Page 4 of Lhora
She caught her mother’s probing stare. Lifting her face to the men, Kai announced, “My captain suggests I cede to your request. I trust her judgment, and agree. Come.”
Lhora led the way toward the nearest gathering room. Opening the single door, she first checked it before stepping aside to allow the Esstika to enter first. Once everyone was inside, she closed the door behind them and took a position beside the portal. This time, she placed one hand on the hilt of her sword in a clear show of the importance of her duty.
“Good folk.” Kai indicated the dozen or so seats around a small table. Everyone sat except for the commander, who remained standing directly behind the Esstika. From that position, he and Lhora could exchange glances in silent communication. Between the two of them, they were equally curious as to why the Coltrosstians had insisted on this meeting. Plus, Lhora could tell her father had also sensed the men’s hesitancy. Like her, he could tell there was more to this meeting than what it appeared to be about.
“Very well. Talk to me,” Kai demanded in a firm voice.
The Sarpi laid his hands palm-down on the table. “You are aware of the Tra’Mell landing on our planet’s southernmost hemisphere.”
“And we have accosted them,” she replied.
“I take it your loss has been as great as ours.”
Lhora sucked in her breath. Were the Coltrosstians admitting to their defeats? Or was this a ploy to find out how decimated the Beinights’ fleet was? Lowering her head, she closed her eyes and concentrated. Dimly, she heard her mother’s voice.
“What is the purpose of your visit?” No accusations. No denial. Just a simple request for the truth.
“They have suffered great losses, Esstika,” a voice boomed from the opposite side of the room. Lhora looked up to see her father wearing the same knowledgeable expression that she did.
One of the Sarpi’s men jumped to his feet. “The commander is a torgart!”
The younger man also rose from his chair, but more slowly, as he surveyed those present in the room. “I suspect there may be more than one of them in here, as well.”
Lhora locked eyes with the man. Before she was aware of it, she was taking in the man’s countenance with the same scrutiny as he was observing her. She had to admit the soldier wasn’t hard to look at. He had the strong jaw and high cheekbones that almost screamed power.
Almost screamed power.
She checked the Sarpi, then the younger man. The same features. The same dark, depthless eyes and wide brow.
And it hit her.
Rather than respond to the near accusation, Kai returned to the Sarpi. “The point of your visit,” she repeated a bit more stiffly.
Sov straightened his shoulders. “A truce.”
“We already have a truce,” Lhora broke in. She started to say more when Kai waved for her silence.
“Why would this one be any different?” the Esstika questioned.
“To join forces against the Tra’Mell. Your ships and our ships, together. Our intelligence has revealed that you are down to less than twenty ships. Plus you’ve suffered great losses in the number of your men. So have we.”
Two of the Sarpi’s men instantly protested his giving out that bit of information, but Sov ignored them and continued. “It’s my belief that the Tra’Mell are counting on us to remain separated, and plan to use that to their advantage. So far, it’s been working. If we don’t coordinate our efforts against these invaders, both of our countries will fall, and both of our civilizations will be wiped out.” Getting to his feet, he braced himself. “I am willing to forget our differences until this threat is removed from our world. Can I count on you joining us in this endeavor?”
Although she didn’t hear her mother’s answer, she could see its effect on the Sarpi.
And moreso on the younger man—the Sarpi’s son and heir.
3
Questions
“Do you trust the Coltrosstians to uphold their part of the bargain?”
Lhora glanced up from her bowl of food as her father crossed her line of sight. She watched Fallmin hand Kai a mug of juice, then take a seat beside her on the lounger. The Esstika scooped another spoonful of falava into her mouth before washing it down with a swallow from her drink.
“I’m trusting you and Lhora and the other torgarts on my counsel to spot any deception before it becomes evident by their actions.” She glanced at Lhora. “I meant to ask you, did you sense anything from our guests?”
“Other than the fact that the one young man in their group is the Sarpi’s son?”
