesses you inherited your father’s torgart abilities. What happened when you arrived in Kotill?”
“We never got there. I noticed the frigate sitting at the harbor on our way out of Avergild. The driver told me it had just undergone repairs and was being removed from dry dock.” Lhora smiled. “I convinced him to take me back to the dungeon. The guards there believed he was returning me and gave us clearance. I convinced the Vadris and his men that we should escape the dungeon and make our way to the harbor, and seize the frigate for ourselves. In exchange, I promised them sanctuary when we arrived here.”
“How did the Sarpen end up going with you?”
“He somehow discovered what we’d done and came after us. When the Tra’Mell accosted us and tried to board us, he managed to come aboard.” She made a vague gesture with her free hand. “We were afraid he was going to try to force us to go back with him to Coltross, but I, uhh…”
“You what?” There was sparkle in her mother’s eyes.
“I hit him over the head to knock him out. We told him a Tra’Mell had attacked him.” She pointed skyward. “Your Gurs have probably already filled you in on what occurred after our frigate entered Beinight airspace.”
Kai smiled. “They have. So what are your plans for the Sarpen? Do you plan to keep him a permanent resident of our dungeon?”
Lhora returned the smile. “That remains to be seen.” She dropped the smile. “It’s imperative I let you and Father know what we discovered with regards to the Tra’Mell and the Coltrosstians.”
“Does it have to be now, or can it wait until after you eat?” She gazed over her daughter’s body a second time. “You also need to rest. I may not be a torgart, but I can tell you need time to recuperate.”
Lhora raised a finger. “After we sup, but before I rest.”
Kai nodded. “I’ll inform your father.” She got to her feet to leave, but paused. Her face averted, she inquired, “The Sarpen. Did he make you happy?”
Although Lhora knew she should be ashamed, she wasn’t. In addition, her father would read it from her and tell the Esstika. There were no secrets between them.
“Yes, Mother. He made me very happy. Happy in ways I didn’t believe possible.”
“And would you, if you were able, if you were allowed, would you…do you want him to keep you happy?”
“Yes, Mother. I do.”
Sighing, Kai left the bedroom, and Lhora hurried to dress to go down to the banquet hall.
25
Comfort
Most of the crewmen were in the banquet hall by the time Lhora arrived. She took her usual seat as their meal was being brought in.
She smiled to herself. This was one of those rare times when she and her parents would get to share a meal together in front of company. Usually, the three of them would gather in the kitchen and discuss their day in private. Otherwise, state dinners with outsiders included just her mother, and on those occasions Lhora and her father would blend into the background, along with the other soldiers, as security.
“It’s been a while since I was out of uniform,” a familiar voice chuckled behind her. She looked up to see the Vadris standing behind the chair next to her. He pointed to the empty seat. “May I?”
Lhora nodded. “You may.” She eyed his clothing. The men had been provided a clean set of nondescript pants and shirts. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d never guess you were a Vadris.”
