Page 66 of Lhora
“We,” Fallmin interrupted. “Ifwedon’t find a way to defeat them.”
Lhora saw Duren’s jaws clench. “I have a plan, but I’m going to need your cooperation if it’s to succeed,” he admitted.
She reached over, grabbed the spoon sitting in the bowl of gavvis, and served herself a helping. “Can we at leasteatwhile we discuss this plan?” she remarked. “Father, pour me a glass of hoovlin, would you? And throw me one of those esatch buns.”
The conversation was paused as they proceeded to eat. Lhora was aware of her father’s somber mood. He wasn’t going to challenge Duren’s or her decision. Not now, anyway. As for her mother, Lhora breathed a sigh of relief. Duren was beginning to grow on her.
It was when they were refilling their mugs when Kai spoke up. “Tell us this plan of yours.”
Duren cleared his throat. “I want to take theBeccanback up and confront my father’s ships. Alone,” he added before someone else asked.
“You’re going to need a crew,” Fallmin observed.
“I’ll speak to Vadris Lon,” Lhora offered. “I’m sure I can convince them to man the frigate under your command.”
“I’ll convince them with you,” Duren told her. “The trust has to run both ways, remember?”
“But why go it alone?” Kai inquired.
“I have an idea for your other ships,” Duren answered.
Lhora turned to him. “I’ll come with you.”
“No.”
She was shocked to hear all three chorus the word. “I must go! You don’t expect me to stay behind and watch him battle the Tra’Mell alone!”
Duren laid his hand on top of where hers rested on the table. “You can helm one of the Beinight ships.”
“And I’ll helm one as well,” Fallmin added. “What’s your strategy, Sarpen?”
“Do you have a holo map nearby?”
“There’s one in the communications room.”
“Let’s convene there and I’ll show you.” Duren looked at Lhora. “Then you can tell me where I’m right or wrong. But I’m leading the charge. With any luck, and the blessings of the goddesses, he’ll hesitate long enough to see the error of his ways.”
“What if he doesn’t?” Lhora whispered, clutching his hand.
“Then there’s not going to be much of a future for us, is there?” he sadly replied.
31
Clash
“How far until we reach Beinight?”
“Sixteen hundred huares, Sarpi.” Vadris Pra looked up from his navigation board and smiled. “Everything is proceeding as planned.”
“Good. Diad! Anything on the radar yet?”
“No, Sarpi. So far there’s nothing showing.”
“Goruu!”
“No communication from the Esstika!” the man replied. “She refuses to answer our summons.”
“I don’t like this, Sarpi,” Vadris Plur stated from his position at the wheel. “They know we’re coming. So where are their ships?”
