Page 64 of Lhora
Duren took the initiative. “I’m fine, Father. Call off your ships.” The Sarpen’s tone matched the Sarpi’s, aggressive for aggressive. Demand for demand.
“I’ll do no such thing until you are returned to Coltross!”
“And if I desire to remain here a few days longer? What will you do?”
Sov’s mouth gaped open. “Then theyarekeeping you prisoner! They’re holding you hostage against me!”
“I am free to leave on my own recognizances!” Duren snapped harshly. “I’m not being held, coerced, or in any manner being treated like a prisoner! I am here of my own free will!”
The Sarpi gasped again. “They’re turning you against me!”
“The Esstika has done nothing of the kind!”
Lhora smiled to herself. He hadn’t lied. He’d told the truth. Her mother had nothing to do with him being here, much less made any attempt to subvert him.
“Speaking of being coerced,” Duren continued, “when did you and the Tra’Mell come to an agreement to join forces against Beinight? And why wasn’t I informed?”
Sov’s face went a shade darker. “You believe the Beinights’ lies?”
“They’re not lies, unless you want to call the Tra’Mell liars to their faces. They are the ones who told the Vadris they had formed an alliance with you.”
A tendril of a feeling she couldn’t identify curled through her. She glanced up at her father to see if he’d also caught it. He replied to her silent query with a nod and a pat on her shoulder.
The Sarpi gritted his teeth. “I am ordering you to return to Coltross immediately!”
“Forget it. I’m staying here…for the time being,” Duren said in a cool, even tone.
“Then I will send my ships there to get you and make you return!”
Duren laid a hand on the sword’s hilt. The Sarpi growled at the implied threat. “You no longer have any power over me,” Duren informed him. “Furthermore, I reject you trying to force your will on me again.”
“You cannot usurp my authority!”
For the first time, Duren raised his voice. “If I must, I will, because you’ve sold out Coltross to the Tra’Mell!”
“It’s for the future of Coltross!” the Sarpi yelled. “It’s for your future as the next Sarpi!”
“And what happens after we defeat the Beinights, Father? What did you promise the Tra’Mell in exchange for their help?What?Tell me!”
An arm reached out across the front of the feed and grabbed the Sarpi’s upper arm. The man jerked his head to that side, and Lhora heard a barely audible, indistinguishable murmur. The person had an immediate effect on the Sarpi, and he turned back to face his son.
“Our ships are launching now to bring you back, Duren. That is my final order.”
The screen blanked out as all communication was cut off.
Duren glanced over at where they stood. “I’m going to need my own weapons back,” he informed them. “I don’t believe my father is sending just Coltrosstian ships. I think he’s also sending the Tra’Mell.”
“So do I,” Kai agreed and turned to Lhora. “He was waiting for the right moment to strike, and I think he’s found it.”
30
Admission
Duren hung his head. Lhora could tell he was thinking. Emotionally he was all right. Apparently he’d butted heads with his father in the past, and in every instance she sensed he’d come out the loser. But this time she detected a hard determination within him. He wasn’t going to lose this time.
“I have a plan,” he stated.
“Which we’ll discuss over breakfast,” Kai firmly stated. “No arguments.” She narrowed her eyes at the Sarpen. “You’ll be able to think more clearly when your belly’s full. I’m betting it’s been some time since you had a decent meal.”
