Page 42 of Lhora
He walked over to it to give it a quick once-over, hoping to glean a clue, when his eyes fell on the rutted dirt track next to the coach’s wheels. The ruts were deep and long, too big to have been made by the coach. Which meant something larger had once been parked there.
On a hunch, he dashed back inside to find the guard. Pinning the man in his chair, Duren shoved his face into the guard’s and darkly demanded, “Outside, next to the storage shed. What is usually parked there?”
“P-parked?”
“Plug you! Focus! What do you keep parked next to the storage shed?”
“The-the wagon. The wagon we use to transport prisoners in.”
“It’s not there. Who took it?”
Confusion welled up in the man’s eyes. “It’s not there? It should be. No one’s been authorized to take it anywhere today.”
The wagon that was used to transport prisoners. That meant it was one of those large vehicles with the tall sides. There weren’t that many in use, and those that were belonged to the manse. All he had to do was find that particular wagon. And when he did, he knew he’d find the missing escapees.
The big question now was where that many people could have gone without being spotted.
Duren stared off into the distance. “Where are you, Lhora? Did you go with the Vadris willingly? Or were you coerced?”
He hated the feeling of helplessness pervading him, and he gripped his hands into fists as he tried to accept the fact that he may never see the woman again.
21
Confrontation
They were well above the stratosphere and into space before another ship was launched to go after them. On the bridge, no one said a word except for the Vadris, who instructed Pullid to take the ship directly into the outer atmosphere once they were aloft. As they leveled out, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
“Lhora.”
She glanced up to see Lon staring at her from the forecastle.
“All right. This was all your idea. Where to?”
“Head for Beinight.”
“What the plug?” the man working the communications panel called out.
“You have something to say, Deppil?”
The man turned to the Vadris. “You’re not seriously considering us going to Beinight, are you?”
Lon handed the question to Lhora. “You said you could guarantee our safety.”
“I can, and I will,” she reassured him. She tapped her sword. “I have the Esstika’s ear.”
A loud bark of derision interrupted her. Over by the weapons console, Fobi sneered. “Oh, yes. I can see it now. A large, fully-armed Coltrosstian war frigate invades Beinight airspace, and they’re going to just let it land because she tells them to.”
Lhora kept her tongue and her secret to herself. There would come the time when she’d have no choice but to reveal her true identity, but it wasn’t now. “You trusted me to get you out of that dungeon. I think I’ve proven my word is good.” She looked at the Vadris. “Once we get in communication range, they’re going to challenge you. Let me talk to them.”
Lon agreed without question. “Deppil, let me know the moment they hail us.”
“Yes, Vadris.”
“Pullid, all ahead full! Heading two-six-six-zero!”
“Heading two-six-six-zero.”
The pilot gave the immense wheel a hard tug, sending it spinning, and Lhora felt the ship lean into its new course. Over by the bulkhead, she noticed a tall man watching her. She pulsed him and discovered why. “As soon as we reach Beinight airspace, I’ll hand this board back over to you,” she informed the navigator. The man gave a slight nod. “What is your name?”
