Page 90 of Lhora
No one else spoke, and the crowd began to disperse.
She was aware of her father handing her shurr to her. Clutching it, Lhora bowed her head as the last whispers of music flowed between them.
It was over. It was finally over.
It had ended, but it was also beginning.
Epilogue
She didn’t know she’d slumped to the ground until her father lifted her into his arms.
Lhora.
Opening her eyes, she felt his concern, and she also sensed his happiness. “Duren?” She tried to turn her head, but the dizziness that had overtaken her without warning prevented her from focusing.
Fallmin adjusted his grip on her and turned around to where she could see the new Sarpi being propped up between Vadris Lon and Fobi. Duren flashed her a weak smile. He would be all right, given proper medical care, some food and drink, and a lot of rest.
And love, she told herself. They’d both recover given enough love.
A Beinight ship hovered nearby. Several men were descending on rope ladders to rush to the aid of the wounded and fallen. Fallmin gave them curt orders. “The Coltrosstians are no longer our enemy. Tend to them as you would any Beinight soldier. Let everyone know.”
Although their faces reflected their surprise, they didn’t argue, and passed the word along to the others who joined them.
A stretcher was brought over for Duren to lie on. Another was sent for her, but she declined it. “Let me walk on my own,” she gently begged the Gur. Fallmin nodded, setting her on her feet, but he kept a steadying hand to her back in case her legs buckled.
She insisted on remaining with Duren. No one countered her request, but a soldier insisted on escorting her to the sick bay. Before they parted, Fallmin gave his daughter a kiss on the forehead.
“I’m going to inform the Esstika of the outcome of this encounter.”
“Anencounter?” Lhora chuckled. “Is that what this was? An encounter?”
“Sometimes the smallest skirmishes result in the greatest conclusions, more than any major battle could.” He gestured at where Duren was currently being tended to by no less than three physicians. “Ask him if he wants to stay at the manse while he recovers, or if he feels it necessary to take a ship back to Coltross.”
She smiled. “I’ll let you know.”
“And if you feel the need to go with him…”
“Father.” She placed a dirty and bloody hand to the man’s equally grimy and blood-spattered cheek. He took it to kiss the back of her fingers.
“Say no more. I can read your heart.”
He and his men exited sick bay, leaving her to watch and listen to the doctors as they took care of the new Sarpi. At some point a guard brought her her shurr and dagger, freshly cleaned and polished. She didn’t ask what had been done with Sov and his men. It didn’t matter, and she didn’t care.
Eventually the physicians left Duren’s bedside. One came over to examine her, and noticed the small furrow running down her ribs. She was promptly medicated and wrapped, and made to lie down on an adjacent bed.
“Please fetch us some water,” she requested when he was done.
Cha Murn gave a nod. “I’ll have some sent up,” he promised.
“Duren, the Sarpi, how is he?”
“He needs time to heal, but he will heal.” The man beamed at her. “As do you.”
She thanked him and waited for him to leave. Once they were alone, she rolled off the padding and went to stand by Duren’s bedside. His hand on his non-injured side lay on top of the warming blanket. She bent over to kiss it, and wasn’t surprised when his hand turned over and his fingertips caressed her chin. Straightening, she smiled down at him. “You’re drowsy from the medicants they’ve given you.”
“I wouldn’t be alive if you hadn’t stopped Sov’s men from attacking me,” he murmured. His words were slightly slurred but clear enough.
“Sov tried to cheat his way to victory, like he always has. I couldn’t let him get away with it this time.”
