Page 3 of Lhora
“I don’t know. Perhaps. You know as well as I do that the Tra’Mell have no love for us or the Coltrosstians. I also believe the Sarpi is just as mortified about having to join forces with us against our common enemy.”
“So you think this is temporary?”
Kai gave a slight shrug. “Time will tell.”
A noise behind them caught their attention. A group of servants were entering the room to set trays of food and drink on the tables already set up against the far wall. Seeing the tall decanters of lomo juice reminded Lhora she’d worked up quite a sweat during her sword practice.
“I’m going to get something to drink,” she informed the woman.
“Don’t go far. The delegation should be here shortly.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere,” Lhora promised.
By the time she reached the table and received a mug, the Esstika was surrounded again by her top counselors. Lhora studied the woman, noting how stately and unruffled her mother appeared. A lot of people thought of their ruler as being as sturdy and unshakable as the mountains in the east. She was their rock, and as brilliant as the white sun that shone over them. Less than a handful knew the real woman, the resilient yet sensitive female beneath those scarlet robes. One of them was Fallmin, her consort, husband, and the love of her life. The other was Lhora, their only surviving child.
And, if the great goddesses permitted, the next Esstika of this side of their world.
2
Audience
Lhora chugged down her mug of juice, then went over to take her position in front of the short steps leading up to the dais where her mother would be standing when the Coltrosstians arrived. Unlike the Esstikas before her, Kai preferred to greet her guests on her feet rather than in a sitting position. She believed it showed respect for those attending, but it also allowed her to maintain her dominance over them by making them look up at her. Lhora agreed with her mother’s philosophy. It was a subtle yet powerful gesture.
Taking a stance, she spread her feet slightly and locked her arms behind her back. To stand directly next to their ruler would tip off the strangers that Lhora was comparable to the title. Even though she was Kai’s daughter, and the people of Beinight were aware of her true heritage, it was a guarded secret to outsiders. Especially to those like the Coltrosstians, who were considered not-quite-enemies, yet not-quite-friendlies. After eons of heightened tension between their peoples, there was no trust between them. But conflicts were rare, as the two sides were nearly equal in strength when it came to warfare.
They didn’t have to wait long before the golden doors parted, and a squad of soldiers, led by their commander, strode into the room. Within their ranks, Lhora spied the tall Coltrosstians in their bright blues and greens. The colors stood out starkly against the Beinights’ darker red and brown uniforms.
Lhora saw her father’s eyes light on her mother first, then on her. No smile crossed his face, and none would. The commander kept his private life completely separate from his professional one. At no time would anyone be able to guess he and the Esstika were a couple unless they were already privy to that fact.
“Are you sure you want me here with you?” she softly inquired of the woman standing behind her.
“I was wondering if we should let them know who you are? Or not, and give them something to gossip about?” Her mother shot her a side-eye and a partial grin. Kai was teasing, of course. She’d never make that secret known.
Lhora snorted. “Give them the basics and let them figure the rest of it out on their own…if they’re smart enough.”
“Ah. Good one, Lhora.” Her mother added a wink before the stoic side of her settled across her handsome features.
As the entourage drew nearer, Lhora studied the group. There were five of them, all males. Four obviously seasoned veterans and one younger. One of the older four, the one in the lead, had that attitude that was easily recognizable. The other three she could make an educated guess as to who they were. But the younger one? Was he a trainee? A scribe? Or someone expected to serve the others? She found it ironic that she might be expected to second-guess each man’s reason for attending, the same way she and her mother planned to treat them.
The men halted in front of the dais. Gur Fallmin saluted the Esstika, who nodded in response. “Esstika, I present to you Sov Eem Klor, Sarpi of Coltross.”
The older man with the self-important air took a half-step forward but didn’t salute. “Esstika Kai, thank you for allowing us to come speak with you.”
Kai waved a hand at the tables. “Enjoy some repast, Sarpi Sov. Then we’ll discuss your reason for being here.”
One of the other three men whispered in the Sarpi’s ear. Lhora caught Fallmin’s amused expression before the commander strode over to the tables, grabbed one of the flasks, and brought it back to where they were standing. Staring directly at the Coltrosstians, he gulped down the juice.
Lhora bowed her head to hide the smile that threatened to give her away. If their guests believed the food and drink were tainted, that theory had been knocked down by Fallmin’s actions.
I wonder what they’ll think we’ve got waiting for them next?
“Thank you, Esstika.” The Sarpi set an inquisitive gaze on Lhora. He also took in her attire, as well as her sword. Turning slightly, he checked around them at the dozen or so figures standing silently nearby, then looked back at Kai. “Is there someplace where we can speak in private?”
“These people are part of my counsel. Whatever you need to tell me, you will tell them. That way there will be no misinterpretation of your words.”
Lhora eyed the five men and realized there was an uneasiness in their stance. Her instincts kicked in, and she lowered her head as she concentrated on their visitors. She only needed to sweep them once to understand.
“Esstika.” She turned her head toward Kai. “Perhaps it would be in our best interest if we retired to one of the smaller meeting halls to continue this conversation.”
